Derry church releases its own festive song… could it be the Christmas No 1?

A Derry church has released a Christmas charity single to tackle the hidden problem of food poverty in the city.

The ‘Life Triumphant Church’ is aiming to raise £10,000 to feed 500 local families over the festive period with a song inspired by the stories of people who use the Foyle Food Bank.

Senior Pastor of the church, David Cullen, said many families in the city were struggling to put food on the table.

“A lot of people are surprised to hear that there is food poverty in Derry.

“As Christians working on the front line we see a lot of suffering on our very own door step.

“It would break your heart. We are not talking about people in a Third World country- this is happening here.

“Around five years ago during the heavy snow a member of our church left a food hamper out to three young people.

“The only heat they had was from their oven and if it wasn’t for the hamper they wouldn’t have had any food over Christmas.”

Mr Cullen has asked the people of Derry to get behind the charity single and donate what they can to help the church reach its £10,000 target.

“Years ago there was a different culture, if you needed a cup of sugar you could go across the road to your neighbour, but people don’t have that now,” he said.

“The Foyle Food Bank is totally inundated with people needing help.

“This year we want to put a special focus on our city and ask the good and fine people of Derry to help.

“We want those who are in need to know that someone cares enough to help get them out of that situation.

“This is the enjoyable part of Christmas, the charity part that everyone gets involved in to help others.

“No matter what religion we are, we are in this together, and we owe it to each other to unite and do everything we can to eradicate food poverty in Derry.”

The lyrics to the moving song were written by food bank manager Maria McGlynn who penned it in one night.

The finished song ‘Who Can I Bring Jesus To?’ is now available to download from www.lifetriumphantchurchchoir.bandcamp.com and has been bought by people from Australia, Canada and America.

There will be a live performance of the song at a candle lit carol service at the Life Triumphant Church in Patrick Street on December 18 at 8:30p,m.