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Swanlinbar Group Churches
in the
Kilmore Diocese of the Church of Ireland
Parish Newsletter No 21 June 2006
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20:20 Vision!
How is your eyesight these days? Perhaps you are like me and have had to concede that your arms just aren’t quite long enough anymore and you have had to acquire a pair of glasses for the first time!!! For me anyway, this was not an easy thing to do. First I had to concede that my eyesight was failing, ever so slightly! Second, I had to part with some money and that is never an easy thing to do! Third, I had to overcome the embarrassing feeling of actually wearing glasses for the first time in public. But what a difference the glasses actually made when I put them on – what had previously been blurred was now crystal clear and in sharp focus.
Clear vision and focus is something which we need in our Church as well. To simply keep on doing things the same way year in year out is to deny the work of God’s Holy Spirit in enabling us to see more clearly those things which God would have us do. But establishing that vision may well involve change. For some of us the mere thought of change is challenging and even intimidating – it raises all sorts of thoughts and questions. For others the cost involved can be too much. And for others, doing things in a new way can be difficult to adjust to and ultimately can be a source of embarrassment.
If we are to move forward as a Church we must constantly seek God’s Holy Spirit to lead us, otherwise we will end up down so many cul-de-sacs and blind alleys. Therefore we must focus on what God’s priorities are for His Church and seek to make those a reality in our community. Over the next 12 months, I anticipate that we will be doing much vision casting as we seek God’s leading in discerning His will for each one of us and His Church. At a recent Diocesan event the Bishop informed us that churches which saw growth were Visionary, Passionate, Disciplined and Risk takers. As we begin to cast a vision for the Churches in our Group of Parishes, let us understand that if that vision involves change, then change we must, in order that we maintain our 20:20 vision!

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We apologize for the fact that our monthly Newsletter is a little smaller than usual this month but Geoff has been away for a whole week in the lead up to the Newsletter being formatted and there simply has not been enough time to produce the usual amount of material. Normal service will resume next month!!

News Items

SWANLINBAR GROUP NEWS

Arrow Leadership Course

These words appear on the front page of a brochure advertising the Arrow Leadership
Programme;
Society is changing. The church faces huge challenges. Yet Christ’s commission remains constant. Leaders today need particular skills. Evangelism, leadership and the church will all look different in the future. And leadership is more than simply skills. It is based on call and character. It involves vision and commitment. Where can leaders find help? ARROW!! Having just returned from my first residential on Arrow can I tell you that it was something else. Some of you may have thought that it was a bit of a holiday for me, but the day began at 8.30am and ended at 9ish each evening with a jam-packed programme of events and teaching in between! I have never felt so stretched in my life, but it is in those times of stretching that I believe God really speaks to you. On the Sunday evening we were encouraged to talk about an item which summed up how we felt at that point in time – I chose a liquorice allsort!! I felt quite anxious and lots of things were going through my head but as the days went by I really did hear God speaking to me through the people I met and the things which happened.
Ultimately Arrow equips leaders to be led more by Jesus, to lead more like Jesus so that more might be led to Jesus. That is my heart’s desire and I look forward to the next residential in October.

Right: Arrow Leadership Pictures. At the top is one of some of the frolics we got up to! Below: The group of course participants, No prizes for recognising me!
Click on them for larger versions.
Frolics
Course Members

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Holiday Bible Club

Holiday Bible Club
Your Church needs you! We are looking for young people to help us run our joint Bible Club with Derrylin. If you are even slightly interested then please come along to a preparation evening in Derrylin Parish Hall at 8pm on Wednesday 21st of June.


Lets ‘ROCK’ together at:
A Holiday Bible Club for all children
Aged 4 to 12 years
In Derrylin Parish hall
From 10am to 12.30pm
Monday 3rd July to Friday 7th July

Everyone Most Welcome

Whilst this club is a joint
venture between Derrylin
Parish and Swanlinbar Group
of Parishes, it is open to all children.

There is no charge for the club but any donations towards costs will be most welcome.

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Sunday School BBQ

Don’t forget to let me know if you are coming to the BBQ at the Rectory on Saturday 24th of June between 2 & 5pm. All of our young people and teachers are most welcome but we need to know numbers for catering!

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MAD BBQ

Calling all young people aged 14 or over. Interested in having a fun evening with other young folk? Want to meet MAD Alice from Alliance Youth Works? Then don’t miss the MAD BBQ at Florencecourt Annexe on Tuesday 27th June at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome but please let me know if you are coming as we need to know how many burgers to buy!! Please note: there is no charge for this evening.

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   Prayer points for May and June

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;

Monday: For all those who are struggling with mental illness – that their dis-ease might lessen through the touch of the Holy Spirit;
Tuesday: For all of our young people who have just completed their examinations – for rest and relaxation after the stress of their studies ;
Wednesday: For all in nursing homes and residential care – that they might know they are treasured through the love of their carers ;
Thursday: Give thanks for an end to the rainy season and thank God for his bounteous provision once more ;
Friday: For our home groups – that they might be a place of welcome, warmth, teaching and nurture ;
Saturday: For the Diocesan review – that those responsible for decision making would be well guided through the Holy Spirit ;
Sunday: For all involved in leading services over the summer months – give thanks for their commitment and faithfulness.

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Service Schedule for the remainder of May

   
St Augustine's
Swanlinbar
St Paul's
Kinawley
St Peter's
Templeport
TomRegan
Ballyconnell
Date
Event
Time
Service
Leader
Time
Service
Leader
Time
Service
Leader
Time
Service
Leader
Sun 25th June
2nd Sunday after Trinity
10 am
M.P.
G.W.
-
-
-
11.30
M.P.
Mr David McCready
11.30
M.P.
G.W.

Please click here to go to the Service Schedule which will be updated with the latest information as soon as it becomes available.

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Previous News Letter (May)

 

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