Area Dean
The Rev Canon Myrtle Morrison For emergencies only 028 4372 2439
The Magazine of the Church of Ireland Parishes
of
From 7th January, the Rector The Reverend Andy Hay Contact details later.
Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney in the Diocese of Down and Dromore
Clonallon and Warrenpoint Facebook https://www.facebook.com/warrenpointcoi/ Kilbroney Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KilbroneyParishChurchRostrevor/
At the very powerful and moving service of Confirmation as the candidates answered Bishop David’s questions about their decision to be confirmed, we all had the opportunity to reflect on our own spiritual pilgrimages. It is good prayerfully to look from time to time at the commitment we made at confirmation. Here is a short section from the Confirmation Service:
I turn to Christ … I submit to Christ … I come to Christ …
Those who are baptized are called to worship and serve God.
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?
With the help of God, I will.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
With the help of God, I will.
Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?
With the help of God, I will.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all people, loving your neighbour as yourself?
With the help of God, I will.
Every day, and perhaps especially as we begin a new year, we have the chance to start again, renewing our commitment to Christ and exploring what that means for us as members of the body of Christ, the church in this corner of the world. The Apostle Paul wrote: Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27
We need each other to help us grow spiritually, and to reach out to the world as Jesus told us to. Let’s strive towards becoming more and more like Jesus!
May we each know God’s blessing as we enter a new year, and a new chapter in our parishes.
The Pointer Editor.
Dates for Diary
Kilbroney Parish Church Advent Carols
7.00 pm Sunday 2nd December
Kilbroney Parish Church Christingle 11.30 am Sunday 8th December
Kilbroney Parish Church Nine Lessons and Carols 7.00 pm Sunday 15th December
Clonallon and Warrenpoint Nine Lessons and Carols 10.00 am Sunday 22nd December in Clonallon
Christmas Eve (Tuesday) 11.30 pm Holy Communion (traditional) in Warrenpoint
Christmas Day (Wednesday)
10.00 am Holy Communion (traditional) in Clonallon
11.30 am Holy Communion in Kilbroney
Lectors
The Reverend Andy Hay Service of Introduction to our Parishes on
The Feast of the Epiphany 6th January 2025
7.30 pm in Saint Bronach’s, Kilbroney Parish Church.
A Warm Welcome to Everyone
Please put your gift to Prison Fellowship in one of the envelopes provided and return it by 1st December.
Light a candle of hope in your home on 21stDecember, and share a picture to social media, reminding your friends and family that Samaritans are here, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Suggested Caption
I'm lighting a candle of hope for #SamaritansLongestNight. @SamaritansNI are here for you during your darkest hours, especially over the festive season and even on Christmas
Call 116 123 for free, day or night.
1
Church Services
Lectionary Year C
19th January
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
26th January
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
2nd February
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
9th February
Morning Prayer Warrenpoint
Holy Communion Kilbroney
Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 36:5-10 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
2:1-11
Morning Prayer Clonallon
Holy Communion Warrenpoint
Morning Prayer Kilbroney
Wholeness and Healing with Holy Communion Kilbroney
The Fourth Sunday before Lent Holy Communion Clonallon Family Service Kilbroney
Sunday Explorers
11.30 am each Sunday
All children welcome! If you’re new to the area this would be a good place for young folk to meet.
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21 (22-30)
Ezekiel 43:27– 44:4 (or Jeremiah 1:4-10) Psalm 48 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 2:22-40 or Luke 4:21-30
Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) Psalm 138 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11
1st Sunday each month
Wholeness and Healing
11.30 am in Kilbroney Parish Church
Prayer and anointing with oil will be offered in the Side Chapel after the main service. As always, no questions will be asked as we pray for you using the words from the service. Warrenpoint Parish Church
Open Church
From 11.00 am until Noon Each Wednesday Everyone is welcome to drop in
Tower Bells and Handbells on Thursdays
Tower bells 6.45 to 7.30 pm
Handbells 7.30 to 9.00 pm
If you’re interested in joining this ministry please speak to Liz Farnan (handbells) or Kenny Roberts (tower bells).
