October 2009

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RECTOR’S LETTERDear Parishioner,

HARVEST SERVICES

I invite you to attend our Harvest Thanksgiving Services on Sunday 4th October. We are very fortunate that two prominent members from our local community will be preaching at these important services. We look forward to welcoming the Principal of Strathearn School who is also a Diocesan Lay Reader in Ballybeen Parish, Mr. David Manning, to the All Age Worship Service and the recently retired Minister from Stormont Presbyterian Church,

the Reverend Dr. Ron Savage, to Choral Evensong. At these services, their inspiring preaching will challenge us as we continue to serve God in both word and deed. We look forward to singing the well known harvest hymns and to hearing the choir sing the anthem “O Lord how manifold are thy works” at Choral Evensong.

SHARING

Every day we hear more and more news reports about the difficulties that people in the developing world are experiencing. As a parish, we have always tried to support as generously as we can the work being done by different missionary organisations and charities. Our Harvest Services this year take place during the economic recession which is dramatically affecting us all. However, despite our own situation, many people in the developing world are experiencing even greater difficulties. They would consider themselves fortunate to be living in Northern Ireland, even though we are currently experiencing the effects of the recession. At our Harvest Services we will be remembering them in our prayers, in addition to being encouraged to continue sharing something of what God has given us with those who are in greater need.

We have indeed much to give thanks to God for at our Harvest Services as these words from the General Thanksgiving Prayer remind us:

“Almighty God and merciful Father, we give you hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness to us and to all people. We bless you for our creation and preservation and for all the blessings of this life; but above all for your love in redeeming the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and for the hope of glory. Give us a due sense of your mercy that our hearts may be thankful, and that we may praise you not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Amen.

I encourage you to include this prayer in your daily devotions.

Yours in His service,

SERVICES IN OCTOBERThursday 1st St. Michael and All Angels (Transferred) (White) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry

Sunday 4th Harvest Thanksgiving (Green) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Trevor Buchanan 1 Timothy 6: 6-10

Gospel Clergy Luke 1�: 16-�1

10.30am All Age Worship followed by Harvest Lunch in the Church Hall Reader Joyce Stevenson Luke 1�: 6-9

Prayers Karen McAlpine

Preacher Mr. David Manning, Diocesan Lay Reader & Principal of Strathearn School 7.00pm Choral Evensong Reader Gina Greeves Deuteronomy 16:1-� & 8-17

Reader Gina Greeves John 6: �5-�5

Preacher The Reverend Dr. Ron Savage, Former Minister of Stormont Presbyterian Church

Thursday 8th (Green) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry

Sunday 11th The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity (Green) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Paul Stewart Hebrews 4: 1�-16

Gospel Clergy Mark 10: 17-�1

10.30am Holy Communion & Holy Baptism Reader Jennifer Johnston Hebrews 4: 1�-16

Gospel Clergy Mark 10: 17-�1

Intercessions Karen McAlpine

7.00pm Late Evening Office Reader Robin Haldane Matthew 11: �0-�0

Thursday 15th St Philip the Deacon (Transferred) (Red) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry

Sunday 18th The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity (Green) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Michael Davey Hebrews 5: 1-10

Gospel Clergy Mark 10: �5-45

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9.30am Family Communion Gospel Karen McAlpine Mark 10: �5-45

10.30am Morning Prayer Reader Helen Donaghy Isaiah 5�: 4-1�

Reader Clare Best Mark 10: �5-45

Occasional Clergy

Prayers

7.00pm Holy Communion Reader Fiona Haldane Romans �: 1-�0

Gospel Karen McAlpine Matthew 1�: 1-�1

Thursday 22nd St. Luke (Transferred) (Red) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry

Sunday 25th The Fifth Sunday before Advent (Green) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Elizabeth Miller Hebrews 7: ��-�8

Gospel Clergy Mark 10: 46-5�

10.30am Holy Communion Reader Elizabeth McCaughey Hebrews 7: ��-�8

Gospel Clergy Mark 10: 46-5�

Intercessions Roberta Rogers

7.00pm Evening Prayer Reader Esther Templeton Ecclesiastes 11 & 1�

Reader Esther Templeton Luke 19: 9-14

Thursday 29th St. Simon and St. Jude (Transferred) (Red) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry

Readers and Intercessors: If you cannot read or lead the prayers on the appointed day, please arrange a swap with someone else on the rota and let the Churchwardens know. We are always delighted to add new names to the Rota of Readers and Intercessors. If you would wish to serve your church in this way, please contact Muriel Arndell (028 90655500).

The readings are from Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary and are printed on our parish website:

www.stcolumbas.down.anglican .org

A PRAYER FOR OUR PARISHO God, make the door of our Church wide enough to receive all who

need human love and fellowship, and a heavenly Father’s care; and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and hate.

Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children, nor to straying feet; but rugged enough to turn back the tempter’s power. Make it the gateway to thine eternal kingdom.

AmenBishop Thomas Ken 1637-1711

CLERGY PARISH VISITINGIt is always a great privilege for the Clergy to visit parishioners in their homes. If you would like to request a Clergy Visit please telephone the Rector (028 90471514) or the Curate (028 90653370). In addition to requested Parish Visiting, the Clergy will be visiting parishioners in the following districts during October:

Rector: Curate: Ardgreenan Drive Cheerytree Walk Ardgreenan Gardens Cheeryvalley Gardens Barnett’s Lodge Cherryvalley Park Barnett’s Court Cheeryvalley Barnett’s Court Mews Finchley Vale Barnett’s Green Gilbourne Park, Gilnahirk Barnett’s Road Gilnahirk Park

HOSPITAL VISITINGThe Clergy would appreciate being informed if parishioners are in hospital, going into hospital, are being transferred or if they have been discharged and will be pleased to offer them pastoral support. Do not assume they already know the information as situations have occurred recently when they have not been informed. Please telephone the Rector (028 90471514) or the Curate (028 90653370) to enable them to take careful note of the details.

