Corrawallen Kildallon Kinawley Newtowngore Swanlinbar Templeport Tomregan Group Newsletter

Newsletter No 10 March 2008

In need of a Saviour?

“With the club hovering on the brink, Newcastle United needed a saviour”. This quote appeared on a web-site I was looking at recently. By way of explanation for the uninitiated, it refers to the appointment of Kevin Keegan as manager of Newcastle United Football Club earlier this year with the club in dire straits. Newcastle are a top-flight club with a proud history and high expectations – ending the season in mid-table is something of a failure for a club like Newcastle. And so they needed a saviour to rescue them from this desperate situation. Enter Kevin Keegan, former international footballer and soccer pundit. Keegan took on the reins of management once more at Newcastle and the fans had high hopes, indeed they had great expectations. He was welcomed at the club with much cheering and excitement – people even referred to him as their messiah!! Just eight short weeks later, Newcastle have won only 2 points out of a possible 21 and those who heralded his reign as a beginning of a new era are now silent – the cheers have now turned to jeers on the football terraces!

Does any of this sound familiar as we begin our journey through Holy Week?

The children of Israel had long awaited a messiah for they knew they were in desperate need of rescue and it seemed that this Jesus fellow might be the one to set them free. Could he be the one? They heard that he was coming to town. The tension was rising. As they waited, they wondered: Will he ride a chariot with fine white pure-bred Arabian stallions? Will his robes reveal his royal birth? Will he be as gifted a tactician as David? When will he begin the rebellion against the Romans? They waited and waited and waited, with palm branches to lay in his path, that’s how you greet a king, isn’t it? And then they heard the cheering, distant at first and then closer. The excitement rose with the volume of cheering, but they couldn’t see him yet, just an ordinary looking guy on a stupid donkey. He must be just behind him. Keep cheering, our messiah is coming, keep cheering, he is going to set us free…..Eventually the cheering stopped and, very quickly the jeering began. So many hopes dashed on the rocks, so many expectations not met. So many angry, bitter, disappointed people who hoped for a saviour who would set them free from bondage of life under Roman rule, but actually missed the truth of a Servant King who came to set us all free from the slavery of sin. This Easter time, let us be careful that our expectations of Jesus are realistic and grounded in the words of Jesus. Jesus journeyed to the Cross and bore the sin of the whole world in a most horrific death, he cried out at the end of an agonising death “It is finished” and at that point the Temple curtain was torn from top to bottom. The Temple curtain was a symbol of separation from God, only the High Priest went behind the curtain once a year. Through the death of Jesus he opened up the way to the Father through faith in Him – that is what the Bible tells us. This Easter, don’t expect anything or anyone else to accomplish that for you. Jesus did that for us, all those years ago – the choice is now for us to decide whether or not we look upon that ordinary guy on a stupid donkey and recognise him as the true Messiah, or just another Newcastle manager!

Church of Ireland Cross Rev Geoff Wilson

Praying update!

In the last newsletter I made a bold suggestion - Prayer meetings! I would love to see a weekly prayer meeting moving around the group in different homes. Boldly I suggested meeting in a home in each of the geographical areas represented by our 5 vestries. I am delighted that I have had offers of homes representing Kinawley / Swanlinbar, Templeport, Kildallon, Ballyconnell & Corrawallen / Newtowngore. This is fantastic!

I hope to start these weekly prayer meetings after the Easter festival and holidays are over. The times and venue of each meeting will vary so everyone should find one that will suit. We’ll share coffee and get to know one another more. We’ll spend some time rejoicing in God’s presence before we pray for anything. We’ll pray for situations in the world, our families our church - whatever is on our heart that day. Each meeting will be for about hour. As well as the value of prayer it will be a great way for different people across the group to get to know one another better.

I know that many people feel that they are not good at praying, even more so in a group situation. The truth is there is not one of us who feel we have praying all sorted out. I’m not expecting everyone to pray great long prayers. Some of you may not even pray anything out loud but agree in your hearts. That’s brilliant. Whether you are shy or bold I pray that you will feel able to come. I long that we are all encouraged in this so crucial work. Remember the boat - 2 oars - praying and working hard at the same time!

I’ll let folks know the 1st dates soon. If you have any questions or would like to know more just give me a call.

