CRCW - Marie Trubic
Marie Trubic was called to the project and inducted in a service at The Hall, in Priesthill in June 2017. Priesthill URC and Shawlands URC are members of the Southside Cluster. Priesthill URC is based in ‘The Hall’, a former Roman Catholic Church social hall, which is situated on a post-war housing scheme of 8,500 residents on the south-west outskirts of Glasgow.
The congregation’s mission statement is: ‘To love God and our neighbours (local and world-wide) including creation, as well as we love ourselves’. During the week, the premises give space and encouragement for a range of activities to increase overall health and well-being, sense of purpose and place, self-esteem and confidence.
Marie’s role is to build on what is already happening, by developing relationships with the wider community and local organisations, and to create spaces in the Hall where community can be created. Marie is doing this by working in partnership with local organisations to coordinate community meals where people can meet, socialise, discover what’s happening in the area, join in, or start something new. The breakfasts attract up to 80 people of all ages, the Open Doors Cafe up to 40 and the new community meal venture caters for a maximum 60. Alongside the eating of good food, there's the opportunity to provide volunteers with training and regular cookery classes.
Marie is involved in the management and development of two community gardens, which enable local community the opportunity to grow fresh fruit and vegetables. There is also a children’s gardening club for 5-11-year old’s, who meet every week. As well as this, these spaces are also used to host events in the area.
Marie is a key member of the Neighbourhood forum, the Children and Young People's committee and South Glasgow Gender-based Violence group.
Marie has also piloted a £30,000 Participatory Budgeting Project in Priesthill with money from the Church of Scotland and match funding from a local Housing Association and the Health Improvement team. Over 450 local people of all ages voted for their favourite ideas and nine community groups were awarded money for their projects.
Both of the churches have been closed due to Covid-19 and all activities including worship have been suspended. Marie has worked closely with local residents to develop and deliver other activities which respond to the deepening social isolation caused by the pandemic.
Read Marie's recent CRCW reflection: Counting Rainbows.
