The Ordination by Bishop Ken Clarke of Samuel Geoffrey Wilson took place in St Peter’s Church Templeport on June 19th 2005

Lee Clements       

  The Ordination in Pictures

          FAITH MATTERS!!          

I don’t know if you are like me and have experienced times in your life when you have had to sit down and ask yourself What is it all about, why am I doing what I’m doing and what is the purpose? Of course these are huge questions and I won’t even begin to answer them, nor could I for that matter but undoubtedly there are times in our lives when we really do reflect upon and indeed should think about the reason why we set out on a particular journey. It may be that we had a particular passion for something in the dim, distant past and with the passage of time it becomes nothing more than a routine which we go through because we have to rather than wanting to. Or perhaps we had a vision for really making a difference in this world and now feel a bit frustrated or disheartened as we realise that our vision amounts to nothing more than paying bills and getting by. At times such as this in our lives, I would argue that it is crucial that we go back to basics and ask ourselves what it is that once excited us, or indeed attempt to recapture that vision and passion which we once had.
Our faith is no different, in many respects. It could be that we once had a faith which made our hearts miss a beat at the mere thought of God’s amazing love for us but now that faith amounts to nothing more than knowing our way around the prayer book and being able to recite creeds and catechisms. If this is you, then ask yourself What is it all about, why am I doing what I’m doing and what is the purpose?
Or it might even be that you have never had that relationship with Jesus in the first place – you may be visiting a home into which this newsletter has been delivered and like a growing number of people in our society, have never heard the name of Jesus other than in swearing. If this is you, then ask yourself What is it all about, why am I doing what I’m doing and what is the purpose?
Or it could be that you are a Christian of long-standing who is strong in the faith. If this is you then consider yourself to be like an Olympic athlete who has reached the peak, yet each training day, each race, each time they compete they must ask themselves What is it all about, why am I doing what I’m doing and what is the purpose?
It is extremely important for us, no matter what stage we are at in our faith development to ask such questions and to consistently come to the saving knowledge that the answer to all of our questions is Jesus.
We asked in our Forward! initiative if people would like to have a faith development course and I was delighted to receive responses from 25 people who said that they would. In response to this we are presenting a course entitled Christianity Explored beginning Thursday 6th October at 8.00pm for 10 weeks. This course helps people answer three questions that cut to the heart of Christianity: Who is Jesus? Why did he come? What does he demand of those who want to follow him? By focussing on Mark’s gospel, the course aims to return people to the magnetic yet challenging gospel of Jesus Christ. Christianity Explored presents the gospel in all its fullness so that God may be glimpsed in all his greatness.
As well as relating the gospel faithfully to non-Christians, Christianity Explored equips Christians too. It is important for us to grasp that this course is not designed with only one category of people in mind but rather if you would simply like to discover more about Jesus, then come along and take part in what will be an informal, non-threatening course where you can contribute as much or as little as you wish.
Each evening will consist of a short Bible study, a talk or video, some discussion based on what has just been heard and some tea and biscuits.
Over the next few weeks I will be in touch with those who have indicated an interest in the course, but I would invite everyone to consider taking this course whether you have been in touch with me or not. Course material is required for each participant, something which we will need to order, so if you would like to take part and have not filled in a response then simply give me a ring.

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News Items

SWANLINBAR GROUP NEWS

Swanlinbar Parish Annual Supper Dance
This will be held in the Ulster Unionist Hall, Enniskillen at 9 pm sharp on Friday 21st October. Supper and dancing for the unbeatable price of £8. For tickets either contact the Rectory or Alice Gould on 6774 8749.

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Back to Sunday School!
It is hard to believe that the summer is almost over and that means that school is looming also! Sunday School will re-commence on Sunday 4th September 2005 in our churches. We thank our teachers once again for their commitment to this important work and would ask parents to support them in this by bringing their children along to church each week, where possible.

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Annual Gift Day
The annual gift day for St Peter’s will be on Sunday 25th Sept at 11.30 am. Envelopes will be distributed with the newsletter for September.

