The Rector's
Newsletter
At the recent AGM of the Parent Teacher Association of
Kilternan Church of Ireland National School an overview
of school activities was given, in PowerPoint, by the
principal. It was a truly staggering presentation, not
in its manner, but in the content, showing the many
activities undertaken by the teaching staff and others
in the education of our children. Long gone is the
daily "routine" in our schools. Now children are
stimulated, entertained and extended as they are
educated. We are indebted to the teaching and other
staff of the school for all their work, and to the
parent body, the Parent Teacher Association and the
Board of Management for their work and activities on
behalf of the whole school.
Life is also active in the parish. The weekly round of
services and the activities of parish organisations
find meaning in the highlights of special events, of
festival seasons and suchlike - all of which require
leadership and commitment from many people. Two people
thanked for their big part in the life of the Church
and parish were Ann Keary, who has now come of age as
our organist having played and led the choirs for 21
years, and Ann Burnett who has been involved in parish
Guiding for close on 40 years. Thank you to them
both.
Behind the scenes work has progressed in relation to
the school extension - tender documents issued in early
November. Cowper Care Centre has consolidated
ground-works on their nursing home site and building
will commence shortly. Now, as a parish, we are
challenged to develop our own infrastructure, not
simply for the sake of building, but that alongside the
school, the nursing home and sheltered housing, we can
offer facilities for parish and community use so that
God's presence and saving love can be proclaimed in
word and action. Modern, purpose-built accommodation,
be it as in Dundrum Shopping Centre or Greystones
Parish Hall are not undertaken lightly. Yet the outcome
is something fresh, vibrant, attractive and embracing.
We can do no less in our situation in Kilternan.
All through these seemingly big issues the ministry of
the parish continues as we care for one another, and
live for each other with Christ's compassion and saving
love. We thank God for those who come seeking identity
and belonging in the parish and in the parish school.
We give thanks for those who find their eternal rest in
God's eternal embrace.
Christmas is a "big" time of the year for us all. We
pray that its meaning and love will sustain us all
through the year in the highs and lows of our
individual and collective lives.
God bless and keep you and may you have a happy and
fulfilled Christmas.
David
Music and Musicians in Kilternan
Since February 2005 on the 1st Sunday of the month,
Family Sunday, we have used PowerPoint to present the
worship. This fresh method has enabled us "to lift our
heads" from the book and join more fully in the singing
and responses. Naturally it takes some time to get
comfortable with "multi media". It is worth
persevering. A big thank you to Steven and his helpers
for all of this.
 During this time
also we have sought to involve young people in the
music of the 1st Sunday with piano, bass, viola,
guitar, saxophone, clarinet and drums. For several
months this went very well with a number of young
people involved. Thank you to each one of them.
However, young people today are involved in a multitude
of activities and find it difficult to commit
long-term. To help us continue this variety of music we
need the commitment of several adults. Perhaps you play
an instrument and could commit to playing on the 1st
Sunday of the month say, from January to May 2006.
Steven Baggs at 01 295 0934 or the Rector at 01 295
5603 would greatly appreciate hearing from you if you
can help with this important role in parish
worship.
What difference does it make to have even one extra
instrument available - Jonathan Roberts playing an
African Drum in accompaniment of the piano at our
recent broadcast service made a terrific impact in the
chorus of Hymn 495! If you play, can you help? Playing
on the 1st Sunday of the month usually involves a
practice on the preceding Wednesday evening. Please
don't leave this appeal to someone else!
David
Jottings
On your bike Rector!
Canon Ricky Rountree is the latest member of the
chapter of Christ Church Cathedral to join the leather
brigade, aboard a Honda 250 no less. He joins
Archdeacon David Pierpoint who has a Yamaha 125
Majesty, and Precentor Adrian Empey on his Canon
powered Raleigh. The motto seems to be "two wheels
good, four wheels bad." Is this the future? Readers are
requested to write a resumé on revving reverends
and return it to the rectory for "recycling."
