Easter events aim to bring east Pembroke community together
A grassroots organisation with a “desire to improve the community” is hosting a series of Easter events in an area hit by recent violence.One Community Unified, a collection of church members, community leaders and local residents, is encouraging all east Pembroke residents to take part in the community building activities.Starting on Sunday, the group will have an “exciting mixture of worship, praying and teaching” at Evening Light Pentecostal Church on Parsons Road at 6.30pm.On Good Friday, they will host a children’s open-air service at Victor Scott Primary School, beginning at 10am. This will be followed by hot cross buns and fishcakes and finish with a community football match.The next day, April 23, there will be a community walk starting outside St Monica’s Church or St Augustine’s Church and ending at Victor Scott Primary School.A group spokesman said the walk aims to “symbolise unity as the two groups converge outside the school”. Once there, residents can take part in a free family event from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, including fun-castles, refreshment and entertainment.The group formed two years ago “out of a desire for people to want to come together and be a unified community”.He said they wanted to build on the success of events last Easter and hold this annually.While some in the community seemed worried that issues like gang activity and violence may not be tackled, he said One Community Unified has been making strides to reverse the trend.“We all have the same desire to improve the community we live in and provide people the opportunity to connect with these groups. I am personally excited to see the potential that unity can bring.”Before the events kick off, the group will be going from door to door in the East Pembroke community. They will not only offer each household an invitation to join the events, but also a free loaf of bread.l For more information visit www.community.parishofpembroke.com