Pew Sheet – 14th May 2023

The Rector writes ’Don’t forget that there will be a special Choral Evensong at 7pm tonight in St John’s Church during which  all of the elected Select Vestry, Diocesan Synods persons and the Parochial Nominators will be commissioned. It will also be the first time that the Monkstown Chamber Choir sang in St John’s Church since the 9 Lessons and Carols in December. We are delighted that Roger is back in full health. We have really missed them all!  

Today we launch our very own Bicentennial Chocolate Bars (made by the delicious local O’Connail Chocolatiers, based right beside the church in Carrigaline), with a black and white print of Dorothee Robert’s beautiful painting of St Mary’s Church  on each wrapper.   The 100g bars cost €4 each and are available at the back of both churches during the remaining months of the year. Just talk to the Church Wardens if you can’t spot the chocolate bars in their special display boxes. 

Don’t forget that the actual painting of St Mary’s is being raffled in January 2024 and you can buy raffle tickets at any of the events in the coming months (or speak to Lesley Roberts). Again I would like to thank Dorothee for her kindness in providing us with this beautiful painting and for the kind percentage of sales resulting from her recent exhibition in the Parish Hall.

Today is also Rogation Sunday and I will be giving out little packets of Sunflower Seeds to the children (and others!). The Tallest Sunflower will win a prize at our Harvest Services in October—Good luck! !’

Green Matters:

St Mary’s church grounds and the Rectory garden are now officially part of the All Ireland Pollinator plan.

Registered in the Faith Community section, we are pledging to manage both areas to support and enhance pollinators and increase Biodiversity.

The All Ireland Pollinator Plan registration is open to everybody by pledging your garden to “pollinators.biodiversityireland.ie”

The Parish Eco Group

   HELP NEEDED !

20 people from our link parish of Perton in the Diocese of Lichfield are joining us for the Flower Festival in July (14th—16th) so if you have a spare room and would like to host one of the Perton parishioners, please contact me.

Thank you, Elaine

For those who have made/are making a square for our bicentenary quilt – we would love people to know what each square is about. Please write something for us, even if it is one line or a very short piece. It does not have to be very much. Some will be longer, some will be shorter.

Each one is equally important.

You can handwrite it and give it to us to type up, or you can email it to either

 hilarydring@gmail.com or asantelydia@gmail.com

We are planning to put it all into a little book with a photo of each square. Please get it to us as soon as you can. It’s going to be just wonderful when it is all put together!

Thank you, Hilary & Lydia

Random Notes CDXXVI

We all love our plants, but also our pets!   So the little guide below that I came across recently is rather interesting:-

PLANT GUIDE FOR PET OWNERS

Pet Friendly Plants

Alyssum; Blue Daisy; Boston Fern; Camelia; Canna Lily; Christmas Cactus;

Coreopsis; Echevaria Succulents; Gerber Daisy; Impatiens (Busy Lizzy);

Marigold; Nasturtium; Pampas Grass; African Violet; Petunia; Polkadot Plant; Roses; Anthirinums (Snap Dragons); Spider Plant; Jasmine; Sunflower; Ferns; Viola; Skimmia.

Toxic Plants

Aloe; Begonia; Bird of Paradise; Bougainvillea; Calla Lily; Carnation;

Chrysanthemum; Coleus; Cosmos; Dumb Cane; Bergenia (Elephants Ear);

Fleabane; Gardenia; Geranium; Hibiscus; Hydrangea; Iris; Sanservia (Mother-in-law’s tongue); Pansy; Peace Lily; Dianthus; Plumbago; Poinsettia; Primrose.

Poisonous Plants

Azalea; Castor Bean; Cyclamen; Daffodil; Easter Lily; Star Gazer Lily; Sago Palm, Tiger Lily.

I have many of these plants in my garden and house, and the cat has been quite happy, healthy and comfortable amongst them. But it is really just to be aware of these issues. Animals are clever. Like cows will keep away from Ragwort in a field of grass, our pets will naturally avoid toxic and poisonous plants.

Happy planting in Summer 2023!!!!      

          RCE

Shamrocks for our Link with Perton

Crochet Time on 20th May in the Parish Hall 9am till noon.

Gerlene Kennedy will have yarn and patterns available in bundles. You can also bring along any finished shamrocks on 20th which can then have safety pins secured on the back… and there will be coffee and cake!  Note that while this is not a workshop for beginners, help will be given if you are unsure of your crochet skills.

Summer Outing/Lunch  on       Wednesday 17th May

Venue: The Bosun Restaurant, Monkstown at 12:30pm Cost: €31.50  for a three course lunch. All welcome! Please contact Deirdre 086-2612442 before May 10th to book a place for lunch  

The 10:30am midweek Holy Communion service in St Mary’s Church will be on Ascension Day Thursday 18th instead of the usual Wednesday next week.