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Aughakillymaude and District Vintage Club

This is a new club formed for all vintage enthusiasts in the South West Fermanagh area and border counties. We would welcome all interested in the vintage scene to become members for a fee of £10 per year. Anyone interested in joining should contact the secretary, Steven Crawford on 028 6634 8897 or 07971685356.

S - K  Youth Group

Unfortunately due to an ever-increasing workload, the Youth Group will not now be commencing in the New Year as planned. Much of the leadership for this group would be provided by Geoff along with three other volunteers on a rotational basis, however it is just too much to take on in the present climate of change management, building projects and faith development initiatives. Please to continue to pray for our work with young people as this is a crucial area for us to engage in if we are being faithful in our service of all members of our church.

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Samaritans Purse - a ‘thank you’

I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those involved in preparing and filling shoeboxes for the above appeal. It was a wonderful effort especially from all the children and their families.
Overall in this area we managed to send away an astonishing 2, 335 boxes, a very worthwhile effort.
This year the boxes are going to Armenia (near Turkey)
I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year and once again thank you for a marvellous effort.
Lilian Willis, Derrylin

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Mission Update

Following on from our decision to partner with SAMS in mission, we will be having a further meeting with Denis Johnston of SAMS on at our next united vestry meeting on Monday 12th Jan 2009 at 8pm in the Minor Hall, Ballyconnell. The purpose of this meeting will be for Denis to share with us some possible projects or initiatives which we might begin to support. I would like to stress at this point that this partnership is not about giving more money than we are presently giving to the work of mission, but rather being more intentional about the way in which we distribute the money we already give. Perhaps we could give our Lent or Harvest collections to the work of SAMS each year?
Crosslinks and SAMS each benefited from our recent Harvest collections as we sent cheques for €1, 475.59 & £115.60 to each agency. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to these collections.
The following excerpts from a recent SAMS prayer letter give a flavour of what partnership may look like in years to come!

Enables individuals and churches in Ireland to visit and participate within church communities in South America.
The btn programme doesn’t exist in isolation. One of the key aims is to create opportunities for individuals to be reflective within a community context. As a mission agency SAMS hopes and prays that btn participants will be challenged by the numerous images which will be imprinted upon them.
Being made in God’s image is much more than simply a theoretical discussion. The way in which we understand the image of God will have radical implications for how we live and engage with God’s creation. The image of God is what we are created in. It is the basis of human dignity and if we deny that image our lives become living contradictions. When Jesus walked this earth an essential part of his ministry was prayerful reflection. Without reflection we are in danger of creating God in our own culture bound image - becoming paralysed in our ineffectiveness.
Contemporary western culture surrounds us daily with the notion that people can remake their image with a mixture of astounding promises, fashionable techniques and amazing products. The btn programme seeks to enable participants to wrestle with and embrace a deeper calling on their lives. It’s something that can’t be found in glossy magazines. The btn programme seeks to remind volunteers that they and the people in South America who they serve alongside are amazingly and wonderfully created in the image of God. Humanity may be the pinnacle of creation, but this position of grandeur is not one of power, rather it’s one of service. This is what defines our rights as individuals alongside our collective responsibilities in God’s world.
Be encouraged as you read the various stories from this years btn teams. Continue to pray for the sending and receiving churches. Pray also for those who have experienced mission in an overseas context that they will be encouraged and empowered to continue to participate in God’s mission here at home.
Got Christmas all sewn up, or still looking for that PERFECT gift?

