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

Home page
Newsletter No 40 December 2010
Weekly news sheet
Quick links - Find you way quickly to:
Prayer Points
Ecumenical Service
Office Surgery hours
Breffni Service
Carol Singing
Service schedule

Delight in THE GIFT!
Church of Ireland Cross

Wrapped Gift Harrier Jump JetHave you ever had a gift you never really wanted or disappointed you greatly? I still remember as a 6 year old being duped by wonderful adverts of a game with a Harrier jump jet. I insisted this was the present I had to have. It was going to be the best present ever! I was so so excited, and come Christmas day so so disappointed. It was nowhere near as thrilling or exciting as made out in the advert! It was a lesson in advertising I never forgot!
Contrast that experience with meeting a young South African from a township who had never received gifts at Christmas. Imagine that - no presents at Christmas. Amazed we asked him what Christmas day was like. Apart from his Gran going to church it was “just an ordinary day.” What do you mean we asked an ordinary day? He replied again “Just an ordinary day.”
It was a sober reminder that our presents are out of reach of many in this world. Of course we may not consider ourselves rich especially with our current serious economic cuts, but we have so much compared to many. Yet Christmas is for the whole world not just the better off. Christ came.
At Christmas time, when we receive presents we probably don’t need, God offers us a gift we cannot do without. He offers us the chance of a new way of living, the way of Christ. As we start a new year 2011, ask yourselves how you are going to travel Christ’s way - the way of truth, the way of hope, the way of real peace and joy.
Ask yourself do I really know Jesus?
Christmas treeHave I felt his love changing my life?
Am I seeking to go his way or simply caught up in doing my own thing?
Christmas and New year are an opportunity to explore the wonder of Jesus’ coming more deeply. It’s a great opportunity for a new start. While January will be a quieter month we will be starting a new series of evenings to explore faith called Alpha in February. There will then be an exciting week of mission during Holy week with events in each part of the group.
There is much we can look forward to because Jesus came. We pray this Christmas time will be a time of blessing and hope for you all.
On behalf of myself, Rev Brendan and my family, we would like very much to say, Thank you so much for your friendship and support throughout the year.
Have a Happy Christmas and New Year exploring the very best gift of all - JESUS! .

Rev Brendan McCarthyBrendan signatureChurch of Ireland  CrossRichard &Pauline signatureBeadle Family

+++

TOP   

News Items


Welcome to the ChurchChristmas Ecumenical Service

DoveSwanlinbar’s annual Christmas service with our neighbours will be at 8 pm on Thursday 16th December in St. Mary‘s Church Swanlinbar. The speaker will be Rev Brendan McCarthy.


 

+++

TOP   

Surgery Hours

Three prople in office
Richard will be available in the Church office,
Tomregan hall, Ballyconnell at the times on the left.

Day

Date

Time

Thursday 16th December
1 - 3 pm
Wednesday 22nd December
12 noon -2pm
Friday 7th January
10 - 12 noon
Thursday 13th January 12 noon - 2 pm

 

+++

TOP   

Weekly Prayer MeetingPrayer Meetings

We were so grateful to Canon Eric and Sheila McGirr for their visits to us last month. The evenings were so helpful. I am very aware the prayer meetings should be reviewed both in the light of these evenings and the difficulties of getting about in our coldest season. We will do this in the start of the New Year. We so want our prayer to grow in our group that the fruit of Christ would grow in our midst.

 

 

+++

TOP   

Christmas Eve     Bells ringing     Bells ringing

Come to the Stable

Christmas tree        6 pm in
Tomregan Church

            star
Nativiy
 

Once again this year we will have a special service for all Ages on Christmas Eve. This is a very family orientated service celebrating the wonder of the New born King right at Christmas itself. Using songs and drama we will share the story of Christ’s coming, with you the congregation joining in the nativity. It was great having it last year and I again encourage families to come along if you possibly can.
In a really informal fun way please come to join the story. If at all possible come with costumes on, or to put on. Come as angels, shepherds, kings - you know the sort of thing! It needn’t be anything elaborate. It’s a rare occasion dressing gowns and t-towels won’t raise eyebrows in church! Once we are all ready, we will follow the Christmas story around the church. Even if you can’t dress specially please come! It's a service that adds greatly to our Christmas memories, helping put Jesus Christ our Lord at it’s heart. Hope to see you there.

Three wise men

 

 

+++

TOP   

Santa Claus

Christmas Party

Our Group Children's Christmas Party will take place this Saturday 18th December 3 pm - 5.30. All children within our group are invited for an afternoon full of games fun and food. There may even be a visit from a funny man in a red suit!

