Connection and purpose

Neill Shaw highlights how churches can provide a welcoming home for those experiencing hardship.

IN last month’s article, I shared the joy I find in visiting Priority Area churches and meeting the incredible people who live, serve, and worship in these communities.

I also introduced four inspiring individuals from Priority Areas whom I’ve had the privilege of meeting over the past year. In this and the coming months, we’ll take a closer look at their stories, exploring their lives, and the impact their local Church of Scotland presence has had, in greater depth.

The first of these is Jack, whom I visited on an unusually mild autumn day. When I arrived at the church building, Jack was the first to welcome me in. He was wearing an apron and was in the kitchen, sieving flour. He knew I was coming and when I introduced myself, he washed his hands and came out to meet me. We sat on a bench outside the church, as we didn’t want to waste an opportunity to enjoy the warm autumn sunshine; Jack asked if it was ok to smoke a rolled cigarette – “of course,” I said, adding “start wherever you want.”

“I volunteer here at the church. It keeps me away from drinking too much. I like talking to people here as otherwise I’d be sitting in the house with no-one around me. The cost of electricity has jumped right up, so being here gets me away from the house, which means I’m not using my own electricity; it’s unaffordable.

“ Food poverty is a harsh reality for many, but initiatives like the church’s bakery project demonstrate how the Church is making a tangible difference.

“I bake bread and cakes here at the church and help out in the kitchen whenever I can. The bread is available for people to take away if they don’t have any food. There’s also food from local shops that gets donated to the church if it’s going-out-of-date; that’s available for people to take if they need it. Quite often it’s me who’s taking it – it really helps towards the cost of living. Wee things like this matter.”

Jack’s story shows how practical support intersects with emotional wellbeing. The church’s open doors provide not just warmth but connection and purpose, countering the loneliness that so often comes with poverty.

Food poverty is a harsh reality for many, but initiatives like the church’s bakery project demonstrate how the Church is making a tangible difference. Jack’s dual role as both helper and recipient highlights the dignity of mutual support, where giving and receiving go hand in hand, fostering a spirit of belonging.

“I was a motorcycle courier for years, but I fell off the bike a few times and I ended up with a bad injury, broken bones, frozen joints, etc. I ended up on the sick because of this and just wasn’t able to get back to it because of the injury. When I was working, I was drinking at the weekend but not

through the week, but when I got injured, I got medication from the doctor, and I was drinking more and more to try and deal with the pain. I lost touch with reality. I got idle and was just sitting about. Coming out here has got me moving and active again. It’s important that I keep moving because with the injury to my back, I can stiffen up a lot if I don’t keep moving.”

Poverty is often intertwined with health challenges, both physical and mental. Jack’s injuries, from an occupational accident, left him unable to work, exacerbating his isolation and leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms. The church’s activities have become a lifeline, offering Jack, and folks like him, purpose and the motivation to stay active, which benefits both his body and mind.

“The cost of doing basic things really gets me. Trying to keep the house warm and feed myself is not easy, especially at this time of year. Coming here means I get something to eat, and I get something to take away, as well as spending time with people and giving me something to do. If it’s a really cold winter, you do feel the pinch. I’ve seen myself sitting in the house wrapped up in jackets and blankets with a hat, scarf and pair of furry slippers on.”

Fuel poverty is the reality for many. Jack’s description of wrapping up against the cold is a familiar story. Churches provide a crucial space where people can escape the chill— not just physically, but emotionally, as they find warmth in the company of others.

“The price of food has gone up too. I really think about what I can afford to buy. I can’t get the best of stuff as it’s too expensive, so I end up buying cheaper food and worry that it’s not as good for my health, but what choice do I have?”

“It is also quite a walk to the supermarket, and it’s too far to walk back with all the shopping, so I usually have to do two or three trips so I can carry all the stuff. Because of my sore leg, I have tripped up on the pavement a couple of times and ended up with cuts and bruises and my shopping spilled everywhere.”

Access to nutritious food shouldn’t be a luxury, yet rising costs force tough choices for people like Jack. His concern about health highlights the hidden costs of food poverty, where cheap options may satisfy hunger but compromise wellbeing. Transport poverty adds another layer of challenge.

“The church here does their best for people, with food and somewhere warm to go and a whole new group of people to get to know and spend time with. There is a sewing group on today, there is a yoga class on tomorrow – all these things really help people to feel like they belong and get them out and talking and moving and healthier – physically and mentally.”

“They helped me when I hit a depression – just having people here to talk to, things I need to be doing, activities to get on with, a warm and welcoming place to be.”

Belonging is a powerful antidote to poverty. The church’s varied activities meet not only practical needs but also offer opportunities for social connection and personal growth. For people like Jack, these small acts of kindness add up to a lifeline.

Jack’s final words encapsulate the desire of this church to be a welcoming “home”, in the centre of their community. For those wrestling with depression, isolation, or despair, the simple gift of being welcomed and valued can be transformative. Jack’s story is a testament to the presence of the local church and the transforming power of the Gospel to bring light into the darkest of situations.

While Jack and I were outside talking, a number of people came and said hello to us – well, mainly they were saying hello to Jack! It’s clear that Jack is a valued part of the community at the church and in turn, the church is a vital community asset.

Meeting Jack reinforced to me that, at the heart of our faith, is a call to embody Jesus’ love through acts of love and the saving words of the Gospel. It reminded me that the church, as a community rooted in Christ, is called to extend His compassion, creating spaces where each person can find belonging, dignity, and hope. ¤

Neill Shaw is a Mission Support Officer with the Faith Action Programme of the Church of Scotland.