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FROM THE RECTOR’S DIARY...October

1st ..............................Holy Communion

�nd ...........................Parish Office & ParishVisiting

�rd .............................Decorating of Church for Harvest

4th .............................Harvest Services in St. Columba’s

5th .............................Parish Visiting

6th .............................Staff Meeting & Mothers’ Union Opening Service (evening)

7th .............................Parish Office & Parish Visiting

8th .............................Holy Communion

9th .............................Parish Office & beginning of �4-40 Prayer in Lagan Area Deanery

11th ..........................Church Services in St. Columba’s

1�th ..........................Institution of the Rev. Jonathan Pierce in St. Finnian’s, Cregagh

1�th ..........................Staff Meeting, Lagan Area Deanery meeting & Hospital Visiting

14th ..........................Parish Office & end of �4-40 Prayer in Lagan Area Deanery

15th ..........................Holy Communion & Parish Visiting

16th ..........................Parish Office & Conduct Healing Service in St. Anne’s Cathedral

18th ..........................Church Services in St. Columba’s & Preach at Harvest Service in St. Dorothea’s (morning)

19th ..........................Parish Visiting

�0th ..........................Staff Meeting & Fundraising Committee Meeting

�1st ...........................Parish Office & Finance Committee Meeting

��nd ........................Holy Communion & Parish Visiting St. Columba’s Select Vestry Meeting 7pm

��rd ............................Parish Office & Parish Visiting

�5th ............................Church services in St. Columba’s

�6th ............................Parish Visiting

�7th ............................Staff Meeting & Hospital Visiting

�8th ............................Parish Office & Parish Visiting

�9th ............................Holy Communion & Parish Visiting

�0th ............................Parish Office & Parish Visiting

DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR HARVESTSaturday 3rd October, 10.30am – 12.30pm

No flower arranging skills necessary

Willingness to help is all that is required.

Children and young families will be particularly welcome to help with the decorating

Refreshments in the Rectory!

HARVEST LUNCHThere will be a Harvest Lunch in the Church Hall immediately after the morning service on Sunday, 4th October. This will be a good opportunity to enjoy fellowship with each other and to support the Building Fund Appeal by placing our voluntary donations in the box provided. Those attending are requested to get a ticket in advance for catering purposes from either Kathleen Acheson or Roberta Rogers.

OCTOBER SIDESPERSONS’ ROTASunday 4th ................................................................ Linda and Mark Wilson

Sunday 11th ............................................................. Roberta and John McKeown

Sunday 18th ............................................................. Dawn and Garth Macartney

Sunday 25th ............................................................. Yvonne and Eddie Cadden

PRAYER REQUEST BOXMembers of the Prayer Chain Group were very encouraged to hear at their recent meeting that many parishioners are using the Prayer Request Box. Those wishing to have a person’s name included on the Parish Prayer List, please simply place their Christian name in the Prayer Request Box by using the white cards provided on the table at the back of church.

Should you wish to have a person’s name removed from the Parish Prayer List, please place their Christian name in the Prayer Request Box by using the yellow cards provided on the table at the back of church. This is to ensure that the Prayer List is always kept up to date with the names of those who are ill or experiencing difficulties.

The Rector

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ALL AGE WORSHIP TEA AND COFFEEA huge thank you to everyone who supported the Alzheimer’s Society last month during tea and coffee at All Age Worship. We raised a wonderful amount of £18�.10 and Alan was delighted with the most generous support shown by parishioners. Amy ran her race on Sunday, 1�th September, and the total proceeds raised for

Alzheimer’s was just over £�50.

We have our Harvest Lunch on Sunday, 4th October, so our next tea and coffee will be in November. If you have a particular charity you would like

us to support, please let me know as I am always looking for new charities.Don’t forget the Harvest Lunch on Sunday, 4th October, immediately after the 10.�0am service. Proceeds will go towards the Church Building Fund. See you there.

Many thanks, Roberta

KNOCK KNOCK, IT’S THE CURATE!Well, October is indeed upon us, and I am now getting into some sort of routine in the parish, the mix of meetings, services, preaching, prayers, organisations, office work, hospitals and visits around the parish. One thing I am quickly learning is that there is no such thing as a “normal” day when it comes to ministry in St. Columba’s, which is great!

As we come to October, one of the major events which is taking place within the Diocese is �4-40 prayer, which you will read about elsewhere in the magazine. I would really like to encourage you to pop down to Willowfield and see what this is all about. Whilst in college in Dublin

I was asked, along with another colleague, to arrange a similar event for the students. I wasn’t sure how it would go down but it was quite amazing. We set out various areas in a room for prayer. We had space for people to pray silently, places where people could write down their prayers, places where people could curl up on a sofa and pray, kneelers where they could kneel. This �4-40 event is not on its own, across the globe there are people praying continuously �4-7 in rooms, in churches, in shops. I was amazed at the different people of all ages who responded in college to come up to the prayer room and to pray.

It is so important that we pray, and this event is all about setting a little bit of time aside to pray by yourself or with others if you wish, in a slightly different way than we are used to. If you wouldn’t normally pray, I would encourage you to take the opportunity to drop into Willowfield and see what is going on!

