parish matters march 2009

8/14/2019 Parish Matters March 2009

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THE RECTORS LETTER

Dear Friends,We have just entered the great Christian season of Lent. It reminds us of

the for ty days and nights Jesus spent in the wilderness following his

baptism by John in the River Jordan. During this season of penitence and

preparation for Holy Week and the desolation of the Cross we seek Gods

face. So also we look with eyes of faith beyond Holy Week to the empty

tomb and the joy of that first Easter Morning when we respond in the

Easter response: He is risen, indeed.Alleluia! During this period of Lent

I encourage you to attend both the Lenten Study Groups and the Worshipin the Church Sunday-by-Sunday. In Matthew 6 we are encouraged at Lent

to focus on almsgiving, personal prayer and fasting.

We are faced during the last number of months with a most serious

financial crisis in Ireland and beyond our shores. Our 70,000 figure of

immigration is looking like being transformed into an emigration figure of

50,000.We are faced with job losses and short-time and the possibility of

wage freezes and even wage-cuts.Each one of us is being radically challengedto re-look at how we control our spending and control our expenses.The

Parish is facing a similar problem, though I am most grateful to Ronan and

his Finance Group for keeping us all on the straight and narrow.Fundraising

has been a main-stay of our Parish lives for generations,without it parishes

up and down the land would face almost certain ruin. I am most grateful to

each one of you for continuing to support our Parish Church amid the

present struggles I know you are facing.I have put some appropriate prayerson the website with the help of Brendan Teeling,our webmaster.They reflect

the financial crisis and I hope you might find them useful.

On the last Sunday in March we are having a Service at 10.30am which I

have entitled Hymns around the Cross . Please fill in the attached voting

card and come along to see if your favourite is chosen.Please drop them into

the Rectory or put them on the plate in the weeks preceding the Service.

On April 19th we will gather for our Confirmation Service when theArchbishop will join us and those who are preparing for the Service.Please

come early as the Church will be very busy on that morning.We will have

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH MATTERS MAR 09


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15 candidates, including one adult Marina Houghton, who was recently

baptised in the Parish Church.

I wish to thank most sincerely those who have served on our Select Vestry

over the last year, particularly as we look forward to our Easter General

Vestry on Sunday morning 5th April following the 10.30a.m. Service. I am

looking forward to seeing many of you at the Service and this impor tantmeeting. Perhaps you may not have considered having your name put

forward.Once you are on the Register of Vestrypersons your name may be

proposed.Along with membership of the Select Vestry, election also means

you will serve on one of the three sub-committees of the Vestry Finance,

Fabric or Needs.Again I wish to thank all who have worked so very hard on

these important sub-groups. I would like to thank Heather McCullagh for

arranging and organising the recent Parish First Aid Course.We now have a Prayer Board at the back of the Church (left hand side of

Notice Board). I would encourage you to use this. If you have or you know

someone who has a prayer need please ask the Church Wardens for a

Prayer Card and place it on the Board. Prayer is one of the most vital

aspects of our corporate lives in Christ and he wishes us to bring it into

every aspect of our lives, especially in our Church. When two or three

gather in my name there am I in their midst.

May God continue to bless each member of your household, that he may

be your strength and guide.

Grace and Peace Derek

Open H ands Minist ry

Our Open Hands Ministry is working well with non-perishable food items

being brought to Church. Andrea Lazenby-Simpson organises the dispersalof these items through the great work of Jackie Guinan in the inner-city.

Please continue to bring them along.

Study Group

Declan Barry led our thoughts on Wednesday 11th February as we

together reflected on the role and place of Anglicanism.Thank you Declan

for your thoughtful and well prepared talk and associated worship.As weenter Lent we have a Study Group and Lenten Study Programme on

Wednesdays.All are welcome to join us in the Parish Centre starting on

4th March at 7.30pm.


