The Rector's
Newsletter
EASTER FAITH
Sunday by Sunday in parish worship we proclaim our Christian faith in the words of the Creed -
"I believe in God, Father Son and Holy Spirit". What marks the Christian Creed and our Christian faith apart
is the one-liner - "On the third day Jesus rose". It is this belief and faith that death is not the end, that as
Jesus died and rose again, so it is for all who in faith and hope turn and come to him - "for Jesus came not
to condemn the world, but that the world might have life through him".
Spring and Easter seasons are times
when we are surrounded by new life - bulbs peeping from the dark earth in our gardens, crops beginning to
spring from the ground in the fields, buds bursting forth on trees and in hedgerows. It is the season when
animals give birth and birds nest. It is a time of new life after the darkness and stillness of winter, and the
days are getting longer. In Spring and Easter we are right to be refreshed, renewed and rekindled - its all
around us! The one-liner, "on the third day Jesus rose", goes even beyond the signs of nature. It comes
out of Jesus' passion and cross, his pain and suffering, and it says to us that despite it all, the darkness
and suffering, Jesus has overcome. He has conquered sin and death for evermore, and all who come to him,
who live by faith, carrying their own cross in Jesus' name, will also rise with him. What comfort and strength
such Christian faith offers to those who are troubled in life - to those who are sick, to those who have lost
loved ones, and to all in trouble or need. Just that one Easter line says it all for me. That's why on Sundays
and on Easter Day in particular we should shout it out - "On the third day Jesus rose". Hallelujah.
David
Family Service
First Sunday of the month. Being rector of a parish with responsibility for leading worship in the parish church Sunday by Sunday can mean one's experience of other ways of doing things can be very limited. However, opportunities such as summer holidays, funerals and wedding services and contact with other clergy can open one's mind. The familiar structure and content of church services is of great importance to those who worship regularly, and to those who come to services only occasionally - it is a given, a constant. Nevertheless, it does seem strange that in essence the style and content of worship done in our grandfather's time and before is still in use in the Church of Ireland. Recognising that the family service in Kilternan has been in use since 1984 it seems appropriate that as a parish we should also take steps to update the style of our worship, at least in part. Consequently, while maintaining an essential structure, on Sunday 6th February we were delighted to have the assistance of Fiachra, Andrew, Gavin and Helen, and the Junior Choir to lead our music and singing. With Stephen's help we were able to present the service in power-point. This resulted in a lively service in which the congregation was able to "lift their heads" and participate in a new way. Sandra, Irwin, Paul and Gary presented the reading for the day in a short dramatic form - "reduce, re-use, recycle - rejoice!" Our thanks to them all. This new format of the first Sunday of the month will continue through March, April, May and June.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:
This year's service was held in Kilternan Parish Church and was well attended by our brothers and sisters in Christ from Sandyford Parish. Rev. Ken Thompson, Methodist Minister in Sutton and chairperson of the Friends of Sabeel Ireland spoke. We thank Ken for his thought provoking address. Following the service refreshments were served in the Parish Hall.
Three Strands Ministry
Three Strands Ministry continued its end of month evening service in Kilternan on Sunday 30th January. The theme was "Jesus, the light of the world". On the 27th February the service was in Rathmichael where we focussed on "what it is to have faith and to believe in God". Although "different" these services have attracted a substantial number of worshippers and a very talented and committed group of musicians and singers. We thank Stephen for his commitment to this alternative style of worship.
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The Annual Easter Vestry Meeting
The Easter Vestry Meeting will take place in the Parochial Hall on Tuesday 15th March 2005, at 8.00 p.m. Parishioners are encouraged to attend this important meeting, the AGM of the Parish. The usual format will focus on:
- presentation and adoption of the Parish Accounts;
- election of the Select Vestry for the coming year
- (the Parish Management Committee).
This year we must also elect Diocesan Synod's persons and parochial nominators. As usual there will be an opportunity for discussion and comment on all aspects of parish life. This year as work commences on the Cowper Care Nursing Home and Sheltered Housing Project and on the extension to the Parish School we also look ahead towards the sale of the existing rectory and the provision of a new rectory and parish/community hall. Plenty to address! This meeting also gives an opportunity for newcomers to the parish to meet with others and to hear about the life of the parish. See you there!
Annual School & Parish Family Fun Day & Fair
This will be on Saturday May 14th 2005 in the Church and Parish Grounds. Details of the organising committee and stallholders are as follows:
- Chairperson - Andi Bailey, phone 01 295 7448;
- Secretary - Jenny Bailey; phone 01 206 9905.
- Stalls:-
- Barbeque - Simon Walker; phone 01 294 0475;
- Books - Pat & Alice Carey; phone 01 276 6008;
- Bric-a-brac - John Dunne; phone 01 295 5858;
- Cakes - Mothers' Union, Fern Jolley; phone 01 288 7067;
- Deli - Tennis Club, Irene Clendennen; phone 01 295 3251;
- Games - The School PTA and parent body, Jenny Bailey; phone 01 295 7448;
- Dog show - Ena Anthony; phone 01 294 3413;
- Plants - Gardening Club, Jean van der Lee; phone 01 295 6260;
- Sweets - The School;
- Teas - Catering Committee, Amanda Breen; phone 01 294 0244; and Freda McEnroe;
- Tombola - to be confirmed;
- Toys/Children's Books/Baby Clothes & Accessories - Sunday Club, Ciara Redbond; phone 01 294 6696
The Parish and School Féte has something for everyone and we would hope will be supported by every family attached to the School and the Parish. This year we are again most grateful to Des Kennedy, proprietor of the Spar Supermarket in Stepaside and to Dave Patterson, butcher at Spar Stepaside. Also to new sponsors, Meteor Mobile Communications Limited - now there's a smarter way to use your mobile phone - make the move and call 1850 365 085 or look up www.meteor.ie
Love Is
Many of us are deluged on a weekly basis with all sorts of junk e-mails. Just once in awhile however, something worthwhile comes along. It's very different from the usual and the language does suggest a certain culture. Don't let that put you off, and don't be afraid to try it.
What does Love mean? A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca- age 8.
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4.
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5.
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy -age 6.
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4.
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7.
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."
Emily - age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7: (Wow!)
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet).
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7.
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6.
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
Cindy - age 8.
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6.
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine-age 7.
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7.
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4.
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4.
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (What an imagination) Karen - age 7.
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6.
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8.
And the final one:
Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry".
When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this. Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen. Then send it on to other people, including the one who sent it to you. Within hours you have caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.
Terry Lilburn
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