This month’s question is: ‘How does your church maintain a presence in the community?’

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The Rev Colin Brough, minister, Fintry Parish Church, Dundee

“We’ve been welcomed by those we work alongside in Fintry as we’ve listened to what is going on around us.

“Relationships grew out of a piece of research we started in 2005 exploring what practical needs there were in the local area.

“Those relationships deepened as we continued to listen through regularly hosting the ‘Fintry Forum’, a community networking event where we’ve offered what we have (a neutral context, and great food!) for the benefit of the whole community.’

“A particular question to the Forum, ‘what could you do with two afternoons of half a dozen volunteers’ time?’, led to a few years working with the local housing association and supporting some of their tenants with their gardens as part of our summer holiday week.

“In 2010, following the relationships and trust built through the Forum, the community asked whether we could host the relaunch of the community Gala Day.

“We have large grounds, centrally located within Fintry, and each year since hundreds of people of all ages from Fintry come together.

“A cafe run by members of the congregation, and opportunities for engagement with those who attend the Gala Day have been natural developments — a ‘listening sofa’, ‘stones of hope’, ‘where do I stand?’, all creative opportunities to help people engage with Jesus.”

The Rev Maggie Roderick, Menstrie Parish Church, Clackmannanshire

“Menstrie Parish Church is one where all are welcome. We are blessed to have great premises as one of the two main village venues for local events. We’re very much part of our community, working closely with the community council. We share wherever possible, volunteering together and supporting each other’s events.

“Our joint charity concert for the ‘Singing Children of Africa’ was a huge success. Our other charity concerts and ‘open church’ have brought in villagers and visitors who may have stayed away otherwise.

“We participate by volunteering and being an active presence, whether at the Gala, School shows or concerts. We host and attend coffee mornings, charity concerts and pensioners’ lunches. Recently we’ve agreed to pilot afternoon tea dances and movies to fit in with the lunch days. We are hoping to contribute towards becoming a dementia friendly village.

“Families come along to our quarterly Messy Church, craft mornings and our Christmas Fayre. Our family Christingle Service is popular, along with the Community Council ‘Singing Round the Tree’ and our own Carol Service. Brownies and Rainbows use our halls and are always welcome.

“As chaplain at Menstrie Primary School, I have the privilege of attending school events alongside hosting ‘buddy training’ and pupil visits the church.

“The Remembrance Service brings everyone together. These small things all add up, helping us to go out share God’s love throughout this community and beyond.”

Fiona Graham, member Neighbourhood Group, St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh

“Over the years St Giles’ Cathedral’s Neighbourhood Group has done much community work getting to the wider world and to those in need.

“Donations of food are gifted by the congregation and every week members volunteer to support foodbanks in the city. Each year a team from the Neighbourhood Group attends the Bethany Christian Trust Night Kitchens during winter cooking and serving a meal for homeless in a safe environment of a church hall. Fresh Start and the Clothing Store are also supported by members of the Group and household goods and clothing have been supplied to these organisations.

“The December Can Collection – rattling cans in the city centre – raises considerable funds for homeless charities such as Cunningham House in the Cowgate and Cranston Street hostel for homeless women. Each Christmas too carloads of presents are delivered to residents at Cunningham House and funds were raised for curtains.

“Concerts are organised with the Master of the Music raising thousands for homeless charities. Two members do tremendous work for Christian Aid with concerts and collections which last year raised over £4,000.

“Recently a group was set up to help refugees settle in the city. Through funds from St Giles’ and contributions from the congregation, refugees were provided with bedding and toiletries. This project hopes to invite refugees to St Giles’ to socialise, practise English conversation and to learn more about the city”

The Rev Mike Gargrave, Thornliebank Parish Church, Glasgow

“Our congregation meets in the south west of Glasgow and we work hard to bring our community into our church, and to take our church out into our community.

“Like many congregations, Thornliebank Church is used by youth organisations such as Guides, Scouts and dance groups, and we have services which incorporate input from our youth groups. We also make use of our church grounds for community barbeques to tie in with our holiday clubs.

“Although Thornliebank is in the city of Glasgow, it was once a village and has a main street which acts as the hub of the village. Our church is about half a mile from the centre of our community so we have opened a Café Church in a local café in the village. Our Café Church meets fortnightly and this has become church for those who attend. We have an active presence in our local primary and high schools and we take in home baking and serve the teachers tea, coffee and cakes when they have in-service days. Our primary school uses the church halls for events and has regular assembles in our sanctuary.

“I am chaplain of our local youth football club and I interact with club staff and parents of the boys who play for the teams within the club, and this enables me to promote the church as a community resource.

“We live in an age where people may choose not to come to church, but are happy for the church to come to them, and our initiatives to Christian witness in our community reflect this change in societal trends.”

The Rev David T Young, minister, Helensburgh, linked with Rhu and Shandon

“The vision behind our hall development which opened 16 months ago was one of serving the community. Our high profile town centre location provides a perfect opportunity to offer a range of facilities and services to people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Our aim to provide ‘a place to be’ not simply for church organisations but for the whole town currently sees almost 40 third sector and voluntary groups make use of our facilities on a weekly basis. Our Gathering Space allows people to come in, help themselves to a cuppa, take time to chat or to catch their breath and maybe learn something about Christian faith and hospitality along the way. Our sanctuary is open daily to visitors and weekly midday worship followed by lunch allows those who cannot make Sunday worship, or who want to discover more about faith, to share in fellowship. All this has led to many interesting conversations, stories shared, ideas developed and relationships created.

“Our central position also enables us to participate in community events, eg Winter Festival, Farmers’ Markets, and to engage directly with local businesses and organisations.

“We are currently planning a dedicated hub for young people – a space they can call their own – and the establishment of a peer support group.

“Our ‘open door’ policy allows the community to see the church not as something separate or strange but as a familiar place where they can feel welcome, comfortable and supported.”