Tidings – November 2009

A few words from . . .

It is quite some time since I last played the game of Scrabble. However I am aware that there are significant numbers of avid Scrabble fans. Indeed, there are undoubtedly many in the parish of St Matthias’ who love this game. Imagine the final pieces being the letters ‘Y’ and ‘J’. A somewhat poor selection, some might say. But what a difference ONE ( letter) can make. A frantic search for an available vowel ensues, and at last, the searching and the waiting is over, as the letter ‘O’ becomes available in just the right place. Now we have the letters ‘O’,‘Y’ and ‘J’!

At the time of writing these few words, the country is celebrating. Not the World Cup draw, not ‘The X Factor’, but freedom. Celebrating the safe release and repatriation of Sharon Commins and her colleague Hilda Kawuki. Not withstanding the harrowing account of the conditions these two women were forced to endure whilst they were held captive against their will for over 100 days, their overriding sentiments were those of calm, hope and endurance.

The last Sunday in November celebrates the commencement of the season of ‘Advent’. It is indeed a time of great hope and expectation. The expectation and waiting for the two Goal workers is over. Their prayers have been answered and they have regained their freedom. Do we have great hope and expectation in our lives?

When we allow doom and gloom to overshadow us, we would do well to remember the conditions on the mountaintop experienced by those aid workers. We have much for which to be thankful. Maybe on occasions, we need to, regain our own freedom.

‘Now thank we all our God,

with hearts and hands and voices

-who wondrous things hath done,

in whom the world rejoices’

are the opening words from the hymn, ‘Now thank we all our God’.

I was overjoyed at the news of the release of these aid workers - I was truly filled with JOY.

Is the searching and waiting over in our lives? May we all share in the joy of Advent.

Niall Stratford

The Rector is cross!

We have around forty young people registered for our Sunday morning children’s groups, (and many more whose parents look for forms to be signed when it comes to school admissions and are hardly seen again). Each week, our leaders spend time preparing material for the Sunday morning sessions in the reasonable expectations that people who have stood in church at baptism services, promising to bring up their children as Christians within the family of the church, and who insist that they are members of the Church of Ireland when they are seeking school places, might actually keep their word.

Since September, we have not had more than twenty children present, on Sunday, 18th October there were just nine .

Ireland is a free country, if people want to be agnostics, or atheists, or believers in horoscopes, or enthusiasts for Celtic paganism, or anything else they might choose, then they are quite free to do so. But let’s have a bit of truthfulness, let’s have some integrity.. Let’s not pretend we are something we are not.

Ian Poulton

A new Saint Matthias’ Church

Our 175th anniversary project, to give thanks for God’s blessing on our church from 1835-2010 is to help establish a new parish in Rwanda and it is going well.

The parish of Gahogo, a poor area in the town of Gitarama, have paid the deposit, on a building in need of complete refurbishment, that will provide a parish centre, church and pastor’s house—and, in recognition of our partnership— have named it Saint Matthias’ Parish.

The initial cost of the building for the new parish was around €40,000 (the value in the summer of 30,000,000 Rwandan Franc) but the strengthening of the Euro has reduced that target figure to €36,000. Our gifts and pledges so far have reached €8,000—an excellent response—so we have another €28,000 to raise.

Our original target was to try to raise the funds by Saint Matthias’ Day, Friday, 14th May, next year, but, obviously, the faster we can raise the money, the faster it can be completed.

There may be a particular urgency: the Commission on Taxation has recommended that the tax relief on charitable donations be limited to basic rate income tax, so even if you pay the higher rate, your contribution would only qualify for a refund at the basic rate. It is not clear yet whether this change will be introduced, but it would make a big difference to tax refunds. So, if you re planning to support the project, why not do so before 31st December, to make sure the donation achieves its maximum potential?

A Remembrance of Loved Ones

Our annual All Saints’ Tide service in which we remember loved ones takes place this year on All Saints’ Day itself, Sunday, 1st November at 7 pm.

The service is one of hymns and readings that offer comfort in times of grief and we have a simple ceremony where people have come forward to light a candle, reminding them of the light that the person brought into their life and of the Light of God shining in the darkness.

Everyone is welcome at this service which has been an encouragement to those who have participated.

Harvest Offering

Our Harvest Offering, our response to the work of local charities who particularly need our support in cash-strapped times, currently stands at just over €1,800. there is still time to return your harvest envelope, if you have not done so.

Harvest Thank Yous

Thank you to everyone who made our Harvest Festival a great success: those who decorated the church; Donald Maxwell and the choir; Anne Thielemans and Gordon Douglas and our Junior Choir; and, the members of our youth organisations, who came to our evening service in huge numbers. We are particularly grateful to the Venture Scouts who are gave an excellent presentation on their three week trip to Uganda in August.

Evening Services

Evening services during the month of November break from the usual sequence. Attendance reached double figures twice during October, so do come along!

Services are as follows:

1st November

A Remembrance of Loved Ones

8th November

Lectio Divina

15th November

Healing Service

22nd November

Compline

29th November

Holy Communion

Ballybrack and Killiney Historical Society

Saints Alphonsus & Columba

Church Hall

Church Avenue

November 11th 2009

Some Local stone Structures—Old and New

Richard Dolan

ALL TALKS at 8:00 PM.

Contact

Tom Moran or Richard Dolan for details

Remembrance Sunday

We shall remember the ten young men, aged 19-27, from Saint Matthias’ who died in the First World War, and all who have died in war, at our morning service on Sunday, 8th November. Poppies will be on sale at the church.

There are now 4-5 people interested in a possible trip to the Western Front next spring, possibly in the week beginning Sunday, 18th April.. The tentative plan would be to go to Belgium and France for a three night visit in order to visit Flanders, including going to the Menin Gate for Last Post and to the Island of Ireland Peace Park, to Vimy Ridge, where the Canadian Government provides guided tours of the tunnels, and to the Somme, where six of the ten young men from our church died.. We plan to fly to Charleroi and would stay in small hotels. Please contact Ian Poulton if you would like to be part of the group.

2010 Admissions to Glenageary Killiney National School

Application forms for admission of pupils to the Junior Infants class in September 2010 will be available by application in person from the school office from Monday, 2nd November to Friday 13th November, 8.30-2.15. 

The closing date for the submission of applications is Friday, 13th November 2009. Forms must be accompanied by a utilities bill confirming the home address. The deadline of 13th November is final and late applications cannot be considered.

 

Confirmation Group

Our confirmation service in 2009 will be on Sunday, 28th February at 3.30 pm

We shall be using the Youth Emmaus Course for our confirmation preparation, a programme which is based on discussion and interaction. The dates of the classes are as follows:

Wednesday 2nd December

Wednesday, 9th December

Wednesday, 6th January

No class on 13th January

Wednesday, 20th January

Wednesday, 27th January

Wednesday, 3rd February

Wednesday, 10th February

Wednesday, 17th February

Wednesday, 24th February—Rehearsal

Anyone else who wants to join us, including, perhaps, anyone who has missed a previous opportunity—will be most welcome.

Exercise Class

The Fitness League: (formerly The League of Health Ireland) meets on Friday mornings at 10am in St. Matthias' Church Hall. Anyone interested is welcome to a free trial class any Friday morning. Contact Lesley Moore, 087 748 5154

Youth Club

In conjunction with Dun Laoghaire Methodist, Saint Paul’s Church in Glenageary have started a Friday/Saturday night youth club. Watch the weekly notice sheet for details.

Blackrock Hospice Annual Art Exhibition

November 7th & 8th 2009

All welcome.

If you are an art purchaser, an art enthusiast or somebody who just appreciates great works of art then this is an exhibition you cannot afford to miss.

If you are interested in attending please contact the Fundraising Department, Tel: 1850 66 06 06 or email mairead@olh.ie to arrange tickets.

Admission is free but tickets are needed to gain entry.

55 Club

Annual Christmas Lunch

The annual lunch takes place on is Wednesday 9th December at the Glenview Hotel, Glen of the Downs, Co Wicklow at 1pm.

There is a very good varied menu and  ALL parishioners and friends are very welcome.

Kindly advise Terry Bates if you hope to come.

Anyone needing a lift will be picked up and delivered home to their home address

Children’s Groups

Our children’s groups on Sunday mornings meet just four more times between now and the end of the year. The November calendar is:

1 All Age Service

8 Children’s Groups

15 Children’s Groups

22 Children’s Groups

29 Children’s Groups

There will be teaching based on the Bible readings for the day on Sundays, 8th and 15th November and on 22nd and 29th November, we shall be preparing for our Nativity Play which takes place on Sunday, 13th December.

Parents wishing for a child’s participation in the Nativity Play need to be present in church on 22nd and 29th November. A reminder that the pay is coming up is not being sent out this year.

Book Club

The work of contemporary writers has been discussed at our book club meetings in recent months. In November we look at a classic when shall be discussing Dean Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.

Contact Adele Trapnell for details.

In prison for faith

Further to the story told us in September by David Turner, Director of Church in Chains, of Maryam and Marzieh, two women imprisoned in Iran for becoming Christians. News came of their court appearance on 7th October.

“Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) appeared in court in Tehran on Wednesday, 7th October. There was a new judge presiding, and unlike the previous judges, he was sympathetic. He acquitted Maryam and Marzieh on the charge of anti-state activities, which rarely happens. This is a great relief for the two women and their lawyer was very pleased.

Their case has been transferred from the revolutionary court to the general court. It will now have to consider the other two charges against them: Propagation of the Christian faith and Apostasy. The two young Christian women (who were born into Muslim families) have been detained in overcrowded conditions in Evin prison in Tehran for the past seven

months.

