Killeshandra Invitation

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Easter

Many thanks to all who helped us remember Easter in such a memorable way this year. Our speakers from Open Doors, International Justice mission and Compassion all helped us think beyond our own situations in a powerful way. Thank you also for your gifts to our visiting charities.
I am reminded of the phrase ‘here by the grace of God am I” as we witnessed such desperate situations. On one hand we have so much to be thankful for. Yet on the other hand I saw I believe a far richer church in a desperately poor African township. They had so little yet God had filled their hearts and the church really was a shining light in a dark, dark place.
Thank you especially to all our readers on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and to all who helped with the morning refreshments following the Easter sunrise service with our Catholic neighbours. It was a glorious morning. .

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Breffni Holy Communion Service

Our May Breffni service of Holy Communion led by Rev John will be at 2pm on Tuesday 27th May. The next service will be on 24th June, also at 2pm.
Visitors are always welcome to join us.

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Newsletter Change Ahead?

At the last united vestry we recognised that the editor of this newsletter will have been ensuring the production of a monthly newsletter for our group for ten years this autumn. Along with the web site this has been a huge contribution to the life of our parishes which has involved an incredible amount of time and patience.
It is therefore a good thing for us to re-look at our communication within the group. We will have a meeting for anyone interested in how we might best do this on Thursday 5th June at 9pm in Newtowngore hall. Web page links to all previous Newsletters may be found at: : www.swanlinbar-kildallon.kilmore.anglican.org/newsletter/earlier-newsletter-links.html

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Sunday School Prize-giving

This year we have decided to do things a little differently with two services instead of one united.
On Sunday 15th June Templeport 11.30pm (Swanlinbar, Tomregan and Templeport parishes)
Kildallon 3.30pm (Kildallon and Corrawallen Newtowngore parishes).

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Every School …… A Prayed for School

That’s the vision of Pray for Schools, This year Pray Fortnight For Schools runs from May 4th – May 18th
The Pray for Schools website www.prayforschools.org has a host of resources to get you started.
Value For Money Report on the future of small schools
Despite having had this review for a year, the Government has not yet published it. Supports for small schools continue to be cut. There has been:
an increase in class sizes and less support
loss of teaching staff,
a reduction, abolition of some grants etc.
It is widely accepted that this report recommends a minimum size school with 86 pupils and 4 teachers. This will have a disproportionate effect on rural communities and will decimate minority faith schools.
Pray for the continuance of a Christian ethos in our schools and on the doorstep ask election candidates to support our local schools.

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Tomregan Prayer Night Sunday 1st June

It’s so easy to get things the wrong way around. The Bible is God’s story and it is packed full of stories of God calling his people back to himself seeking him. God’s people are often seen going around in circles missing out on what God was doing. It even happened when Jesus was nailed to a cross. Many failed to see him. It happens still today.
As we struggle with the frustrations of our church in a changing world not just in Tomregan but across the diocese, we have to begin with eyes upon Jesus.
George Carey a former archbishop of Canterbury was in earlier years involved in a huge project renewing a church. It’s building, services, groups and programmes were all renewed. Half way through the building project though it all came to a grinding halt. In George Carey’s book The Church in the Market Place he wrote, “It was clear then …that God was telling us something so clearly that we would have been spiritually stone deaf to have misunderstood. He was saying, “I am more interested in you than a fine building. Unless you are renewed, a lovely place is beside the point. When you are made alive then I will bring this thing to pass.”
Keeping buildings going is never top of God’s agenda but he has a passionate concern wholly for us, that we would honestly seek him. We may be few in number but we begin with ourselves. This evening is open to all who wish to come.
On Sunday June 1st there will be a special time of prayer in Tomregan parish. This is the first of three planned prayer nights. The church will be open from 7pm to midnight. At 8pm there will be a service of Evening Prayer. This will replace the usual Sunday service of Morning Prayer. For the remainder of the time there will be many opportunities for us to reflect and pray, to worship in song and reading, time to read, write and simply be, resting in God’s presence. This is an open gentle creative time where you may be very active or find a space to be still. There will be no pressure on anyone to do anything you do not want to do. .

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Wedding Bells

Thursday 10th April was a day of celebration for the Hyland family in Corrawallen. Many Congratulations to William Hyland upon his marriage to Louise Kavanagh. The service took place in Kentstown, Navan with Rev Brendan McCarthy helping in the wedding ceremony.

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Bereavements

May we extend our deepest sympathy to Freddie and Margaret Crawford following the death of Freddie’s mother Sarah known as Sally Crawford . The service took place in St Paul’s Kinawley with the burial in Kinawley parish, Derrylin on Friday 25th April.

We are also aware of pain in our wider community. In Templeport we remember too young Seán O’Reilly’s parents, sister, wider family and many friends. Seán lost his battle with cancer at the young age of only twenty four but lived his last months to the full and was working until the day before his death.

Please pray for all those who struggle with the pain of losing loved ones.

