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Vol 10 No 7 Page 1 December 2004
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The Rector's Newsletter
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Christmas, almost upon us again, will for the Christian individual and Church focus on the birth of the little baby in Bethlehem. Even in that one sentence there are both positives and negatives - the joy and excitement of a baby born into a family, and the crisis of conflict in Israel/Palestine and for the struggling town of Bethlehem today.
Some parishioners will know that since April 2004 Isabel and I have fostered a baby. 'Baby Sean' came to us on Easter Saturday, only 5 days old. He is now with us seven months. 'Baby Sean' has been a delight in so many ways:
firstly, his sheer dependency as a helpless baby;
then as he began to respond to familiar faces and voices;
until now, when like any other baby he can make his presence felt, but normally (almost invariably) he relates to those around him through his bright smiling face, his good humour and his boundless energy.
Isabel has managed well with the hard work of caring for a baby. The experience has been very positive and rewarding for us all. It has grown into a relationship of interdependence, mutual commitment and trust as he became such a big part of us and of our family - a baby winning our hearts. I'm sure God in his wisdom knew exactly what he was doing sending his own son into the world that first Christmas as a baby - to build relationships of love and trust that literally win over hearts and minds; and, which in the midst of the driven and chaotic world can redefine what it is to be mutually dependent, to live for one another and in one another.
'And the word (Love) became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only son from the father'. John 1:14.
'To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God'. John 1:12.
Just as 'Baby Sean' has brought great joy to us in these past seven months we now face our negatives as he will soon move from us to a more permanent relationship. How to let go of such a bundle of love; to be confident that he will be equally loved and cared for in his new home and environment; to know that he will bring joy, excitement and hope to his new family; and, to trust that he will do well for himself and for others as he progresses through life. The positives 'Baby Sean' has brought to us are side by side with the negatives - for we have known that it was likely he would move on sooner rather than later. Even as he moves away, we still hold dear the love we have shared, the love that has changed us, the love that has moulded him. That love is still with us and him. It is our hope for him and for ourselves.
So to as we look again at Jesus' birth, the word and love of God come to dwell with us and in us, we are excited by the joyful Christmas experience. But just as the Christmas season soon moves on we need also to be so touched and changed by God's love that it remains with us continuing to form and mould every person and every situation - that no matter how negative the negative we are still embraced in God's love and filled with his resurrection hope. 'For we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only son of the father'. John 1:14b.
God bless and keep you all this Christmas tide and for ever.
David and Isabel
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Children in Church
Children, from the cradle upwards, are the life blood of the Church and Parish. For this reason alone we should value them without reservation in our Parish Church. Occasionally, children attending services create noise that can be disturbing. Nevertheless we should welcome each and every child as they come to be part of God's family at worship. Welcome does not mean suffer their presence! It means embracing them warmly as they come into your pew or the one behind you. Turn and greet them and their parents; offer to help if a child is acting up a bit; after the service parents and their children could be affirmed and supported as we introduce ourselves to them - maybe even offering an invitation home for coffee. It is as we get to know children and their parents that they become more a part of the parish family and both they and we can feel at ease. Remember when you brought your own little ones to Church? The looks that could kill! But of course it has all changed since that time. Indeed it has, which means we must be even more welcoming, more Christ-like in our example and love.
Children are welcome at all our services, especially so at the family service at 10.30 a.m. on the 1st Sunday of the month. On other Sundays parents are encouraged to bring their children to church. The children leave after the first hymn and go to Sunday Club. Most children who attend Sunday Club regularly enjoy it. So please do help your child to participate regularly and frequently. Sunday Club leaders have already begun planning for Advent Sunday, 28th November 2004, and Christmas. They can only work with the children when they come to Sunday Club! We are also keen to begin a Junior Sunday Club, for toddlers, and would welcome the assistance of young parents and teenagers as we set up our rota. Another initiative for children in church will be the provision of personal clipboards and drawing materials for each child coming to church. Perhaps parents could buy into this idea also!