And finally …It has been great to get around the various areas of the parish in September and meet parishioners. Again, if I have happened to have missed you, if you were out when I called, please do not hesitate to give me a ring on 90653370 and I’ll arrange a time when it is more convenient, perhaps in the early evening.

Robert

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTESSunday, 1�th September �009, was our opening session of Sunday school but it was also one of the sunniest days of the year, so our numbers were not quite as high as expected. However, we all began by colouring in Bob the Builder and Wendy for the fundraising ladder before working on our new books. These books recommend a number of activities for each lesson and today we pretended we were at the Last Supper, with comfortable cushions to sit on as well as completing other activities, such as word searches. Sunday school is fun so let’s see lots more children coming along to each session. We are also trying to get together a rota of parents who can help out when required, as well as possibly recruiting a new teacher. If you feel you would like to help in either capacity, please see the Rector or the Curate.

PROGRAMME for OCTOBER 2009

Sunday 4th October 10.30am All age worship (Harvest)Sunday 11th October 10.30am Sunday SchoolSunday 18th October 9.30am Family CommunionSunday 25th October 10.30am Sunday School

Beth Cairnduff

MOTHERS AND TODDLERS ARE BACK!!

DAY.........FRIDAY MORNINGS

TIME..........9.45 to 11.45am

PLACE............CHURCH HALL

FUN AND GAMES FOR ALL!COME AND MAKE FRIENDS OVER A CUPPA!

THE AFTERNOON GROUPCome along and enjoy a nostalgic trip (without even leaving your seats!) as

Mr. Wesley Thompson, a member of the East Belfast Historical Society, takes us

“Down Memory Lane”.

We meet on Monday, 12th October – Time 2.30pm – At the usual place!

May

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SUNDAY10.30am Sunday School (2nd, 4th, 5th Sundays)Beth Cairnduff (�-5 yrs) 90874047Joyce Stevenson (5-8 yrs) 9058��81Alan Boyd (8-1� yrs) 07979 8�01��

8.00pm Beatitudes ChoirDavid Beattie 907971�5

MONDAY2.00pm Ladies BowlingPhyllis Newton 9048�11�

2.30p.m. Afternoon Group (2nd Monday)May Preston 90489884

7.30pm Men’s ClubJohn Robb 905814�8

TUESDAY10.30am Ladies BadmintonMuriel Jowett 90659984

2.00pm Ladies BadmintonKyleen Clarke 90797155

8.00pm Mothers’ Union (1st Tuesday)Irene Gray 9065�4�8

8.00pm Activity Group (except 1st Tuesday)Maureen Irwin 90795155

WEDNESDAY7.30pm Bible Study Group Trevor Buchanan 90657697

7.30pm Senior Badminton ClubJill McDowell 07754 405511

7.45pm Ladies Guild (3rd Wednesday)Lilias Smith 9059�0�9

THURSDAY 9.30am Art ClubBob Killen 90790�10

7.30pm Senior Badminton ClubJill McDowell 07754 405511

7.45pm Choir PracticeGerald Hill 904��101

FRIDAY9.45am Mums & TotsAnne Clarke 9065141�

3.45-5pm Toddler Mini Soccer 3-5yrsTim Wareing 07740 1�0788

6.30pm DovesKaren McAlpine 904�4�90

6.30pm BrowniesBeth Cairnduff 90874047

8.30pm H2OMark Wilson 90761040

Young Families Group (Social events as arranged)The Rector 90471514

PARISH ORGANISATIONSSOMETHING FOR YOU?

Please note, requests for the occasional use of Church premises must first be submitted to the Premises Convenor, Alan Rogers, on 90656183

St. Columba’s, Knock King’s Road, Belfast

FLOWER FESTIVALCelebrating the life of St. Columba

(Northern Ireland Group of Flower Arrangement Societies)

Friday 4th – Saturday 5th June 2010

10am – 9pm

Sunday 6th June 2010 2pm – 6pm

For Enquiries and bookings contact: Moranne Noad – Tel: +44 (028) 90 793704 / email: noadfamily@hotmail.com

Morning coffee, lunches and afternoon – high teas available Group Catering by arrangement – Contact Kathleen Acheson Tel: +44 (028) 90 597707

Website: www.stcolumbas.down.anglican.org/flowerfestival

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24-40 PRAYER 20th SEPTEMBER – 31st OCTOBER 2009

40 DAYS OF CONTINUOUS PRAYER ACROSS THE DIOCESE

Could you pray for one hour? That idea is a daunting one for many of us but on Sunday, �0th September, the Diocese of Down and Dromore will begin a 40 day season of continuous prayer and we are all invited to be part of it.

�4-40 Prayer isn’t, however, just a giant prayer meeting! A fresh pattern of prayer modelled on the �4-7 Prayer movement will be used, something that will be new to many of us, including myself, but which has roots in a much older tradition of praying around the clock. Right across the diocese, in specially set aside spaces, which will be decorated with pictures and prayer ideas, and equipped with aids to help make prayer easier for us. These prayers will take place in each of the Area Deaneries on a rota basis for a period of five days and then, like a relay race, the baton of prayer and a “Big Prayer Book”, in which prayer requests and answers are written, will be passed on to the next Area Deanery. Prayer requests can also be made online at www.24-40prayer.org.

The designated prayer space for our Area Deanery will be in Willowfield Parish Church from 8pm on Friday, 9th October to 8pm on Wednesday, 14th October.