Relationships and the environment

The other Wednesday I preached on the topic of the environment. Here’s a few ideas for helping look after our environment and in doing so ourselves! As Christians we have a responsibility for God's earth. A few thoughts about our shopping.

We’re into offers but buy what we actually need and use.

When buying goods try and check out their environmental impact. I want to know where wooden furniture comes from. Is it from a renewable source? I can’t complain about rainforests disappearing and buy furniture from the same timber!

Equally what about the impact of electrical goods we purchase. Are we looking at the impact of the goods we buy or do we just like the size of that telly on the wall?

Buy local goods when possible. This keeps food miles to a minimum. Remember a kiwi fruit will have created 5 times it’s own weight in CO2 emissions by the time it reaches the UK. Local food in season is much more energy efficient, often tastier, sometimes cheaper.

Of course it is not primarily an environmental issue but as you consider your shopping when you can buy Fair Traded goods.

We might be making small changes but that has to be better than no changes! A final thought, the group world watch reports that , “If everyone in the world consumed like the average U.S. citizen, we would need at least four more planet Earths!”

Holy Baptism

It was a delight to welcome ~~~~ ~~~~ Pollock into the Church family at Newtowngore Parish Church at a service of Holy Baptism on Sunday 24th February. Her big sisters played a huge part in service with ~~~~~ acting as God Parent and ~~~~ & ~~~~ taking part in the service and keeping Geoff right!! Our picture shows the whole family in the area of the font. We wish Ann and Alan every blessing as they care for ~~~~ and commit themselves to honouring the vows they made in the sight of God.

Baptism of one of the Pollock children
To protect the children their faces have been blured and
their names in the text on the left have been removed.

© Carl Morrow Photography

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Congratulations

Are extended to David Keyes of Tomregan Parish in his recent engagement to Wendy Elliott of Drumlane Parish. We wish them both well in their preparations for their forthcoming wedding.

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Congratulations

Also to Granny & Granda Foster, of Knockadoose on the recent birth of two more grandchildren. Mervyn and Kathleen became proud grandparents again with the birth or Fiona Therese to their daughter Jenny and her husband Francois Boulet in France. And their daughter Anne and her husband Paul, are parents for the first time with the arrival of Patrick Mervyn a few weeks ago. Congratulations to both Jenny & Francois and Anne and Paul on their little bundles of joy. May they all know God’s love and protection as they nurture and care for their new-borns.

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Mothers' Union News

Firstly, apologies to members for the cancellation of the closing service due to the high winds and stormy conditions. It was felt, by the leadership, that it would be safer to defer this service in the circumstances. Watch the weekly news sheet for details of the re-organised service after Easter.
The Young Families Unit have organised an evening with Dr Dickie Barr between 7 & 10 pm on Tuesday 20th May in Florencecourt Parish Centre – the theme of the evening is Time Out For Parents. Dickie Barr is widely acknowledged as something of an authority on family matters, so do try and make this evening a priority. Further information can be obtained by contacting Ann Howard on 043 45848.
And finally, Kildallon Parish are hosting the annual Festival Service for Kilmore Diocese at 8 pm on Thursday 17th April 2008. The theme of the service will be Time For Relationship and the guest preacher is the Rt Rev Richard Henderson, the all Ireland Chaplain of MU. I would encourage as many ladies as possible to come along on the night and immediately following the service to Kildallon Community Centre for refreshments.

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A Note of Thanks

The Parishioners of St Columba’s Church, Corrawallwen would like to thank everyone who supported their mini-marathon late last year, especially those people who walked the 10 km course, those who supplied refreshments on the day and the many people who sponsored the walkers so generously.
Approximately €13,000 was raised and went towards much-needed Church repairs .
St Columba's Church, Corrawallwen

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Easter Vestry meetings for 2008

The arrangements for the second part of our Easter Vestry meetings for this year have had to be changed since publication of the last Newsletter, the alterations are in yellow below;

Vestry	Meeting place	Date	Time
Corrawallen / Newtowngore	Newtowngore hall	7th April	8.30 pm
Ballyconnell	Minor hall	8th April	8 pm
Templeport	St Peter's Church	14th April	8 pm
Swanlinbar	Kinawley minor hall	15th April	8 pm
Kildallon	Sunday School room	16th April	8.30 pm

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Easter Communion Services

Please note the following changes to Easter Communions as published in the last edition of our Newsletter;

Church	Service	Time	Speaker	Leader
Kinawley	HC 1	10 am	Richard	Reggie Twadell
Corrawalllen	HC 2	10.30	Geoff	Geoff / Hazel Hicks
Templeport	HC 1	11.30	Richard	Reggie Twadell
Kildallon	HC 2	12.00	Geoff	Geoff / Hazel Hicks

Please accept our apologies regarding these changes to published times but we were not aware of the availability of Canon Twaddell to preside at Holy Communion when the last Newsletter was published.

