At Carrickfergus Vineyard we believe the heart of God is for those who are broken and hurting, and this is a core value of our church.
It is our mission to work with Jesus, people who are struggling in our community, and local organisations to provide short-term support and develop long-term solutions so that every person in the Carrickfergus area thrives.
For more information on any of our Compassion initiatives, in the first instance please email compassion@carrickfergusvineyard.org
What we do
Life Groups
Each term our life groups live out this value in compassion in various ways where they have passion and connection, examples have been a pop up winter coat shop & welcome night for asylum seekers, treat packs for a women’s aid group that meets in our venue, and Christmas gift boxes for young people in care.
CAP Money Coaching
Money coaching is a free service designed to empower you with the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to better manage your finances. Anyone can benefit – from seasoned budgeting experts to those struggling to get to grips with their spending.
For more information and details of our next course, please check out our CAP Money Coaching page.
Allotment
We have a church allotment in Eden which groups and individuals can spend a peaceful time planting, weeding and harvesting.
School mentoring
Paul co-ordinates a mentoring scheme for pupils in Carrickfergus Academy.
The Living Room
The first Friday of each month, our venue 29 in Lancasterian Street is open to adults in our community as a warm and cosy space for chats, supper, board games and sometimes crafts! All welcome, just come as you are!
Carrick Manor
A team from church goes to Carrick Manor once a month on a Sunday afternoon to hold a short time for residents of worship and singing, and sharing from the Bible and stories of hope and encouragement.
We Support
We are proud supporters of the following organisations in our community.
Carrickfergus Foodbank - Carrickfergus Foodbank provides short term, emergency food for individuals or families in crisis while a long-term strategy is developed. carrickfergus.foodbank.org.uk
Carrickfergus Baby Bank - Carrickfergus Babybank is set up to provide emergency baby supplies to the Carrickfergus, Greenisland and Whitehead areas. They offer compassionate and practical support through packages of baby supplies to aid with short term financial relief that a family may need. opendoorcentre.org/babybank/
Links Counselling Service - Links Counselling Service use our venue at various times to run the Northern Emotional Wellbeing Service (NEWS) linkscounselling.com/northern-emotional-wellbeing-service
Womens Aid - Women’s Aid provides confidential support, information and emergency accommodation for women and children who are affected by domestic abuse across Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey. womens-aid.org.uk
The Cithrâh Foundation - The Cithrâh foundation are a group of Christians willing to meet the needs of individuals and families in need of support. They manage a drop in centre providing support, counselling, information and training for volunteers and individuals seeking help in a crisis. cithrah.org.uk
Local, National and International
As a church we support organisations locally, nationally and internationally.
Local
Home for Good | homeforgood.org.uk
Home for Good believes that we all have a part to play to ensure that every child and young person has the home they need. They work to mobilise the Church in the UK to respond to the needs of vulnerable children through families stepping forward to foster, adopt or provide supported lodgings for teenagers and churches wrapping around families with support, and to influence wider society through advocacy and engagement to create systemic change.
At Carrickfergus Vineyard we have worked with Home for Good for a number of years and are glad to be able to support the work locally here in Northern Ireland.
National
Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland | vineyardchurches.org.uk
Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland exists to participate in the advancement of the Kingdom of God through the work of local Vineyard churches that communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and practise. We summarise this as Extending God’s Kingdom together, everywhere in every way.
As Carrickfergus Vineyard Church we are part of VCUKI within the region of Ireland and work together with the other churches to join in this vision.
International
Stand by Me | https://www.standby.me
Stand by me rescue children, then do whatever it takes to provide the care, love and attention they need to thrive. They work in seven countries, their main types of care are Children’s Homes, Schools, Care Centres and Family Support. Carrick Vineyard specifically supports children in Ethiopia through Stand by Me. As well as connections and teams going to Ethiopia, we had a youth team work with Stand by Me in Romania in Summer 2024.
Giving Towards our Compassion Ministries
If you would like to support our compassion ministries by giving financially, there are several ways in which you can do that.
Online
You can make a donation online using the link below and follow the instructions, selecting Compassion from the drop down that says ‘My donations are for’. You can make a one-off donation this way or set up a regular donation.
Bank Transfer
If you prefer to make a bank transfer, you can transfer the amount to: Carrickfergus Vineyard, The Co-operative Bank, PO BOX 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT. Acc no: 65493869 / Sort Code: 08-92-99. Please also email lisa@carrickfergusvineyard.org and tell her to look out for it in our account.