Food Bank Re-Opening Update

Following a recent relaunch meeting which was very well supported, it was decided to reopen the Village food bank in the sanctuary of Cumbernauld Old Parish Church (ie the church itself rather than the session house) on Thursday 27th April from 10.30 – 12.30.

In preparation for this, a planning day is scheduled for Thursday 20th April at 11am in the church. The purpose of this meeting is to sort out the logistics of how the food bank will actually work in the new setting. All interested parties are warmly invited to attend.

If anyone is unable to attend but still wants to be involved please contact Sandra on 07780 452549 or leave us a note below, which we will pass on. Many thanks!

Property Team and Convener

Can you help?

Our Property convener, Matt Sime, is giving up his post after 8 years, and we are looking for a small team of volunteers from the church community, and / or family members or friends, who would be interested in taking on and sharing property tasks within the church properties. Around six people would be an ideal number.

All those interested would be invited to a meeting with Matt to look at all aspects of the role and try to match responsibilities to skills, capabilities and availability. It would be down to individuals to offer their time and talent in whatever way they could. The volunteers would take on the regular weekly tasks as required, so as not to overburden the Property Convenor.

It would include weekly Fire Alarm testing in the church and checks on fire extinguishers etc for any leaks. Arranging access to church properties for contractors / service engineers and plumber / electrician when required to carry out maintenance, servicing and repairs.

We are also looking for a volunteer who would be willing to take on the position of Property Convener,  as a point of contact for the church and liaison with Glasgow Presbytery as required. 

It is important that there are enough volunteers to take on the administration and practical responsibilities, as there are a small number of statutory and critical tasks that need to be done on a regular basis, otherwise the church cannot open for Health and Safety reasons. 

Volunteers are welcome from the congregation or the wider community. 
Full training will be given. 
Please contact Matt on mattsime46@gmail.com or mobile 07707 868781, if you are able to offer any assistance. Thank you!

Warm Space initiative

In partnership with Cornerstone and the Village Community Council, Cumbernauld Old has been invited by North Lanarkshire Council to participate in setting up a ‘welcome space’ for local residents from November 2022 to March 2023.

The Council will provide all the funding necessary and propose to open the small hall in The Wynd every Thursday from 12.30 -14.30 to serve soup and sandwiches provided by Cornerstone and, if possible, re-open from 16.00 – 18.00 to offer an early evening snack. It will be a place where people can enjoy some company and come together to “seat, eat and heat”.

Details have still to be finalised, but for it to go ahead it needs the help of the wider community; it needs men and women to volunteer to staff the sessions. Hopefully, enough people will come forward to make up a rota so that the commitment does not become too much of a burden.

If you want more details, please leave us a note as soon as possible and we’ll pass it on. Your help would be really appreciated.

Harvest Appeal 2022

Once again we at Cumbernauld Old are being invited to support the work of Bethlehem House of Bread at Cornerstone House through our special Harvest Appeal. As we all know we are living in very challenging times. More and more people are struggling, with an increase in families coming forward for help at food banks.
On Sunday 2nd October at our Harvest Appeal could you please help by bringing along your donations of any of the following: 

• Meals –  eg meatballs, macaroni, spaghetti Bolognese, hotdogs, pasta sauce etc;
• Soup –  tins or packets;
• Tinned spaghetti, beans, peas & other vegetables;
• Puddings  –  tins or packets of fruit, rice or custard; 
• Jam, biscuits, UHT milk.

The above are simply suggestions. Anything else you think would help will be greatly appreciated.

Cumbernauld Old and our wider community have supported the food bank for a number of years with amazing generosity. Never has our support been more needed or appreciated.
Thank you.

Baby Bank Appeal

Cumbernauld Old Parish Church recently received a warm thank you from Cumbernauld & Kilsyth Baby Bank for taking part in their Fill-A-Bag Appeal. They said, “It was lovely to blether with you today when collecting the bag, and thank you to everyone involved for their support and generosity.”

Christian Aid Week 2021

Christian Aid Week 2021 runs from 10 – 16 May.

We won’t be able to do our usual fund-raising for Christian Aid Week at Cumbernauld Old this year, no house-to-house collections or envelopes left on pews or available to hand onto neighbours, but just as the work of Christian Aid hasn’t stopped throughout the Covid-19 pandemic neither has the need for its work to be supported. In fact, that need becomes greater as more people are pushed into hardship

In the words of Christian Aid themselves:

This climate crisis hurts us all. But people living in poverty fight the worst of it every day.
From drought to flooding, climate change robs people of control over their lives. Extreme weather means people in the poorest communities are struggling to survive without a reliable source of water.
Your gift could help a community build an earth dam, so when the rains do come, they will have the water they need to live. A reliable source of water will help families withstand long drought or relentless rainstorms.
Every envelope. Every gift. Every challenge can change lives.

No envelope? No problem!
What we have done is create an e-giving page, a place where you can donate to Christian Aid under the ‘banner’ of Cumbernauld Old Parish Church. Just click here or on the logo below to find out more and to donate. Thank you very much for your support. It is greatly appreciated!

Easter fund-raiser!

The knitters at Cumbernauld Old are busy again and this time are making a variety of Items for Easter – chickens, rabbits, ducks, hedgehogs, mice, bumblebees and ladybirds, all containing either a Cadbury’s Creme Egg® or a Cadbury’s Caramel Egg®.
Each comes in a cellophane bag – a bargain for an Easter surprise at £1.
There are also some beehives covering a Terry’s Chocolate Orange® and they cost £3.

If you would like to order one (or more!) please let us know here or by phoning Elizabeth on (01236) 726451. Your support makes a difference to Cumbernauld Old, so thank-you very much!

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Like many things this year, the annual Gift Service at Cumbernauld Old Parish Church was a bit different in that it was online.

What didn’t change was the response. The compassion and generosity of all who contributed was wonderful to behold. A great array of children’s toys & books, gifts for all ages and festive foods – not forgetting a selection of Cumbernauld Old’s very own chocolate orange Santa hats. If that were not enough, over £500 was donated in cash too.

All of the above has now been safely transported to Bethlehem House of Bread at Cornerstone who will distribute them on our behalf. The cash can be used to buy fresh items or gift vouchers for those in need – and there are many, including around 240 children who will benefit from your thoughtfulness.

So once again. a heartfelt thank you for the unwavering support of the food bank, especially in these strange and troubled times. Your kindness will indeed bring tidings of comfort and joy.

A safe & peaceful Christmas from all at the food bank