The Magazine of the Church of Ireland Parishes of Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney in the Diocese of Down and Dromore

Many years ago, I was invited to travel out on the land with a group of Inuit to a small camp where many of them had been born. To get there we travelled by boat across the Cumberland Sound. Concurrent to this a team from Ireland had come across to help with a Holiday Bible Club and to have a cross cultural experience. One of the team leaders, now the rector of Billy and Derrykeighan on the North Coast, came out with me and we stayed in a small wooden cabin with an elder and her adopted young son Ben. All went well, beautiful weather and stories told as the elders remembered their past experiences. Now, I think it worth noting that elders in that society were anyone over the age of 56 so the memories were rather fresh. As the day approached for our departure back the weather started to change. The clouds closed in, and the wind and rain started. The rain eventually did stop but the clouds and wind were still present. This wasn’t much of an issue for a couple of days but as the days went by the creeping thought that Geoffrey needed to get back, by the end of the week to catch his flight, started to come closer to the fore of our minds.

Well, at the last possible moment the weather did change, and Geoffrey was able to get back the night before his return flight to Ireland. You can imagine Geoffrey’s relief at being able to make it back in time. I have been blessed with 10 years living and working with the Indigenous Peoples in North America and I have come to appreciate many of their customs and ways of looking at life and living. One of the things that blessed me most, and something I have tried to live into, is their patience. Anyone who really knows me will understand this is something I struggle with. Their ability to remain patient and allow space for God. Their trust in the Creator God is quite something. Those that Geoffrey and I were with did not seem to be phased by the weather and the approaching date of Geoffrey’s return flight. They quietly trusted that God the creator would make a way, that the clouds would lift, and the wind and rain would stop.

With all that is going on in the world around us now, the news, each of our current lived experiences, all that is going on in each of our lives, I am drawn more and more to the examples of my dear Indigenous friends’ way of looking at the world and their steadfast trust in our Creator God. To allow God space to work and to know his love for us whatever we are confronted with. To rest in him as opposed to frantically worrying and jumping ahead of things and missing the moments and opportunity for God to be God and work in our lives and those things we are faced with.

One of the themes that has been coming up in these last few weeks in our lectionary readings at church is trust. Trusting God’s Word and his promises. They have been coming up week after week, and this ought not be a surprise to us, as we often need to hear it, to be reassured time and again. Perhaps maybe, just maybe, we will start to live into God’s Promises, God’s Word.

May God bless you as you trust him for whatever comes next. Thank you for your kindness and your love shown to Karen, Liam and myself over these last few years as we have walked with you.

Blessings

To ensure everyone gets a chance to come to J.A.M., we’ve organised THREE Big Days Out! Join us for a day of fast–paced fun based around the story of Jesus sleeping in the storm. For children from P5 to Year 8.

Dates for 2023: 24th, 25th and 26th July

What will day camp look like?

Day camp will have all the fun and excitement of a residential camp but crammed into one very full day . . . so be ready!! The day begins with registration opening from 10.00 am. We’ve got your lunch covered, and the event finishes at 4.00 pm. Activities will include:

Water fights

Facepainting

Wide Games Campfire snacks

Team Challenges And lots, lots more!

About our camps

Treasure hunts

Bible teaching

Kilbroney Adventure Camps are an initiative of the Diocese of Down and Dromore as part of our objective to support the faith of young people and their families.

Our aims for these camps are to:

Grow young people in their faith through providing Bible study, devotions, worship & fellowship

Teach and develop skills in leadership, teamwork and in new activities

Build self–esteem, regard for others and friendships

The Kilbroney Centre is four star rated accommodation for groups and is now one of the premier centres for youth groups in Northern Ireland. It is surrounded by 11 acres of enclosed grounds at the foot of the Mournes Mountains. For more information on the Centre please visit its website.

Our staff are highly experienced leaders who have worked on several children camps.

Cost and Booking

The cost is just £10 per person which includes all activities and lunch. Book your Big Day Out via the Down and Dromore website. downanddromore.org

Songs of Praise

30th July in Kilbroney at 11.00 am

United Service

This coincides with the Fiddlers Green Festival and will include many favourite hymns and contributions from some of the Festival musicians as well as the Rostrevor Children’s Choir.

