The Pointer October 2023

The Rev Myrtle Morrison

For emergencies only 028 4372 2439

The Magazine of the Church of Ireland Parishes

People join churches for all sorts of reasons. Some grow up in a fellowship and are baptised and confirmed in their family church, possibly for many generations.

Others get married and choose to belong to the church that their spouse belonged to. A few will see some advertising and go along out of curiosity.

Then there are people like me … I became a member of the Church of Ireland because a parishioner invited me to come along with her. That was life changing. There I was … a bit disgruntled with church, and not sure that I wanted to go anywhere, when this friend said, “come with me”.

Kilbroney (Rostrevor) at 11.30 am

It wasn’t the clergy. It wasn’t an official. It was simply a friend who gave the invitation. There I was welcomed. Research has shown that 79% of those who choose a church do so because they feel that sense of being accepted and welcomed.

Our churches in Clonallon, Warrenpoint and Rostrevor are welcoming places and, if you’re reading this while wondering where to worship week by week … look no further! If you're a parishioner … please remember that a personal invitation can change the direction of a person’s life. There are some special services during this season … that’s the perfect opportunity to pluck up the courage to say, “come to church with me this Sunday”.

of Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney in the Diocese of Down and Dromore

Elizabeth Hanna

Area Dean

Photographs from Maurice McCabe

Clonallon and Warrenpoint at 10.00 am

People to Read the Lessons

We’d like to plan ahead for lectors at each of the Morning Services. It would be good to add more names to the rota please indicate your willingness to read and we’ll have you on the November list!

In Holy Communion there are two readings, at Morning Prayer there are three.

If you are listed for a Sunday when you are not available please swap with someone.

Check with the cleric at HC if the first reading is OT or Epistle. At MP the three readers are in turn OT, Epistle and Gospel.

At MP the readings end in silence. At HC the responses are as printed in the BCP.

tba “To be arranged” indicates that the reading may be different from the one printed in the lectionary!

Lectors

Looking Ahead

United Service on 29th October in Clonallon Church Building at 11.00 am when there is an opportunity to remember loved ones.

Remembrance Sunday services will be held in Clonallon at 10.00 am and Kilbroney at 11.30 am.

Advent Carol Service in Kilbroney at 7.00 pm on Sunday, 3rd December.

The annual Christingle Service in Kilbroney will be held on 10th December at 11.30 am.

The two services of Nine Lessons and Carols are: 10

in Kilbroney at 7.00 pm.

at 10.00 am.

Church Services

Harvest Services

Warrenpoint 10.00 am Sunday 1 October

Guest speaker: Mrs Lynda Quinn from LAMP

(Lecale Area Mission Partnership)

Kilbroney 11.30 am Sunday 8th October

Guest speaker: the Rev Adrian Dorian from LAMP

An Act of Dedication for the new interns at the Kilbroney Centre will be included in this service.

Clonallon 3.00 pm Sunday 8th October

Guest speaker: the Rev Geoffrey Walmsley from Milltown, Armagh.

Lectionary Year A

Clonallon and Warrenpoint Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/warrenpointcoi/ Sunday Services at 10.00 am.

Kilbroney Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/KilbroneyParishChurchRostrevor/ Sunday Services at 11.30 am.

Prayer Time

10.00 am in the Parish Room, Kilbroney Each Wednesday

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

Crafters on Wednesdays

Yes Ladies! (and maybe gents!!), it's that time again to dust off the knitting or crochet needles as it's Kilbroney Crafters’ season.

Crafting (or chatting) in the Parish Room at 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. All levels of Crafters welcome.

Tea, coffee, a biscuit and craic are obligatory! So please come along if you would like to pick up a new skill or resurrect an old one, or just have a cosy place to chat.

All are welcome

Tower Bells and Handbells on Thursdays

Tower bells 6.45 to 7.30 pm

Handbells 7.30 to 9.00 pm

Deadline for November 2023 edition of The Pointer is

Compline on Facebook 9.00 pm

Each Sunday evening.

Ladies Bible Study

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

Badminton

Warrenpoint Parish Hall

Mondays from 6.00 pm and Thursdays from 5.00 pm

Join the WhatsApp group for updates.

Sunday Explorers

11.30 am each Sunday

All young folk welcome! Kilbroney Parish Room

Ladies Guild

7.00 pm on 26th October

Christmas Crafts

Please cut/tear a small margin of paper round each stamp (about a centimetre) . These will be sent to RNIB twice a year.

Both Clonallon and Warrenpoint, as well as Kilbroney, have church choirs … there are spaces for new members.

Please speak to the Music Director and Organist, Liz Farnan, to secure a place.

Why might a person join a choir?

There is an article on page 22 from “Choir Player” that gives five good reasons! And it doesn’t even mention the way that a choir enhances the singing in church as well as giving glory to God. So there are another couple of reasons why you might join one of the church choirs who serve God each week through the ministry of music.

Libya Crisis

Parishes are asked to collect donations for Bishop’ Appeal in response to this emergency.

Envelopes are in our churches over the next few weeks and your gifts will be sent directly to Bishops’ Appeal.

The Bishops’ Appeal has already released £10,000 in Emergency Aid from its reserves (currently equivalent to €11,500), and all monies raised by this appeal across the Church of Ireland will be additional funds to help with the disaster relief.

