Clontarf Parish Magazine JANUARY

Transcription

1 Clontarf Parish Magazine JANUARY Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world

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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 Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided, urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way, sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided, Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today. T. Dudley-Smith (1926) May the Lord richly bless you and your family as we enter a new year together as a Parish family. I always think a new year is a very exhilarating and hopeful time of year when we look to a new page in our lives. For me, I look back over my first full calendar year among you, and do so with joy and thanksgiving for the immense steps forward we have made in faith together. We have indeed travelled a long way in a very short period of time. From a Parish Family perspective, we have seen a period of sustained growth with new people coming to worship with us. Our Parish is now made up of an interesting mix of nationalities and backgrounds. Our Parishioners come from as far afield as South Korea and South Africa. It affords us a much wider perspective on world issues and on how we go about welcoming new worshippers. In response to this, the Needs Group put together a Welcome Pack which is given to people who either return to worship or worship with us for the first time. We have seen some interesting Parish developments over the last year. The Sunday School has a good attendance and produced a wonderful Christmas tableau of a Crib and Town of Bethlehem. All parishioners really appreciated the work that was put into this project. Thanks are due to the teachers and helpers. On the Sunday before the children returned to School we had a wonderful Parish Fun Day in the Parish National School. Clive Jackson worked extremely hard to make the day a success and the result was a huge boost to us. The Monday Club met for the first time and attended Mamma Mia in the Point Depot and all had a great time. The Young Women s Group set up by Breda and Heather was another development in our life together.

5 There was a great attendance by women of mixed ages as they met in December for their Christmas outing at Hin Keng s Chinese Restaurant. Good luck to this group for the new year. Great things are being planned. Music Ministry was launched in November. This more informal style of worshipping with modern music, visual and sound equipment proved to be taking off well. The MM Team is made up of Jenny, Sean, Conor, Sean and Cian with some input by myself. Why not try it on Saturday 15 th January at 5pm. Recorded and DVD-based music will be partially replaced by live music from the team over the months ahead. Perhaps the biggest venture that the Parish is taking on is that of a Youth and Children s Pastor. It is envisaged that we would advertise in March for candidates who would start work in August/ September There will be a concerted fund-raising drive around that time. In February we will have a Gift Day, probably on the third Sunday to coincide with All-Age Worship which would be most appropriate. This will be a long-term act of faith which, undoubtedly, will lead to a deepening of faith and an increased involvement for young people and children in our Parish family. I urge you to support this venture as a matter of urgency in the continuing development of our life of faith in Clontarf. The past year has been a roller-coaster when we think of the work on the buildings. The gables were completed, which was a matter of great importance. The Columbarium is now in place and on 6 February the Archbishop will be with us to dedicate it. Committals will take place in the weeks following that. Thanks to all who worked so hard on both projects. The Parish Centre plans continue apace. We await the response of An Bord Pleanala. This will be most likely in April/ May. This will transform the visual and communal life of our Parish Family. Please continue to pray for the success of our application. In the local community, I have built up some very meaningful ecumenical contacts.

6 Following the celebration of the Methodist/ Church of Ireland Covenant in Clontarf Methodist Church, I was appointed facilitator for the covenant in the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. I have put in place a local ecumenical monthly meeting of clergy of different denominations. This has the sole purpose of building up ecumenical relationships which is a very important part of our Christian mission. This works in tandem with my membership of General Synod Committee for Christian Unity. On Sunday 23 rd January the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated in our Parish Church at 3.00pm. The preacher is Monsignor P. Devine P.P., from St. Anthony s Church who is Ecumenical Officer for the Archdiocese of Dublin and retires this year. I attended both Diocesan and General Synod during the year, both of which were hopeful and challenging. The single biggest event in the Church of Ireland in the last twenty years took place with the launching of the Book of Common Prayer My attendance on both the Sunday School Society and National Bible Society of Ireland Committees has been interesting and helpful. We look to 2005 as a year full of promise and pray that God will bless our endeavours as he has in Please continue to pray for my ministry and the development of our Parish family in the words of the Parish prayer each day, and see what surprises God has planned for each one of us. In the Service of Jesus, our Brother and Friend, Derek Uganda Project and St. Andrew s College On December 5 th at the 10.30am Service, Stuart Garrett spoke to the congregation about the project. He sold Christmas Cards and made 700 for this worthwhile project. Thank you for your generosity. Young Women s Group This new group met for their Christmas meal on the 9 th December.

