The Swanlinbar Kildallon Group of Parishes in the Church of Ireland Kilmore Diocese. Corrawallen Kildallon Kinawley Newtowngore Swanlinbar Templeport Tomregan

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Newsletter No 33 April 2010
Weekly news sheet
Vision Day
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Prayer Points
Prayer meetings
Office Surgery hours
Vestry meeting
United Services
Service schedule

Looking Ahead
Church of Ireland Cross

binocularsOn April 25th we will have our Vision Day. It is such an important day in the life of our group of churches. I hope as many folk as possible will be able to come to the service and food and sharing that follow. This really is a key day in our year and as the day gets nearer I am increasingly aware of its importance.
Nowhere Somewhere JesusOf course you might say how can we have much vision when we are in a season of vacancy? In one sense you have a point and yet this is such a crucial stage we are in.
Let me try and explain using some helpful observations by a man called William Bridges. He points out there three key stages in any journey.
Firstly there are endings and just nearly a year ago we said farewell to Geoff.
Secondly there are arrivings and of course we do continue to pray for a new Rector. The place between these is the third stage. Let’s call this the middle zone.
While we might get caught up with endings and arriving this in-between Middle zone is in reality the one which needs the most attention.
The neutral place is in truth not the most comfortable place indeed Bridges compares it to the wilderness! That’s no bad thing. Many folk in the Bible spent time in the wilderness including Jesus and Paul! It is a crucial place where we complete our endings and seek to embrace the new life beyond.
Sinai WildernesThe wilderness is a place where there are temptations. There are two temptations in this middle zone. One is to want to go back to the familiarity of where we were before just like the Israelites moaned and wanted to go back to Egypt. The other is to take short cuts that may not be God’s new beginning. How we need to listen, to reflect and root our lives in prayer.
The wilderness may not be the place we want to be, or planned to be, yet it is still God’s place for us. The wilderness may not be clearly marked. A new Rector may be just around the corner or months away , yet this remains God‘s place for us.
Of course with or without a new Rector our way forward is in one sense very clear. We are called to make Jesus known. As we seek Jesus and making him known I have no doubt our way through the wilderness will become clearer.
So in God’s place let us give some real attention to the way ahead. It may not be clearly marked yet this is a crucial journey and everyone has a role to play.
I am delighted to welcome Rev Paul Hoey and Rev Brendan McCarthy to share in the important day. The vision day is a day to look forward to, a day full of hope and purpose. Come and enjoy. Come expectant.

 
Church of Ireland  CrossRichard's signature Captain Richard Beadle

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News Items

Prayer Meetings

Everyone is encouraged to join in prayer for the ongoing work and life of our group. The meetings are for 1 hour only beginning with a cup of tea. .

Day / Date

Time

Parish Group

Location

Thursday 22 April

8 pm

Tomregan  

Eric and Minnie Mitten's.

Wednesday 28th April

3 pm

Kildallon

Valerie Livingstone's

Tuesday 4th May

8.30 pm

Templeport

Abi & Carol Graham's

Wednesday 12th May

3 pm

Corrawallen

Joe and Clare Hyland’s

Wednesday 19th May

3 pm

Kinawley

Venue to be arranged

Weekly Prayer Meeting

 

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Looking Ahead - Vision Day

Sunday April 25th is once again our annual Vision Day.
binocularsPlease please make every opportunity to support the day. While we continue to pray for a new Rector it is so important we continue to plan ahead. The vision day is a unique opportunity in our year for the whole church family (of all ages) to look forward with a clear sense of unity and purpose. The service will be at 3pm in Ballyconnell. We will then move into the hall where there will be food and opportunity to look at the past and coming year. Once again there is provision for children in the minor hall during our hall time so please encourage families to come along. It really is an occasion for everyone to look ahead with purpose.
Rev Paul Hoey will be with us to help us make the most of this key day in our year while we will also hear a bit more from Rev Brendan McCarthy and his role with us over the next few months.


 

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BFU - the Contemporary Service with young people in mind.

