Freshers Week UCC 2010

With the autumn season in full swing, we decided to reach out to the students at UCC, University College Cork. Living Stones is a Christian Society that was started on the campus of University College Dublin twenty-five years ago. This year, with the help of some folk from The Harvest Church in South Carolina, Living Stones greeted new and returning students to the campus in Cork. Freshers is known as a time where different groups do fun and zany things. It gives students a chance to meet others and see what different groups are around. We were just outside the campus gates hosting video surveys and arm wrestling competitions, which were a hit amongst the students. We also gave out free tea and coffee, as well as special hot beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, and the highly favored hot chocolate, thanks to a friend who lent us the use of his mobile barista. The students were shocked that it was all free, but it allowed for some great conversations. It was a great week and we are happy to see what God does as we continue to build relationships and pray for God to be glorified on the Irish campuses. The DCF community was amazing as they offered prayers, time, meals, and supplies to make the outreach possible. We are blessed.

A Place to Call Home

In the years since DCF was founded, we have rented a rooms in pubs and hotels for Sundays. For the last three years, we have regularly enjoyed the meeting room at Clonea Hotel with its beautiful view. We have struggled however to do all the things we would like as service to our community without a more permanent facility. God has answered our prayers and we have moved into a building that is ours to use 24-7. We have named this space Harbour Mill House in respect to the location and our desire to make this space a safe haven for all who enter. It is a narrow but bright space, and we see it as having great potential as a multi-functional facility. We have great ideas and are excited for this direction in which God is taking us. We appreciate your prayers and support as we move forward in this new season. It is a great chance to really connect, so feel free to call in and have a cuppa with us!

A Visit from the Masters

Masters Commission Atlanta is a nine-month discipleship program for Christians that includes hands-on ministry experience in addition to academic studies. For the first two weeks of February, DCF was blessed to host a team of 18 young adults from this fantastic program. They helped us connect with youth in Cork City, and especially on the campus of UCC. We would love to see a long term Christian Society become established so that even more students can be impacted for God`s glory. The MCA team was a great help to pioneer this process. Their vitality and enthusiasm for Christ was refreshing and contagious. We were also able to take them to Waterford City where this energy was put to good use in supporting our brother Pastor Clay of calvary Chapel Waterford. This was a great day as they served tea and coffee in the City Centre and painted the church interior. We are thankful to MCA for their service and pray for their continued growth.

Joy to the World...

The Lord is come! As the carol starts we are reminded that Christmas is a time of great celebration. This is the time we set aside to consciously take notice of God become man because of His great love for us. Christmas with DCF is no exception, and we decided to share our joy together with our 3rd Annual Christmas Party. Members and friends of DCF were greeted at Clonea Strand Hotel where some DCF folk had festively decorated the space for the occasion. We had loads of finger foods, homemade desserts, soft drinks and hot spiced apple punch. There was plenty of socializing and everyone really enjoyed singing Christmas carols together led by Jason. Tania hosted a variety of games that filled the room with laughter and Olivia had a special craft corner with the kids! After drawing the winners for our door prizes, folk lingered, enjoying each other and the general merriment. All in all, it was an evening of great craic! Thanks to all the people who contributed time and resources to make this event such a success!