Both Maryam and Marzieh continue to be frail with ill health. On Sunday 4 October, Maryam had severe food poisoning and only after much insistence did the prison authorities relent and give

her medical attention.

Maryam and Marzieh’s story has spread across the Christian world. Their faithfulness to Christ expressed clearly at their previous court hearing in August has encouraged countless believers and strengthened their faith. At that hearing, the judge instructed, “You should renounce your faith verbally and in written form.” They stood firm and replied, “We will not deny our faith.”

In Iran, many Christians have resolved to be faithful to Christ and have become

more courageous in following Jesus.

Maryam and Marzieh are aware that their Christian family worldwide is praying for them. They are very encouraged that they are not voiceless and have not been forgotten. They say: “Thank you for praying for us. We are humbled and strengthened by your prayers and we are determined to remain

faithful to Jesus even unto death.”

Egyptian Persecution

Egyptian Christian Maher El-Gohary and his 15 year-old daughter, Dina, have been prevented twice from leaving Egypt in recent weeks.

Maher is a Believer from a Muslim Background having become a Christian 35 years ago. In August 2008, he filed a court case to replace the word "Muslim" on his identity papers with "Christian". In making the application, Maher was also thinking about Dina who has been brought up as a Christian but when she turns 16, will be issued with an identity card showing her religion as Muslim. Maher lost his case in June despite being the first person to obtain a conversion certificate from a Coptic priest.

Maher was detained at Cairo Airport on 17 September. His passport was confiscated and he was advised that he is barred from travelling on orders from a 'higher authority'.

Maher was treated very badly by airport security, and was told of his travel ban "less than an hour before departure." Five days later, Maher and Dina were again prevented from leaving Cairo Airport. "I had to make sure that I was really barred from traveling, because I was told nothing officially," Maher said.

Maher and Dina have been living in hiding for the past year since he filed his court case. "I really don't know where to go now, our location has now been revealed. I feel so sorry for my daughter, such a young girl staying at home all the time," he said "They will never let us leave and they will never have mercy on us. Our only chance of getting out of the country, is by obtaining a foreign passport."

"We, the Christian converts are treated worst than animals. I was able to travel freely before filing the lawsuit. I filed the case for the sake of other converts, who have become tremendous in number, all living underground, among whom there are young girls who will never be able to get married unless a change happens. Personally, I would not benefit out of the lawsuit, but I wanted to get some development in this problem."

Portraying their dire situation Maher said: "If we forge our documents we are imprisoned, if we file a lawsuit we lose the case and they persecute us. What should we do?"

* * *

Regular reports of experiences of Christians in Iran, Egypt and other countries around the world where people face persecution for their faith, can be found at the Church in Chains website:

www.churchinchains.ie

Simon Community

Thank you to everyone who regularly puts items into our Simon Community box.. If you are out shopping, do put an extra packet of tea or jar of coffee or bag of sugar into your trolley and bring it along on a Sunday morning. Those winter coats that have been hanging for years in the wardrobe, and blankets unused since the arrival of duvets, are also always welcome.

For the Fainthearted

The rector’s blog underwent a major facelift in October. Intended to make the blog more readable, the front page being laid out like a magazine or newspaper, the new design has the posts sorted by category. Sunday sermons and personal memories still form a major part of the content, along with reflections on ministry and thoughts on spiritual matters. The address is unchanged:

www.forthefainthearted.com

Marriage Encounter

The Christian marriage group United Marriage Encounter are running marriage encounter weekends at the Kingston Hotel in Dun Laoghaire in November 2009 and in April 2010. details of the marriage enrichment weekends are to be found from brochures available in church or on the group’s website:

www.unitedmarriage.org

Fete Results

The figures listed as the results for each stall at the fete are below. The usual qualification, “Errors and Omissions Excepted” applies. If anyone thinks there has been a major omission, please email in a correction.

Auction €158

Barbecue—Scouts €144

Books €1405

Bottle stall €374

Cakes €2155

Childrens clothes €82

Delicatessen €2238

Face painting €50

Games €184

Gate €1002

Gifts €659

Good as new €645

Garden €2129

Raffle €1916

Remnants €285

Sweets €258

Teas €934

Toys €291

White Elephant €1476

Total €16385

Less expenses: €2793

Net proceeds €13592

A very good result for a very bad day!

Tidings - October 2009

Rector's Letter

Back in the 1990s there was a newspaper interview with a man who had made his name as an art collector. He specialised in collecting the work of up and coming artists

“You spend a lot of money on paintings”, said the interviewer.

“What do you mean?” said the man.

“Well, you told me that you paid £2,000 for that painting there”.

“I did”, said the man. “But let me say something: I know people who would spend £10,000 on a car that lasts them only a few years. I spend £2,000 on my car and then have £8,000 to spend paintings that will last me a lifetime”.

I remember thinking I would have liked to have had £8,000 in cash to spend on something I chose! The interview has, however, remained in my mind as a lesson in priorities—most of us can find the money that is necessary for the things we think are priorities. It is astonishing to go into the city sometimes and see the shops and bars still full when the news reports tell us that there is no money for essential things.

Last month Tidings carried news of a plan for us to fund a parish centre and church in Rwanda as a thanksgiving for next year’s 175th anniversary of Saint Matthias’ Church. The projected cost for constructing, on a piece of land the church had acquired, a building that would have meeting rooms for training and education and parish activities, as well as space for worship on Sundays, was 30 million Rwandan Francs—about €40,000.

Since then an opportunity and a challenge have arisen. The Euro has got stronger in the international currency markets—30 million Rwandan Francs would have cost €40,000 in the summer when the exchange rate was €1 to 750 Francs; the exchange rate now is over 800 francs to the Euro, meaning that 30 million Francs could be bought for €36,000-€37,000. There is an opportunity to fund the project for thousands less.

Now, the challenge. John Wesley Kabango, the development officer in Shyogwe and pastor of the area where the new centre is to be built has emailed to say that there is an opportunity to buy a building, adjacent to the land owned by the church, which could be renovated to provide meeting rooms, a pastor’s house and a church. The cost is the same, 30 million Rwandan Francs, but there is obviously immediate pressure for the funds.

John Wesley says that the seller would probably be prepared to accept payment in instalments, but they would need to know that the money would be forthcoming.

On Saint Mattthias’ Day, 14th May next year, we shall celebrate 175 years of worship in our church, it would be a mark of our thanksgiving if on that day friends in Rwanda could celebrate the dedication of a new church, parish centre and pastor’s house. We have about €4,000 so far in gifts and pledges—another €32,000 and we would reach our target. If God has been generous to us, let us be generous in return. Please pray about it and feel free to speak to me if you would like to support the project.

A few words from Niall . . .

‘What a beautiful noise’ -these are the opening words of a famous Neil Diamond song. I vividly recall, as a child, the thud of post coming through the letterbox and landing on the doormat. It was indeed a beautiful noise. I still enjoy the excitement of post being delivered. You never know what will come through the letterbox. During the past week, I received my Polling Card to enable me to vote in the 28th Amendment of the Irish Constitution.

Often we refer to the opportunity that we enjoy in Ireland of being able to express our voice in a ‘Poll’ as ‘The Right to Vote’. It is indeed a ‘Right’, a cherished and valuable right and with Rights come responsibilities. As with so many aspects of life, we often only appreciate them when they are taken away. If our ‘Right’ to vote was removed, would we care? If the ‘Right’ to vote was removed on the basis of gender or religious affiliation how would we feel?

During September 09, at morning worship in St Matthias’ we learned a little about the charity ‘ Church In Chains’ which is concerned with Christians throughout the world who are persecuted. Notwithstanding The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines the right that every person has the freedom of thought, conscience and religion, regrettably such a ‘Right’ is far from being a reality.

At the Harvest Festival, we look forward to learning about what is being done

in Rwanda and Uganda. The ‘Right’ that we have- to vote, is a privilege whereby we in effect are the voice for the millions of persons throughout the world who have no voice.

The following words are from the hymn; ‘Beauty for Brokenness’;

‘Rights for the weak,

voices to plead the cause of those who can’t speak’.

Such words can indeed make ‘a beautiful noise’.

Niall Stratford

Harvest Festival 2009

Our morning service will be an all-age celebration of the harvest, which we hope everyone will attend: the Rector will talk about his trip to Shyogwe in the summer. In the evening Ailbhe Hickey of Ballybrack Scouts will speak about the Scout trip to Uganda in August. If anyone has a Powerpoint projector, a loan of it would be very welcome.

Harvest Offering

The Harvest Offering is our response to the work of local charities who particularly need our support in cash-strapped times. An offering envelope has been included with this copy of Tidings.. Please think about what we say when we say at church “all things come from you and of your own we give you”. If it is God’s money in our pockets, then why do we not give back more to him?

Harvest Decoration

Decoration for the Harvest Festival will take place on Saturday, 3rd October, beginning at 10 am. Gifts of fruit and vegetables for the decoration of the church will be very welcome.

Evening services

Because of the harvest festival, our evening services in October will be follow a different order. The youth harvest is on Sunday 4th October at 7pm; the Lectio Divina is on Sunday, 11th October; the healing service is on Sunday, 18th October and the month is rounded off with Compline on Sunday 25th October. We reached double figures at one service in September, and, except for the Lectio Divina which is a time of more quiet reflection, we try to sing three hymns on most Sunday evenings, but we can manage three hymns. The Rector would be very encouraged if the present number of 8-10 people increased to 15-20; it would be a sign of greater commitment and a willingness to spend more time in prayer..