Archbishop John McDowell remarked: “I wish to thank those involved in Bishops’ Appeal for their prompt reaction in making this provision and would encourage the members of the Church of Ireland to continue to give generously.”

Archbishop Michael Jackson added: “The plight of children, women and men in Libya is unthinkable. It is also a reality. Members of the Church of Ireland working through Bishops’ Appeal have always been generous in responding to devastation and need. I encourage you to pray for and to contribute to this appeal.”

The recent disaster has hit a country that already had a very complicated political situation, with power struggles leading to two opposing governments within Libya, and this has compounded the challenge of getting aid and support into the country.

The Bishops’ Appeal will be channelling all funds through Christian Aid who are working with Dan Church Aid (DCA), its ACT Alliance partner, who have had an established presence in Libya since 2011, providing a confidence that those on the ground have a clear understanding of the situation and how money raised in our parishes can be used most effectively. We are grateful for the confidence that this gives us that all money raised will be used to benefit those in greatest need.

DCA is providing medical support, helping to establish shelters to host homeless families, and distributing basic items such as blankets and bedding, sanitation and hygiene items and other essentials to these people who have lost everything.

https://bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/

Certificate of Recognition

Edward Duggan, the newest member of the Kilbroney Tower Bell Team, was presented with his Certificate of Recognition for making fantastic progress in ringing. He joins this faithful team of ringers who call folk to

Tower master, Dr Kenny Roberts, with Shelagh Roberts, present the certificate to Edward.

Kergyma (The Good News Choir) 25th Anniversary Good Friday Agreement

On Thursday 29th June Stephen Cooper and Susan Farrell, as part of Kergyma Choir, travelled to the National Gallery of Ireland for a concert to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The theme of the evening was reconciliation. Politicians and church leaders from all the main parties, and churches both sides of the border, were invited to attend, as well as friends of Kergyma. There was an amazing turn out in the beautiful hall just off the entrance to the gallery.

Kilbroney Crafters

Lorna Palmer, our musical director, put the choir through their paces in the lead up to the event. There was a standing ovation, so all the hard work paid off.

the performance we have been invited back to the South of Ireland for future concerts in the new year.

September 2023 has been a particularly busy month as well, Kerygma performed in Saint Jude’s, Ormeau Road, and Saint Paul’s in Castlewellan, as part of the mission month.

‘Members of the choir are united in their faith, love of music, and desire to bring a message of peace and reconciliation.’

Susan Farrell

Alanah with the spectacular rug made at Kilbroney Crafters come and join this welcoming group!

Bishop’s Bible Week

Bible Week is over for another year, but we can look back at four very special evenings of worship, ministry, and excellent teaching from the Revd Greg Downes. We also thank God that a number of those attending over the four nights put their faith in Christ.

Greg helped us take a deep look at what it means to be truly converted to Christ through the lens of Colossians 1. On Friday evening he reminded us that we are converted to a community – God’s Church –and that there is no such thing as a solitary Christian. The church is a serving, suffering and scriptural community which is constantly learning about God and his purposes and contending for a biblical faith. It is the community of the Holy Spirit.

POLICY

“IT IS THE POLICY OF THE CHURCH OF IRELAND TO SAFEGUARD ALL CHILDREN SHARING IN ITS MINISTRY AND TO PROTECT THEM FROM ALL FORMS OF HARM AND ABUSE.

PURPOSE

The Church of Ireland believes that children should never experience abuse of any kind. Everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and to keep them safe. The Church of Ireland is committed to implementing procedures and practices which safeguard all children.

PRINCIPLES

Thousands of children visit Church of Ireland premises for worship and other social, educational and recreational purposes each week. The Church’s ministry to them is a priority for the Church and it is only possible because of the voluntary commitment of adults who are prepared to take responsibility for children in their care. Safeguarding Trust: the Code of Good Practice for Ministry with Children is designed to protect and to enhance that ministry.

Safeguarding Trust: the Church of Ireland Code of Good Practice for Ministry with Children is designed to enable all parties within the Church of Ireland to fulfil their proper responsibilities within this ministry:

• To create a safe environment which will promote healthy and fulfilling participation of children in spiritual, educational and recreational activities and minimise the possibility of harm, either deliberate or accidental.

• To encourage safe practices for those who work with children.

• To set out the appropriate responses and procedures in the event of accident or abuse taking place.

• To safeguard those who work with children from the consequences of unfounded accusations.

Details of the Church of Ireland policies are on the website.

Safeguarding – Church of Ireland (anglican.org)

Bishop Darren’s Institution

It was a lovely evening on 7th September when a number of folk travelled to Saint Paul’s, Lisburn, for +Darren’s institution. Not everyone managed to get

+Darren went along the line greeting everyone … it was amazing to see that almost all of the local clerics, as well as clergy friends from other dioceses’, were in attendance.

their pictures taken, even though Bill tried his best! The church photographer caught another couple of us in the procession as we waited to enter Saint Paul

Following the service of institution we were warmly welcomed to the parish hall where supper was provided and there was a chance to catch up with many folk.

