Shankill Parish Caring Association has appointed Olive Hobson as their Community Development Officer. This is a new role created to help connect communities in the Lurgan area and part of Olive’s remit is to help with the development of the Community Outreach Group.
Olive started life as an English teacher but in 1997 left to retrain in mediation. She is married to David and they have 4 grown children and 1 grandchild. She and David are members of the Society of Friends and Associate members of Goshen College Mennonite Church.
“In my new role I hope to discover many people through dialogue and working together,” says Olive. “If you are interested in ‘connecting communities’ you are warmly invited to come into the office at the Jethro Centre and talk with me. Let’s discover one another on the journey.”
About COG (Community Outreach Group)
The Community Outreach Group is a partnership between Shankill Parish Church, St. Peter’s Church and St. Paul’s Church. It is the brainchild of a former Rector of Shankill Parish, Revd Dr. Maurice Elliott who, shortly after he arrived in Lurgan, recognised the deep divisions in the town and the bitterness and sectarianism which existed. He met with Monsignor Aidan Hamill (St. Peter’s), Father Michael Maginn and Father Andrew McMahon to form the group approximately 7 years ago.
It was named the Community Outreach Group as this explained what they stood for and also the initials COG represented the fact that they were simply a cog in the bigger wheel of Shankill Parish Caring Association (SPCA) and its work in the community.
Initially, COG ran social events in the neutral space of the Town Hall. As trust grew and community was built, the meetings became more challenging and were held in the newly–built Jethro Centre and also in St Peter’s Hall.
Speakers addressing COG events have included Dr. Dickie Barr, Alan McBride, Trevor Ringland, Baroness May Blood, Father Gerry Reynolds and Revd Ken Newell.
Participants look forward to an Annual Carol Service with the church choirs taking part and lessons read by members of each congregation. It is held in the Jethro Centre with the Salvation Army Band leading the carol singing.
The topic for October to December this year is “Healing through Remembering” and for 2012 it is “Understanding the Past”.