In July a SAMS btn team in partnership with the local Paraguayan Church and Mission Paraguay travelled to Paraguay for three weeks. In that time we were involved in establishing sewing projects and working with children's initiatives. Words can not express how amazing an experience this was as we had the opportunity to interact with so many people. In all this we saw a great need for physical assistance and spiritual nourishment.
Sewing projects were established in three centres. Women and young girls were taught how to use an electric sewing machine and given the opportunity to make simple garments. The facial expression of sheer wonderment and joy as they achieved this goal is something we will never forget. Children were so keen to make every day items such as a scarf or to sew a pillow case. Thanks to the very hard work on the part of Caroline and Estela the projects will be able to continue. But they need financial help.
The sewing projects help women and young girls make simple garments for their own use and for sale. The women involved are very poor, with limited employment opportunities and they live in marginalised communities. They have no money and feeding their family is a daily challenge. While we are dreading this winter with the forecast of spiralling prices, the poor of this world suffer most and thousands go to sleep each night hungry.
To assist these fledgling sewing projects and to support the vital work through the Kids Clubs, where children are given some simple food for their bodies as well as spiritual input. SAMS Ireland is launching ALTERNATIVE GIFT Cards. These cards are an ideal gift for all occasions especially Christmas. The money raised through this will ALL go to support the sewing projects and Kids Clubs.
If you are excited or challenged by this and would like to buy some of the gift cards at £10 each or could sell them to your friends, family or church, then please contact SAMS and they will put you in contact with the Alternative Gifts volunteer co-ordinator.
Be assured this will make such a difference in the lives of extremely impoverished people as they are valued, supported and loved through this practical initiative.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,….I needed clothes and you clothed me… Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you… or needing clothes and clothe you? The King will reply. “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” Matthew 25v35-41.

Moira Lindsay

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Sustentation/ Free-will offerings

Just a final, gentle reminder that if you have not already done so, the final date for receipt of envelopes is Sunday 28th December. Complying with this request means that those people who work tirelessly behind the scenes in recording and counting your giving will be saved a lot of hardship and time. A few folk have mentioned to me that there is an expectation in some quarters that someone from The Church calls to collect your offering – wouldn’t it be much better for everyone if you could place it on the collection plate yourself some Sunday! Finally, I would like to thank all those involved in handling the finances of each Parish, and you the parishioner for your ongoing financial support as we seek to grow God’s kingdom in our Group. !

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Newtowngore NS

MS Ireland, MS Readathon Raised €874
Showing a small selection of the many books they read.

(To protect the children their faces have been blured)

Deep Trench around Tomregan Church

For over a week a work party have been digging a deep trench around the church to provide much-needed improved drainage.
Of course parishioners will recall that the floor was renewed last year. The advice at the time was that improved drainage was essential to reduce the amount of water soaking through the wall.

THE ART COLLECTOR'S SON
Author Unknown

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they travelled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection.
Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed, elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again.
Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you."
As the two began to talk, the solider told of how the man's son had told everyone of his, not to mention his father's, love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace."
A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside many thousands of pounds worth of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamoured.
He told his neighbours it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation! Unmindful of the story of the man's only son, but in his honour, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim, "I have the greatest collection."
The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's wanted list. It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with one hundred pounds?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son. Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke, "Will you take twenty pounds for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it." "I only have twenty pounds with me. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!"
The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are many millions of pounds worth of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!" The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son ......gets it all."
Just as those art collectors discovered on that Christmas Day, the message is still the same: the love of a Father, a Father whose greatest joy came from His Son, who went away and gave His life rescuing others. And because of that Father's love, whoever takes the Son, gets it all!

Remember He is the Reason for the Season!

This story was previously published in the Christmas 2004 edition of the Swanlinbar Group Newsletter
Many Thanks to JerryBoy who sent this to the ie55.outlookexpress.stationery newsgroup.

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Ballyconnell Central School Update

At time of writing, the plasterers have now finished both inside and out, the electricians have power on in some areas and are close to completion and the plumbers are planning to have the heat on by the middle of next week! Hopefully, the school building itself should be completed shortly after the New Year but the ground works are holding the whole process up with a delay over the movement of a cable by ESB.

In the photos you can see the the gutters being put up, skirting being fitted and plastering the outside wall. The other shots are of the geothermal heating well and the last one is the heat exchanger unit itself.!

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Signifigant Events of 2008 in Pictures
(To protect the children their faces have been blured)

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