Hymns include: All things bright and beautiful …, Great is thy faithfulness …, I the Lord of sea and sky …, Be thou my vision

Church Services

The Rector’s last Sunday with us is 27th August.

Communion in Clonallon at 10.00 am. Morning Prayer in Kilbroney at 11.30 am.

for everyone in Warrenpoint Parish Hall at 1.15/1.30 pm (time to be confirmed).

Lectionary Year A

Clonallon and Warrenpoint Facebook https://www.facebook.com/warrenpointcoi/ Sunday Services live streamed at 10.00 am.

Kilbroney Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KilbroneyParishChurchRostrevor/ Sunday Services live streamed at 11.30 am.

Prayer Times

10.45 am in Vestry Warrenpoint Church

Tuesday 11th July

Tuesday 8th August

Tuesday 12th September

Everyone, from each of our parishes, is invited to join us.

Crafters on Wednesdays

This group continues to welcome all folk with crafts of any kind. We gather again in September in the Parish Room.

Tower Bells and Handbells on Thursdays

Tower bells 6.45 to 7.30 pm

Handbells 7.30 to 9.00 pm or as arranged

Ladies Guild

Resumes September

Deadline for September 2023 edition of The Pointer is Friday 25th August

Please keep sending in articles and photographs!

Editor: hannamanor15@btinternet.com

Compline on Facebook 9.00 pm

Sundays only from July

KPC Prayer Group

Members are encouraged to join the prayer times listed for 11th July, 8th August and 12th September to be held in Warrenpoint Church Vestry

Ladies Bible Study

Next meeting in Warrenpoint Vestry Tuesday 10th October at 10.45 am

Badminton

Warrenpoint Parish Hall

Mondays and Thursdays from 5.30 pm

Join the WhatsApp group for regular updates.

Sunday Explorers

Resume September

Favourite Hymn

For the United Service on 30th July (held in Kilbroney) we want to use a selection of favourite hymns. Please submit your choice in the box provided in each church. These will be collected at the beginning of July. (Your name won’t be used in the service!)

Name Hymn

Used Stamps

Royal National Institute of Blind People

We will begin again to collect used postage stamps. Please cut/tear a small margin of paper round each stamp (about a centimetre) . These will be sent to RNIB twice a year.

I like this hymn because

Bible Week 2023 29th August 1st September

Bible Week 2023 will run from 29/8/23 to 1/9/23 in Willowfield Church at 7.45 pm. We hope you’ll join us for Bible Week with evangelist and practical theologian, the Revd Greg Downes. Greg’s theme will be True Conversion and he will lead us in four studies in the first chapter of Colossians.

Tuesday 29th August

A change of address (Colossians 1:1–2)

Wednesday 30th August

Conversion to a cause (Colossians 1:3–14)

Thursday 31st August

Conversion to Christ (Colossians 1:15–23)

Friday 1st September

Conversion to a community (Colossians 1: 24–29)

Greg will also be with us for the month of September 2023 when he will engage in mission throughout the diocese.

As well as inspiring teaching, our annual Bible Week includes worship and prayer ministry. It is a wonderful opportunity for clergy, leaders and parishioners alike to be refreshed ahead of the busy autumn term. Don’t miss it!

Greg Downes is the director of Kingfisher Ministries and Theologian & Missioner of Saint Mary’s Cogges near Oxford. He is a passionate follower of Jesus, dedicated to using his life and gifts to extend Christ’s Kingdom. He is an evangelist, practical theologian and ordained minister of the Church of England.

Greg has served in a number of roles over the years: Study assistant to John Stott; Tutor in Evangelism at The London School of Theology; Evangelist–in–Residence at Saint Andrew’s Chorleywood; Chaplain at Pembroke College, Oxford University; Oxford Pastorate Chaplain (based at St Aldate’s Church) and Theologian & Missioner at Saint Michael le Belfrey York. He was until recently Director of Ministerial Training and Dean of the Wesley Centre for Missional Engagement at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. Since 1st January 2022, Greg has been the Director of Kingfisher Ministries which exists to equip the church to fulfil her Great Commission.

