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 24 June 2009
Weekly news sheet
Geoff's farewell service
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Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18)
Church of Ireland Cross
I often struggle with people who neglect to say please or thank you! I’m sure you’ve met some people like this yourself. It could be a young shop assistant who perhaps has had a bad day (am I being too generous!?) and can’t find it within themselves to extend common courtesy to a customer. It could be an elderly person with dreadful pain in their body who has a door held open for them and neglects to acknowledge with as much as a nod, let alone a thank you. My favourite is the person sitting in a side road waiting to join a queue of traffic, possibly very late for an appointment, who when waved out, doesn’t as much as look in the rear-view mirror or raise a hand to say thank you! Sometimes, it really, really makes my blood boil!!
Paul says that we are to give thanks in all circumstances. Of course we are not taking this literally to mean that we must say thank you for everything done for us by someone else (important as this is). But rather, that we must be thankful to God for his goodness, his promise, his action through Jesus and his unending love for each one of us.
As my time in your midst draws to a close, I give thanks to God for our time here as a family and the privilege it has been to lead, teach, preach and pastor in this Group of Parishes. I give thanks for the good times, when we shared in the joy of new births, marriages and my greatest thrill – changed hearts and lives. I give thanks for each of the building projects (even the most time-consuming and protracted) as these have restored more than buildings, but built up God’s people in their relationships with one another. I give thanks for the generous spirit which has been shown by so many in the face of what at times was quite radical change. I give thanks for all these good things and many, many more besides.
But I also give thanks for the difficult conversations and confrontations there have been during this same period, painful and challenging though they may have been at the time. I give thanks for the way in which we have all been able to listen to and learn from one another, showing respect for one another and in so doing genuinely growing in our love of one another. I give thanks for the most challenging pastoral ministry and the opportunity it presents for me to journey with people in grief. This has never been easy for me as I have always felt like I have been standing on holy ground as people pour out their hearts in sorrow.
As God now calls us to a new ministry in a new area, I give thanks. Not because we are leaving an area and people we have grown to love so deeply. But I give thanks to God that in the midst of this most unlikely call upon our lives, he alone knows his plans and purposes for each and every one of us. No doubt the future will hold many challenges for us as a family and for this Group of Parishes. But give thanks in all circumstances for God is in control and his will is good, pleasing and perfect.
One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces One of Geoff's many faces

Church of Ireland Cross     Geoff signature   Revd Geoff Wilson      Church of Ireland Cross 

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Vacancy News
Church of Ireland Cross

With the vacancy just about upon us there are bound to be questions about who is covering what. Here is an important summary that will hopefully answer many of the questions folk may still have. Richard will have oversight of the normal daily life of our group. This includes Services, teaching and prayer.
These will generally continue as normal in our established pattern. We are thrilled to be able to say that we have already managed this through the coming summer service schedule, a particularly difficult time due to holidays. This is in no small part due to the diocese providing clergy to lead our communion services. We are very grateful to the outgoing Archdeacon George Davison for helping ensure this provision has been put into place. There may be small changes to enable clergy to help us but we have no plans for a reduction in Sunday services.
We also intend to have our usual home communions provided for by the diocese for Christmas and Easter if required.
United services will only now be for the whole group and not just a half group as sometimes before. United services will move around the group so each parish will have a turn.
With Geoff and the Archdeacon leaving the informal services will stop for now and take a natural break.
The weekly prayer meeting is ongoing and always open to review to help us grow in prayer. Bible studies in the Autumn and Lent will also be very important.

Pastoral care
 Richard will be responsible for pastoral oversight in the group. This will normally include visiting the housebound, funerals, baptisms and hospital visits. On this note please help by letting me know if a parishioner is in hospital. Please don't just assume that I know.

Confirmation
 Richard will be starting confirmation preparation in the autumn. Next May has been agreed by the bishop for Confirmation in our group.

Surgery hours
 These will continue and will be manned by Richard who will also be the first contact for old wedding, baptism, burial record enquiries.
We also hope that many of our social functions that help build us up as a family like the harvest supper will take place.