Just before Easter we met in Derrylin. On Friday 28th at 8.45pm BFU will again have its monthly service in Killeshandra. I would especially encourage folk in their teens and 20-30's to come along. Parents please do your part getting young people there and let's take every opportunity to encourage folk who may normally struggle with Sunday mornings. .


Large Family Group

 

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Surgery Hours

Day

Date

Time

Three prople in office
Richard will be available in the Church office,
Tomregan hall, Ballyconnell at the indicated times.
Thursday 22nd April 9.30 - 11.30 am
Tuesday 27th April 9.30 - 11.30 am
Monday 3rd May Midday to 2 pm
Thursday 13th May 9.30 - 11.30
Friday 21st May 10 am - Midday
10 am - Midday
 

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Mission News

Dennis JohnstonIt was great to have Dennis Johnston from SAMS with us again for our recent United Service. Dennis helpfully shared a little about our link with Beryl. Contact with her is not easy so we will have to be patient and persistent in keeping up to date. We also received her recent prayer news. To summarise:
Beryl is tired and in need of help. She is getting older and longs for someone to take her place. Pray for Beryl's health and steps that help preserve her health.
Beryl BakerBeryl asks for prayer for a young man called Jeremiah who helps Beryl practically. His brother has been imprisoned for drug related habits and Jeremiah could also be.
Pray for God's help in the everyday in a country where there is much despair. Things we take for granted like an electrical supply and banks and a justice system however flawed can be very difficult.
One practical thing we can do is donate warm blankets and woolly hats and gloves. These will be going out with SAMS in the summer. We had previously mentioned old glasses but these are no longer required. So if you are persuaded that warmer weather is finally here please let us have them. Please bring or get suitable items to the weekly office surgery in Ballyconnell or to the weekly prayer meetings that move around the group.

More about S.A.M.S may be found on their web site at: www.samsireland.com


 

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Kenya Visit Fundraiser

MoneyLorraine Spotten is planning to spend a month in Kenya this Summer. Departing on the 5th July Lorraine will be going through UCIT who send large numbers of students on volunteer projects overseas. I am sure this trip will be so life informing as she helps at an orphanage and HIV Clinic in Limuru north of Nairobi. AIDS is largely responsible for creating more than a million orphans in Kenya, of which only 5% receive any form of support. Volunteers like Lorraine play an invaluable role in helping these children - whose ages range between 4 and 15 - in the orphanages and homes. In addition to HIV and AIDS the children have often been affected by abuse, poverty or sickness and are in need of love and affection?. Some particularly suffer from developmental problems and need individual attention to stimulate them. It is so good to hear Lorraine is taking this opportunity. To help her get away there is a fundraiser pub quiz at The Woodford Arms in Ballyconnell. Starting at 9pm admission is €7 with 4 people per table. To find out more contact Lorraine on 087 7720684.


Kenya

 

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Letter from Edoh

At last we have received Edoh’s Christmas letter, it takes a long time for letters from Togo to be translated and sent through the Compassion Charity's postal system which by its nature is for the benefit of the children and not postal systems!
You will be able to see some of Edo’s drawings on the upper right. She has drawn a car, a bicycle and a table for us. Below to the right is the transcription of her own words in French and their translation into English.
This is what she says:

Dear: Swanlinbar and Kildallon Sunday School,

I am happy to receive your letter. May the Lord bless you. By the grace of God my family and I are doing great. Soon it’s Christmas. Pray for my family and I so that God may protect us.
At the centre our teacher taught us Mathew1:23. I like this Bible scripture so much .

How are you preparing for Christmas?
At the centre we learn new Christmas carols.
All my family and I greet you and wish you a Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Your Godson

Edoh

*   *   *

Edoh
Edoh Clemence Combe Adamah

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Editor’s note: Regrettably some meaning has been lost in translation, note the translator has shown Edoh as Godson!

*   *   *

Mathew 1:23
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him "Immanuel" - which means "God with us."

 

Edoh letter side 2
Edoh letter side 1

 

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Looking Ahead - Group United Service

United ServiceUnited ServiceDue to a regrettable and most unfortunate clash in the Bishop's diary the date for the confirmation has had to be moved from May to June. This does mean we will have two united services in consecutive weeks in June with the confirmation and Sunday School Prize giving. This is not ideal and can I make clear not our intended or preferred way of developing services in our group. In circumstance beyond our control I would ask for your understanding. These are both incredibly important services in the life of our group both now and looking to the future. Please give these days your wholehearted support..


