Church Marks Royal Event With Celebration Of Local Heroes
(from www.churchofscotland.org.uk)
Airdrie's New Wellwynd Parish Church is celebrating King Charles III's coronation by helping good causes in the area at the new monarch's own suggestion.
In addition to opening on Saturday, 6th May, to allow people to watch the historic occasion on the big screen, then holding its own post-service "indoor street party" to raise funds for Christian Aid on Sunday, the church will be shining a spotlight on local voluntary groups.
On Monday, 8th May, the church halls will open to highlight the work of more than a dozen organisations as part of The Big Help Out, a nationwide initiative encouraging people to mark the one-off bank holiday by signing up to volunteer in their communities
New Wellwynd minister Rev Robert Hamilton explained: "We, like many congregations and organisations, are planning a weekend of events to mark the coronation of King Charles.
"On Monday, the King has encouraged a focus on volunteering to help good causes with The Big Help Out, so we are opening our halls up to voluntary organisations and also to the public.
"This is an opportunity to put the spotlight on voluntary groups in the area, their work and their need for more volunteers. Many are struggling at this time and we felt this was a good way to highlight what they are doing and what they are needing."
Organisations taking part deliver a range of services such as providing essential items to families in need and supporting those dealing with serious illness. Groups represented include Airdrie and Coatbridge Rotary, Airdrie Community School Uniform Bank, Airdrie Foodbank, Bear Necessities, Equal Futures, Maggie's, Monklands Women's Aid, Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre, Parkinson Self Help, St Andrews Hospice Home Boutique, Voice Ability and Witness Support.
The Big Help Out open morning will take place at New Wellwynd Parish Church Halls from 10am to noon on Monday, 8th May.
Wellwynd Church's busy weekend of coronation themed events will begin on Saturday, 6th May at 10am when the church opens its doors to show the coronation on the big screen, with the Westminster Abbey service starting at 11am.
The Hunger Lunch will follow the 11am Sunday morning worship service. It may not have the coronation quiche, which the King and Queen have picked as their official street party food, but Mr Hamilton promises cheese rolls, friendship and fellowship, along with the opportunity to support another good cause.
A right royal celebration
Wellwynd Church is just one of several Church of Scotland kirks hosting events to mark the coronation.
In Aberdeen, Mannofield and Cults parish churches are marking the occasion.
Cults Parish Church will open on Saturday to allow everyone who attends to watch the coronation together, with a buffet served throughout. Then on Sunday, lunch will be served in the church's Kirk Centre following on from worship and will be open to anyone in the community.
Mannofield Church in the city's West End will hold a community lunch on Sunday and will open to highlight volunteering opportunities on the Monday.
The church's celebrations will continue into June with a concert of Coronation Music with the Order of St John Festival Choir and the University of Aberdeen's Professor Paul Mealor, who is one of a dozen contemporary composers commissioned to write new music for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
St Bryce Kirk in Kirkcaldy is also opening at 10am on Saturday to show the coronation on the big screen, with an afternoon tea open to all later in the day. Tickets for the afternoon tea are £5 in advance from the church office. The office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and can be contacted on 01592 640016.
Kinnoull Parish Church in Perth is holding a lunch event on Sunday after the morning service from noon to 3pm in conjunction with Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council, while London Church of Scotland congregation, St Columba's Church on Pont Street, is organising its own Coronation Street Party on Sunday after its morning service.
And in Inverness, Crown Church is holding a post-coronation party from 1pm on Monday in the Upper Hall. Admission is free by ticket.
If your church is organising a coronation event, you can let us know or send us pictures afterwards at MEDIARELATIONS@churchofscotland.org
You can find out more about the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in the Worship section of our website.