Raindeer

 

+++

TOP   

Mother’s Union Mothers' Union Logo

Weather permitting the next Mothers Union meeting will be on Tuesday 11th January 2011 at 8 pm in Tomregan Hall, Ballyconnell. The speaker will be Mrs Joanne Hicks, the Pharmacist in Cara Pharmacy, Cavan and she will speak on Women's Health. This should be a very interesting and informative evening and all ladies will be made very welcome. .


 

+++

TOP   

Bereavement

Cross

It is with sadness that we have had two deaths in the group in this last month.

Rosetta Arnold lived to a great age. So long a part of Kildallon she will be remembered with great fondness.

We also remember George Stokes of Tomregan Parish whose death was a shock to us all.

Our thoughts and prayer are with George and Rosetta’s family and friends at this difficult time. May they know God’s peace and hope in the midst of grief.


 
 

+++

TOP   

Community Christmas Carols

Srar Choir singing carols Everyone loves singing Christmas carols and it’s a great way for our church to be seen outside the walls of our buildings. Why not come along and join in? Just wrap up well and be prepared to sing!
    SrarSrar
  • Sunday 12th 6 pm in the market square Ballyconnell helping join the local community celebration to mark the switching on of the Christmas lights.
  • Srar
    Srar
  • Monday 20th Beginning at Kinawley church at 7 pm we will be visiting and singing at the homes of some of our older parishioners in the northern part of our group.
  • Srar Srar
  • Tuesday 21st Beginning at Kildallon Rectory at 7 pm we will be visiting and singing at the homes of some of our older parishioners in the southern half of our group finishing in Corrawallen.

 

+++

TOP   

Healing handsDerrylin Healing Services

A number of our parishioners have found the healing services held in Derrylin and Teemore very helpful. We are again warmly invited to the next healing service on Sunday 19th December in Derrylin Church Hall at 8 pm.


 

+++

TOP   

India mapOpportunities to experience Mission Overseas.

Brendan is hoping to take some folk from the group to India to visit and share in the life of a children‘s orphanage. If you would like to know more, whether a little curious or very interested please come to a meeting in Ballyconnell Minor hall on Sunday 9th January at 4 pm.

Beryl BakerThere are also opportunities to visit the Chaco and meet Beryl Baker next July and August. Richard has further details so please have a word with him to find out more.


+++

TOP   

Breffni Health CentreBreffni Service

Christmas treeThe Christmas Communion Service will be led by Rev Steve Clarke on Christmas Eve at 2 pm.
It’s great when other parishioners come along and share in the service with the residents especially at Christmas.


 

+++

TOP   

Sustentation / Free will offerings

Money collection plateMoney offering Sorry to mention this again but the end of the year is fast approaching. Once again can we gently encourage people to ensure that their offerings are with the various Parish Treasurers by the last Sunday of the year, i.e. 26th December - ideally the Sunday before - 19th December. If we can comply with this request then the Treasurers will have opportunity to bank your gifts before the end of the financial year, i.e. 31st December. This will enable us to produce a set of accounts based on the balance in the account at that date. Our procedures have had to tighten in line with new charities legislation. Unfortunately, if your gift has not been banked by the 31st December then it will not appear in the 2010 accounts.
We are also greatly appreciative of the work of our various money counters, recorders and the Parish Treasurers, and would ask you to get your gifts to them rather than treasurers having to come to you, a task which is difficult, time consuming and embarrassing for all concerned. Once again though a huge thank you for your much valued support in giving to the Church.


 

+++

TOP   

BazaarKildallon Bazaar

A big thank you to all those from both the parish and the wider community who came and supported the annual bazaar. At the time of writing the amount raised was €3920. This is quite a bit more than last year despite the weather!


 

+++

TOP   

Scribe Magazine cover November 10Scribe Magazine

Please note that the Scribe subscriptions are now due.
The cost is only €16.50 or £12.50 for a year.


 

+++

TOP   


Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
Bells ringing
Christmas Bells
Bells ringing

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Bells ringing   Bells ringing

Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star
<empty>
Star

 