 

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Bawnboy Workhouse Meeting Bawnboy Workhouse

Templeport Development Association is holding a meeting on Wednesday 5th May 2010 at 9pm in the Templeport Community Centre to set up a committee for the restoration of Bawnboy Workhouse.
We hope to elect a committee and to make contacts with grant funding agencies both in Cavan and Cross Border to see what the possibilities are to restore some or all of the Bawnboy Workhouse. Everyone is welcome..


 

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Confirmation

The confirmation of Darrienne Arnold, Mark Cassidy, Stuart Gould, Jonathon Graham, David Hyland, Tanya Graham, Jayne Wilson, Lisa Young and Tara Young will now take place on Sunday June 6th at 3pm in Kildallon Parish Church. Please do pray for each of these young people. We long that this is a significant time in their lives and that their journey of faith and relationship with the family of the church is able to flourish beyond this special day. .

Confirmation

 

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Forward logo

Coffee Morning and Cake SaleCoffee cupCake stall

Many thanks to all those who helped with our cake sale in aid of Forward Funds. The total raised was €1103 and £86.18 Although attendance was down on our previous cake sale two years ago, this was still a great effort. Money raised will help enormously to fund our next group family events so again a big thank you to all who supported the event.

Steaming loaf Woman with tray of fresh baking

 

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Forward logo

Forward

There will be a meeting for the Forward Group on Thursday 17th May at 7 pm in Tomregan Parish Hall, Ballyconnell.

Forward logo

 

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Easter and Holy Week

Once again this year we had additional services to the expected 8pm services. These are to encourage and make it easier for all ages and especially families to share in Easter week in a really meaningful way. The Passover meal on Maundy Thursday helped show how the meal links to Jesus as the lamb of God while the 3pm service on Good Friday allowed a number of folk of different ages to consider Christ's painful journey for us. On Good Friday evening we remembered how Christ took our punishment on that cross. Jesus took my place. We also remembered with sadness and pain those who treated this most holy day like any other. The missing were also brought to the cross.
Easter Day was a real highlight in our year once again. While the sunrise service was much colder and icier than we had perhaps anticipated, the morning was glorious!! Last year we met the sunrise with fog. This year we had a wonderful view! It was amazing. The breathtaking view will be with me for many months to come. Despite the cold it was also thrilling to see so many folk in attendance once again with around 46 braving the elements. May I say a huge thank you to those who helped arrange transport, parking and food. I must also mention Lee and the quad for his great help.
In the evening it was brilliant to have around 30 folk of all ages out for the Easter egg hunt finishing with a short service in Drumreilly church. This is a beautiful walk just outside our group near Newtowngore. It was a great fun yet I pray a meaningful end to a wonderful day and may I publicly thank the kind parishioners of Drumreilly for allowing us to make use of their church building on this most special day.

 

Jesus died for Us
Congreation at Sunrise service
Congreation at Sunrise service
Lee with his Quad

 

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Community Barbeque Burger

A couple of our parishes are presently investing a lot of time and energy in plans to develop their halls (Newtowngore & Tomregan respectively). As a means of helping promote this important work, Tomregan Parish is having a Community Barbeque on Saturday 19th June at Tomregan Parish Hall. Please come along and support it if you possibly can. Proceeds will be in aid of the Hall Renovation Project. More details will follow in our May Newsletter.


 

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Births

May we extend our warmest congratulations to Robert & Rhonda Kells on the birth of Archie on March 9th, weighing 8lbs 12oz.

There are a few happy grandparents about at the moment. We are also delighted to hear that Mervyn and Dora Cowan have a new grandson. Peter and Hazel Cowan are the proud parents of young Thomas.

Archie-Kells

 

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Rev Brendan McCarthy

Some of you would have been present on Easter Day when Rev Brendan McCarthy helped lead our Easter Day Services. Rev Brendan is from Omagh and will be helping us a couple of days each week. He will be using Swanlinbar Rectory when he is around. While he is not our new Rector (or planning to be) I am delighted to have Brendan around. We will share a little more about Brendan's role amongst us at the Vision day as we seek to make the most of this time.