Bishop George bade us farewell and the evening ending with “The Grace”. A really good service of institution for +Darren, with Karen and Liam.

You’ll spot the Clonallon, Warrenpoint and Kilbroney if you look closely in the overhead photograph!

Ladies Guild

It seems no time since our Summer outing and here we are again back to our monthly meetings. By the time you read this, our first Meeting will have taken place.

After a few housekeeping business to attend to, we will look forward to Mrs Jill Aulds from Newcastle who will be telling us of 'The four peak challenge', which she and the Rev Myrtle Morrison undertook when they climbed the four highest mountains in the British Isles.

Our meeting will conclude with the usual cup of tea and a wee biscuit.

Ladies Bible Study

That's the summer over and our Bible Study is about to start again. It was great to meet over July, August and September for prayer. What blissful moments we had! So now it's back to Bible Study.

For some time the Lord seemed to be saying "dig deeper", but how deep do I go? In keeping with the women in the Bible - one name kept coming into my mind. "You still haven't talked about Esther". That is a whole book and it has ten chapters I kept thinking.

Before Karen left for her new ministry in Lisburn, we put together a programme. These are all topics that you have chosen at our very first Meeting after covid.

Here it is!

26th October Christmas Crafts

30th November DINNER

NO MEETING IN DECEMBER

2024

25th January at 11.00 am Mourne Food Adventures

29th February at 11.00 am Crawfords Seaweed Products

Yet, nothing else was coming to mind but I still wasn't sure. Then Karen give me a prophetic word...it was 'For such a time this' and is found in Esther Ch 4 verse 14. A few days later I was reading can't remember what ... but Esther's name came up. Then I was scrolling through the Down & Dromore Diocese site and read where Bishop David's wife Hilary had been addressing over 600 clergy wives from the Anglican Church in Kigali, Rwanda. The theme was taken from the story of ... Esther. A clear message don't you think!!!

So this term we will take our time and follow the story of Esther and hope we will be able to draw some precious lessons for our lives.

Our Bible Study will recommence on TUESDAY 10th OCTOBER AT 10.45 AM IN THE VESTRY, WARRENPOINT CHURCH.

ALL LADIES ARE WELCOME

28th March

Holy Thursday. No Meeting. You are encouraged to attend your respective Church Services: Warrenpoint Holy Communion at 7.00 pm.

25th April Fields of Life

30th May Gardening

27th June OUTING

Hope you like it!

Look forward to seeing you all

Dorothy Xx

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Meantime, Love, God Bless and stay safe Dorothy Xx

Visitors and Surprises!

With the unusual Indian summer heat wave still going strong, Saint Bronach’s opened its doors once again to take part in the European Heritage Open Day week on 9th -10th September. Autumn 2022 prepared us for the realisation that despite atrocious weather, a highly varied audience could be expected and this year proved no exception.

Saturday afternoon trade was slow, to say the least, and after copious tea and coffee ingested by myself (Pauline), Joan Thompson and Rev. Elizabeth Hanna, we were delighted when the famine of visitors was finally relieved when six entered in quick succession.

Four of the visitors hailed from Westmeath/Offaly direction and were enjoying the holiday weather in Carlingford. It was soon realised they shared an acquaintance in common with Rev. Hanna, which was surprise number one. At the same time, while busy pointing out interesting facts about the stained glass windows and having discoursed for around five minutes, the lady I was showing around let slip that she had left her husband and dog standing outside. Needless to say they were both invited in immediately and hence the surprise of including in our visitors the biggest Alsatian I have ever encountered. Surprise number two!

All left with no accidents, thank goodness, a Pointer and a hope that they would return and join us for a service.

With the opening afternoon nerves put to bed, Sunday Fellowship hadn’t quite finished when our first family of four came in for a tour.

‘An audience with Shelagh Roberts was a prized thing on Sunday and so started an afternoon which could nearly be described as a rush! Our next visitors soon found that they themselves and Shelagh knew many common acquaintances, even though they attended Saint Patrick’s Parish Church, Loughgilly. Surprise number three!

And while the reminiscing was going strong, three young Chinese ladies appeared also to take a tour. They had travelled from Dundalk and were staying for nine months in Ireland on a business course but were out on a day’s hiking and had just decided to drop in.

After talking for nearly an hour and half, it was nice to once again return to a famine of visitors, a few cups of tea and a couple more locals to keep us company, namely Liz Farnan and Joan Toase.

Shelagh and I would sincerely like to thank all those who took time out to drop into us and apologies if I have missed anyone out.

All in all, the EHOD weekend was a lovely way to encourage people to cross our Church’s threshold and let us find out their histories. No, I mean the many interesting histories of all the people who helped keep our church going over the last two hundred years and to pass that information on to interested parties.

