Prayer Meetings

Everyone is encouraged to join in prayer for the ongoing work and life of our group. The meetings are for 1 hour only beginning with a cup of tea. .

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Rev Brendan McCarthy

It’s great to have Rev Brendan McCarthy with us at the moment for a couple of days each week. Those of you with us at the Vision day would have heard Brendan share a little bit about his work with us through to the end of the summer. With us a couple of days a week Brendan will be doing a parish profile gathering information that will help us look at our life and help a new Rector too. At the vision day Brendan gave out some opinion finder questions. (Questions are on page 5 of the print version of the Newsletter and available for download and printing by clicking on this link:
www.swanlinbar-kildallon.kilmore.anglican.org/temp/opinion-finder-A4.pdf
You will need Adobe Reader which is available free here: http://get.adobe.com/reader/
If you didn’t get one or can not download one and would like to help there are extra copies in each of the churches. Completed forms (these do not need to have your name) may be left in vestries. Brendan and Richard will collect them when conducting services.
While he won’t manage to get to everyone Brendan will be trying to visit a number of folk across the group.

Opinion Finder

I have been told that many people don't like surveys or questionnaires, so tongue-in cheek I have made out an 'Opinion Finder' instead!
This is really a simple way of helping me find out what you think and feel about some aspects of church life in the Swanlinbar and Kildallon Group of parishes. It is completely anonymous, there are no right or wrong answers and any comments that you may make will be treated with the utmost respect.
Sunday by Sunday parishioners dutifully listen to what preachers have to say from the pulpit. While, personally, I have been delighted by the willingness of people to respond to questions that I ask from the pulpit during my talks I am also aware that it is also good for those of us who preach simply to listen to what others have to say. The Opinion Finder is one way in which I can do this.
As the Swanlinbar and Kildallon group of parishes prepares for the future it is important that everyone's views are taken into account. Needs and concerns as well as hopes and opportunities ought to be identified.
Part of my role over the next few months is to meet with Select Vestries, Church Office-bearers, leaders and individuals to listen to what you have to say about your church. I am already aware of much life and spiritual energy and enthusiasm in this group of parishes. This is evidence of the excellent leadership abilities of your former rector, Geoff and of Richard who continues to put body and soul into everything that he does.
By the end of the summer I shall present a report, reflecting what you have told me and I hope that this will provide a really good springboard for future development. Rest assured that anonymity will be maintained, no one will be embarrassed and no opinion shall be dismissed.
I have greatly enjoyed the few weeks that I have been privileged to be with you so far and I am grateful for all that has been done to make me and my family feel welcome and comfortable when we are here over weekends. I look forward to working with you over the next few months and I am certain that, together, we can help the church prepare for the future.

Brendan .

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Surgery Hours

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Trip to South America?

Trip to the Chaco 2011?

Sams send teams of folk from Ireland to Paraguay every year. It might be we could send a team from our group to see Beryl in person. It would help our group of churches enormously to have some folk coming back sharing their experiences. Dennis Johnston tells me a team of six or eight would be great. Even if just one or two wanted to go they could link up with other teams. It’s something we need to be praying and thinking about over the next few months. We would have to let SAMS know in the autumn. If this is something that God might be putting on your heart please have a chat with Richard.

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Blankets for Paraguay

Those of you who saw the pictures from a team visit to Paraguay last year will remember how surprised we were that it can be so cold in their winter.
If anyone has any surplus blankets or woolly hats or gloves please bring them to church or to the church office at surgery times or when Phyll is in the office. We will need these by 7th June at the very latest.

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Kenya Visit Fundraiser

Lorraine Spotten is planning to spend a month in Kenya this Summer. Departing on the 5th July Lorraine will be going through UCIT who send large numbers of students on volunteer projects overseas. It is fantastic that Lorraine is taking this opportunity. To help her get away there is a fundraiser pub quiz at The Woodford Arms in Ballyconnell on Friday 21st May. It starts at 9 pm, admission is €7 with 4 people per table. To find out more contact Lorraine on 087 7720684.

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Mothers Union Service

The Mothers' Union Diocesan Festival Service will be held in Killeshandra Parish Church on Thursday 20th May at 8p.m. The preacher will be Rev Alison Calvin and all ladies will be very welcome. Traybakes for the supper and items for the bring and buy stall would be much appreciated.

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Everyone Welcome to the H.B. Ice Cream Party!

Families from Ballyconnell school are hosting an H.B. Ice Cream Party at the new school on Saturday 22nd May from 12 - 3 pm in aid of Down Syndrome.

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Protestant Aid

In these difficult economic times we have correspondence from the Protestant Aid Fund for each parishioner. This letter should be in the envelope enclosed with this newsletter. Aware of the difficulties of this time for many families our Archbishops are asking those who are able to consider supporting Protestant Aid so that they can assist Protestant families in need through the local churches. I am very aware of a number of initiatives for funding presently and giving may not be appropriate for many folk. However if you can give without it effecting other important giving please consider doing so. Equally the letter also asks that "should you require Protestant Aid's help, please contact your local minister (Richard or Rev Steve Clark) to enable him to apply to the charity on your behalf for assistance."
More information is available from their web site at: www.protestantaid.org

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Bereavement

It is with great sadness that we said ‘Good Bye’ to Madeline Hewson. She had been ill for several years and was predeceased by Rhynn her most devoted husband only a few weeks before.