Brendan McCarthy

 

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Graveyards WreathFlowers in pot

Swanlinbar Vestry have asked us to publish this message although it is good practice for us all.
As there is no church rubbish collection may I gently ask families that any items such as dead flowers and pots no longer in use are taken home when finished with. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. This will really help us maintain our church graveyards and keep them looking as well as possible.


 

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Easter Vestry Meetings

Vestry MeetingAt the time of writing many vestries are about to have their Annual General Meeting. May I take this opportunity to thank all those who come along to these important meetings. May I also congratulate those elected to hold office within the church for the forthcoming year. As well as extending sincere tanks to those elected, I would also like to thank those who have chosen to stand down from office and those not re-elected - your contribution during your term of service has been very much appreciated.
The following Easter vestry elections results can be published. (More next month)

Church

Church Wardens

Glebe wardens

Select Vestry

Corrawallen

 

Newtowngore

Corrawallen
John Taylor (R)
Robert Moynihan
(P)

Newtowngore
Gordon Richardson (R)
Derek Richardson (P)

Aubrey Hyland (P)

 

Tom Johnston (P)  

Florence Bayliss (Secretary)
Miriam Fisher (Treasurer)
Alec Graham
Carl Johnston
Herbert Pollock
Keith Richardson
Norma Richardson
Sandra Richardson
Alan Richardson
George Taylor
Jenny Taylor.
Swanlinbar  Kinawley

Swanlinbar
Leslie Wilson (R)
Steven Crawford (P)

Kinawley
George Graham (R)
Raymond Humphries (P)

Ernest Breen (R)
Alan Hassard (P)
Lorna Graham (S)
Hazel Crawford (T)
Mackey Breen
Freddie Crawford
Tommy Fisher
Mervyn Gould
May Rooney
Ivan Stubbs
Mary Thornton
Sam Wilson
Abraham Veitch
Ballyconnell Mervyn Foster (R) 
Dick Breiden(P)
Eric Mitten (P)

Cyril Foster (S)
Roy Mitten (T) 
Charlie Marsden
David Breiden
Phyllis Cassidy
Minnie Mitten
Caroline Morton
Ronnie Johnston
Noel Mitten
Kenneth Morton
Hazel Kells
Harry Wallace


 

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Sunday School Prize Giving Sunday School

Prizes This year the prize giving will be held in Kildallon at 3pm on Sunday 13th June with food and fun at Kildallon Rectory to follow.

 

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Swanlinbar Parish Quiz Quiz

This is a fundraising quiz in aid of funds for the heating system to be installed in the hall in Swanlinbar. Alice Gould is the quizmaster and sheets can be obtained from her for £1 or €1.50 per sheet. They need to be returned by 24th April for checking. A little challenge to get the grey cells working.


 

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Time for a smile! Smile

Visiting his grandparents, a small boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out. He picked it up and found that it was an old leaf that had been pressed flat between the pages. "Mama, look what I found," he called out.
"What have you got there, dear?" his mother asked."
With astonishment in his voice, the boy answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!"

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A pastor I know has a standard liturgy for funerals. To personalize each service, he uses the Find and Replace command on his computer to replace the name of the deceased from the previous funeral with the new name.
The next morning, the funeral was going smoothly until the Apostle's Creed. "Jesus Christ," the congregation read from the program, "born of the Virgin Edna..."

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The Sunday School teacher was describing that when Lot's wife looked back at Sodom she turned into a pillar of salt, when Bobby interrupted. "My mommy looked back once while she was driving," he announced, "and she turned into a telephone pole."

* * * *

Another Sunday School teacher said to her children, "We have been learning about how powerful the kings and queens were in Biblical times. But there is a higher power. Who can tell me what it is?"
Tommy blurted out, "I know, Aces."

* * * *

After explaining the commandment to honour your father and mother, a Sunday School teacher asked her class if there was a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters.
One boy, the oldest in his family, immediately answered, "Thou shalt not kill."