Each of the parishes in our Area Deanery has been given specific slots of one hour each to fill. St. Columba’s have been allocated the following time slots over the five days:

Friday 9th October 8pm – 9pm Opening Service in Willowfield Parish Church (All Welcome)

Saturday 10th October Sunday 11th October Monday 12th October �am – �am �pm – �pm 8am – 9am �pm – �pm 8pm – 9pm 11pm – 1�midnight

Tuesday 13th October Wednesday 14th October 11am – 1�noon 1pm – �pm 11pm – 1�midnight 7pm – 8pm Closing Service (All Welcome)

If you like to sign up for any of these slots please place your name on the rota which is on the main church notice board. This is to ensure that there is an unbroken night and day prayer vigil with someone in the diocese praying every hour of the approximately 960 hours. In addition to the individuals who will have specific responsibilities for each of these hour slots, anyone who would like to go to Willowfield Parish Church at any hour of the day or night during the five days will be very welcome.

While it’s the initiative of the Bishop and the Deans of Down and Dromore Cathedrals, I believe it’s an exciting opportunity to pray for one another, our churches and our communities, so please get on board!

The Rector

Ode To A Golf BallIn My Hand I Hold A Ball,

White And Dimpled, Rather Small. Oh, How Bland It Does Appear,

This Harmless Looking Little Sphere.

By Its Size I Could Not Guess, The Awesome Strength It Does Possess.

But Since I Fell Beneath Its Spell, I’ve Wandered Through The Fires Of Hell.

My Life Has Not Been Quite The Same,

Since I Chose To Play This Stupid Game. It Rules My Mind For Hours On End, A Fortune It Has Made Me Spend.

It Has Made Me Yell, Curse And Cry,

I Hate Myself And Want To Die. It Promises A Thing Called Par, If I Can Hit It Straight And Far.

To Master Such A Tiny Ball,

Should Not Be Very Hard At All. But My Desires The Ball Refuses, And Does Exactly As It Chooses.

It Hooks And Slices, Dribbles And Dies, And Even Disappears Before My Eyes.

Often It Will Have A Whim, To Hit A Tree Or Take A Swim.

With Miles Of Grass On Which To Land,

It Finds A Tiny Patch Of Sand. Then Has Me Offering Up My Soul,

If Only It Would Find The Hole.

It’s Made Me Whimper Like A Pup, And Swear That I Will Give It Up.

And Take To Drink To Ease My Sorrow, But The Ball Knows ...

I’ll Be Back Tomorrow!

HARVEST HYMN

We spray the fields and scatter The poison on the ground,

So that no wicked wild flowers Upon our farm be found. We like whatever helps us

To line our purse with pence; The twenty-four-hour broiler-house

And neat electric fence.

All concrete sheds around us And Jaguars in the yard,

The telly lounge and deep-freeze Are ours from working hard.

We fire the fields for harvest, The hedges swell the flame,

The oak trees and the cottages From which our fathers came.

We give no compensation, The earth is ours today,

And if we lose on arable, Then bungalows will pay.

All concrete sheds around us

And Jaguars in the yard, The telly lounge and deep-freeze

Are ours from working hard.

John Betjeman (Reproduced by kind

permission of John Murray (Publishers) Ltd)

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BOTHAR REVISITEDThe photographs featured on our centre pages speak volumes for themselves. They represent different Ugandan rural families of up to twelve adults and children, whose lives have been transformed by the gift of a goat. It is abundantly evident that the Irish goats have quickly adapted to their new and very different surroundings since the beginning of the year. Many have already kidded and supply two litres of nutritious milk each day, as well as manure for the families’ vegetable gardens. Much loved members of their respective host families, the goats have been given beautiful names such as Hope, Happiness, Gift, Charity, Patience and Blessing. These wonderful animals provide renewed hope, essential nourishment, improved health and a means of income for their impoverished new owners, who, in turn, express their everlasting gratitude to Bothar and the generosity of parishes such as St. Columba’s.

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We are delighted to hear from Helen, daughter of parishioners Beth and Mervyn Cairnduff, about her wonderful experience with Girl Guiding Ulster, while camping in Canada this summer.

CANADA ‘09Hello everyone, its Helen here! As most of you may know, during the summer this year I went to Canada with Girl Guiding Ulster for ten days as one of a party of twenty four, comprising twenty girls and four leaders. On our trip, I learnt a great deal about myself and how to be more independent, such as being able to hand wash my clothes etc….... I had a brilliant time and it was a wonderful way to meet new people from Northern Ireland as well as from other parts of the world. This was the first time I had been away from my family for so long which was a challenge in itself!

We had to meet at Guide Headquarters at Lorne for 6 am on Tuesday, 4th August, to travel down to Dublin where we caught our flight, but �6 minutes into the flight the pilot announced that we would be landing in Shannon to pick up some more passengers, which delayed us quite a long time.

We arrived at Toronto Airport at 5:�0pm Canadian Time. As soon as we walked off the airplane the heat hit us and, of course, all of us had on our heaviest clothing so by the time we got to the coach, we were all glad that it had air conditioning! It took us three hours to reach the campsite from Toronto. The camp was a provincial Canadian Guide camp called Doe Lake. The camp has been running for sixty years.

By the time we arrived there it was 11pm Canadian time which meant we had been travelling for �4 hours and none of us were exactly in the best mood! Thank goodness the campsite already had the tents up for us. We all went to bed - some of us fully dressed!

The next morning jetlag hit and the majority of us were up before 7am to the surprise of our camp counsellors, who had arranged for our breakfast to be put back to 10 o’clock to let us all have a lie in.

There is so much that I could tell you all but I’d have to write a book to fit it all in! So here is a summary of what I did.