His passion is to lead people to Christ and to equip others to do the same, as well as serve as a consultant to churches and mentor and coach to missional leaders.

Information from Down and Dromore website.

Fiddlers Green International Festival has become one of Ireland’s longest running and most successful festivals.

Keep an eye out for the handbell workshop and a number of other events where the handbells will be involved. This includes the United Songs of Praise Service in Kilbroney Parish Church at 11.00 am on Sunday 30th July.

Fish

Down in Possum Valley, Billy, with a bucket of fish, was stopped by a game warden. He was leaving an area well known for its fishing. The game warden asked Billy, "Do you have a licence to catch those fish?"

"Naw, sir, I ain't got none of them there licences, no. You gotta understand, these here are my pet fish."

"Pet fish?" asked the game warden.

"Yeah. Every night I take these here fish down to da lake and let them swim 'round for a while. Then I whistle and they jump right back into this here bucket and I take 'em home."

"That's a likely story! Fish can't do that!" says the warden.

Billy looked at the game warden for a moment and then said, "It's the truth, Mr. Government man, I'll show you. It really works."

"Okay," said the game warden, "I've GOT to see this!"

Billy poured the fish into the lake and stood and waited. After several minutes, the game warden turned to him and said, "Well?"

“Well, what?" asked Billy. The warden said, "When are you going to call them back?"

Billy said, "Call who back?"

"The FISH!" replied the warden.

"What fish?" asked Billy.

Village congregations are invariably small. But a small church is not a failed large church, any more than a satsuma is a failed orange.”

The technological age has given us easy access to information that was impossible a few years ago. A mere click of a computer tab can scan a document for specific words, list them, and count them.

The words “Fear not” occur 365 times in some versions of Holy Scripture. Everything within Holy Scripture is there for a reason and nothing can be attributed to coincidence.

If they are beaten up in a certain town, they are told simply to move on to the next village v23. When they are arrested for the sake of the gospel, Jesus tells them the Spirit will speak through them. The disciples are to gently proclaim the gospel. Their lives are to be consistent with the gospel of grace they proclaim. We are to mirror God's love to the world.

Despite this, Jesus says that you are going to find it extremely difficult, you’ll be beaten up, arrested, falsely accused.

Despite your message of love, you will be hated.

Despite your clear witness to God, you will be called devils.

Worse, your words will bring difficulty within families on account of him and his gospel. And if all of this is not surprising enough, Jesus himself then declares that he did not come to this earth to bring peace but strife v34!

The idea that the words “Fear not” appear 365 times can surely point to the need to remember them every single day of the year. Fear is a major problem that everyone faces and must deal with. The news, our conversations, and the much advice we hear, lead to fear. Even in Churches, many pronouncements are often made that lead to fear.

There is a story of a man who saw a terrible person named “Death” going towards his town. When asked what he was planning to do “Death” replied that he was going to the town to collect five people. The man immediately went back and told the town’s people what “Death” was planning to do. The next time he met “Death” he asked why he took more than a thousand people when he said he was only going to take five. “Death” replied that he only took five and that the rest died from fear.

We hear God speak the same words, “Fear not – Don’t be afraid” to the helpless mother Hagar as she weeps for her son Ishmael in our Old Testament reading, Genesis 22:1-14, and Jesus says the same in our reading from Matthew 10:26.

Jesus gives authority to the twelve disciples. He gives them power to do miracles and he provides them a hopeful message to proclaim.

He sends the disciples out in gentleness, telling them that it is not their job to fight when the going gets rough. They are not to force the gospel on people, if people don't like what the disciples have to say, they are to move on.

You might think that Matthew has not read the Gospel of Luke where the angels herald Jesus' birth as the advent of "peace on earth!" And it looks like Jesus' version of "family values" is a wee bit different from what is understood today. All of which should make us pause and think.

Why is the gospel sometimes hated?

