LOCAL organisation ‘Cornerstone City Church’ is linking up on the ground with communities from Caw to Creggan, Derry to Donemana for their annual ‘I heart Derry’ week in early July.
The Cross-Community church, which has recently purchased and begun to refurbish the former ‘Red Rooms’ on Duke Street as its premises, is set to deliver another action packed week of free activities locally from 5th – 12th July.
“Cornerstone has a big heart for social action across all our communities in Derry~Londonderry” explains Senior Pastor, Brian Somerville.
“Our charity’s vision is ‘Bringing love to life’ and one of the ways we do that is our ‘I Heart Derry’ week annually.
“The people in our church come from all identities and geographical parts of the city and neighbouring areas, so we like to be able to give something back to a wide range of communities too.”
Cornerstone is well known to many locals for their Street Pastors Friday night community safety initiative in Shipquay Street and Altnagelvin hospital which won recognition in the Department of Justice Awards at Stormont earlier this year.
The ‘I Heart Derry’ July initiative is also becoming part of the annual calendar locally with its free ‘kids week’ summer schemes, practical community work and cross-community soccer tournament.
“We’re delighted with the level of volunteering within the church” adds Andy Gamble, Assistant Pastor.
“Kid’s week has about 250 volunteers involved. This year we have three ‘Kids v Wild’ Kids Week locations at Lisnagelvin Primary School, Donemana Primary School & Currynierin Community Centre. The kids will be engaged through games, multimedia, dance and drama.
“The aim is to give the children of our city a great first week of the summer, a sense of worth and an awareness of God’s love. To register your kids all you have to do is arrive at the site nearest to you from 1.15pm each day.
“On Friday 10th July Cornerstone City Church are hosting an Under 14 Football Tournament as part of the I Heart Derry Festival and with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund.
“The tournament will take place from 5-11pm at Duncreggan Sports Pitches. This tournament is open to all community centres with a BBQ provided for all players and supporters.
“All players must be born in the year 2002 or after. 1st prize is £1000, with a runner up prize of £500.”
Cornerstone also has a ‘Mobile Medics’ team of qualified doctors and nurses who will be out in the city centre doing free health checks.
Last year the medics checked blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI for over one hundred people and are keen to assist locals this year too.
Over the past four years Cornerstone has built playgrounds for a variety of community centres on both sides of the river.
This year they will deliver a shop front improvement scheme on Spencer Road.
On Thursday 9th July Cornerstone City Church will be releasing its first ever worship music EP with support from the ‘Rank Foundation’.
To mark this occasion they will be celebrating with a night of worship at the Playtrail in Pennyburn.
The week will culminate in a celebration service at 11.00am at the Guildhall on Sunday 12th July – all welcome.
For further details visit www.iheartderry.com or find ‘I Heart Derry’ on Facebook,