7 The venue was Hin Keng s Chinese Restaurant on the Clontarf Road. Everyone who attended had a great time. They meet again on Jan 20 th. Details available from Breda ( ) or Heather ( ). Watch Church notices. SCRIPTURE READINGS Jan 2 Christmas 2 Jeremiah 31: 7-14; Psalm 147: 12-20; Ephesians 1: 3-14; John 1: 1-18 Jan 6 Epiphany Isaiah 60: 1-6; Psalm 72: 1-15; Ephesians 3: 1-12; Matthew 2: 1-12 Jan 9 Epiphany 1 Isaiah 42: 1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10: 34-43; Matthew 3: Jan 16 Epiphany 2 Isaiah 49: 1-7; Psalm 40: 1-11; 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9; John 1: Jan 23 Epiphany 3 Isaiah 9: 1-4; Psalm 27: 1-9; 1 Corinthians 1: 10-18; Matthew 4: Jan 25 Conversion of St. Paul Jeremiah 1: 4-10; Psalm 67; Acts 9: 1-22; Matthew 19: Jan 30 Epiphany 4 1 Kings 17: 8-16; Psalm 36: 5-10; 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31; John 2: 1-11

8 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 Music Ministry On Saturday 15 th January, Music Ministry takes place in the Parish Church, at 5.00pm. The Music and liturgical style is very much more relaxed than usual and the Parish Church is transformed by praise and worship. Why not come along and join us on Sat 15 th. Sunday School On Sunday 19 th December, the Sunday School children performed a modern musical drama of Christ s Nativity.

9 All the children taking part did so well and must be congratulated. Thanks must be given to all the parents who created appropriate costumes at such a busy time of the year and for their assistance in dressing the children and supporting the performance. The final tableau of the Christmas scene really brought alive the message of Christmas for the children and congregation. Also along the Christmas scene, the children built their own model of Bethlehem alongside the beautiful Crib so kindly made by Ed McKenna, the People s Church Warden. On behalf of the children Thank You, Ed. We have received a letter, photograph and Christmas Card from our sponsored child in Thailand, Supaporn Panganta. It was her 8 th birthday on the 2 nd of December. And all the Sunday School children signed her birthday care and sent a small present. We also forwarded a small money contribution from Sunday School to her family in time for Christmas. In November, our Rector, Derek, Stephanie, Jean and I attended a one-day training course for Sunday School

10 teachers of all denominations at St. Patrick s College, Drumcondra. It was a most enjoyable, interesting and stimulating day. We, as a group, divided up so that we could cover all the workshops: how to use music and song to enrich children s worship, presenting bible stories to children, creative suggestions for prayer, craft ideas, setting up a puppet ministry and developing a children s ministry in your parish. We have already used some of these ideas in our teaching programme. Sunday School will resume on 23 rd January 2005 and the children will meet in the Hall as usual. New members are always welcome. I would like to take this opportunity to wish our Sunday School teaching team Jean Acheson, Stephanie Maxwell and Conor McKenna, all the children and their parents a Happy New Year. God bless you all. H. Hunter Seafield Singers The Christmas Concert took place in the Parish Church on Friday 17 th December at 8pm. It was a wonderful evening and a record turn out. Thanks to all who supported it. It was in aid of our Gables Fund. We wish the SS and their sponsors a prosperous New Year. D. Sargent. 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 would love to hear from you. It is impossible to respond to these calls unless someone tells him. Thanking You. Mothers' Union We are very pleased that the Diocesan Project "Simons' Accessories" was runner up in it's category of the UK and Ireland Project Showcase Awards this year. This project is on going. If anyone is interested in making Hats, Gloves or Scarves for the homeless we will gladly pass them on.

11 Our other Project of Bonnets for premature babies and Blankets for still-born babies is also on going. A pattern is available from Iris if anyone would like to help. The annual new year lunch will be held in The Grand Hotel Malahide on Thursday 20th. Jan. at 1.00 pm. Please contact Isobel at or Iris at if attending and if a lift is required, by the 15th. Jan. I wish everyone a happy and peaceful New Year. I. Acheson Reflection Our much-quoted literary genius, George Bernard Shaw, declared that youth is wasted on the young. Many thought it a cynical comment but others who pondered on it (and still do), realise its validity in many cases. The book of Proverbs tells us that there is nothing new under the sun and era after era, this has been borne out. Obviously times and mores change and evolve but the motivation and inclinations remain as the instigators. Human nature is just that. In this era, we all live under pressure. This stress is felt and has to be endured by young and old alike. Experience of life and varying degrees of wisdom help the latter to cope, we believe. It can also be argued that youth has vigour, strength and resilience on their side. Returning to youth as the theme of our discourse, some could argue that youth never had it so good. The paradox is that paralleling this plus of advantage is a minus in spiritual commitment or even awareness. If you re in the God-squad, you re not cool. Could any philosophy be more sad, unwise and false? Recently, on TV, sports heroes and pop idols were spoken of as the icons of today s youth. Even the least Bibleconscious would be aware of the exploits of David and his victory over Goliath, and David was a youth. That s one icon and there are many others in the Bible. Thank God there is always His remnant. A. Maharry

