April - St Molua's Church Stormont

PARISH OF STORMONT
St Molua’s Church
APRIL 2012
stormont.down.anglican.org
Are we doing
enough?
Take a look at
page 9
and decide!
News about the General Vestry
—see page 14.

PARISH OF STORMONT : ST MOLUA’S CHURCH
Rector: The Revd W D Humphries
St Molua‘s Rectory, 3 Rosepark, Belfast BT5 7RG
Phone: 9048 2292
E-mail: stormont@down.anglican.org
Associate Clergy: The Revd A P Patterson
The Revd Canon J J G Mercer, The Ven. W A Macourt
Parish Reader: Helen Poots
Lay Assistants at the Eucharist
Dorothy McLean
Noel Donaldson
Rector’s Churchwarden
Ian Johnston
People’s Churchwarden
Roger Beatty
Rector’s Glebewarden
Colin Cowan
People’s Glebewarden
Anne Fawcett
Honorary Secretary
Malcolm Stanley
Honorary Treasurer
Meta Collinson
FWO Secretary
Sheila Greenlee
Gift Aid Secretary
Mary Campbell
Organist & Choir Director
Robert Thompson
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THE PARISH OFFICE
Monday, 10.00am—12.00 noon
Phone: 9041 9171
Parish Office Secretary
Sheila Greenlee
PARISH WEBSITE
stormont.down.anglican.org
Parish Webmaster
Malcolm Stanley
Phone: 9048 5032
E-mail:
molua.stormont@btinternet.com
Crucifer
Andrew Johnston
Sexton
Tom McMinn
Phone: 9087 4130
If a relative or friend is hospitalised
or very ill, please phone the Rector
to let him know. If someone has
been discharged from hospital, that
information would also be much
appreciated.

A Service of Thanksgiving
to mark the 50th Anniversary
of the Consecration of St Molua‘s Church
will be held on
Sunday 4 November 2012
at 3.30pm.
Preacher: The Rt Revd Harold C Miller,
Bishop of Down & Dromore
Yes, this service is some distance away yet, but we want everyone to
be there, so we‘re giving due notice. We‘ve chosen a time in the afternoon,
so that those who are unhappy about coming out on dark nights
will be able to make it to church and get home before the sun goes
down.
Also, we‘ve got a lot to do before that date, and if we keep the target in
mind, then there‘s a good chance of getting all the work done!
We‘re celebrating fifty years of public worship at St Molua‘s, and we‘ve
a lot to thank the Almighty for.
We hope that friends and neighbours will come along as well as our
own parishioners, so there are lots of people we can invite.
We are very much aware that there are quite a few people who were at
the Consecration itself, and these folk will be extra-welcome!
So we‘re getting closer to the big day...
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The Services
at St Molua’s
APRIL 2012
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
[1] Sunday 1 April
Palm Sunday
8.00am Holy Communion
10.20am Parish Eucharist
and Processsion
(from the Hamilton Hall)
6.30pm Compline
Monday 2 April
Monday in Holy Week
10.30am Holy Communion
8.00pm Compline
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Tuesday 3 April
Tuesday in Holy Week
10.30am Holy Communion
8.00pm Compline
Wednesday 4 April
10.30am Holy Communion
8.00pm The Crucifixion
By Sir John Stainer
Thursday 5 April
Maundy Thursday
10.30am Holy Communion
8.00pm Maundy Eucharist
and Ceremonies
Friday 6 April
GOOD FRIDAY
10.30 A Short Meditation
8.00pm A Devotion
for Good Friday
in words and music
Saturday 7 April
Holy Saturday
9.00pm The Ceremony of Light
[2] Sunday 8 April
FEAST OF THE
RESURRECTION
8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am Festival Eucharist
6.30pm Choral Evensong
Wednesday 11 April
10.30am Holy Communion