Parish Prayer Time
10.00 am in the Parish Room, Kilbroney Each Wednesday Everyone Welcome
Ladies Bible Study
Tuesday 10th December (no January meeting) at 10.45 am in the vestry Warrenpoint Church.
3rd Sunday each month
Compline
7.00 pm in Kilbroney Parish Church
Everyone is welcome to join us for this evening service.
Badminton
Warrenpoint Parish Hall
Mondays from 5.30 pm and Thursdays 5.30 pm until 7.30 pm
Join the WhatsApp group for updates.
Ladies Guild Thursday 30th January 2025 at 11.00 am.
Our speaker will be Yvonne Dalzell on the work of The Gideons Good News for Everyone.
Crafters on Wednesdays
Crafting (or chatting) in the Parish Room 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. All levels of Crafters welcome. Tea, coffee, a biscuit and craic are obligatory! All are welcome
Confirmation in Kilbroney
Four of our young folk were confirmed by Bishop David on 7th November 2024. Family, friends, and parishioners joined to celebrate with them. Afterwards refreshments were enjoyed, with sandwiches from The School House, and one of David Tormey’s amazing, giant cakes! During the service one of the candidates, Bethlehem, spoke of her faith journey.
My name is Bethlehem, I am from America and I am a missionary. I don't have a dramatic testimony involving drugs and partying, but I do have a story of continually coming to God in new, transformative ways.
I grew up with my family being in ministry, so I had a good foundation. I remember saying yes to Jesus for the first time at 2 or 3 years old. From the ages of 7-12, it was the best time of my life! During this time, my parents felt a call from the Lord to go on the road with their ministry and converted a bus into a home for all 5 of us. For 5 years we lived like nomads, and I loved the adventure!
After that, however, we settled down and I became a teenager. I had it harder than most teenagers as I was dealing with a long-term sickness for a few years. I couldn’t go to school or church, but the light within the week was my youth group. Through my youth group and various trips I went on with them, I came to God in a deeper level than just inheriting it, but of actually trusting in him. I also found out that I have a few intolerances I need to avoid to be healthy, so I was able to start healing physically as well as spiritually.
After High School, I knew that I wanted to be a missionary. So I did a Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission, which has a heart for training up missionaries. During this time I came to the Lord in yet another new way. Christianity became deep, thorough, and authentic. I experienced the full truth relating to sin, repentance, forgiveness, life, freedom, and purpose. After this, I felt the need to be baptized to represent the change inside me!
In the 4 years since then, I have continued to have challenges. I have had my faith questioned, I have missed my family as I am away from home, and I have struggled with anxiety. Problems won't stop coming, but I know that I will be ok because just as important and life-giving as Christ’s call to come to him is his call to abide and stay in him. I know that I am secure in Christ, and that’s why I am glad to confirm my faith before you all today. Thank you.
Bethlehem Beck
If you’re in Rostrevor on the longest night, the winter solstice, on the st December, look out for our church turning green! Buildings all over the country will have green floodlights that night in support of the Samaritans. Thank you to all who are involved to make this happen! Do please take pictures!
Standing Orders
It is helpful if parishioners use standing orders for their free will offerings.
Details of how to do this may be obtained from the church treasurers.
Mr Stewart Nash—Kilbroney
Dr David Gaw Warrenpoint & Clonallon
Thank you
All photographers (including Alanah, Bill, Liz, Mary, and Shelagh), contributors and advertisers! Your contributions make The Pointer a community resource as well as giving details of events past, present and future! Keep the articles coming please.
If you know of anyone who would like to advertise in The Pointer please ask them to get in touch with the editor, Elizabeth. hannamanor15@btinternet.com
Bishop David Introduces Rev Andy, Nevin and Lorraine to the Select Vestries
As many members as possible of both Select Vestries met in the Parish Room in Kilbroney Parish on Tuesday 25th November to meet Rev Andy, Nevin and Lorraine. Bishop David conducted a relaxed interview with them to find out something of their background, faith journeys and their hopes for the future.
Alanah Donaldson and Liz Cavan served a delicious supper as folk mingled to meet and greet. Andy had the opportunity to have a mini tour of the church with Shelagh Roberts and Joan Thompson and he went away clutching recent editions of The Pointer and a copy of the 200 anniversary book.
