Cornerstone feast

By Sarah Schwager
CORNERSTONE’S 2005 Christmas lunch was a big success, with people from around the area feasting, singing carols and opening presents.
The Dandenong Cornerstone Centre, which provides meals and crisis assistance for people in the district, opened its doors at 9am on Friday, 23 December with a continuous stream of people visiting the centre throughout the day.
Cornerstone chief executive officer Pastor Max Walker said more than 120 people sat down to a three-course meal consisting of turkey, pork and cold meats and salads, and sweets – plum pudding with custard and cream.
“The building resounded with Christmas cheer,” he said.
Regulars at Cornerstone dressed in Christmas gear continually circulated among the people who visited.
At 11am, Christmas parcels were given away.
Pastor Walker said representatives from a variety of local agencies and churches, local ministers, politicians, councillors as well as friends and donors dropped in throughout the morning to celebrate Christmas with Cornerstone.
He said Cornerstone would have a limited program over January with the centre open on Mondays from 1pm to 4pm for fellowship and games of pool, and Wednesday mornings from 10am to 1pm, with a light meal available. Cornerstone’s normal meal program will begin for 2006 on Wednesday, 1 February from 9am.