Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland Blog

WPCS with the Moderator

Rev Grace Saunders; the Moderator; Mrs Blair and Rev Quinn at the Antonine

Rev Grace Saunders, the Moderator, Mrs Blair and Rev Quinn at the Antonine

THE challenges facing the retail sector in Cumbernauld and the service provided to them by Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland (WPCS) were explained to Church of Scotland Moderator the Right Reverend Lorna Hood during her recent visit to the New Town.

WPCS chaplain to two of Cumbernauld’s shopping centres, Rev Grace Saunders, accompanied by the charity’s West of Scotland Regional Organiser, Rev Jack Quinn and Antonine Shopping Centre Manager Karen Blair (third from left), welcomed the Moderator to the Tryst Road centre.

Said Rev Quinn: “Mrs Blair kindly provided hospitality and informed the Moderator of the workings of a shopping centre – which are much more complex than would appear on the surface. The Moderator expressed real interest in the social aspects of serving a New Town community with the shopping centre facilities and the visit was received well by the managers and staff of the various units in the Antonine. The Moderator asked some searching questions about some of the issues that a shopping centre faces in these modern times, particularly in this difficult economic climate and Mrs Blair gave some very interesting insights as to some of the particular issues she faces in the management of the Antonine.

“Rev Saunders was delighted to have this opportunity to demonstrate to the Moderator the essential role that WPCS provides in serving the shopkeepers, staff and service personnel who help make such centres work smoothly and efficiently. It was a very relaxed visit, with much laughter and genuine concern expressed by the Moderator for the wellbeing of the staff and all those who frequent this central hub of Cumbernauld New Town.

“For my part I was very happy to be there to support Rev Saunders in her work and ministry and I am hopeful that insights gained from this visit could have a knock-on effect in other shopping malls where WPCS has a service to provide.”

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