A parish church in Edinburgh has said that it hopes to make use of an old canal boat generally known as “All Aboard” as a part of its mission outreach activities.
Polwarth Parish Church was the part owner of the 60ft long, brilliant blue and yellow boat along with social charity People Know How. The boat was acquired in September 2021, nevertheless resulting from the collapse of People Know How, the boat has been unused since November.
Now, nevertheless, the boat is fully owned by the church, which hopes to make a positive impact on the local people with its recent asset.
The church is planning on doing mission and community outreach to groups on the Union Canal, which connects Edinburgh and Falkirk.
On Saturday, the church is holding a coffee morning in an effort to raise funds resulting from the “substantial” costs involved. Those wishing to support the project, or indeed to learn from it, can accomplish that online.
Dawn Purves, a member of the All Aboard management board, said, “It is with great joy and delight that Polwarth Parish Church has taken full-ownership of the canal boat and we’re eager to use it again for mission outreach and to bring the broader community together.
“It is very talked-about with groups and within the seven months prior to November last yr, nearly 1,000 people used the boat.”
The church said it hoped that the boat journey’s through town into the countryside would bring people peace and calm and help those battling mental health.
Purves said, “We are looking forward to once more welcoming a wide range of groups that support the wellbeing, wholeness and development of others and using it as a congregation to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to people of all ages.
“The boat is a key a part of the church’s mission outreach, used to welcome the stranger as Jesus commanded, and activities will happen whether it’s sailing on the canal or moored on the pontoon.
“We might be encouraging groups from nearby churches to make use of the boat for Sunday School, Bible studies and prayer sessions.”
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