Christians from four of Stewarton's Churches came together to celebrate Easter Day - the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead - with a Dawn Service on Gameshill overlooking the town.

The early morning drizzle cleared as the service began at 8.30am and around 150 worshippers celebrated the most important date in the Christian calendar with songs of praise accompanied by the John Knox Parish Church Praise Band.

The new minister at John Knox, Rev. Gavin Niven, led the service which began with the symbolic joining of four crosses to represent the unity of the four Stewarton Churches. Rev. George Lind, the new minister at St. Columba's Parish Church, gave the message (with a little help from some audience participation) and the minister of the United Reformed Church, Rev. Gordon Smith, read the bible account of the events of Easter morning. Gary Breaks, the Pastor at the Potters House Christian Fellowship led prayers for the community of Stewarton and for the nation.

At the end of the service there was a competition for the best decorated egg for the children followed by the fun of rolling the eggs down the hill.

The worshippers then gathered together at John Knox Church Hall where breakfast was provided by members of John Knox Church. Donations were given at the breakfast for EACHa (East Ayrshire Churches Action for Homelessnsess action) - the amount raised, along with what was collected in one local Church's later impromptu retiring offering came to £313.

EACHa, which includes churches from many denominations, was the winner of the Eliminating Poverty category of the 2009 East Ayrshire Community Planning Awards. They provide a hygiene, or ‘wellbeing' pack of essential toiletries to every person who becomes homeless in East Ayrshire.  They also provide an activity pack of toys for each child. They are also run a Christmas gift scheme for local needy children and are in the process of setting up a 'befriending' service, Community Friends, where volunteers are matched with a homeless person for social activities.