Reaching out to the people of Paisley Church ready to extend friendship to those who are in need
16.06.2018 The three Ws are at the heart of a Church of Scotland mission and outreach programme that starts this weekend and will go on for seven days.
Welcoming, Worshipping and Working is the message being given to everyone in the parish covered by Paisley’s Wallneuk North Church as a way of giving help to people who need it and to those who may want to come back to church or join for the first time.
There will be a number of events at various locations, starting tomorrow at St Ninian’s Church in Ferguslie Park.
Reverend Peter Gill, minister of Wallneuk North Parish Church, said: “This church used to be surrounded by housing but then it was demolished.
“So all our parish was scattered all over.
“Some moved to Bridge of Weir, or Erskine or Renfrew, so very few live in the parish who come to the church.
“So this is kind of reaching out to our parish.
“My parish starts at the airport – it’s on the border of Inchinnan Parish and all the way from Gallowhill to Ferguslie Park.”
The event at St Ninian’s starts at 7pm and is an all-night prayer meeting.
“It will be a prayer chain,” Mr Gill said.
“You will pray for 15 minutes and then another person for 15 minutes and so on.
“People will do it in their own time.
“They will be here at the church from 7pm to 10pm and then they will sign up time-wise whenever it is suitable just to pray at home, so it will be a chain – not broken.
“They will be praying for the world, for peace, and also reaching out to people in Ferguslie Park, where people are struggling with drugs and other problems.
“We want to make an impact in our community, Ferguslie Park and the north end of Paisley.”
A special welcome is being extended to those who would not normally go to church, Mr Gill added.
“This is for non- churchy people,” he said.
“But some church people will be there as well.”
One of the events. on Wednesday at 7pm, will be held in the open air at Paisley’s Fountain Gardens.
“There will be singing and musicians,” Mr Gill said.
“Then we will have about 10 minutes of testimonies.”
People who are struggling in life in any way will be offered help, with a particular warm welcome for those who have never experienced church or don’t like the idea of it – all will be made to feel at home and given help of they need it.
“We have the three Ws at the church – Welcoming, Worshipping, Working,” Mr Gill said.
To find out more visit www. wallneuknorthchurch.org.uk