Pauline Coffey

Across

Crossword Clues

1 He must be ‘the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well’ (1 Timothy 3:12) (6)

4 ‘For we must all before the judgement seat of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 5:10) (6)

7 ‘They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their end’ (Ps 107:27) (4)

8 See 19 Across

9 It concerned who among the disciples would be the greatest(Luke 9:46) (8)

13 Formed by the Jews in Thessalonica to root out Paul and Silas (Acts 17:5) (3)

16 ‘He has sent me to bind up the ’ (Isaiah 61:1) (6-7)

17 Moved rapidly on foot (Matthew 28:8) (3)

19 and 8 ‘ a great company of the host appeared with the angel’ (Luke 2:13) (8,8)

24 Hindrance (Romans 14:13) (8)

25 Comes between Luke and Acts (4)

26 Empower (Acts 4:29) (6)

27 ‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a !’ (John 2:16) (6)

Down

1 Sunrise (Psalm 119:147) (4)

2 The part of the day when Cornelius the Caesarean centurion had avision of an angel of God (Acts 10:3) (9)

3 He was one of those who returned with Zerubbabel from exile inBabylon to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 7:7) (5)

4 ‘No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born ’(John 3:3) (5)

5 Animal hunted or killed as food (Ezekiel 22:25) (4)

6 ‘He encouraged them remain true to the Lord’ (Acts 11:23) (3,2)

10 Ruses (anag.) (5)

11 Jewish priestly vestment (Exodus 28:6) (5)

12 Visible sign of what had been there (Daniel 2:35) (5)

13 This was the trade of Alexander, who did Paul ‘a great deal of harm’ (2 Timothy 4:14) (9)

14 ‘This is my , which is for you; do this in remembrance of me’ (1 Corinthians 11:24) (4)

15 One of Noah’s great-great-grandsons (Genesis 10:24) (4)

18 Traditionally the first British Christian martyr (5)

20 Relationship of Ner to Saul (1 Samuel 14:50) (5)

21 Jacob had one at a place he named Bethel while on his way to Haran, fleeing from Esau (Genesis 28:12) (5)

22 Bats (anag.) (4)

23 ‘You strain out a but swallow a camel’ (Matthew 23:24) (4)

I needed to do the laundry, but then discovered I was out of detergent, so I wanted to write a shopping list but saw that the junk drawer was disorganised when I was looking for a pen. I started to throw out the mess when I saw that the kitchen bin was full but, before taking it out I decided to get rid of the old food from the fridge. That’s when I discovered that the juice had leaked so I needed a cloth to clean that up. It was just then I noticed that the cupboard was a complete nightmare, so I started to tidy it. And that is how I ended up sitting on the floor going through my old photo albums of the 1960s and not doing any laundry!

It’s September!

September, once more, heard the click of needles with another term gathering of Kilbroney Crafters in the Parish Room. With Karen’s departure, new posters were put up in the Village with the hope that others could be encouraged to cross the threshold of the Church and take part in our fellowship, craic and craft. A new season had meant new routines for some of our original members but fortunately our prayers have been answered and so far our numbers each week have been exemplary.

The Spanish Pilgrims

One busy morning took the form of six Spanish Pilgrims from Valencia. After Shelagh giving the well-practised Church History Tour, they were invited in for a cup of coffee.

This is an 89 mile signed walking trail connecting key Christian Heritage sites between Armagh and Downpatrick.

The walk begins at the Navan Centre outside Armagh City to follow the canal towpath to Newry. The walk then takes a scenic route through the Mourne Mountains across to Newcastle. From there, the Walk travels through Murlough Bay Nature Reserve, by Dundrum Castle, Tyrella Beach and finally to Downpatrick centre, ending at the Saint Patrick Centre.

The Spanish Pilgrims each had their special ‘Pilgrim’s Passport’ to record a souvenir of their journey. They had 10 stamps to gain on the passport at 10 specified locations along the route.

The adventurous six comprised of two women and four men. Encarna became the translator of the group while Serena came to the rescue of the Crafters and shared her hidden Spanish talent!!

As we asked each other tentatively about what we knew of each other’s land and culture, out it came that one of the Crafters, namely Serena, was due to celebrate her 15th wedding anniversary that day and that she had met her lovely husband Simon in Benidorm. Coincidences abounded when Encarna and her husband (also in the group) announced that they were due to celebrate their wedding anniversary the following Tuesday. Many giggles ensued.

So after sufficient coffee and biscuits, the group of Pilgrims bid us ‘Adiós’ and continued on their way towards Hilltown, to complete the not so famous Camino of Northern Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Way

Rostrevor Park has a stamp but unfortunately on that morning we were unable to help them locate it. So if you see it, let us know where it is. Upon presentation at the Saint Patrick’s Centre they would receive a certificate of achievement. We can only hope they were awarded their much deserved certificates for enduring the Irish weather. It lashed that evening.

Pauline Coffey

Down Cathedral and Stone Cross

Beginning with the harvest services, our churches have collected items for Prison Fellowship Hampers. While the large piles of goods look impressive they need to be collected from our buildings and delivered to the central depot in Templepatrick for packing. One of the problems that Prison Fellowship have discovered is that, through the generosity of donors, not all the gifts are the correct size to fit the hampers, or meet the exact specifications. In addition, they realise that if they had the cash equivalent it would be possible to buy in bulk and get better value for money. All of that is to say that if you wish to give to the PF collections this year, please put some cash in the PF boxes and this will be sent towards the middle of November to Prison Fellowship “Christmas Hope” appeal.

To give some idea of how the money will be spent, a gift for a child is valued at £20 and a family food hamper is worth £52.

