Bible Study

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Bishop’s Visit to the Group

It was both a helpful encouragement and a challenge to have Bishop Ferran visit to answer questions about the new arrangements at our open meeting last month.
He began by sharing from Ephesians chapter 4, sharing the role of leaders in the church.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
The Bishop shared how the Ministers job is to equip you and encourage and to do himself out of a job. The role of ministers is not to do everything but rather to equip the people to serve and build the church in ways of unity.
When asked, “ Where do you see us in a year’s time?” the Bishop replied, “a better place where we will be clearer who we are. We will feel more stable and more mature.”
Asked “Where do you see us in 5 years time?” the Bishop replied “ In 5 years I hope to see a healthy church, alive and growing. The Key is to involve more people and make the church sustainable.”
The Bishop also challenged us with important words for all concerned that churches might be closed. “You can also quote me on this. I have not come with any intention to close churches. The only persons who will close churches are parishioners by their non attendance.”
The Bishop also outlined the unique situation regarding rectories at the moment, encouraging us to keep them if possible as they can be an asset in the long term, helping the possibility of duty in future years.
Rev Billy Stafford also outlined the financial implications of Rev John being with us. The extra is not huge while Rev John is Bishop’s curate. We do however have a sizable task to meet the financial requirements for a full time rector when Rev John completes his curacy. Clearly we need to make the most of the opportunity Rev John’s appointment gives us at this time.

From left: Rev Bill Stafford, Rev John Woods, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Captain Richard Beadle and Maud Cunningham

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Breffni Holy Communion Service

Our Breffni service of Holy Communion will be led by Rev John and will be at 2pm on Tuesday 26th November. The Christmas Communion Service will be on Christmas Eve 24th December. Visitors are always welcome to join us.

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Autumn Vestries

Autumn Vestry meetings are under way. I would encourage vestry members to note the following dates and please come to the meetings if you possibly can. Meetings are at 8pm.
Tuesday 19th November Swanlinbar (Swanlinbar Church Vestry)
Thursday 21st November Templeport (St Peter's Church)

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Tomregan Dances

The Tomregan Dances are regualary held as a fun social evening in support of the hall renovation. The next dance is on 13th December with Music by Vincie Carr & Alan McGrory.
Everyone will be most welcome. Music starts at 10 pm. A light supper will be served . Admission €10.00 on the night. Funds are in aid of the hall restoration.

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Swanlinbar Parish Community Carol Service

After a memorable service in St Naile’s last year, we look forward greatly to this special service with our neighbours on Thursday12th December at 8 pm. The service will be in St Augustine’s church in Swanlinbar and everyone is warmly invited.

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Mothers Union

The October meeting of Mothers’ Union was held in the Minor Hall, Kinawley and visitors were welcomed from Derrylin MU and Florencecourt Methodist Church. Mr Colin Ferguson, National Director of Leprosy Mission Northern Ireland was the speaker and he gave an insight into the disease of leprosy which affects the skin and nerve tissue of the body. The Leprosy Mission was founded in 1874 and the first building was built to care for those suffering from leprosy. Colin went on the explain that the work of the Leprosy Mission is much different today and its main work is now in early detection of the disease which is now curable with antibiotic treatment. He then showed a DVD which showed sufferers of leprosy and the implications the disease has on them. It also explained that the aim of the Leprosy Mission is to reach out and act as a channel for God’s love to people affected by leprosy.
Branch leader Lorna Graham then thanked Colin for an enlightening talk and invited the ladies to view or purchase items from the Leprosy Missions goods which Colin had brought with him.
Next Meeting: Tuesday 12th November in Ballyconnell Minor Hall when a speaker from the Ulster Bank will speak on “Day to Day Banking”.
Date for the Diary: Christmas Dinner will be held on Tuesday 10th December in the Seven Horse Shoes, Belturbet when we hope to join with Killeshandra Branch members, more details available at the next meeting.  

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Congratulations

Wedding bells have been sounding and it is with great delight we join in saying congratulations to Emma Breiden and Kevin Donohoe who were married in Tomregan Church on Saturday 2nd November.

