Parish Notices Sunday 27th January 2013

The Rector writes ’ In the context of Mission, which is especially appropriate in the season of Epiphany, we welcome the Revd Canon Richard Bartlett of the Diocese of London to speak to us today.

Richard is on the Board of United Society ‘Us.’ a church-based charity working in direct partnership with people and communities around the world. For over 300 years they have been sharing God’s love through action, and seeing lives transformed. Us. was formerly known as USPG – United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel – derived from a name coined in 701. The Society changed its name last year when it became clear that this eighteenth-century name was not connecting with people in the twenty-first century. The new name is rooted in the gospel, reminding us that God’s love is for all – Jesus’ promise of a full life is for every person in every community (John 10:10). Jesus is called Emmanuel, meaning ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). Us. are keen to highlight that we are all part of ‘us’, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. We are all made in God’s creative image and there is room for us all. ‘

SUNDAY SCHOOL We welcome children from age 4 in Sunday School, and we now also encourage children from age 3 to join with the older children as long as one of the parents can accompany them. In this way, they will get used to Sunday School in an informal way and be completely ready to go ‘solo’ from age 4. Thank you to the dedicated Sunday School teachers for all the effort they put into helping our children learn about God. It is very much appreciated by us all.

TODDLERS PLUS ONE GROUP and MONDAY CLUB meet tomorrow Monday 28th January in the parish hall. Toddlers group from 10am-midday and Monday club from 3-5pm.

MIDWEEK COMMUNION SERVICE 10.30am every Wednesday in St Mary’s Church. The first Wednesday of each month will have special prayers for the work of the Mothers’ Union followed by refreshments after the Service. All Welcome.

Monkstown Home Group meets in the home of Liz Hanna (Tel. 4841496) this Wednesday 30 January at 8pm.

JUNIOR CHOIR meets in St Mary’s Church from 6.30 to 7.15pm each Thursday night. All school going children welcome. Contact the rector or Hilary Dring for more details.

The Theological Book Circle- The current book is ‘Christianity with Attitude’ by Giles Fraser (Canterbury Press Norwich 2007 ISBN 978-1-85311-782-4) and we will meet at 8pm in the Rectory on Thursday 31st January to discuss. All welcome.

World Day of Prayer-Friday 1st March. We would love to have more people involved in preparing this Service. Please talk to Hilary Dring 4378439 or the Rector.

EASTER VESTRY This annual meeting, which is open to all parishioners, will take place in St Mary’s Church Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 11th April. If you would like to have a vote at this meeting, you will need to register as a vestry person. Remember that while all are welcome to attend the Easter Vestry meeting only registered vestry persons may vote or be voted into office. The meeting to review the list of Vestry Members will take place on Ash Wednesday 13th February at 7 pm in St Mary’s Church Hall. Please see the Rector or the Church Wardens for the relevant forms should you wish to be registered as a vestry person.

Diocesan Magazine Subscriptions for 2013 are now due. Please give payment of €20 to Wardens or Rowland Newenham.

A walking group meets on a Monday morning at 11am in the car park opposite the Bosun in Monkstown. It is open to everyone and for all levels of fitness. The emphasis is on fun and friendship. Further details by contacting Sandra Mc Loughlin on 087 1315393 or sandiemcloughlin@gmail.com.

MENs’ Shed All men are welcome to go along and find out more about the companionship and skills training available in the Mens’ Shed Kilnagleary on the Minane Bridge Road. See leaflets at the back of the churches for more details.

The Owenabue Garden Club, Carrigaline will hold their AGM in St Mary’s School on Monday 28 January at 7pm, after which, at approx 8.30pm, Noel Power will give a talk on “Flowers to attract bees to your garden”. Visitors welcome. Enquiries to 086-8091627.

The Social & Health Education Project is running five short courses around Cork City starting late January : Women’s Health & Wellbeing, Coping With Stress, Effective Communication, Intro to Personal Development and Family Communication. For further information phone Geraldine or Liam on 4666180.

LENTEN STUDY

Each Wednesday at 7.30pm during Lent, we will have a short Service in St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline followed by a Bible Study. This year we will be using a Study Course which was developed by the Church of Ireland, on the theme of Economic Justice. All are welcome to attend. The dates are as follows: Wed 13th February (Ash Wednesday) 7.30 Eucharist, followed by Bible Study in the Church. Wed 20th February 7.30, Evening Prayer followed by a talk in the Hall given by Dr Alicia St Leger, courtesy of the Mothers’ Union. Wed 27th February 7.30, Evening Prayer followed by Bible Study. Wed 6th March 7.30, Evening Prayer followed by Bible Study.

Wed 13th March 7.30, Evening Prayer followed by Bible Study.

Wed 20th March 7.30, Evening Prayer followed by Bible Study.

CONFIRMATION NOTICE

If you are planning on being confirmed this coming autumn, please put Saturday 9th March in your diary for the ‘Confirmation Morning with the Bishop.’ This is an event which everyone wishing to be confirmed in 2013 must attend. Please let the Rector know if you wish to be confirmed this year as she is putting the class plan together. She will let everyone know the actual date for this year’s Confirmations as soon as the Bishop decides on one.

FORWARD PLANNER

Jan 28^th Toddlers Plus One 10am in St Mary’s Church hall Monday Club 3pm in Church Hall.

Jan 30^th Monkstown Home Group. 8pm. Liz Hanna’s home.

Jan 31^st Junior Choir at 6.30pm in St Mary’s Church.

Jan 31^st Theological Book Circle 8pm The Rectory.

Feb 9^th Saturday Service 7pm in St Mary’s.

Feb 10^th Songs of Praise Evensong. 7pm St John’s.

Feb 13th Review of Vestry Members 7pm St Mary’s Church Hall

Feb 13^th Ash Wednesday 10.30am and 7.30pm Services.

Feb 17^th Kate Cargin, EAPPI recently returned from the Holy Land speaking in both churches.

Mar 1^st World Day of Prayer. Claire Jackson speaking 8pm St Mary’s.

Mar 16^th Eucharist Service “as Gaeilge”