St James’s Church of Ireland in Mallow held its annual Harvest Thanksgiving celebrations over the weekend of 23^rd to 25^th September this year.

The Festival culminated in a service of popular hymns on Sunday afternoon last, at which the Rector was joined by Mgr Anthony O’Brien, PP Mallow. A large congregation, representing different churches and organisations in the town, generously donated over €1,000 to Wesley’s Munch Soup Kitchen (Le Cheile Africa). This is a charity set up by two local people, Shane Crowley and Tadhg McMahon, to provide a life-saving meal three days a week to people in the Solai region of Kenya. The Soup Kitchen is named in memory of their best friend Wesley Carey (R.I.P.) who dedicated himself to always helping the most vulnerable in society. Mr Derry Desmond thanked the congregation for their generous donation. 

The Rector, the Reverend Meurig Williams, is very grateful to everyone who gave their time, skills and energy to make it a great celebration – as well as people from across the town who came and supported it. He writes:

‘It was a wonderful expression of the sheer breadth of talent and generosity to be found in Mallow and the surrounding area, as well as showing how the church can bring people together.In particular, I want to thank the people from the churches who supported the event, the organisers of Mallow Farmers’ Market, and those who brought their own produce and crafts, as well as those who exhibited their artwork so that the beauty of St James’s could be enhanced. There was excellent cooperation with the Blackwater Photographic Society and with Mallow Arts Collective who organised the excellent ‘Culture Night’ multicultural concert. It all helped us in being welcoming, hospitable and thankful. Importantly for me, it showed how the church can work in partnership with other community organisations.’