Parish Notices 29th April 2012

The Rector writes… “ As we settle into a new Vestry year, I would like to thank all those who were willing to become part of the Parish administration team. A special welcome to the new Warden, Derek , and a warm welcome back to the other Wardens, Barney, Eddie, Frances, Adrian and Cecil. There is a list of all the Select Vestry people in both churches.  Today is the first of our ‘United’ 5th Sundays and I hope that you enjoy the Family Eucharist in St Mary’s. Our next 5th Sunday is on 29th July in St John’s where we will have a special Choral Eucharist and the Revd Canon Patrick Comerford has agreed to come and preach for us as we will be celebrating 180 years since St John’s was consecrated.  A wonderful preacher, Patrick is currently the Lecturer in Anglicanism and Liturgy in the Theological Institute. A former journalist, he was Foreign Desk Editor of The Irish Times. The next 5th Sunday on 30th September will find us back in St Mary’s for an Animal Blessing Service in the morning and a Healing Service in St John’s in the evening.  I would hope to have such an evening Healing Service every 5th Sunday (so 4 times a year) in the church where there was no morning service. I hope we will all be safe on our parish walk after the service and I will see you out there!“

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

ST MARY’S SCHOOL VISIT Ms Schilling’s 4th Class are going to join with us for the Midweek Service next week (May 2nd) and we are looking forward to hearing them sing and play. Pray for good weather as if it is teeming down, we will have to reschedule the visit.

PRAYER REQUEST SHEETS are at the back of both churches.

INTERCESSIONS IN CHURCH If you would like to be involved in doing prayer intercessions at our church services, please contact the Rector.

SPONSORED WALK Parish sponsored walk this morning after Service.  Proceeds will be divided between Carrigaline Union of Parishes and St Mary’s National School.  Walkers MUST register with Marshalls in the  Parish Office prior to walking. Refreshments are available afterwards in the Church Hall. Sincere thanks to Julia Miller and all the other helpers.

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.

COMPANION Lady in Parish with car is available as part-time companion. For more information please contact the rector.

KEYS A register is being gathered of all keys associated with St Mary’s and St John’s Churches, halls, offices etc…. If anyone has a key, please contact the parish administrator so these can be logged.

TEA/COFFEE ROTA Quite a number of parishioners have expressed a desire to have the fellowship of refreshments after each of the services in St Mary’s Church and as the rector I completely agree!  In order to do this though, we will need to ‘grow’ the rota!. This need not be too onerous on any one set of people if more people will sign up to do it. Please do think about it — it is not too difficult as the cups we use are disposable and we have all the right equipment in the kitchen. Also bear in mind that one does not have to be female to make tea and coffee! So please get in touch with Roger in the office if you think you can help.

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.

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.

JUNIOR CHOIR  We hope to start up a Junior Choir who will sing and play at the All Age Service. The weekly practices in the Church Hall will begin in mid September, with a day and time to be confirmed later.  Contact the Rector or Hilary Dring if you would like to help in any way with this initiative or if your child would be interested in taking part.

MOTHERS’ UNION Diocesan Council meeting Thursday 17th May at St Peter’s Church, Bandon. Also Diocesan celebration of 125 years on Sunday 20th May 3.30pm at Rosscarbery Cathedral. Saturday 26th May. Mothers’ Union Fundraising Parish Brunch in our Rectory at 10.30am.

HISTORICAL LECTURES Following on from the Titanic centenary commemorations, over the next ten years there will be a series of commemorative events throughout the country. We will see many contentious historical claims and differing viewpoints as we remember events like the signing of the Ulster covenant, the battle of the Somme, the Easter rising and so on. As a community we need to listen with an open mind to some sincerely held memories and perspectives as we journey together in to our future.

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