St Aidan s Parish Magazine

St Aidan s Parish Magazine Enabling People to find a living faith in a loving God Winter 2016 SERVING CHRIST IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1895 CHRISTMAS SERVICES Sunday 4th December: 6pm Community Carol Service Sunday 18th December: 11am Parish Nativity, 6.30 Carols by Candlelight Sunday 25th December: 11am Christmas Family Celebration with Communion Saturday 31st December: 11.30pm Watchnight Service

SERVICE TIMES December - February DECEMBER Sun 4th: Second Sunday of Advent - 11am Parish Communion, 6pm Community Carol Service Sun 11th: Third Sunday of Advent - 11am Morning Prayer with Baptism Sun 18th: Fourth Sunday of Advent - 11am Parish Nativity, 6.30 Carols by Candlelight Sun 25th: Christmas Day - 11am Christmas Family Celebration with Communion Sat 31st: New Year s Eve - 11.30pm Watchnight Service JANUARY Sun 1st: First Sunday of Christmas - 11am Parish Communion Sun 8th: First Sunday after Epiphany - 11am MU Enrolment Service Sun 15th: Second Sunday after Epiphany - 11am Family Service and Baptism Sun 22nd: Third Sunday after Epiphany - 11am Morning Prayer Sun 29th: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany - 11am Fifth Sunday Special Service followed by soup lunch 6.30pm Service of Wholeness and Healing FEBRUARY Sun 5th: Fourth Sunday before Lent - 11am Parish Communion Sun 12th: Third Sunday before Lent - 11am Morning Prayer Sun 19th: Second Sunday before Lent - 11am Family Service and Baptism Sun 26th: Sunday before Lent - 11am Morning Prayer, 6.30pm The Story of Joseph DAILY PRAYER POINTS PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens!) A suggested pattern for prayer during the week. Please use the magazine with the weekly pew sheet to focus your parish prayers and news reports to pray for the world. Monday: Pray for the sick, the house bound and bereaved. Tuesday: Choose one item from the news headlines and bring that situation to God in prayer. Wednesday: Pray for young people and leaders involved in Children s Church, Messy Church, Girls Brigade and remember Alison Shaw, Family Worker. Thursday: Pray for members of the Select Vestry, Church Wardens, and all who give their time to various church activities. Friday: Pray for brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted because of their faith. Look at the Open Doors website for up to date information. Saturday: Pray for Sunday Services, for Revd Bobbie, John, Organists Daniel and Gerald and the Choir that our worship may glorify God and bind us together as members of God s family. Pray that St Aidan s will be a beacon of light in the community and a place of welcome and acceptance. Sunday:Pray together in God s house if possible.

Dear Church Family, This issue of the magazine arrives on the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the new church year that means we have four Sundays before Christmas four weeks to prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ in human form, and also prepare for the time when he will return to the earth once more. It is therefore appropriate in this context of preparation to share the result of a great deal of thinking and praying about the future of the parish. With this issue of the magazine you will receive a copy of the vision statement, our focus for the next few years. Enabling people to find a living faith in a loving God is the agreed mission statement and our first priority everything we do must support that vision. Four teams will each focus on a different aim and seek to meet objectives under that aim over the next few years. All of the details are contained in the enclosed leaflet. The future of our parish church depends on the involvement of everyone. So do please read the leaflet and contact any of the team leaders to add your comments, ask a question or offer advice. Everyone s contribution is valuable. Thursday @ 3 provides an opportunity to worship during the week. This service began over the summer and proved very popular especially with our senior members. We will begin again in January, meeting on the first and third Thursdays of each month. The format is relaxed with favourite hymns, a psalm and bible reading. For our prayers we gather requests from those present and we finish with a cup of tea and chat. You will be most welcome. With so many concerns in the world around us, near and far, we are reminded that we have a God who left the glory of heaven to come and dwell in our midst, to share our joys and our sorrows. May we each take time this Christmas to come and worship. Warm greetings in Christ. Revd Bobbie www.facebook.com/staidansandyrow

