 |
Christmas Party
Our Group Children's Christmas Party will take place this Saturday 19th December 3 - 6pm. All children within our group are invited for an afternoon full of games fun and food. There may even be a visit from a funny man in a red suit! |
 |
Bereavements
With sadness and hope we have said goodbye to some dear folk recently. Our sincere sympathies are extended to the family circles of William (Willie) Storey, Evelyne (Eva) Smith, William (Willie) Taylor, and Olive Crawford.
Our thoughts are also with Rev Steve Clarke and his family following the recent death of his Father.
They will be remembered fondly and we continue to ask that God would show his comfort and peace to family and friends even in the midst of grief.
|
Some Memories of 2009 |
|
|
|
School Opening May 2009 (Not yet available on line (as at the end of 2009)) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Hamilton IV Christmas in the Country Concert
Recently we were delighted to have the American country gospel singer George Hamilton IV visit us with his "Christmas in the Country" concert.
Around 60 folk were present as George shared a number of reflections on the season, he played a mix of his own songs and carols. It was a gentle restful introduction to this busy season! We were delighted that we were able to raise some 400 euros for Alzheimer's care in counties Fermanagh and Cavan through hosting this event.
Our thanks to our friends at Templeport Community centre for hosting this and all of you who supported the event.
There are lots more photopgraphs of this event here: www.swanlinbar-kildallon.kilmore.anglican.org/group-news/george-hamilton-12-09
|
George presenting cheque to Freda Carson
George presenting cheque to Trevor McKay |
|
The Little Match-Seller
By Hans Christian Andersen
It was terribly cold and nearly dark on the last evening of the old year, and the snow was falling fast. In the cold and the darkness, a poor little girl, with bare head and naked feet, roamed through the streets. It is true she had on a pair of slippers when she left home, but they were not of much use. They were very large, so large, indeed, that they had belonged to her mother, and the poor little creature had lost them in running across the street to avoid two carriages that were rolling along at a terrible rate. One of the slippers she could not find, and a boy seized upon the other and ran away with it, saying that he could use it as a cradle, when he had children of his own. So the little girl went on with her little naked feet, which were quite red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of matches, and had a bundle of them in her hands. No one had bought anything of her the whole day, nor had anyone given her even a penny. Shivering with cold and hunger, she crept along; poor little child, she looked the picture of misery. The snowflakes fell on her long, fair hair, which hung in curls on her shoulders, but she regarded them not.
Lights were shining from every window, and there was a savory smell of roast goose, for it was New-year's eve—yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here, for they had only the roof to cover them, through which the wind howled, although the largest holes had been stopped up with straw and rags. Her little hands were almost frozen with the cold. Ah! perhaps a burning match might be some good, if she could draw it from the bundle and strike it against the wall, just to warm her fingers. She drew one out—“scratch!” how it sputtered as it burnt! It gave a warm, bright light, like a little candle, as she held her hand over it. It was really a wonderful light. It seemed to the little girl that she was sitting by a large iron stove, with polished brass feet and a brass ornament. How the fire burned! and seemed so beautifully warm that the child stretched out her feet as if to warm them, when, lo! the flame of the match went out, the stove vanished, and she had only the remains of the half-burnt match in her hand.
She rubbed another match on the wall. It burst into a flame, and where its light fell upon the wall it became as transparent as a veil, and she could see into the room. The table was covered with a snowy white table-cloth, on which stood a splendid dinner service, and a steaming roast goose, stuffed with apples and dried plums. And what was still more wonderful, the goose jumped down from the dish and waddled across the floor, with a knife and fork in its breast, to the little girl. Then the match went out, and there remained nothing but the thick, damp, cold wall before her.
She lighted another match, and then she found herself sitting under a beautiful Christmas-tree. It was larger and more beautifully decorated than the one which she had seen through the glass door at the rich merchant's. Thousands of tapers were burning upon the green branches, and colored pictures, like those she had seen in the show-windows, looked down upon it all. The little one stretched out her hand towards them, and the match went out.
