



A prayer vigil was held at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on Saturday September 16, as people came together to reflect on the impact of climate change.
The vigil was organised by the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, former Bishop of Connor, and his wife Liz, who are concerned about how climate change will impact their grandchildren.
The vigil ran from 10am until 12 noon, with silent prayer on the Cathedral steps and a prayer space with visuals in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit inside.
As he stood on the steps, flanked by posters urging people to think about the legacy of climate change and to act to stop the fossil fuel economy, Bishop Alan said: “My concern is that this is the most important issue of our time. I genuinely feel that we as churches seem to be silent on it, or at least not as passionate as I believe we should be.
“For us, it has become really important as we have three grandsons – what legacy are we leaving them?”
Liz, who designed a series of graphics for the indoor prayer space, said: “As Christians, we are distressed that the most vulnerable are going to suffer the most, with hunger, drought, floods and home loss being realities for them.”
The two-hour vigil, she said, was an opportunity to ‘stand in silence and prayer, recognising the climate crisis; recognising and seeking forgiveness for our complicity in it; praying for those who have lost their homes, food and water because of climate change; and praying for those with the levers of power that they will act for the good of all the earth and its people.’
Bishop Alan and Liz will be hosting a vigil and meditation on the challenges of climate change here at St Gall’s.
It will be on the evening of Tuesday 21st of November from 7.30 p.m..
Their invitation to you:
Please consider joining us. Drop by for a short time. Stay for the whole thing.
What will the vigil look like?
We will simply stand or sit in silence and prayer
1. Recognising the climate crisis
2. Recognising and seeking forgiveness for our complicity in it
3. Praying for those who have lost their homes, food and water because of climate change
4. Praying for those with the levers of power that they will act for the good of all the earth and its people
We look forward to seeing you Please feel free to invite your friends too With love and concern,
Alan & Liz AbernethyThe Collect for the 13th Sunday after Trinity
Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
27th September Wednesday - Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m.
30th September Saturday - Repair Cafe from 10 a.m.. Booking Essential. More info later in this magazine.
1st October The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
8.30 a.m. Holy Communion
10 a.m. Parish Communion
6.30 p.m. Evening Prayer
2nd October Monday - at 2pm - Afternoon Group
4th October Wednesday - Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m.
8th October Harvest Celebration and Family Service
8.30 a.m. Holy Communion
10 a.m. Harvest Celebration - Family Service
We celebrate with a family service and bringing a tin for our local food bank!
6.30 p.m. Holy Communion
10th October Tuesday - Friendship Lunch - 12 noon. Sign up needed!
11th October Wednesday - Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m.
15th October St Gall’s Day - Teddy Bear Service
8.30 a.m. Holy Communion
10 a.m. Teddy Bear Service
We welcome our Scouts to church. Bear Grylls meet Teddy Bears! Fun times. Come along and have your Teddy at the ready!
6.30 p.m. Evening Prayer
18th October Wednesday - Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m. Coffee with some Chat Morning from 10 - 12 noon. Everyone welcome.
22nd October The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
8.30 a.m. Holy Communion
10 a.m. Morning Prayer
6.30 p.m. Evening Prayer
25th October Wednesday - Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m.
29th October The Last Sunday after Trinity
8.30 a.m. Holy Communion
10 a.m. Morning Prayer
6.30 p.m. Evening Prayer
1st November Wednesday - Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m.
4th November Saturday - The Artisan Bazaar - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Repair Cafe
Saturday 30th September from 10-12. You need to book!
Afternoon Group
Everyone welcome on Monday 2nd October at 2pm for a cuppa and chat!
Family Service
8th October - With Harvest donations for our local Food Bank
Friendship Lunch
Tuesday 10th October from 12noon to 2pm. Please sign up.
St Gall’s Day
15th October - We welcome all our Scoutsbring your Teddy bear!
Coffee & Chat Morning
18th October - 10-12 noon
The Artisan Bazaar
Saturday 4th November - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
At 8.30 a.m. each Sunday morning there will be a service of Holy Communion. At 10.30 a.m. each Wednesday morning there will be a service of Holy Communion. Prayers are said at this service for the sick. If you or someone who you know would like us to pray for them at this service please write their Christian name in the book beside the lamp at the back of church.