Children who miss out on the early years of 'church' will often struggle to find welcome and fellowship in the church in later years. Bishop Ken Clarke, at the Diocesan Synod of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, challenged the Church in his dioceses to explore new and appropriate ways of relating the gospel to their needs and dreams and to consider whether we need a total change of mindset concerning the spiritual needs and Christian nurture of our children. He gave a ten point model of commitment to ministry to children:
- Welcome and affirm children in our times of worship.
- Make sure that our churches are child friendly.
- Ensure that the children of our parish and country are not forgotten or neglected ones.
- Give our children the best.
- Recognise the power of example.
- Rediscover the love of Jesus for children and be part of a church which expresses it.
- Explore ways in which our church can communicate a living faith to our children and grandchildren, worshipping communities which inspire and include them.
- Pass on to our children the flames of attractive purity, biblical principle, healthy positive lifestyles and Christ-like living.
- Help them to know beyond any shadow of doubt their worth, value and potential as human beings made in the image of God and for whom Jesus died.
- Develop a global vision and become world Christians helping all children to realise their God given potential.
Answers given by children taking Scripture exams
The first book of the Bible is called Guinness
Adam and Eve were created by an apple tree
Noah's wife is called Joan of Ark
Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea where they made unlevelled bread, which s bread without any ingredients.
The fifth commandment is humour your mother and father
The epistles were the wives of the Apostles
Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption
The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him
Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.
Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child
'Christmmas has been cancelled'. Can you imagine the effect that statement would have on children in Ireland? Yet, for thousands of children around the world, Christmas Day is just like any other day - a day of hardship, hunger and a fight for survival. Operation Christmas Child is a project run by Samaritan's Purse which aims to put Christmas back on the agenda for as many of these children as possible.
The idea is very simple. Ordinary shoeboxes are filled with toys, hats, scarves, toiletries, sweets and other little gifts by people in Ireland, England, Canada, United States, Germany, Holland, Austria and Australia. They are then transported to other parts of the world where children are victims of war, famine, and natural disasters.
Last year over 200,000 boxes were sent from Ireland to children in Eastern Europe. This year Irish boxes will be sent to Romania, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe as well as to Mozambique, the poorest country in Africa. Internationally, Samaritan's Purse will send boxes to Darfour in Sudan as well as to the children in Beslan in Russia.
Samaritan's Purse has a team working in Darfour and food, medicine, cooking utensils, shelter are constantly being provided to the people there. After the terrible tragedy at School No.1 in Beslan, we were asked to come and help the people. Whilst the children received shoeboxes from OCC last year and will do so again this year, Samaritan's Purse sent out medical teams and provided necessary equipment and counselling. Two weeks ago, a team from SP England held a soccer camp at Beslan, to help the children laugh and play again. Although at the start of the camp the children were wary of foreigners, the ice was soon broken and they had a wonderful time thanks to volunteers and Liverpool Football Club. No matter how dark the recent days have been the love of God can bring a light and hope for the future.
So, what can you do to help?
It's still not too late to fill a shoebox - please contact Carol at 087 630 6059.
As each shoebox has to be checked, volunteers are always welcome at our warehouse in Sandyford Industrial Estate, please contact either Maria at 087 253 4011 or Carol at the above number.
Thank you for all your support and helping to make a difference in these children's lives.
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Kilternan Church of Ireland National School
Congratulations to Mrs Grainne Darlington, Principal, and to her family, on the birth of her second son, Matthew. Mother and son are doing well!
Following the Green Flag Raising Ceremony on 16th September, John Madden, who works in RTE, has compiled a video of all the coverage we received on The Den, and has presented it to the school, as a memento of the day. John is a relatively new parent in the school, and although he was on personal leave at the time, he went to considerable trouble, on our behalf, to organise this coverage.
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