The Swanlinbar Kildallon Group of Parishes in the Church of Ireland Kilmore Diocese. Corrawallen Kildallon Kinawley Newtowngore Swanlinbar Templeport Tomregan

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Newsletter No 23 May 2009
Weekly news sheet
Prayer meetings
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Vestry meetings
Office Surgery hours
Bishop Ken's visit
Breffni time change
Service schedule

On the Vision Day we looked forward.
Church of Ireland Cross
The following story reminded us of our task:
On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occurred, there was once a crude little lifeboat station. The building was no more than a hut, and there was only one boat; but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea. With no thought for themselves, they went out day and night, tirelessly searching for the lost. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to be associated with the station and give their time, money, and effort to support the work. New boats were bought and new crews trained. The little lifeboat station grew.

Lifeboat station

Some of these new members of the lifeboat station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those who were saved from the sea. They replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged building.
Now the lifeboat station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they decorated it beautifully and furnished it exquisitely because they used it as sort of a club. Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions, so they hired lifeboat crews to do this work. The lifesaving motif still prevailed in this club’s decoration, and there was a memorial lifeboat in the room where the club initiations were held.
About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold, wet, half-drowned people. They were dirty and sick, and some of them were foreigners. The beautiful new club was in chaos. Immediately, the property committee hired someone to rig up a shower house outside the club, where victims of shipwrecks could be cleaned up before coming inside.

lifeboat-rescue

At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club’s lifesaving activities because they felt they were unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. A small number of members insisted upon lifesaving as their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a lifesaving station. The small group’s members were voted down and told that if they wanted to save lives, they could begin their own lifeboat station down the coast. They did.
As the years went by, however, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old station. It evolved into a club, and yet another lifesaving station was founded. History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the seafarers drown.

Lifeboat & station

I wonder if you have ever thought of our local churches as lifeboat stations? The story above reminds us that we can become quite inward looking and comfortable and forget the real reasons we exist. Flowing from our worship to God our primary task as disciples of Jesus is to go and make disciples. To put it another way, we are to go and save lives.
With Geoff moving on there is a challenge for all us to take responsibility for the way ahead. I long that we are in the best possible shape for a new leader of our group to build on the great foundations that Geoff’s ministry will leave us. We all have a part to play. While there is inevitably sadness that Geoff is leaving us, this is also as exciting opportunity for us all to grow.

Lifeboy

Our first priority is to continue to grow knowing Jesus.Making him our priority will, as the Bishop reminded us mean leaving things behind. Our Bible courses, prayer meetings and Sunday worship are not optional extras. They are crucial in the way ahead. What are we doing to seek Jesus more?
Our second priority must be to continue to grow as a family across our group. How are we building relationships with people we don't really know in our group?May our lifeboat stations be places of welcome to all, adapting to the needs of those around us.
Our third priority is to reach out in mission.Overseas we will look to develop our link with Beryl Baker in the Chaco region of Paraguay but we must also pray and act in mission at home.How can our churches share Jesus in their own different communities? Never forget the parable of the lifeboat station. The Christian mission is always one of rescue and saving lives.
If we continue to set our hearts on growing in our love for Jesus, growing as a family and looking beyond ourselves in mission we will be putting down great foundations whatever the future holds.

Church of Ireland CrossRichard's signature Captain Richard Beadle  
 

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News Items

Easter Vestry Meetings
I would to thank everyone who came along to our Easter Vestry meetings and to congratulate those elected to hold office within the church for the forthcoming year. As well as extending sincere thanks to those elected, I would also like to thank those who have chosen to stand down from office and those not re-elected – your contribution during your term of service has been very much appreciated. The following elections have concluded our Easter Vestry meetings:

Church

Church Wardens

Glebe Wardens

Select Vestry

Swanlinbar

Swanlinbar
Leslie Wilson (R)
Steven Crawford (P)
Kinawley
George Graham (R)
Raymond Humphries (P)

Ernest Breen (R)
Alan Hassard (P)

Lorna Graham (S), Hazel Crawford (T),  Mackey Breen, Violet Clements, Freddie Crawford, Tommy Fisher, Mervyn Gould, May Rooney, Ivan Stubbs, Mary Thornton, Sam Wilson, Abraham Veitch

Corrawallen Newtowngore

Corrawallen
John Taylor (R)
Robert Moynihan (P)
Newtowngore
Gordon Richardson (R)
Derek Richardson (P)

Aubrey Hyland (P)
Tom Johnston (P)

Florence Bayliss (S), Miriam Fisher (T), Alec Graham, Carl Johnston, Herbert Pollock, Keith Richardson, Molly Richardson, Norma Richardson, Sandra Richardson, Alan Richardson, George Taylor, Jenny Taylor,
Wardens   (P) = People's  -  (R) = Rector's  -  (S) = Secretary  -  (T) = Treasurer

 

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United Vestry Meeting

A short informal vestry meeting will be held at 9 pm on Wednesday 13th May in Ballyconnell Parish hall to sort out one or two practical issues which have arisen. I envisage it should last no more than 30 minutes. Attendance from every member is not required but it is important that every parish is represented by 3 or 4 people. For further information please give me a call or have a word with me. Richard (My contact details are on back of the Newsletter.)