[3] Sunday 15 April
Easter 2
8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am All-Age Worship
6.30pm Holy Communion
Wednesday 18 April
10.30am Holy Communion
[4] Sunday 22 April
Easter 3
8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am Matins
6.30pm Evensong
Wednesday 25 April
St Mark
10.30am Holy Communion
[5] Sunday 29 April
Easter 4
8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am Matins
6.30pm Evensong
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Holy Week is the last week of
Lent, the week immediately preceding
Easter Day. We observe
Holy Week as a time to commemorate
and enact the Passion
and Death of Jesus through various
observances and services.
It is important to place the hope
of the Resurrection, the promise
and newness of life, against the
background of death and endings.
It is only in walking through
the shadows and darkness of
Holy Week and Good Friday,
only in contemplating the ending
and despair felt by the disciples
of Holy Saturday, that we can
truly understand the light and
hope of Sunday morning!
In observing this truth, that new
beginnings come from endings,
we are able to draw a parable of
our own lives and faith journeys
from the observances of Holy
Week. In providing people with
the opportunity of experiencing
this truth in liturgy and symbol,
the services become a powerful
proclamation of the transformative
power of the Gospel, and
God at work in the lives of people.
You are invited to participate in
the liturgies of this most moving
week.

PROSPERY TELLS OF HAITI
IN AFTERMATH OF QUAKE
Prospery Raymond was with us
on a Sunday morning last
month.
Christian Aid Manager of Haiti
and a native of the country himself,
he first told the children
about his harrowing and traumatic
experience whilst buried under
the rubble of his office building for
two hours.
He then addressed the congregation
as to the current situation in
the country, and told us about the
people of Haiti.
During coffee in the Hamilton Hall
Prospery was inundated with
questions about the island people;
he dutifully answered each
and every one.
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A seasoned traveller due to his
work with Christian Aid, Prospery
is in Ireland for two weeks—his
first visit to the Emerald Isle. He
likes the people, and amazingly is
able to understand every word we
say!
He took lots of photographs (as
did we) and was very impressed
with our beautiful church. He
liked the choir‘s singing and felt
very much at home with our worship.
Please remember the work of
Christian Aid in your prayers, particularly
in Haiti, and pray for
Prospery Raymond, our friend on
the island, and all the Christians
in that part of the world.

FUNERALS
“Even so in Christ shall all be made alive”
2 March
Martha Haslett
late of 27 Cloghan Park
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LADIES’ GUILD NOTES
The Ladies‘ Guild AGM has been
brought forward to Thursday 12
April.
The meeting is at he usual time,
2.30pm, followed by some light
entertainment and afternoon tea.
We also hope to have news of our
summer outing on that day, so
come along to keep up with what‘s
happening!

