WWW. What is it? An event for our young adults (18 and over) which will offer a time for Worship, Word and Worship (WWW!!) followed by tea/coffee and chat. That means that it is for those aged in the 18 – 40 age group. The first event was fantastic with around 40 young adults gathering for what proved to be a deeply spiritual and yet fun-filled night. I was however disappointed that not one young adult from our Group of Parishes managed to make it. I know that for some there were other commitments and that is understandable, but for others I believe that there can be a real danger that apathy creeps in and something like this is just seen as being for that lot over there but not us. I would encourage our young adults to get mobilised and start to engage with faith in a meaningful way. Don’t just sit at home and stagnate in your faith, but go looking for God and maybe you might encounter Him like never before. Many of us in the Diocese are seeking new ways of moving Forward! in our faith and WWW. is just one way in which we can do that – please do give it a try.

The next meeting of WWW. will take place on Saturday 3rd March in Kilmore Cathedral Hall at 8pm. Geoff will be speaking on Grace and worship will be led by Mark Ferguson, an extremely gifted musician and singer. If you would like to come along but haven’t got transport then give Geoff as he will be travelling up himself. Remember, Kilmore is only 40 minutes away from the Rectory, it is not the other side of the world!

Holy Week Bible Club

And some more information about our Holy Week Bible Club. Music, Arts & Drama, in conjunction with Alliance Youth Works, will be running a Bible Club for 6-12 year olds in Tomregan Parish Hall, Ballyconnell – details as follows;

Where – Tomregan Parish Hall, Ballyconnell;
When – Mon 2nd April to Fri 6th April inclusive;
Times –10 am to 3 pm Monday to Thursday and 10 am to 1 pm on Friday;
Cost – £2 / €3 per day, £8 / €12 for the week with concessions for families;
Food – bring your own packed lunch.

This club is a joint venture between Derrylin Parish and Swanlinbar Group of Parishes, but is open to absolutely everyone who would like to bring their child along. Registration forms will be included in the next edition of our Newsletter.
If you are 14 or over and would like to be a part of the team who will run this club then please give Geoff a ring.

Jar of Grace

Many of you will recall that during Lent last year we were encouraged to place a glass jar in the middle of our kitchen table and place a coin in it each time we had a meal – in so doing we hoped that our awareness of those in the world who go without food might be raised. Through this and our weekly Lenten service collections we raised a massive amount of money (in excess of £3000) – this was an incredible act of generosity on the part of everyone who contributed.
This year, we will again place a Jar of Grace on our meal tables during the season of Lent – but this year we will be thinking about water. During services on Sunday 11th Feb I quoted some statistics – figures which I will now reproduce for the benefit of those in Tomregan and also those who were unable to make it to Church. According to Tearfund sources;

More than 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe water and 2.4 billion lack basic sanitation facilities. As a result 2.2 million children aged under five die from diarrhoeal diseases each year.

These are frightening and shocking statistics which I could tell made a huge impact on congregations when I shared them. Water is the most basic human need, something which we take for granted in our country where there is plenty of it. Yet in other parts of the same world 2.2 million children aged under five die each year because of water related issues. More than the population of Northern Ireland dying every year due to something which we have an abundance of – We must do something about this.
This year as we place our Jar of Grace on the kitchen table, lets make a point of thinking about those who thirst and suffer because of lack of or stinking water. Let the living waters which Jesus gives us through faith, flow through our actions and bring about a change to this dreadful state of affairs. This year the proceeds from our Jar of Grace will be going to water based projects supported by Tearfund. Please do dig deep and give to God the best portion of his provision to us rather than the scraps. The proceeds from our Jars of Grace will be received at our Easter Day celebrations.

Monthly Holy Communion in the Breffni        

Our next meeting in the Breffni will take place on Tuesday 27th February and on each 4th Tuesday thereafter.

Home Group meetings       

Following on from our Christianity Explored course in Tomregan Parish, a home group will be commencing in that area after Easter. In the meantime, we will be coming together as a United home group in the Rectory at 8pm each Monday evening, commencing Monday 26th February, excluding Monday 12th March, during the season of Lent. The purpose of this group is to build one another up in the faith and to discuss issues which may arise out of the preaching and teaching ministry within our Group of Parishes. Specifically we will consider the sermon from the previous day and what questions it poses for us – we will also discuss the Lenten study book The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I here for? There is no need to let me know if you intend to come along, but everyone should know that they will be most welcome to attend. Each evening will be very informal and of course there will be tea and chat!

Mothers’ Union News        

Some news of some forthcoming events;
Tuesday 20th March MU closing service in Tomregan Parish Church;
Saturday 24th March Diocesan Mother's Union day of refreshment in Tomregan Parish Church commencing at 10am.

