Clontarf Parish Magazine JANUARY 2005

www.clontarf.dublin.anglican.org

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”

PARISH GROUPS AND CONTACTS

Rector: The Rev’d D. C. Sargent (8331181)clontarf@dublin.anglican.org

Greenlanes National SchoolPrincipal: Ms. C. Atkin (8331554)greenlanes@oceanfree.net

BB Company Section: Mr A. Ayling (8315234)B.B. Junior Section: Mr. M. Acheson (8318645)Anchor Boys: Mrs. H. McCullagh (8535594)

Young Women’s Group: Mrs. B Sargent (8331181)

Bowling Club: Mr. H. Maude (8331056)

Badminton Club: Mrs. P. Watts (8326078)Junior Badminton: Mr. T. Garrett (8393433)

Organist/ Choirmaster: Mr. J. Rowden (8310486)Junior Choir: Mrs A Jackson (8339109) and Mrs SMaxwell (8332846)

Sunday Morning Creche: Mrs. B. Sargent (8331181)

Flower Guild: Mrs. I. Acheson (8338288) andMrs B. Gallagher (8338683)

GB Past Members: Mrs. I. McMullen: (8530356)

Brownies: Mrs. P. and Ms. M. Watts (8326078)

Ladybirds / Guides: Ms. W. Kelly (8481569) and Ms. N.Flynn (8476110)

Lawn Tennis Club: Mr. R. Kemmis (087 6316134)

Mothers Union: Mrs. I. Acheson (8338288)Sunday School: Mrs. H. Hunter (8337940)

The Rector’s LetterLord, for the years your love has kept and guided,

urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided,

Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.T. Dudley-Smith (1926)

May the Lord richly bless you and your family as we entera new year together as a Parish family. I always think anew year is a very exhilarating and hopeful time of yearwhen we look to a new page in our lives. For me, I lookback over my first full calendar year among you, and doso with joy and thanksgiving for the immense stepsforward we have made in faith together. We have indeedtravelled a long way in a very short period of time. From a Parish Family perspective, we have seen a periodof sustained growth with new people coming to worshipwith us. Our Parish is now made up of an interesting mixof nationalities and backgrounds. Our Parishioners comefrom as far afield as South Korea and South Africa. Itaffords us a much wider perspective on world issues andon how we go about welcoming new worshippers. Inresponse to this, the Needs Group put together aWelcome Pack which is given to people who either returnto worship or worship with us for the first time. We have seen some interesting Parish developments overthe last year. The Sunday School has a good attendanceand produced a wonderful Christmas tableau of a Crib andTown of Bethlehem. All parishioners really appreciated thework that was put into this project. Thanks are due to theteachers and helpers. On the Sunday before the children returned to School wehad a wonderful Parish Fun Day in the Parish NationalSchool. Clive Jackson worked extremely hard to make theday a success and the result was a huge boost to us. The Monday Club met for the first time and attendedMamma Mia in the Point Depot and all had a great time.The Young Women’s Group set up by Breda and Heatherwas another development in our life together.

There was a great attendance by women of mixed ages asthey met in December for their Christmas outing at HinKeng’s Chinese Restaurant. Good luck to this group forthe new year. Great things are being planned. Music Ministry was launched in November. This moreinformal style of worshipping with modern music, visualand sound equipment proved to be taking off well. TheMM Team is made up of Jenny, Sean, Conor, Sean andCian with some input by myself. Why not try it onSaturday 15th January at 5pm. Recorded and DVD-basedmusic will be partially replaced by live music from theteam over the months ahead.Perhaps the biggest venture that the Parish is taking on isthat of a Youth and Children’s Pastor. It is envisaged thatwe would advertise in March for candidates who wouldstart work in August/ September 2005. There will be aconcerted fund-raising drive around that time. InFebruary we will have a Gift Day, probably on the thirdSunday to coincide with All-Age Worship which would bemost appropriate. This will be a long-term act of faithwhich, undoubtedly, will lead to a deepening of faith andan increased involvement for young people and children inour Parish family. I urge you to support this venture as amatter of urgency in the continuing development of ourlife of faith in Clontarf. The past year has been a roller-coaster when we think ofthe work on the buildings. The gables were completed,which was a matter of great importance. TheColumbarium is now in place and on 6 February theArchbishop will be with us to dedicate it. Committals willtake place in the weeks following that. Thanks to all whoworked so hard on both projects. The Parish Centre planscontinue apace. We await the response of An BordPleanala. This will be most likely in April/ May. This willtransform the visual and communal life of our ParishFamily. Please continue to pray for the success of ourapplication. In the local community, I have built up some verymeaningful ecumenical contacts.

