WORD OF THE WEEK
THE Cornerstone building on Church Street, right in front of Ashbourne Methodist Church, has been used for many purposes since it was opened in 1902.
Long-standing Ashbourne residents will remember it as the Driving Test Centre. When that closed the church took the decision to open The Cornerstone as a coffee shop to serve refreshments, offer hospitality and be a place of community.
Since opening in May 1998, it has welcomed thousands of people – locals and visitors alike. Many firm friendships have been made, and we have been able to offer lots of volunteering opportunities to many people, including adults with learning difficulties.
The Cornerstone Coffee Shop was the first place Alison and I visited when we came to Ashbourne to consider becoming the minister of the Ashbourne Methodist group of churches.
The warmth of the welcome, the care of those being served and the dedication of those serving was tangible then, and it is today.
We are grateful for the time, dedication and commitment made by so many people over the years. It has been an incredible journey of faith and its work has developed over the years.
This summer I am moving to a new ministerial appointment and will be leaving
Ashbourne after 15 years. The Cornerstone Coffee Shop is also changing.
During May there will be a refurbishment, and then the coffee shop will open again and develop in new ways – extending the opening hours, creating volunteering opportunities, and expanding community activities.
All this is being built upon the foundation of love, prayer and service that have underpinned the work of the coffee shop over the past 24 years.
Each of us moves forward in faith. We don’t always know how things will work out, but then that’s what faith, not certainty, is all about!