ST AIDAN S GIRLS BRIGADE UPDATE FROM GB!! UPDATE FROM GB!! It was great to see so many of the girls returning for another GB year and to have some new members join us. To date we have registered approximately 60 leaders and girls. We opened with a registration/fun night and provided a bouncy castle, nail art, crafts etc. along with some light refreshments. Each year it gets more difficult to get ideas and new activities for the girls. Please keep the officers in your prayers as they continue to strive to provide a varied programme each week to keep the girls interested and enjoy coming to GB. The company attended a District Harvest Service in Lowe Memorial Church on Sunday 9th October, it was great to see so many girls attend. Thank you to all girls who brought items of food to help those less fortunate than ourselves. On 2nd December the younger sections will be going on a special visit Christmas at Crawfordsburn where they will go on a trail whilst listening to the Christmas Story and of course visit that special man in the big red suit Santa. The Senior and Brigader girls will be entertained at Stranmillis College Pantomime on Friday 9th December. IMPORTANT DATES: Company Enrolment Sunday 27th November 2016 Tiny Tot, Explorer and Junior Christmas Outing Friday 2nd December 2016 Senior and Brigader Christmas Outing Friday 9th December 2016 GB Display Friday 28th April 2016 GB CHRISTMAS CLOSURE GB will finish on Friday 9th December 2016 and reopen on Friday 6th January 2017 (The Officers)

ST. AIDAN S MOTHERS UNION Advent A prayer from the MU Diary: Loving Messiah help us during this Advent time to reflect on our faith, to take stock of our lives and our faith journey thus far. Help us to seek you afresh and wonder anew at the miracle of the Nativity. Christmas Looking forward to Christmas we have the Nine Lessons and Carol s Service in the Church on Thursday 15th December at which the members of St. Simon s MU & Ladies Guild join with us on the evening. The Theme: for 2017 is Faith in Action Looking ahead to the celebrations for 130 years of Mothers Union in Ireland, 13 decades of Love and Service from 1877 2017. Our members have their copy of the recent Focus Magazine in which all the planned events are recorded. As we look forward to the coming year let us give thanks for the year past. In which the members celebrated the 60th anniversary of MU in St. Aidan s. The Branch meeting will be held in the church hall on the 19th January 2017. The February meeting will be on Thursday the 16th of February 2017 at the usual time 8pm. May all our members have a blessed and refreshed Christmas Time with their loved ones and their families. Happy Christmas and God s blessing to you all this coming New Year. Barbara Bowden

CHILDREN S CHURCH and CRECHE DECEMBER/ FEBRUARY 2017 We have had a good start to Children s Church. We have learnt about Noah, who did what God told him to do, even though he didn t understand and then we learnt about Jonah who resisted God s will until God encouraged him to do what he was told. Christmas is coming, and we will be starting to think about what we could do. Watch this space, We value the support we have from the children, parents, grandparents and congregation and are always hopeful that more children will join us. Thank you from Barbara, Gladys Lynn and Dorothy. ANNUAL SPONSORED WALK Our Annual Sponsored Walk which took place on Friday 3rd June 2016 has raised the Grand Total of 2,200.27 This has been a great effort by everyone involved, not only were we participating in healthy exercise walking but joining together in fellowship with one another, We would like to thank everyone for all their support and generosity in giving year after year to make this Annual event the success it is. Well done everyone. M. Griffin & E. Collins JOSEPH We are hoping to put on a production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in February 2017... H.E.L.P We already have a group of about 12 people who are very enthusiastic but we need more. We would need enough people to make a choir and we need children. Can you help? Can you come? Adults 8.00pm Tuesday in hall - Children 1.00 pm Saturday also in hall. ST. AIDAN S BOWLING CLUB Down at St Aidan s church hall on Monday nights you will find a lively group of bowlers, some more serious than others I may add, who enjoy the company and the craic over a game of bowls. If you are looking for something to fill these winter evenings, look no more. We can guarantee we have just the right sort of fun waiting for you. Christmas is just around the corner a time to celebrate the birth of our saviour Jesus Christ, may I send Christmas greetings to all our members. The final evening of bowls before we break for Christmas will be Monday the 12th December 2016 and will resume on Monday the 16th January 2017. Why not make a new year s resolution to try something new this coming year. Many thanks Gladys SOUTH BELFAST FOODBANK We had a very successful Harvest Food Collection, which was delivered to Friendship House. South Belfast Food Bank is organising a Tesco collection at Newtownbreda on Thursday 1st, Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December. If you can help, please let me know and I can put your name on the list of volunteers. Duties are handing out food lists, collecting in and sorting items of food. Dorothy MESSY CHURCH We have continued to meet at Messy Church over the last three months and have enjoyed times of fun and fellowship together. We have greatly benefited from the new cooker and refurbished kitchen. We would like to thank the families from Messy Church for all their hard work and fund raising efforts to make this possible In December we are looking forward to -

