Clontarf Parish Magazine

Transcription

1 Clontarf Parish Magazine DECEMBER The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory as of a father s only son, full of grace and truth. A child has been born for us, a son given to us.

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3 PARISH GROUPS AND CONTACTS Rector: The Rev d D. C. Sargent ( ) clontarf@dublin.anglican.org Greenlanes National School Principal: Ms. C. Atkin ( ) greenlanes@oceanfree.net BB Company Section: Mr A. Ayling ( ) B.B. Junior Section: Mr. M. Acheson ( ) Anchor Boys: Mrs. H. McCullagh ( ) Young Women s Group: Mrs. B Sargent ( ) Bowling Club: Mr. H. Maude ( ) Badminton Club: Mrs. P. Watts ( ) Junior Badminton: Mr. T. Garrett ( ) Organist/ Choirmaster: Mr. J. Rowden ( ) Junior Choir: Mrs A Jackson ( ) and Mrs S Maxwell ( ) Sunday Morning Creche: Mrs. B. Sargent ( ) Flower Guild: Mrs. I. Acheson ( ) and Mrs B. Gallagher ( ) GB Past Members: Mrs. I. McMullen: ( ) Brownies: Mrs. P. and Ms. M. Watts ( ) Ladybirds / Guides: Ms. W. Kelly ( ) and Ms. N. Flynn ( ) Lawn Tennis Club: Mr. R. Kemmis ( ) Mothers Union: Mrs. I. Acheson ( ) Sunday School: Mrs. H. Hunter ( )

4 The Rector s Letter May the joy of the Christ Child fill your hearts and homes this Christmas-tide. Advent has traditionally been a period of preparation for the expected birth of our Saviour and Friend, Jesus Christ, at Christmas. This preparation period gives each one of us a great opportunity to reflect about our place in the order of things, and also to think about our relationship with Jesus through his body, the Church. Advent, as, indeed, Christmas, offers us the possibility for new beginnings. Many feel the strong need to partake of the religious festivities around the 25 th and make a real effort to attend Church, perhaps for the first time in a year or even more. Clontarf Parish Family has become a place of great welcome where people can find their place, at whatever level that might be. Maybe, this could be an opportunity for you to deepen your commitment to or involvement in our Parish family. Many have mentioned to me that they would like to take that step and become more involved in the life of our Parish. A first step can be taken in December by attending Church more regularly. In January we re-visit our Register of Vestrypersons. Forms will be available for people to sign, thereby opening the way for them to vote or perhaps be elected to the Select Vestry next Easter. The Select Vestry is our overall Church Committee which is responsible for the day-to-day running of our Parish. New faces with new ideas and, of course, new skills are particularly sought after, as we look forward to a very exciting and challenging period in our life together. We should start to see the Columbarium take shape over the next few weeks. Alongside that, the work on the gables is now complete, for which we are deeply grateful to our Property Sub-Committee and Povall Conservation. The next big project is, of course, the development of our Parish Centre and the sale of our Parish Hall and Sexton site. It is hoped that this will come to fruition during Perhaps the most exciting development will be the employment of a Youth and Childrens Worker who will work on developing and maintaining our ministry to our

5 younger members of the Parish Family. This will officially be launched in March when the Needs Group and our Select Vestry will go about advertising for candidates who might be interested in this type of ministry. This part-time position will be, hopefully, filled by the right person who will take up the position in September This will, of course, cost our Parish, but it is hoped that we can support this venture sufficiently so as it will become a viable proposition and one we can all support. This is, indeed, an exciting time in our Parish with much happening among us. God calls us on to great things, but so also he equips us to fulfil the task he has called us to do. Music Ministry has been a great experience for those who took part in it on November 13 th. Those who attended it were offered the opportunity of meeting God in a radically new way both for the Church of Ireland in general, and, Clontarf in particular. It will continue to spread its wings. The Music Ministry team worked very hard and we look forward to great things. This is clearly seen as a way of encouraging un-churched and de-churched families and individuals to try or, indeed, try, again this experience of Church. It is very definitely new in its approach to music and worship and uses much music with a clearly modern twist to help us towards a life-changing interaction with God who is our Creator. It will be very interesting how God uses this vehicle for evangelism over the months and years ahead. The Young Women s Group was very popular and thanks are due to Breda and Heather. They are going for their Christmas outing to Hin Keng s on the Clontarf Road on December 9 th. Details about menu and price are available from Heather or Breda. Please continue to pray for our ministry of presence and welcome through our lives together in this place. The Rectory family wish each one of you a very peaceful and relaxing Christmas and may you know the joy of Christ in your hearts. In His Service, Derek