Saturday 4th November 2023 10.00am - 3.00 pm
Why not come along and you can get all your Christmas presents in the one place? Enjoy browsing through our craft stalls eg jewellery, homemade cakes & jams, candles, ceramics, vintage items, knitwear & crochet – the list is endless.
We look forward to having you join us at our “get together” on Monday 2nd Octoberr at 2pm in the Welcome Area.
This month we will welcome Julie Waters to tell us all about her time as a journalist with the County Down Spectator. Come along for a chat and a cuppa. Everyone welcome - whether a newcomer or a regular, we’d love to see you there.
Doreen and Anne
First of all a warm and grateful thank you to all who have already volunteered to read the lessons at the various services throughout the year. It really adds to the service. But, I am always looking for more volunteers!
At the moment I have approximately 20 names on the list which may sound a lot, but readers can have other commitments at times and are not always available. They are dependent on swapping with someone else. The more readers I have on the list, it gives more flexibility for all concerned.
I currently need to identify readers for both morning and evening services (Normally no evening services July and August), plus Advent and special Christmas services can be a busy time, when we really do need willing participants.
The readings are normally emailed to the reader on the Friday for the following Sunday. Sometimes you may be required to read the two readings at the morning service. Note – on a Sunday with Holy Communion you will only have one reading (the Epistle) The more volunteers I have, the less each reader has to do, it shares the load.
We’re all here to help you get over any nerves, so a practice run in church can be arranged for you when no one is around to put you off!
So please do feel free to contact me if you are not already on my list.
Doreen Tennis. dtennis9@gmail.com
A pastor at a chapel on the Hawaiian island of Maui has spoken of the terrible day that strong wildfires swept through many homes on the island.
Pastor Kirk Milhoan, from Calvary Chapel in the south of the island, recently told Premier Christian News that on the day, everyone was ‘in the dark’, with no means of texting or phoning when the fires began.
“Survivors have lost friends and loved ones, fathers, mothers, grandparents, and children. Also, all the people who live on tourism, now suddenly they have no income.
“So, it’s just layer after layer of difficulty. But what we have is the Word of God that says, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ We have a good shepherd in Jesus Christ.
“When I look at all the healing that’s required in our land, right now we have physical healings required, we have financial healing that’s required, we have emotional healing that’s required. But most importantly, we have spiritual healing that’s required.”
Pastor Kirk said: “I don’t have to figure out all the things of God. I just want to direct people back to the Saviour. He is the only one who can heal this horrible hurt.”
Our next Friendship Lunch will be held on Tuesday 12th September from 12noon to 2pm.
Minimum £3 donation
Please sign up to let the chef know you are coming! Pop your name on the sign up sheets in the porch and cafe if you are planning to come along. Anyone is welcome to come along. Please feel free to bring along friends and neighbours. Anyone you know would appreciated the food and the company.
Monday 21 August was a joyous evening in Groomsport as the parish welcomed Revd Elliot Swattridge as Priest–in–charge.
Bishop David conducted the service of introduction on Monday 21 August and the Archdeacon of Kilmore, The Ven Ian Horner, gave the address. Ian spoke on John 15: 1–8 and the need for us to remain connected to God, the source of all life. Ian is a friend of the family, hailing from Greystones where Elliot’s wife Nomi grew up.
Elliot and Nomi come to the diocese from the large parish of Emmanuel, Croydon, prior to which Elliot served a curacy in the Diocese of Hereford. He says that what attracted them to Groomsport was the parish’s commitment to prayer, something about which he is particularly passionate. “I believe that God’s Spirit longs to bear so much fruit in this land, for so many people to come to know Him. I know from experience that He is so much better than we could ever dream! While our own self–made plans lead to bitter disappointment, His plans lead to endless life. So I don’t want to follow my own agenda here – instead, I am inspired to see what He is doing in all the wonderful people of Groomsport and beyond, and then join in! I know this is a deeply prayerful church and I know what God can do through ‘people who pray’ is so much infinitely beyond anything we could create in our own strength.”
