Our friends at Cornerstone House are celebrating their 40th Anniversary with a special worship concert on Saturday 15th April at 6.30pm.
Featuring Steph Macleod with Ahmed Contah and his gospel choir, tickets are free and available from Eventbrite. A donation can be given on the evening for those who wish to do so.
There will be a supper following the event for those who would like to hang around for a while and chat.
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
Cumbernauld Old Parish Church were delighted to receive the following letter from the Food Bank team at Cornerstone House recently:
Thank you all once again for your partnership and fantastic Christmas donations of food, gifts and money in December and throughout 2017.
We received over 1700 referrals between our two Food Banks in 2017, and put out over 130 extraordinary food hampers, gifts and toys in the Christmas week alone.
It is a blessing to us all in seeing what can be achieved in our own communities when the people of God work together.
Thank you for all the effort everyone puts in to make this ministry work. We look forward to what the Lord is going to do in 2018.
God bless, Norma Cowan
April 2018 will mark the third anniversary of the opening of the Village Food Bank at the Parish Church and we are delighted have forged such close links with the Bethlehem House of Bread, which operates out of Cornerstone House. The Food Bank in the Village is open each Friday from 11am – 12.30pm.
Firstly, we’d like to say a big “thank you” to everyone who supports the local Food Bank with donations, volunteering and prayer. Secondly, we’d like to update you with what we have planned in the lead-up to Christmas – and how you can help.
Preparations are underway at the Food Bank for helping those in need in our community during what can be a particularly challenging time. The Cornerstone Christmas event will be held on Thursday 21st December at Cornerstone House in the Town Centre. It will cater for around 150 people, providing them with a festive meal, food parcel and gifts. There will also be Christmas celebration at the Cumbernauld Village Food Bank the following day, Friday 22nd December, with carols, treats and fellowship.
Cumbernauld Old has received a ‘thank-you’ note from Norma Cowan at Bethlehem House of Bread, our local food bank managed by our friends at Cornerstone House. The note reads:
“Thank you once again for your magnificent contribution to our food bank over the last year and for the wonderful Christmas gifts. In 2015 with your help, between both food banks we gave out over 1500 food parcels into the community and 2016 has exceeded this number. Your continuing support is indeed welcome, so thank you again. It is a blessing not only to those who serve but also to the many people and families who benefit especially at Christmas. God Bless and we wish you all a prosperous 2017.”
The following article was printed in our recent Church Magazine. We thought it worth sharing…
Having supported the Cornerstone food bank for some time with weekly food donations from our congregation, Cumbernauld Old Parish Church decided to offer additional help in the form of a satellite food bank in our area too. Thus with the support of our friends at Cornerstone, the Village food bank opened its doors in April 2015 at the Session House in the Village.
The Cumbernauld Village food bank is open in the church Session House on Friday mornings from 11 – 12.30 to provide not just food and toiletries but support and a welcome for some of the most vulnerable in our community. Advice can be given regarding courses on basic cooking and budgeting as well as providing information regarding other agencies who may be of help. An important function is to provide a relaxed friendly place where people can come to share and chat over a coffee and feel valued.
Thanks to everyone who brought along chocolate Easter Eggs to our services over the weekend of Palm Sunday. These will be distributed by the Social Work Department based in Glasgow to children and families who otherwise wouldn’t have one.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated on Thursday 2nd April (Maundy Thursday) at 7.30pm in the Parish Church.
The Good Friday Walk of Witness, arranged by Cumbernauld Churches Together, will be on Friday 3rd April, starting at 11am from Sacred Heart Church (please be there at 10.45am). We plan to take our usual route through the Town Centre via Kildrum Parish Church, Church of the Holy Name, Cornerstone Church and finishing at Cumbernauld United Reformed Church, where there will be a cup of tea or coffee around 1.00pm.
The Parish Church will also be open for our Good Friday Vigil between 12 noon and 3.00pm. This a time for quiet prayer and reflection in the Church, with a reading, meditation and prayer given on the hour and half-hour. You are welcome to come and stay as long as you wish during the above times.
On Sunday 5th April we celebrate Easter Day at morning worship in the Parish Church at 10.15am and in the Forge Community Centre, Balloch at 11.45am. Note that the J Team are now on holiday until 26th April, although the Sunday School at Balloch are still meeting as usual.
Cumbernauld Old Parish Church 