Well, let's admit that sometimes it is because the bearers of the gospel are themselves very un-Christ-like. The Church at times tried to convert people at the point of a sword on threat of execution. History informs us that the followers of Jesus were not the ones being thrown into jail because of their beliefs but instead it was the ‘so called’ followers of Jesus who were throwing other people into jail because of their unbelief! So, it is not surprising then to know why the gospel has been despised or rejected, and continues to be, even today.

The gospel gets polluted when we who bear the message are ourselves living contrary with what the gospel is all about

Here in Matthew 10 Jesus assumes that the disciples will not be hypocrites. Jesus appears to be operating on the thinking that the disciples will be innocent, like vulnerable sheep, who will faithfully proclaim the good news. Still, Jesus predicts persecution, rejection and hatred.

So, it is not just the church at its worst that will be rejected but the church at its very best, as well. There is something about the gospel that many find difficult to take.

What is this something?

Well, I suggest it is Surrender.

The core of the gospel is grace and love, forgiveness and renewal, hope and joy.

On the surface perhaps you can't imagine anyone not wanting such.

It is what lies behind the love, grace, and hope that sticks in people. God's forgiveness is great until the realization that accepting it means acknowledging that we are guilty.

Has anyone ever offered to forgive you for something you don't think you did?

Forgiveness is lovely, of course - it's one of the more beautiful words in the English language. But it can sound ugly if your acceptance of it would implicate you in something you refuse to acknowledge ever doing.

Surrendering to God's offer of forgiveness implicates us in sin which many people don't think they have a problem with in the first place.

Another lovely word is Grace. Few words have such depth of feeling!! Who could not like grace?

Maybe anyone who refuses to believe that he or she needs outside help.

Maybe anyone who is convinced that personal skill and achievement, or a good life well-lived ought to be enough to make the grade with God.

Again, accepting God’s grace implies some of helplessness. Many people have a hard time admitting they need medication to hold depression at bay or that they need help to make ends meet. Embarrassment often accompanies those who are on social assistance, who are dependent instead of independent.

Embracing grace, however, says something about the whole of our existence. And for some that's just too big a load of shame, disgrace, and dependence to accept.

The world does not always like the gospel because before the gospel can proclaim its tender and wonderful word of grace, we have to accept the prior fact that we need grace due to our sin. The world does not always like that.

But what about those of us in the church?

Jesus invites us to take up our cross in Matthew 10:38. What Jesus means by this is that to follow him is to go under the sentence of death.

John Dickson, in the series ‘Life of Jesus’ says that for someone to have worn a cross around their neck, at the time of Jesus, would be like someone in our day wearing a small electric chair around their neck.

There was only one reason to carry a cross in Jesus' day and that was if you were going to be nailed to it and die, it was punishment.

Jesus is calling you and me to die, to give up life the way people usually define life, and let him take over.

The life worth having is the resurrection life we get as a gift of grace after we've admitted we cannot make it on our own, when we have gladly embraced God’s forgiveness.

New life comes to the spiritually dead. So, if you are trying to rack up merit points with God, if you are trying to make it up to God on your own, if you think you are so strong you can build a secure life for yourself - to all those like this, even in the church, the gospel declares, "Give it up! Surrender!"

Storms of Life

The boat was tossed from side to side buffeted by the wind and rain, alarm and panic filled their hearts would they ever reach the shore again?

The sky was dark and looking out they thought they saw a ghost appear, transfixed with horror, what could it be treading on water and drawing near? Their hearts were stilled as hope arose as they heard the voice of the One they knew, ‘Do not be afraid, this storm will pass’ and the sea grew calm and the wind withdrew.

When storms of life assail our boat and our hearts are filled with dread and fear, remember the One who treads the waves, he sees our plight – he’s drawing near.

By Megan Carter

Confidence in God

Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O King of night and day?

More safe I am within thy hand than if a host did round me stand.

By Saint Columba

Ladies Guild

Mr Wills McNeilly was our speaker for the May meeting. He is an academic and we very much appreciated him sharing his knowledge. His topic was “The History of the Cottages in the Mournes (as reflections of tenant and landlord agency in 19th century Ireland)” Wills studied the marginal uplands. There have been variations of improvement in history and archaeology and it was found that where a cottage or house was built, those living there were responsible for improvements in the area. The Ross estate in Rostrevor was not included in the study but the Hill estate in Murlough was.