Welcome, Elliot and Nomi, to Down and Dromore and blessings in your ministry in Groomsport Parish Church.
Elliot’s faith story
I was raised in Herefordshire, England, and, not coming from a Christian home, Jesus gradually came to find me out of the blue through reading a Gideon’s Bible I was given at school aged 11, which I ended up looking at over the next few years. I barely understood anything, and had no church connection, but longed for acceptance by God. At this point, I hadn’t really heard of the Gospel and so thought I needed to basically make my life perfect and do loads of good deeds in order to be accepted by God. This was a horrible struggle because I could never do this, and felt like God would never accept me!
Yet I saw lots of references to baptism as I read the Bible for the first time, and so thought if I was going to really follow Jesus I should take that as a next step, which being very shy, I plucked up the courage to ask about aged 16. I went to the only church I really knew, a little village church in Bridstow, and this was my first connection with ‘going to church’ on a Sunday. Again, I didn’t understand much but God used experiences here and at CU at school to introduce the wonderful idea of being accepted by faith, through trusting Jesus, not because of good deeds or anything I have done, but because of what Jesus had done to rescue me. We are used to hearing this if we have spent any time in church, but at aged 16–17 this was an absolutely wonderous revelation, and the freedom that came for me was so amazing! I struggled with assurance for many years after this but Jesus has so kindly and gently been teaching me more and more about His wonderful love, a love that is so deep and so utterly secure.
Please remember in your prayers all those who have been recently ordained. As each of them begin their ministries across the diocese of Down and Dromore please hold them in your prayers.
Revd Claire Pearson for the curacy of St Brendan’s, Sydenham Revd Cosmin Pascu for the curacy of Holywood Revd Stu Armstrong as Diocesan Curate with special responsibility for the Parish of Craigavon
Revd Timothy Eldon for the curacy of Drumbeg Revd Ross Munro for The Gathering (Parish of Titanic) Revd James Crockett for Braniel Church Plant Andrew Frame for the Parish of Knocknagoney. Dave Thomas for an internship in the Parish of Mount Merrion.
Please pray for all those to be ordained in the Diocese of Down and Dromore.
Pray also for their families, friends and all those who support them. Pray for the communities where they will serve their internship and their curacies, and for their training incumbents. Pray also for more vocations to all kinds of ministry as we are shaped by God together.
You spoke into the silence
Light suffusing darkness.
You spoke into the silence
Blowing clean life-giving air into the space
You spoke into the silence
Warmth and cold infusing the air
You spoke into the silence
Solid ground formed out of gushing water.
You spoke voice carrying over the sound
People, plants and animals came to life.
You spoke each creation balanced against the next so life would be abundant and sustainable.
You saw everything you had made and declared it to be very good. You spoke choosing to give us humans stewardship over all that You had made.
We speak and act
Darkness of pollution limits light levels and damages the air we breathe.
We speak and act
Ground poisoned, burnt, stripped bare. We speak and act
From being little, I originally wanted to be a doctor – but had suddenly become interested in theology instead after Jesus found me, and so went to study this at Cliff College, Derbyshire. Later, some people suggested considering ministry in the Anglican church. I was initially very reluctant because I didn’t consider myself very ‘Anglican’ – I prefer to think of myself as just ‘Christian’ (that is amazing enough!) But more and more it seemed right and began to feel a strong sense of being called to this myself too.
So as part of training, I went to Trinity College in Bristol and then curacy in Hereford – where a big part of my passion there was working for church unity in prayer, and with local primary schools – two of my greatest joys! Then I had a time as Associate Minister for Children,Youth & Families in Emmanuel Church, Croydon, London, working primarily with children and teenagers, where I found the way our Lord answered prayer in so many young lives absolutely breathtaking. Here I saw prayer really coming to life!