Supervising Rector
 Rev Steve Clark in our neighbouring Belturbet group will help with those parts that Richard is not trained or permitted to do.

Vestry meetings
 It is not our intention to have lots of vestry meetings but we will meet when required and Rev Clark has kindly agreed to help chair them. Richard will work with vestry members and Rev Clark in sorting out when these will be.

Weddings.
All future wedding enquiries should be made to Rev Steve Clark Tel 049 9524778

Richard writes
 I hope the above information helps. If you have any questions about the vacancy arrangements please don't hesitate to ask me. The Vacancy can be a really good time for us if we approach it in the right way. If we continue to seek building family and unity within our group, If parishioners stand up to be counted when there is a need, if we continue to take every opportunity to pray and press into Jesus we will surely grow and be in a good place when Geoff's successor comes. We pray for the right person to come to build on the foundation that Geoff will be leaving us.

Church of Ireland CrossRichard's signature Captain Richard Beadle  
 

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News Items

A BIG THANK YOUSAMS logo

This year we took the hugely significant step of establishing a missionary link with Beryl Baker a nurse with the South American Missionary Society in the Chaco region of Paraguay. Our Lent giving through the jars of grace has helped to make that link a very real one and we are thrilled to tell you that this amounted to €3685.73 and £1090.90. This is some 20% up on our Lent giving last year. In such challenging times for many, this really is a tremendous response from folks across the group.
We will be putting a display of Beryl's work in the Chaco as well as the Sunday school sponsorship of Edoh in each of the churches over the summer. There is also the SAMS Chaco project page on the website that will keep all the latest photos and news from the Chaco as we receive it.
http://www.swanlinbar-kildallon.kilmore.anglican.org/paraguay

 Nurse Beryl Baker Jar of Grace (full)
 

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Active Retirement Group

Within the local community in Ballyconnell, there is now a newly formed Active Retirement Group meeting in Realta Cafe on Tuesday 16th June at 8.30pm. New members are very welcome. Seamus Donohue.

 

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Sunday School Missionary Link

This year the Sunday school took the great step of sponsoring a child in mission through the Christian Charity Compassion. We are thrilled to be able to share a little more. We are sponsoring a 6 year old girl named Edoh Clemence Combe-Adamah who lives in Togo in Western Africa.
Here is a bit of information about our new friend. "Edoh lives in the coastal community of Kodome, home to approximately 16,600 residents. Edoh's parents are alive, but she lives with her aunt, who is employed as a petty trader when the work is available. Helping in the kitchen and running errands are her household duties. Edoh is not presently attending school as she is still too young. However as part of Compassion's ministry Edoh is attending the student centre. Playing with dolls is her favourite activity. She also attends church activities and Bible class regularly.
Typical houses in Togo are constructed with cement floors, brick walls and tin roofs. The regional diet consists of maize, beans, bananas, chicken, bread, beef, plantains, rice and potatoes. Common health problems in this area include malaria, worms, diarrhoea and hypertension.
Our sponsorship will help to provide Edoh with Bible teaching, choir, hygiene, and nutrition education, games, health screening, field trips, tutoring and educational materials.
Please do remember Edoh in your prayers. Parents please encourage children to remember Edoh in prayers at bedtimes and mealtimes. We really want this to be a meaningful link and your love and support will help her receive the assistance she needs to grow and develop.

Edoh

 

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New Cavan Royal School Association

A Past Pupils Association for Cavan Royal School has now been re-established. Should you wish to become a member, membership forms are available directly from the Royal School, Cavan or from the school website at www.royalschoolcavan.ie or from the Past Pupil Association website at: http://ppa.royalschoolcavan.ie
More information is available in 'The Scribe'.

Cavan Royal School school logo

 

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Breffni Centre Services

Rev Geoff will lead the service of Holy Communion on Tuesday 16th June at 2pm.
Rev Steve Clark will be leading these services during the vacancy. The July Service of Holy Communion will be on Tuesday 28th at 2pm.