What is fairtrade?
If a product holds the fairtrade label it means that those
involved in making it have been paid a fair wage for their
labour and a fair price for their crops: a wage that meets
the cost of living and enables them to work their way out of poverty. It
also means that no child labour, exploitation, or abuse of human rights
have been involved in the production process.
A safe workplace and minimum price for their crops is guaranteed. On
top of this, the fairtrade price includes a social premium that is invested
in local communities and businesses by the workers and growers themselves.
The fairtrade premium has been used to improve homes, education,
health care, roads, diversify crops, improve businesses and improve
the environment.
What fairtrade isn’t...
Fairtrade is not charity. It’s paying a fair price for a good quality product.
It promotes positive and long-term change through trade-based relationships
which seek to empower producers to meet their own needs.
Its success depends on independent, successfully-run organizations
and businesses - not on handouts.
Fairtrade products are not necessarily more expensive. When compared
with products of similar quality, there is very little difference in
price. However, fairtrade products are unlikely to be the cheapest in
store – paying a fair wage and ensuring there is no exploitation does
have a cost. If other products are substantially cheaper it begs the question,
who is actually paying for these so-called bargains?
Fairtrade is not just about tea and coffee. To date there are over
3,000 fairtrade certified products in the UK. These include bananas,
honey, fresh fruit and vegetables, juices, nuts, rice, pasta, sugar, wine,
clothes, beauty products, sports balls and many more!
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Where does it operate
and who does it help?
Fairtrade works with farmers,
producers and workers
in some of the poorest
countries of the world, in 3
continents; Africa, Asia and
Central/South America.
The official definition explains
fairtrade as ‗a trading partnership,
based on dialogue, transparency
and respect, that
seeks greater equity in international
trade. It contributes to
sustainable development by
offering better trading conditions
to, and securing the rights
of, marginalized producers and
workers‘
Why should churches and Christian groups care?
Fairtrade is a chance for Christians to live out their faith and the call to
be good news to the poor in a very practical way.
God is not neutral on issues of trade, and justice, and throughout the
Bible this is made very clear, not least by Old Testament prophets such
as Amos, Hosea, Micah, Isaiah and Jeremiah. Through Amos, God specifically
condemns the materialism of the rich (8v5), the use of corrupt
scales to con producers (8v5), the inflation of prices to benefit the powerful
and exploit the poor (8v5), and the treatment of poor producers as
less than human (8v6)
We, in the West, are in a position of privilege and we are called as Christians
to use that privilege for the benefit of others. Poverty and lack of
education mean that producers in the developing world are extremely
vulnerable to exploitation and have no choice about where and how they
work. We are the ones with the purchasing power and influence over
unfair trade structures; this is the perfect time to ‗speak up for those who
cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and
needy‘ (Proverbs 31v8-9)
We are called to seek to honour God and reflect His priorities in choosing
where to spend the money He has blessed us with. Fairtrade helps
us remember that what we buy has an affect not just on ourselves, but
on the world around us and the people in it.
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None of us would actively support
child labour, human rights
abuses or the exploitation of labour,
but sadly many of the products
we buy do.
Fairtrade began in churches, but
today the secular world is putting
us to shame. What a witness it
would be if the people of God, as
one, rose up to say no to unfair
trade practices and yes to a
commitment to fairtrade and
helping the developing world
work its way out of poverty. Not
only would God‘s heart for the
poor be communicated to those
around us, but the lives of millions
of the world‘s poorest people
would be transformed.
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How can I get involved?
Pray: for those in poverty, for
unfair trade rules, for God to
show you His heart for the poor
and for justice.
Buy: Commit to buying one fairtrade
product
Go: See the effects of fairtrade
firsthand. Traidcraft run ‗Meet the
People Tours‘ several times a
year where you can have the opportunity
to visit fairtrade producers
in developing countries.
Volunteer: Perhaps you could
volunteer to run your own fairtrade
stall in your church on an
occasional or even permanent
basis.
Become a fairtrade church: Do
a bit more than use fair-trade tea
and coffee—support each other
in a commitment to fairtrade and
receive a certificate to mark your
achievement.
Get involved!
www.fairtrade.org.uk

Men on the church roof carrying out an inspection. Can you spot them
through the tree branches? The photos were taken from the back garden
of the Rectory.
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ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
at the
EASTER GENERAL VESTRY
THE SELECT VESTRY
Rector’s Churchwarden
Ian Johnston
People’s Churchwarden
Roger Beatty
Rector’s Glebewarden
Colin Cowan
People’s Glebewarden
Anne Fawcett
Honorary Secretary
Malcolm Stanley
Honorary Treasurer
Meta Collinson
Gift Aid Secretary
Mary Campbell
Jean Hill, Frances Hastie,
Dorothy McLean, Alison Wolseley,
Edwina tester, Helen Poots,
Joyce Forsythe, Richard Ryan,
Bernard Frieze
HONORARY AUDITORS
Graham cash, Pauline Cash
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PRAYERS, PLEASE
Please pray for
all the members
of the Select
Vestry, and especially
those
who have taken
up the above
positions. The
job of running a
parish is not an
easy one, and
these people
should be encouraged
in the
work which they
have volunteered to do.
The Statement of Accounts is, as
always, available on the porch table
for those who were unable to
attend the meeting; please take
one.
The Rector‘s Address was given at
the Easter General Vestry, and
also in church at 10.30am on the
following Sunday. If you still
missed it, you could ask him for a
copy.

