The Rector's
Newsletter
Christmas, a white one, was a lovely occasion in
the parish. Many people, young and old, joining in
our worship of almighty God, meeting with family
and friends, renewing contact with acquaintances.
There was a great sense of connection. Through it
all I was privileged to meet newcomers to the area
who have become associated with the parish school
and/or the parish itself. New faces, fresh ideas,
willingness to be involved and to make commitment.
All of this is a great encouragement to us all,
however, sometimes we are unaware of much that
happens:
- the enormous effort to produce the school
cookery book and the carol service;
- contact and care between neighbours when the
weather is bad;
- a young person making positive comments about
relations, friends, godparents and the Church and
clergy!
- three young parishioners agreeing with
alacrity to assist with music in our family
service; parishioners who travelled away over
Christmas to visit friends and relatives,
returning revitalised;
- three strands ministry, through Steven Baggs,
bearing fruit as small groups meet - music
leaders, study groups and activities for young
people.
And to believe that God incarnate, through the
Christmas mystery, has come among us to share in
all our lives and circumstances, and to bring his
reconciling love to bear on the world. May we live
in Him and He in us throughout the year.
I commend the 3 Strands Ministry Course Network,
being lead by Steven Baggs. It is a course which
helps us realise our gifts and abilities, and
encourages us to use them in service of God's
Church and our fellow human beings. These courses
on 22nd February at 8.00 p.m. in Rathmichael
Church, on 1st March at 8.00 p.m. in Kilternan
Church and on 8th March at 8.00 p.m. in St.
Matthias' Church.
David
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Prayer and Action
President John F Kennedy once said, "Ask not
what your country can do for you, but what
can you do for your country". Sometimes
Kennedy's comment could be applied in the
life of a parish or of the Church. As we in
Kilternan go forward, developing school and
parish facilities, individuals and teams will
be needed to take on various roles.
Thankfully we have people who are able and
gifted in many areas and are willing to be
part of such a dynamic team. In and through
all of the "building work" we must not lose
sight of the need to be built up spiritually,
that all our doing and all our being may be
to the glory of God and for the building up
of his kingdom and rule in our hearts, our
lives and in his Church. At various places in
this issue of Klips you will find prayers -
please pray them often and live them in your
lives.
A Prayer for Epiphanytide
Beckoning God, who called the rich to travel
towards poverty, the wise to embrace your
folly, the powerful to know their own
frailties; who gave to strangers a sense of
homecoming in an alien land, and to
stargazers true light and vision as they
bowed to earth - we lay ourselves open to
your signs for us.
Stir us up with holy discontent over a world
which gives its gifts to those who have
plenty already, whose talents are obvious,
whose power is recognised; and help us both
to share our resources with those who have
little, and to receive with humility the
gifts they bring us.
Rise within us, like a star, and make us
restless ‘til we journey forth to seek
our rest in you. Amen
Terry Lilburn commissioned as lay
reader
A very big thank-you to all the members of
Kilternan Parish, and to the many others who
have been supporting me over the last year as
parish reader. It has been one of the great
years in my life, and the support
encouragement, and the prayers of so many
people, has helped to make it even more
memorable. Arriving as a parish
reader/trainee reader in December 2003, I
realised that I would know a few people from
previous eras of my life. In the event that
number turned out to be far more than I had
bargained for, with acquaintances dating back
over 40 years! Not a few were surprised to
see me, but re-inventing oneself is no longer
something that causes shockwaves.
Sunday 9th January 2005, was a day I had
been looking forward to for quite some time,
although the date itself was not set until
late autumn 2004. Usually the commissioning
of lay readers takes place in mid-November,
but owing to the installation of the new
Archdeacon of Dublin, it was postponed until
January. Assembling in the Chapter Room of
the Cathedral before the service, there was
an air of quiet excitement. Having been
associated with the Cathedral for a number of
years, I felt very comfortable and somewhat
less nervous than I might have been
otherwise. For months previously I had been
picturing myself walking through the screen
of the south transept with my fellow readers
and taking the long walk down the aisle and
up the nave. In the event the crucifer took
the short route straight to the crossing, so
all our families and friends only got to see
us some time later!
The service was the regular choral evensong
with the commissioning integrated into it.
The choir under the direction of organ
scholar Tristan Ruschler was in top form and
for anybody who enjoys choral music, the
service was a feast for the ears. The
commissioning itself is undertaken by the
Archbishop (another acquaintance from
secondary school!) assisted by the warden of
the Guild of Readers. As each of the three of
us responded to the questions asked, the
Warden takes the blue scarf from our wrist
and places it around our shoulders. At last
we are readers in the Church of Ireland! We
are verged through the choir and join our
fellow readers in the Sanctuary. It is a
moment to savour. The offertory hymn follows
and all too soon we are on our way back to
the chapter room, the crucifer taking the
short route again! The Archdeacon says a
short prayer, congratulates us, and thanks
the choir. The head verger announces that a
photo call with the Archbishop is to take
place in the cathedral, so back to the
sanctuary. Fortunately David has brought his
camera and is on hand, as the family have
disappeared to serve tea.
Downstairs in the crypt visitors and friends
are enjoying a cuppa and homemade biscuits
and cakes, wondering where the three new
readers have got to; eventually we make it
down. To see so many people from Kilternan
Parish there made a special day really
special, and my sincere thanks to the members
of the Mother's Union for the beautiful cakes
and biscuits. Lastly a REALLY BIG THANK-YOU
to David and Isabel. David has been a
wonderful tutor, mentor and they both have
become wonderful friends to my family and me.
Under David's guidance and direction I have
learnt so much and realise that I am only
still a learner. It has been a privilege to
serve in Kilternan where I have met so many
wonderful people, and I hope to continue to
do so. Thank you again, one and all.
Terry
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