 

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Easter & Holy week Services

This Easter we had a few new events that helped all ages discover Easter. Children enjoyed hot cross bun making and learnt about Jesus washing feet. A few folk discovered the Passover meal and how it links to Jesus as the lamb of God. Families had opportunity to remember the awful journey to the cross on Good Friday with an earlier service while the Good Friday service for adults enabled us to bring our faith and doubts to our Lord who gave everything so painfully for us. In contrast Easter day was full of joy and the dawn service and Easter walk in the evening both helped make the day so memorable. Thank you to all who helped with so many events. It was so worth it!

Good Friday Faith & Doubt Seervice Early morning Easter Service Early morning Easter Service
 

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A Prayer written by a Parishioner
Shared at our recent weekly prayer meeting:
  Prayer

We pray for Rev Geoff, Naomi, Bethany, Jack and Sam as they prepare to begin a new ministry in Lurgan. That it will be fruitful and that they will be blessed with good health and happiness. We remember especially Rev Geoff who has been called to serve as Rector. We ask you to pour out your blessing upon him and equip him for the task ahead and guide him in all that he is called to do. We have been blessed and privileged to have had Rev Geoff as Rector ministering to us in this group of Parishes. Through his preaching and teaching lives have been touched!

We pray for Captain Richard that he will be encouraged by us as a group and that we will give him our fullest support as he tackles the work ahead, and as God reveals his plan for him and us as a group of parishes. That God will provide us with his chosen Rector when the time is right. Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. May we never be afraid to trust our unknown future to a known God.   Amen.


 

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Kidz Club 3.30 - 5 pm for all children 4 -12

The last one before the summer break with the usual mix of songs, games and quizzes. Please encourage your children to come and join in the fun. This will be on Sunday 7th June in Newtowngore Parish hall.
..

Kidz Club logo
 

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The Chaco Project SAMS logo Visit the SAMS Ireland home page  

We have just received new photos from Paraguay some of which may be seen by clicking here, the page should open in a new window. They were sent to us by Caroline Gilmour-White, a SAMS liaison officer who meets Beryl regularly. We have set up a web page for our link with Beryl Baker in the Chaco as part of our group web site. This is the link to main index page for our Paraguay project. These pages will be updated independently of the Newsletter pages when we receive additional information or photographs.

In the next step we will be forming a group of representatives from each of our churches to help achieve the maximum benefit for our link with SAMS and in particular Beryl. It will be challenging as she is so remote and contact is not easy but the opportunity is really exciting.


 
 

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Sunday School Prize giving & Geoff's Farewell Service

The Sunday School Prize giving & Geoff's Farewell Service will take place on June 21st in Swanlinbar at 3 pm. It will be followed with a BBQ on the Rectory lawn in Swanlinbar – please make a special effort to attend this special service.
In preparation children from the Sunday school will meet at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 9th June in Ballyconnell and on Thursday 18th June also at 6.30.

The first photo shows Naomi, Bethany, Sam, Jack and Geoff on 19th June 2005, the day of his Ordination outside the Templeport Community Centre. The day was also Geoff's and Naomi's wedding annivesary. The painting of St Peter's Church from across the lake had just been presented to him.
The second one is of the family on St Mogue’s Island with St Peter’s Church in the background, the photo was taken in September 2004 about two months after they arrived. (Clicking on the photos above will open enlargements in new windows.)

 

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Surgery Hours

Date

Time

Wednesday 6th May

2 pm - 4 pm

Tuesday 12th May

2 pm - 4 pm

Thursday 21st May

10 am - 12 pm

Thursday 28th May

11 am - 1 pm

Tuesday 2nd June

2 pm - 4 pm

Tuesday 9th June

10 am - midday

 

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Ballyconnell School

By the time you read this, the new school building at Ballyconnell will be within 3 weeks of the official opening!! It is incredible to look back at the new school’s development, from first tentative approaches seeking grant aid, to the first sod being turned, to completion in the most difficult of financial climates. This marks a key development in the history of the school and the Board of Management warmly invite all parishioners from the feeder parishes, Ballyconnell, Templeport and Swanlinbar, especially past pupils and folk with an association with the school, to attend the official opening and dedication of the new school building which will be carried out by Bishop Ken Clarke at 11 am on Friday 29th May 2009. If you would like to attend it would be very helpful if you could let the school know by Friday 20th May at the latest in order that catering can be organised (ring 049 9526055).
.