Pray for these folk, and for our Parishes, as we enter this new chapter. Give thanks to God as you pray. Remember Nevin and Lorraine as they sell up and relocate to Warrenpoint. Pray for Andy and his family as they adjust to a new way of life and move into their family home.
Lorraine and Joan Shelagh, Andy and Joan
Andy, Nevin, Myrtle M., Lorraine, Pauline and Myrtle K.
Alanah, Shelagh, Rene, Mary, Maudie and Richard.
Joan, Patric, Liz C., Billy and Timothy.
Bishop David and Rev Andy Nevin
Lorraine
Some folk had to leave before this photograph
Richard, Bill and Dorothy
If you can read that … thank your music teacher!
Alanah and Liz C.
Bishop David, Myrtle M., Liz F., and Lorraine.
Timothy, Shelagh and Kenny.
Elizabeth, Dorothy and Lorraine.
Emma and Maudie
Joan, Andy, Mary, Rene, Richard, Liz F.
Evelyn and Nevin
Rene, Andy and Mary
Five of us met on Tuesday 12th November for our Bible Study. There were two apologies.
For our new series of studies we will take a walk with women that are less know in scripture.
So for the next couple of months we will take a look at Miriam. We have to go right into Exodus to get the picture.
First let’s look at Exodus 2 v 1 where we read 'A man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman'. Let’s go to the family record in Exodus 6 v 20 where we find the clans of Levi. Amran married his father's sister Jochebed (which would make her his Aunt) who bore him Aaron and Moses. Then we have to go over to Exodus 15 v 20 where we read about Miriam being Aaron and Moses’ sister.
Now we see that Miriam was the big sister of two boys … Aaron was one of the boys and then a wee baby boy who didn't have a name!
We talked a bit about having a big sister and being a big sister. I shared that I would have loved to have had a big sister to have been my mentor but confessed that I probably would have had her heart broke. At the same time it would have been nice to have been that big sister though I reckoned that I'd have been bossy BUT I would also have been fiercely protective.
The Bible doesn't give Miriam's age. Commentators suggest she was about 7 years old. We have to remember that girls grew up ever so fast in those days. They were married maybe at 14 or 16 and had a family.
Anyhow, Miriam was the big sister. So we pick up the story in Exodus 2 v 2. Miriam would have been aware of what was happening and that her little baby brother was in danger with Pharoh ordering the killing of all the Hebrew baby boys because that population was growing.
It was easy to hide the wee baby for a while but after 3 months he was becoming more vocal. So mum made a really good watertight basket for him. placed him inside and took it down to the River Nile and hid it amongst the reeds.
Miriam was given the responsibility to watch. Look how obedient she was. She would have been conscious that mum had to look after Aaron the
middle child. She was so brave being there all by herself.
Then she heard people coming. Gosh!! it was the Princess. She saw the basket and sent her maid to get it. I'm sure Miriam held her breath to see what was going to happen. I would have been in a panic. When the Princess opened the basket, the wee man started to cry. "Oh it's a little Hebrew baby boy". If that had been us we probably would have thought … that's it!!! She'll go home and tell her 'Da'.
Well Miriam was a quick thinker she came out and stood before the Princess. The words just tumbled out "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you". No prizes for guessing who Miriam was thinking of. What wisdom - GOD GIVEN WISDOM.
"Yes, go" said the Princess. What better nurse could there be but the baby's own mother. She would be his nanny and still be his mother. Miriam went at once and brought her mother to the Princess. The Princess told her to take the baby and look after him and she would pay her. The Princess’ plan was to adopt him as her own son.
Only God could be in the planning. He had plans for this baby boy.
So the baby and the family were safe and provided for. What a God!
The Mother of Moses by Simeon Solomon (1840-1905) Height: 23.5"(59.6 cm); Width: 19"(48.2 cm) Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, Delaware.
The Princess went home and told her ‘Da’ that she found a little Hebrew baby boy and that she wanted him; that she was going to adopt him as her own son. Well, what could he say to that. She probably had him wrapped round her wee finger. The Princess called the baby 'Moses' because he was drawn out of the water.