My longing above anything is to see people come to know and love Jesus for themselves, particularly those who, like me, had no previous church connection. I am living proof that Jesus can come to find lost sheep like me completely out of the blue! And I absolutely love the Word of God, which God used to bring me to Himself all that time ago in the little red Gideon’s Bible. After doubting it for many years when I was younger, I have found such security and freedom in really believing and trusting it completely, and so I love to open it and share the beautiful treasure in it with anyone who wants to listen!
Please remember Elliot and Nomi in your prayers as they begin their ministry at Groomsport.
God our Father, Lord of all the world, through your Son you have called us into the fellowship of your universal Church: hear our prayer for all your faithful people that in their vocation and ministry each may be an instrument of your love, and give to your servants soon to be ordained the needful gifts of grace; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Spoiling, limiting, destroying quality of life and life itself. We speak and act
Without hearing Your call over the noise of the world to be good stewards.
You speak. You create. You want us to be stewards of Your creation.
We come to You to re-learn how to care for the earth and people you have made.
Katrina Rowland April 2017
One story from the Ordinations - Congratulations to Revd David (Dave) Thomas who has been ordained deacon for an internship in Mount Merrion Church.
The service was to have taken place in August but Covid struck, forcing a postponement.
Bishop David ordained Dave in his home church of St John’s, Orangefield, on Sunday 17 September. The address was given by the Ven Roderic West, Archdeacon of Dromore, who will retire at the end of the month.
Dave’s journey to ordination
“David became a Christian in 1983”, is what my Mum wrote in the front page of my Good News Bible. I was five and I don’t remember any details! However, I remember always having a faith in God. My parents showed me what a relationship with God looks like in practice and faithfully took us to a lively church, which nurtured my walk with God.
I took a diversion from that walk throughout my teenage years as I tested the boundaries as well as my parent’s patience. But, around the age of 15, inspired by my brother’s growing faith, I began to read the Bible for myself. Over the next year and a half, I read it from cover to cover, heard God speak through his word and was amazed by his grace. As a result, aged 17, I recommitted my life to Christ. My vicar at the time invited me to lead the new youth bible study group and to preach at an evening service. I loved the process of preparing and leading the bible studies and speaking at church. Although, I think I spoke for nearly 40 minutes (whoops!). My vicar asked me if I’d ever considered ordination and I said that I’d love to do it if that’s what God was calling me to.
Fast forward to 2001 and I moved to Northern Ireland and started attending Willowfield Church with my wife Rachel. I served in various ministries including leading worship, leading a life group and speaking at youth services. Again, I was asked if I’d ever thought about ordination, and I gave a similar answer. On another occasion my friend, Chris Matchett, asked me again about ordination, but this time he challenged my answer and said, “Don’t you think it’s strange that you say it’s something you’d love to do? Could that be a sign that God has put this on your heart?” As soon as he said it, I knew I had to take it seriously. I spoke to friends and family, prayed hard and eventually rejected the idea again! But I still had a sense of being called to speak and lead, so I signed up for the Diocesan Lay Reader course. It was only when I arrived at the college that I realised I was doing the Foundation Course, which is the first step towards ordination. It felt like even though I’d rejected the path, God was still keeping my options open.
The thought that God might be calling me to ordained ministry wouldn’t leave me, so I eventually signed up for selection conference and was selected for training and began in September 2020. I couldn’t have managed the training without the support of my wife, Rachel, daughters, Grace, Rose and Maeve, and my parents–in–law, Danny and Margaret, who have helped with childcare while I’ve been at college.
I’ve learnt a huge amount from college staff, my fellow students, and placement supervisors at St John’s Killyleagh, St Columba’s Derryvolgie and St Mark’s Dundela. As I look ahead, I’m excited and a little nervous to begin as a deacon, but I’m looking forward to learning lots as I serve alongside God’s people in Mount Merrion Church. God has been faithful at every stage on the journey and so I know I can trust him for each new step because “he who began a good work… will carry it on to completion…”
(Phil 1:6).