May the memory of the wedding day be a source of strength and joy throughout their lives together.

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Congratulations

We are delighted to hear the news of safe delivery! Congratulations to Gail and Steven Johnston and grandparents Cyril and Evelyn Foster following the birth of a baby girl weighing 7Ibs 1oz on Monday 4th November.

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Congratulations

There were at least two very memorable birthdays recently. Happy belated 90th birthday to Mrs Lena Morton (Tomregan Parish) and Mrs Sarah Smyth (Swanlinbar Parish) as she celebrated her 94th year with family and friends.

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Red Bus Visit

It was brilliant to welcome the Big Red Bus back again. Twenty-nine children came and joined in the Sunday afternoon fun with crafts, puppets, games and song. We look forward to welcoming back the team from Operation Mobilisation when they return to do Christmas drama in local schools.

We are often asked, “Who are Operation Mobilisation?” Operation Mobilisation (OM) trace their roots to the prayers of an American housewife. In the 1950s, Dorothea Clapp began to pray faithfully for the students in her local High School. She asked God to touch the world through the lives of those young people. And God answered her prayers! Mrs. Clapp gave the Gospel of John to one of the students, who later gave his life to the Lord at a Billy Graham meeting. That young man was George Verwer, the founder and international director of Operation Mobilisation.

At college, George and two friends met regularly to pray. They became burdened by the spiritual needs of Mexico. In 1957 the three friends sold some of their own possessions to raise money and gave up their summer holiday to distribute Gospels and other Christian literature in Mexico. The friends returned to Mexico the following summer and the next. From such simple beginnings Operation Mobilisation soon began. Today over 6000 OMers are working in over 110 countries to share the good news of Jesus to literally millions of people every year. It all began with a lady taking time to faithfully pray!.

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Sustentation / Free will offerings

We value enormously the generous giving of all our parishioners and friends in the different parishes within our group. Quite simply without this the work of the church would not be possible. We are very aware that this is a difficult time financially for many, and as a church we too face the challenge of needing to increase our giving. As every year, may we gently encourage people to ensure that offerings are with the parish treasurers by the Sunday before Christmas (22nd December). This will give opportunity for the treasurers to bank your gifts before the end of the financial year, ie 31st December. This will enable us to produce a set of accounts based on the balance in the account at that date.
Once again may we publicly share our appreciation 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 them having to come to you, a task that is difficult, time consuming and embarrassing for all concerned. Unfortunately, if your gift has not been banked by 31st December then it will not appear in the 2013 accounts. This is in accordance with recent charities legislation that tightens our record procedures.
Thank you all for your generosity in giving to the ongoing life of the Church.

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Please Help the Scribe Collectors

The Scribe is an important piece of communication for the diocese which many of you subscribe to. May I take this opportunity to thank all who help copies reach you including our own parish Scribe collectors. Please encourage our Scribe collectors by giving your Scribe subscriptions for next year as soon as possible. The cost is €17.00 or £13 a year.

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India Update

In 2011 Rev Brendan took a group from our parishes to the House of Peace Orphanage in India. It was an experience the team have not forgotten. Over the last two years a number of folk have sponsored children and a number of fundraising initiatives have been held to help the building of a new hospital to extend further the care, love and hope given in Salem by this small Christian community.
It was therefore a delight to welcome Rev Bright and Doctor Neva from the House of Peace orphanage. Bright and Neva are son and daughter of Pastor Jay whose vision led so dramatically and clearly by God led to the building of the orphanage 25 years ago.
Writing this as one who did not visit India two year ago I think I speak for a number when I say their short visit was both challenging and inspiring. We were reminded how fortunate so many of us are. As I eat meat this evening with my dinner I am reminded how the children in the orphanage have meat once a week and rejoice in being fed each day. Outside the orphanage they would have nothing. Now they have food, clothing, education, the gift of love received and hope for the future. The children experience the love of Christ practically and in word through this inspirational project.
Pictured are Avril, Gail and Rev John presenting a cheque from our fundraising towards the new hospital.
Pastor Jay was not able to visit us. We heard how his other son David was nearly killed as a local well was destroyed while he tried to protect it. Their complaint fell on deaf ears and led to a police complaint for wasting their time. Pastor Jay’s passport was taken from them and though the complaint has been quashed in the high court he is yet to get it back. The Christian population is a minority and is often at risk from fundamentalist Hindu neighbours and corrupt justice systems.
If anyone would like to find out more about the India project including the opportunity of child sponsorship, please contact Gail Lovett or Avril Graham.
Some helpful information on the new hospital project can be found on the web at www.stpatricksmissionhospital.org
Information on the orphanage is available at: www.shiningfaces.org

