Pew Sheet – 3rd September 2023

The Rector writes ‘We are halfway through celebrations for St Mary’s Bicentennial year. Imagine! We began in February  with the Opening Service, then we had the wonderful Auction followed by the Retreat down in Laois, a Photo Exhibition of images of St Mary’s church and environs, Dorothee Robert’s Art exhibition, the Summer Fete with St Nicholas’ Brass Band in attendance, the Flower Festival together with a visit from our friends in Perton and last week the fabulous Barbecue ….. where has the year gone! 

And I nearly forgot the specially commissioned chocolate (still available for €4 at the back of the churches) We still have many events yet to come; our Musical Evening on 23rd of this month, the Harvest Supper & Ceilidh in October, the Play/Pageant in November, and then three events in December; the Tractor Run, Community Carols & Nativity/Crib festival.  In January 2024 we will have the launch of the 200th Anniversary book (edited by Lesley Roberts and produced by Gandon Editions—see the separate flyer with details of how to subscribe to support production of this unique book)  and then the very last bicentennial event – a special Closing Service in February, when the Archbishop of Armagh will join our Bishop and the Choir of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral as we look back on a magnificent year of celebration.  We will need a breather after it all – but we have 8 years to get ready for St John’s Church Bicentennial celebration in 2032 (although to be fair, I would imagine that will be some other Rector’s worry!)’

Dates for your Diary  

September

5th      Indoor Bowling Club begins (see note below)

20th   Mothers’ Union Opening Service in St Mary’s Church at  3:30pm

23rd  Musical Evening in St Mary’s Church at 7:30pm

24th  Animal Blessing Service in St Mary’s Church at 11am

October

7th    Harvest Supper & Ceilidh in Canon McCrea Hall at 7:30pm

8th    Harvest Thanksgiving Services  9:30/11am

Fr James McSweeney is our Harvest Preacher this year

15th   Healer/Prayer Services 9:30/11am

Lydia Monds of CMH:I (Churches Ministry of Healing) will be our Preacher.

18th   The Rector will speak at the Mothers’ Union meeting about her recent trip to the Holy Land in the Parish Hall at 3pm

18th   Ecumenical Eco Congregation groups present a Film Night in the Parish Hall at 7:30pm  ‘The Letter’ is a powerful film about the environmental situation.

29th   United Service in St John’s Church at 11am

Music Notes 03-09-2023

Hymns at St Mary’s
108 Praise to the Holiest
323 The God of Abraham praise
507 Put peace into each other’s hands
102 Name of all majesty

The parish choir will be returning soon after a summer’s rest. We rehearse on the third and fourth Thursday evenings of each month from 7.30 – 8.30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The choir helps to lead congregational hymns as well as singing service settings and anthems. The Gallery Singers are always happy to welcome new members, so if you think you would like to give it a try do come along on Thursday, September 28th when we will be meeting for the first time this autumn.
Don’t worry if you can’t read music, that will come over time and practice tracks are provided to help you learn the pieces. The emphasis is on enjoyment and good fellowship as well as tackling challenges together. I am also offering organ lessons to anyone from 12 years upwards who would like to play that wonderful instrument.
Feel free to contact me by phone or email if you would like to chat:
Bébhinn 087 228 5965
bebhinnmuire@gmail.com