The Christmas lights rose higher and higher, till they looked to her like the stars in the sky. Then she saw a star fall, leaving behind it a bright streak of fire. “Someone is dying,” thought the little girl, for her old grandmother, the only one who had ever loved her, and who was now dead, had told her that when a star falls, a soul was going up to God.
 She again rubbed a match on the wall, and the light shone round her; in the brightness stood her old grandmother, clear and shining, yet mild and loving in her appearance. “Grandmother,” cried the little one, “O take me with you; I know you will go away when the match burns out; you will vanish like the warm stove, the roast goose, and the large, glorious Christmas-tree.” And she made haste to light the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to keep her grandmother there. And the matches glowed with a light that was brighter than the noon-day, and her grandmother had never appeared so large or so beautiful. She took the little girl in her arms, and they both flew upwards in brightness and joy far above the earth, where there was neither cold nor hunger nor pain, for they were with God.
In the dawn of morning there lay the poor little one, with pale cheeks and smiling mouth, leaning against the wall; she had been frozen to death on the last evening of the year; and the New-year's sun rose and shone upon a little corpse! The child still sat, in the stiffness of death, holding the matches in her hand, one bundle of which was burnt. “She tried to warm herself,” said some. No one imagined what beautiful things she had seen, nor into what glory she had entered with her grandmother, on New-year's day.
|
| |
 |
|
|
Christmas Traditions (in Other Parts of the World) |
 |
Birds
It is the custom in Scandinavia to place a sheaf of grain on top of a tall pole for the birds to eat, or popcorn chains, or even just seeds and bread are placed on a pole and set up outside where the birds are known to congregate. This is done on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The sight and sound of outdoor festivity at the bird’s Christmas tree adds to the indoor celebration of people.
Birds are also part of the fun story of the Twelve Days of Christmas, with the "partridge in a pear tree" and swans and hens, to name a few.
|
 |
 |
Holly
On the night that Jesus was born, it is said that fruit appeared on trees, even in cold areas. Maybe the red berries of England and France reminded people of this story. Early Christians in Rome were not allowed to celebrate Christmas. The Romans celebrated the Saturnalia festival, using holly. The Christians used holly to disguise their Christmas celebration.
The bright colours of the holly made it a natural sign of rebirth and life in the winter of northern Europe. In late December, people placed holly and other evergreens around inside of their homes as a promise that the sun will return.
|
 |
 |
Mistletoe
Mistletoe was supposed to have healing powers. It was also a symbol of peace and enemies would stand beneath a spray of the plant to make peace compacts. Sometimes the peace would be sealed with a kiss.
It became tradition that a kiss beneath a mistletoe branch held good luck. For each kiss, a berry was removed. When all of the berries were gone, that piece of mistletoe lost its magic.
|
|
 |
Plum Pudding
The first plum puddings were made around 1670. Plum puddings do not contain any plums. They were a stiffened form of earlier plum porridge, with added lumps of meat, dried fruits (raisins, currants), rum and brandy, butter, sugar, eggs and many spices. They were made in large copper kettles several weeks before Christmas. People took turns stirring. A coin, thimble, button and ring were mixed into the pudding, and found when the pudding was eaten. The coin meant wealth, the button or the thimble meant that the person would not get married, and the ring meant that the person would get married
|
|
 |
Poinsettia
In Mexican legend, a small boy had no gift to bring to church on Christmas day. As he prayed, a plant grew at his feet, bright red and green. This plant became known as the “Flower of the Holy Night.”
