Many churches are working across the island of Ireland to help those most vulnerable due to the Coronavirus outbreak. 

One such group is Eglinton Churches Together. Clergy and members of the three main Churches in the area are joining with Eglinton Community Centre to offer practical help and moral support. The churches involved are St Canice’s Church of Ireland Church, Faughanvale Roman Catholic Parish and Faughanvale Presbyterian Church.

The group is responding to the COVID–19 public health crisis by introducing a free service for local people in the Eglinton and Greysteel areas who are self–isolating or feeling vulnerable. 

More than three thousand homes in the two villages and surrounding areas are to be leafletted with flyers explaining what assistance is available and providing contact details.

Three individuals from the churches have been nominated as ‘contact persons’ who can be telephoned by members of the community. Volunteers will be available to pick up and deliver shopping, collect medicines and other urgent supplies, and post mail. Church members will also be available for friendly phone calls to those who are feeling lonely or anxious.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:12–13

The Rector of St Canice’s, Rev’d Canon Paul Hoey, said: “We, in Eglinton Churches Together, have already been responding prayerfully to the public health emergency, but we felt that it was important to respond in a practical way, too. There will be many people in our community – neighbours of ours – who will be hurting in the weeks and months ahead. Some will be self–isolating. Many will be anxious. Some will be experiencing financial distress. We want to be there for them, to help them and support them.”

Canon Hoey has urged those who are feeling vulnerable or who are self–isolating to call any of the numbers on the leaflet which is popped through their doors and assures them help will be on hand.