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

Home page	Newsletter No 41 January 2011			Weekly news sheet
Vestry meetings	Quick links - Find you way quickly to:			Prayer Points
Tomregan Gift Day	Office Surgery hours	Breffni Service	Mothers Union	Service schedule

A Cold Day Out!

It was January, the days were short and cold. Andy and John both got up really early to walk to the summit of Cuilcagh in the snow. Both had a fleece and balaclava to protect them from the bitter cold. Both had waterproofs to keep them dry and protect them from the wind. Both had strong walking boots that would keep their feet dry and protect their ankles in the rough terrain. Both had crampons and ice axes to help in the frozen conditions. Both had a map and compass and knew how to use them on their chosen routes. Both took extra clothing, food, a survival bag, whistle and mobile phone.
Andy was ready for the walk. John also packed a torch and then he too was ready for the walk.
Each walked alone and both underestimated how long the walk was going to take them. It was getting dark. The darkness was confusing and distances were difficult to gauge. It was very easy to trip and make wrong decisions. It was dangerous, yes even life threatening. Only John with the torch made it safely to his warm house that night!
Two climbers on top of Cuilcagh

The story reminds us of the dangers of the darkness. You can't see where you are going and can easily make wrong judgements and get confused. The Bible reminds us we live in a world like that and Jesus breaks into the darkness and says "I am the light of the world." He is the purest and most important light. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As we start a new year it is helpful to ask, "Are we walking with the light of Christ displayed in our lives?"
Through his light we are helped to make the right decisions so that we don't keep tripping up. Through his light we can be forgiven for our errors of judgement. Jesus like the torch helps us find the resources we need.
As we start a new year we will be putting on a number of events building up to our Easter celebration that will help us discover and walk in that light.
Only in his light can we become truly complete people. Only in his light can we truly live our lives for the reasons that we were created. He says to each one of us - walk and live in the light.

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News Items

Surgery Hours			Richard will be available in the Church office, Tomregan hall, Ballyconnell at the times on the left.
Day	Date	Time
Tuesday	18th January	1.30 - 3.30 pm
Thursday	27th January	10 am - noon
Wednesday	2nd February	2 - 4 pm
Tuesday	8th February	1.30 - 3.30

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Money Tomregan Gift Day

Many thanks to all who supported the Tomregan Parish’s Gift Day in November. It raised €2,905, a great response in difficult economic times. Thank you once again for your generosity.

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Dancing Feet Required!

Come along to the Dance 10.30 to 1.30 On Friday 25th February at the Seven Horse Shoes, Belturbet, Music will be by "Showbud" tickets are €10 each and includes light supper. Proceeds will go to Tomregan Parish Hall Repair Fund.

Kildallon Parish will also be holding a dance with music by Showbud on Friday 1st April at the Seven Horseshoes so please put both dates in the diary!

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Mother’s Union

The Mothers Union are next meeting Tuesday 8th February in the Minor hall Kinawley at 8pm. The talk will be on scarves. Members please bring along a scarf to the meeting! Don't worry, there will be heating!!
Our closing service of Holy Communion will be on Tuesday 16th March 8pm in Newtowngore led by Rev Brendan.

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Church Services and the Inclement Weather Snow flake

It has been a difficult time for everyone with the recent weather and some services have been cancelled or moved at short notice in quite exceptional conditions.
In the event of services being rearranged sometimes at very short notice we do our best to let folk know having used word of mouth, text messaging, the local radio and the church website . Our apologies if you have turned up at any services to find none.
Should the snow return and you suspect a service might be cancelled please telephone or check the website which carries all the latest news.
www.swanlinbar-kildallon.kilmore.anglican.org/news-sheet-weekly

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Tomregan Church in the snow Christmas Celebrations Plumber

May I take this opportunity to thank all who have helped get heating into churches over Christmas and to all who have helped with repairs.
Despite the extreme weather it was great that so many folk were able and prepared to come out to share in our Christmas worship. It was disappointing that the children’s Christmas party was unable to take place but we were thrilled that the senior citizens managed to come to a super evening of food and dance. Thank you once again to the Forward group for their hard work providing food and hospitality.

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Senior Citizens’ Party

Many thanks to parishioners old and young who came along and joined in the dancing. Thank you too to the Forward Group for your great work!