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LEN TEN STUDY GROUP

will be held on Wednesday

4th, 11th, 18th & 25th Marchat 7.30pm in the Parish Centre

The topics being discussed are:

4th March: The Creation Narratives

11th March: Escape from Egypt

18th March: Entry into the Promised Land

25th March: Tribes or Kingdom

Tea/ Coffee will follow

Mothers Union

On 12th March at 3.00p.m.we will meet in the Parish Centre and Mrs Olive

Condell will tell us about her trip to The Holy Land.We have invited visitors

from St. Gabriels Ladies Club,The Presbyterian Womans' Group and The

MWA to join us on this occasion.Any parishioners who would like to comealong will be most welcome.

On the 24th March we will attending the Mothers' Union Award &

Variety Show in the National Concert Hall at 8.00p.m.The winner will be

announced for the best Branch/Parish Project.

The Mission to Seafarers are appealing for jumpers for sailors (men &

women) who arrive at the Por t and are not suitably dressed for our

weather conditions. If you can help please contact Rev.Willie Black, Canon

Adrien Empey or Iris Acheson.

I.Acheson


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Bowls ClubWe would very much like to see some new members, so do come alongand have a try. We are playing a fr iendly game with Raheny and lookforward to a most pleasant evening.We played a friendly with DCM whogave us a very good game and a most pleasant evening.

H. Erskine

W hist GroupOur February Whist Drive was the night of the very heavy snow and frost.It was decided to run the drive in spite of the weather. We had threeplaying tables and an enjoyable evening's play was had by all.We will beholding a Whist Drive on the first Thursday of every month. Our nextdrive is on 5th March at 7.30p.m. All are welcome.

H. Hunter

Clontarf W omens Group

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 3rd March,Eugene Higgins will join usfor a talk on gardening. He is a contributor to The Afternoon Show' andwill give a demonstration on simple but effective ideas for your garden.

Jenny McCullagh joined us last month for jewellery making and we had a

great night.Thank you Jenny.B. Sargent & H. McCullagh

Quality Gates

& RailingsDriveway Gates Steel Doors

Security Grills Balustrades

Call Kevin

Tel: 086 064 3781 / 853 5594


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OPENING HOURS

Mon - Fri: 9.00 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. Sat: 9.30 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.

OPEN DURING LUNCH FREE PARKING

A Parish Social

will be held

on Friday 27th March

at 8.00p.m.

in the Parish Centre

Food Music Dancing

All welcome

Tickets 25 euro


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Greenlanes N at ional School

The recent snowy weather came as a welcome relief to the children of our

Parish National School.The children thoroughly enjoyed break-times,even

if the teachers almost froze on yard duty.We are settled back down to

normal weather and the children and staff thoroughly enjoyed half term.

Susan and the Rector continue to take assemblies, and teach a class on

Wednesday mornings - Susan 4th-6th and the Rector JI-3rd.

Girls Brigade - 5th Company Clontarf Presbyterian

As we approach the end of February the girls are busy studying for The

National Scripture Test which will be held on Monday 2nd March in

Howth Road School.The girls will all find this quite easy as I am sure theyare also studying at home!

We are also involved in the National Modern Dance Competition due

to be held on Friday 27th February in Perrystown Community Centre.

This is good fun and the girls enjoy their dance time' on a Monday.We

wish all the gir ls taking part in this the best of luck.

At this time there is only one outstanding P.E. Competit ion and that is

the Associate Solo and the Associate Teamwork.The previous date had tobe cancelled due to the snow.We have three soloists entered and two

teams so we are hoping for great things on Wednesday18th February in

Wesley School.Again we wish all the girls the best of luck.

Our Explorer Team, our two Junior/Senior Teams, Brigader Team, three

Skipping Soloists and two Brigader Soloists all performed extremely well over

the past few weeks in the National Competitions, unfortunately we did not

figure in the top four placings but all the girls did the 5th Company very proud.The last Competition' in the Girls' Brigade Calendar is the Musical

Theatre due to be held on the 21st March.We have started work on this

already as time always seem to run away with us towards the end of our

Session.The girls have always enjoyed performing in this event' over the

past couple of years and I am sure this year will be no exception.

Also in March we will be holding our District Competitions consisting

of Teams and Soloists from our Explorer Section and also ourJunior/Senior Section.

M.