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Letter from Edoh

Letters from Edoh Clemence in Togo take a long time! In this one sent with a new photograph of her in July she says through an interpreter: What a joy to get your news. Thanks for the birthday gifts you sent me. May God bless and reward you a hundred fold. It enabled me to get a pair of shoes, food, biscuits and sweets. ` I like Christian songs. Do you like them? Big kisses. .

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Garda Notice

At midnight on 10th November 2013 the amalgamation of Ballyconnell with Cavan Garda District will occur. As part of this programme Redhills Garda Station will close and will be policed from Belturbet Garda Station. Garda Stations at Ballyconnell, Belturbet, Killeshandra, Swanlinbar, Blacklion and Dowra will continue to be policed as at present.
The new amalgamated District will be known as Cavan Garda District and will be under the District Management of the Superintendant at Cavan District Headquarters. If you have any queries please take the opportunity to discuss it with your local Gardai.

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Let Us Never Forget Those Who Kept Us Free for Oppression and Tyranny.

In Kildallon church there is a memorial to Fendall Powney Thompson. Son of Lt Colonel C Poureny Thompson Indian Army. Fendall was killed at the Somme. Having investigated a little Fendall is buried alongside over 1100 graves in Succerie Military Cemetery Colincamps France. He is mentioned in London Gazette supplement 20th Dec 1915 and was Killed 1st July 1916 aged 19. His battalion 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment records the day. “Losses were so great on the first day of the Somme, that the Battalion’s War Diary does not even give figures for men killed, wounded or missing. The stark figure of 100% casualties amongst officers (including Fendall) tells its own story. The 4th Divisions objective was the German front line between Beaumont Hamel and Serre. The Brigade’s front line consisted of the East Lancashire and Somerset regiments, and the second line was made up of the Hampshires and the Rifle Brigade. As soon as the troops left their trenches they encountered heavy machine gun fire from all directions, and it was impossible to even reach the German front line.
After hiding in shell holes in no mans land throughout the day, the survivors trickled back to the British lines.
The 1st July 1916 had cost them eleven officers and 310 men killed and missing, 15 officers and 250 men wounded.

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Bible Study

What really counts in life? What is real worth? What is temporary? What is eternal? Our Bible studies have just started and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t made it to the first week to come along. We meet on Wednesday’s in Corrawallen at Joe Hylands home at 10.30am and in Tomregan Minor hall at 8.15pm.

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Church Attendance

We have been asked to take a census of attendance in Church on two more Sundays in November. 17th and 24th. This is to help the Church of Ireland get a more realistic picture of the life of the Church across our Ireland and will take place annually in every Church of Ireland. Those in church will receive a small card which simply asks the name of parish, a box to tick male or female and a boxes to indicate age - for example 46-60 or 61 to 74. No names or addresses or anything private is requested. The card is then handed to the church wardens or left on the pew. I hope you will not feel this is an intrusion and thank you in advance for your support..

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Newtowngore Autumn Sale of work

This popular event held annually is to be on Friday 15th November in Newtowngore Community hall. Doors will open at 7.30 pm.
As usual there will be a wide range of stalls and activities Please do support your neighbours in our group of parishes.
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Kildallon Bazaar

Kildallon Parish will hold their annual bazaar in the Kildallon Community Centre on Friday 29th November from 9.30pm. Proceeds from the bazaar go towards Parish funds.

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