+++

TOP   

CandleCandleGod’s Shepherd

A Christmas story

Shepherd with sheepThe frost of forty winters had etched deep lines into the shepherd's face. Having spent his entire life outdoors on Bethlehem's hills, he was old at forty -- and cold. The hillside where he sat this day was cold, too, and he pulled his mantle close about him to block the wind.
Every so often he would shift position, not out of discomfort so much, but from a sense of unease, anxiety, crowdedness. Instead of hundreds of sheep with whom he felt quite at home, this hillside was flocked with people -- thousands of them -- listening attentively to the Teacher. They could hear him fairly well, except when the wind whisked away his words.
Tobias ben David (pronounced da-VEED) was the shepherd's name, though people called him Toby. His flocks were in good hands this week, cared for by his grown sons, but Toby had left them to listen to Jesus of Nazareth. Today the Teacher was talking about salvation, how God came to save his people from their waywardness and sins, to rescue them and gather them close.
Now Jesus' illustration turned to sheep. Toby felt better. He knew a lot more about sheep than people.
"The good shepherd," Jesus was saying, "lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand who doesn't own the flock runs away when he sees the wolf coming, but not the good shepherd...." One night, years ago, the men Toby had hired to watch the flock with him fled when they saw a mountain lion roaming the hills. But Toby had stayed. Shepherding was his livelihood. He knew the sacrifices that good shepherding required. He knew about defending defenceless lambs. He knew about putting his life on the line for the sheep. That's what good shepherds did.
Jesus continued, "Suppose you have 100 sheep and when night comes one is missing. What do you do? You leave the 99 sheep all safe together and then climb the hills, looking, searching until you find the lost sheep. Then you pick him up, put him on your shoulders, bring him down the hill to the camp, and ask your fellow shepherds to rejoice with you."
"Your heavenly Father is like that," Jesus said. "When you have lost your way, he will rescue you and save you and never give up on you until he finds you -- and you find him."
Toby's heart was racing. He felt a lump in his throat. He understood. Toby had combed the hills for lost sheep, not stopping, not quitting. He knew the joy of discovery, of rescuing the sheep from a thicket, of bringing it back and celebrating with his friends. He had been that kind of shepherd.
But he also knew how it felt to wander off, feeling lost, aimless, trapped. Clueless about where he was and where he was going. Flailing about, struggling to climb out of what seemed like a steep ravine. That's why he came today to hear the Teacher, hoping to regain the faith he had felt as a child, a ten-year-old child.
His mind spun back to the evening of his tenth birthday. Like nearly every night, he was out on the hills with his dad or his uncles, caring for the sheep. The stars were brilliant, dancing in the black sky. But suddenly an overpowering bright light flooded the hillside. A voice boomed out, "Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord!"
A saviour, a rescuer -- shepherds' work. He had often wondered about the boy-child they discovered that night, lying in a manger, just as the angel had said. Toby had knelt down and worshipped the baby who bore the world's destiny upon his tiny shoulders. What had become of him, this baby? By now he must be thirty-something. Had this saviour saved anyone yet? Rescued anyone? Could he rescue me from my aimless existence? Toby wondered.
Just then the wind caught Jesus' words and blew them in Toby's direction. "I am the Good Shepherd," Jesus was saying, "who lays down his life for the sheep. Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me," he said with warmth and joy full on his face, "for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
I wonder? thought Toby as he felt big tears begin to roll down his cheeks and into his beard. I wonder? thought Toby as joy and the certainty of God's love began to fill his heart until it seemed like he would explode. I wonder? thought Toby, if this Jesus is the little baby I saw that night, the Saviour of the world? Yes, thought Toby, he must be. His words found me and, frankly, he sounds just like he's ... God's shepherd.

This story quotes Matthew 11:28-29; John 10:11-13 and refers to Luke 2:8-18.
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

CandleCandle


 

+++

TOP   

The Missing Five Pound Note Smile MailChippenham George worked for the Post Office and his job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.One day just before Christmas, a letter landed on his desk simply addressed in shaky handwriting: 'To God'.With no other clue on the envelope, George opened the letter and read:

Dear God,
I am a 93 year old widow living on the State pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had £100 in it, which was all the money I had in the world and no pension due until after Christmas. Next week is Christmas and I had invited two of my friends over for Christmas lunch. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. God; can you please help me?

Christmas treeChippenham George was really touched, and being kind hearted, he put a copy of the letter up on the staff notice board at the main Fareham sorting office where he worked. The letter touched the other postmen and they all dug into their pockets and had a whip round. Between them they raised £95. Using an officially franked Post Office envelope, they sent the cash on to the old lady, and for the rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of the nice thing they had done.
Five poundsChristmas came and went.A few days later, another letter simply addressed to 'God' landed in the Sorting Office.Many of the postmen gathered around while George opened the letter. It read,

Dear God,
How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your generosity, I was able to provide a lovely luncheon for my friends. We had a very nice day, and I told my friends of your wonderful gift - in fact we haven't gotten over it and even Reverend John, our vicar, is beside himself with joy.
By the way, there was £5 missing. I think it must have
been those thieving fellows at the Post Office.

George could not help musing on Oscar Wilde's quote: 'A good deed never goes unpunished'

Thanks to: www.guy-sports.com/humor/


 

+++

TOP   

SmileTime for a smile! s

Church Service?Church of the Good Shepherd

It was a very cold and misty Christmas morning in the very depth of winter after a heavy fall of snow. Only Farmer Foster who had come on his tractor and the Farmer on tractorReverend Ralph Richards who had walked to the church arrived for the morning service.
'Well,' said the minister laconically, 'I guess there's no point in having a service today.'
'Well that's not how I see it.' said Farmer Foster smartly. 'If only one cow turns up at feeding time, I still feed it.'