When we think of Miriam hiding in the reeds and watching the baby, doesn't it give us a lovely picture of how the Lord is hiding in the shadows looking after us.
Psalm 91 v 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 121 v 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life.
What about Miriam's wisdom when she spoke to the Princess. You know we are promised wisdom for situations in which we find ourselves.
Luke 12 v 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.
Miriam knew what to say.
James 1 v 5 If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.
We will continue with Miriam at our next Bible Study: TUESDAY 10th DECEMBER AT 10.45 AM IN THE VESTRY WARRENPOINT CHURCH. Looking forward to seeing you. All ladies are welcome. Love, God Bless and stay safe.
Dorothy Major xx P.S.
We wish all our readers God's Blessing at Christmas and in the New Year.
O Holy Child of Bethlehem descend to us we pray cast out our sin and enter in be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide in us, our Lord Emmanuel.
There will be no Bible Study in January.
God of the years, come and meet us through the rituals of our preparations for the feast of Jesus’ birth. Help us to pass on, through chopped fruit and sticky fingers, the story of your love and sweetness, in the living of our lives. Amen.
From Rev Liz Simpson
It's hard to believe that our Autumn term has finished. What better way to finish than going out for a good feed. So on Thursday 28th November, we are looking forward to having our Annual Christmas Dinner and once again we are dining in Warrenpoint Golf Club.
By the time this goes to print we'll have just finished our dinner and so you'll have to wait until the February edition of the Pointer to hear how we got on. As well as that, we will have welcomed Rev. Andy Hay as our new Priest-inCharge; his wife Jackie and daughters Maddie and Emmy, along with Nevin and Lorraine our new Pioneers for Clonallon and Warrenpoint. We look forward to this brand new journey in our Parishes.
Please note there will be no Ladies Guild Meeting in December.
Just to remind you that our January and February Meetings will be in the mornings at eleven o'clock.
Our January Meeting will be on Thursday 30th January 2025 at 11.00 am.
Our speaker will be Yvonne Dalzell on the work of The Gideons Good News for Everyone.
So that's it for now - hope to see you all back in the New Year, I take this opportunity to thank you all for your help and support to me. Wishing you and your families God's blessing at Christmas and in the New Year.
Love, God Bless and take care. Dorothy Major.
Where is the baby?
A wealthy European family decided to have their newborn baby baptized in their enormous mansion. Dozens of guests were invited to the elaborate affair, and they all arrived dressed to the nines. After depositing their elegant wraps on a bed in an upstairs room, the guests were entertained royally.
Soon the time came for the main purpose of their gathering: the infant's baptismal ceremony. But where was the baby? No one seemed to know. The child's governess ran upstairs and returned with a desperate look on her face. Everyone searched frantically for the baby. Then someone recalled having seen him asleep on one of the beds. The baby was indeed on a bed buried beneath a pile of coats, jackets, and furs. The object of that day's celebration had been forgotten, neglected, and nearly smothered.
The baby whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas is easily hidden beneath the piles of traditions and cultural observances of the season. We need to enter every Advent season asking, "Where's the baby?"
1. All I Want for Christmas is Love.
2. All I Want for Christmas is Hope.
3. All I Want for Christmas is Joy.
4. All I Want for Christmas is Peace.
All I Want for Christmas is a Jesus.
Not all construction work is equally enjoyable. For instance, drilling a large hole is boring, but fastening two pieces of metal together is riveting.
Me: What are you looking so mad about?
My friend: I need some light but all I've got is a box of candles and no matches.
Me: That's no problem. Just take one candle out of the box. My friend: How will that help? I still haven't got a match.
Me: I know, but it'll make the box a candle lighter
Sermon
Mark 10:46-52 Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
In this reading Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. The disciples are following, still not fully understanding his mission, and fearful of what is to come.
A blind man Bartimaeus hears the commotion of the crowd as it approaches and passes him. He was blind. He was reduced to begging. He was poor.