Thanks
As this is the last Kilternan Klips of the year, we
acknowledge with thanks, the work of our distributors
or "post people". Each issue, twenty-four volunteers
and some spouses brave the elements, traffic, potholes,
barking dogs, boisterous children and many other
hazards to ensure that you receive your copy. This
Christmas please remember your "postie".
3 Strands Ministry
The last month has been very positive particularly in
work with young people. At the end of September I
gathered together a small group of older teenagers aged
15 to 19 and we went bowling at Stillorgan. We followed
this up with an upside-down movie night where we
watched a movie on the ceiling of the small meeting
room in Rathmichael. This group of older teenagers is
now keen to meet each month and have also agreed to
help provide leadership for work with younger
teenagers. This will hopefully enable us to provide
something for the younger secondary age students each
month which will help us keep contact with them between
many of the other one off events that are happening.
Finding suitable leaders to help with these events has
proved difficult in the past so this is something to
thank God for and an area that needs our continued
prayers.
3 Strands Music Group (as seen on TV) The Music group
were asked to play at a live RTE broadcast service on
25th September led by missionary society USPG. A few of
us were able to come back again on 23rd October for the
broadcast service led by Kilternan Parish. The music
group still need to find more singers who can commit to
at least one Wednesday evening practice a month and
whatever services we are needed for.
By the time this article goes out we will have held
the Quazar & Bowling evening for young people on
Wednesday 2nd November and hopefully taken a group of
young people to an Xposure event with live Christian
band "Steve' at St Marks Pearse St.
On 27th November 7pm we have the 3 Strands Advent
service in Rathmichael. The music group will be playing
and hopefully we will be joined by the junior choirs
from the three parishes. Do come along and join us as
we look forward to the coming of our Saviour throughout
the season of advent.
Essential 2005 is a multimedia carol service in
Christchurch Cathedral Friday 16th December. The
service is run by 3 Rock the diocesan youth project and
I have booked 25 tickets for this event which looks
like it will be a sell out this year. Let me know if
you want to come along, tickets are free!
I have recently teamed up with the Shankill/ Shankill
Project which offers young people the opportunity to
participate in cross border projects. We have agreed to
join in with a music workshop which will be held in
Belfast on 17th - 19th February where we will join a
group of local young people for the weekend. There are
12 places available for those aged 12 and over who have
an interest in music whether it be singing or playing
an instrument. Please let me know if you are interested
in coming along, this project is fully funded so there
will be no costs to us.
Would anyone interested in visiting the Taize
community in France next summer please let me know so
that I can begin to plan this trip. This will only be
viable if there are sufficient numbers so please
respond as soon as possible!
With so much happening for young people I'm pleased to
say our adult fellowship group is also beginning to
grow. We are currently following a course called "A
Life Worth Living'. This is a series of videos
presented by Nicky Gumbel. The fellowship group meets
at Rathmichael Rectory on alternate Tuesday evenings,
8pm, please feel free to join this group at any time.
Meetings in November are on 1st, 15th, 29th &
December 13th
Plans for Youth Camp 2006 are already underway, next
year we are hoping to have two outdoor activity
instructors coming over to join us for the week
beginning 26th June. We will be adding canoeing,
abseiling, rock climbing and possibly gorge walking to
the menu so watch this space for more details.
Has your home been tested for radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which
comes from the decay of uranium in rocks and soils. It
is colourless, odourless and tasteless and can be
measured only by using special equipment. When radon
comes to the surface in the open air, it is quickly
diluted to harmless concentrations, but when it enters
an enclosed space, such as a house or other building,
it can sometimes accumulate to unacceptably high
concentrations.
Radon decays to form tiny radioactive particles, some
of which remain suspended in the air. When inhaled into
the lungs these particles give a radiation dose which
may damage cells in the lung and eventually lead to
lung cancer.
 Radon levels may
vary significantly from one building to the next and
the radon level in a house cannot be reliably inferred
from measurements in other houses in the neighbourhood.
Consequently, all householders should have a radon
measurement made to determine the radon level in their
home. Where high radon levels are found, householders
are advised to consider having remedial work carried
out to reduce the radon level.