Ballyconnell Central School Ballyconnell Central School Ballyconnell Central School Ballyconnell Central School Ballyconnell Central School Ballyconnell Central School

 

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Bishop’s visit

Thank you to everyone who came along to some of our organised events during the Bishop’s recent visit. What an encouragement it was for many of us as we met with and chatted with the Bishop in an informal context, whether it be your workplace, home or organised activity. Sincere thanks to our Forward Steering Group for all of their practical help, not least the catering. Without their willingness to serve the church in this way, our sense of growing fellowship would very much suffer.
Our photograph on the right shows the Bishop with our oldest parishioner, Mrs Anna Johnston of Newtowngore Parish, who celebrated her 95th birthday towards the end of 2008.
It was great to have Bishop Ken with us for events across our group for part of a week including visits to our schools and the Breffni. Some of you wanted to be millionaires in a quiz night, some came to be encouraged in scripture, many of you shared in our Day of Vision.
It was such an important day in our life together as we looked at our journey ahead the response has been most encouraging . Along with great food and craic, the day served as a helpful reminder that vision does not need to stop with the Rector leaving. There is much we can do building on the foundations of our recent past.

Anna Johnston

Bishop Ken's visit to Ballyconnell Bishop Ken's visit to Ballyconnell Bishop Ken's visit to Ballyconnell Bishop Ken's visit to Ballyconnell Bishop Ken's visit to BallyconnellBishop Ken's visit to Ballyconnell

The day ended with a presentation made to Mervyn and Kathleen Foster. This was a public thank you for an incredible 40 years Mervyn served as treasurer for Ballyconnell.
 Presentation to Mervyn and Kathleen Foster

 

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Prayer Meetings

Everyone is welcome to come along as we pray for needs around us and the ongoing life of our group of parishes.

Day & Date Time Parish Location
Monday 11th May 8.30 Templeport Abraham & Carol Graham's
Wednesday 20th May 8.30 Ballyconnell Eric & Minnie Mitten's
Tuesday 26th May 10.30 Kinawley Mackie & Vi Breen's
Wednesday 3rd June 3.00 Correwallen Louise Patterson's
Wednesday 10th June 3.00 Kildallon Location yet to be arranged
 

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Breffni Service Time Change

The Breffni service in May is not on the usual 4th Tuesday in the month due to Geoff’s commitment of to attend a meeting in Dublin. It is now scheduled for Thursday 28th.

 

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Forward! Service in Slieve Russell Hotel, Sunday 17th May

Just a reminder that there will be no service in our Group of Parishes on Sunday 17th May as there is a Diocesan Service in the Slieve Russell Hotel at 3 pm that afternoon. This will be a great opportunity to come together as a Diocesan family so please do not treat this as a day off from church.

 Forward

 

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Swanlinbar Parish Outing

The annual outing for Swanlinbar Parish has been organised for Saturday 6th June. This year, given the strength of the Euro, the coach will be heading north once more, to the market towns of Cookstown and Moneymore.
The Mid-Ulster Vintage Vehicle Rally Club have organised a display of tractors, cars, motorcycles & stationary engines between 12 & 5pm at Springhill House, Moneymore (admission £5 for adults and £2 for children). Other attractions include a fun fair for the younger children and craft stalls for all. House and gardens are open to the public with tours available.
Its also market day on Saturday, so if you don’t fancy what’s on offer at the vintage rally, then why not spend the day browsing in the excellent shopping town of Cookstown.
This trip is open to both parishioners and non-parishioners alike, so to avoid disappointment please contact Mrs Mary Thornton on 048 66348662 to book your place. Further details regarding coach prices and pick up times will be published in later news sheets.


Ferguson Brown tractor Ferguson Te20 tractor Ford model T

 

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Children Write Letters To God

