Facebook Page: St Mark s Church, Lisburn

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1 Facebook Page: St Mark s Church, Lisburn Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC

2 Details of all of our weekday and Sunday services are included inside the magazine. You can also find out what s happening via the parish website and our Facebook page. The parish provides recordings of the 1030am service each Sunday, and of funerals and some other services. If you would like to order a disc recording of the 1030am service, please contact Mr Ian Somerville on (028) Hospitals often do not contact clergy when our parishioners have been admitted, so if you, or a friend or relative, are in in hospital, please contact either of the parish clergy. Contact: Rector Revd Lynne Gibson Curate Revd Kenneth Gamble 97 Antrim Road 21 Dalboyne Park Lisburn BT28 3EA Lisburn BT28 3BU Tel Tel Articles for the next edition of the magazine should be with the Rector by Wednesday 25 January 2017, please

3 F R O M T HE R E C T O R I ve spent a lot of time thinking about gifts this past week. I d like to say that it was because I was finishing my Christmas shopping, but that will be a job for another day I have, of course, been thinking about the gifts which we buy and give at Christmas time, but also about how we respond to God s generous provision of our needs by responding to the needs of others. There is no better time for us to begin what will, I hope, be an ongoing connection with the work of the Lisburn Food-bank, which provides emergency food parcels to those who are, even here and now, in a 21 st century city, at risk of going hungry this Christmas. There will be a crate at the back of the church for donations of non-perishable goods each week. We give, because we have received. At Christmas time, as we reflect on the greatest gift of all, God s Son coming to earth out of his great love for us, we are challenged to look at what we give to others, and back to God. In a sense, it is easiest to give money, or food to a food-bank. But when New Year comes, we may have not just unwanted gifts - but unused gifts. Gifts and talents. Gifts which we can use in His service, and in building up his church.

4 So, perhaps this New Year, you could consider not what you resolve to give up, but what you take up, or what you can offer. Perhaps you have hidden musical talents, and would like to join the choir or music group. Perhaps you could help, (with a little training!), with the sound desk or screens at services perhaps with Monday club or a Youth group in the parish perhaps you are a behind the scenes person, and could help with occasional tasks like collating and distributing magazines or stewardship letters. We are all quick to focus on our weaknesses - it s a Northern Irish tendency, I fear. This Christmas, as we prepare to step out into a New Year, may we each respond, in the silence of our hearts, in the gratitude of our hearts, to the Gift of the Christ Child, by offering our gifts, our strengths and our talents to whatever service he has called us. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a blessed and peaceful New Year. F R O M T H E P A R I S H R E G I S T E R S H O L Y B A P T I S M 23 rd October Harry Simpson 1 Breton View 6 th November Robert Gary Hall, 9A Antrim Road 20 th November Ryan John Moriarty, 7A Lady Wallace Avenue B U R I A L S 23 rd October Mary Alexandra Frances Elliott, 6 Laurelhill Road 26 th October Marjorie (Madge) Doherty, 23 Belsize Road 3 rd November Marie Toal, 26 Drumard Court

5 M O T H E R S UNION Looking back On Tuesday 1 st November, members of the MU were given a very enlightening talk by Helen Cupples, A21 Ambassador NI, on the subject of human trafficking, as part of the Mothers Union focus on gender violence issues. We were challenged to learn of the levels of human trafficking here - and now - in Northern Ireland. By complete contrast, members (and clergy!) enjoyed a Christmas dinner, and a relaxing evening of Christmas carol singing (accompanied by Robin and Keri) at Edenmore Golf Club on Tuesday 6 th December. Looking forward January 3rd: Opening Service in the church, followed by a talk by Moira Thom - Mothers Union around the world and around the corner. February 7 th : AGM, followed by talk by Linda Murray, LCCC - A day in the life of a Visitor Information Centre Advisor. C A L L I N G A L L M E N For the young, old, young at heart, and those wanting to do something It has been suggested that a Men s Group could be set up in the parish on a monthly basis for talks, social activities and perhaps outings. If you would be interested in developing this fellowship within the parish, please speak to the Rector, or leave your contact details on the sheet provided at the back of the church. We hope to hold a preliminary meeting during January to discuss the way forward and suggested activities. All welcome!

6 C A L E N D A R O F WORSHIP D E C E M B E R/ JANUARY Sunday 4 th December 9.00am Holy Communion am Christingle Service 7.00pm Late Evening Office Wednesday 7 December Sunday 11 th December 11.00am Parish Communion 7.00pm Service of the Word Wednesday 14 December Sunday 18 th December 10.00am SOTW with Sunday School Nativity 11.00am Morning Prayer 7.00pm Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Wednesday 21 st December Saturday 24 th December 1130pm Midnight Communion service

7 Sunday 25 th December Christmas Day 1030am Family Service Monday 26 th December St Stephen s Day 1030am Holy Communion Wednesday 28 th December Sunday 1 st January 9.00am Holy Communion am Family Service Wednesday 4 th January Sunday 8 th January 1030am Parish Communion 7.00pm Service of the Word Wednesday 11 th January Sunday 15 th January 1030am All Age service 7.00pm Evening Prayer