The cross, colourful eggs, white lilies, and even chocolate bunny rabbits—
several images have come to be associated with Easter. But for many,
Christ‘s empty tomb comes to mind, with the stone seal lying off to one
side—the same stone experts tell us would have been immense, disc
shaped, and rolled in front of the opening on a downward slope, so that
while the tomb was relatively easy to seal, it would have taken the
strength of many men, pushing against gravity, to remove it.
Bible commentators have compared this stone to the weight of our sin,
crushing Christ on the cross and holding Him to the penalty of death for
three days in the grave. Until, as Scripture says, the earth literally moved,
the ground shook, and an angel came from heaven to roll the stone back
and expose the miracle of the Resurrection—Jesus‘ physical body raised
from the dead and absent from the tomb.
It was no coincidence that the two Marys were there to witness the event
at the tomb and later give testimony of the vacancy within, but why? Was
it not just as miraculous for the women to see Christ alive in the flesh after
His death? Why bother with the stone if He was already gone? What‘s so
important about seeing the empty tomb?
In a word, the answer may be proof— tangible evidence for decades to
come. Physical evidence, if you will, demanding a verdict. Seekers today
don‘t have the luxury of exploring Christ‘s actual tomb and examining its
inner walls for traces of the Truth. They are, in a sense, standing outside
the vacant sepulchre, no knowledge of the miracle within, and a boulder of
intimidation, doubts, and discomfort standing between them and Truth.
We can glory in our own celebration of the Resurrection , or we can take a
look around our neighbourhood, schools, and businesses to see who‘s
waiting outside the tomb for a glimpse
of the miracle.
This year, we can push those boulders
of fear and uncertainty aside.
This Easter Sunday, bring some
visitors face to face with the empty
tomb, where they might just find
the open door of heaven.
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DO YOU PAY INCOME TAX?
If you do, the Inland Revenue is prepared to give to St Molua‘s
some of the money you have already paid in tax.
No joking! For every pound you subscribe to the parish, we can
claim an additional few pence from the Inland Revenue—at no
extra cost to you!
IT REALLY IS SIMPLE
AND THE MONEY IS WAITING TO BE CLAIMED.
Please fight increasing costs
by helping your parish
to recover tax that
you have already paid.
The person who looks after this arrangement is MARY CAMP-
BELL. She will be pleased to advise you further—just speak to
her on Sunday or contact her through the Parish Office.
“I completely missed the notice about the Beetle Drive!
Could you please give more notice of the next one???”
Sorry! We will certainly give more notice:
The next Beetle Drive
will be held in the Hamilton Hall
on Friday 4 May at 7.45pm
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“SAY ONE FOR ME”
Yes, we will.
Prayer is in the news. Banned
from council agendas and, according
to one opinion poll, ignored
by many of those calling
themselves ―Christian‖. Yet in
time of trouble, crisis or thanksgiving,
many of us do say a prayer.
But for those who find it difficult,
the Church of England has
launched a new website:
www.prayoneforme.org where
anyone can post their prayer requests
and know that they will be
prayed for.
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CRECHE ROTA
Sunday 1 April—
Audrey Ryan
Cathy Corbetta
Sunday 8 April
Maureen Henderson
Liz Keers
Sunday 15 April
All-Age Worship
Sunday 22 April
Elaine Hamilton
Melanie Carmichael
Sunday 29 April
Jean Hill
Judith Stewart
A big thank you to all those who
take their turn on the Creche
Rota. If anyone else wants to
be involved in this essential
task, or if you want any information
about the Creche, just
contact Judith Stewart on 028
9752 1507.

WHY DID JESUS
FOLD THE NAPKIN?
On that first Easter morning, St
John‘s account of the Gospel
(20:7) tells us that when Peter
stooped and went into the
tomb, he found the linen wrappings
that Jesus‘ body had
been wrapped in, thrown to
one side. But the napkin, which
had been placed over the face
of Jesus, was neatly folded,
and placed at the head of that
stony coffin. Why? Why should
Jesus fold the napkin after his
resurrection?
The significance of the folded
napkin might be found in Hebrew
tradition of the day. When
a servant waited on his master
at the dinner table, and the
master was done eating, he
would rise from the table and
toss the napkin to one side.
But when the master was not
finished, he would fold his napkin
to indicate that though he
had left the table for the moment,
he was coming back.
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When Jesus folded his napkin,
could it be that he was saying
to the world: I may be leaving
now, but – I am coming back!
One day, the Bible teaches us,
he WILL!