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Special Olympics Competitor

Congratulations to Joseph Wilson of Kinawley who has been chosen to take part in the 2014 Special Olympics Ireland Games to be held in Limerick from 12th - 15th June.
Joseph belongs to the Lakeland Special Olympics Club which is a voluntary club based in Enniskillen responsible for providing sporting pursuits for people with an intellectual disability from throughout Fermanagh. Following a very successful Ulster games in June 2013, eight of the club’s gold-medallist athletes including Joseph have been selected to compete in the 2014 Ireland games. Joseph has taken part in the 25 metre run and the soft ball throw and is also a member of the All Inclusive basketball team at the Lakeland Forum. In order to participate at the Ireland Games all clubs are required to pay a fee of £360 per place so athletes have to fundraise to contribute towards the required fees. Joseph has a sponsorship card and any donations would be gratefully received by him.
Joseph was also awarded the Special Achievement Award at the Fermanagh Herald Sports Personality Awards earlier this year in the Manor House Country Hotel. This award recognises the fantastic contribution made to sport by those with an intellectual, physical or sensory disability who have overcome enormous obstacles to become the best they can be.
The photograph shows Joseph being presented with his award. The award was sponsored by Quinn Building Products.

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Support for Beryl Baker

A big thank you to Beatrice for opening her home to host a coffee morning to raise funds for Beryl Bakers work. We are delighted that over £600 and €100 was donated. Many thanks to all who came, those who have given and to those who helped make it happen.
The next coffee morning raising funds for medical supplies for Beryl's work will be in Ardlougher (Kildallon Parish) at David Morton's new house on Saturday May 24th 10am to 12 noon. Please come along and show your support if you are able. It will be much appreciated.

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Mothers Union

The Mothers' Union Diocesan Festival Service will be held in Derrylin Parish Church on Thursday 29th May at 8.00p.m. The special speaker will be Bishop Ferran Glenfield, this will be his first visit to a Mothers' Union event in our Diocese. Tea will be served in the hall after the service and some tray-bakes or cake for the supper would be appreciated. There will also be an opportunity to purchase goods from the MU enterprise stall. Please make an effort to attend this service, especially as it is such a short journey to travel.
Seniors Tea Party will be held in Kilmore Hall, Cavan on Wednesday 11th June at 3.30pm, put this date in your diary please.

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Giving Thanks

It’s wonderful to see at this time of year new growth, leaves on trees and grass growing. Let us not forget to continue to give thanks to God for all the wonderful bounties we are given every day.
Let us thank the Lord for the sunshine and the rain which help to bring us the food we enjoy.
Let us thank the Lord for our families, loved ones and friends.
Let us thank the Lord for the health to be able to eat and enjoy our food.
Let us thank the Lord for all the services we so often take for granted, light and water at the flick of a switch or the turn of a tap.
Let us thank the Lord for the sight to look around us and see so many bounties He has given us.
Let us thank the Lord for the education and talents we have been given.
Let us thank the Lord for the security services who keep us free from tyranny and oppression.
Let us thank the Lord for all these and for all the others too numerous to fit here!
Even if you are not able to enjoy all the above what can you thank God for today?..
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Flower Festival & Exhibition

By Cleenish Parish Church - Bellanaleck
Festival Programme - Friday 6th June 2pm to 9pm -
Opening Service at 8pm on Saturday 7th June. Exhibition open 10am to 9pm
Sunday 8th June - Exhibition open 12pm to 6pm
Gospel concert in the Cleenish Centre at 7.30pm Sunday 8th June .

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Newtowngore BBQ

Newtowngore and Corrawallen Parish will be having their Annual Barbecue and social at the rear of Richardson’s shop on Saturday 31st May at 8pm. Always a great evening, come along for great food and craic.
Adults: €10. Children: €5.

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Swanlinbar Songs of Praise with Letterbreen Silver Band

On the occasion of Swanlinbar’s gift day we are delighted to welcome Letterbreen Silver band. The service will take place in St. Augustine’s church in Swanlinbar on Sunday 18th May at 8pm. All are very welcome.

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Killeshandra Invitation

Killeshandra Parish recently began a monthly praise service on the 1st Saturday of the month. With the New Wine band and guest speakers this is a great opportunity to experience a more contemporary modern form of worship with some really helpful teaching. If you want to grow as a Christian you are warmly encouraged to go along. The next service is at 8pm on Saturday 7th June.

On the same day children of National school age are also invited to Shipshapes from 4.30-6pm, an excellent event run with the help of the New Wine team.

Late News - Just in
A team from Sweden linked to New Wine Ireland are encouraging churches in Ireland. They are visiting Killeshandra this week for an evening of worship, teaching and ministry in Killeshandra Parish, at 8pm on Wednesday 14th May.

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Kildallon Parish Songs of Praise with Kilmore Choir

Our thanks to the choir of Kilmore, Kildallon’s own Lorraine Spotten for her wonderful solos and Dean Raymond Ferguson for a most enjoyable evening. Our thanks also to all who came and supported the evening with your presence, voice and gifts.
The gift day raised €762.36

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The God Enquiry

The book by Rev Brendan should be available in The Christian Bookshops in Cavan and Enniskillen by the time you read this. Rev Brendan has been intrigued by the question of God's existence. He discovered that he is not alone in this fascination. His book has been born out of numerous conversations with honest enquirers, fearful doubters, ardent believers and convinced atheists. More than that, it has been born out of a desire to conduct a personal, open and honest enquiry into the possible existence and nature of God.

The book is also available on line for £9.99 from Troubador books at: www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2529
Brendan’s web site may be found at: www.thegodenquiry.net

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Ballyconnell Central School.

Quiz
All completed Quiz sheets should be returned to the school before Monday 12th.

Ice-Cream Day
The school will be having an ice-cream day on Saturday 7th June to support Down Syndrome Ireland. Full details will be announced later.

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