Senior Citizens’ Party

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Trip to India Update

It was brilliant to have around 20 folk present at our meeting last week exploring our mission opportunities overseas. In particular we explored the possibility of a group going to India to visit an orphanage set up by a man who took a huge step of faith 20 years ago. Pastor Jay was invited to become a pastor in America but instead returned to India in 1988 where he helped homeless and orphaned children in Salem. From being a hostel for 12 children it has grown into an organization with 3 centres which currently house over 2000 boys and girls, providing for all their needs. Today the Indian Christian Mission Centre employs over 300 staff members from the local community. Brendan can enthusiastically share his personal experience of the centre which he has visited several times with his family and church groups. Indian children at the orphanage
Presently around 12 folk have expressed a desire to go and the provisional dates are 21st July to 1st August. Please let Richard and Brendan know if you are interested and ideally provide a mobile number for easy contact as soon as possible. To get a sense of the place the group intends to visit you can find out more through the internet at: www.icmcindia.org
Salem is a city and a corporation in Salem district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located in the north central part of the southernmost state of India.

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Christmas tree Carols at the Breffni Centre

It was disappointing that the School nativity didn’t take place due to the weather. It was therefore all the more special that the Ballyconnell School children were able to visit the Breffni Centre on 15th December where they sang Christmas carols for the patients and visitors. It was greatly appreciated by all those present.
They also sang a very special ‘Happy Birthday’ to James Pogue on his 90th birthday!
James is in first (top) of the three photos taken at the event. The children were leaving him at the time his picture was taken!

James Pogue on his 90th birthday Carols at the Breffni Centre

Breffni Holy Communion Service

The next service led by Rev Steve Clarke will be Holy Communion on 25th January at 2 pm.

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Alpha in Lent

To help us prepare for Easter Brendan and Richard will be hosting Alpha. Beginning in March, this is a terrific opportunity to explore your Christian Faith .

These special meetings will help us all grow in faith and ask difficult questions. They are open to everyone. We hope to run Alpha on Thursdays

Mornings	Corrawallen Newtowngore.	10.30 - noon
Lunchtimes	Kildallon	12.30 - 2pm
Evenings	Swanlinbar Rectory	8 - 10pm
3rd March	Who is Jesus?
10th March	Why did Jesus die?
24th March	How can I be sure?
31st March	Why read the Bible?
7th April	Why and how should we pray?
14th April	How does God guide us?

Alpha is a Christian course that was developed in the Church of England that has been used by churches across the world (by some 2.5 million people!)

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Christmas Carols

Well we never made the singing around the group due to the hazardous roads and sub-zero temperatures.
Praise God we did manage to support the local community in Ballyconnell as they switched on their Christmas lights. Many thanks to parishioners from across the group who came and led singing in Ballyconnell centre and in the Breffni. It was really appreciated and a wonderful way for us to share in the life of the community beyond the church. Thank you.
The first photo is of those rehearsing for the carol services and the second was taken at the turning on of the Ballyconnell Christmas lights.

Hehearsing for the Christmas Carols Christmas carols at the seitch on of Christmas lights

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Beryl Baker writes to Us

I am writing to express my immense gratitude to SAMS Ireland and particularly to my link parishes of Swanlinbar and Kildallon for all the support I receive. Thank you for the blankets and the box of glasses which were delivered to me. The blankets are extremely useful for the children and as there is no other access to an optician and spectacles other than ourselves, they too will be well used. Mark’sGospel is their reading test as the print is so small and they can now take Jesus’ words with them when they leave. The drought continues and as the winter is over, the temperature already reaches 40 degrees and will rise further until a heavy downpour arrives. The Chaco at this time is a very sad sight and not a pleasant place to live for anyone or anything. I have recovered well since my time in hospital but am very aware of having someone to train up for the future and to this end I would ask for your continuing prayers for a Paraguayan nurse who is currently seeking God’s will to possibly carry out this role. Thank you again for all your prayers and support, Greetings in the Lord to everyone,

Beryl

This letter may be found in the SAMS magazine Bueno-Vista. on their web site at: www.samsireland.com/resources/BuenaVistaWinter20102011.pdf

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Richard is going to South America!

Richard has been invited to join a team which will visit Paraguay in July. This is a marvellous opportunity for him to see Beryl Baker in person and carry all our greetings.
Paraguay map He writes, “We have been very faithful in our generous support of Beryl over the past two years and this will really help us gain new insight into her life and the challenges of sharing the Good News of Christ in the Chaco. It will also enable me to see other parts of SAMS work in Paraguay”
He leaves Ireland on 7th July and expects to return from South America on the 24th.

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Vestry Meetings
There will be vestry meetings on the following Thursdays at 8pm.
Date	Parish	Location
20th January	Corrawallen & Newtowngore	Newtowngore Hall
27th January	Swanlinbar & Kinawley	Kinawley Minor Hall
3rd February	Kildallon	Sunday School Room
10th February	Templeport	St Peter’s Church.

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Congratulations

Congratulations to Robert and Josephine Gould on the birth on November 11th of baby Malcolm. He came earlier than expected and is doing well.