We undertook many activities from canoeing to paddle painting, high ropes courses to wilderness survival, sailing to making dream catchers. We had campfires by the lake in the evening, where the campfire was actually on a raft in the middle of the lake. Unfortunately, many of us were badly bitten by mosquitoes and I myself was one of the worst affected, having to get tablets when I came home to finally get rid of them.

I had a brilliant time due to the good weather, fantastic food (all cooked for us!) and the lovely people who looked after us. By the end of the camp I didn’t want to leave and there were many tears shed on the day we departed.

After the camp, we went on to Toronto and stayed downtown in the city for three days. Many of us were very glad that there were real beds! We went to Niagara Falls one day, then to Canada’s Wonderland Theme Park the next, and on the final day

visited the CN Tower which had amazing views over all Toronto, finally completing our trip shopping in the Eaton Centre.

Then it was time to go home. This was a very emotional time as everyone had become such good friends. Believe it or not there were no arguments or fall outs between any of us! I know that I have made really great friends for life and I would just like to say thank you to Girl Guiding Ulster for giving me the opportunity to go on such an amazing trip, one that I will always remember.

Helen Cairnduff

At a campfire making dampers

Most of the Group under a

sunshade at the camp This is our homemade raft out of cardboard and I made the paddle!!

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Hello Ladies,

At our forthcoming meeting on Tuesday, �rd November, the guest speaker will be Mr. Ken Craig on “God’s Wonderful Creation”. Ken is a very popular, well known speaker, and this promises to be a really entertaining evening.

As well as this, we will have a Mothers’ Union Enterprise “Box”, giving us the opportunity to support the work of the Mothers’ Union by purchasing Christmas cards, diaries and calendars etc. So do please come along and enjoy hassle-free Christmas shopping!

Look forward to seeing you then, and thanks as always.

Irene

LADIES GUILD NOTESThe Ladies Guild will meet on Wednesday, �1st October, at 7.45pm, for what promises to be a very interesting evening. Anya Dolan, the Education Officer for the Opera House, is coming to tell us what goes on “behind the scenes” at the theatre, and we will have a special supper that evening.

The November dates for your diary are:

Sunday, 15th November, at 10.�0am, church service and blessing on our 50th Anniversary.

Wednesday, 18th November, Celebration Dinner at Shandon Park Golf Club.

We warmly invite friends and past members, and ask that anyone interested should please contact Eileen Anderson on 90203684, or Yvonne Cadden on 90657388, for information and menu details.

Lilias Smith

LADIES BOWLINGAfter the disappointing summer weather it is good to be indoors again. We look forward to our usual friendly matches with Knock Presbyterian, Kirkpatrick Presbyterian and St. Dorothea’s.

Phyllis Newton

H�O started back on Friday, 11th September. As a comeback treat, we went to “Pirate’s Golf” at the Ice Bowl. Everyone had great fun, although some people got a little wet unexpectedly! It was easy at the start, but the further we all got, the harder the course became. After a while, some people, who were rather disappointed with their lack of success, became a bit fed up with playing properly and started to cheat! It was a good laugh. It was lovely to have our curate, Robert, join us (he wasn’t one of the cheaters!).

Over the next few weeks we will be finishing off painting the H�O meeting room. We hope that more people will come along. In October, we hope to go to Urban Assault at Dundonald. We need at least fifteen people for this outing, so if you want a good night out, please come along and see what it’s like. Details will follow. We meet every Friday at half eight in the church hall, if you find yourself at home doing nothing come and join us!

Hollie

OCTOBER DATES

�nd Oct .............Pizza Night in the hall.

9th Oct ................Hall.

16th Oct ..............Provisional date for Urban Assault.

��rd Oct ..............Half Term Break.

6th Nov ..............Hall.

H2O METHUSELAH’S DIETMethuselah ate what he

found on his plate, And never, as people do now,

Did he note the amount of the calorie count,

He ate because it was chow.

He wasn’t disturbed as at dinner he sat, Devouring a roast or a pie,

To reflect it was full of saturated fat, Or a couple of vitamins shy.

He cheerfully chewed each species of food,

Unmindful of troubles or fears That his health might be hurt by some

fancy dessert, And he lived over 900 years!

AND YET...Jesus had no servants, yet

they called him Master.

Had no degree, yet they

called him Teacher.

Had no medicines, yet they

called him Healer.

Had no army, yet kings

feared him.

He won no military battles, yet

He conquered the world.

He committed no crime, yet

they crucified him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet

He lives today!

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We are indebted to Ross, elder son of parishioners Doreen and Cyril Thompson, for sharing with us his fascinating experiences during his return visit to Serbia this summer, and the mission work in which he became deeply involved.

BACK TO SERBIAAs most of you here are aware, partly thanks to the support money that I received from this parish, I was able to serve God through a two month internship in Serbia over the summer. Now, Eastern Europe is not a part of the world that most people are particularly familiar with and, more often than not, the reaction I get when I mention Serbia is, “Isn’t it rather cold up there?” thinking that I am referring to Siberia.

Regarding its history, for a long period of time, Serbia was part of Yugoslavia, ruled by Marshal Tito as a communist state. After Tito’s death in 1980, the various individual provinces that comprised Yugoslavia, such as Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia began to break off and declare independence. Sometimes this brought fighting and bloodshed, as in Croatia’s case, sometimes it didn’t, as with Slovenia. It was in the midst of this that the dictator Slobodan Milosević came to power in a wave of Serbian patriotism. This resulted in hyperinflation and a bloody civil war, largely between Milosević’s forces and people who lived in the autonomous province of Kosovo. Because of this, NATO, under the direction of President Clinton, ordered military intervention to force the Serbian people to oust Milosević. Somehow, America and Britain figured that the best way to do this was to bomb civilian targets with weapons that were already considered illegal by all international treaties. One of the Serbians I worked with told me that the bombing was so bad that, when a munitions dump was hit in her town causing a mushroom cloud, she became convinced that NATO had dropped a nuclear weapon. Later, Milosević was indeed overthrown by his people and later died in prison.

