Diocesan News
Renewed sense of community among Eglinton’s flood victims
Scores of families affected by August’s flooding in Eglinton gathered in Faughanvale Presbyterian Church Hall on Monday evening for a communal ‘get–together’ organised by the village’s three main Christian churches.
Volunteers from the Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland churches prepared and served a meal for around 200 people – many of whom are still displaced as a result of August’s deluge. The churches arranged the get together to show the flood victims that they hadn’t been forgotten in the three months since the downpour.
Entertainment was laid on for people of all ages. All the children present received a selection box while families were each given a food hamper.
Among those performing on–stage were Faughanvale Deacon, the Revd Stuart Reid, and local man, Peter McKeever, whose brother is among those rendered temporarily homeless. Peter has produced a CD of music which is now on sale throughout the village; all proceeds are going to the Eglinton Flood Appeal.
The Rector of Faughanvale, the Revd Paul Hoey, said there was a great deal of help available to the local community in the immediate aftermath of the flooding. Since then, however, they had experienced “a difficult period”, during which things had “tailed off” as people waited for their houses to dry out.
“We wanted to let people know that they haven’t been forgotten,” the Rector said. “We wanted them to know that we are here to try and support them. People are dispersed to all parts of the county and beyond, in temporary accommodation, and therefore are not seeing their next–door neighbours or other people in similar situations. So, we just thought, get everybody together, share their stories, [let them] see maybe that things are not as bad as they had imagined – there are other people in similar situations or even worse – and let them know that we are here for them.”
Welcoming the community to his Church Hall, the Minister of Faughanvale Presbyterian Church, the Revd Lindsay Blair, told them: “After all that you have been through in recent weeks – the trauma and the struggling – we felt it would be good to have an opportunity to bring you all together here. On behalf of the local churches we want you to enjoy this evening.” Mr Blair then led those present in a prayer of thanksgiving.
The Parish Priest of Faughanvale, Fr Noel McDermott, thanked those who prepared and served the “incredible” food that was dished up, and thanked Mr Blair for making his hall available.
“One of the tragedies of the flood,” Fr McDermott said, “was that many in the community were dispersed. But, out of this tragedy has also come – not a new sense of community, because there’s always been a sense of community between the churches in this district – but I think it has been renewed by this tragedy and it has reminded us of the importance of community, and of keeping together and working together and helping each other – especially in times of difficulty. So, we thank God for that lovely, renewed sense of community”.
St Canice’s Church was the place of worship worst–affected by the August flood. Repair work is still being carried out and Mr Hoey does not expect to be back in the church until after Easter. The Parish Hall, which was also severely damaged, will take even longer to put right. In addition, the Rector estimates that up to 20% of his congregation have been badly affected by the flooding. “We could sit here and look at ourselves and say, ‘Oh we need to raise money for our church’, but to give our congregation credit, they’ve recognised that supporting others in the community is our primary calling. That’s been our focus. Everything else is following on after that. We still obviously have things to think about but we’re pleased that people are responding well to what we’re offering as a Church.”
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Derry & Raphoe
Mr Paul McFadden
028 7126 2440
07525 826290
press@derryandraphoe.org