Scripture and Prayer

Lectio Divina is not frightening! It is the service we have on the second Sunday of each month when we read through a passage from the Bible and people are invited to share any thoughts they might have about the words that have been read. There is no pressure on anyone to actually say anything.

It includes times for quiet reflection and pondering and helps get the world into perspective.

The exercise usually lasts 40-45 minutes and nothing is expected of anyone, except to sit in quietness.

Come along for some peace and quiet and for a sense of God’s presence.

A Remembrance of Loved Ones

Our annual All Saints’ Tide service in which we remember loved ones takes place this year on All Saints’ Day itself, Sunday, 1st November at 7 pm.

The service is one of hymns and readings that offer comfort in times of grief and we have a simple ceremony where people have come forward to light a candle, reminding them of the light that the person brought into their life and of the Light of God shining in the darkness.

Everyone is welcome at this service which has been an encouragement to those who have participated.

First Sunday Bookstall

Because of the heavy rain on the day of the fete in June, we sold only a small fraction of the books we have and have been left with far more books than with which we can cope. We need to greatly reduce the amount of stock we have, so on Sunday, 4th October at coffee time books will be on sale at three for €2 or ten for €5—absolutely unbeatable value.

We have a large amount of paperback fiction, so take the opportunity to stock up on your winter reading.

SAINT MATTHIAS' JUNIOR CHOIR CALENDAR 2009-2010

Friday practices

5.15 to 6.15 pm

October 2, 9, 16 &23

November 6, 13, 20 & 27

December 4, 11 &18

January 8, 15, 22 & 29

February 5,12 & 26

March 5, 12, 19 & 26

April 16 & 23

May 7, 14, 21 & 28

Singing Days

10.10 am—Practice

10.30 am— Service

October 4 Harvest Service

November 1 All Age Service

& Holy Baptism

December 6 Christingle Service

December 13 Nativity Play

December 25 Christmas Day

February 7 All Age Service

March 7 All Age Service

March 14 Mothers’ Day

April 3 Easter Eve

May 30 Children’s Day

Diocesan Synod

The Diocesan Synod, the annual general meeting of our diocese, takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, 20th-21st October at Taney Parish Centre in Dundrum. The synod, which has more than two hundred members, discusses the report of the diocesan council and reflects on the work and the reports of diocesan boards and committees over the past year.

Members of synod are elected from their parishes every three years. Our parish is represented by Victor Freeman, Peter Fisher and Jeanne Salter as well as the Revd Niall Stratford and the Rector.

Children’s Groups

Our Children’s Groups began again on 13th September. We have thirty-seven children registered and look forward to welcoming them all on the same Sunday.

Children’s Groups meet twice in October. We have our all age Harvest festival on the first Sunday of the month and then there will be Sunday School classes on Sunday 11th and 18th October. Sunday, 25th October is the Sunday of the bank holiday weekend and is in the school half term, so there will be a break that day. Our calendar until the end of 2009 is, then, as follows:

October 2009

Sundays

4 Harvest Festival

11 Children’s Groups

18 Children’s Groups

25 Halloween break

November 2009

Sundays

1 All Age Service

8 Children’s Groups

15 Children’s Groups

22 Children’s Groups

29 Children’s Groups

December 2009

Sundays

6 All Age Service

13 Nativity Play

20 Carol Service

27 Christmas break

We are grateful to those who give of their time to make our children’s teaching possible and hope parents will help them by bringing along their children regularly

2010 Admissions to Glenageary Killiney National School

Application forms for admission of pupils to the Junior Infants class in September 2010 will be available by application in person from the school office from Monday, 2nd November to Friday 13th November, 8.30-2.15. 

The closing date for the submission of applications is Friday, 13th November 2009. Forms must be accompanied by a utilities bill confirming the home address. The deadline of 13th November is final and late applications cannot be considered.

 

Church of Ireland Statement on the Lisbon Referendum

The Church of Ireland issued the following statement jointly with the Methodists and Quakers on Monday, 21st September:

We urge voters to consider carefully the changed context in which Ireland finds itself following the rejection of the first referendum, and in the light of the Declarations of the European Council.  These guarantees provide that Ireland will keep a commissioner, will remain in control of our own tax rates, will retain control over neutrality (no conscription and no defence alliances), over sensitive ethical issues such as abortion, and that workers’ rights and public services will be valued and protected in Ireland and across the Union .  We therefore urge that serious consideration be given to the following questions. What impact would a negative Irish vote have on our partners in the Union when they have given legally binding guarantees?  If we do not trust either the intentions of 26 partners, or the capacity of our government and EU representatives as members of the Union to negotiate in Ireland’s and the Union’s best interests, why remain in the Union?  What are the implications of increasing isolation for Ireland’s future in the context of our current crisis?

In the light of the Council’s assurances, there is a renewed opportunity to consider the core purpose of the treaty, which is to streamline the institutions of a Union designed initially for six partners.  The complexity of the treaty is the direct result of long and exhaustive negotiation between all the member states, which needed to be satisfied that not only would the treaty make the Union more efficient but that its provisions in detail would not damage – on balance - their individual interests. Ireland took a leading role in that process.  The Treaty contains important structural changes that will enhance democratic participation both by increasing the competence of the European Parliament and the roles of national parliaments.  Thus the key question is whether the Union will function more efficiently, effectively and democratically as a consequence of adopting a treaty that our partners are satisfied will achieve these objectives. Outside the Union, how will another rejection by Ireland be viewed by potential investors or by aspiring member states, which will have to wait indefinitely until the Union is in a position to carry out the similar structural reforms to those proposed in the Treaty?  That will be a long time coming if this treaty fails.  The effect will be to deny to others the enormous benefits we have enjoyed since joining the Union.

In a global context, faced with enormous trade, energy and environmental concerns, will we be better served by membership of a Union with improved internal structures and processes, or with a less effective Union of 27 members hampered by outmoded structures designed to cater for six members in 1956?

For information on the Lisbon Treaty we refer readers to the publications of the Referendum Commission.

In jail for being a Christian

We welcomed David Turner as our speaker at our morning service on 20th September. David is Director of Church in Chains, which campaigns for persecuted Christians around the world. One of the stories David told us was of Maryam and Marzieh, two women imprisoned in Iran for becoming Christians.

“In a dramatic session before the revolutionary court in Tehran on 9th August, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were told to recant their faith in Christ.

Though great pressure was put on them, both women declared that they would not deny their faith. Maryam and Marzieh were originally arrested on 5th March 2009 and have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering ill health, solitary confinement and interrogations for many hours while blindfolded.

On Saturday 8th August, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to appear in court on Sunday 9th August in order to hear a verdict on their case. The chief interrogator had recommended a verdict of ‘apostasy.’ However, when they arrived, no verdict was actually given. Instead, the court session focussed on the deputy prosecutor, Mr Haddad, questioning Maryam and Marzieh about their faith and telling them that they had to recant in both verbal and written form. This made it clear that in the eyes of the court, Maryam and Marzieh’s only crime is that they have converted to Christianity.

Mr. Haddad, asked the two women if they were Christians. “We love Jesus,” they replied. He repeated his question and they said, “Yes, we are Christians.”

Mr. Haddad then said, “You were Muslims and now you have become Christians.”

“We were born in Muslim families, but we were not Muslims,” was their reply.

Mr. Haddad’s questioning continued and he asked them if they regretted becoming Christians, to which they replied, “We have no regrets.”

Then he stated emphatically, “You should renounce your faith verbally and in written form.” They stood firm and replied, “We will not deny our faith.”

During one tense moment in the questioning, Maryam and Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had convicted them through the Holy Spirit. Mr. Haddad told them, “It is impossible for God to speak with humans.”

Marzieh asked him in return, “Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?”

Mr. Haddad then replied, “You are not worthy for God to speak to you.”

Marzieh said, “It is God, and not you, who determines if I am worthy.”

Mr. Haddad told the women to return to prison and think about the options they were given and come back to him when they are ready (to comply). Maryam and Marzieh said, “We have already done our thinking.”

At the end of the session, Mr. Haddad told them that a judge will give them his verdict, though it is not clear who will be the judge in their case now. He also allowed Maryam and Marzieh to have a lawyer represent them in the case for the first time since their arrest.

Both women were sent back to Evin prison. During their five-month ordeal, both have been unwell and have lost much weight. Marzieh is in pain due to an on-going problem with her spine, as well as an infected tooth and intense headaches.She desperately needs medical attention. Two months ago the prison officials told her the prison had proper medical equipment and that they will attend to her, but so far no proper treatment has been given.

Despite the concentrated effort of officials to pressure them into recanting their faith, Maryam and Marzieh love Jesus and they are determined to stand firm to the very end no matter whatever happens. They have demonstrated their love for Jesus and would offer their lives for Him if they were called to do so. After today’s court session they said, “If we come out of prison we want to do so with honour.”

Each week, at the Holy Communion at Saint Matthias’, we remember those who “suffer danger violence or oppression”. We should pause when we do so and think of Maryam and Marzieh, and all who suffer for their faith.

Marriage Encounter

The Christian marriage group United Marriage Encounter are running marriage encounter weekends at the Kingston Hotel in Dun Laoghaire in November 2009 and in April 2010. details of the marriage enrichment weekends are to be found from brochures available in church or on the group’s website:

www.unitedmarriage.org

Simon Community

The nights have grown noticeably colder in recent days, the temperatures falling into single figures. Do support our Simon collection of tea coffee and sugar, items that can always be used, also winter coats and blankets are always welcome. Adele Trapnell very kindly continues to take the items into the city centre hostel.

On the Net . . .