In 2022 Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland distributed 564 food hampers and 720 toy parcels to those who are impacted by crime and imprisonment. Prison Fellowship NI has been delivering hampers for over 40 years. With the current cost of living crisis this is a practical way to bring the light, love, and hope of Jesus into people’s homes.

“Thank you so much for sending a present to my children. It has helped me to keep in touch and for us to maintain contact.”

Parent in prison.

“Thank you so much for the Christmas hamper and kids’ presents. It was all so greatly appreciated and needed. We were very touched to receive these gifts and to be thought about.”

A mum, struggling on her own.

“I had planned to get the children board games we wanted ‘bop it’ … it was right there in the parcels I knew it was the work of God … “ Sharon.

Each year, the clocks go back an hour at 2.00 am on the last Sunday of October. When this occurs, the UK will switch from British Summer Time (BST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

A clergyman was walking down the street when he came upon a group of about a dozen boys, all of them between 10 and 12 years of age. The group surrounded a dog. Concerned that the boys were hurting the dog, he went over and asked "What are you doing with that dog?"

One of the boys replied, "This dog is just an old neighbourhood stray. We all want him, but only one of us can take him home. So we've decided that whichever one of us can tell the biggest lie will get to keep the dog."

Of course, the reverend was taken aback. "You boys shouldn't be having a contest telling lies!" he exclaimed. He then launched into a ten minute sermon against lying, beginning, "Don't you boys know it's a sin to lie," and ending with, "Why, when I was your age, I never told a lie." There was dead silence for about a minute. Just as the reverend was beginning to think he'd got through to them, the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and said, "All right, give him the dog."

This year … we’re doing it differently!

‘

The Labourers in the Vineyard

For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; 4 and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” 7 They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” 13 But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

Like many of Jesus' parables, though, the story has an unexpected twist. Even in first-century Palestine, the concept of equal work for equal pay was an established principle. But here we find the vineyard owner paying the same wage to the labourers regardless of how much or how little time they worked during the day. Such an uneconomical practice must have taken the crowd by surprise. What lord, or owner, would make such a foolish, generous offer?

The clue is in the last verse of the story, in a saying that Jesus used a number of times, and one that was no doubt familiar to his disciples and regular followers: 'the last shall be first and first shall be last'. The vineyard is the kingdom of heaven, and the owner is, of course, God - the God who is as generous to those who seek his kingdom at the last minute as he is to those who found it much earlier.

Matthew may have included this story to defend Jesus' inclusion of sinners in the kingdom as well as the righteous. Or he may have meant it as explanation for why Gentiles (the last) should be part of God's kingdom as much as the Jews (the first). Whatever his reason, the parable reminds us of God's overwhelming grace, a grace that is inclusive of all who would seek God.

This teaching of Jesus is a challenging one. How are we to view those who come late to faith in God? It is clear in the parable, if we truly believe, then we must take God’s view that all are equally worthy of the reward he chooses to give. That may be a hard teaching but we must accept that God’s love is open to all.

We cannot say to ourselves that how long we have been followers of Jesus brings extra merit or reward. It is a warning against pride.

This story of the vineyard workers in today’s New Testament reading may well be taken straight from agricultural life in a Palestinian village. Like many of Jesus' parables, it draws on images and practices familiar to the crowds who gathered around Jesus to listen to him. Such familiarity would have caught the crowd's attention and helped them to understand the religious teaching Jesus wanted to convey.

The work in a vineyard is hot and hard, as the first to be hired pointed out to the owner; and so they felt they had a right to be paid more than the last hired. The owner had offered them a wage that they freely accepted and he broke no promise to them when he paid them that amount. As he pointed out it was for him to be allowed to choose to do what he wanted with what belonged to him.

We are called to God’s service and we are promised so much more than just a wage. God is generous to all who come to Him. His grace is his gift to us and it is a freely given gift. No matter how long we work in God’s service we, like the last to be hired, cannot ever in human terms be deserving of that gift. In worldly terms this is hard to understand but in the parable Jesus brilliantly puts it into terms we can all comprehend.

Jesus makes it very clear in his choice of parable that we are called not just to believe but to be practical in our belief. We must put what we believe into everyday use. Like work in a hot vineyard it will not always be easy work but we are not to be dismayed. So we should not only be reading the Bible regularly but also putting what we read into practice. Coming to church is one practical way of showing our faith and encouraging others in their faith.

Just as in the parable we must not be like those first workers in comparing what we do to others. That is for God alone. It should be enough for us that we have heard God’s call.

The parable refers to the very necessary work of harvesting grapes. God, the parable implies, needs workers to be involved in his harvest and we are those workers. We should all be involved in whatever capacity we have. The harvest is great but the workers are few. The Church has need of many more workers and whether we are first or last, God’s grace is there for all of us. All people have to do is truly turn to him. That is the great message of hope and joy of this teaching of Jesus. It is never too late to turn to God. All are welcome. Nor is it ever too early to turn to him. Just as the workers did in the parable we should follow once we are called. In his earthly life Jesus showed us the way. It is for us to be workers for God and show others that way that leads to immeasurable love and grace.

Patric Harris

It had been the custom of a kindly doctor to go through his book from time to time noting those who had not paid.