 

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Weddings News

Congratulations to Robert and Josephine Gould on their recent wedding in Arigna. We wish them both every blessing in this great step in their lives together.

Robert & Josephine wedding
 

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GFS

At the recent GFS annual service and prize giving the following girls from our Kildallon branch got a special mention for their hand crafts. In the age 3-5 category Erin O'Goan came 2nd and Alicia Beadle came joint 3rd. In the 9-11's Abigail Pierce won the Miss Faulkner Cup coming 1st! Other crafts were also highly commended - Carla Van Der Laan, Eleanor Lynch. Maria Lynch, Shannon O'Goan and Kerrie Hyland. A big well done to all the girls for all their efforts. As the GFS year ended with a May sports day it is a fitting time to thank Matilda Hyland and Jackie Pierce for their great work encouraging the life of GFS in our group. It has been a joy to see it so popular in the last months with a great attendance every week.

GFS logo

 

 
 

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Sunday School Prize giving & Geoff's Farewell Service

Geoff’s final service as our rector will take place next Sunday, 21st June in St Augustine’s, Swanlinbar at 3pm. It will be followed with a BBQ on the Rectory lawn. Please make a special effort to attend this very special service and the following Barbeque.

Naomi & Geoff

This photo is of Naomi and Geoff on 19th June 2005, the day of his Ordination & also their wedding anniversary.

Wilsons on St Mogue's Island

The second is of the family on St Mogue’s Island with St Peter’s Church in the background, it was taken in September 2004 soon after they arrived in Swanlinbar.

(Clicking on the photos will open enlargements in new windows.)

 

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Surgery Hours

Date

Time

Wednesday 1st July

10 am - Midday

Thursday 9th July

2 pm - 4 pm

Tuesday 4th August

10 am - Midday

Tuesday 11th August

2 pm - 4 pm

 

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Ballyconnell School   (An Historic Celebration)

On Friday May 29th with Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith and Deputy Seymour Crawford present, our Bishop Ken Clark opened the new Ballyconnell school. It's not every day we see a new school built so it truly was a day for much rejoicing. Everyone was so excited and the whole day went so well. It was truly a day for young and old as the children reminded us through a wonderfully entertaining sketch that times must be changing and that "it wasn't like this in my day!" Present pupils and pupils from long ago, parishioners and members of the wider community all shared in a fantastic day.

The story of the new school itself is something we are so thankful to God for. Only four short years ago the future of the school looked so bleak with a second teacher's position threatened as the roll fell.
Bishop Ken shared in the church service that he hoped that "every time we pass this school, it will remind us of what can be achieved, when there is good leadership, when people work together, instead of tearing each other apart, when there is unity in the community linked to unity and vision, it is absolutely amazing what can be done!"
Thanks were given to all who helped make the dream a reality, from government ministers and local politicians and the Department of Education, Sustainable Energy Ireland, Principal Lavinia Tilson and her teaching colleagues, parents and the Board of Management chaired by our Rector Geoff Wilson, the vestry of Ballyconnell and the Board of Management, architect and builders to name a few. The wonderful new building is a credit to all who have played a part. Please keep dreaming. Thanks be to God.

Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day Ballyconnell Central School opening day

The faces of the children have been blured to protect their identity.
A CD of the photographs taken throughout the building process and on the opening day may be obtained on application to the school.


 

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Templeport Development Association Photographic Appeal

Plans are under way to produce a calendar for 2010. Our theme this year is 'People'. Here's a chance to get photos of you, your friends & family,- into print and on display in every home in Templeport and abroad. Kindly send or leave in photographs to Sheila at Keepers Arms (087 4115718) or email: sheila@templeport.ie Photos should be clearly labelled, - who they are and who they should be returned to.

 

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Prayer Meetings

With the Rector leaving the call to pray is very real as together we seek God's way for the future. During the holidays the venues will be fewer but we still intend to meet.
Everyone is very welcome as we pray for ourselves and the needs of those around us.