Dear GOD, I read the Bible.What does ’begat’ mean?Nobody will tell me. Love, Alison.
Dear GOD, Are you really invisible or is that just a trick?-Lucy
Dear GOD, Is it true my father won’t get in Heaven if he uses his bowling words in the house?-Anita
Dear GOD, Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident? Norma
Dear GOD, Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don’t You just keep the ones You have now? - Jane
Dear GOD, Who draws the lines around the countries? - Nan
Dear GOD, I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay? - Neil
Dear GOD, What does it mean You are a Jealous God? I thought You had everything. - Jane
Dear GOD, Did you really mean "do unto others as they do unto you?" Because if you did, then I’m going to fix my brother. - Darla
Dear GOD, Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy. - Joyce
Dear GOD, It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things about You that people are not supposed to say, but I hope You will not hurt him anyway. Your friend (But I am not going to tell you who I am)
Dear GOD, Why is Sunday school on Sunday? I thought it was supposed to be our day of rest. - Tom L.
Dear GOD, Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before, You can look it up.-Bruce
Dear GOD, If You give me a genie lamp like Aladin, I will give you anything you want, except my money or my chess set.- Raphael
Dear GOD, My brother is a rat.You should give him a tail.Ha ha. - Danny
Dear GOD, Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms.It works with my brother. - Larry
Dear GOD, I want to be just like my Daddy when I get big, but not with so much hair all over. - Sam
Dear GOD, You don’t have to worry about me.I always look both ways. - Dean
Dear GOD, I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions. - Ruth M.
Dear GOD, I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole world.There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it. - Nan
Dear GOD, My brother told me about being born but it doesn’t sound right. They’re just kidding, aren’t they? - Marsha
Dear GOD, If You watch me in church Sunday, I’ll show You my new shoes. - Mickey D.
Dear GOD, I would like to live 900 years like the guy in the Bible. Love, - Chris
Dear GOD, We read Thomas Edison made light.But in Sunday school they said You did it.So I bet he stoled your idea. Sincerely, - Donna
Dear GOD: The bad people laughed at Noah - "You made an ark on dry land you fool."But he was smart, he stuck with You. That’s what I would do. - Eddie
Dear GOD, I do not think anybody could be a better GOD.Well, I just want You to know, but I am not just saying that because You are GOD already. - Charles
Dear GOD, I didn’t think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday.That was cool! - Eugene

Smile!

Giraffe

dog

Horse

 

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Swanlinbar & Kildallon Group
Yodelling Kenny Archer

A Country and Western Gospel Evening

with

the Hilarious Gary Wilson,
the Yodelling Kenny Archer

and friends

in

Templeport Community Centre

on

Friday 4th September 2009 at 8pm

Everyone welcome

Hilarious Gary Wilson
All proceeds in aid of ForwardFunds.

 

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Church of Ireland Cross     Prayer Points for  May & June   Church of Ireland Cross

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:
Pray for our group of churches. That we would be full of encouragement and hope as we face uncertain times May we grow in our dependency on Christ our Lord ;
Tuesday:
Pray for Beryl Baker in the Chaco region of Paraguay. Give thanks for her faithful service over many years through practical care and words of healing. May she be guided daily by Christ our Lord in the steps she takes;
Wednesday:
Pray for safety on the roads and in the fields in this season of long and busy days on the farms;
Thursday:
Pray for the work of our local schools, for teachers and children. We give thanks for the new building in Ballyconnell;
Friday:
Pray for those who share in pain of lost loved ones. That they would experience Christ's presence in the darkest times;
Saturday:
Pray for leaders in our world in times of recession - for wisdom and courage in difficult times;
Sunday:
Pray for Geoff and the all the Wilson family as they get ready to move - that God would continue to guide each step.

C of I Cross C of I Cross

 

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C of I Cross   Service Schedule for the remainder of May & June   C of I Cross

Day & Date

Time

Church

Service

Speaker

Main reading

May          

Sunday 10th
8 pm

Kildallon

Informal Praise

Canon Erick McGirr

A Sharing Church

Sunday 17th

3 pm

Slieve Russell

Diocesan United

    

Sunday 24th

10 am
10.30
11.30
12.00

Kinawley
Corrawallen
Ballyconnell
Kildallon

MP2
HC1 Chalis
MP2
HC1 Chalis

Richard
Geoff
Richard
Geoff

Genesis 35:1-15

Thursday 28th

2 pm

Breffni

HC1 Chalis

Geoff

  

Sunday 31st

10 am
10.30
11.30
12.00

Swanlinbar
Newtowngore
Templeport
Kildallon

MP1
MP2
MP1
MP2

Richard
Geoff
Richard
Geoff

Acts 2
June
Sunday 7th

10 am
10.30
11.30
12.00

Swanlinbar
Newtowngore
Templeport
Kildallon

HC 2 Chalis
MP 2
HC 2 Chalis
MP 2

Geoff
Richard
Geoff
Richard

Acts 8: 26-40

Sunday 14th

10 am
10.30
11.30
12.00

Kinawley
Corrawallen
Ballyconnell
Kildallon

MP 1
HC 2 Chalis
MP 1
HC 2 Chalis

Richard
Geoff
Richard
Geoff

Acts 9: 32-43

Sunday 21st

3 pm

Swanlinbar

Sunday School Prizes & Geoff’s farewell

Geoff

Acts 20: 13-38
Sunday 28th

10 am
10.3 0
11.30
12.00

Kinawley
Corrawallen
Ballyconnell
Kildallon

MP 2
MP 1
MP 2
MP 1

George
Richard
George
Richard

Acts 12: 1-19

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 Enjoy a cup of tea after the united service

e & oe   

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