When he realised that the debts remained because the patients could not pay he put a red line through the debt and wrote by the side of it, 'Forgiven, unable to pay'.

After his death, his wife was looking through his books and saw all the marks and said to herself, 'My husband was owed a lot of money. I could do with that money now.' She took the matter to the local court to sue the debtors of the money. The judge, however, looked at the doctor's account book and said, 'No court in the world will give you a verdict against those people when your husband, with his own pen has written, "Forgiven, unable to pay.`

Plums

When their time comes they fall without wind, without rain. They seep through the trees’ muslin in a slow fermentation.

Daily the low sun warms them in a late love that is sweeter than summer. In bed at night we hear heartbeat of fruitfall. The secretive slugs crawl home to the burst honeys, are found in the morning mouth on mouth, inseparable.

We spread patchwork counterpanes for a clean catch. Baskets fill, never before such harvest, such a hunters’ moon burning the hawthorns, drunk on syrups that are richer by night when spiders pitch tents in the wet grass. This morning the red sun is opening like a rose on our white wall, prints there the fishbone shadow of a fern.

The early blackbirds fly guilty from a dawn haul of fallen fruit. We too breakfast on sweetnesses.

Soon plum trees will be bone, grown delicate with frost’s formalities. Their black angles will tear the snow.

Gillian Clarke

Pride comes …

Not long ago, in a bedroom wardrobe in Florida, there was a safe in which the household members used to store precious jewellery, cash, and other valuable items. Hanging above that safe each day on a sturdy wooden hanger was a sari that the female occupant of the room had put in there years ago after buying it on a whim. The owner would wear it only on very special occasions.

The sari, thinking itself more important than the safe because she was physically above the safe in that cupboard and also because she was only used on such important occasions, would daily taunt the safe, insulting it constantly.

“You are just a big hunk of metal,” the sari would say to the safe each day. “All you are good for is holding baubles the owners of the house deign to throw into you!”

“Well,” the safe would reply, “even though I may not be important, at least the things they put inside me are.”

“Ha!” the sari would say. “You have never even been out of this closet. I, however, get to go to fabulous parties, meet with the most important people, and generally hobnob with the rich and famous.”

This went on year after year until the year 2004, when Hurricane Charley blew through that portion of Florida. The house was nearly levelled and the sari was blown away in the wind, never to be seen again never to attend any more fabulous parties ... never again to meet with the rich and famous.

The safe, however, being of sturdy and heavy steel, was one of the only items in the house to withstand Hurricane Charley’s wrath.

The moral of the story is, of course, that it is much better to be safe than sari!

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Intercessions for All Saints’ Day

Jesus our exalted Lord has been given all authority. Let us seek his intercession, that our prayers may be perfected by his prayer.

Jesus Christ, great high priest, living for ever to intercede for us:

pray for your Church, your broken body in the world

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, King of righteousness, enthroned at the right hand of the majesty on high: pray for the world, and make it subject to your gentle rule …

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, Son of man, drawing humanity into the life of God:

pray for your brothers and sisters in need, distress or sorrow …

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, pioneer of our salvation, bringing us to your glory through your death and resurrection:

pray for all who are dying, that they may trust in your promises

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, Lord of all things, ascended far above from the heavens and filling the universe:

pray for us who receive the gifts you give us for work in your service

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, first-fruits of the new creation, keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, until you bring the whole created order to worship at your feet;

for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Things to ponder

1. When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison.

2. To me, "drink responsibly" means don't spill it.

3. Age 60 might be the new 40, but 9:00 pm is the new midnight.

4. It's the start of a brand new day, and I'm off like a herd of turtles.

5. The older I get, the earlier it gets late.

6. When I say, "The other day," I could be referring to any time between yesterday and 15 years ago.

7. I remember being able to get up without making sound effects.

8. I had my patience tested. I'm negative.

9. Remember, if you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid that doesn't fit any of your containers.

10. If you're sitting in public and a stranger takes the seat next to you, just stare straight ahead and say, "Did you bring the money?"

11. When you ask me what I am doing today, and I say "nothing," it does not mean I am free. It means I am doing nothing.

12. I finally got eight hours of sleep. It took me three days, but whatever.

13. I run like the winded.

14. I hate when a couple argues in public, and I missed the beginning and don't know whose side I'm on.

15. When someone asks what I did over the weekend, I squint and ask, "Why, what did you hear?"

16. When you do squats, are your knees supposed to sound like a goat chewing on an aluminum can stuffed with celery?

17. I don't mean to interrupt people. I just randomly remember things and get really excited.

18. When I ask for directions, please don't use words like "east."

19. Don't bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That'll freak you right out.

20. Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life out of nowhere, makes your heart race, and changes you forever. We call those people cops.

21. My luck is like a bald guy who just won a comb."

Using Music as Medicine

the optimum music listening

‘dosage’

Some thoughts from a longer study by Lyz Cooper MA, MSc. The entire article is on the website:

https://www.britishacademyofsoundtherapy.com/

A number of questions were asked in order to discover how many people consider music to be a supplement and if so, is there an ideal dosage or even a recommended daily allowance for music listening for optimum health and wellbeing? Out of a general population of volunteers from selected countries around the world n= 7581 took part (n = 3757 female, n = 3768 male, n = 13 identified as other than male or female, and n = 43 preferred not to say).