8 Wednesday 18 th January Sunday 22 nd January 1030am Morning Prayer 7.00pm Service of the Word Wednesday 25 th January Sunday 29 th January 1030am Morning Prayer 7.00pm Holy Communion

9 F L O W E R R O T A January: 1 Mrs M Ellison 8 Mrs F Moreland 15 Mrs J Parker 22 Ms J Orr 29 Mrs E Jackson February: 5 Mrs V McMeekin 12 Mrs A Armstrong 19 Mrs K Ingleston 26 Mrs P Bates B A L L Y M A C A S H F L O W E R C L U B Looking back The flower club had two very successful evenings in recent months: on October 17 th, the demonstration was Come Dine with Me, by Sinead Goodwin, and the club hosted a very well attended Open Night in Laurelhill Community College November 21 st. Looking forward January 16 th : Club Night - Lucky Dip February 20 th : The Staff of Life - talk by Leslie Brant

10 S U N D A Y S C H O O L St Mark s Sunday School now meets every Sunday at 10.30am. On the first and the third Sunday of the month, the children and young people join us in the Church for the All age service. We hope to strengthen the links between church and Sunday school by encouraging all of our young people to attend and to take part in church services, and by encouraging all of our adults to come and meet with the Sunday school and their teachers, for a cup of tea in the hall after some of the services. M O N D A Y C L U B The MONDAY CLUB is our Seniors group in the parish which meets once a month, generally on the second Monday from 2pm to 4pm in the church hall. Membership is open to men and women, although at present ladies outnumber men 23 to 0. We like to pride ourselves on being a happy friendly club, where the members enjoy each other s company, and have an enjoyable afternoon. Our meetings begin with the allimportant cup of tea and cake and over the course of a year we endeavour to offer a varied programme, for example occasional meals, outings, arts & crafts, keep-fit, quizzes and guest speakers. We would like to increase the frequency of our meetings to fortnightly, but for this to happen we require help. If you would like to volunteer to lead/help at the club, even once a month, please speak to me. New members are very welcome at any time. Ken Gamble

11 It is the policy of the Church of Ireland to set standards for the welfare of all children sharing in its ministry with a view to protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm. The foundation of the Church s approach to all people, including children, is rooted in the biblical affirmation that human beings are made in the image and likeness of God. A glance at the stories and genealogies of the Hebrew Scriptures illustrates that children, in particular, are not only a gift and blessing but also result in the founding of nations and communities. They are a precious means of remembering the covenant and of passing on the faith of the community. They are part of the assembly. In the New Testament, Christ saw children as demonstrating a full and intimate relationship with God. He gave them status, time and respect. Believers are to become like children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. All in all, children are a gift to the Church. The Lord of the Church sets them in the midst of the Church today, as in Galilee, not as objects of benevolence, nor even as recipients of instruction, but in the last analysis as patterns of discipleship. (The Child in the Church) Moreover, God, who in Jesus became vulnerable as a child, calls us to listen to voices which are not heard and to stand alongside those who have no position or power. (Unfinished Business: Children and the Churches) It is incumbent on the Christian community, therefore, to create a safe environment for children and to implement carefully a code of good practice in its ministry to children.

12 John Keble NOVEMBER RED o er the forest peers the setting sun; The line of yellow light dies fast away That crown d the eastern copse; and chill and dun Falls on the moor the brief November day. Now the tired hunter winds a parting note, And Echo bids good-night from every glade; Yet wait awhile and see the calm leaves float Each to his rest beneath their parent shade. How like decaying life they seem to glide And yet no second spring have they in store; But where they fall, forgotten to abide Is all their portion, and they ask no more. Soon o er their heads blithe April airs shall sing, A thousand wild-flowers round them shall unfold, The green buds glisten in the dews of Spring, And all be vernal rapture as of old. Unconscious they in waste oblivion lie, In all the world of busy life around No thought of them in all the bounteous sky No drop, for them, of kindly influence found. Man s portion is to die and rise again: Yet he complains, while these unmurmuring part With their sweet lives, as pure from sin and stain As his when Eden held his virgin heart.

13 Since I arrived in early September, I have been listening, and talking about the current pattern and frequency of Sunday services. I have been struck by how many people miss the opportunity for fellowship with the other congregation at the main morning services, as well as how rushed the current morning services are for clergy, churchwardens and musicians in particular. We have little time for fellowship and chat between services, and our Sunday school have little interaction with the main church services. SO, with the Bishop s approval, and on a trial basis between Christmas Day and Easter, we will move to having just THREE services on each Sunday, and will change the time of the main morning service to 10.30am. We will alternate traditional and All-age services in the morning, and have the other choice in the evening. The two-monthly worship calendar will be printed in the church magazine, and the weekly church news will also include details of services for the following Sunday. Sunday school would attend either church or Sunday school every week at 10.30am. The main reason for the change is to bring what is essentially two separate congregations together, as one church family, and to build on that. As it happens, with Christmas Day falling on a Sunday, we will be beginning the new service pattern that day - Sunday 25 th December - a perfect day to say hello to someone new in church! Please spread the word, so that less regular attenders are aware of the change. It will be lovely to welcome everyone to church as one family this Christmas time!