A warm space and a warm welcome
With winter upon us and the rising cost of food and fuel affecting everyone, a ‘warm space’ can be a sanctuary, especially for the elderly, the isolated and the vulnerable in our communities. Below are just some of churches in the diocese that are offering a warm space, a warm welcome and hot food.
Ballywalter Parish is running a weekly Soup Club where local people can come and have a warm meal in the Parochial Hall and enjoy both company and warmth. Open on Thursdays from 12–2pm with homemade soup, tea, coffee and traybakes on offer.
St John’s Moira is running ‘Winter Warmers’ on Friday evenings from 6–7pm in the Parish Centre. A free hot 2–course meal is served in a warm space.
St Patrick’s Ballymacarrett is running a ‘Winter Warmer’ on Tuesdays from 12–2pm with soup and chat for all.
In partnership with the West Winds Development Association, the West Winds Community Church hosts a weekly Lunch Club on Tuesdays from 12–2pm offering toasties, soup and sandwiches alongside table–top games and a safe, warm space to meet. The team of ladies responsible for the Hen’s Shed at have expanded their gatherings to focus on food and friendship every Tuesday evening from 6.30pm.
Holy Trinity Drumbo runs an adult drop in on Tuesdays from 11am–12.30pm with a lunch once a month and an after–school drop–in for secondary pupils on Tuesday afternoons.
St Mary’s Ballybeen runs the Silver Threads Weekly Lunch Club on Mondays from 10am with a hot 3–course lunch served by a team of volunteers. The Sixty Plus ministry for Seniors, both provides food and a warm space for those who attend on the last Saturday of the month from 7pm.
St John’s Newcastle has an open invitation to anyone in the community to come along to the hall on Wednesday mornings from 10–12 noon. Warm up with tea, coffee, toast, good company, boardgames, newspapers and books.
Shankill Parish Church, Lurgan, and The Jethro Centre, have partnered to open ‘The Living Room’, a warm space for everyone with free newspapers, TV, games, activities, tea and coffee. The drop–in session is each Monday from 1–5pm.
St Jude’s Church is part of ‘Cosy Hubs’ where every weekday at least one place on the Ormeau Road is offering both warmth and an unconditional welcome to any who might appreciate it. St Jude’s is open on Wednesdays from 12–1pm.
Donaghadee Parish Church has joined other local churches to offer a warm space in the village between 9.30am and 12.30pm. The parish space is open on Fridays.
Holy Trinity Glencraig, runs a pop–up café space for all ages offering tea, coffee and treats on Thursdays. Open from 11.00am –12.00 noon and 2.00pm – 3.00pm the Stop & Chat café is an ideal place to stay warm between school pickups.