14.01.2025
Connecting Through Coffee – Crinken Reaches Out to Growing Community
Crinken Church is continuing to explore ways of connecting with new residents of the rapidly developing area around their church between Shankill and Bray. Houses and apartment buildings have sprung up in Shanganagh and Woodbrook, and many more are to come, resulting in a huge influx of people. There will be an estimated 5,400 new people in the area and St James’s Church is right in the heart of it. The church’s latest initiative, their ‘coffee truck ministry’, was dedicated on Sunday (January 12) by Archbishop Michael Jackson and aims to build connections with these new residents and foster a sense of community.
Connected@Crinken is a bright red coffee truck located on the beautiful grounds of Crinken Church. But it is more than just a coffee dock – it’s a place to gather, unwind, and connect. Serving barista–quality coffee and fresh pastries, the outdoor area is dog friendly for those passing by on their daily walks with their K9 friends. For those seeking a warmer experience in cooler weather, the cosy indoor area of the church building is available to relax in. They operate on a donation basis with suggested donations for each type of coffee.
The church’s outreach plans aim to meet the new residents with open arms, providing support systems that encourage a sense of belonging. This includes essential services such as access to mental health counselling, health courses and English classes. Their coffee truck, where hospitality and pastoral care will be provided by staff and volunteers headed up by Daniela O’Brien, is part of the vision. All projects are designed to bridge the gap between new residents and their local community.
The service of dedication celebrated the connections the parish is building and the Archbishop highlighted them in his sermon. From the Gospel reading [Luke 3: 15–17, 21–22] he said that Jesus’s baptism by John in the River Jordan alongside countless other people held together the connection that Christmas has given us: between heaven and earth; between Creator and creation; between God and humanity – by offering the threads of a connection that is particularly important for us today: the connection of Father, Son and Holy Spirit with the life of belonging and empowerment to serve and to lead. This was particularly important, he stated, in 2025 as the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed is marked.
All creeds need actions to live them out, the Archbishop said, and the Christian faith is no different. “The local connections which we recognize and celebrate in St James’s Church today are signs and pointers to a Creedal life lived for others. What is more, you have taken this theme of connections as a title for your forthcoming year’s work. Already you have up and running the ministry that operates in and through The Coffee Cart which we are here to dedicate; the healthy food and eating programmes with local community groups; the range of activities for everyone such as art, health and wellbeing, exercise, programmes for those carrying dementia and Christian–based accredited counselling; and then we must always remember and celebrate The Storehouse and its response to needs that never have and never will go away,” he said.
He pointed to a new connection, the historic Camino which gave St James’s its name and connects Crinken with Compostela. “Perhaps one of the most delightful touches is the gate which connects new housing and the grounds of the church and its being called St James’s gate. This visually and emotionally connects us directly with the entry point to that ancient medieval part of the city of Dublin right along Thomas Street where pilgrims, generation after generation, gathered to make the journey by sea to Compostela whereas today we can do this by a combination of Ryanair and walking boots. To this double connection we hope to add the adventure of pioneering and connecting yet again in unforeseen ways with those who know not Jesus,” he commented.
Archbishop Jackson thanked the Rector, Canon Tom O’Brien, his predecessor Trevor, the trustees, parishioners and supporters of Crinken for having the vision, doing the work and sustaining the witness.