12 Greenlanes National School The School Play, The Happy Emperor took place on the stage in Mount Temple School on the two nights of Monday the 13 th and Tuesday 14 th December. This was fantastic and all praise is due to Mrs Sampson and the teachers. The novel idea of a DVD was very successful and the Christmas Bazaar was a lovely evening and thanks are due to the teachers for co-ordinating that event. The School Carol Service took place on Wednesday 22 nd in the Parish Church at am followed by seasonal refreshments in the Hall. Again this closed the term in an appropriate and enjoyable way. D. Sargent 12 th Company BB Anchor Boys Our Anchor Boys Christmas Party was held on Monday 6 th December. The boys especially enjoyed the visit from Santa Claus and the goodies. We sang some Christmas songs for Santa. We are looking forward to our annual trip to the Lambert Puppet Theatre, Monkstown, on Saturday 15 th January. I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year for H. McCullagh Junior Section On Saturday 4th December the Annual Junior Section Table Quiz was held in our Parish Hall. We entered two teams and they did not do badly. The winners were a team from Littlewood in Carlow. We met once in December. On Monday 6th we travelled to meet the Dublin Airport Authority Fire Service. The boys saw an overview presentation of the challenges facing the fire service operation, 30 ton fire engines, climbed into ambulances, tried cervical collars, climbed into mobile command centres, saw a display of the water power available on the biggest fire appliance, visited the observation tower and learnt a bit about being an airport fireperson. It was a great - if late (sorry parents!) night. Many thanks to the officers and Ed McKenna for transport to and from, as well as ensuring the boys' safety. On Monday 13th and Tuesday

13 14th some of the lads were involved in the, very successful, Greenlanes Play, which took place in Mount Temple Comprehensive School - well done lads. On Sunday 19th December we attended our Annual Christmas Bible Class in the Church, the 12th Company's spiritual and worship headquarters since the company was founded. Around 50 people in all enjoyed the fellowship and annual get-together. On Saturday 8th January there is a 5-A-Side Indoor Football Tournament and we hope a team or two will enter. We commence meeting again on Monday 10th January. M. Acheson. GB Past Members Wishing all our members a blessed and healthy New Year. Very much in our minds are our special Past Members Violet Davis, May Davis, Marjorie McLindon, Hilda Baldwin and Eileen McDermott. Our Annual Lunch will be held on Thursday 20 th January at 12.45pm in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, as we join with the Mothers Union. Lifts will be arranged. Ring Isobel / Looking forward to seeing you there. I. McMullen Nine Lessons and Carols This Service took place on Wednesday 22 nd December at 7.45 pm. It was a wonderful service which included St. George s Brass Band and all the usual favourites. There was a great turn out for this Service which took place in the evening for the first time. All who attended it had a lovely evening and hopefully the Brass Band will join us again next year.

14 Bowling Club We are now enjoying the Christmas break and looking forward to the next set of matches. For various reasons we were only able to enter two teams this year. Hopefully next year we will be able to enter another team. Apart from winning or losing it is good to meet other teams both from the bowling angle and also meeting people who become friends over the years. We finished the session with a party when we played Fun Bouts, anything but League standard and much enjoyed by all. The winner was Dudley who was presented with the Langrell Cup well done Dudley. We then finished with supper and mulled wine, made by Dudley and much appreciated by all. Good luck to the teams in the coming matches and a very happy New Year to all our members, families and friends. H. Erskine Parish Register Marriage: Appleyard June and O Reilly Dominick; Parish Church; 4 th December PARISH DIARY Jan am No Service. Jan am Epiphany Communion. Jan am Parish N.S. reopens. Jan pm Select Vestry Meeting in Creche. Jan pm Music Ministry Jan pm Young Women s Group Jan 23 afternoon Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity Service at Parish Church. Preacher: Msg. P. Devine PP. Feb am Dedication of Columbarium by Archbishop of Dublin, preaching and celebrating Communion. Feb am Ash Wednesday Liturgy 7.30pm Ash Wednesday Liturgy

15 2004 a year of hope and promise Parish Fun Day at Greenlanes Work in Progress on the Gables Anchor Boys present gifts to St. Luke s.

16 SUNDAY SERVICES Date Feast Time Liturgy 2 nd Christmas am Holy Communion 10.30am Morning Prayer 5 th Wednesday 10.30am No Service 6 th Epiphany 10.30am Epiphany (HC2) 9 th Epiphany am Holy Communion am Parish Communion pm Compline 12 th Wednesday 10.30am HC2 with healing prayers 15 th Saturday 5.00pm Music Ministry 16 th Epiphany am Holy Communion 10.30am All-Age Worship 19 th Wednesday 10.30am HC2 with healing prayers 23 rd Epiphany am Holy Communion 3.00pm Christian Unity 7.00pm Holy Communion 26 th Conversion of Paul t/f 10.30am Holy Communion 30 th Epiphany am Holy Communion 10.30am Service of the Word