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journey – or voyage – with times of calm and ease, and times of turmoil and torment. The vessels we journey in undergo changes as well and our ability to chart a safe or secure course can be waylaid by an unforeseen swell or squall that threatens to overwhelm us. And yet ships are not made to stay in the harbour; rather they are designed to traverse dangerous seas. We can rest and recuperate in the harbour but sooner or later we must return to what we were designed for. So what is it that we, the people of the parish of Bray, were designed for? In recent months we have been preparing for next year’s 150th celebrations. In developing the commemorative calendar we have been re-visiting our history; those things in our past that point to our characteristics and values. I remember the late Bishop Jimmy Moore, who was our guest preacher at our 140th celebrations in 2003, commenting on how Bray Parish was always a place of ‘community’ and how delighted he was to see that unique sense of community still shining through. Another hallmark of our parish has been our pioneering spirit. It turns out that we were one of the first parishes to be involved or associated with a number of pioneering events, for example in the 1870’s we were among the first to set up a Girls Friendly Society. In the 1950’s we were among the first to run the Wells Stewardship Scheme. In the 1970’s we ran one of the first Flower Festivals and more recently the Narnia Festival and the subsequent Remembrance Festivals have moved us into a third characteristic, namely story-telling. This art of story-telling will be at the heart of our three exhibitions next year. Remembrance, 10th-17th November 2013; Christ Church Bray 150th , 14th July – 1st August 2013; Narnia 2 : The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 13th February (Ash Wednesday) – 31st March (Easter Sunday). This combination of community, pioneering spirit and story-telling allows us to express our faith and our identity creatively. The act and process of transforming Christ Church into the wonderful land of Narnia or the haunting fields of Narnia enable us to deepen our sense of community and common purpose. The pioneering spirit requires a certain amount of madness and a large dose of faith. One of our important mantras is ‘It’s not about success or failure, it’s about obedience’. We are called, actually commanded, by Jesus to go into all the world – to make the Gospel of Jesus relevant and real to this generation. The art of story-telling is a wonderful way to capture the imagination, to engage the cynical or exhausted heart and to transform lives through wonder and hope. There are times (more than I am comfortable admitting) that I wonder what it would be like not to take on these extra festivals and exhibitions. The safety and steady rhythm of everyday ministry and community are tantalizing. But then I think of this amazing voyage we are all on and I’m glad God has called me to a community that has a pioneering spirit and a passion for telling stories; a community that recognises that ships are safe in harbours but are made for sailing the open seas. Baden. Congratulations To the wonderful team who organised a great Parish Supper Dance at St. Andrew’s N.S. on Saturday, 16th June; to Rafe Alan Sloper who was baptised on Sunday, 1st July; to all who completed their state exams and are anxiously (?) awaiting results. Sympathy To the family and friends of Stephen Legg who died recently, especially his brother, Colin, and his great friends. Dates for your Diary Sunday, 5th August – 8.30am Holy Communion 2; 11.00am Holy Communion 2. Saturday, 11th August – 8.30am/9.00am – 1.00pm; Christ Church Bray Car Boot Sale Sunday, 12th August – 8.30am Holy Communion 2; 11.00am Morning Prayer. Sunday, 19th August – 8.30am Holy Communion 1; 11.00am Rite of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion 2. Saturday, 25th August – 8.30am/9.00am – 1.00pm; Christ Church Bray Car Boot Sale Sunday, 26th August – 8.30am Holy Communion 2; 11.00am Family Service. Wednesday, 29th August – 8.00pm Select Vestry Meeting in the Parish Life Centre. CASTLEKNOCK AND MULHUDDART WITH CLONSILLA Rev Paul Houston. Tel: 8200040 Curate: Rev. Victor Fitzpatrick. Tel: 8212218 Reader: Stella Obe. Tel: 087 2237402 Parish Website: www.castleknock.dublin.anglican.org Parish Office: Jennifer McGrath (Mon- Fri 9.30am-1pm - 8200040). Email: castleknockparishoffice2@eircom.net Review Distribution: Beatrice Richards (8382590). Castleknock National School: Principal Mrs Sandra Moloney (8202611). Dear Parishioners At the moment, we are busy organising our Bible Holiday Club for Children. This will be held on Monday 13th – Friday 17th August, in the Parish Centre, Castleknock. The proposed age groups are: 5-6 years, 7- 9 years and 10-12 years. Four-year-olds beginning school this September are welcome. The theme this year is ‘Sports Academy’. This is very topical with the Olympic Games going to be held in