Following the celebration of the Methodist/ Church ofIreland Covenant in Clontarf Methodist Church, I wasappointed facilitator for the covenant in the UnitedDioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. I have put in place alocal ecumenical monthly meeting of clergy of differentdenominations. This has the sole purpose of building upecumenical relationships which is a very important part ofour Christian mission. This works in tandem with mymembership of General Synod Committee for ChristianUnity. On Sunday 23rd January the Octave of Prayer forChristian Unity will be celebrated in our Parish Church at3.00pm. The preacher is Monsignor P. Devine P.P., fromSt. Anthony’s Church who is Ecumenical Officer for theArchdiocese of Dublin and retires this year.I attended both Diocesan and General Synod during theyear, both of which were hopeful and challenging. Thesingle biggest event in the Church of Ireland in the lasttwenty years took place with the launching of the Book ofCommon Prayer 2004. My attendance on both the Sunday School Society andNational Bible Society of Ireland Committees has beeninteresting and helpful. We look to 2005 as a year full of promise and pray thatGod will bless our endeavours as he has in 2004. Pleasecontinue to pray for my ministry and the development ofour Parish family in the words of the Parish prayer eachday, and see what surprises God has planned for each oneof us.

In the Service of Jesus, our Brother and Friend, Derek

Uganda Project and St. Andrew’s CollegeOn December 5th at the 10.30am Service, Stuart Garrettspoke to the congregation about the project. He soldChristmas Cards and made €700 for this worthwhileproject. Thank you for your generosity.Young Women’s GroupThis new group met for their Christmas meal on the 9th

December.

The venue was Hin Keng’s Chinese Restaurant on theClontarf Road. Everyone who attended had a great time.They meet again on Jan 20th. Details available from Breda(8331181) or Heather (8535594). Watch Church notices.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Jan 2 Christmas 2Jeremiah 31: 7-14; Psalm 147: 12-20;Ephesians 1: 3-14; John 1: 1-18

Jan 6 EpiphanyIsaiah 60: 1-6; Psalm 72: 1-15;Ephesians 3: 1-12; Matthew 2: 1-12

Jan 9 Epiphany 1Isaiah 42: 1-9; Psalm 29;Acts 10: 34-43; Matthew 3: 13-17

Jan 16 Epiphany 2Isaiah 49: 1-7; Psalm 40: 1-11;1 Corinthians 1: 1-9; John 1: 29-42

Jan 23 Epiphany 3Isaiah 9: 1-4; Psalm 27: 1-9;1 Corinthians 1: 10-18; Matthew 4: 12-23

Jan 25 Conversion of St. PaulJeremiah 1: 4-10; Psalm 67;Acts 9: 1-22; Matthew 19: 27-30

Jan 30 Epiphany 41 Kings 17: 8-16; Psalm 36: 5-10;1 Corinthians 1: 18-31; John 2: 1-11

AXA Insurance For a Great Dealon Car and Home Insurance in the greater Clontarf area

drop into or call one of our local Branches atSwords – 813 7177

or Wolfe Tone Street – 872 6444

Your very own local AXA person is Mark Achesonon 858 3353

AXA Insurance Limited is regulated by the IrishFinancial Services Regulatory Authority

Music MinistryOn Saturday 15th January, Music Ministry takes place inthe Parish Church, at 5.00pm.

The Music and liturgical style is very much more relaxedthan usual and the Parish Church is transformed by praiseand worship. Why not come along and join us on Sat 15th.

Sunday SchoolOn Sunday 19th December, the Sunday School childrenperformed a modern musical drama of Christ’s Nativity.

All the children taking part did so well and must becongratulated. Thanks must be given to all the parentswho created appropriate costumes at such a busy time ofthe year and for their assistance in dressing the childrenand supporting the performance.