Our prayers and sincere sympathies are with the family.

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Healing Service

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is anyone sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:13-14
James reminds us to pray for the sick. Following this instruction there is a special service on the evening of Pentecost Sunday 23rd May. Rev Andrew Quill is leading a healing service in Teemore parish hall at 8pm. While it may not be in our group of parishes we are warmly invited.

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Trip to Romania

We are delighted and excited that Alison Bayliss is going to Brasov in Romania with a diocesan team led by Mike Edwards. The team will stay at “Hephzibah” a Special Needs Centre in Sanpetru, a village just outside Brasov. Alison will help with a summer School with art, craft, games, songs, drama and other activities for about 15 – 20 young people and adults with special needs. Please pray for Alison as she takes this big step of faith. Alison is also planning a couple of fun events to help her get there so we’ll keep you posted.

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Group United Service

Due to a regrettable and most unfortunate clash in the Bishop's diary the date for the confirmation has had to be moved from May to June This does mean we will have two united services in consecutive weeks in June with the confirmation and Sunday School Prize giving. This is not ideal and can I make clear not our intended or preferred way of developing services in our group. In circumstance beyond our control I would ask for your understanding. These are both incredibly important services in the life of our group both now and looking to the future. Please give these days your wholehearted support.

The Confirmation Service will now be held on 6th June in Kildallon at 3 pm.
Sunday School Prize Giving and Barbeque will be on 13th June.

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Vision Day The Vision day was hugely encouraging. It was brilliant to have Rev Paul Hoey and Brendan assisting on the day and those present will not forget the geese! Geese can teach us so much about working together as a team taking turns to lead and helping one another. Paul shared how even a little boy’s suggestion about taking gifts of chocolate to homes marked the turning point in the life of one church as they looked to grow. Every one of us has a key role to play. Honk Honk! If you missed out on the day we will try and fill you in over the next weeks and months. The geese and the vision won’t go away! On the left is a picture of the geese flying in formation and on the right the boy with a bar of chocolate. These and lots more photographs taken on the day are available at: www.swanlinbar-kildallon.kilmore.anglican.org/group-news/vision-day-10

Confirmation The confirmation of Darrienne Arnold, Mark Cassidy, Stuart Gould, Jonathon Graham, David Hyland, Tanya Graham, Jayne Wilson, Lisa Young and Tara Young will now take place on Sunday June 6th at 3pm in Kildallon Parish Church. Please do pray for each of these young people. We long that this is a significant time in their lives and that their journey of faith and relationship with the family of the church is able to flourish beyond this special day. .

Parish Outing to Newcastle on Saturday 5th June 2010. All seats on the bus are now taken. Pick up points and times are as follows. Bawnboy at 8.30 am. Cassidy's Cross at 8.45 and outside Vi and Mackie Breen's, Stragowna House Kinawley at 9.00 am. Mary will still accept names just in case a seat becomes available at the last minute. If anyone requires picking up on-route to Kinawley please let Mary know the week prior to the trip. Tel. 028 66348662.

Baptism It was a joy to see young Aimee Leah Gould baptised in Templeport recently. Here she is pictured with proud parents Robert and Josephine. It was a joyful occasion that marked the beginning of a journey of faith. We pray for the continuing of the journey.

Boys Brigade This photo was taken at the Northern Region BB Service held recently in Killeshandra Parish Church, boys from this group are welcome to attend. Included in picture is David Morton from Kildallon Parish. David is Regional Co-ordinator for the BB Northern Region. The photo has been blured slightly to protect the children's identity

School Secretary for Newtowngore NS, Newtowngore National School has a vacancy for a part time (9 hours per week) secretary starting on September 1st. Duties will include administration and secretarial. Competent computer, interpersonal, communication and organisational skills necessary. Experience in office work/secretarial work beneficial, ability to work in a team environment with staff required. The last day for receipt of application is Friday 4th June 2010. A curriculum vitae must be submitted with the application which is available at the school. References or the names and addresses of referees will be required. Contact the school for further information.

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Ballyconnell Cemeteries Heritage Project The meeting on Wednesday last in Tomregan Parish hall was well attended. Dr Brendan Scott gave a most interesting introduction to the wide range of possibilities graveyard and headstone research can provide about an area’s history. The next meeting which is open to all sides of the community will be in the same location at 7 pm on Wednesday 20th May. Dr Brendan Scott is on the extreme right of the photograph

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Vestry Meeting A Vestry meeting for Swanlinbar Kinawley Parish will be held in Swanlinbar Rectory at 8.30 pm on Tuesday 25th May.

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