London. The week will consist of activities, Bible fun & learning, games, puzzles and adventure. The cost is €35 per child and includes all activities, refreshments and materials. Reductions are in place for two children (€60). I hope that the week will be well supported. We will have an all-age service on Sunday 19th August at 11.30am in St Brigid’s to conclude the week, with children involved. For more information please contact the Parish Office: 820 0040. Yours sincerely, Rev. Paul. Olympic Prayer The Church of England has released a special prayer for the London 2012 Games. It is hoped that ‘A Prayer In Preparation For The 2012 Games’ will spur on athletes, churches and anyone who is getting ready for the Olympics. The words, read in a podcast by British Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu at www.churchofengland.org, are designed to be used in church services or alone by worshippers of any faith in a spare moment. Eternal God, Giver of joy and source of all strength, we pray for those who prepare for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. For the competitors training for the Games and their loved ones, For the many thousands who will support them, And for the Churches and others who are organising special events and who will welcome many people from many nations. In a world where many are rejected and abused, we pray for a spirit of tolerance and acceptance, of humility and respect and for the health and safety of all. May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and forever. Amen. Services for August Sundays 5th August 8.30 am Holy Communion – St Brigid’s 10am Holy Communion – St Mary’s 11.30 am Holy Communion – St Brigid’s 8pm – Evening Prayer – St Thomas’s 12th August 8.30 am Holy Communion – St Brigid’s 10am Morning Prayer – St Mary’s 11.30am Morning Prayer – St Brigid’s 8pm – Evening Prayer – St Thomas’s 19th August 8.30 am Holy Communion – St Brigid’s 10am Holy Communion & Holy Baptism – St Mary’s 11.30am Service of the Word & Holy Baptism – St Brigid’s 8pm – Evening Prayer – St Thomas’s 26th August 8.30 am Holy Communion – St Brigid’s CHURCH REVIEW 25
AROUND THE PARISHES... 10am Service of the Word – St Mary’s 11.30am Holy Communion – St Brigid’s 8pm Holy Communion – St Thomas’s Please note that crèche facilities are available in the Vestry at St Brigid’s during the 11.30am Service. Holy Baptism St Brigid’s 17th June: Isabel Ann Booth & Aoife Kerrie Foran. St Mary’s 17th June: Sadhbh Karen Cadoo. St Brigid’s 23rd June: Hui Wang, Peng Li, Rebecca & Rachel Li. St Brigid’s 1st July: Nicholas Alexander Bielenberg. St Mary’s 8th July: Daniel Odimuko. We send our best wishes to the Parents and Godparents, and to the adults who were baptised. CLONDALKIN & RATHCOOLE Rector: Rev Alan Rufli. Tel: 087 9972401 Email: clondalkin.rathcoole@gmail.com Readers: Mrs Sylvia Armstrong, Mr Bill King and Mrs Barbara O’Callaghan. Services: Sunday – St John’s 8.30 am. H.C. and 11.15; Rathcoole 10 am Wednesday – St John’s 11 am. Holy Communion School News At time of writing the Teachers and Pupils of St John’s National School are on holidays. The year ended with a service of Thanksgiving in the church on Wednesday 27th June during which the school said goodbye to the pupils in 6th class who were moving on into Secondary Schools. During the service pupils in 6th class were invited to bring forward items that reminded them of their time in the school. It came as no surprise that one of the “items” was Mrs Margaret Pardoe who retired as Headmistress during the year. Happily for Margaret the pupils didn’t leave their items on the Chancel steps for the service. A large number of parents & guardians joined the regular congregation at this service to celebrate and mark another year in the life of our school. The School tours this year took the Infants, 1st & 2nd classes to the Rathwood Falcony in terrible weather, which seems not to have spoilt the day too much. The 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th classes went to Glendalough and to the Bowling Alley in Stillorgan. These tours were largely financed by a raffle held during the very successful Drama Night. Congratulations to all who took part. In June Team St John’s NS took on the might of St Maelruain’s NS (Tallaght) in soccer. The match was played in Moyle Park College and ended with a resounding victory for St John’s. Goals form Ali (2) – Lee (2) – Alex (1) & Junior (1) saw the final score 6 – 1. It was an all-round good team performance with Zalan, Hannah, Luke, Yasin, Jake, Busola, Hanora, Charis, Lee, Kluivert, Faruq, Victor, Alan & the goalscoers all playing well. Perhaps this squad should have represented Ireland at the Euros! The school reopens on the 30th August 2012. Mothers’ Union On Sunday 24th June our Branch held a very successful Tea Party in the church Grounds following the Service in St John’s. A large attendance enjoyed the party in glorious sunshine. Our thanks go to Godon and his team for setting up and taking down the marquee, tables etc. used