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Baptismal Register

Henry Grahame Walsh 18th January 2009

Marina Houghton 8th February 2009

Baptism

Baptisms continue to play an important role in our worship week-by-

week. On Sunday 8th February we had an adult baptism where we

welcomed Marina Houghton into God's family. Marina will be confirmed

on 19th April in the Parish Church.May God continue to bless her in her

preparation for marriage in the summer to her fiancee, Brian.

No spin. Just delivery

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Talk to Ulster Bank,

call Ken Murnaghan,Head of Property Finance on (01) 608 5633 or Brian Hunt,North City Business Centre,Lower Dorset Street on (01) 860 2450.

Ulster Bank Ireland Limited i s regulated by the Financi al Regulator. Calls may be recorded.


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1st March Lent 18.30 a.m. Holy Communion10.30 a.m. Ministry of Healing Service

4th March W ednesday7.30 p.m. Lenten Service & Study Group in Parish Centre

8th March Lent 28.30 a.m. Holy Communion10.30 a.m. Parish Family Communion


15th March Lent 38.30 a.m. Holy Communion10.30 a.m. All-Age Worship


22nd March Lent 4 - Mot hering Sunday8.30 a.m. Holy Communion10.30 a.m. Parish Family Communion


29t h March Lent 5 - Passion Sunday8.30 a.m. Holy Communion10.30 a.m. Hymns around the Cross

SERVICES FOR MARCH


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Scripture Readings for March

1st March Lent 1

Genesis 9:8-17Psalm 25:1-9

1 Peter 3:18-22

Mark 1:9-15

8th March Lent 2

Genesis 17:1-7,15-16

Psalm 22:23-31Romans 4: 13-25

Mark 8:31-38

15th March Lent 3

Exodus 20:1-17

Psalm 19

1 Cor inthians 1:18-25John 2: 13-22

22nd M arch Lent 4 - Mot hering Sunday

Exodus 2:1-10

Psalm 34:11-20

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Luke 2:33-35

29t h March Lent 5 - Passion Sunday

Psalm 149:1-6

Mark 15: 1-39


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Youth N ews

Reading back on previous Parish Notes I had written I came across one Iwrote during my first 6 months, I wrote about the potential I saw in thechildren and how blessed I was to be teaching young hearts and minds.Now nearly three years on, the same is still true.These children are now

young people and those who were babies when I started are in Klub.To see this Parish grow in such a short time has been such a privilege for

me.To see the young people taking part in a Band and to see them sharingtheir faith, and experiences of faith, in Church. Seeing those who startedout in Klub now reading the prayers and those who started in Wired nowdoing the readings and taking part in Church has made my job wor th while.

The Youth Clubs have continued to grow,we started out with 3 and now

have 4. Connect now has a different structure, the members are nowtaking on a course to learn how to become more like Youth Workers andare learning how to run Youth Groups. Connect also help with Klub andother Youth Groups, they are now young leaders in the Church and all thisin just under 3 years. It has been amazing.

Klub meet on Wednesdays in the Parish Centre 4.00pm - 5.00pmWired meet on Sundays from 6.00pm - 7.00pm in the Parish Centre.Fused meet on Saturdays in the Parish Centre

Thank you for all your continued prayers and supportS. Connolly

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11/16

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Email: [email protected]

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12/16

Sunday Club

Table Quiz -We hope to take part in the Sunday School Society Brainarama

(Table Quiz) which has been re-scheduled for 29th March from 3.00pm -

5.00pm in Castleknock Parish Centre.Anyone who is in 3rd,4th,5th or 6th

Classes can enter a team of up to 4 per table.The classes are mixed to be

fair to all ages and great fun.

In addition to this any other children from Infant class up are welcome

to come along to a games/activity time while the quiz is on.We would

need some parents accompanying anyone under 3rd Class.

Please contact either Jean Acheson at 831 8645 / 086 841 5114 or

Stephanie Maxwell at 833 2846 / 087 6563821 on or before 22nd March

if your child or children are interested in taking part. (If you have notindicated by this date we may not be able to include your child.)

Programme - We hope to have a variety of activities over the next three

months, firstly we will be with taking part in some of the Healer Prayer

Service on Sunday 1st March.We will be doing some Singing and watching

some DVD's, and some Ar t/Craft work. As always we welcome anyone

who would like to come along from Infant class up to 6th class.