In medieval society, there was a belief that “God chose your portion in life”. Later Christian scholars, during the Enlightenment, believed that we could improve “one’s lot”. The start of the industrial revolution saw improvements physically and morally of the labouring classes.

In the Mournes farms were close and there was communal working. Landlords wanted them separate as there would be competition between farmers. Old thatched cottages were replaced. In 1851 Prince Albert’s Great Exhibition was held in London and was the first ever international exhibition of manufactured products. The Great Exhibition aimed to show that technology was the key to a better future, a belief that proved a motivating force behind the Industrial Revolution. It included model dwellings and a pamphlet was published called “The Dwellings of the Labouring Classes”. This idea of an appropriate style of home influenced landlords.

Next came the start of the linen industry. The marginal upland areas increased fivefold in population (due to potatoes) over cities and lowlands. Rents were lower in the uplands.

Wills’ study included five estates: Kilmorey, Roden, Annesley, Hill and Batt’s estates.

Batt Estate

Batt was a successful businessman not landed gentry. He had a home at Purdysburn. In 1840 he fell to his death at a party. His son took tenants off the Mourne Mountains and even poisoned the land. By 1859 he had demolished the cottages. They built Leitrim Lodge for outdoor activities.

Hill Estate

The Hills owned Hillsborough Castle and Murlough House. In 1765 they laid out Hilltown as the features of an improved town. The Downshire Estate was responsible for improvements in Newry too. The Downshires gave lifetime leases which meant that the land was continually being subdivided. In the West of Ireland, tenants had rents increased if there were improvements made. Ulster customs were a bit like

Scotland and England which meant that tenants had some rights. The 3rd Marquis of Downshire brought the estate back into profit and improvements.

Annesley

The Annesley Estate encompassed 50 townlands around the Castlewellan area. It was a well managed estate. Post 1790, one example of a labourer’s cottage would be Cunningham’s house which had a bedroom, kitchen etc and a separate building for the animals showing that improvements had been made to housing in that area. The Rev Moore, who was there around 1854, kept great records of the estate which were mainly catholic with few protestants. There was no building allowed without estate office permission.

Roden Estate

Glenbrassils owned this estate before the Earls of Roden. This includes Tollymore and Bryansford. The 3rd Earl of Roden in 1838 had a paternal attitude. The tenants could take free timber and there was a loan scheme to put slates on roofs. Tollymore Park House is now gone.

Kilmorey Estate

The 10th Viscount built Mourne Park House. This is now a ruin and the land has been landscaped as well as being used for farming. The estate includes cottages high in the uplands, for example, Quinn cottage. They were stonecutters and the home is now a ruin. This was an adapted home with outbuildings being added between 1850-1900. Houses were part thatch, slate and tin in the late 18th to 19th centuries. During this time there were changes and moral improvement where people no longer lived with animals in the same building. The 2nd Earl of Kilmorey (Black Jack) was eccentric. Trustees set up as “father” would not let him manage the estate. The estate improved for tenants but not necessarily to the benefit of the landlord. The landlord could not buy back the leases as they were much dearer due to improvements made to properties.

In summary:

Batt used his estate for his own interests including for sporting use.

Downshire was not improving his estate in the Mournes due to religion and politics.

At the Annesley estate the minister improved things for the tenants.

Roden improved his estate with slate roofs etc.

At Kilmorey estate it was not the landlord but the tenants who benefited.

It was as if these estates were all little countries in their own right, and each one was very different. County Down was the least affected by the famine. The introduction of electricity led to the decline of cottages.

Ladies Guild Outing – June 2023

For our outing this year we planned to go to Murlough House, which is a Christian Retreat Centre outside Dundrum, followed by Seaforde Butterfly House and Gardens before enjoying a meal at French’s Café and Bistro in Clough.

Murlough House is situated on the point of a peninsula at Keel Point, 200 yards from Murlough beach. The house is set in 500 acres of nature reserve managed by the National Trust.