Between 1825 and 1829, Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett was the American ambassador to Mexico. He brought the plant back to his home in South Carolina. It became a popular Christmas plant and was named after him. Actually, the “flowers” are really leaves! We now have different colours – red, white, pink.
|
|
 |
Sheep & Shepherds
Sheep and other animals are part of the Christmas tradition. Sheep were said to have been in the stable when Jesus was born. The shepherds, who were in the fields, heard the angels sing about the birth of Jesus. The shepherds were considered to be common people, not religious or political leaders. Their inclusion in the story showed that the birth of Jesus was for everyone.
|
|
 |
Star
Stars were used as decorations to symbolize the star that lead the three kings or wise men to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. Some people put a star on the top of the Christmas tree. The light from candles remind people of the light of the star. Stars are part of the tradition of the Jews, with the Star of David as their symbol.
Variously descried of the supernova or a conjunction of planets, there is discussion about when it actually occurred. The year 7 BC is probably the true birth year of Jesus.
|
 |
 |
Tree
Christmas trees, undecorated, go back to the 700’s in Germany. Martin Luther, a religious reformer in the 1500’s, saw stars shining through the branches of evergreen trees and put candles on a tree in his house.
In a German story, children gave a visitor food and shelter. The visitor (Jesus), said that their tree would have ripe fruit at Christmas, so we hang balls and bright things on trees. Rev. Charles Follen introduced the Christmas tree to the Unitarian congregation in Lexington, Massachusetts. Pennsylvania. The Dutch had used trees in their celebration a hundred years earlier.
|
|
 |
Stocking
Socks and shoes are used to collect things from St. Nicholas or Santa Claus. In Spain, Holland and Belgium, children fill their shoes with carrots and hay for St. Nick’s white horse. We may leave mince pies for Santa and something for the reindeer!. St. Nick is said to leave coal for children who have not been good and toys for those who have been good. By legend, a girl hung her stockings to dry and St. Nick left her gold.
|
 |
|
The Three Kings
Three Kings came riding from far away,
Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar;
Three Wise Men out of the East were they,
And they travelled by night and they slept by day,
For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.
The star was so beautiful, large and clear,
That all the other stars of the sky
Became a white mist in the atmosphere,
And by this they knew that the coming was near
Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.
Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows,
Three caskets of gold with golden keys;
Their robes were of crimson silk with rows
Of bells and pomegranates and furbelows,
Their turbans like blossoming almond-trees.
And so the Three Kings rode into the West,
Through the dusk of the night, over hill and dell,
And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast,
And sometimes talked, as they paused to rest,
With the people they met at some wayside well.
"Of the child that is born," said Baltasar,
"Good people, I pray you, tell us the news;
For we in the East have seen his star,
And have ridden fast, and have ridden far,
To find and worship the King of the Jews."
And the people answered, "You ask in vain;
We know of no King but Herod the Great!"
They thought the Wise Men were men insane,
As they spurred their horses across the plain,
Like riders in haste, who cannot wait.
And when they came to Jerusalem,
Herod the Great, who had heard this thing,
Sent for the Wise Men and questioned them;
And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem,
And bring me tidings of this new king."
So they rode away; and the star stood still,
The only one in the grey of morn;
Yes, it stopped --it stood still of its own free will,
Right over Bethlehem on the hill,
The city of David, where Christ was born.
And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard,
Through the silent street, till their horses turned
And neighed as they entered the great inn-yard;
But the windows were closed, and the doors were barred,
And only a light in the stable burned.
And cradled there in the scented hay,
In the air made sweet by the breath of kine,
The little child in the manger lay,
The child, that would be king one day
Of a kingdom not human, but divine.
His mother Mary of Nazareth
Sat watching beside his place of rest,
Watching the even flow of his breath,
For the joy of life and the terror of death
Were mingled together in her breast.
They laid their offerings at his feet:
The gold was their tribute to a King,
The frankincense, with its odour sweet,
Was for the Priest, the Paraclete,
The myrrh for the body's burying.
And the mother wondered and bowed her head,
And sat as still as a statue of stone,
Her heart was troubled yet comforted,
Remembering what the Angel had said
Of an endless reign and of David's throne.