The philosopher Wittgenstein gave the following advice to people visiting an art gallery or exhibition: never try to rush through all the paintings on show, but instead choose just one painting. Sit in front of it for twenty minutes. Then get up and leave the art gallery.
It is difficult advice to take to heart because we feel we want to get our money’s worth from an exhibition, especially if we have paid an entrance charge. Once in the gallery we then feel so overawed by the number of paintings on show and the pressure of the crowd that we go quickly from one canvas to the next.
The rushing around at a gallery is part and parcel of the way we meet each day. We rush out of habit, and we rush because everyone else is rushing. Our world seems set in the fast lane. Carl Honoré in his book ‘In Praise of Slow’ tells how, as a busy journalist, he experienced a flashback to a time in his youth when life was unhurried. He reflects, with regret, that it was a better life then.
If we do want to take Wittgenstein’s advice seriously and find ourselves in the National Gallery in Edinburgh, we could do no better than choose to sit in front of this month’s painting: El Greco’s ‘The Saviour.’ El Greco was born in 1541 in Crete. From Greece he travelled to Venice and Rome and finally to Toledo in Spain where he died in 1614.
His art is a fusion of eastern and western traditions, given extra fervour by the Counter-Reformation and resulting in a unique style of painting. His canvases are peopled by elongated figures
who seem always to be straining upwards, just as the CounterReformation was exhorting the faithful to set their sights on heaven as they made their journey through life.
In his early years in Crete El Greco trained as an icon painter, and that is much in evidence in ‘The Saviour.’ It shows a half-length figure of Christ – he was to paint a fuller figure later. This Christ like an icon is looking out at us, with his right hand raised to bless us and this world, while the left hand holds that same world in His care. We can see in the eyes an inner strength, but also the poignant sadness of longing for this is a Saviour who has come through suffering and death to bring us new life.
As we look and see, we find here in El Greco’s work a Christcalmed steadiness amid the spinning world of rush and busyness. The nearer we draw to this Jesus, the slower we will find ourselves spinning. The duties and responsibilities that demand so much from us take their place in the wider perspective of the Saviour’s grace and love. Then we can begin to experience that peace which the world cannot offer, but which Christ can bring.
The first step in that process is to stop and look. The Curé d’Ars, a parish priest in France in the early 19th century, told how he noticed an old man sitting at the back of his church every day. He didn’t seem to be doing anything, just sitting there in the same place at the same time, looking towards the Blessed Sacrament on the High Altar. Eventually the young priest became suspicious. He asked the man what he was doing. ‘I’m praying,’ came the reply.’ Yes, but what exactly is it you do?’ enquired the priest. ‘Well, I look at Him and He looks at me.’
‘All you who pass this way, look and see’ ‘El Greco’
Great Spirit, heavenly Father, source of life and love. We rejoice and give thanks for your bountiful planet. Great plains, verdant forests, deserts of rock, sand and ice, mountain ranges, rivers and oceans: ecosystems to meet the needs of all your creatures.
We mourn our separation from you, each other, ourselves and all creation. We have forsaken your calling to be custodians:
When we drill for oil, gas and minerals, despoiling the earth, poisoning the waters and fouling the air with climate changing gases;
When we fell ancient trees, over-exploit the oceans and technofarm food, destroying soils, traditional food systems and indigenous communities;
When we desecrate your world with trash where nothing in nature is intended to go to waste;
When we live lavish lifestyles and turn our other cheek to poverty, injustice, war, famine and unbearable human suffering.
When world leaders and multi-national corporations put profit before the wellbeing of people, communities and a flourishing planet.
We pray that our words, our pilgrimage and our actions may be a witness to world leaders, encouraging and inspiring them
to make radical commitments at the forthcoming climate talks. Commitments that will restore the earth and lead to justice for communities confronted by the climate crisis. And may they lead us onto a new path for a sustainable future where we live in harmony with all life.
Open our senses to all we encounter and be with us that we may walk in safety. Awaken us to our true nature, to live in peace with you, each other and all creation. By restoring harmony and balance we too will be restored to wholeness.
Amen.