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MAD Bible Club at Florencecourt

This was a brilliant example of many parishes coming together and resourcing an event which might not otherwise have been possible. The whole event was organised by the Diocesan Music Arts & Drama (MAD) group and kindly hosted by St John’s, Killesher. Around 60-65 children came along each day and heard the Good News in a way which they were able to engage with. Thanks are extended to the Revd Mark Watson and the Select Vestry of St John’s for permitting the use of their halls and to Alliance Youth Works for delivering yet another fun-packed holiday club.

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Social evening on Lough Erne
We would like to take this opportunity of inviting you along to a social evening touring Lough Erne on M.V. Kestrel. The tour will include supper on board the vessel and a half hour visit to Devenish Island - cost €5 (includes all transport and supper).
This event is organised with the secondary school age group, up to thirty-somethings in mind so if you are aged anywhere between 12 and thirtyish then this is for you!
The tour vessel will leave the Round “O” Jetty in Enniskillen at 6.15 pm on Monday 29th August 2005 returning approx 2 hours later.
Transport will be available as we are providing a bus which will pick up at the following times;
Ballyconnell 5.00 pm
Bawnboy 5.15 pm
Swanlinbar 5.30 pm
Kinawley 5.40 pm.
The drop offs will then be in reverse order finishing at Ballyconnell at around 9.30 pm.

We would love you to come along so that we can all get to know one another a little bit better in a relaxed informal atmosphere. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are able to make it, and not later than Monday 21st August.

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Harvest Services
Harvest is almost with us once again. It certainly has been a year which we have much to be thankful for. Please note the pattern which our services will follow for this year;
Swanlinbar Friday 23rd & Sunday 25th Sept at 8.00 pm
Tomregan Friday 30th Sept & Sunday 2nd Oct at 8.00 pm
St Peter’s Friday 7th & Sunday 9th Oct at 8.00 pm.
Each Friday night we will have a visiting speaker and the service will be followed by a Harvest Supper - the Sunday services will be taken by myself. The theme running throughout the season will be God’s provision to us and sharing that which he has given us. We will be unpacking this through the use of some TEARFUND material which focuses on the lives of the people of Niger. Please do travel around the harvest services in the whole of our group, especially this year as each service will tend to build/develop on others.

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Confirmation
I will be in contact with Bishop Ken in the next few weeks to arrange a date for the confirmation of candidates in our group, probably in early Spring, 2006. If you yourself would like to be confirmed or to have your son or daughter confirmed then please let me know and we can arrange the necessary preparation. Preparation should begin around November time.

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Country Gospel Concert
Will be held at 8.00 pm on Monday 19th September 2005 in the Community Centre, Templeport
Compare Gary Wilson
Artists include Myrtle Woodhouse, Victor Hutchinson, Robert Pearson, another local artist & our own Praise Band
Price €10/£6.50 (includes supper)
Please do support this event as it is yet another way in which we can move Forward! together.

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Classes Commencing in September at the Kinawley Enterprise Centre
Tuesday 6th Aerobics with Linda Parkes - 7.30-8.30 pm Costs £32.00
Monday 12th English for Non English Speakers - Time T.B.A. Free of Charge
Wednesday 13th Digital Photography - 7-9 pm Costs €40/£30
Thursday 14th Keep Fit - 8-9.30 pm Costs €29/£21
For further details contact Roisin Hussey at 028-66349936 or from RoI 048-66349936

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Children's Playground
The Templeport & Bawnboy Community Committee intend to build a children’s playground beside the new football pitch in Bawnboy village. They have been promised grant aid of €50,000. but need to raise a lot more as the project will cost approximately €120,000 - your support is needed. Support can be given by either buying raffle tickets or through voluntary contributions. The draw will be held on Sunday 30th October.
All welcome to attend the next meeting on Wednesday 7th September at 8.30 pm in Templeport Resource Centre.

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Bawnboy Festival

The festival was considered a great success although there was a little rain. The proceeds from all the week’s activities are given to St Luke’s Cancer Hospital and the two churches in the area.

Many more pictures are on the Bawnboy Festival Web site at: www.bawnboy.utvinternet.com/2005-festival

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Service Times for the next month

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