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Church Weekend Away
On Friday evening November 25th the outside of Avoca Manor was
like a bustling holiday camp as the Crinken family ascended the long
winding driveway up to the house for our church weekend away. It was
with much excitement and anticipation that one hundred and thirty
brothers and sisters of all ages, 8 to 80 and even younger (and older!),
arrived at the manor for a weekend of relaxation, fellowship, praise and
family fun. Scripture Union’s Avoca Manor had recently undergone a
significant refurbishment with wonderful new facilities and
accommodation. Children and young families played games as some
relaxed in the manor over tea and coffee. The first evening ended with
Trevor Stevenson leading an inspiring and entertaining “on the couch”
interview with fellow church members David and Pamela Wilson of
Agape. Crinken youth and children’s leaders Neil and Chloe had
extensive programmes for the younger members of our church family.
Saturday we had some wonderful teaching, and explored our church’s
future mission and purpose. Over the weekend children played in many
of the outdoor adventure attractions while some folk went for various
walks exploring the extensive grounds, visited Avoca hand weavers and
generally enjoyed a relaxed time socialising. There was a lovely sense
of connection across the generations. The children, the young, the not
as young but thought they were, and the young at heart, made all
manner of wonderful newspaper hats for Saturday’s dinner. After the
delicious meal more all age games followed. The sense of relaxed
togetherness and church family was a blessing. Trevor undertook
another “on the couch” interview with newly engaged Crinken couple,
“Jonathan and Chloe”. The evening finished with a screening of the
challenging but inspiring movie “58” which calls Christians to fight
against global poverty and injustice. A late night tea and coffee chat by
the fire was enjoyed before the house retired for the night.
On Sunday morning with great sadness and love for the Stevenson
family we heard the news that our dear sister Elsie Stevenson had
passed away during the night in hospital with her family by her side, but
also with joy in the knowledge that she had gone on ahead to be with
her Lord and Saviour. In life Elsie had “walked the walk” and radiated
the love of our Saviour. As David Wilson preached later that morning
in Avoca Manor on “Fruit of the Vine”, and the children of our church
family read the scriptures, one could not but help feeling, here IS the
fruit of a life lived faithfully in Christ, it was a palpable living testimony.
The church weekend had been a blessing, a time of fellowship and
friendship, of fun, praise, learning and thanksgiving. Thank you to all the
wonderful volunteers who organised a memorable weekend. “And now
these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is
love.” 1 Cor 13:13.
Church Weekend away.
Elsie Stevenson – In gratitude
At least one definition of loss is defined as “the state of being deprived
of or of being without something that one has had: the loss of old friends”.
As usual words appear to be a clumsy vehicle in attempting to
express that sense of loss we experienced at the passing of Elsie on
27th November. She was the longest serving member of Crinken and
very much the heartbeat of the congregation. Her welcoming
disposition was legendary and many a fine Sunday lunch did this scribe
and many others enjoy at her dinner table. Involved as she was in
Bowls, Young @ Heart and many other activities in Crinken her legacy
is not primarily one of duty but of faith.
Her belief in a living Saviour was strong, unequivocal and undiluted by
the transitory fashion of the day. She was forthright in her beliefs and
age and sickness did not deter this enthusiasm as many Blackrock Clinic
staff members can testify.
And indeed it is that knowledge of her faith that will bring so much
comfort to her sons David and Trevor (our rector) and daughter
(Rosalind) and their families. This loss is not without pain and her
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren remain in our prayers.
We miss Elsie; we miss her hugs, her warmth, her love. We are
grateful for her life, for her example and for the knowledge that she is
now rejoicing with her maker whom she loved so much and honoured
with her life.
Young@Heart
Saturday 3 December, around 30 of our Young@Heart group and
friends gathered in the hall for our annual Christmas dinner with all the
trimmings! It was a great opportunity to catch with friends and judging
by the conversation level there was plenty to talk about! The evening
ended with music and singing from Scott Slate along with Kate Buggy &
Ray Eakins.
Sincere thanks to all those who made the evening possible.
Congratulations
Congratulations and best wishes go to Kieron and Esther on the
birth of a Jonah Samuel, Saturday 26 November, a baby brother for Finn.
Congratulations also go to Bas & Glynis on becoming Grandparents for
the first time, and to Eddie & Marjorie on becoming Great
Grandparents following the birth of Sam to Heidi and Omar. We
celebrate the birth of new life with these our friends.
CRUMLIN AND CHAPELIZOD
Rev Adrienne Galligan. Tel: 405 9708.
Email: AdrienneGalligan@gmail.com
Reader: Mrs. Joan Condell
Review: Mr. R. L. Noblett (Crumlin). Tel: 496 8657
Mrs. A. West (Chapelizod). Tel: 626 7699
Services: St. Mary’s Sunday 10am. St. Laurence’s Sunday 11.30am.
A note from the Rector and Select Vestries
We thank God for the many expressions of generosity that
parishioners made over the Christmas as hampers, shoe boxes, knitted
items and carol singing voices were made available to relieve some of
the needs that people had in the wider community. Given the reality
of belt tightening that many face now, the response to appeals locally
was tremendous and we thank all who donated/contributed to the
parish efforts. Time and again recipients expressed their deep gratitude
which it is only right to pass on to all who were involved. As most of
the donations were anonymous and it is not possible to thank everyone
personally, we hope by acknowledging them through the Review notes
that all will be assured everything donated was channelled in the right
direction. We hope your new year has started off well and pray you
know much blessing in 2012.
Joy's birthday celebrations with some
choir members.
A Busy December
Yes there was THE BIG
BIRTHDAY on 25th Dec but there
was also a very significant one in St
Mary’s as our Organist, Joy Elliott,
shared her big day with us. Another
opportunity for after church coffee
and cake!! And who better to give us
the right note on which to sing
‘Happy Birthday’?
Our Parish Readers, David O’Halloran and Shona Rusk, were
commissioned too at a special service in Clontarf Parish and have since
David and Shona and Lee with St Laurence’s Parishioners.
CHURCH REVIEW 31