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Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, and they give him €25."
The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, and they give him €200."
The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight men to collect all the money!"

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Pontius Who? Jetliner

At Sunday school, the younger children were drawing pictures illustrating Biblical stories. The teacher walked by and noticed one little boy was drawing an airplane! "Oh, what Bible story are you drawing?" she asked. "This is the Flight into Egypt," the little boy answered. "See, here is Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. And this," he said, pointing to the front of the plane, "is Pontius. He's the Pilot."


 

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Please Could You Contribute to future Newsletters?

cameraIf 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.
If you have any submissions for the Monthly Newsletter or the weekly Newssheet please contact the church office. Telephone. 049 9527705. It will usually be manned on Thursday from 11.30 am - 2 pm in addition to Richard's surgery on dates indictaed above (or click here).
Email: send a mail to the office


 

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Church of Ireland Cross   Prayer Points for the remainder of April and Early May  Church of Ireland Cross

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:

Pray for your church here in this community. We ask for the renewal of faith, hope and love among your people today;
Monday

Monday:
Pray for a new Rector of God's choosing as we look forward. In the present we pray for Rev Brendan McCarthy and his ministry with us this summer;
Tuesday:
Pray for 9 young people in our group exploring Confirmation. For relationships with one another and with Christ to grow;
Wednesday:
Pray for those fearful for the future, particularly praying for local employment and the survival of the Quinn group;
Thursday:
Pray for those who are missing loved ones through the pain of death. We ask that the sure and certain hope of Christ would lighten our darkness;
Friday:
Pray for many struggling with the pain of illness. As we pray for healing and hope we ask for a renewing of trust in God's Fatherly care;
Saturday:

Pray for the work of SAMS and Beryl Baker in the Chaco region of Paraguay. Help her prepare the way for others to eventually do her work.

C of I CrossC of I Cross


 

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C of I Cross<empty>Service Schedule for the rest of April & May <empty>C of I Cross

Day and Date

Time

Location

Service

Leader

          April

Sunday 25th

3pm

Ballyconnell

United Vision Day

Richard & Rev Paul Hoey

Tuesday 27th

2 pm

Breffni

H.C.1

Rev Steve Clarke

Friday 30th

8.45

Killeshandra

BFU Contemporary

 

          May

Sunday 2nd

10 am

Swanlinbar

M.P. 1

Richard

10.30

Newtowngore

M.P. 2

Rev Brendan McCarthy

11.30

Templeport

M.P. 1

Richard

Noon

Kildallon

M.P. 2

Rev Brendan McCarthy

Sunday 9th

10 am

Kinawley

H,C, 2

Rev Brendan McCarthy

10.30

Corrawallen

M.P. 1

Richard

11.30

Ballyconnell

H,C, 2

Rev Brendan McCarthy

Noon

Kildallon

M.P. 1

Richard

Sunday 16th

10am

Swanlinbar

M.P. 2

Rev Brendan McCarthy

10.30

Newtowngore

M.P. 2

Richard

11.30

Templeport

M,P, 2

Rev Brendan McCarthy

Noon

Kildallon

M.P. 2

Richard

Sunday 23rd
Pentecost

10 am

Kinawley

M.P. 1

Richard

10.30

Corrawallen

H,C, 1

Rev Brendan McCarthy

11.30

Ballyconnell

M.P. 1

Richard

Noon

Kildallon

H,C, 1

Rev Brendan McCarthy

Tuesday 25th

2 pm

Breffni

H.C. 1

 

Friday 28th

8.45 pm

Kilmore?

BFU Contemporary

 

Sunday 30th  

10 am

Swanlinbar

H,C, 1

Rev Brendan McCarthy

10.30

Newtowngore

M.P. 1

Richard

11.30

Templeport

H,C, 1

Rev Brendan McCarthy

Noon

Kildallon

M.P. 1

Richard

          June

Sunday 6th

3pm

Kildallon

United Confirmation

Bishop Ken

Sunday 13th

3pm

Kildallon

United Sunday School Prizegiving

Brendan McCarthy

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
Enjoy a cup of tea after the united service

 

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