Churches Trust launch 'Columba Journey'

COLUMBA JOURNEY LAUNCH. . . Group pictued at the launch of the 'Columba Journey' at the Churches Trust headquarters, Limavady Road, Derry on Thursday afternoon last. The journey begins in July 2024 and runs until December 2026 and will include workshops, talks, lectures on the life of Columba/Colmcille/Columb that explore the saint's legacy as warrior and peacebuilder and his relevance to peacebuilders in modern times. It will also include youth programmes, Columba Camps and Columba Ambassador Programmes. The project is supported by Peaceplus, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and Derry City and Strabane District Council. Included from left are Fiona Lafferty, DCSDC, Bishop Donal McKeown, Mary Holmes, CEO, Churches Trust, Rev. Dr. Stephen Skuce and Fiona Fagan, Churches Trust. (Photos: JIm McCafferty Photography)

Thursday last saw the official launch of the Churches Trust – Columba Journey at the Trust’s headquarters in Limavady Road after they secured almost £147,000 funding.

The Columba Journey is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). 

"After 18 months of co-design between the Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) and the Churches Trust the Columba Journey Project has now officially begun!" exclaimed a delighted Mary Holmes, CEO, Churches Trust. 

The CEO also expressed her gratitude to all who worked in the background to bring the project to life and said she looked forward to all that the project will bring to the Northwest over the next 18 months with the journey beginning today and running until December, 2026.

Also speaking at Thursday’s launch, Fiona Lafferty of the DCSDC outlined her joy for the Churches Trust in securing £146,971 saying; "Any people will now have the opportunity to explore the legacy of Columba and learn of his relevance to modern-day peacekeeping."

Fiona Fagan from the Churches Trust outlined some of what to expect for the duration of the project and will include workshops, talks, lectures on the life of Columba/Colmcille/Columb that explore his legacy as warrior and peacebuilder and his relevance to peacebuilders in modern times. It will also include youth programmes, Columba Camps and Columba Ambassador Programmes.  

Ms. Fagan went on to say we need to explore how religions have been instrumentalized and politicized to create division and the Columba Journey Project may even lead onto an annual ‘Columba’ event enhancing tourism and peacekeeping here in the Northwest and further afield.

For more information on the Columba Journey contact the Churches Trust at info@churchestrust.org.uk