6 AXA Insurance For a Great Deal on Car and Home Insurance in the greater Clontarf area drop into or call one of our local Branches at Swords or Wolfe Tone Street Your very own local AXA person is Mark Acheson on AXA Insurance Limited is regulated by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority Uganda Project and St. Andrew s College On December 5 th at the 10.30am Service, Stuart Garrett will speak to the congregation about the project. There will be a retiring collection after the Service. Details of the project are in a flier with this magazine. GIVING TREE Our Christmas Tree in the Parish Church will be called a Giving Tree. Each family is asked to place a red or gold ball on the tree. We have decided to split this year s special collection between Mead Daycare, in Donaghmede and Darndale Integrated Childcare. If you are giving to the Projects please hang a gold ball to signify a money gift. If you wish to give a gift (new) to a child on the project please put a red ball up. This will be an opportunity for children to buy a gift for a child from their pocket money or adults to support these most worthwhile Project which are on our doorstep. Ideally these should include an idea of age, alongside whether the gift is for a

7 boy or a girl. The gifts and monetary donations should be given or presented by the 19 th Dec. Gifts can be put under the tree in the weeks before that date. This will facilitate getting them to the Projects in time for Christmas. This is a great opportunity to involve ourselves with worthwhile local projects, and focus our combined minds on the wider perspective which is poverty in North Dublin. D Sargent SCRIPTURE READINGS Dec 5 Advent 2 Isaiah 11: 1-10; Psalm 72: 1-7, 1-19; Romans 15: 4-13; Matthew 3: 1-12 Dec 12 Advent 3 Isaiah 35: 1-10; Canticle: Magnificat; James 5: 7-10; Matthew 11: 2-11 Dec 19 Advent 4 Isaiah 7: 10-16; Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19; Romans 1: 1-7; Matthew 1: Dec 25 Dec 26 The Nativity of our Lord Isaiah 62: 6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3: 4-7; Luke 2: 1-20 St. Stephen 2 Chronicles 24: 20-24; Psalm 119: ; Acts 7: 51-60; Matthew 10: 17-22

8 Decoration of Parish Church for Christmas Thursday 23 rd December from 10am. All donations of greenery and flowers would be much appreciated. Helpers are welcome to take part. Music Ministry On Saturday 12 th November, Music Ministry was launched in the Parish Church. The response was very encouraging and we meet again on December 11 th at 5pm. The Music and liturgical style was very much more relaxed than usual and the Parish Church was transformed by praise and worship. Why not come along and join us on Sat 12 th. Young Women s Group Breda Sargent and Heather McCullagh have set up a new group in our Parish. This is described as a Young Women s Group. It has a two-fold purpose. Firstly, to welcome and integrate new women into our Parish family and secondly, to build up relationships between those already in the Parish. There was a very good attendance the first night when they met for drinks in the Dollymount House. They will meet again for their Christmas meal on the 9 th December at 8.30pm. The venue is Hin Keng s on the Clontarf Road. Details are available from Breda/ Heather. Please give your name and money to Breda or Heather by Monday 5 th. During 2005 they will have a number of different events.