The final tableau of the Christmas scene really broughtalive the message of Christmas for the children andcongregation.Also along the Christmas scene, the children built theirown model of Bethlehem alongside the beautiful Crib sokindly made by Ed McKenna, the People’s Church Warden.On behalf of the children – “Thank You, Ed”.We have received a letter, photograph and ChristmasCard from our sponsored child in Thailand, SupapornPanganta. It was her 8th birthday on the 2nd of December.And all the Sunday School children signed her birthdaycare and sent a small present. We also forwarded a smallmoney contribution from Sunday School to her family intime for Christmas.In November, our Rector, Derek, Stephanie, Jean and Iattended a one-day training course for Sunday School

teachers of all denominations at St. Patrick’s College,Drumcondra. It was a most enjoyable, interesting and stimulating day.We, as a group, divided up so that we could cover all theworkshops: how to use music and song to enrichchildren’s worship, presenting bible stories to children,creative suggestions for prayer, craft ideas, setting up apuppet ministry and developing a children’s ministry inyour parish. We have already used some of these ideas inour teaching programme.Sunday School will resume on 23rd January 2005 andthe children will meet in the Hall as usual. New membersare always welcome. I would like to take this opportunityto wish our Sunday School teaching team – Jean Acheson,Stephanie Maxwell and Conor McKenna, all the childrenand their parents a Happy New Year. God bless you all.

H. Hunter

Seafield SingersThe Christmas Concert took place in the Parish Church onFriday 17th December at 8pm. It was a wonderful eveningand a record turn out. Thanks to all who supported it. Itwas in aid of our Gables’ Fund. We wish the SS and theirsponsors a prosperous New Year.

D. Sargent.

PASTORAL CARE TO THE SICKThis is an important part of our ministry to each other.Where you know someone is sick in hospital please bringit to the attention of the Rector. He would love to hearfrom you. It is impossible to respond to these callsunless someone tells him. Thanking You.

Mothers' UnionWe are very pleased that the Diocesan Project "Simons'Accessories" was runner up in it's category of the UK andIreland Project Showcase Awards this year. This project ison going. If anyone is interested in making Hats, Glovesor Scarves for the homeless we will gladly pass them on.

Our other Project of Bonnets for premature babies andBlankets for still-born babies is also on going.A pattern is available from Iris if anyone would like tohelp. The annual new year lunch will be held in The GrandHotel Malahide on Thursday 20th. Jan. at 1.00 pm. Pleasecontact Isobel at 8332543 or Iris at 8338288 if attendingand if a lift is required, by the 15th. Jan. I wish everyonea happy and peaceful New Year.

I. Acheson

ReflectionOur much-quoted literary genius, George Bernard Shaw,declared that “youth is wasted on the young”. Manythought it a cynical comment but others who pondered onit (and still do), realise its validity in many cases. Thebook of Proverbs tells us that “there is nothing new underthe sun” and era after era, this has been borne out.Obviously times and mores change and evolve but themotivation and inclinations remain as the instigators.Human nature is just that.In this era, we all live under pressure. This stress is feltand has to be endured by young and old alike. Experienceof life and varying degrees of wisdom help the latter tocope, we believe. It can also be argued that youth hasvigour, strength and resilience on their side.Returning to ‘youth’ as the theme of our discourse, somecould argue that youth never had it so good. The paradox is that paralleling this plus of advantage is aminus in spiritual commitment or even awareness. Ifyou’re in the God-squad, you’re not cool. Could anyphilosophy be more sad, unwise and false? Recently, on TV, sports heroes and pop idols were spokenof as the ‘icons of today’s youth’. Even the least Bible-conscious would be aware of the exploits of David and hisvictory over Goliath, and David was a youth. That’s oneicon and there are many others in the Bible. Thank Godthere is always His remnant.

A. Maharry

Greenlanes National SchoolThe School Play, “The Happy Emperor” took place on thestage in Mount Temple School on the two nights ofMonday the 13th and Tuesday 14th December. This was fantastic and all praise is due to Mrs Sampsonand the teachers. The novel idea of a DVD was verysuccessful and the Christmas Bazaar was a lovely eveningand thanks are due to the teachers for co-ordinating thatevent. The School Carol Service took place on Wednesday 22nd inthe Parish Church at 11.30 am followed by seasonalrefreshments in the Hall. Again this closed the term in anappropriate and enjoyable way. D. Sargent

12th Company BBAnchor BoysOur Anchor Boys Christmas Party was held on Monday 6th

December. The boys especially enjoyed the visit fromSanta Claus and the goodies. We sang some Christmassongs for Santa. We are looking forward to our annual tripto the Lambert Puppet Theatre, Monkstown, on Saturday15th January. I would like to wish everyone a Happy NewYear for 2005.