 

+++

TOP   

SmileTime for another smile!

New Zealand Parking Ticket

Salvation Army LogoNelson City Council, in South Island, New Zealand has withdrawn a parking ticket issued to a Salvation Army van as it was loaded up with Christmas presents for needy children in a show of real Christmas spirit which should be commended.
Salvation Army VanThe van was parked on yellow lines while it collected the donated goods in Nelson. Local residents Sue and John learned that the parking warden even apologised to the driver as he handed over the $60 ticket. The council said it had received a satisfactory explanation from the Salvation Army for the infringement and the notice had been cancelled. God Bless and Merry Christmas is what we say!


 

+++

TOP   

Frank BormanChristmas Eve Prayer

Srar“Give us , O God, the vision which can see Your Love in the world in spite of human failure. Give us the faith to trust Your Goodness in spite of our ignorance and weakness. Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray with understanding hearts. And show us what each of us can do to set forward the coming of the day of universal peace.”

Appollo 8Frank Borman, Apollo 8 space mission, 24th December 1968.

Apollo 8 was the first human spaceflight to leave Earth orbit; the first to be captured by and escape from the gravitational field of another celestial body; and the first crewed voyage to return to planet Earth from another celestial body – Earth's Moon. The three-man American crew of mission Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders became the first humans to directly see the far side of the SrarMoon, as well as the first humans to see planet Earth from beyond low Earth orbit. The 1968 mission was accomplished with the first manned launch of a Saturn V rocket. Apollo 8 was the second manned mission of the Apollo program and the first manned launch from the John F. Kennedy Space Centre.


 

+++

TOP   

   

Church of Ireland Cross   Prayer Points for December and January   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;

Sunday: For our lives to be more committed to our Lord who gave everything for us;
Monday: For our governments in the most difficult times. For wisdom in cuts made and the protection of those most vulnerable;
Tuesday: For God's leading in our church initiatives in the new year, including a parish mission over Holy Week;
Wednesday: For those in need of God's healing of hurt and failure, of illness, and of pain of bereavement. May they experience new hope;
Thursday: For the ongoing development of our church halls. That these venues would really help our churches make valuable contributions not just for ourselves but for the communities in which we live;
Friday: For our continued development of mission links including the possibility for parishioners to experience life in India and the Chaco;
Saturday: For safety on the roads, pavements and farms in icy weather.

C of I CrossC of I Cross


 

+++

TOP   

C of I Cross<empty>Service Schedule for the rest of December and January<empty>C of I Cross

Day Date

Time

Location

Service

Leader

December
Sunday19th

10.00

Swanlinbar

Carol Service

Brendan

10.30

Newtowngore

Cancelled due to snow & ice

 

11.30

Templeport

Carol Service

Richard

Noon

Kildallon

Cancelled due to snow & ice

 

3 pm

Ballyconnell

Carol Service

Richard & Brendan

Christmas Eve
24th December

2 pm

Breffni

HC 1

Rev Steve Clark

6 pm

Ballyconnell

Cancelled due to snow & ice

 

8 pm

Newtowngore

Communion

Brendan

9.30 pm

Kildallon

Communion

Brendan

11 pm

Templeport

Cancelled due to snow & ice

 

Christmas Day
25th December

9 am

Ballyconnell

Communion

Brendan

10.30

Swanlinbar

Communion

Brendan

10.30

Corrawallen

Cancelled due to snow & ice

 

St Stephen’s Day

10.30

Ballyconnell

Group Family United

Richard

January
Sunday 2nd

10 am

Swanlinbar

HC 2

Brendan

10.30

Newtowngore

MP 1

Richard

11.30

Ballyconnell

MP 1

George

11.30

Templeport

HC 2

Brendan

Noon

Kildallon

MP 1

Richard

Sunday 9th 

10 am

Kinawley

MP 2

Brendan

10.30

Corrawallen

MP 2

Richard

11.30

Ballyconnell

HC 2

Brendan

Noon

Kildallon

MP 2

Richard

Sunday 16th

10 am

Swanlinbar

MP 1

Richard

10.30

Newtowngore

HC 2

Brendan

11.30

Ballyconnell

MP 1

Mervyn

11.30

Templeport

MP 1

Richard

Noon

Kildallon

HC 2

Brendan

Enjoy a cup of tea after the united service1 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


e & oe   

* * * o0o * * *

Home page
Previous News Letter (November)
Weekly news sheet

oooo+C of I Cross+oooo


Back to TOP   

©     
Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo doorway