Baby Ryan was born on Sunday 9th of January at about 10pm, weighing 7lb 12 oz. to proud parents Trevor and Helen Morrow and Grand parents Ivan and Irene Kells.

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Rural Community Network

Rural Community Network invites you to the Co Cavan launch of the Rural Enabler Programme on Monday 24 January 2011
Réaltóg Centre, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan at 10.30am
Keynote speaker: Seamus Boland, Irish Rural Link

The Rural Enabler Programme will provide support and assistance to enable community groups and residents to challenge conflict related issues in their area. The event will give you an opportunity to meet with the local Rural Enabler and find out more about the possibilities this programme can bring to your area. Contact Richard for more details.

This is a helpful event for those parishes seeking to develop parish community work in particular.

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Reconciliation Training

This has come to us from the Cavan Protestant Network.
Cavan Partnership are hosting 'Reconciliation Training’ and all participants will be accredited through the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM). This course is FREE to the participant and the training will be delivered over 4 evenings and held in the Breffni Integrated Offices, 6a Corlurgan Business Park , Ballinagh Road , Cavan. Numbers need to be confirmed by 20th January.
Tuesday 8th February (7pm-9.30)
Tuesday 15th February (7pm-9.30)
Tuesday 22nd February (7pm-9.30)
Tuesday 1st March (7pm-9.30)
If anyone would like to know more contact Richard who has some further details or contact Maria O’Sullivan at Cavan Partnership directly 049 4331029 or Mobile: 086 0387236.
The Cavan Protestant Network have a new web site at: www.cpnlink.org

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Time for Smile!

The Rich Man

traveller There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.
An angel heard his plea and appeared to him. "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you."
The man begged the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules. The man continued to pray that his wealth could follow him.
The angel reappeared and informed the man that God had decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathered his largest suitcase and filled it with pure gold bars and placed it beside his bed.
Soon afterward, he died and showed up at the gates of heaven to greet St. Peter.
St. Peter, seeing the suitcase, said, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"
The man explained to St. Peter that he had permission and asked him to verify his story with the Lord.
Gold Bars Sure enough, St. Peter checked it out, came back and said, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."
St. Peter opened the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaimed, "You brought pavement?"

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Prayer Points for January and February

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 that our life of worship to God would truly grow. May we come with expectation of meeting with Christ and his renewing;
Monday:	Pray for the appointment of a full time Rector who will continue to lead our Parishes forward in discovering Christ and his ways more. We especially pray for the Bishop who has the task of seeking the man we pray of God's choosing and anointing;
Tuesday:	Pray that we would continue to grow through the coming Lent season and ask that many parishioners would take the opportunity to share in Alpha;
Wednesday:	Pray for parishioners exploring a desire to see more of God at work through a trip to the Indian orphanage in Salem. We pray that Christ would become increasingly real on the journey;
Thursday:	Pray for wisdom in growing the work of prayer in the group building on the experience of Rev Eric and Sheila’s MgGirr’s ministry with us;
Friday:	Pray for farmers in the difficulties of this hard winter. For protection on the farm and a good Spring;
Saturday:	Pray for those we know struggling with the pain of illness. As we pray for healing we also pray for families who share in the pains, joys and care

C of I Cross

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Service Schedule for the Remainder of January and February
Date	Time	Location	Service	Leader
January
Sunday 23^rd	10.00	Kinawley	Family MP2	Richard
	10.30	Corrawallen	Family MP2	Brendan
	11.30	Ballyconnell	Family MP2	Richard
	Noon	Kildallon	Family MP2	Brendan
Tuesday 25^th	2.00	Breffni	HC1	Rev Steve Clark
Sunday 30^th	11.00	Kinawley	United Service	Richard
Sunday 30^th	11.00	Kildallon	United Service	Brendan
February
Sunday 6^th	10.00	Swanlinbar	MP2	Brendan
	10.30	Newtowngore	MP1	Richard
	11.30	Ballyconnell	MP1	George
	11.30	Templeport	MP2	Brendan
	Noon	Kildallon	MP1	Richard
Sunday 13^th	10.00	Kinawley	HC1	Brendan
	10.30	Corrawallen	MP2	Richard
	11.30	Ballyconnell	HC1	Brendan
	Noon	Kildallon	MP2	Richard
Sunday 20^th	10.00	Swanlinbar	MP1	Margaret Crawford
	10.30	Newtowngore	G.F.S. Service	Brendan & Richard
	11.30	Ballyconnell	MP1	Mervyn
	11.30	Templeport	MP1	Margaret Crawford
Tuesday 22^nd	2.00	Breffni	HC1	Rev Steve Clark
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

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