In the years to come, Serbia became peaceful once more, although it is still shrinking, as various different provinces continue to declare independence. Three years ago, Montenegro broke off and, just last year, with American backing, Kosovo declared itself as a separate state, although most Serbs refuse to accept this. Serbia desperately wants membership of the European Union, but due to the rigid demands of membership given out by the EU, this will not happen for a good few years, at the very least.

In size, Serbia would roughly be comparable to the island of Ireland. It has extremely fertile soil, is mainly flat in the north and mountainous in the south. Its capital is Belgrade with the cities of Novi Sad and Niŝ coming next in terms of size. In my experience, the people are friendly and extremely hospitable. While my group and I were there we found that regularly buying food for ourselves was unnecessary, as other people kept insisting on feeding us. As regards to religion, the vast majority of Serbs are Serbian Orthodox, although this is largely a simple label of cultural identity rather than signifying true belief. The Roman Catholic Church is also recognised but Protestantism is often considered as some sort of sect or cult, closer to Satanism than anything else. In reality, the country is spiritually dry, with most Serbs tending towards agnosticism. This said, if you gain their trust, they will listen to anything you have to say on the subject of religion. In contrast, Serbia also

has a large population of Roma people who are not only largely Protestant, but extremely open to both evangelism and discussing religion.

My experience of Serbia over the summer came from working with an American missionary organisation called Josiah Venture. This group targets countries in Eastern European, working usually with local organisations to set up evangelistic camps for young people. Because of the leery attitude Serbia has towards Protestantism, the Serbian camps are always advertised as being camps for the purpose of improving English through conversations with native English speakers. The evangelism is done covertly, through acts of Christian ministry and in one-to-one discussions.

This year, there were five summer interns who served for two months: two from Northern Ireland (myself included), two from the USA and one Serbian Roma, our main base being in the city of Novi Sad. We helped with two camps, the first being a pilot camp for people from two small towns called Sremska-Mitrovica and Baćta-Topola. This camp was unusual as the number of students was not only small, but their level of English was pretty low. This meant that we had to evangelise through physical acts of service as opposed to discussions. However, this camp ended up being extraordinarily successful. Not only did every one of the students appear to get something positive out of it, but we also saw God working throughout the camp. To give an example, one student was a chain smoker but throughout the entire course of the camp he did not feel the need to light a single cigarette. Also, at the same time, his father had an inflamed knee that, apparently inexplicably, became better as the week went on.

The second camp, which was for students from Novi Sad, was, in many ways, very different. In the first place, it was an established camp, so not only was the number of students larger but approximately 80% had been to the camp in previous years. Secondly, because the students were from a large city, they all spoke English to a conversational degree, allowing us the opportunity to really talk to them. Again, God worked his hand at this camp. To use one of many examples, there was a young man at this camp who was regularly beaten by his father and so he smoked and cursed a great deal. However, by the end of the camp he was tearfully asking to hear more about God’s word. There was also a girl who two years ago had been a heroin addict and still suffered from psychosis because of this, but now considered herself to be a believer, all due to the camps.

Personally, I believe I could see God’s reflection out in Serbia this summer, and I have every intention of going and seeing it again next summer, if not sooner, and I ask everyone here for their support. It can be through prayer, which in many ways is the most important. It can be through donations, or it can be through man-power. Short-term missionaries are always welcome, any time of the year. According to the grapevine, there are plans for an Irish team to be sent out to help with one of the camps next year, and if any younger or older people want to assist with this then I am sure that they would be enthusiastically welcomed. Just remember that mission and the spreading of God’s Word is the duty of every Christian believer, and it is a duty that should be embraced openly.

Ross Thompson

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Read the story of how Jesus restored the daughter of Jarius to life and of the healing of a woman when she touched the cloak of Jesus in Mark 5:21-41.

Find the words from the Word List to complete the Word Search puzzle.

F D A U G H T E R M T G N F L O P QV M S Y N A G O G U E A E Q L Y A FN S T E I W R S U V W D S R S N I EC R O W D T A U E C E E I U A D T DL U N F E A D I Q K H G S L A G M MR Q I C E E L R L X P E T E R Q W OU O S J L E X A K I J Q D R R H H XY U H A B O W J O H N V O T J E K RS P E M P F A I T H A G O A N R Y PQ H D E Q N F K A L M Q T N Z I Y JM A J S S B V K O L O H S I C P U YB O G B S L T A B B W W Q H A F L D

BOAT CROWD SYNAGOGUE RULER JARIUS JESUS DAUGHTER WOMAN BLEEDING TOUCHED CLOAK FAITH

HEALED DEAD BELIEVE PETER JAMES JOHN WAILING GIRL STOOD WALKED ASTONISHED EAT

(answers on the next page)

THE END OF THE WORLDAND it came to pass in the year �009, that verily, the Lord came unto Noah, and said, “Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see all manner of evils, financial greed in abundance and the end of all flesh before me. Build me another Ark and save two of every living thing, along with a few good Christians, if you can find any.”

And lo, He gave Noah the CAD drawings, saying, “You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for forty days and forty nights.”

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark. “Noah!” He roared, “I’m about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?”