9 Sunday School The Sunday School term s work is moving rapidly into a Christmas theme. The children have begun to work on their model of Bethlehem and are thinking about life in the times when Christ was born. We will also be practicing hard for the Carol Service. The dates for next period of Sunday School are listed below: Dec 5 Service of the Word Sunday School Dec 12 Holy Communion Sunday School Dec 19 All-Age Carols and Nativity Church Dec 26 Service of the Word Holiday The children have all signed a birthday card for Supaporn Panaganta, our sponsored child in Thailand. She will be eight in December. Supaporn had sent us a lovely picture she had drawn in school, a letter, a photograph of her with her father and her school report. She is doing well in school and was excited as she was chosen to dance on the stage at the festival. In the next newsletter, our Sunday School teachers will report on the Children s Ministry Conference. H. Hunter PASTORAL CARE TO THE SICK This is an important part of our ministry to each other. Where you know someone is sick in hospital please bring it to the attention of the Rector. He spends one day a week at this specific ministry and would love to hear from friends and family members. It is impossible to respond to these calls unless someone tells him. Thanking You. Mothers' Union We hosted a very enjoyable North Dublin Area meeting in November with a good attendance of almost 100 ladies present. There was a good display of Arts and Crafts and it was evident how talented our members are. We were

10 delighted to have our Diocesan President, June, with us and thank her for her unstinting support of all we do. It is with regret we record the death of Hilda McKeown, a faithful member since We send our deepest sympathy to Dorothy and Mervyn and their families, and close friends. Members are invited to the PWA Carol Service on the 8th. Dec. at 8p.m. in the Presbyterian Church. Thursday 9th. Dec. Bring & Buy Sale & preparing the gifts for the Darndale/Belcamp Shoe box appeal. If any young mums would like to join us for this event please do come along at 8p.m. I. Acheson Monday Club The next meeting of the Monday Club will take place in January (date to be announced). Our first outing took place in November when we attended the hit musical Mamma Mia. A great afternoon was had by all. Please note the Seafield Singers Concert on Friday 17 th at 8pm. I. Acheson. Seafield Singers Christmas Concert will take place in the Parish Church on Friday 17 th December at 8pm. Proceeds go to off-setting the cost of the gables work to the Church. Please support this very enjoyable night in the Parish year. D. Sargent. Reflection I have a dream. For years, we have heard quoted this passionate declaration by MLK. The words shook many out of lethargy, inspired and focussed them. There was a purpose to sustain and an aim to achieve. MLK used the word dream but its meaning was vision. One only has to consider the achievements of inventors, explorers, scientists and, yes, missionaries to appreciate the truth proclaimed in Proverbs 29: 18 where there is no vision, the people perish.

11 In Hebrews 11, we find listed for our inspiration, heroes of Scripture whose faith had powerful vision. Verse 1 sums it up, now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Those with vision, see the end from the beginning and strive against all odds to reach the target. St. Paul spoke of pressing on to the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. If we are at ease in Zion and guilty of lethargy, we are without excuse, in the light of the example provided in Holy Scripture. We have been hearing from the pulpit that without activation we stagnate. We must ask ourselves how we find our vision? Are we prepared for the Lord s sake, to declare with passionate intent, as did MLK, I have a dream. We remind ourselves that revival starts at the house of God. Its scary (as they say nowadays), that without vision, we perish. Look to our Advent Study Group. Greenlanes National School The School prepares for the Christmas season and especially our upcoming play The Happy Emperor which will be taking place on the stage in Mount Temple School on the two nights of Monday and Tuesday the 13 th and 14 th December starting at 6.30pm. Please support our Parish School. The School Carol Service takes place on Wednesday 22 nd in the Parish Church at am with seasonal refreshments to follow in the Hall. The Christmas holidays start straight after the refreshments. We wish our teachers and pupils a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. D.Sargent

12 THE FINGAL CHORAL UNION An Advent Liturgy on Sun 5 th Dec at 7pm. St. Pappan's Church All are welcome. Margaret Gilbert ( ). 12 th Company BB Anchor Boys In November we had a Halloween party for the boys. There was great fun, plenty of food and games. There was such a variety of costumes. We have 14 this year in Anchor Boys. We must thank the helpers Rhoda McConnell and our two new helpers Marie Gaffney and Mary Murphy for all the time they give coming down to help each week. Every week the boys bring down money to put in a box for a charity of their choice. St. Luke s staff with Anchor Boys Mark Jackson and Richard Gleeson.