Then the Kings rode out of the city gate,
With a clatter of hoofs in proud array;
But they went not back to Herod the Great,
For they knew his malice and feared his hate,
And returned to their homes by another way.
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
|
|
Please Could You Contribute to future Newsletters?
If you have a digital camera or a camera on your mobile phone please take photographs of your local parish activities. We would love to hear from you or, just send your photos to the group office. |
|
|
 Prayer Points for the remainder of December and Early January
Let us continue to listen
to God in prayer and develop a daily routine of praying for
the following on the day of the week indicated;
| Sunday: |
For our lives to be given wholly in worship to God. That God would continue to transform our hearts to follow him; |
| Monday: |
For a new Rector for our group. That God would be preparing the person of his choosing and that we as his church would continue to grow as we prepare for his coming |
| Tuesday: |
For all those struggling in these difficult economic times. Ask that families would know the hand of God's protection over health and relationships;
|
| Wednesday: |
For all those known to us struggling with illness. We pray especially for those who are receiving cancer treatments at this time. We also pray for the families of those bereaved; |
| Thursday: |
For the ongoing development of our church halls. That these venues would really help our churches make valuable contributions not just for ourselves but for the communities in which we live; |
| Friday: |
For all those seeking to be confirmed in the coming year. We ask that the preparation would truly help make Jesus gift of life real; |
| Saturday: |
For Beryl Baker in the Chaco region of Paraguay. For her health and safety in travel and wisdom as she ministers in dangerous situations.
Also pray that 6 year old Edoh, her family and friends will be able to grow experiencing and knowing the love of Jesus through the help of the charity Compassion, her school and church. |
|
Service Schedule for the rest of December & early January |
Day and date |
Time |
Location |
Service |
Leader |
Friday 18th |
8.00 |
Kildallon |
Advent |
Rev Hazel Hicks |
Sunday 20th |
3 pm |
Corrawallen |
Advent |
Richard |
8.00 |
Ballyconnell |
Advent |
Richard |
Christmas Eve |
2 pm |
Breffni |
HC 1 |
Rev Steve Clark |
6.30 pm |
Kildallon |
Nativity |
Richard |
8 pm |
Kinawley |
HC 2 |
Canon Reggie Twaddell |
9.30 pm |
Ballyconnell |
HC 2 |
Canon Reggie Twaddell |
Christmas Day |
10.00 |
Newtowngore |
HC 2 |
Rev Hazel Hicks |
11.30 |
Kildallon |
HC 2 |
Rev Hazel Hicks |
Sunday 27th |
11am |
Templeport |
United |
Richard |
Sunday 3rd |
10 am |
Swanlinbar |
HC |
To be confirmed |
10.30 |
Newtowngore |
MP1 |
Richard / Jo |
11.30 |
Templeport |
HC |
To be confirmed |
12.00 |
Kildallon |
MP 1 |
Richard / Roy |
Sunday 10th |
10.00 |
Kinawley |
MP 1 |
Richard |
10.30 |
Corrawallen |
MP 2 |
George |
11.30 |
Ballyconnell |
MP 1 |
Richard / Mervyn |
12.00 |
Kildallon |
MP 2 |
George |
Sunday 17th |
10.00 |
Swanlinbar |
MP 1 |
Richard |
10.30 |
Newtowngore |
HC |
To be confirmed |
11.30 |
Templeport |
MP 1 |
Richard |
12.00 |
Kildallon |
HC |
To be confirmed |
1 after Service type indicates Traditional 2 after Service type indicates Contemporary
After the United Services there will be a cup of tea in the Church or local hall  |
e & oe
|
So to a book that is challenging me at the moment as I listen to it in the car. It is by John Ortberg entitled, “When The Game Is Over It All Goes Back In The Box.” It’s a book that looks at the meaning and purpose of our lives comparing life to a game of Monopoly. 
We can win the game by accumulating so much but at the end it simply goes back in the box. Everything we have here is temporary, we can’t take it with us. 