CHRISTIAN AID
RESPONDS
TO A WORSENING
HUNGER CRISIS
Now seven million people across
five West African countries are
facing the spectre of famine within
months. Thousands are already
on the march, looking for secure
food sources. Niger, Mali, Chad,
Burkina Faso and Mauritiana have
declared states of emergency and
are calling for international assistance.
In response to this, Christian Aid is
preparing to focus on those living
in the stricken Sahel region. The
Sahel is the belt of land just south
of the Sahara, about 1000 kilometres
wide, and stretching right
across the continent, spanning
several countries. It is one of the
poorest and most environmentally
damaged places on earth.
The Sahel includes droughtsmitten
Mali, which lost 11.8% of
total cereal output between 2010 –
2011; Burkina, where an estimated
41.47% of the country will
face severe food insecurity, and
Niger, where the government fears
that more than half of the nation‘s
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villages are now running out of
basic food, and that more than 5m
people are food insecure. Christian
Aid is working with other UK
agencies through the Sahel Working
Group (SWG).
PALM SUNDAY
Jesus in Jerusalem
Holy Week begins with
Palm Sunday, when
the Church remembers
how Jesus arrived at
the gates of Jerusalem
just a few days before the Passover
was due to be held. He was the
Messiah come to his own people in
their capital city, and yet he came in
humility, riding on a young donkey,
not in triumph, riding on a warhorse.
As Jesus entered the city, the
crowds gave him a rapturous welcome,
throwing palm fronds into his
path. They knew his reputation as a
healer, and welcomed him. But
sadly the welcome was short-lived
and shallow, for Jerusalem would
soon reject her Messiah, and put
him to death. On this day churches
worldwide will distribute little
crosses made from palm fronds in
memory of Jesus‘ arrival in Jerusalem.

BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE
HUMAN SEXUALITY IN THE CONTEXT
OF CHRISTIAN BELIEF
For a period last month, 450 General Synod members of the Church of
Ireland (together with several ecumenical guests) came together from
across the island and all the dioceses of the Church to engage with
each other on this subject in innovative ways.
It [was] a substantial conversation reflecting strongly held convictions
characterised by clarity of expression without judgmentalism. The conference
enabled interactive engagement by participants from a wide
range of different perspectives, focusing on complex and sometimes
contentious issues. The climate was one of respectful dialogue, all the
more valuable for its structured mixing of people who have not before
come together or conversed in such depth.
The format included a range of facilitated seminars on themes as diverse
as the welcome provided to gay people in church to recent
changes in legislation to whether or not there can be ‗agreeable disagreement‘
over gay clergy. It further involved listening to the direct experience
of gay Christians and to parents of gay children. There was a
clear appreciation of the integrity and principled positions of those expressing
different views. It has become clear that there is a breadth of
opinion in the Church of Ireland on these matters but also a strong
sense of the cohesiveness of the Church. While it is acknowledged that
there are still difficult issues for us as a Church, there is not an atmosphere
of division.
The intention of the conference was one of enabling open discussion,
rather than one of articulating policy or making decisions. We observed
a common desire to welcome all people to participate in the life of the
Church, whilst accepting that there are no easy answers to difficult
questions. In response to the Holy Spirit, the Church seeks to witness to
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society – with humility – rather than simply reflect current popular opinion.
The conference comes at a time when there are live cultural and
political debates relating to ‗same-sex marriage‘. Within this context, the
Church‘s position on marriage as being the union of one man and one
woman remains constant.
In conclusion, we ask those who have attended to reflect on what they
have heard and experienced and to continue the process of talking to
each other in their homes, parishes and communities.
The Most Revd Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh
The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin
WHAT CAN I EAT FOR EASTER?
Can't eat beef......mad cow.
Can't eat chicken...... bird flu.
Can't eat eggs..... Salmonellla.
Can't eat pork.....fears that bird flu will infect piggies. Also trichinosis.
Can't eat fish....... heavy metals in the waters.
Can't eat fruits and veggies....... insecticides and herbicides.
Can't eat potatoes, pasta, bread, rice.......nasty carbs .
Hmmmmmmmm! I believe that leaves.......chocolate!
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