celebrating the birth of Jesus and sharing a Christmas dinner together. Our dates for the coming months are December 2nd 4-6pm January 13th. 4-6pm February 10th. 4-6pm Many thanks to all those who have supported Messy Church throughout the year, it has been wonderful to continue to meet and develop friendships with all the families involved. Happy Christmas to all and a very peaceful New Year. Alison COMMUNITY OUTREACH NOVEMBER 2016 We are a new group, formed to help make St.Aidan s a church, which is Relevant to All Ages. We already have many activities, which reach out into the community Thrift Shop, Mother s Union, Girls Brigade, Bowls, Cobra Fitness, Messy Church, Food Bank, Prayer Group, people who deliver magazines and collect envelopes and many other acts of concern and kindness. We are having a Big Breakfast on Saturday 19th November which, by the time you read this, you will, hopefully have tasted and enjoyed. Saturday 3rd December at 11o clock in the hall, we are hoping to have a Christmas Film Morning showing ELF This is suitable for children and adults. Try to keep the date free. We are hoping to have tea, coffee and biscuits on some of the mornings that the thrift shop is open January, we are planning a dancing night and in February a talk on the History of Belfast. We welcome and need your support and suggestions so please tell members of the team if you have any ideas. Thank you in hope and anticipation. Dorothy The Christmas Story. Once upon a time A long long time ago, Begins the story of a baby That most of you should know. His daddys name was Joseph And Mary was his mum, This babe was very special He was Gods only son. Some Angels came from Heaven And they began to sing, To the Shepherds in the fields below Glad Tidings do we bring. A bright star lit the Heavens To bright the Magi s way, To the baby in the manger Who was born on Christmas Day. And all who gathered round him Rejoiced and praised his birth, For the babe, the King named Jesus Is our Saviour here on earth. Leanne Guenther. Luke Ch 2. Vs 13 & 14 And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, Goodwill toward men. WISE MEN STILL SEEK JESUS!!

Email from John Earls - Grandson of St Aidan s first Rector, Rev John Northridge. Hello, I quite often look at your page. Born in Belfast 82 years ago. I lived in Scotland from 3-17. I have lived in Australia for 44 years. John Northridge was my grandfather. He was born in Ballineen in West Cork the eldest of 8 sons. 3 became COI clergymen and 5 Methodist!! He won the Gold medal for divinity at UCD - which my mother gave to my son. He met my grandmother when he was curate at St Thomas. My great grandfather JT Ward was the rector s churchwarden at St Thomas. ST. Thomas split in 3 and my grandfather became the first rector of St Aidan s JT.Ward became the first rector s churchwarden at the new church of St John s Malone. He owned 9 acres on the Malone road on the other side from Adelaide. He had 12 children and demolished his old house which ONLY had 9 bedrooms and built a new one which became Brackenber boys school demolished now. Before St Aidan s was built my great grandfather and my grandfather ran bible classes in Sandy Row The St Aidan s Rectory was in Eglantine Ave in my grandmother s time. Is it still there? My grandfather died in Dublin giving home communion to a parishioner and my grandmother was widow for 47 years! Best Wishes - John Earls REQUEST FROM TREASURER The last date for return of 2016 envelopes is Sunday 25th December 2016 Bible Study Group New Six Week Session during Lent Every Wednesday 7.30-9pm Beginning with a service in Church on Ash Wednesday 1st March COME AND WORSHIP FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAYS @ THREE FOLLOWED BY REFRESHMENTS 5th and 19th January & 2nd and 16th February

