Mearns Kirk

Dear Supporters

As lockdown is extended for a further three weeks to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus, I pray that this message finds you well.  Thank you for your continued concern for the wellbeing of our vulnerable guests.

At the beginning of April, we were praying for the wellbeing of our manager, Winter Night Shelter Staff and several service users who were being treated for symptoms of the virus.  Two tested positive for Covid-19 and received medical attention in hospital, they have recovered well and have been discharged from hospital.  Others isolated at home, and after a three-week isolation, Stephen our manager was able to return to the centre.  We thank the Lord for all the good news we have to share.

Our day centre remains closed in order to prevent social gathering.  Our staff team remain on furlough at this time; however, work continues to meet our mission aim of supporting those who are homeless, vulnerable and socially isolated across Glasgow.  Our manager Stephen and Chaplain Claire are seeking new and creative ways to meet the needs of the vulnerable through collaborative work with partner agencies.

On a daily basis, our manager Stephen and a group of volunteers are making up emergency food parcels and men’s and women’s essential toiletries packs which are being delivered by our partner agencies to the accommodations across the city.  To date we have prepared

• Emergency Food parcels x 90 bags
• Men’s essential toiletries x 160 bags
• Women’s essential toiletries x 45 bags
• Facilitated food supply uplifts x 12 car loads

This has left our storeroom shelves rather bare as you can see….

We are providing a dedicated Chaplaincy hotline 9am -5pm Monday to Friday on the new number 07864 705 668.  This number is available for our staff, volunteers and services users to help combat the stress of social isolation.

This allows me as Chaplain to maintain social distancing by working from home while still being an available source of support.

We would ask for your continued prayers for,

• our vulnerable client group, who are finding the prolonged restrictions a challenge to their mental wellbeing,
• our staff and volunteers who have been furloughed or are self-isolating due to their high risk status
• the teams of volunteers and partner agency staff, who continue to put themselves at risk to support clients during lockdown
• Bed and Breakfast, hotel, and hostel staff, working hard to support the need for self-isolation amongst Glasgow’s vulnerable,
• our Day Centre that it can be made ready to reopen and welcome our community back together as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Until then, we put our trust in the Lord and ask that God bless you and keep you safe until we are together again.