MARCH SCH EDU LE

1st Sunday Club Start in Parish Centre

8th Sunday Club Start in Parish Centre

15th No Sunday Club In Church

22nd No Sunday Club Start in Parish Centre


APRIL SCHEDULE





J.Acheson


13/16

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14/16

Prayers for t he current financial situation

Lord God, we live in disturbing days:across the world,prices rise,debts increase,banks collapse,jobs

are taken away,and fragile security is under threat.Loving God,

meet us in our fear and hear our prayer:be a tower of strength

amidst the shifting sands, and a light in the darkness; help us

receive your gift of peace,and fix our hearts where true joys are

to be found, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, by taking human flesh you sanctified material

things to be a means of your grace; grant us wisdom in our

attitude to money, and a generous heart in the use of the

resources entrusted to us, that by faithful stewardship we may

glorify you.Amen.

God of power, you are strong to save and you never fail those

who trust in you.Keep under your protection all who suffer as

a result of debt: help them through their time of darkness, give

wisdom to all who seek to help, and bring them to know true

freedom in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.


15/16

Reflection

A daily reading pointed up this Scriptural advice: be courteous that you

may inherit a blessing.So God rewards kindness by promising a blessing or

reward. In the O.T., one reads (Micah 6) what does the Lord require of

you.. . to love kindness.

Proverbs tell uspleasant words are healing

.Themention of courtesy and kindness in the Bible is frequent so one concludes

that in exercising kindness,one displays an impor tant facet of our Heavenly

Father 's character.The Greek meaning of the word kind' associates it with

kindred and its empathetic associations also,outside family.

One recalls discussions on TV etc. during which men and women are

asked to divulge the characteristic most desirable in a partner. Almost

invariably, the reply is kindness'.When one has been the recipient of such

courtesy,its effect hit home.Our father was the kindest person I have ever

met and to this day, over 30 years since his demise, that is how he is

remembered. That he was a committed Christian lent weight to his

unselfishness. There is no questioning that he portrayed the loving

character of his Heavenly Father and doubtless he received the promised

blessing.We have to ask ourselves if we are quicker to criticise and judgethan we are to exercise Christian love and courtesy?

A Maharry

Super Valu Killester

Phone: 833 2968

New Store - Better Service

Open Longer H ours

7.00a.m. - 12.00 midnight Monday to Saturday9.00a.m. - 10.00p.m. Sundays & Bankholidays


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RECTOR:The Revd D.C. Sargent (833 1181)

[email protected] AND CHILDRENS PASTOR: Susan Connolly

(086 377 7278) [email protected]

GREENLANES NATIONAL SCHOOL

Principal: Ms. C.Atkin (8331554) [email protected]

B.B. COMPANY SECTION: Mr A.Ayling (831 5234)

B.B. JUNIOR SECTION: Mr.M.Acheson (831 8645)

ANCHOR BOYS: Mrs. H. McCullagh (853 5594)

CLONTARF WOMENS GROUP: Mrs. B. Sargent (833 1181) and

Mrs. H. McCullagh (853 5594)

YOUTH GROUPS: Ms. S. Connolly (086 377 7278)

BOWLING CLUB: Mr. H. Maude (833 1056)

BADMINTON CLUB: Mrs. P.Watts (832 6078)

JUNIOR BADMINTON: Mr.R.Watts (832 6078)

ORGANIST/CHOIRMASTER: Mr. J. Rowden (831 0486)

SUNDAY MORNING CRECHE: Mrs. B. Sargent (833 1181)

FLOWER GUILD: Mrs. I.Acheson (833 8288) and

Mrs B. Gallagher (833 8683)

BROWNIES: Mrs. P. and Ms. M.Watts (832 6078)

LADYBIRDS/GUIDES: Ms. N. Flynn (8476110)

MOTHERS UNION: Mrs. I.Acheson (833 8288)

SUNDAY CLUB: Mrs. J.Acheson (831 8645)

PARISH GROU PS/ CON TACTS

parish matters march 2009

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