The
First Columba House Newsletter to be Distributed Electronically
For
many years we printed information and paid postage to have it delivered to far
flung parts of the globe. We went to great lengths to make sure everyone was kept
in touch with what we were doing. Now with one click of a mouse I can send this
letter to every country in the world and to every home that boasts an internet
connection. I ask myself why we addressed the challenge with such energy in the
past and now that it is so easy we approach the task in a casual if not
apathetic manner.
It is
over a year since I sent the last newsletter but so much has happened that we
were unable to get one out or were uncertain as to exactly what we had to say.
Now we are more definite and I can confidently state that the following few
paragraphs accurately portray our position regarding Centres and outreaches.
Our Vision and Mission Statements remain unaltered but I repeat them again as
every word of them gives life.
Vision Statement
That
all people may find freedom and dignity through Christ for the greater glory of
God
"I
have come that you might have life and have it to the full" John
To
joyfully come together as a group of individuals believing and celebrating the
power of Jesus Christ for mutual support and to minister to other people.
Columba Community
We are
still a Community operating out of three centres and the main thrust of the
work at the moment is White Oaks. Let me however give a brief rundown on each
centre and state that we are open at all times to individuals who are willing
to contribute their time and energy in a constructive way for their own growth
and development and for the building up of Church.
Columba House
Columba
House still maintains a central role in the operating, running and managing of
all our work. The Community has now grown to 25 and from the first Wednesday in
September we will be fully operational, listening to the promptings of The Holy
Spirit and hopefully ready to act on whatever is being said. At this moment we
have no full time workers or part-time workers funded by Europe or any other
source but the work will continue with volunteers until funding kicks in once
again, if ever. We were disappointed
when we lost funding for Alex Bradley, our Community Relations Reconciliation
Officer who had been a consistent source of continuity and consistency over the
past four years giving of his time and energy unsparingly in his efforts with
the Community to promote reconciliation. The Community at Columba House are the
umbrella group for the foundation at St. Anthony's and for the New Centre at
White Oaks and it is difficult to draw the line between who works where or what
exactly they do. I have attempted in the past to spell out the difference
between the different Centres but see no harm in trying once more for all our
sakes to clarify the different roles.
St.Anthony's
The
Centre at St. Anthony's is maintaining its own ethos as a Retreat Centre for
individuals requiring a few days peace and quiet with spiritual direction. The
……………
White Oaks
The
Centre at White Oaks has just been completed. It is a new, purpose built Centre
for the treatment of Alcoholics and is due to open for the first time in
October. The Community spent a few nights ……….
Columba
House
Columba
House is in The Centre of Derry, has been recently refurbished and offers
support to all who present themselves with social problems.