This poor beggar was a nuisance. Beggars often are. Often people ignore them. They don't fit into a well-ordered world. One more beggar beside the road wasn't worth noticing, not when the crowd were fixed on following Jesus. Maybe some of them threw him a few coins. And then the beggar starts to shout out. And note the words. Not 'Jesus have mercy on me' but 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me'. Son of David was a conventional messianic title. He wants to attract the attention of this Jesus and he has great expectations of him.
The crowd tells him to be quiet. I suspect that behind the words 'Many sternly ordered him to be quiet' lies some interesting language. This beggar should know his place and that place certainly didn't include bothering people.
Bartimaeus has no intention of being shut up. He shouts even louder. In all the noise Jesus hears him.
One of the weak and vulnerable has the full attention of Jesus and in what follows we see fully what Jesus saw as his mission. Mark last mentioned a blind man being healed in Mark chapter 8 just before Jesus makes his first passion prediction so we can be sure that placing the story here is significant.
Jesus tells the crowd to call him. A significant word.
Jesus called the disciples. This man beside the road now merits the attention of the crowd. Some notice him for the first time. Jesus has asked them to call Bartimaeus to him, not to bring him.
Bartimaeus doesn't need to be asked twice. He doesn't say hold on just a moment. He throws off his cloak. This man's cloak was a precious item. It kept out the cold and being a beggar it may well have served to sleep in at night. How do we know he had a cloak? because Mark tells us.
And Bartimaeus casts off this precious item. It belongs to his past. He doesn't care what happens to it because he is stepping into the future. He sprang up, Mark tells us, and came to Jesus. Not the usual actions of a blind man.
Mark could now write 'Jesus saw that he was blind and he healed him.' Unlike the blind man in chapter 8 no one was bringing Bartimaeus to Jesus. Bartimaeus brought himself and of this blind beggar Jesus asks a question, ' What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus has come to serve. He is making this clear to his disciples and to the crowd. He is presenting Bartimaeus with a choice. 'What do you want?' You choose. My teacher, Rabbi, let me see again.
Sight restored meant a different future, an uncertain future for Bartimaeus, he knew that. He was prepared to take that chance, he was prepared to make that choice freely given. It was what his heart desired above all else.
The words that Jesus used in response are basic to the life he offers to all of us. Go, he says, your faith has made you well. He has called Bartimaeus and now he frees him to go wherever he wants. Nothing that the blind man has done restores his sight it is his faith alone that has done this great work.
With sight regained and the freedom that it means his choice is to follow the man who has set him free. No obligation has been placed on him he could go where he wanted. His choice was to be a disciple.
To the disciples Jesus had said 'Do you have eyes and fail to see?' They could not understand what he was doing, they could not understand what he was saying about the Pharisees who were so caught up in following the law that they were hindered in their understanding of God's purpose for the world. The very purpose that Jesus had come to make clear to them.
A blind man's healing, unearned, shows the drama of salvation. Opening his eyes not only opened up physical sight but also spiritual sight. Light came
flooding in for the blind beggar and so he followed.
So many have lost that light. They dismiss the miracles and so fail to see the deeper meaning hidden in them. The world has blinded them to the Good News.
Where are we in all this?
What do we want Jesus to do for us?
Leave us alone in our blindness because the life we know is safer than an uncertain future. In Ireland we know very well how to hang on to the past. We are very good at it.
We are very good at listening to the parts of the Gospel that suit us. We are good at following for a while. How many of the crowd following Jesus that day stuck with him to the end on the cross? Even Peter denied knowing him.
That wonderful impulsive gesture of Bartimaeus is all right for a beggar but for too many there is something suspect about being impulsive. It really isn't respectable.
Proper people don't do it.
Children are often impulsive and are often criticised for it. Jesus calls us to be like children. To come to him throwing the past behind us.
Our past is full of hurt and grievances. Terrible things have happened in this beautiful land. We find it hard to stop looking back and yet like Bartimaeus we must step into the future. It is uncertain but it can be full of hope if we have faith.
We don't have to have the faith of a blind beggar in the dust at Jericho. That will come with time. Following in the footsteps of Jesus we can learn to see with the eyes of faith and know his unending love.