on the day. This was part of the “Mums in May” celebrations organised to celebrate 125 years of Mothers’ Union in Ireland. Although celebrated late in Clondalkin Rathcolle it was well worth the wait. Clondalkin Village Festival Clondalkin Village held it’s first Festival on the weekend of the 30th June/1st July. As part of the attractions St John’s Church was opened from 2 pm until 6pm on Sunday. Over 400 people came to the church and grounds. Joe Williams, the local historian was on hand to point the items of interest in the grounds. Many favourable comments were made to the members of the Parish who manned the church during the afternoon. It is hoped that next year will see another village festival when we will have the opportunity of sharing our church and grounds with the people of our village. Congratulations Raymond Onwunali was awarded a bronze An Gaisce medal by Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children at a recent ceremony in Moyle Park College. During the ceremony Raymond was chosen to thank the Minister and the school. We look forward to reporting his Silver Medal ceremony at some stage in the future. And finally some thoughts about excerise now that summer is here I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing. My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60. Now he's 97 years old and we have no idea where the hell he is. I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. I do have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them. Every time I hear the dirty word ‘exercise’, I wash my mouth out with chocolate. CRINKEN CHURCH Rev Canon Trevor Stevenson. Tel: 01 2820150 Email: trevor@fieldsoflife.com Lay Reader: Stephen Gardiner Youth Worker: Neil Douglas. Mob: 087 6465281 Email: Neil@crinken.com Website www.crinken.com Seeking to share God’s love in our neighbourhood! A one week wonder or a fifty two week commitment? Well, both really, at least that is our objective. With this in mind the church embarked on an initial one week programme from 12-17 June in order to start making new connections into the community. Following a sermon series on the topic of ‘a church without walls’, what better way to carry this forward than to engage with people of our neighbourhood. Also, to that end, all events for the week would take place outside and as near to the public road as practicable. Having created a festive atmosphere with bunting, gazebos, and appropriate street-side music, our week commenced with serving free strawberries and cream to any passers-by who cared to stop at the roadside gazebo. Some partook, said thank you, took one of our programme leaflets and moved on; others stopped to chat; good connections were made. This was followed on Friday evening with a community BBQ, attended by approximately 200 people in spite of poor weather and competition from the European football tournament! This was also a great opportunity to connect with families of children who attend our weekly clubs. The ice-cream van and children’s games were added attractions to the relaxed nature of the evening. Come Saturday morning despite being novices, we ran a car boot sale with no charge for pitches or teas/coffees. Twenty seven cars were booked in and most had satisfactory sales, but all were agreed that the atmosphere of the occasion was a relaxed and pleasurable experience, many asking ‘will you do it again?’ Definitely! The culmination – and – highlight – of the week was Sunday service in the car park by the roadside. We were joined by some who had connected with us during the week and many other friends as we worshipped the Lord together. Fully equipped with outdoor PA facilities, we enjoyed the ministry of Crinken Gospel Choir. We were led in prayers for a variety of community and national needs by visiting community representatives. The speaker, David Williamson, told his amazing story of how God had twice brought him back from death’s door with full healing after two very traumatic events; he impressed on us how God’s grace is available to each of us. All that, followed by a picnic in the car park and much chatting left us with a warm sense of God’s blessing, not just that day, but all week. Praise the Lord. One other feature of the week was that instead of making charges for anything a facility was provided for donations to St. Vincent de Paul resulting in them receiving a total of €958 to support those in our neighbourhood affected by the financial strains of our times. Most important was the prayer ministry over the week as a committed group prayed for all aspects of the week and the Lord’s blessing on everyone with whom we connected. So now folks, the other 51 weeks?!?! Robert Thompson Crinken Kids It is hard to believe that summer holidays are halfway through, but we’ve been enjoying them!!! Summer holiday club ran from 30th July- 26 CHURCH REVIEW
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Page 8 and 9: From the desk(s) of 3Rock Youth…
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