Sunday sermons, and other random musings, are posted on the internet at the Rector’s website:

www.forthefainthearted.com

Fête

Some final returns are still awaited. If there is any more money relating to the fete still to be returned, could this happen as soon as possible, so we can put our totals into Tidings. Thanks.

A Harvest Prayer

God our Creator, you have made us one with this earth, to tend it and to bring forth fruit; may we so respect and cherish all that has life from you, that we may share in the labour of all creation to give birth to your hidden glory, through Jesus Christ, Amen  

By Janet Morley

Tidings - September 2009

A few more words from Niall . .

How many of us can remember the 21st June 2009? Oh yes- that was the longest day of the year and for many it was the longest church service of the year! That was the day Ian was preaching in ‘The Cathedral’! For myself, this date celebrates the Service of my Ordination to the Diaconate which was a truly joyous occasion and I thank God that I have been blessed in this way.

The English language is on occasions limited in its scope. How for example does one express ‘thank you’ a hundred thousand times? If anyone knows, perhaps they could tell me, as that is precisely what I wish to say to all associated with St Matthias’ Church. To everyone who attended Christ Church Cathedral on the 21st June, to those involved in providing a wonderful reception in the Parish Centre afterwards and to all who prayed for me and sent their kind wishes, I say Thank You Very Much . Furthermore Thank You so much indeed for the gift from the parish. Last but not least, Thank you Ian for preaching on this most special of occasions - how fortunate we all were.

My first service in St Matthias’ following my ordination was on the 28th June 2009. Clearly the prospect was too much for Ian, who had to flee not only this little island but the entire continent! Nonetheless my thanks once again are due to you - Ian who so thoughtfully invited my Dad to preside at the service of Holy Communion. This was yet another wondrous occasion for me.

So to looking ahead. September can be a strange month. It can become extremely busy and chaotic with school runs, organisations, clubs and meetings. Isn’t it wonderful then to know that peacefulness and time to pray can always be found in worship at St Matthias’.

‘O what peace we often forfeit

O what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer’.

These words are from the familiar hymn, the title of which is itself, a real source of comfort; ‘What A friend we have in Jesus’.

Niall Stratford

How could we forget you?

Whilst the rector was on holiday and gone from our shores, we were clearly not far from his gaze! Reminiscent of a modern version of a famous da Vinci painting, he suddenly sprang from the pages of, none other than, The Irish Times. Was it a case of Katharine or Ian saying; ‘ I’m a celebrity cleric- get me out of here?’

A special day

Niall’s ordination service on 21st June was one of those special moments when memories of the occasion play back in slow motion! The weather was kind and everything went without a hitch. I have never had such a captive audience as the congregation that filled the cathedral that afternoon. Thank you to everyone from the parish who came along to the service—your presence was important—and I would want to reiterate Niall’s thanks to the wonderful ladies who provided the huge celebratory tea in the parish centre—the ministry of hospitality is one of the most important there is. Please do remember Niall and his family in your prayers.

Ian Poulton

Prayer Group

Our parish Prayer Group continued to meet fortnightly during the summer months and will continue to do so through the autumn.

We discuss a passage from the Bible (we have been working our way through Saint Luke in recent weeks) and then spend time in prayer. In September we will meet on Thursday 3rd and Thursday, 17th.

It would be very encouraging to the Rector if there were a few more people who would be prepared to join us.

Bowling Club

Bowls continued to be played on some evenings over the summer. Saint Matthias’ Indoor Bowling Club begins its new season at the Parish Centre on Wednesday, 9th September at 7.30 pm. The club would be very pleased to welcome new members.

If you have any questions, club secretary, Tony Quinn, would be pleased to answer them. Phone Tony for details.

Badminton Club

The Badminton Club enjoyed a tennis party at Rathdown as guests of Ivan and Yvonne Ginnelly on Saturday, 25th July—the sun shone and the food was excellent (and some tennis was played). Badminton begins again on Tuesday, 8th September in the Parish Centre. New members would be very welcome. Phone Anna Freeman if you would like to know more.

Confirmation 2010

As usual, we have to submit to the Archbishop by 30th September the likely numbers of candidates for confirmation from our church at next year’s confirmation service, which will probably be in February.

If you are interested in joining the preparation, the Rector would be grateful if you would let him know.

The group is open to anyone of any age who has not been confirmed. If there are older teenagers or adults who would like to join us, we would be delighted. The preparation course is eight one hour classes and demands no special knowledge.

If you are interested in joining, phone Ian Poulton.

Scripture and Prayer

Our Lectio Divina exercises begin again on Sunday, 13th September. We have a Lectio Divina exercise on the second Sunday evening of each month at 7 pm. The exercise usually lasts 40-45 minutes and is an opportunity to read and pray through a passage of Scripture. Nothing is expected of anyone, except to sit in quietness.

Come along for peace and a sense of God’s presence.

Harvest Festival

Last year, at the request of the Select Vestry, we moved the date of our Harvest Festival to the first Sunday in October. This resulted in a much bigger congregation and a much livelier occasion than in 2007, which was described by one vestry member as being ‘flat’. We are going to do the same again this year—trying again to have an occasion for people of all ages.

At the morning service the Rector will give a presentation about the work in Shyogwe in Rwanda and how our parish is changing lives.

At the evening service we hope that some members of 47th (Ballybrack) Scout Group, who travelled to Uganda for a three week work party during August, will share some of their experiences of their time there.

Every year we ask that people would try to make an effort to attend morning and evening at the harvest festival and every year the appeal falls mostly on deaf ears, but like the woman in Saint Luke Chapter 18 who kept nagging away, so we will keep on trying.

Church in Chains

On Sunday, 20th September, we welcome David Turner of the organisation Church in Chains as our speaker at our morning service. David lives in Glenageary and his daughter attends Glenageary Killiney National School.

Church in Chains is an independent Irish-based charity which encourages Irish Christians to pray and act in support of persecuted Christians worldwide, with a special focus on China, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, Mexico, North Korea, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

Church in Chains publishes its latest news in a quarterly magazine, a monthly news summary and on its website.

Church in Chains works with a number of international partners in prayer and advocacy campaigns (by means of letters, petitions, vigils, meetings with Ambassadors etc.) on behalf of persecuted Christians.

Church in Chains channels aid to families of prisoners and provides Bibles, Christian literature and assistance to Christians who are in poor circumstances because of their faith.

Church in Chains was previously known as Christian Concern for Freedom of Conscience (CCFC) and began in Dublin, Ireland in the mid-1970's when a group of evangelical Christians joined together to campaign on behalf of Georgi Vins, a Russian Baptist pastor, who had been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for his Christian ministry. After much international protest, Pastor Vins was released in 1979. In 1981, CCFC was reactivated to campaign on behalf of The Siberian Seven (seven Pentecostal Christians who took refuge in the basement of the American Embassy in Moscow in a bid to emigrate from the Soviet Union). The Siberian Seven were finally allowed to leave the Soviet Union in 1983.

These two campaigns had led to a greater awareness in Ireland of the plight of Christians in the Soviet Union and so CCFC continued its work - highlighting the cases of three more prisoners - Anna Chertkova, Nikolai Goretoi and Galina Vilchinskaya (who were all released after some time).

In 1986, CCFC produced the first issue of Church in Chains magazine and began to publicise the cause of persecuted Christians in other countries around the world. The work developed and in later years, Irish Christians were involved in visiting Christian believers in the USSR, Kazakhstan, China, Egypt and Morocco - bringing with them the greetings of Christians from Ireland. Church in Chains magazine has been published, on a quarterly basis, since 1986. It is the only Irish produced magazine in this field.

Holiday Care

The Rector would like to thank his colleagues Dr Billy Marshall and the Revd Niall Stratford for their care of the parish during his time in Rwanda and during his annual holidays. It was good to know that the parish was in very safe hands.

Fête

The 2009 fete will be remembered as an occasion of endurance rather than enjoyment! Cold wind and driving rain created a feeling more like that of November than June and it demanded hardy souls to make anything of the day. Proceeds after expenses of €13,500-€14,000 were €6,000 down on the usual figure, but were a great deal more than we might have expected. Thank you to everyone who made the day possible, including the many friends and neighbours who came along.

Odd amounts of money have continued to come in over the summer, if there is any more money relating to the fete still to be returned, could this happen as soon as possible, so we can put our totals into next month’s Tidings. Thanks.

Sunday School

Our Sunday School begins again in September after its summer break. Registration forms will be sent out and it would be very helpful if these could be returned as soon as possible to assist preparations for the Sunday groups.

Sunday School meets nine times between September and the end of the year and we hope parents will endeavour to bring young people along on each occasion.

September 2009

Sundays

6 All Age Service

13 Sunday School

20 Sunday School

27 Sunday School

October 2009

Sundays

4 Harvest Festival

11 Sunday School

18 Sunday School

25 Halloween break

November 2009

Sundays

1 All Age Service

8 Sunday School

15 Sunday School

22 Sunday School

29 Sunday School

December 2009

Sundays

6 All Age Service

13 Nativity Play

20 Carol Service

27 Christmas break

We are grateful to those who give of their time each week to make Sunday School possible.

Shyogwe Partnership

During the Rector’s visit to Shyogwe in Rwanda, John Wesley Kabango, the development officer in the diocese, asked whether our parish might consider a special link with the parish of Gahogo, for which he is responsible, along with all his other duties. Gahogo is a new parish, close to Shyogwe village, and Sunday worship is currently in a room that is rented. The Anglican mission is amongst the poorest members of the community and they have bought an abandoned building site for a building that will act as a community centre from Monday to Saturday and as a place of worship on Sunday.