In the words of Jeremiah 319 ,
The Lord will let us walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which we shall not stumble.
Patric Harris
The Vicar was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money for repairs to the church building. So he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and an unknown substitute had been brought in. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said, "but, you'll have to think of something to play after I appeal for more money."
During the service, the minister paused and said, "Friends, we are in great difficulty; The repairs cost more than expected and we need £4,000. Any of you who can give £100 or more, please stand up."
At that moment, the substitute organist played the National Anthem! And that is how he got himself a job!
One sunny afternoon, Dolly and Ruby, two longtime friends, sat together in a cozy café, sipping their tea and chatting about their favourite topic their grandchildren.
Dolly sighed, shaking her head. "You know, every year I send each of my grandchildren a card for Christmas. Inside, I always put a very generous cheque. But you know what? I never hear from them. No calls, no texts, no thank-you notes. Nothing."
Ruby, her eyes twinkling mischievously, nodded. "Oh, I know exactly what you mean. I send my grandchildren generous cheques too, every year.”
Dolly looked surprised. "Really? Do you hear back from them?"
"Of course!" Ruby replied with a grin. "Within a week, I get phone calls, messages, and even at times a personal visits. They come right to my door, all smiles and politeness."
Dolly leaned forward, intrigued. "Wow! How on earth do you manage that?"
Ruby chuckled softly and leaned in closer. "Oh, it's easy," she said. "I just don’t sign the cheque."
Remembrance Sunday
On 10th November short Acts of Remembrance were held both in Clonallon and in Kilbroney. Wreaths were laid by Bill Major (Clonallon Parish), and Kenny Roberts (Navy), Mary Morgan (Army) accompanied by Majella Baxter, Walter Jenkins (Air Force), Shelagh Roberts with Charles Coffey (Kilbroney Parish). In Kilbroney the Roll of Honour was read by Patric Harris
Kilbroney Integrated Primary School
The displays for Remembrance in Kilbroney gave some of the KIPS pupils the chance for a field trip. Patric Harris, one of the Board of Governors, spoke to the pupils about the people illustrated on the notice board, and the “there but not there” figures who have been occupying some of the pews in recent weeks. There are some more photographs on the school website. Once again, I, Elizabeth, am looking forward to the next School Assembly, just too late to include in this Pointer. The theme will be around the idea of Advent and the preparations we make to celebrate the birth of the infant Jesus. Do keep the head
KIPS says “thank you” to Patric and the editor also thanks him for the photographs! Don’t forget to support the craft fair on 7th December, 10.00 am 1.00 pm.
Kilbroney Handbellers
The Kilbroney Handbellers performed at a fundraiser coffee morning in Thomas Street Methodist Hall, Portadown on Saturday 16th November.
The team were able to support the director's school friend who organised the event in aid of the Glenanne Breast Unit and Mandeville Unit in Craigavon Area Hospital.
The organiser said, 'Both units continue to provide invaluable care and support to myself and my family since being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in June 2023.
I never thought I would find myself getting this diagnosis 11 months to the day after my Mum passed away, but it is likely that any one of us, or members of our family, will find ourselves attending these clinics. All ages have to deal with a Cancer diagnosis, both young and old. Cancer unfortunately does not discriminate!
We were totally overwhelmed by the number of people who came and supported us on Saturday morning. To everyone who baked/helped us set up and clean up we are so grateful. Truly blessed with
brilliant family and friends.
The count for money raised on the day is £1,859.54 and it is still coming in so thank you! Online total is currently £740 which is amazing for such a great cause. Thank you! Xxx
A Midwinter festival has been a part of life since pre-Christian times. When the hours of daylight are fewest, the warmth of the sun weakest, and life itself seemingly at a standstill, our ancestors, the pagan peoples of Europe and Western Asia, kept festival by lighting bonfires and decorating their buildings with evergreens.
Perhaps they believed that the dying sun could be enheartened by fire, and the life of the buried seed assured by the presence of evergreen branches.
With the advent of Christianity, the Spring gods became identified with Christ, and the birthday of the sun with the birthday of the Light of the World.
