Pew Sheet – 12th February 2023

The Rector writes ’Thanks to our Diocesan Lay Reader in Training Dr Simon Woodworth who leads today’s Services and to our Ordained Local Minister, the Revd Richard Dring who is preaching, I am able to just sit with the congregation for the 9:30am Service in St John’s Church and also to be over with the Sunday Club in the Parish Hall over in St Mary’s Church. It is lovely for me as the Rector to get to do this…. Now I’ll be able to say from experience just how hard the Pews are over in Monkstown and also to check up on our wonderful Sunday Club leaders , Elvina & Rachel

We send our best congratulations to our sister church of Our Lady & St John’s in Carrigaline who are today receiving their Eco Congregation Award. Welcome to the Eco Club, hopefully we will continue to work together on eco initiatives into the future.

Random Notes CDXVIII

Some months ago, on the TV show ‘Countdown’, Rev. Richard Coles told the story of a disastrous animal blessing service,inspiring the following lines.

‘Twas the animal blessing service

and the Vicar felt quite nervous.

He kept his fingers crossed

‘twould go without a hitch.

But there was a spot of bother

when one pet ate another,

(well, you must admit this was a major glitch)

Now it should be understood

the culprit’s I.Q. wasn’t good,

It failed to grasp the Vicar’s meaning on the day.

Instead it had a hunch

that the time had come for lunch,

when it thought the Vicar said,

“now let us prey”

Thankfully there has never been any blood shed here in St Mary’s where the pets are well-behaved, most

notably Shauna the Sheep, with her impeccably-times ‘baa’ as she joined the humans in saying ‘amen!’

MMPC

St. Mary’s Church are looking for volunteers for both the Flower Rota and the Bell Rota for 2023. Some months have been filled but we are short a few names for each rota. We can pair any new volunteers with another person to make it easier for them. New bell ringers will be shown how to ring out Church bell which really is a very easy task. Any help would be very much appreciated and would make it easier for those who have already volunteered. Please contact Joy Keefe re both rotas 087 2559844