Parish Notices 22nd April 2012

The Rector writes… “At the time of writing, our Easter Vestry has yet to take place but by the time you are actually reading this, we will have had the meeting, elected the Select Vestry and begun our new year of Parish administration. I would like to say – without knowing who turned up for the annual meeting – that it is never about numbers. The head of the American Episcopal Church, Archbishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, speaking about Church attendance said recently ‘We don’t count the right way. How many lives has the work of a congregation touched this year? That’s a more important question than counting who came to church on a Sunday’ and you know I couldn’t agree more. As a parish, the number in church will vary week on week, the number who turn up for Easter Vestry meetings will vary year on year, but what really matters is what each one of us puts into our community life. That is what counts in the end.

HOLY COMMUNION every Wednesday in St Mary’s Church at 10.30am. All welcome.

PRAYER REQUEST SHEETS are at the back of both churches. This allows anyone to request prayers which will be incorporated into the prayers said at our Sunday and midweek services. Please just write the date and the first name of the person you would like to be prayed for. More details may be written but names will be not be mentioned aloud but will be remembered silently during our time of corporate and private prayer.

INTERCESSIONS IN CHURCH If you would like to be involved in doing prayer intercessions at our church services, please contact the Rector who will put together a rota of all interested persons . As it will involve a little training in this area, the Rector has put together a small instruction booklet which will help anyone who is new to this area of ministry.

NEXT WEEK 29th April United Eucharist Service in St Mary’s Church at 11am. Note – No Service in St John’s. If any parishioner requires a lift to St Mary’s please contact the parish administrator.

SPONSORED WALK Parish sponsored walk next Sunday 29th April after united Eucharist in St Mary’s Church. Sponsor forms are available at the back of the church. Proceeds will be divided between Carrigaline Union of Parishes and St Mary’s National School.  Volunteers are required for the day—Marshall’s and water station attendants. Also,  sandwiches and cakes required for refreshments. Please contact the parish administrator or Julia Miller.

IRISH TIMES The times and details of our services are now published in Saturday’s edition of the Irish Times.

FUND FOR THE FUTURE An appeal by the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross for future generations. Badges cost €5 and are at the back of the church.

THEOLOGICAL BOOK CIRCLE  the book chosen for our first meeting in the Rectory on Tuesday evening 1st May is “The Lost Message of Jesus” by Steve Chalke and Alan Mann.  All welcome.

PARISH WEBSITE Articles for inclusion to the parish administrator please. Check out the website at www.carrigalineunion.org

PARENTING TEENS – Last session at 8pm on Thursday 26th April in St Mary’s Church Hall, Carrigaline. The topic this month is “Teenage Pressures—Consumerism, Cash and Cyberspace” Open to everyone! For info call Hilary Dring.

INVITATION  TO WEST CORK The Revd Trevor and Oriel Lester have kindly invited the parish to join them in their Rectory in Altar, Toormore for a Barbeque at 6pm on 22nd July and then join with their parish to attend an Evensong in St Brendan’s Church Crookhaven where Elaine will be preaching the Epilogue. Some parishioners have suggested we could hire a bus. Please let the Rector know if you would be interested in travelling by bus.

TITANIC Well known author and historian, Dr. Alicia St. Leger will present an illustrated lecture on The Story of the Titanic. This will be a fun, informative talk aimed at parents and interested children. Wed, 25^th April, 7pm at St. Marys NS, Waterpark.

MAD ABOUT SCIENCE CAMPS – Looking for Summer Camps with a difference? Why not try a science camp? Kids will be educated and entertained each day. Investigate crystallisation, construct robots, extract DNA,  solve CSI mysteries, launch rockets and much more! Junior and Senior camps @ St. Mary’s Church Hall. Checkout  www.madaboutscience.net.

PICCOLO FUND The 2ft Piccolo stop on the Forster & Andrews organ in St John’s was disconnected by a previous organ tuner a few years ago, as the pipes were warped.  Our new tuner from Clonakilty has sourced a replacement set of pipes and a “Piccolo Fund” has been set-up to fund these. As the organ has 16ft, 8ft and 4ft stops, a 2ft set of pipes will really enhance the sound from this lovely 140 year old organ. The set will cost c.€140 and €20 has already kindly been donated.