Day & Date Time Parish Location
Tuesday 16th June 10.30 am Kinawley Mackie & Vi Breen's
Tuesday 23rd June 8.30 pm Ballyconnell Mildred Morton's
Wednesday 30th June 3 pm Kildallon Valerie Livingstone's
Wednesday 7th July 3.00 Correwallen Jo & Clare Hyland's
Tuesday 14th July 8.30 pm Templeport Abraham & Carol Graham's
Thursday 23rd July 8.30 pm Kinawley Mackie & Vi Breen's
Tuesday 28th July 8.30 pm Templeport Abraham & Carol Graham's
Tuesday 4th August 8.30 pm Ballyconnell Eric & Minnie Mittens
Wednesday 12th August 3 pm Kildallon Valerie Livingstone's

 

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Ballyconnell and Newtowngore Parish Halls

On the deadline of this newsletter we had some terrific news from the Rural Development Council. The parishes of Ballyconnell and Newtowngore/Corrawallen have been accepted into a process of funding and training that will help us hold events for the local community in a safer and more effective way. The process is in two clear parts.
Strand 1
This will look at our training needs. Both parishes will shortly hold a meeting with the grant administrators to look at our needs but it could well include training in things such as first aid, health and safety, managing budgets, events promotion and food preparation and hygiene. We anticipate there will be 10 training meetings in the coming year. The training is a marvellous opportunity for a great number of folk from the parishes and will cost us nothing but our time and commitment.
Strand 2
Providing we have been committed to Strand 1 which is crucial, we should be able to enter strand 2. This will be 12 months away but will enable us to receive up to €60,000 for necessary work to Ballyconnell hall and €60,000 for work on Newtowngore hall. The only cost to each parish is a 5% commitment of €3,000.
I am sure you will all agree this is a wonderful opportunity made possible by the grant applications made by the Rector Geoff, Roy Mitten, Florence Bayliss and Carl Johnston. We are very grateful for all their efforts. Let's make the most of this tremendous opportunity!

HallBallyconnell hall hall

 

 

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Forward

Forward! Service in Slieve Russell Hotel on Sunday 17th May (Renewed Vision)

Sunday 17th May was a special day in the life of the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.
All the parishes were invited to a Celebration Service in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan. It was brilliant. Nearly 1000 adults and children (who had there own special events) attended and it was a real 'feel good' event. It's great to come together and be part of something bigger once in a while.
During the Service Bishop Ken spoke and gave some renewed vision for the coming 3 years as part of the Forward - Still Growing 2009-2012 Initiative. There was also a slide show of events * that have happened across the parishes over the last couple of years. KEA is a good place to be.

A full set of photographs which will open in a new wiondow may be found at:
www.swanlinbar-kildallon.kilmore.anglican.org/forward/forward-sun-2009 T
* The slide show may be found at: www.kilmore.anglican.org/dceleb/dioceleb170509.html/p>

Revd Craig McCauley
Rambling Rural Rector

Bish Ken Clarke opening the service Some of the congreation

 

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Swanlinbar Parish Outing ((A Vintage Day!)

Our thanks to Mary for organising the Kinawley Swanlinbar parish outing to Cookstown and the Mid Ulster Vintage Vehicle Rally Club show. It was a grand day out. Well done to Lee Clements who came 2nd and Nigel Graham in the tractor reversing competition!
The top photos show some of the people enjoying themselves. The last two show a demo of what happens when you throw a cup of water on a burning chip pan.

Some of the people enjoying the outing to the vintage show at Springhill House Some of the people enjoying the outing to the vintage show at Springhill House Some of the people enjoying the outing to the vintage show at Springhill House Some of the people enjoying the outing to the vintage show at Springhill House Chip pan Fire demonstration Chip pan Fire demonstration

 

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Time for a Smile?

