'Here for the Community'
What is the Open Arms Centre?  Glenvarna Christian Centre has, for almost thirty years, provided a wide range of social, youth and pastoral services to the communities of the Greater Newtownabbey area. Some of these activities have been recognised by the Government under 'Targeting Social Need' (TSN). Healthy growth over the years meant that the current facilities at GCC became insufficient to meet the needs of the local community, and so, the vision for a new building was birthed.  The Open Arms Centre is a large, multi-functional facility, built to meet the needs of all sections of the community through a variety of activities. Who is the Centre for? The Open Arms Centre is so named to represent the fact that it will indeed be 'OPEN TO ALL' within the community - regardless of cultural background, age, religion, disability etc. "Serving the community with Open Arms and willing hearts."  What facilities will there be? Sporting Activities;  Youth Clubs;  Senior Citizens Clubs;  Childcare;  Cross Community and Cultural Events;  Activities for the Disabled;  Drama Presentations;  Inter-denominational Church Services;  Conferences and much more!
PICTURE:  From left: Pastor Clara McClay, Pastor Billy McClay & Alderman Paul Girvan at the opening of the Open Arms Centre on 21st March 2009.   A special poem was written by Eleanor Taggart to mark the occasion.  Read here.
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Visit our photograph GALLERY!             Make a donation  Open Arms Centre is a project of Glenvarna Christian Centre, which is a Charity recognised as Glenvarna Christian Fellowship. (Granted Charitable Status for Tax Purposes by HMRC: Reference No. XN75659)  If you would like to make a donation, please make cheques payable to 'Glenvarna Christian Fellowship'.   Click here for contact details.