Time for a smile! 
A Very Christian Pet
This Christian couple felt it important to own an equally Christian pet.
So, they went shopping. At a kennel specializing in this particular breed, they found a dog they liked quite a lot.
When they asked the dog to fetch the Bible, he did it in a flash.
 When they instructed him to look up Mathew 15:26, he complied equally fast, using his paws with dexterity. ("It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs.")
They were extremely impressed, purchased the animal, and went home.
That night they had friends over. They were so proud of their new dog and his major skills, they called the dog and showed off a little.
The friends were impressed, and asked whether the dog was able to do any of the usual dog tricks, as well. This stopped the couple cold, they hadn't thought about "normal" tricks. Well, they said, "Let's try this out." Once more they called the dog, and they clearly pronounced the command, "Heel!"
Quick as a wink, the dog jumped up, put his paw on the man's forehead, closed his eyes in concentration, and bowed his head.
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Family Fruit
 At nursery school a little boy was always talking about “Granny Apple”. When I asked him who Granny Apple was he just said “Granny Apple”.
The Mystery was solved at the parents’ night when his mum told me her mother’s surname was Smith!
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It is well known that I had an unexpected visit to hospital recently when I found myself in for most of week undergoing tests. Praise God there was nothing serious the matter and I was out having had my own NCT! 
There were moments in hospital I found very hard as I grappled with God. At one level I was fairly sure there was little wrong with me yet what if something significant was found as I underwent the tests? I struggled to hold back tears when my wife and children came with gifts. They are so precious to me. I struggled with God on my purpose in his plans if my health was in any way restricted. God’s purpose for me matters enormously - I want my life to count for him. Having left the hospital with the tests all ok I am more and more aware of God’s call on my life. I can honestly say my life is richer for the experience of that enforced visit. 
The author Philip Yancey wrote a fantastic little book called ‘Church: Why bother?’ In it he asks a friend to name one quality missing in the local church that AA had somehow provided. The man answered with one word: dependency. He then explained, “None of us can make it on our own - isn’t that why Jesus came?” Bishop Ken reminded us last Sunday our world celebrates independence while Christian faith shares dependence - depending on Christ and on one another. 
It’s great to have Rev Brendan McCarthy with us at the moment for a couple of days each week. While he won’t manage to get to everyone; Brendan will be trying to visit a number of folk across the group. Brendan is continuing to gather information for a Parish profile that will help us look at our life and help a new Rector too. Many of you have already completed an opinion finder either at the Vision day or on the page opposite. If you have not and would like to help please get a form in church or download a copy from the link below. Completed forms (these do not have your names) can be given to Brendan or Richard or simply left in vestries where they can be collected after services. (Opinion Finder forms are for download and printing by clicking on this link:
SAMS Blankets for Paraguay 
On route to Newcastle to join the parish outing the family and I dropped in on Dennis Johnston to deliver the blankets, hats and gloves that were kindly donated by folk recently. These will be going out with teams in the summer to Paraguay. May I once again thank you for your support.
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.
relationship with Jesus grow. Our Bishop would take a key role while the number of folk going from our diocese has grown each year. Pauline, the kids and I have been for the last two years and found it such a blessing. This year we wanted to do something to help folk get a taster of what it is like. Day tickets are available (full day & evening of events is £30 - €34). We would like to help by playing host for a day providing meals for anyone wanting to come. I expect you will have many questions so please have a word with me if you would like to know more. 
Healing Service
The annual coach trip went this year to Newcastle in County Down. A good crowd went along including folk from different churches in the group and a few from neighbouring Derrylin The weather was great and sun cream was to be had after a pleasant stop at Warren Point. We then went to Newcastle where we discovered we were the special ones! I suspect we were some of the only folk in NI that day to see a sea mist that engulfed the town and not the sun! Still it stayed dry unlike a previous Newcastle outing and folk had a grand time. I don't think anyone went swimming though! Many thanks to Mary Thornton for again organising the trip. 
It was great to have Bishop Ken with us for our confirmation service. This year the service was in a packed Kildallon church. The Bishop mentioned 3 D's although I counted 4! 
A couple of our parishes are presently investing a lot of time and energy in plans to develop their halls (Newtowngore & Tomregan respectively). 
This will also include a disco for all ages in the hall. Please come along and support it if you possibly can. Proceeds will be in aid of the Hall Renovation Project.
Loraine Spotten’s Trip to Kenya
“I’m a little teapot short and stout here’s my handle here’s my spout. My friend and I seem to be sat in the wrong house. Please can you help us to find our way home to the Kitchen in the Minor Hall Kinawley. We are actually quite big and brown and if we do not belong to you please could you take us back home. Another of our friends is also not where he should be. He is a gold coloured metal trolley on wheels and his owner is quite anxious to have him back.” If you know where these three items are please will you return them to the hall in Kinawley. 
If you have a digital camera or a camera on your mobile phone please take photographs of your local parish activities. We would love to hear from you or, just send your photos to the group office. 
It will usually be manned on Thursday from 11.30 am - 2 pm in addition to Richard's surgery on the dates indictaed above (or