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Holy Week Services

It is so hard to believe that Holy Week is almost upon us. We continue our journey throughout Lent along with the folk from Derrylin but with a guest preacher, Capt Colin Taylor of Church Army, sharing with us on Tuesday and Thursday evening. All of our services are at 8pm each evening and the theme we will be using throughout the week will be On The Journey With Jesus.

Day	Church	Speaker	Leader	Passage
Monday	Ballyconnell	Geoff	Richard	John 12: 1-11
Tuesday	Derrylin	Colin Taylor	George	John 12: 20-36
Wednesday	Kildallon	Richard	Geoff	John 13: 21-32
Thursday	Derrylin	Colin Taylor	George	John 13: 1-17, 31b-35
Friday	Ballyconnell	George	Richard	John 18: 1-19 : 42

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Growing in Grace

Just a gentle reminder to folk that we will be collecting in our Jars of Grace on Easter Day in the context of our Easter Communion Service. The Jar of Grace is one way in which we can work and pray in parallel and support people affected by the plague of AIDS on the African Continent through the work of Bishops’ Appeal, Tearfund and Christian Aid as they work in collaboration together. During our services on Easter Day, there will be time set aside in the service where the offering of the people will be brought forward by the Church Wardens and we will give thanks for all that has been given and ask for God’s blessing on the work which will be possible through it. Please do remember to bring your Jar of Grace along with you on Easter Day and simply place it at the back of the Church as you enter.

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Jar of Grace - empty

Gospel Concert

I’m sure that you have already made a note in the diary of this event – 25th April, now for some more details to whet your appetite! Artists on the night will include the family of Dean Raymond Ferguson, Lorraine Vance, Linda Lindsay, Paul Irwin and Maire Claire Brodie

To my knowledge, this is the first such event to be arranged within the Parish for many years so please do lend your support to the night. The evening will commence at 8pm and will include supper at the interval. All proceeds will go towards the Church Repair Fund. Tickets are priced at €10/£7 and can be obtained from Gracie Gould 049 9523326, Hazel Howden 049 9521270, Carol Graham 049 9523039 or Linda Lovett 049 9523332.

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An Old Irish Prayer for St Patrick's Day

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and the rain fall soft upon your fields,
and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

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Prayer points for April

Let us continue to listen to God in prayer and develop a daily routine of praying for the following on the day of the week indicated;

Monday:	For all those who may have suffered loss of any kind in the recent storms – that any sense of despair would turn to peace as the Lord’s presence is felt in the midst of adversity;
Tuesday:	Tuesday For all those are have limited mobility or are housebound – that any sense of isolation or frustration would diminish through the comfort of God’s Holy Spirit and His presence through loving family and friends;
Wednesday:	For all those preparing for major examinations – that the peace of God would reign in their hearts and their minds would be focussed in their preparations;
Thursday:	For all those who mourn the loss of loved ones – that their sense of loss would diminish with each day and they would face their loss with the assurance of a sure and certain hope in the resurrection through faith in Jesus;
Friday:	For anyone who does not feel part of our Church family and yearns to be loved and known – that we as a Church would have a heart to reach people with the love that God shows to us;
Saturday:	For those who will be the recipients of our Jar of Grace appeal – that our giving would make a significant difference in their lives and that Jesus would be made known through this;
Sunday:	For our Church as we plot the way ahead together under God – for good listening within the leadership, for wisdom in decision making and for courage to make tough decisions to move our Church Forward!.

C of I Cross

Service Schedule for the remainder of March and April

Breffni Residential Centre

1 after Service type indicates Traditional 2 after Service type indicates Contemporary
After the United Services there will be a cup of tea in the Church or local hall

News Items

GROUP NEWS

Prayer points for April

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