Articles

Church Out There - Shankill

Posted: Friday October 19th 2007

Name and address of project:

Maurice Elliot, Shankill Parish Caring Association, Shankill Parish Centre, Lurgan

Some history:

Shankill Parish Caring Association (SPCA) was setup with charitable status in June 1993 but in April 1996 it became a company limited by guarantee. This association was open to community members to join however a majority of seats were by the parish vestry, The objects are to promote the benefits of the inhabitants of the parish of Shankill without distinction of age, sex, race, political, religious or other opinion. This led to links with statutory authorities, voluntary agencies and inhabitants for the betterment of education provision and provide facilities in the interest of social welfare in order to improve life for all and promote the Christian faith. The group also oversees projects like parent and toddlers, youth club, breakfast club for school children, work with senior citizens

Can you explain how what you are involved with helps the church live out the Hard Gospel:

The activities of SPCA have been at the heart of Shankill Parishes desire to serve the local community, and they have been strategic in term of promoting healthy cross community contact. The ‘Cedars’ choir has both protestants and catholic members. Also the initiation of the parent and kids together project was a cross community development project that brought children and parents.

Is there an experience or a story from the project that has had a most profound on you or your church:

Getting nearly two and a half million pounds together in order to getting a new purpose built space in the area for these programmes. (This material has been adopted from David McClay’s book Go and Do Likewise)