“Forgive me, Lord,” begged Noah, “but things have changed. I needed Building Control approval and I’ve been arguing with the Fire Brigade about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbours claim that I should have obtained planning permission for building the Ark in my garden because it is development of the site, even though, in my view, it is a temporary structure. We had to then go to appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission for a decision.

Then the Department of the Environment demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions to clear the passage for the Ark’s move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Finding the wood was another problem. All the decent trees have Tree Preservation Orders on them and we live in a Site of Special Scientific Interest set up in order to protect the lesser spotted owl. I tried

to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no! And in July I had to pay off racketeers as insurance against the local kids taking the wood for the Eleventh Night bonfire.

When I started gathering the animals, the USPCA sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Nor was I aware that marching the animals on to the Ark two by two constituted a parade, so I had to apply to the Parades Commission for permission. Then the Borough Council, the DoE and the Rivers Authority ruled that I couldn’t build the Ark until they’d conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

I’m still trying to resolve a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission on how many disabled carpenters I’m supposed to hire for my building team. The trades unions say I can’t use my sons. They insist I have to hire only accredited workers with Ark-building experience.

Then Harland & Wolff stepped in, and said the project hadn’t been subject to normal tendering practices as they hadn’t been allowed to present a

business plan, so the whole thing went to judicial review. It didn’t help that the judge’s grandfather had worked on the Titanic and thought I was taking the mickey.

To make matters worse, Customs and Excise seized all my assets, claiming I’m trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. After several neighbours accused me of being ‘on drugs’, the Assets Recovery Agency took some persuading that I had managed to put this project together without any visible means of income after I said I was relying on divine intervention.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least ten years for me to finish this Ark.”

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, “You mean you’re not going to destroy the world?”

“No,” said the Lord. “Your local government has beaten me to it.”

Children’s Corner!

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ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT SWINE FLU IN CHURCH (Letter from the Reverend Eustace to his nephew Darren)

The RectorySt. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren

The concern you show for the welfare of your parishioners during the current flu

epidemic does you credit – although I am unsure of the continued effectiveness

of your ‘ministry of welcome’, when those beaming smiles of your ‘greeters’ will be

hidden behind surgical masks. And surely, disinfecting the hymn books after each

service, is a little too enthusiastic? Won’t the pages simply dissolve in the end?

Also, must you condemn those with even slight sniffles to sit encased in large

plastic bags behind glass screens? That is unlikely to make newcomers feel that

they are being warmly welcomed. And I have never before heard of passing the

peace with gardening gloves on. Won’t people think it a little odd?

Finally, I must observe that obliging your entire congregation to paddle through a

disinfectant pool as they leave the church is unusual practise. It will make people

feel they are in the public baths – although I concede that the architecture of the

two buildings has much in common.

We take a rather more robust attitude to viral attack here at St. James the Least.

The use of the chalice was only reluctantly suspended during the Black Death and,

apart from the one Sunday when Mrs Clapton lost her teeth in it, has been used at

every service since. Colonel Addleshaw is safe from the virus since it could never

survive the alcohol levels in his blood stream, and a glare from Lady Millcheam

would freeze any unwelcome bug at a hundred yards.

Dear, romantic Miss Mompesson suggested we hold future services in the open

air, but the thought of Mr Charnley losing his wig yet again in anything greater

than a light breeze and the choir looking like galleons in full sail, made the idea

unworkable – especially as it would oblige Lord Melchett to sit with everyone else

and not in the family pew, where he can read the Sunday papers unobserved by

the rest of the congregation.

There have, however, been some unintended benefits to the health scare. It has

enabled me to cancel the coming visit of the bishop, explaining that we are far too

concerned for his health. Also, as a way of containing the spread of the contagion,

I have stopped visiting parishioners and do not allow anyone to call at the Rectory.

All evening meetings are suspended, I refuse to visit the village school and risk

contaminating the children and I have made it clear that not stopping to talk to

villagers in the street saves them from being ravaged by the disease.

Should the flu epidemic continue for some time, it would be a sadness I could learn

to bear.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

THERESA OF LISIEUX (1873-97)Theresa of Lisieux should be the patron saint of teenage girls and young women who want to make the most of their lives, despite being constricted by family and school or work. She grew up in a strict, devout Roman Catholic middle-class family in France, one of four sisters. Her father was a watch-maker. Like her sisters, Theresa entered a Carmelite convent at the age of fifteen, and stayed there. She was never able to go anywhere, do anything extraordinary, or hold any responsibility. She died at the age of twenty four of tuberculosis. Yet this quiet young Carmelite nun became so nationally popular that she was declared patroness of France fifty years after her death. Not bad for someone who didn’t get out much!

So how did Theresa do it? By not intending to do it at all. Theresa never set out to become famous: instead, she quietly determined in her spirit to seek God, and, having found him, to honour him in her life, to live as closely as she could to the teaching in the gospels. The result was a life so spiritually radiant that her convent asked her to write a short spiritual autobiography of her pilgrimage. Theresa obliged with ‘L’Histoire d’une Ame’, which soon became so popular that it was translated into most European languages and several Asiatic ones. Theresa also prayed for people who were ill, and there are many reports of miraculous healings that took place in answer.

After Theresa died in 1897, her book just went on selling. People found the artless sweet simplicity of her observations on her pilgrimage as a Christian utterly compelling. She reminded people of what Christianity was really all about: simple but utter devotion to Christ, not endless outward observance of religion. Theresa helped many in the Roman Catholic Church in France to remember the first principles of their faith.