The early church father Tertullian did not approve of Christmas decorations. “Let those who have no light in themselves light candles! You are the light of the world, you are the tree ever green.” By the time of Saint Gregory and Saint Augustine, four centuries later, this had changed. Pope Gregory instructed Augustine not to worry about harmless outward customs, as long as the right God be worshipped through them. And so many Anglo-Saxon customs were never discarded, but simply endowed with a new significance.
By 1598 one John Stow of London wrote how: ‘Against the feast of Christmas, every man’s house, as also their parish churches, were decked with holme, ivie, bayes, and whatsoever the season of the yeare afforded to be greene.’
Liz Farnan
As children growing up in a family where our father was ex-military punctuality (amongst other things) was paramount and remains in our psyche to this day, I and my siblings ‘do not do being late’ So, recently attending a meeting in London and not quite sure of the exact location of the venue I turned up around thirty minutes early. Not quite enough time for a coffee, hence I went for a wander, this is often when you find hidden gems and then you never have enough time to truly explore.
This gem was Saint Lawrence Jewry situated next to the Guildhall. A simple but beautiful church situated near the area of the City where the Jewish community lived from 1066 to 1290 and its name distinguished it from another Saint Lawrence which existed until 1666.
Christopher Wren was the architect of the 1677 church and the walls date from that time (after the Great Fire of London). However, the interior fittings date from 1957 when the church was restored after the Second World War.
Saint Lawrence Jewry is the official church of the City of London Corporation with reserved seats for the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen of the City. While a Church of England and part of the Diocese of London the church does not have a parish, instead they work with the Corporation and Livery
On entering the church a grand staircase leads up to the organ gallery. The Organ was built in 2001 as a millennium project and is used every Tuesday lunchtime for recitals, (I was there on a Wednesday).
The Church also has two military links to the Parachute Regiment and the Royal Marines. The small Royal Marine chapel or Tower Chapel to the left upon entering the church was created after a fire bombing in 1940. The Chapel is available for quite prayer and should you wish to light a candle there is helpful leaflet available with suggestions for prayer.
Facing the front of the church there is a fine wooden Reredos behind the altar.
At the top is Christ overseeing all that happens in his church with a dove representing the presence of the Holy Spirit and the painting representing Saint
Lawrence. Further into the body of the church is the Commonwealth Chapel where many flags linked to regiments and other military and civic flags have been ‘laid up’. The Window behind the altar represents the Commonwealth as it was in 1957.
The Gridiron, Chalice, Book and Dragons come together to form the Saint Lawrence Jewry’s crest.
When in London I recommend you take time out to visit. It’s a place of calm and stillness, a place to recharge.
Mary Moreland
MBE
At the Airport
A woman was waiting at an airport one night there were several long hours to wait for her flight. She hunted for reading in the airport's gift shop bought a big bag of cookies found a place she could drop. She was engrossed in her book, but she happened to see a man sat beside her as bold as can be and grabbed up a cookie from the bag in between which she tried to ignore and not make a scene.
She munched at her cookies and glanced at the clock as the masculine cookie-thief diminished her stock! She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by Thinking, "If I wasn't a lady, I'd blacken his eye!"
With each cookie she took, he took one or two. With only one left, she watched what he'd do with a grin on his face, and a nice nervous laugh he took the last cookie and broke it in half!
He offered her half as he munched on the other she snatched from him and murmured "Oh Brother! This guy has some nerve, and he's also quite rude he never showed even polite gratitude."
She had never known when she had been quite so galled she smiled with relief when her flight it was called. She gathered her stuff and marched to the gate. (With not even a glance at the thieving ingrate.)
She boarded the plane and sank in her seat, then sought out her book which was almost complete. As she reached in her bag, she gasped with surprise, her bag of cookies was in front of her eyes!
"If mine are right here," she moaned in despair, then the others were his and he was trying to share! Too late to apologize, she realized with grief that she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief!
Valerie Cox
Weaving Workshop
If you go down to the Parish Room … … you’ll see the weavings hanging on the wall.
The Advent Wreath
The circle of the wreath and the evergreens that are around it up signify God’s endless mercy and undying love.