The radon level in a house can be measured simply and
inexpensively. It is usually carried out by placing two
small testing devices (detectors), as shown below, in
the house for a period of three months. At the end of
this period the detectors are returned to the testing
laboratory for processing. This procedure can be
carried out entirely by post and there is no need for
anyone to visit the house. A three month measurement
period is recommended because radon levels in a house
can vary considerably from day to day due to changes in
the weather conditions, ventilation, building usage,
etc. It is generally considered that measurement over a
shorter period than this does not give an accurate
representation of the exposure to radon in the
home.
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
provides a radon measurement service to householders at
a price of 45. More information on radon,in cluding an
application form for a measurement,can be obtained by
contacting the Institute on FREEPHONE RADON 1800 300
600 or by emailing radoninhomes@rpii.ie,giving
your name and address.Website: http://www.rpii.ie
Ian Elliott
Harvest Goodies
Following the Harvest Weekend Caroline Kennedy kindly
brought floral arrangements from the church to those
who are housebound. The fruit, vegetables and
foodstuffs were delivered to Bray Women's Refuge.
Guiding & Ann Burnett
 During the summer months 2 new
leaders were welcomed to Ladybirds, Marissa McDonald
and Catriona Dalton, and we offer them our support. In
doing so we must acknowledge Ann Burnett who has been
synonymous with Guiding for some 40 years and latterly
with Ladybirds. As Ann steps down we express a sincere
"thank you" to her for all that she has done. Also her
commitment, leadership, encouragement and friendship.
This thanks was expressed to Ann following Morning
Prayer on Sunday 16th October 2005, when she was
presented with a bouquet of flowers. We wish her well
in retirement!
Rector Set-up by a Wonderful Gift:
On 3rd October a new computer and printer, copier,
scanner and fax machine was installed in the Rector's
Office. This, the gift of a parish family, gives the
Rector use of up-to-date facilities that will be of
tremendous value to him and to the Parish. A very
grateful Rector writes, "Imagine, a computer that works
according to the manufacturer's specification and to
the Rector's commands!" Thank you!
Broadcast Service
On Sunday 23rd October the choirs, members of the
congregation together with children and parents from
the school took part in the service of morning prayer
broadcast live from the studios in RTE. Thanks to
everyone who took part - a great deal of work went into
the preparation of the 45 minute service and an early
(8.45am) start!
Ann Keary Comes of Age:
 Following the Parish Harvest
Ann Keary was the recipient of a bouquet of flowers and
a gift from the parish to mark her 21st anniversary as
organist in Kilternan Parish. We thank Ann for her
faithful work and her ability to help people, young and
old, to give of their best in leading our worship.
Apart from regular Sunday duty and choir practices over
the years Ann has arranged concerts in the church,
taken groups for outings, been music teacher in the
Parish School, and has led us in many broadcast
services. In these 21 years many choir members have
come and gone. That there is now a new choir area in
the church and 14 members in each of the Junior and
Senior Choirs speaks more about Ann's role in the
Parish than any words can! A bouquet of flowers was
also given to Helen O'Toole who recently acted as
deputy organist when Ann was indisposed. Thank you
Helen.
Tuesday Club
It was overcast but dry for our September outing to
Wexford. At 10 am eight of us boarded the bus at
Busarus for the 3-hour journey. After a pleasant walk
along the harbour and a browse around the many
interesting shops in town, it was time to return on the
4pm bus. I can recommend Stafford's bread now.
 In October the outing to the
Customs House on All Saints Day was not to be, sadly.
The Customs House opted to reduce its opening times of
"10-12.30 Monday to Friday' to Wednesdays only and
Tuesday 1 November was the first day to be affected by
the new timetable. Thankfully it was a nice day
weather-wise. Four decided to go walkabout while the
rest took the LUAS to the National Museum in Collins
Barracks. We explored the exhibits there including the
designs and work of Eileen Gray. We then had a lovely
meal and a chat at their café. Very enjoyable.
Christmas dinner is at Powerscourt Golf Club on 6
December. Meet at 12.45pm. Anyone interested who has
not already advised Lydia should contact her at 01 286
7572 by 28 November.
Derek Higgins
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