The cost of the building project is 30 million Rwandan francs (about €40,000); they have collected 1 million francs for the project so far in their weekly offerings.

Next year is the 175th anniversary of the building of Saint Matthias’ Church and there may be members of our church who would be interested in contributing to the building of a new church/community centre in Rwanda as a thank offering for God’s blessing upon 175 years of our own parish life.

The Rector met a group of five women, one of whom is an AIDS sufferer, who had voluntarily come from their homes on 1st July, a public holiday in Rwanda, to work with hoes on the levelling of the site. Knowing how hard it is to get volunteers for anything in Ireland, it was a humbling experience to meet with a woman, whose AIDS gave her every reason to stay at home, but who instead stood swinging a heavy hoe, smiling as she chatted with her companions.

€40,000 is a modest target (Glenageary Parish are currently engaged in raising €250,000 for a project in Uganda). It is something we might achieve through individual pledges rather than attempting fund raising—Rwandan Anglicans are very traditional Christians and would recoil at fund raising through dances, raffles, and the like. The Rector has received two pledges of support and would be pleased to hear from anyone else interested.

We shall, of course, keep up our regular collection for development work in the diocese.

Finding time . . .

There is a Holy Communion service in the south transept of the church (the bit reached through the side door) each Wednesday morning from 2nd September.

When the Rector first came to the parish, there would have been around ten people at this service each Wednesday—we even sang a hymn each week with Shelagh Patterson playing the piano—but the passing years have seen those who would been with us each week called home to glory.

At a time when the country has lost all sense of direction, believing it could find happiness through money and then seeing the money disappear, we more than ever need to find time to pray.

We have tea and coffee after the service on the first Wednesday of each month (and there is a collection for the parish poor fund on that Wednesday). The service only lasts thirty minutes and is an occasion when we pray particularly for those who are sick.

If you are free for half an hour on a Wednesday morning, do come along and support us.

Operation Smile CD

Saint Matthias’ Junior Choir joined with the choir of Saint Killian’s German School and the Kilternan School of Music to make a CD on behalf of Operation Smile. Operation Smile works with children in the poorest parts of the world: its volunteers repair childhood facial deformities. We still have a handful of copies left at just €10 each.

Building Works

Our regular maintenance programme at Saint Matthias’ continued during the summer months with the external painting of the church, including the doors. Keeping the church in good order requires a regular programme of such work and we are grateful to our glebe wardens for their oversight of the care of our parish properties.

Remembrance

If anyone would be interested in joining a group from the parish to visit the Somme and Ypres for two or three nights next spring, please speak to the Rector. The plan would be to fly to Charleroi or Beauvais with Ryanair and to stay in modest hotels. We would plan to have a guide and would try to take in at least Ypres, Messines, Vimy and Thiepval

Celtic Christian Spirituality

Six Thursdays

beginning on 24th September,

11.00-12.30 pm

at Johnstown Pastoral Centre

The aim of these sessions is to explore the riches of Celtic Christian spirituality and its practical relevance to contemporary Christianity. The sessions will be presented in a prayerful and interactive manner.

Presenters:

Sister Helen Grealy (Cenacle)

MA in Celtic Christianity from the University of Wales

Mrs Elaine O’Leary

MA in Applied Christian Spirituality

The course is being run in the mornings to allow people who have family or other commitments in the evenings a chance to attend. There is a suggested donation of €5 per session to cover the costs of running the course.

Bringing Change to Shyogwe

A typical scratch card for topping up your mobile phone in Rwanda costs 100 Rwandan Francs—that is just 14 cent in our money. It shows just how much farther money will go there and shows how every cent we collect makes a difference to people living in a country that is 165th out of the 178 in the world in terms of living standards.

Do keep all your 1, 2 and 5 cent coins and bring them along to church on Sunday and we will make sure that every single cent goes to people living in poverty we would find hard to imagine. Also, if you have any old Irish coins lying around, we would be pleased to receive those as well.

Shyogwe Support Group

Whitechurch Parish have a small group who help co-ordinate support for the work in Shyogwe; it would be good if there were members of Saint Matthias’ who would be prepared to join this group and so help co-ordinate the support in our own parish.

Simon Community

As the autumn begins, we hope people will remember the work of the Simon Community and put tea/coffee/sugar into our box at the back of the church.

Tidings - Summer 2009

A Word from Niall . . .

We are all accustomed to hearing tales of woe about the state of ‘The Health Service’ in our country. Recently I visited a friend, who is currently a patient in Saint Luke’s Hospital in Rathgar. She went to great lengths to express her gratitude for the love and care that was being afforded to her. From the moment she had arrived in the reception area, she informed me, she found everyone to be so understanding and courteous. The calm and peace of the surroundings, particularly the gardens, received a special mention.

My friend was, however, somewhat incredulous, and understandably saddened, at the proposal to close that wonderful caring community and relocate the facilities to a major hospital complex. She readily realised that the completeness of the ‘care’ package could not be replicated elsewhere.

The words of the song ‘What you do with what you’ve got’ particularly come to mind:

What’s the use of two strong legs
    if you only run away?
What’s the use of the finest voice
    if you’ve nothing good to say?
What’s the use of strength and muscle
    if you only push and shove?
And what’s the use of two good ears
    if you can’t hear those you love?
It’s not what you’ve been given,
    it’s what you do
        with what you’ve got’

So much of that same great care and love, as experienced by my friend in hospital, has been experienced by myself (from the moment I arrived) in St Matthias: for this, I am indeed deeply grateful.

Sunday, June 21st 2009 in the Northern hemisphere is the day of the year with the longest hours of daylight and in the Southern hemisphere the day with the shortest. This day whilst being a long day is of course, for myself, a day of longing.

I am eagerly looking forward to my ordination as a deacon. Yes of course there will be many, many challenges ahead, but with the help of God and the prayerful support of all whom I know, I trust that I will meet them. The great commission to all of us is to ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’. Matthew Chapter 28 verse 19.

Niall Stratford

Ordination Service

Niall, together with three other candidates, will be ordained as a deacon at Christ Church Cathedral at 3.30 pm on Sunday, 21st June (they will be ordained priest next year). We hope that there will be a very good contingent from our parish to support him at this very special moment.

Four candidates means four sets of parishioners, families and friends, so the cathedral will be overflowing. If you hope to be present, do try to be at the cathedral not later than 3 o’clock. The nearest car park is at the back of the Jury’s Christ Church Hotel. (If you take the DART, it is about a 25 minute walk from Pearse, through the Lincoln Gate of Trinity College out to College Green, then up Dame Street, passing the City Hall, to reach the cathedral).

There will be an ordination tea back here in the parish hall, arriving after 6.30 pm (the ordination service lasts around two hours). Everyone is welcome.

 

Tidings Deadline

Tidings comes out ten times a year. This edition of Tidings covers the summer months, June July and August. Our next edition will be the September edition, it will be available on Sunday, 30th August.

Items should be with the Rector via email, or by hand to the Rectory by Thursday, 26th August. News from summer events would be very welcome!

Saint Matthias’ Indoor Bowling Club News

Thursday, 14th May being the feast day of Saint Matthias, the bowls club held their annual Saint Matthias' bowls festival on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th May in the parish centre.

This year we had an excellent reply to the flyers which we sent out to around 30 clubs, 26 teams of pairs took part ,the whole event ran without a hitch and was most exciting, the standard of bowls was wonderful.

We also put together a hamper (goods provided by our members) for a raffle, we ended up filling the hamper and having ten other prizes. Overall between entrance fee for the tournament, raffle tickets and a basket collection, we collected €800, this money goes to support the work of the Blackrock Hospice.

Our club shall be staying open during the Summer Months on Wednesday Nights and if you feel like coming along and trying your hand at bowls you are most welcome to do so, we still need new members for the coming season which starts in September. Love to see you there.   

Tony Quinn

Festival Winners

The seventh annual Saint Matthias’ Festival Tournament was won by Saint Brigid’s, Stillorgan duo Graham Scanlon and Jimmy Kenny who contested the final with a pair from Newtownpark. They took a strong early lead, before Newtwonpark came back to lead 9-8, but the Saint Brigid’s pair finished in dominant form, opening up a 16-9 margin and winning with an end to spare.

We are grateful to Tony Quinn for all his work in organising the tournament.

Cill Iníon Léinín Service

The annual service at the ancient Killiney Church on Marino Avenue takes place on Sunday, 14th June at 3.00. Everyone is welcome

A short historical talk precedes an act of worship within the walls of the Eleventh Century church that was built on a site that dates back to the Sixth Century. Weather permitting, tea and cakes are served in the churchyard.

The attendance is never more than a few dozens, but the occasion is enjoyed by those who come along year by year.

We are grateful to Mike Scott and the group who care for the church and its grounds and who organize the service each year.

Lectio Divina

Our final Lectio Divina exercise before the summer takes place on Sunday, 14th June at 7 pm. Lectio Divina is quiet reflection and meditation on a passage from the Bible and is perfect for those looking for some moments of peacefulness in their lives.

This will be the last evening service until September. On Sunday 21st June there is the ordination service in Christ Church Cathedral at 3.30 pm, followed by tea back in the parish hall; on Sunday, 28th June, the Rector will be in Africa; and it is not our practice to have evening services during July and August.

We are very grateful to those who support the evening services week by week

Niall’s First Service

Niall Stratford’s first service after his ordination will be at the Holy Communion service at Saint Matthias’ at 10.30 am on Sunday, 28th June. The summer is a very quiet time in the parish—the usual congregation of 80-100 reduces by half to 40-50—and the Rector is unable to be present for the occasion, being away in Africa. It would be very encouraging if as many people as possible could try to be present to support Niall on this special occasion. The school holidays will have begun, but hopefully not everyone will have gone away. Do pray for Niall, both at the time of the ordination on 21st June and at the time of the morning service on 28th June.

