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 and supports ……