The total percentage of people that used music to relax was 90.15% This was further broken down into markets with the highest percentage of people using music to relax being in the UK. To establish a ‘dosage’ for relaxation music we asked people how long they took before they felt relaxed.

A large number of people indicated that they felt the relaxing effect of the music within 5 – 19 minutes. This correlates with the observations made by The British Academy of Sound Therapy following research undertaken with thousands of case studies over a 25 year period. The therapeutic effect of sound and music seems to start after approximately 5 minutes. There are always exceptions and if people are very stressed it may take them longer to relax, but as a rule of thumb the system appears to entrain to the music after approximately 5 minutes.

Humans have used music to improve health and wellbeing for tens of thousands of years. Evidence has been found in caves dating back to the Palaeolithic era which shows that up to 40,000 years ago humans were making music.

Over thousands of years humans have evolved to respond to music in certain ways. With the advancement of technology, we can look deeper into the brain than ever before and gain a greater understanding of how and why music is such a powerful healing tool. Music improves health and wellbeing by affecting our neurochemical systems for reward and pleasure; stress and arousal; immunity; and social affiliation.

‘… many people use music to regulate mood and arousal, much as they use caffeine or alcohol … ’

To many people, music is an important part of their health and wellbeing – a musical supplement if you like. These ‘sonic vitamins’ play just as important a role as a morning coffee or glass of wine in the evening.

Depression and low mood-state is very common. Whist we were not testing specifically for depression, we were looking for information from participants who used music to help them to make them happy. Music interventions have been shown to be an effective alternative to conventional pharmaceutical treatments. Studies have shown that listening to self-selected happy music increases blood flow in the areas of the brain associated with reward and decreases blood flow to the amygdala – the area of the brain often associated with fear.

Background music can be a distraction and a concern in the workplace. A study was conducted which looked at people taking tests while background music was playing. The study showed that compared to situations without background music, the likelihood of background music affecting test-taker attention performance is likely to increase with the degree to which the test-taker likes or dislikes the music. It is important not to select music that workers strongly like or dislike when making a selection of background music to avoid negatively affecting worker concentration.

A study was conducted comparing individuals’ preferences for using music to process and/or release sadness. On the whole participants chose to use happy music as an antidote or treatment for their sadness

Lyz Cooper

to touch and taste. But no, we must look and ponder the offering of these gifts for our delight, and simply give thanks for the artist who has shown us something of the sacramental beauty of creation in

Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose 1633

Francisco de Zurbarán (Spanish, 1598-1664)

‘He gave us eyes to see them’

The weekday eucharist in a parish church, with only a handful of worshippers present, can be a great contrast to the bustle and liveliness of Sunday services. It can offer you a quiet time to focus on the gifts of bread and wine offered on the altar. This month’s painting of 1633 is an opportunity to focus on the gifts that have been offered at the altar of this table, in ‘Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose’ by Francisco Zurbarán. He was a contemporary of the more famous Velázquez and worked in Seville until his death in 1664.

There is something quite special and evocative in the arrangement of fruits and flowers – two highly polished plates, one bearing the citrons (not lemons as the title tells us), the other a cup of water and a rose. In the centre there is a basket with oranges and orange blossom. Against the dark background we sense the cool tones of the plates and cup, and the warmth of fruits and flowers.

There is a curious balance and poise here, and some critics have suggested a Trinitarian allusion in the three groups so deliberately placed on the table. Others have pointed to the rose and water as symbols of our Lady, and the fruit and blossom as signs of the new life of Easter. A devout Spanish Catholic in the 17th century would have noticed these allusions, but they may be too fanciful, as X-rays have shown that Zurbarán painted out another plate which simply contained sweet, candied potatoes.

What he has portrayed is an allegory of the senses. We can almost smell the fragrance of orange blossom and the tanginess of the fruits. We want to reach out

The Parish Room at Kilbroney was buzzing at the beginning of September when family, church friends, neighbours and many others gathered to celebrate! What a day! Happy birthday Joan!

Rev Michael Burgess

Happy Birthday

Image from: The Norton Simon Foundation

Visit a Church

To those who read The Pointer please keep sending in your observations, words and photographs, of the places you visit while on holiday or even when you’re just out for a day.

One of the things I have always loved when in a new place or have a spare moment is to visit a Church or a Graveyard.

As a researcher with the Northern Hub for Veterans and military Families Research based at Northumbria University I spend a bit of time on and off in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Having a spare moment I wandered into Newcastle Cathedral. Words from the Pointer were ringing in my ears, “if you're away somewhere and visit a church please take some photographs and find out what you can about it. We’d love to have a series of these in the next few Pointers” so I did just that.

Newcastle Cathedral was originally the Parish Church of Saint Nicholas and is grade 1 listed. Dating from the 14th century has been the city’s spiritual centre over 900 years.

I was greeted by Derek who is originally from Cork, he hasn’t lost his accent despite being on the other side of the pond for 45 years after meeting and marrying an English lady. After a long chat with Derek, and checking it was okay to take photos, I began my mooch around the Cathedral.