Baptisms: PASTORAL NOTES Are usually held during Family Service on the third Sunday of each month. Parents should contact Revd Bobbie who will be happy to discuss what is involved. Baptism is the beginning of a faith journey: parents and godparents are required to make promises before God, that they will nurture faith in their children. Weddings: Couples should contact Revd Bobbie to discuss arrangements before any firm bookings are made. Funerals: Please notify Revd Bobbie immediately upon serious illness or death. Clergy should always be consulted before any funeral plans or times are arranged. The Church is available for all funeral services. Finance: PARISH REGISTER Weddings: Angela Coates and David Caldwell - 11th August,2016 Funerals: James Black - 8th September 2016 Evelyn Oliver - 17th October 2016 Details of Freewill Offering Envelopes, Gift Aid and Parish Financial Report are all available on request. Flower Rota December 4th - Mrs M McBride & McAllister Family 11th - The Leith Family & Mrs M. Griffin 18th - The Coote Family 25th - The Hill Family & The Mothers Union January 1st - Mrs. M. Close 8th - Mrs. K. Wiggins 15th - The Mercer Family 22nd - The Crawford Family 29th - February 5th - Mrs. M. McBride 12th - The Hill Family 19th - Mrs. N. Baillie 26th - Please inform Revd Bobbie or the Church Wardens of parishioners who are ill at home or in hospital and those who wish to receive Communion at home. Also let us know if you would like a name added to the weekly parish prayer list or contact the prayer line: 07733 712942. Please ensure that all articles for Spring magazine reach Liz Adair / Margaret Close by the 15th February Thank you Thrift Shop OPEN MOST WEEKDAYS 11am 3pm BRIC A BRAC & CLOTHING Providing a service to the community

Who s Who in St Aidan s Minister in Charge: Rev. Bobbie Moore 02892 682789 / 07746583470 Parish Reader: Mr John Collins BSc. Community Outreach Worker: Mrs Alison Shaw 07547030451 Organist: Vacant Honorary Secretary: Mr. John Griffin 07729204457 Honorary Treasurer: Mrs. Dorothy Coates 02890 692132 Rector s Church Warden: Mrs. Barbara Bowden 02890 312620 People s Church Warden: Mr. Robert Redpath Rector s Glebe Warden:Mr. Alwyn Campbell 07712935504 People s Glebe Warden: Mr. Eddie Murray 02890 586733 Members of Select Vestry for 2016 2017 Mr. J. Griffin, Ms. B. Weir, Mr. R. Griffin, Mr. A. Serplus, Mrs. E. Adair, Mr. J. Hunter, Mrs. M. Close, Mrs. E. Collins, Mr. J. Collins, Mrs. D. Coates Mrs. A. Hunter, Mrs. A. Richardson. Parish Organisations & Contacts Sunday Children s Church: Mrs Dorothy Coates 02890 692132 Monday Bowls: Mrs Gladys Hollywood Wednesday Bible Study Group: Revd Bobbie 07746583470 Thursday Mothers Union: Mrs Barbara Bowden 02890 312620 Select Vestry: Mr John Griffin 07729204457 Friday Girls Brigade: Mrs Fiona Hendren 07776234830 Messy Church: Mrs Alison Shaw 07547030451