H. McCullaghJunior Section On Saturday 4th December the Annual Junior Section Ta-ble Quiz was held in our Parish Hall. We entered twoteams and they did not do badly. The winners were ateam from Littlewood in Carlow. We met once in Decem-ber. On Monday 6th we travelled to meet the Dublin Air-port Authority Fire Service. The boys saw an overviewpresentation of the challenges facing the fire service oper-ation, 30 ton fire engines, climbed into ambulances, triedcervical collars, climbed into mobile command centres,saw a display of the water power available on the biggestfire appliance, visited the observation tower and learnt abit about being an airport fireperson. It was a great - iflate (sorry parents!) night. Many thanks to the officersand Ed McKenna for transport to and from, as well as en-suring the boys' safety. On Monday 13th and Tuesday

14th some of the lads were involved in the, very success-ful, Greenlanes Play, which took place in Mount TempleComprehensive School - well done lads.

On Sunday 19th December we attended our AnnualChristmas Bible Class in the Church, the 12th Company'sspiritual and worship headquarters since the companywas founded. Around 50 people in all enjoyed the fellow-ship and annual get-together. On Saturday 8th Januarythere is a 5-A-Side Indoor Football Tournament and wehope a team or two will enter. We commence meetingagain on Monday 10th January.

M. Acheson.

GB Past MembersWishing all our members a blessed and healthy New Year.Very much in our minds are our special Past MembersViolet Davis, May Davis, Marjorie McLindon, Hilda Baldwinand Eileen McDermott. Our Annual Lunch will be held onThursday 20th January at 12.45pm in the Grand Hotel,Malahide, as we join with the Mothers’ Union. Lifts will bearranged. Ring Isobel 8332543/ 8530356. Lookingforward to seeing you there.

I. McMullen

Nine Lessons and CarolsThis Service took place on Wednesday 22nd December at7.45 pm. It was a wonderful service which included St.George’s Brass Band and all the usual favourites.

There was a great turn out for this Service which took place in the evening for the first time. All who attended ithad a lovely evening and hopefully the Brass Band willjoin us again next year.

Bowling ClubWe are now enjoying the Christmas break and lookingforward to the next set of matches. For various reasonswe were only able to enter two teams this year. Hopefullynext year we will be able to enter another team. Apartfrom winning or losing it is good to meet other teamsboth from the bowling angle and also meeting people whobecome friends over the years. We finished the sessionwith a party when we played “Fun Bouts”, anything butLeague standard and much enjoyed by all. The winnerwas Dudley who was presented with the Langrell Cup –well done Dudley. We then finished with supper andmulled wine, made by Dudley and much appreciated byall. Good luck to the teams in the coming matches and avery happy New Year to all our members, families andfriends.

H. ErskineParish Register Marriage: Appleyard June and O’Reilly Dominick; Parish Church; 4th December 2004.

PARISH DIARY

Jan 5 10.30am No Service.Jan 6 10.30am Epiphany Communion.Jan 10 8.20am Parish N.S. reopens.Jan 13 8.00pm Select Vestry Meeting in Creche.Jan 15 5.00pm Music MinistryJan 20 8.00pm Young Women’s GroupJan 23 afternoon Octave of Prayer for Christian

Unity Service at Parish Church.Preacher: Msg. P. Devine PP.

Feb 6 10.30am Dedication of Columbarium by Archbishop of Dublin, preaching and celebrating Communion.

Feb 9 10.30am Ash Wednesday Liturgy7.30pm Ash Wednesday Liturgy

2004 – a year of hope and promise

Parish Fun Day at Greenlanes

Work in Progress on the Gables

Anchor Boys present gifts toSt. Luke’s.

SUNDAY SERVICES

Date Feast Time Liturgy

2nd Christmas 2 8.30am Holy Communion10.30am Morning Prayer

5th Wednesday 10.30am No Service6th Epiphany 10.30am Epiphany (HC2)

9th Epiphany 1 8.30am Holy Communion2

10.30am ParishCommunion 2

7.00pm Compline

12th Wednesday 10.30am HC2 with healingprayers

15th Saturday 5.00pm Music Ministry

16th Epiphany 2 8.30am Holy Communion10.30am All-Age Worship

19th Wednesday 10.30am HC2 with healingprayers

23rd Epiphany 3 8.30am Holy Communion3.00pm Christian Unity7.00pm Holy Communion

26th Conversionof Paul t/f

10.30am Holy Communion

30th Epiphany 4 8.30am Holy Communion10.30am Service of the

Word