The United Parish of Ballynure and Ballyeaston in Ballyclare was featured in the News Letter newspaper at the weekend for the work it has been involved in in the community since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
As part of a bigger feature on how churches continue to meet not only the spiritual but also the social needs of communities, particularly in rural areas, the article highlights how Ballynure and Ballyeaston, in the words of rector the Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth, has been ‘trying to show the Gospel in everyday situations.’
Jonny reflects on the formation of Together Ballyclare earlier this year, an initiative which led to food parcels to people who needed them, shopping for people who were shielding, chats with those who might have been lonely, and a picnic scheme for families during the summer break.
Drive-in services and the parish’s collection for families with new babies (Baby Basics) also got a mention.
The Ballyclare piece concludes with the rector’s words: “We cannot be a church and ignore the things that are said in Scripture; this was all about hearing the needs of people and responding to that.”
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