On arriving we had tea, coffee, and delicious scones. This was followed by a talk on the history of Murlough House and the current ministry there. It was a such a beautiful sunny day, and we enjoyed walks around the garden, chapel and quiet areas, walks through the nature reserve to the beach as well as resting on the garden benches enjoying the sun and flowers.

There were a few ladies hoping to dip their toes in the sea however the tide was very far out. We had such a lovely time at Murlough House that we decided to stay for longer and chose to forego Seaforde Butterfly House. We then drove over to French’s Café and Bistro for our three course meal. There was great service, the food was lovely, and portions big. I think everyone on our trip would recommend French’s Café. Definitely worth a visit!

I just wanted to say in closing that I have really in 1857, which is the Murlough House of today. enjoyed leading the Ladies Guild. You are a very special group of women and I wish you God’s continued blessings as you meet together.

A shortened summary of the history of Murlough House as outlined on the website.

History of Murlough House

The 4th Marquess of Downshire, Hillsborough came to Dundrum in 1840 and built the main street. He put in a port and imported cereals and coal, making the village a thriving centre of commerce.

He liked Dundrum so much that he moved onto the peninsula, and built himself a summer house

Murlough House circa 1900 The House

The house was built with a sea view but by 1910 all the windows on the seaward side of the house had to be replaced, so they let the trees grow to protect it from the storms.

In 1967 the 7th Marquess, just recently married, sold the land to the National Trust to form Ireland’s first nature reserve.

Previously in 1952 he had let the Church of Ireland use the house as a retreat house for 9 months of the year, with the family only using it in the summer.

In 1973 he sold the house to the National Trust. The Queen’s University of Belfast purchased a lease for the property and used it for 20 years as a field study centre. Queen’s built a laboratory, which is the conference centre of today.

Queen’s sold the lease to Project Evangelism in 1993, where it was run as a centre for training in Evangelism and Discipleship.

Since 2014 the house has changed custodianship and now accommodates small groups at weekends and is open as a retreat house during the week.

Murlough House offers many opportunities including retreats, seminars, counselling, conferences and training.

Email info@murloughhouse.org

Phone Landline 028 4375 1480

Mobile 07802 373721

A message from the Ladies Guild: Karen, We have been so blessed to have had you as our President over the past 4 years. Thank you for your leadership, love, care and friendship. We will miss you. You will be such a blessing to the Ladies Group in your new Parish. May God Bless you, Darren and Liam. With all our love, The Ladies Guild.

Select Vestries Evening

The second of three evenings when our newly elected Select Vestries gathered to focus on winning the next generation for Christ. It was also an opportunity to invite vestry members to dedicate themselves to Christ’s service for the year ahead.

Does God Answer Prayer?

A storm descends on a small town, and the downpour soon turns into a flood. As the waters rise, the local preacher kneels in prayer on the church porch, surrounded by water. By and by, one of the townsfolk comes up the street in a canoe.

"Better get in, Preacher. The waters are rising fast."

"No," says the preacher. "I have faith in the Lord. He will save me."

Still the waters rise. Now the preacher is up on the balcony, wringing his hands in supplication, when another guy zips up in a motorboat.

"Come on, Preacher. We need to get you out of here. The levee's gonna break any minute."

Once again, the preacher is unmoved. "I shall remain. The Lord will see me through."

After a while the levee breaks, and the flood rushes over the church until only the steeple remains above water. The preacher is up there, clinging to the cross, when a helicopter descends out of the clouds, and a state trooper calls down to him through a megaphone.

"Grab the ladder, Preacher. This is your last chance."

Once again, the preacher insists the Lord will deliver him.

And, predictably, he drowns.

The speaker was Capt Jasper Rutherford, who has produced some very challenging research revealing the urgent task of passing on the faith to our young adults, teenagers and children across Ireland.

A pious man, the preacher goes to heaven. After a while he gets an interview with God, and he asks the Almighty, "Lord, I had unwavering faith in you. Why didn't you deliver me from that flood?"

God shakes his head. "What did you want from me? I sent you two boats and a helicopter."

Thanks to Seapatrick Parish, Banbridge, for hosting us on Wednesday 24th May and for serving refreshments beforehand.

Information and photographs from Down and Dromore website.