Cost of living crisis: Newtownabbey church offers 'warm welcome'

Abbey Presbyterian Church Monkstown - known to many as the white church on the corner of the Monkstown and Jordanstown Roads - is opening its doors and offering a warm welcome to all.

Minister Alan Carson explains “This is both a natural extension of our ongoing vision and work, and a response to the current challenges people are facing.

"We seek to be an “open church” and part of that vision has been to open our doors more. And offering a comfortable warm space to people means they’re not at home wondering about the cost of heating.”

Alongside the usual activities of Sunday worship and programmes for different ages during the week, Abbey have developed or added new things so that people can just come in and spend time together, with the heating - and the kettle - always on.

On Wednesday mornings ‘Open Door Coffee and chat’ (from around 10.30am-noon) provides tea, coffee and amazing scones and a place to meet and catch up; and on Fridays ‘Open Door lunch’ (12.30pm-2pm) offers a choice of two home-made soups, bread, cheese, tea, coffee and biscuits.

Rev Carson added: “All are welcome. Church members or not, young or old - if you’re retired, working from home, minding children, whatever.”

The Abbey Tots group provides great play facilities for babies and toddlers on a Thursday morning (10am-noon), refreshments, and an opportunity to meet others.

On Sunday evenings there is also a Youth Drop in (7.30-9pm). The church is also offered to and used by local community groups.

Explaining why the church does not charge for these things, Rev Carson stated: “We want everyone to feel welcome whatever their situation. Some are able to make a small donation, others aren’t and that’s fine.

"This is something we want to do as a church family to offer support to the local community. It is also a demonstration of the good news we want to share freely with people.”