Internally the Cathedral contains one of the largest collections of monuments and ledger stones in northern England, so many it would be impossible to write about them all. However one memorial that caught my eye was the one that was paid for by Lionel Maddison in the 1630s. Lionel was a wealthy coal merchant, alderman, sheriff and mayor, like his father before. His mother Elizabeth bore 17 children and amazingly lived till she was 79.

The elaborate memorial depicts 10 boys and 6 girls kneeling below her with one small figure representing the infant Jane who died.

The stained glass, by artist William Wailes 1860, is particularly dramatic, entitled “the Crucifixion” and is situated in the Chapel of the Incarnation. It has as the central scene Christ’s Crucifixion with a depiction of the Last Supper below.

For the musical the Wetheringsett Organ on loan from the Royal College of Organists was amazing, the soundboard was discovered in a farmhouse in Wetheringsett Suffolk in 1977 where it was being used as a dairy door.

The instrument I viewed is a reconstruction of an English pre-Reformation organ, built in 2001-2. The soundboard is characteristically English and perhaps local to where it was found. East Anglian organ builders were well-known in Tudor England. The replica gives a reliable idea of how Tudor organ music would have sounded.

I could go on and on as there are so many splendid things to see: the altar and the stunning Brass Eagle Lectern the oldest and also the only pre-Reformation lectern in the north of England etc., etc

I can highly recommend you visit the Cathedral if you are ever in Newcastle. While Anglican worship is at the heart of Newcastle Cathedral they warmly welcome visitors of all faiths and none, even assistance and well behaved dogs on leads are welcomed.

Five reasons why you should join a choir

Are you a shower crooner with a secret desire to sing in public? Maybe there’s a community choir in your area and you’re toying with the idea of joining? Or perhaps you’d love to sing but were always told you don’t have a voice?

Here we offer five good reasons why taking the plunge and joining a choir might be the best thing you ever did.

Benefits of joining a choir

Musicality

Its official, singing in a choir improves the way you hear music, it draws out your innate musical ability and intensifies your appreciation of harmony. There is a natural learning curve that occurs quite organically as a consequence of singing regularly in a group that strengthens your ear. Where choral singing is concerned, the whole really is the sum of its parts, and choir members soon become aware of how harmonies combine and complement each other.

The Choir Player app is a tremendously effective way to consolidate choir rehearsals and deepen a singer’s understanding of harmonies. It allows choir members to practise the harmonies of set songs at home by listening to all four choir parts and the backing track, either separately, together, or in any combination.

Mental Health

Professor Grenville Hancox, Director of the Sidney de Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health in Kent, has done extensive research on the benefits of choral singing on psychological well-being. He is so passionate about the enormous emotional benefits of choral singing, he has been trying to persuade the medical profession to prescribe singing instead of Prozac:

“If we could engage more and more people in singing, I’m sure we would have a healthier nation.”

Studies have shown that the mental health benefits of choral singing include enhanced brain function, strengthened feelings of togetherness, and the release of endorphins and oxytocin resulting in reduced stress and depression.

Confidence

It’s surprising how many people are told at school they can’t sing, a myth that can discourage potential singers for decades. Most people don’t imagine they will ever perform in front of an audience, and to experience this for the first time as part of a choir can be life changing. The truth is that, unless there is hearing loss, anyone can learn

to sing. Singing in a community choir gives you permission to make noise as part of group, and choir leaders report witnessing new members’ confidence grow rapidly.

If you are feeling nervous then the Choir Player app can help you improve your confidence. With all the lyrics and backing arrangements supplied you can sing in the comfort of your living room and learn your parts without fear.

Belonging

The modern world is one where people are increasingly isolated. Social media networks offers a semblance of community but the lack of contact with people in real time and space can intensify feelings of alienation. Singing has been central to religion and ritual as a way of connecting communities since ancient times. Being part of a group working towards a shared endeavour, can fulfil this human need for belonging and union.

Recent research reveals that group singing helps forge social bonds, and it does so particularly quickly, acting as a powerful icebreaker. People feel valued and inevitably make friends with individuals from a diversity of backgrounds, so horizons are broadened and social cohesion is improved.

Aerobic and toning

A proper singing session is a wonderful workout for the lungs. The actions of warming up, breathing deeply and opening the diaphragm all oxygenate the blood, creating more white blood cells, which strengthens the whole body .The breathing rate slows and deepens, releasing endorphins and increasing a profound sense of well-being. All this lung action reduces the chance of illness and is excellent for people who suffer asthma, and emphysema.

Singing also improves your posture and tones your stomach muscles – a strong core supports the spine so your body will be less prone to injury as you age.

So, what are you waiting for?

Choir Player

Crossword Answers

ACROSS: 1, Deacon. 4, Appear. 7, Wits. 8, Heavenly. 9, Argument. 13, Mob. 16, Broken-hearted. 17, Ran. 19, Suddenly. 24, Obstacle. 25, John. 26, Enable. 27, Market.

DOWN: 1, Dawn. 2, Afternoon. 3, Nehum. 4, Again. 5, Prey. 6, All to. 10, Users. 11, Ephod. 12, Trace. 13, Metalwork. 14, Body. 15, Eber. 18, Alban. 20, Uncle. 21, Dream. 22, Stab. 23, Gnat.

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