An Exam Prayer

As many young people approach examinations during the month of June, examinations that may shape the future course of their lives, so here is a prayer from the Jesuit website appropriate for the time:

Lord, calm my fear at exam time.
Let the work I have done
stand to me on the day.
Do not allow what remains undone
to undermine my courage.
And help me
to make the best of my knowledge.
You have a loving plan
for my whole life
and whatever the outcome.
exams are a part of this plan.
help me to see beyond this time
and relish the opportunity
to enjoy a refreshing break.  Amen.

47th Scout Group Uganda Trip

Twenty-four members of 47th (Ballybrack) Scout Group are heading for Uganda this summer to form a work party to assist in the building of a primary school. Living Hope Primary School in Masaka, Uganda is a project of the charity Fields of Life, whose director is Trevor Stevenson, a member of Crinken Church.

There will be a commissioning of the party at the 10.30 service on Sunday, 7th June. Sharon McKimm from Fields of Life will be our speaker; David Traynor, one of the group will give a presentation on the project; and the party will be commissioned by Group Scout Leader Sean Hayes.

Come early to hear about a summer journey with a difference.

Prayer Group

The projected dates for the meeting of our parish prayer group during the summer (subject to sudden and arbitrary change!) are as follows:

11th and 25th June

9th and 23rd July

6th and 20th August

The group meets at 8 pm at the Rectory on Thursdays, 11th June and 9th and 23rd July. Due to the Rector’s absence, the meetings on 25th June and 6th and 20th August will be at an alternative venue: please watch the notice sheet for details.

55 Club

The outing to Belvedere House in Co Westmeath, originally programmed for Friday, 12th June, will take place on Friday, 26th June.

The group will meet at the parish hall at 9 am and travel by car to Westmeath. We hope this new date suits most people.

If you would be interested in joining the trip to Belvedere House, even if you have not joined in any of the group’s activities before, do contact Bill Fleeton for details.

Book Club

“Birds Without Wings” by Louis de Bernieres is somewhat more lengthy than we may be used to reading, it was decided to delay our next meeting until mid-June. The club will meet on Friday 12th June. The July selection is “The White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga. Contact Stephanie Brownlee.

End of Year Service

Glenageary Killiney National School holds its end of year service at Saint Matthias’ Church on Friday 26th June at 11 am. Children will leave for home following the service.

Unlike last year, when the school was required to open on the Monday following the service on the Friday, this really is the very end of the school year. Holidays start at 12 Noon.

Shyogwe Visit

The Rector asks for your prayers for safety and guidance as he travels to Africa to visit our partner diocese of Shyogwe.

His itinerary is as follows:

Afternoon of 23rd June: fly to Heathrow.

Overnight flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

24th June: Lunchtime flight from Nairobi to Kigali, Rwanda. Travel by road to Shyogwe.

25th June: Shyogwe

26th June: Official opening of the water project at Gitarama, the nearest town to Shyogwe. The project has been funded by the Dublin YMCA.

27th June: early morning journey to Kigali. Travel by road to Bujumbura, Burundi, arriving there in the afternoon to stay with the Rev Clement Ninziza.

28th June: Church in Bujumbura then a two hour drive to Himbure in the community of Mugamba to visit a school being built by Fields of Life with support from the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal. Overnight in Bujumbura.

29th June: Travel by road from Bujumbura back to Kigali and thence to Shyogwe.

30th June-2nd July: work in Shyogwe

3rd July: afternoon flight from Kigali to Nairobi; overnight flight to Heathrow.

4th July: morning flight to Dublin

5th July: back in church

The trip is one with many potential problems and pitfalls. Our hosts have already decided that it is not safe for a stray clergyman to travel alone down to Burundi and are providing transport on both sides of the border.

Your prayers are asked for good health, safety from violence and wise words (and for the luggage to arrive where it is intended and for the flights to connect properly so as to be back in time for a baptism on 5th July).

€4,000 has been collected in the parish for the work in Shyogwe, a sum that will go a very long way in a country where average incomes are the equivalent of less than €200 a year.

Select Vestry

The Select Vestry meets on Tuesday, 16th June at 8.15 pm at the Rectory. This is our last meeting before the summer so it is hoped that all members will be able to be present. The vestry is currently considering plans for the redevelopment of the parish centre—it has served us very well for the past twenty-three years but is now in need of major renewal. Please pray for the vestry as it considers the options that are laid before it.

Annual Holidays

The Rector is taking annual holidays from Wednesday, 29th July until Wednesday, 25th August: visiting family in Herefordshire and Somerset; then going to the Western Front in northern France to pay respects to the Fallen from our parish; and then going to campsites at Maisons Lafitte in the suburbs of Paris and at Labenne, north of Biarritz in the south-western corner of France.

Operation Smile CD

Saint Matthias’ Junior Choir joined with the choir of Saint Killian’s German School and the Kilternan School of Music to make a CD on behalf of Operation Smile. Operation Smile volunteers travel to poor parts of the world on surgical missions to repair childhood facial deformities.

An average operation, which changes life completely for a child, costs €240. We still have some copies of the CD for sale. They are available at just €10 each, so for each two dozen sold, a child has a new future. CDs are available from church

New season resolutions

Our parish ticks over in a steady way, our books balance and the faithful come along Sunday by Sunday. September marks the beginning of a new season in church life and it would be encouraging if people were to make resolutions to be more committed in their church membership.

If you don’t attend, resolve to come to the all age service on the first Sunday of each month.

If you come along once a month, decide on setting aside a second Sunday morning to be present for worship.

If you are a weekly attender, what about coming along to our evening service each week?

Tidings - May 2009

 

The Rector writes . . .

Do you remember the days when you would cut figures out of cardboard, and hang accessories on them with tabs, and think that this was something great to have?

Perhaps it was much more a girl's thing, cutting out models from comics and dressing them in different outfits, but there must, at one time, have been a market amongst boys.

The makers of Kellogg's Corn Flakes obviously believed that there was interest amongst small boys in cutting things out of card, because in the late 1960s they ran a series of pictures of knights in armour on the backs of Corn Flakes packets.  The knight was besuited in his battle armour and dextrous fingers were meant to cut out weapons to be attached to the figure with folding tabs.  A shield for the left arm, a belt and sword for the waist, a lance to attach to the right hand; strips of card below the figure could be cut out and inserted at right angles into slits at the bottom of the figure so that he would stand up.

How many thousands of these boxes did they print?

Probably a large number.  Own brands would have been rare in those days and there was (and still is) only one brand of corn flakes that tasted like Kellogg's.

Despite the huge volumes of each figure that must have been printed; there seemed to be one of the knights that was very hard to find.  One could have any number of Black Princes, but one of the lesser known characters was very rare.

Staying with my grandparents on their farm was always a special treat.

Breakfast was a dietician's nightmare; cereal was immersed in milk scooped, still warm, from the top of the churn.  A number of Jersey cows added to the richness of the milk from the Friesians, and along with the warm fresh milk, there would have been a pink Tupperware bowl from which to spoon cream over the top of the plentiful sugar that had already been sprinkled on the corn flakes.

One summer's morning, having poured a mountain of corn flakes into the bowl, with the necessary amounts of milk, sugar and cream. I sat back on the wooden chair, the bright light of the August day coming through the kitchen window behind me. I turned the corn flakes box to read the back (do people still read cereal packets?) and there it was - the missing knight.

The delight of that moment still remains.  Who he was, I have no idea.  Greens and browns on his armour remain in the memory, but a search of the internet provided no clues.  Kellogg's seem not to have an archive of old corn flakes boxes, perhaps there would be little demand for such information.

There have been many times since when I would have wished to have recaptured such a moment - such an unalloyed innocent delight in something so commonplace and simple.

In the story of Jesus, I find a simple joy, a straightforward delight, that evokes memories of those childhood days. Where else is there such simple, straightforward good news?

Children’s Day and Family Barbecue

Our fourth annual Children’s Day service takes place at 10.30 am on Sunday, 24th May when we will have an all age service with lots of participation. The service will be followed by our FREE barbecue for all the family and children’s games.

There will be a flyer going out giving details .

Thank you

We had a very good Holy Week; an average of thirty people each evening. Sincere thanks to Dr Billy Marshall for his series of five reflections on Jesus’ words, “Come to me all ye who are weak and heavy laden.” We had a very good Easter: thank you to everyone who contributed to the beauty of the day.

Books!

Our bookstall will be running on one more Sunday prior to the fete, on Sunday 3rd May. There is always a frantic rush to sort books during the week before the fete—if you have books for the fete, it would be great if you could bring them on 3rd May, or some Sunday, so everything doesn’t arrive in one rush.

Shyogwe Project

April saw excellent support for the work in Shyogwe diocese in Rwanda.

Daphne Whelan’s coffee morning raised on 1st April raised almost €800; Wednesday evening collections during Lent raised €770, added to which was over €500 from retiring collections during Holy Week.

We now have €4,000 for the Rector to take to Shyogwe when he travels Rwanda on June 23rd.

Healing Services

We have two more healing services before evening services stop for the summer—Sundays 3rd May and 7th June at 7 pm.

Saint Matthias’ Indoor Bowling Club

On the 9th and 10th  April we took part in the Champion of Champions Tournament which was hosted this year by Kill o' the Grange. Each club enters the winner of a singles competition, this year Tony Quinn represented Saint Matthias'. The winner was Clonkeen, second Kill o' the Grange and Tony took third place in a very tough competition.