Informal Praise

And our next informal praise service will be at 8pm on Sunday 11th March in Crom Church. The last service was very special – Canon Liz McElhinney reminded us of just how much God loves us and how he showed that love through His Son Jesus. Sometimes we can ask why God allows bad stuff to happen to good people – the storms of life can take our eye off the fact that God could not love us any more, or any less than He already does. Thank you to Liz for a most encouraging message.
We look forward in our next service to hearing from the Revd Malcolm Kingston as he shares with us on the issue of Dealing with Temptation.

Kidz Club

Our next Kidz Club will be in the Parish Hall, Derrylin on Sunday 4th March from 3.30pm to 5pm as usual. Please do bring your kids along – everyone is most welcome to come along.

 

 

+++

 

Emergency cover        

Geoff will be away on the third stage of his leadership course from Sunday 11th March to Friday 16th March inclusive. Any emergencies during this period should be referred to Archdeacon George Davison on 028/048 67748994.

+++
 

Beginning of a new ministry For all Parents with toddlers – Happy Tots, our new Parent and Toddler group will commence on Tuesday 20th Feb at 1000 in the Minor Hall, Ballyconnell. Each gathering will be very relaxed and informal, the idea being to offer support and fellowship to young mothers in the community. Please note that whilst the group will be Church based it is open to the whole of the community.

+++

Group Gospel Concert
Florence-Given	Robbie-Pearson	Kenny-Archer
We had a fantastic night on Friday night last in Templeport Community Centre. I’m sure many of us will be smiling at some of the jokes of both Kenny Archer and Gary Wilson for weeks to come. Many, many people said to me on the way home that they had not enjoyed such a night for a long time. From the humour, to the music and song and the strong spiritual message, we were truly blessed. Some words of a song really hit home with me; Pity the man, though he lives a long life, yet knows not the giver of life – haunting words indeed for anyone who does not know the giver of life. Thank you so much to everyone involved with the organisation of the night, especially our Forward! steering group. Thanks to the committee of the Community Centre for their continued willingness to accommodate us and thank you to everyone who came along on the night and made it so special.
Rev Geoff closing the show & thanking the performers
You may see all the full sized images including those of audience taken on the night of 9th February by clicking here.

+++

If you have articles or photographs suitable for these Newsletters please let me have them.

+++

TOP       

Lenten Services Our Lent services will commence on Wednesday 21st February 2007 in St Paul’s, Kinawley. During the past couple of years, our shared Lenten services with Derrylin folk have proved to be a real blessing to all. Services will follow a similar pattern to last year. I would encourage folk to engage with these services as much as time permits, but do try to make them a priority in your calendar rather than an optional extra.

Date Location Service Speaker 21st February St Paul’s, Kinawley Ash Wednesday Rev Geoff Wilson 28th February Tomregan, Ballyconnell Based upon Evening Prayer Rev George Davison 7th March Derrylin Based upon Evening Prayer Rev Geoff Wilson 14th March St Augustine’s Swanmlinbar Based upon Evening Prayer Rev George Davison 21st March Derrylinn Based upon Evening Prayer Rev Geoff Wilson 28th March St Paul’s, Kinawley Based upon Evening Prayer Rev George Davison 2nd April Derrylin Monday of Holy Week Rev Desmond McCreery 3rd April Tomregan, Ballyconnell Tuesday of Holy Week Rev Desmond McCreery 4th April Derrylin Wednesday of Holy Week Rev Desmond McCreery 5th April St Augustine’s Swanmlinbar Maundy Thursday (H.C.) Rev Desmond McCreery 6th April Derrylin Good Friday Rev Desmond McCreery

+++

TOP   

How about a smile? Here are some (apparently) genuine GCSE English answers: What is Britain's highest award for valour in war? Nelson's Column Name the four seasons? Salt, mustard, pepper, vinegar.   What changes happen to your body as you age? When you get old, so do your bowels and you get inter-continental. What guarantees may a mortgage company insist on? They'll insist you're well endowed if you're buying a house. What is artificial respiration commonly known as? The Kiss of Death.   What are steroids? Things for keeping the carpet on the stairs. “I've said goodbye to my boyhood, now I'm looking forward to my adultery." "I always know when its time to get up when I hear my mother sharpening the toast." "Christians go on pilgrimage to Lord's."   "A major disease associated with smoking is premature death."   "The equator is a menagerie lion running around the earth through Africa." "Cows produce large amounts of methane, so the problem could be solved by fitting them with catalytic converters." "The process of flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists."   "The moon is a planet just like the earth, only it is even deader" "Dew is formed on leaves when the sun shines down on them and makes them perspire." "A super-saturated solution is one that holds more than it can hold."   "Mushrooms always grow in damp places and so they look like umbrellas." "The body consists of three parts - the brainium, the borax and the abominable cavity. The brainium contains the brain, the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abominable cavity contains the bowels, of which there are five - a, e, i, o and u."

+ + +