Three purple candles and one rose-colored candle are evenly spaced around the wreath. There is one larger white candle in the center of the wreath. The different evergreens have sometimes been given symbolism.
Ivy to remind us of the human spirit clinging to God’s strength.
Cedar to remind us of eternal life available to all through Christ.
Holly to remind us of Jesus’ crown of thorns.
Bay to remind us of victory over sin and death.
The light of the candles is an important symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world who comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God's grace to others.
The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolizes the various aspects of our waiting experience. As the candles are lit over the four week period, it symbolizes the darkness of fear and hopelessness receding and the shadows of sin falling away as more and more light is
shed into the world. The flame of each new candle reminds us that something is happening, and that more is yet to come. Finally, the light that has come into the world is plainly visible as the Christ candle is lit at Christmas, and worshippers rejoice over the fact that the promise of long ago has been realized.
The first candle is traditionally the candle of Hope or Expectation. This draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of a Messiah that weaves its way like a golden thread through Old Testament history. As God’s people were abused by power hungry kings, led astray by self-centred prophets, and lulled into apathy by half-hearted religious leaders, there arose a longing for God to raise up a new king who could show them how to be God’s people.
We, with expectation, with hope, await God’s new work in history, the second Advent, in which God will be revealed to the world.
The remaining three candles are associated with different aspects of the Advent story organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story.
Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels. or Peace, Joy, Love. or John the Baptist, Mary, the Magi. or the Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfilment.
All are geared to telling the story of redemption through God’s grace in the Incarnation.
The third candle for the Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally Rose, and symbolizes Joy at the Advent of the Christ. The day takes its name from the Latin word Gaudete (Rejoice).
Gaudete in Domino semper … Rejoice in the Lord always …
The centre candle is white and is called the Christ Candle. It is traditionally lit on Christmas Eve or Day. All five candles continuing to be burned in services through Epiphany (6th January).
The central location of the Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the world.
Hermitage
Milan
Houston 1625-30 1635 1640
Saint Joseph with the Christ Child refers to a series of three works by Guido Reni. The earliest dates to 1625-1630 and is in the Diocesan Museum of Milan, whilst a 1635 version is now in the Hermitage Museum, Padova, and a 1640 version in the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Texas.
Luke 2:41-51a
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’
‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant. He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.
Reflection on the Painting
None of the Gospels records any words that Joseph spoke. Even so, his eloquent silence speaks volumes and tells us all about his character. He was loving, caring, obedient, humble, discreet and working hard in the background: all qualities for us all to strive for.
He was a man filled with worry, as his bride-to-be, the woman he loved so much, was pregnant. But after the angel appeared to him in a dream, assuring him that
Mary’s child was conceived through the Holy Spirit, Joseph took Mary into his home as his wife. He became a true father, with a father’s heart. But he was also a man of action. Think of him finding a stable after being rejected at the inn, fleeing to Egypt, and then bringing the family safely back. He was actively engaged in God’s plan. From what we do know of him, we can see how he faithfully did the ordinary, to serve the extra-ordinary.
These paintings by Guido Reni give a tender image depicting an elderly Saint Joseph holding the Christ child. Reni enjoyed huge success in his lifetime and was one of the most famous Italian painters of his day. He was even referred to as 'the divine Guido'. Saint Joseph is shown as a simple, uncomplicated man warmly embracing his infant son.
The fruit held by the infant Jesus in the Houston version is a reminder to the viewer of both the fall of humanity in Eden as well as the fruitfulness of redemption through the sacrifice of Christ. There is something captivating about this old father who holds his son. He seems wise, but also vulnerable. Guido Reni has painted an elderly father who is well aware of the future of his baby.
Baby Jesus is painted with lightness. He almost sits up on Joseph’s hands and displays a quite remarkable awareness. Even though he is a baby, Jesus is depicted as already the spiritual master of Joseph. Jesus is painted with a soft glow. Joseph holds his baby as if baby Jesus weighs as little as a feather. This all adds to the impression Guido Reni aims for, to show that even when Jesus was a baby, he is also divine.
The Church of Ireland is committed to ensuring all children and vulnerable adults are protected from harm.
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