Our St' Matthias' Bowls Festival will take place this year on the 13th & 14th May in the Parish Centre, we hope to have at least 18 clubs taking part, last years was a great success. All proceeds will go as usual to Blackrock Hospice. Why not come along and support this very good cause, enjoy the entertainment and refreshments.

We miss Dougie on Wednesdays at our bowls and hope he will be back and well again soon.  

T. A. Q.

Killiney Lions Club Dream Auction

For the past thirty years, Killiney Lions Club, in conjunction with Lions Clubs throughout> Ireland have arranged holidays for Senior Citizens who would not otherwise get a break.. This year again eight hundred and fifty people will be taken on a much-needed break they could not provide for themselves.

In order to defray some of the considerable cost involved Killiney Lions Club are holding a “Dream Auction” on the 28th May in the Horse & Hound, Cabinteely.

Do come along and support us that evening.

Jim Bradfield

Coffee Morning Thanks

Sincere thanks to Daphne Whelan and to all who supported Daphne’s coffee morning to raise funds for the development work in Shogwe diocese in Rwanda.

The morning raised almost €800, a very big total for an event organised at short notice; an even bigger total when put into a Rwandan context. €800 is US$1,040 and the US State Department says that income per person in Rwanda in 2008 was only $370—that puts things into perspective!

Fête 2009

This year’s fête will be on Saturday, 6th June, 10 am-2 pm.

Last year, we again fell a couple of hundred Euro short of a profit of €20,000. The past two years’ totals have been achieved with good weather and huge effort—we must be thankful for whatever the Lord sends us.

Peter Fisher has very generously agreed to return from his holiday in the West to oversee the business of the day.

Book Club

The Book Club meeting was filled with much laughter as we discussed Dylan Thomas’ play Under Milkwood.

At our May meeting, on Friday 1st May, Sebastian Barry’s The Secret Scripture will be discussed and during May, the club will read Louis de Bernieres’ Birds Without Wings.

Prayer Group

The Prayer Group meets on Thursdays, 14th and 28th May. The group meets at the Rectory at 8 pm. we spend an hour in reflection on a Bible passage and praying together and then drink tea and eat biscuits—nothing scary!

We would be glad to welcome more people along, simply being present is an encouragement.

Fête Plea

Please do not donate large items of furniture to the fete, we cannot sell them!

Suites of furniture, mattresses, etc should only be resold with fire certificates and big old wardrobes are very rarely wanted.

If there are big things you want to be rid of, then why not try Jumbletown.ie—the slogan for which is ‘someone, somewhere, wants it!

Thank you

A sincere word of thanks to those who contributed to the parish Emergency Fund.. The speed at which the country has gone from boom to bust has been startling and there are many people now under severe strain.

All church members need to keep our nation in their daily prayers. The apprehension and fear about what might lie ahead is making the situation worse: frightening people into not spending money they might have and so worsening the situation for those who have lost jobs or whose jobs are in danger. We need prayers for calmness and guidance.

Niall’s Ordination

Niall Stratford will be ordained deacon to serve as non-stipendiary curate in our parish on Sunday, 21st June at 3.30 pm in Christ Church Cathedral. This will be the first time since the Nineteenth Century that someone will have been ordained to serve in the parish and we hope for a large representation from the parish at the cathedral that afternoon.

The Rector is preaching at the service, at which four people will be ordained, so will be able to see from the pulpit who is present!

A Symphony of Smiles

A CD launched on Saturday, 25th April 2009, featuring the children’s choirs of Kilternan Music School, St. Killian’s Deutsche Schule and Saint Mattthias Church.

In spite of the ’potential doom and gloom’ of this Irish new year, some 45 vibrant young singers from the above mentioned choirs managed to come together with their trainers on several busy Saturday afternoons and make the first ever music CD for Operation Smile Ireland.

Volunteering their sweet young voices, and with a repertoire of well known songs from world music and the great musicals, they embrace Operation Smile volunteers’ mission of repairing childhood facial deformities around the world. It is an operation of ‘symphonic proportions’ because singing is one of mankind’s most noble arts and can touch the hearts of everyone all over the world. Through the making of this CD, the children have found the perfect medium to bring awareness and practical help to this cause which benefits less fortunate world communities.

It is a tribute to so many people involved that Anne Thielemans, CD Project Coordinator, could one day realise her vision and ambition to create such a CD.

The CD is available for purchase at a cost of €10.00 from Saint Matthias’ Church and all proceeds go towards Operation Smile missions - see

www.operationsmile.ie

Coins for Shyogwe

We are using your small change to make a big difference in people’s lives. There is a “Shyogwe Change” jar at the back of the church for you to get rid of all those small coins. Stephanie Brownlee kindly counts and lodges the coins—a typical jarful of coins raises around €100 for the work in Rwanda.

We are still welcoming your old Irish coins. Adele Trapnell takes these to the Central Bank at College Green, the only place they may still be changed. There is a jar for punts and pence—notes also welcome!

Lectio Divina

The Lectio Divina exercise this month will be on Sunday, 10th May at 7.00 pm. A chance to be still and to be quiet.

Global Day of Prayer

Pentecost, 31st May 2009

In the past two years, a group of Christians have hosted a national day of prayer in Clonmacnois, Co.Offaly. This year they will be hosting the same event, in Clonmacnois, but taking it to a new level, by producing resources to facilitate prayer in churches and groups across Ireland, to link with us on the 31st May 2009. This day of prayer is linked to the Global Day of Prayer which mobilises millions of Christians to pray for our world.

Check their website for full details:

www.globaldayofprayer.com/

 

 

Church of Ireland General Synod

Armagh, 8-10 May 2009

The General Synod of the Church of Ireland will take place from Friday 8th May to Sunday 10th May at the Armagh City Hotel. The Synod is scheduled to commence in the hotel at 10am on Friday 8th and to finish at 4.30pm on Sunday 10th. The Synod Service will be held in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh on Sunday 10th at 11am.

The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Alan Harper, said: 'General Synod 2009, meeting in Armagh over a weekend for the first time, occurs at a time of great challenge and great opportunity for the Church of Ireland. I urge all Synod members to participate fully in debating the issues, determining the priorities and making the decisions that will shape church life in the new global environment emerging from the meltdown of the world’s economic and financial systems.'

The Rector and Niall Stratford from our parish will be attending synod.

Twittering away

Facebook, Twitter and blogging websites are now even more popular than email, according to recent figures. It seems that social networking on the internet is soaring in popularity.

Online, a research company which monitors internet usage worldwide, has found that blogging and social-networking are no longer restricted to young people and technophiles.

For many older people, it has become a great way of keeping in touch with friends.

Twitter, the latest internet craze, is so popular that 71 per cent of its users are over the age of 35, with more than a quarter of its users over the age of 50.

If you use Twitter, the Rector is around under his own name, and a number of other parishioners are to be found, both on Twitter and Facebook.

Simon Community

Do remember the homeless. We can help them in a small way. Tea coffee and sugar, items that can always be used, can be left at the back of the church in the corner beside the churchwardens’ seat.

We are very grateful to Adele Trapnell, who has resumed the run to the city centre hostel, after Caroline Murphy very kindly took responsibility for it during Adele's time in Canada

Tidings - April 2009

The Rector writes . . .

I have a used one day travel ticket for the London Underground in my wallet—I don’t know why.

Well, when I think about it, I do know why.

It goes back to being a child deep in the English West Country. London was a place that you rarely, if ever visited, it was the land of success and dreams. I remember wealthy people who would talk about “going up to ‘town’”, as if the 120 mile journey to London was as simple as going to the local shops. Going to London was something special; it was to see the same places and to walk the same streets as the rich and the powerful. Never mind that you were a yokel up from the country on a day trip, for that day you could imagine.

When I grew up and spent three years there as a student, London did not turn out to be a place of dreams or success; it proved to be a very lonely place. Yet as the years have passed, the sense of magic has returned. Going there for a day at the end of November and walking through the Christmas fair in Hyde Park; meeting friends for lunch in Mayfair; taking a black London cab across the river; browsing the open air bookstalls on the South Bank; sitting on the Embankment talking before going our separate ways at six o’clock; there was a recapturing of a childhood sense of delight.

Of course, I should throw out the silly ticket (along with one from the Paris Metro from some years previously), but it conjures up thoughts of places and sights and sounds and memories.

The Easter story, for me, also brings back a childhood sense of delight. Each year Good Friday 1968 comes vividly to mind. A friend of my mother’s came and took my sister and I for a walk - there were only two of us at the time, our younger sister would be born later that month.

We walked a long way for children of seven and three, two or three miles to local woods. I think my sister may have had the assistance of a pushchair.

We gathered flowers in the woods. In my memory they are bluebells, but it would probably have been too early in the year; maybe pale yellow primroses, the sort of flowers that would grace an Easter garden.

I made a frieze when we got home - a series of white pieces of paper on which I drew the Good Friday story that we had been told at High Ham Church of England Primary School. The only thing I remember from what I drew is my attempt at Pontius Pilate - a figure, drawn badly, of a man seated behind a bowl of water. For some strange reason, I coloured him bright yellow.

Yellow is the only colour I remember from those drawings. Maybe there has been filtering in the memory; yellow, white and gold being the colours of Easter celebration in more recent times.

Why that single afternoon remains so vivid in my memory, I am not sure. There must have been many other moments of more significance, many moments more exciting.

The railway ticket and the Easter story, both evoking memories of childhood; yet while one belongs very firmly to the past, the other looks forward to a bright new future.