13 This year they collected 100 and we bought toys, games and jigsaws for St. Luke s Hospital. These are for children who are sick or receiving treatment. The staff were very happy and thanked all the boys for their gifts and generosity. The presentation was made by two of our Anchor Boys (above). Monday 6 th is our last night before Christmas. We will have a Christmas party. Who knows who might drop in! BB Enrolment Service. The Boys thoroughly enjoyed the Enrolment Service and responded with a definite 'I Do!' when the Rector asked them to promise to be loyal BB Boys. Well done to the Boys who read their prayers extremely well and those who collected. Our thanks to the Rector for putting so much effort into this service for the Boys (as well as the rest of us!). Thanks also to Clive Jackson for his unstinting support with the supply of the projection screen. BB Swimming Gala Alisdair, Shane, Graham and James represented the 12th magnificently at the Swimming Gala. Many thanks to those parents who assisted with getting there etc. POETRY QUESTION IDENTIFY THE PIECE OF POETRY AND POET AND WIN A 25 BOOK VOUCHER And so the great and wise decay And all their trophies pass away While some odd thought, some careless rhyme Still floats above the wrecks of time. Answers to the Rector by January 15.

14 Nine Lessons and Carols This Service takes place on Wednesday 22 nd December at 7.30 pm. It will be a wonderful service which will include St. George s Brass Band and all the usual favourites. This will facilitate our Advent celebrations. The 4 Sundays of Advent are often overshadowed by a quasi early celebration of Christmas. Advent, alongside Lent, is a period of preparation and reflection. We look forward to seeing you on the 22 nd at 7.30 pm. The day was chosen to facilitate families as the children will be finished school on that day. Thanks are expressed in advance for St. George s Band being with us that night. Brownies Any girl aged seven would be welcome to come along (after Christmas) on Wednesday evening from pm to join in the fun. As our Snowy Owl is in hospital at the moment we wish her well and look forward to seeing her back soon. Badminton The Ladies Team reached the Semi-Final of the Cup which will be played on Saturday Dec 4 th in Baldoyle Badminton Centre at 3pm. Please come along and support the girls. League matches have also started. Parish Register Burial: McKeown, Hilda Elizabeth; 15 November 2004, Deansgrange Cemetery.

15 PARISH DIARY Nov pm Advent Study Group in Hall. Dec am No Service Dec am S. Garrett to speak on Uganda Project at Worship Dec pm Advent Study Group in Hall Dec 9 Christmas Fair and Art Exhibition St Andrews College, Booterstown Blackrock Dec pm Music Ministry. Dec pm Greenlanes Play at Mt. Temple. Dec pm Greenlanes Play at Mt. Temple. Dec pm Advent Study Group. Seafield Singers Christmas Concert in aid of Clontarf Parish. Dec am All-Age Worship with Carols and Nativity. Dec am Greenlanes Carol Service in Church. 7.30pm Nine Lessons and Carols. Dec am Festival Holy Communion. 9.30am Festival Holy Communion am Festival Parish Communion. Dec am Holy Communion 10.30am St. Stephen s Day Service of the Word. Jan am No Service. Jan am Epiphany Communion. Jan pm Select Vestry Meeting in Creche. Feb am Dedication of Columbarium by Archbishop of Dublin, preaching and celebrating Communion.

16 SUNDAY SERVICES DATE TIME LITURGY 1 st December 10.30am No Service (Columbarium) 5 th December 8.30am Holy Communion am Service of the Word (S.Garrett) 8 th December 10.30am Holy Communion 2 with prayers for those who are sick 11 th December 5.00pm Music Ministry 12 th December 8.30am Holy Communion am Parish Communion (HC2) 7.00pm Compline 15 th December 10.30am Holy Communion 2 with prayers for those who are sick 19 th December 8.30am Holy Communion am All-Age Carols and Nativity 22 nd December 11.30am Greenlanes N.S. School Carols 7.30pm Nine Lessons and Carols with St. George s Brass Band 25 th December 00.00am Festival Holy Communion (HC2) 9.30am Festival Holy Communion (HC2) 10.45am Festival Parish Communion (HC2) 26 th December 8.30am Holy Communion am Service of the Word 7.00pm Holy Communion 2