F D A U G H T E R M T G N F L O P Q

V M S Y N A G O G U E A E Q L Y A F

N S T E I W R S U V W D S R S N I E

C R O W D T A U E C E E I U A D T D

L U N F E A D I Q K H G S L A G M M

R Q I C E E L R L X P E T E R Q W O

U O S J L E X A K I J Q D R R H H X

Y U H A B O W J O H N V O T J E K R

S P E M P F A I T H A G O A N R Y P

Q H D E Q N F K A L M Q T N Z I Y J

M A J S S B V K O L O H S I C P U Y

B O G B S L T A B B W W Q H A F L D

ANSWERS TO WORD SEARCH ON PREVIOUS PAGE

�6 �7

NOVEMBER MAGAZINE

Please note, any articles or photographs for publication in the November parish magazine should be handed or e-mailed to the editor by Sunday, 11th October, at latest.

Many thanks

FLOWER ROTA FOR OCTOBER

Sunday 4th Harvest

Sunday 11th Nan Armstrong

Sunday 18th Elizabeth McCaughey

Sunday �5th Caroline Dunbar

FROM THE REGISTERSOur Joys

Holy Baptism Sunday 6th September Aidan George Anthony 75 Jalan Tua Kong, Park East 0�09 Singapore

Marriage Friday �1st August Brian Brown & Andreia Negus �� Tudor Road, Carrickfergus

Friday 11th September Ian Deary & Clare Ennis 65 Liverpool Road, Aughton, Ormskirk, Lancashire

Our Sorrows

Christian Burial Thursday 10th September Joseph Alexander Jeffers 184 Barnett’s Road

WHO’S WHO IN ST. COLUMBA’SPARISH WEBSITE: www.stcolumbas.down.anglican.org

RECTORThe Revd. John R. AuchmutySt. Columba’s Rectory�9 King’s RoadBT5 6JGTel 028 90471514 Email johnauchmuty@btinternet.com

CURATE The Revd. Robert FerrisThe Curatage� Sandown Park SouthBT5 6HETel 028 90653370Email rferris�81@gmail.com

PARISH READERKaren McAlpine10 Old Quay CourtHolywoodBT18 OHTTel 028 90424390

DIOCESAN LAY READER (EMERITUS)Bryn Harris�� Dalton GladeGlen RoadComberBT�� 5SZTel 028 91878816

RECTOR’S CHURCHWARDENPatrick Wilson5 Kingsway ParkBT5 7EUTel 028 90401066

PEOPLE’S CHURCHWARDENHelen Donaghy1 King’s Gate91 King’s RoadBT5 7BUTel 028 90704932

RECTOR’S GLEBEWARDENJim Stevenson44 Casaeldona RiseBT6 9RATel 028 90583381

PEOPLE’S GLEBEWARDENJohn Proctor1� Richhill ParkBT5 6HGTel 028 90870526Mob 07989 469773

SELECT VESTRYRector, Churchwardens, Glebewardens, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Asst. Hon. Treasurer, Brian Acheson, John Best, Victor Dukelow, Patrick Good, Jennifer Johnston, Elizabeth McCaughey, Moranne Noad, Roberta Rogers, David Sweet

HON. SECRETARY & PREMISES CONVENORAlan Rogers50 Cabin Hill GardensBT5 7AQTel 028 90656183

HON. TREASURERGillian Sadlier70 Kensington RoadBT5 6NGTel 028 90403278

ASST. HON. TREASURER/GIFT AID SECRETARY/FREE WILL OFFERINGMurray Hunter1� Knockdarragh ParkBT4 �LETel 028 90761295

PAROCHIAL NOMINATORSTrevor BuchananPatrick GoodMoranne NoadMeryl Townsend

DIOCESAN SYNODS PEOPLEEmma HillElizabeth LeonardMoranne NoadRoberta RogersPaul Stewart

�8

ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTERGerald Hill6 The CoachesBrown’s Brae, Croft RoadHolywoodBT18 OLETel 028 90422101

ASSISTANT ORGANISTBrian Clements150 Sandown RoadBT5 6GXTel 028 90793641

READERS & INTERCESSORS CO-ORDINATORMuriel Arndell18 Kinedar CrescentBT4 �LYTel 028 90655500

SIDESPERSONS’ ROTA CO-ORDINATORRosemary Coffey44 Thornyhill RoadKillinchyBT�� 6SJTel 028 97542198

MAGAZINE EDITORIan Noad�6 Shandon ParkBT5 6NXTel 028 90793704Email noadfamily@hotmail.com

MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTOR CO-ORDINATORJohn Holland8 Greengraves CottagesBallyrogan, NewtownardsBT�� 4SDTel 028 91814036

PARISH WEBMASTERIvan Roche49 Richhill ParkBT5 6HG Tel 028 90229310Email ivan@treadmillcommunications.com

C of I GAZETTE DISTRIBUTORRuth Pugh147A King’s RoadBT5 7EGTel 028 90483459

BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP NOTESEvan Preston1� Carrowreagh GardensDundonaldBT16 ITWTel 028 90489884

CHURCH FLOWERSPaddy Nesbitt�0 Knockhill ParkBT5 6HYTel 028 90650716

SAFEGUARDING TRUST The Rector, Select Vestry and Parish Leaders are committed to upholding good practice in the Parish’s ministry with children and young people. Should you have cause for concern or suspicion regarding child welfare in the Parish, please contact a member of the Parish Panel below, or any of the statutory agencies.

The Rector 0�8 9047 1514 Patrick Good 0�8 9065 6908 Elizabeth Leonard 0�8 9065 �16�

ST. COLUMBA’S PARISH OFFICEOffice Hours

Wednesday & Friday 8.�0am – 1.�0pmParish Secretary: Janet Johnston

Tel 028 90656891Email: office.knock@down.anglican.org