Prayer written by Bishop Geoff Davies, South Africa’s ‘Green Bishop’ Bishop Geoff Davies, or more affectionately known as the Green Bishop, and his wife Kate were founders of the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Inst
More prayer resources like this available from ChristianAid.org.uk
St Gall’s Church, Carnalea (NI Charity No. NIC 102373)
171 Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor, Co. Down BT19 1BT
Standing Order Mandate Form for the Church General Fund
Your Name
Your Address:
Your Account Name:
To The Manager: _______________ Bank/Building Society
Branch Address:
Please make payments in accordance with the following details:
Beneficiary A/C Name: St Gall’s Church and Carnalea Select Vestry
Standing Order Reference (Enter your name):
First Payment Date:
I wish to donate the above amount until further notice.
Signed: ____________________________________________________ _____ Date: ______/_______/_______
If you are a UK tax payer, and if you have not previously completed a form to Gift Aid your donations, please also co mplete and return the enclosed Gift Aid Declaration Form.
Please return this mandate, when completed to your Bank Branch.
Further copies of this form are available from the Parish Office.
JACKIE ARMSTRONG
Formerly of Brooklands
2ND SEPTEMBER 2023
Our sympathy to Helga, Lindsey and family
BERYL MCKAY MBE
Formerly of Clarence House
2ND SEPTEMBER 2023
Our sympathy to Diane, Clifford and family
Formerly of Glenview Manor
4TH SEPTEMBER 2023
Our sympathy to Alison and family
1 October
8 October
Morning 10am Evening 6.30pm
Derrick Conn
Andersons
Julie Waters
Chris Houston
29 October
3 November
Michael Dunn
Anne Thompson
The Church of Ireland is committed to ensuring all children and vulnerable adults are protected from harm. We as a parish strive towards the highest standards in Safeguarding with children and vulnerable adults.There is a dedicated website for Safeguarding within the Church of Ireland.
You can find more information here: https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/
We have a Parish Panel who carry the responsibility of ensuring the Safeguarding Trust policy is fully implemented and communicated to the parish community. If you have questions or concerns regarding a Safeguarding issue you can contact the parish panel. Our team are: Safeguarding Trust Panel for St Gall’s.
Thank you to all who contribute flowers. If you would like to gift flowers for a Sunday please contact the Parish Office. Like other aspects of life today costs are spiralling and the cost of buying flowers is no different£20.00 has been the usual donation and this is still be acceptable but if it is at all possible, and only if you can afford it, a higher donation would be appreciated.
Contact me at the church office from 10-12 noon on a Wednesday on - 91853810if you would like to ask any questions or would like to give flowers to church in memory of a loved one. Many thanks.
Nanette McCoy
Rector: Canon Michael Parker, Tel: 9185 3366 carnalea@down.anglican.org
Rectors Churchwarden: Tanya Blamphin
Rector’s Glebewarden:
Hon. Secretary: William Tennis: 9146 6950
Gary Ballentine Janis Dunn
People’s Churchwarden: sTeve
People’s Glebewarden: Hon.Treasurers:
Steve Garland
Bertie Thompson
Claire Farmer Pauline Smyth
Christine Grey Mervyn Henry Chris Houston James Hanna
Nanette McCoy Jim Noble
Diocesan Lay Reader: Doreen Tennis 9146 6950
Parish Reader: Nanette McCoy 9145 9756
Director of Music: Children and youth worker:
Parish Administrator: Lyn McCambley
Parish Office: Open 10am-12noon; Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Telephone: 028 91853810
Parish Office Address: 171 Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor, BT19 1BT
E-mail: stgallsmail@gmail.com
Parish Website: www.carnalea.down.anglican.org
CONTACT INFORMATION YOU MAY NEED
Rainbow Guides 6:30pm 12thbangorrainbows@gmail.com (4-6 yeats old)
Brownies 6.30pm Jennifer Leonard..........07855 684075
Afternoon Group 2.00pm Anne Thompson (1st Monday of month) Dorren Tenniss
Sunday Services 8.30am 10.00am 6.30pm Eucharist on Wednesday at 10.30am