Join with us this Easter, as once more we celebrate the story that has endured all through the years.

Ian Poulton

 

Come unto me, all ye who are weak and heavy laden

Five Holy Week Reflections from Dr Billy Marshall inspired by the east Window at Saint Matthias’

Palm Sunday, 5th April

9 am Holy Communion

10.30 The Liturgy of the Palms and the Dramatised Reading of the Passion

7 pm Holy Communion and the First Holy Week Address:

‘Come unto me . . .

Monday in Holy Week

7.30 am Morning Prayer

8.15pm Late Evening Office and Second Holy Week Address

‘Come unto me . . . all who are bound.’

Tuesday in Holy Week

7.30 am Morning Prayer

8.15 pm Compline and Third Holy Week Address

‘Come unto me .  . .all who labour.’

Wednesday in Holy Week

7.30 am Morning Prayer

10.30 am Holy Communion

8.15 pm Evening Prayer and Fourth Holy Week Address

‘Come unto me . . .all who are heavily laden.’

Maundy Thursday

7.30 am Morning Prayer

8.15 pm Holy Communion with Anointing for Healing and Final Holy Week Address ‘Come unto me… all who are sick, all who mourn.’

Good Friday, 10th April

7.30 am Morning Prayer

2 pm The Last Hour - quiet reflection on Christ’s Passion in words and music

8.15 pm The Story of Calvary - in words and music

Easter Eve, 11th April

8 pm The Easter Vigil

with Junior Choir and Young People’s Participation

(Parents will receive a flyer about this service)

Easter Day, 12th April

6.32 am Sonrise Service at Killiney Hill

9 am Holy Communion

10.30 am Holy Communion

7 pm Lectio Divina

 

Book Club

Having read Welshman Dylan Thomas’ play Under Milkwood in March, the Book Club returns to Ireland for its thoughts in April when Sebastian Barry’s The Secret Scripture will be discussed. In May, the club will read Louis de Bernieres’ Birds Without Wings

Should a particular book be of interest, do come along and join us for the evening. We have about a dozen of us when we are all present and the conversation is always good.

 

55 Club

Members of the 55 Club have enjoyed three events in recent weeks. Two dozen or so people enjoyed an excellent talk from Chris Stillman on South America. Chris reflected on the cities and places visited on a recent cruise on which he had been a lecturer.

55 Club and Book Club members attended a production of Samuel Beckett’s bleak but thought-provoking play Endgame at the Pavilion Theatre. A good number meeting for a meal at Hartley’s prior to the performance.

On 20th March, a group of eight people went to visit the Chester Beatty library (a marvellous place and completely free). The Silk Road, the café at the library provides a very good lunch at very reasonable prices (a pot of tea at €1.75 must be one of the cheapest in the city centre).

this month, on Friday, 24th April we have a visit to Helen Dillon’s garden. Leave from the church at 10 am. Contact Jean Paul.

A Word from Niall . . .

So much uncertainty and so many troubles abound in all our lives at this time. Is, or will our job be secure? Will we be able to cope and manage to pay all the bills that have to be paid? How can we look after our health and our children? The list is seemingly endless.

Our prayers, thoughts and questions are with the families of the soldiers and the PSNI constable who were recently killed in Northern Ireland. They were doing their jobs when they were attacked by the forces of terrorism. Tragically our own city continues to witness ongoing violence in the guise of ‘gangland style’ and other shootings.

Behind all our daily tasks, behind all the atrocities, the economic turmoil and chaos lies the question; Why? There are many questions for which we can provide an answer, many questions that I consider we probably incorrectly or inadequately answer and myriads of questions for which we simply have no answer whatsoever.

Thankfully however, there is one question for which there is a very clear answer. The reason we joyfully proclaim ‘Jesus Christ is Risen- Hallelujah’. We are often referred to as being; ‘ The Easter People’ and indeed this is who we are. The gospel music arrangement of the song ‘ Oh Happy Day’ captures this sense of joy in the lyrics; ‘Jesus taught me how to live rejoicing. Yes he did’.

As we journey through the challenges of Holy Week towards Easter Day, may we declare; ‘ The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy’ (Psalm 126 v 3)

Niall Stratford

Fête 2009

Preparations for the fête are beginning. The book and cake stalls have been running on the first Sunday of the month after church and sweet peas were being sold by the plant stall at the end of March. Peter Fisher has again very kindly agreed to act as co-ordinator and we are well into our countdown. As usual, the fête is on the Saturday after the June bank holiday, which, this year, is Saturday, 6th June—a very early date because the holiday weekend this year falls at the end of May, with 1st June being the bank holiday Monday.

Annual Parish Raffle

We still need a few more prizes.

If you would like

to sponsor a prize,

big or small,

contact Philip Salter

as soon as possible

A sponsor to cover

the cost of printing

the tickets

is also required.

Simon Community

Our Simon Community box has been well filled over recent weeks. Our continuing thanks to Caroline Murphy, who has been taking the box to the shelter in the city centre

Easter General Vestry

The Easter Vestry, the annual general meeting of our parish, takes place on Sunday, 26th April at 11.45 am—straight after the morning service. We usually have 30-40 people at the meeting which is completed in an hour.

Sunday School News

Sunday School is on a countdown towards the end of the year, now. we hope all our young people will come along for our Easter Eve service at 8 pm on Saturday, 11th April. Junior Choir are singing and young people are asked to bring with them flowers for decorating the cross.

There is no Sunday School on the Sunday after Easter. The remaining dates in our calendar are:

April 26 Sunday School

May 3 All Age Service

10 Sunday School

17 Sunday School

24 Children’s Day

Saint Matthias’ Indoor Bowling Club

On Saturday 21st March 2009, our Ladies Team: Georgina, Joan, Peggy and Mabel took part in the Final of the Hope Cup. The Hope Cup is a knockout competition for Ladies and our girls came through winning all their matches and getting through to the Final. What do you think? We won the Cup beating St. Thomas's of Stillorgan. The match was played in Tallaght and was an nailbiting event right to the end. Well done Ladies

The Price Cup Team got through to the semi-final but unfortunately were beaten by only a couple of points.

We are still open to new members, so why not come along any Wednesday evening and join us for a game.

Tony Quinn

Scripture and Prayer

Our April Lectio Divina exercise will be on Sunday, 12th April at 7 pm. what better way of rounding off the celebration of Easter than in quiet contemplation of the wonderful Good News of that morning in Jerusalem?

Prayer Group

The Prayer Group will not on Thursday, 8th April—it being Maundy Thursday but will meet on Thursdays 15th and 29th April.

We are very grateful to those who support our parish through their prayers, both at the group and day by day.

Ballybrack Guides

A hall was filled by Guides past and present as Ballybrack Guides marked two major anniversaries on Sunday, 22nd February: it is forty years since Guiding began in Ballybrack in 1969, and twenty years since the foundation of the Ladybirds, the youngest section in Guiding. Ballybrack Ladybirds were the first in the country.

The occasion took the form of a “Guides Own” in which songs were sung and pieces read.

Sitting in a large circle, many former members and leaders shared thoughts of what Guiding had meant to them over the years. The ever young Hazel Newman remembered Guiding before the war. There were many happy memories of the friendships and the experiences people had found through Guiding as well as memories of camping in all sorts of places and in all sort of conditions. A web was created by passing a ball of yarn from leader to leader—criss-crossing the circle as the story of Ballybrack Guides over the past forty years was told. One person not in that web meant that the whole web would fall apart.

The gathering was attended by Mr Barry Andrews TD, the Minister for Children, and special thanks was extended to Mrs Lynda Harvey, who has been vital to Guiding in Ballybrack for more than a decade.

An excellent tea was served by current Guides at the end of the celebration.

Shyogwe

Our collections for the work of Shyogwe Diocese in Rwanda have been going well. At our Lent services we have collected €508 on the first four Wednesday evenings and will be having retiring collections at our services during Holy Week.

We carry on collecting copper coins copper coins and old Irish coins each Sunday. (we can get old Irish coins changed into Euro at the Central Bank of Ireland in Dame Street). Our last jar of coins raised €120, in a country where earnings are tiny, those one, two and five cent coins make a difference.

Every cent raised will go directly to Shyogwe when the Rector visits there in June.

Emergency Fund

If anyone else would like to support the parish emergency fund, contributions would be most welcome. As you can imagine, there are a lot of people going through difficult times. Contributions can be given to the Rector, in confidence

Blogging away!

Thank you to those who responded to the Rector’s appeal for a few more readers for his blog—on Ash Wednesday, Google Analytics said there were ninety-eight unique visitors and the number since then has touched fifty or sixty on some days. (There were problems around Saint Patrick’s Day when the site was hacked leading to a sharp fall in traffic).

Building up traffic builds up the advertising revenue, which currently stands at about $15. If you want to trace the progress in attempting to build up a readership, add an Alexa Toolbar to your Internet Explorer or Firefox browser. The blog has risen some 30,000 places from a ranking of 377,000 to one of 347,000 in the past month.

If you haven’t read it, check:

www.forthefainthearted.com

Last Lent Service

The last of our Lent series of services, “Sense Making Faith” takes place on Wednesday, 1st April, beginning at 7.30 pm and ending at 8.00.

The series has been looking at how our senses are important to developing our faith and came from the website of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and from the BBC. We had an average attendance of twenty-eight people at the first four services, so if you haven’t made it along yet, do come and join us.. Our theme on 1st April is “Journey into Hearing”.

Sermon for Saint Patrick's Day

Sermon at Saint Matthias' Church on 17th March 2009 at:

www.forthefainthearted.com