(How to talk about men and still be politically correct.)
He is not quiet; he is a conversational minimalist.
He is not stupid; he suffers from minimal cranial development.
He does not get lost; he discovers alternative destinations.
He is not balding; he is in follicle regression.

The Three Wise Women
You do know what would have happened if it had been
three wise WOMEN instead of men, don't you?
They would have asked for directions,
arrived on time,
helped deliver the baby,
cleaned the stable,
made a casserole,
and brought disposable diapers as gifts!

In God's Army
A friend was in front of me coming out of church last Christmas, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always was to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside.
The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"
My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor."
So the Pastor questioned, "Then how come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"
He whispered back, "I'm in the Secret Service."

 

Signs on Church Property

"No God -- No Peace. Know God -- Know Peace."

"Free Trip to Heaven. Details Inside!"

An ad for St.Joseph's Episcopal Church has a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads, "For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets."

"People are like tea bags -- you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are."

"God so loved the world that He did not send a committee."

"When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out alright."

"Fight truth decay -- study the Bible daily."

"Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives"

 

Smile!

 

Three wise women

 

soldier

 

Free trip

 

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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 the rest of June, July and the begining of August  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 Geoff and the family as they move to Lurgan - that they will quickly settle into a new home and work ;
Tuesday:
Pray for our group of churches. May we learn to trust God and put our trust in him. May the vacancy be a time of spiritual growth;
Wednesday:
Pray for safety on the roads and in the fields and farmyards in this season of long and busy days;
Thursday:
Pray for young people as they await exam results. Give thanks and pray for the work with the children through Sunday school, Kidz club and GFS. Pray that our young people will grow a deep love for Jesus!
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 all those getting married in the coming weeks. May their love grow on good deep foundations for the blessings and trials ahead;
Sunday:
Pray for Geoff and the family as they move to Lurgan - that they will quickly settle into their new home, church, work and school.

C of I Cross C of I Cross

 

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  C of I CrossService Schedule for the rest of June, July & early August C of I Cross  

Day & Date

Time

Location

Service

Speaker

Main reading

June        

Sunday 21st

3pm

Swanlinbar

Geoff's Farewell
& Sunday school prizes

Geoff

Acts 20:13-38

Sunday 28th

10am

Kinawley

MP2

George

Acts 12:1-19

10.30

Corrawallen

MP1

Richard

11.30

Ballyconnell

MP2

George

12.00

Kildallon

MP1

Richard

July        

Sunday 5th

10am

Swanlinbar

HC1

Revd Paul Hoey

Mark 6:1-13

10.30

Newtowngore

MP2

Richard

11.30

Templeport

HC1

Revd Paul Hoey

12.00

Kildallon

MP2

Richard

Sunday 12th

10am

Kinawley

MP1

Canon Cyril Rolston

Mark 6:14-29

10.30

Corrawallen

MP1

George Taylor

11.30

Ballyconnell

MP1

Canon Cyril Rolston

12.00

Kildallon

MP1

George Taylor

Sunday 19th

10am

Swanlinbar

MP2

Mike Edwards

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

10.30

Newtowngore

MP2

Joe Hyland

11.30

Templeport

MP2

Mike Edwards

12.00

Kildallon

MP2

Roy Woods

Sunday 26th

10am

Kinawley

MP1

George Taylor

John 6:1-21

10.30

Corrawallen

HC1

Bishop Ken Clarke

11.30

Ballyconnell

MP1

George Taylor

12.00

Kildallon

HC1

Bishop Ken Clarke

August         

Sunday 2nd

10am

Swanlinbar

MP2

Margaret Crawford

John 6:24-35

10.30

Newtowngore

MP1

George Taylor

11.30

Templeport

MP2

Margaret Crawford

12.00

Kildallon

MP1

George Taylor

Sunday 9th

10am

Kinawley

HC2

Canon Cyril Rolston

John 6:35,41-51

10.30

Corrawallen

MP1

Richard

11.30

Ballyconnell

HC2

Canon Cyril Rolston

12.00

Kildallon

MP1

Richard
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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