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Norwich church and mosque team up to feed homeless 

In a unique partnership a Norwich church and Mosque have teamed up to feed homeless and vulnerable people as a tribute to a Norwich minister who is shortly to leave the city. Keith Morris reports.

The Norwich Bangladeshi Mosque in Rose Lane has provided a nutritious two-course meal to local people in need, in tribute to their friendship with Rev David Austin, Vicar of St Luke's and St Augustine's who is moving to a new parish in Oldham very shortly.
 
To mark the end of David's three years in Norwich, Sirajul Islam, Secretary of the Bangladeshi Islamic Trust offered to provide free hot meals to the homeless and vulnerable people who use St Augustine's weekly Lunch and Social Club on April 9.
 
The weekly Club is run under the auspices of St Augustine's Church and community project City Saints in Action and meets in the Church Hall.
 
Club co-ordinator Sophie Clark, from City Saints in Action, said: “Together we were able to provide a two-course meal for over 40 people. The meal was greatly enjoyed and members of Monday Club signed a farewell card for David.
 
“Monday Club is an open table meal, run by City Saints in Action, catering for anyone in need of a hot meal and friendship. It has been running for seven years.”
 
David said: “It is important that we, as people of faith, work together for the common good in our community - standing for tolerance, compassion and peace in this fine city of ours."
 
The Bangladeshi Mosque has now made a successful purchase of the Edward VI site on Aylsham Road (next to St Luke's Church) - from which it will develop a community café, social centre and mosque. St Luke's Church hosted the Public Consultation which led to the approving of Local Government planning permission, with no objection from local residents.
 

Commonwealth community event

St Augustine’s has also staged a community event to mark its links with Commonwealth countries and celebrate the current Commonwealth Games being held on the Gold Coast in Australia.
 
Representatives from St Augustine’s mixed with local residents and community groups at the event which was also attended by people from Ghana and Uganda and included a multi-cultural meal.
 
The event was held in partnership with the Churches Conservation Trust which helps to look after the church. Stuart McLaren from the Trust presented outgoing minister, Rev David Austin with a framed drawing of the medieval church of St Augustine’s. 
 
Pictured above are team from the Bangladeshi Mosque and from City Saints in Action preparing the community meal at St Augustine’s.
 


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