The Rector writes…
This is a time of the year when we are all particularly aware of music and tradition. We all like to hear the familiar carols sung in church and by carol singers on the street, as well as classic Christmas songs played in shops and at par&es. However, you are probably reading this before 25th December and so are more correctly still in the season of Advent. One of the great Advent hymns is ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel’. The term ‘Emmanuel’ is a version of a Hebrew word which means ‘God is with us’ and it first appears in Isaiah. It is repeated then in the New Testament and applied to Jesus. ‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.’ Matthew 1:23 Think for a moment what this term means. I know it is hard to get your head around it. If you don’t fully understand, don’t worry, you are in good company. People have been thinking and writing about it for 2000 years! At its simplest we are saying that God knows what it is like to be in our skin. God is not distant and remote. God draws alongside us in a variety of ways through the Holy Spirit, but does so uniquely in Jesus Christ. God came among us, born into an ordinary family living in a remote outpost of the Roman Empire, just over 2000 years ago. Spend a few minutes thinking about this…You may wonder as to why he did this? The answer is again both simple and profound and can be summed up in one word. Love. Of course the child in the manger also grew up to become the man who taught, healed, prayed, provoked, served and blessed those with which he came into contact. In the end he was executed for his trouble but that was not the end, only the beginning of something else. That something else is part of what we are today – the Church. People down the centuries have assembled at the crib to worship the Christ Child and to remember the profound truth behind the title ‘Emmanuel’. You will find in this issue of our Parish Magazine, lots of informa&on about events and church services. I look forward to seeing you at some of them. As you listen to familiar words being read and hear well known carols being sung, may you know the presence of Jesus Christ with you, and those you love, at this special &me of the year. I end by taking this opportunity to wish you all a very holy Advent and happy Christmas.
Yours in Christ, Adrian
Posada
A Posada journey is taking place around the parish this month. Thinking back to how Mary and Joseph travelled to find lodging in Bethlehem, this South American traditon involves little figures travelling from classroom to classroom in our schools and into several Sunday School members’ homes in a journey towards the Crib Service on Christmas Eve. You may meet these little figures in friends’ houses and they may find their way to Parish events. Their story will be told on Christmas Eve when our focus turns towards the crib. A diary and some prayers accompany the Mary and Joseph figures. One of the prayers focuses on the homeless this winter: Lord Jesus, your parents searched for a bed to sleep in and some shelter for you when you were born. This Christmas we pray for those people who are homeless or hungry or who won’t receive lots of presents. Help us to be generous to them. Amen.
Jacqui Wilkinson
Parish Calendar 2016
A desk calendar featuring photographs by Darren Wilkinson of twelve of the stained glass windows in our parish churches, was available for sale at the Parish Coffee Morning on 7 November. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Douglas Credit Union, all the profits from the sale of this calendar went to parish funds to be divided between Douglas Union and Frankfield. Along with the calendar, a free guide to each window featured was available. We hope that understanding a li6le about the history and inspira&on behind the windows illustrated will enhance the apprecia&on of the calendar. Almost the entire stock of 100 calendars was sold out on the day of the sale. However, if there is sufficient interest a reprint may be organised. Please contact the Rector to place an order. They cost €8 each and would make an ideal Christmas present.
Whist Drives:
The Whist Drive season resumed in the Canon Packham Hall at the end of October. This month the special Christmas Whist Drive will be on Saturday 19 December. Whist players are welcome to come and enjoy a social evening beginning at 8.30 sharp.
Christmas Lunch
The annual Christmas Lunch in Blackrock Old Schoolhouse will take place on Wednesday December 9 at 1pm. This is the one occasion when booking is necessary. If you are reading this and have not already booked, please contact Joan Miller (4291937) or Annie Stephens (4292458).
HOME COMMUNION AT CHRISTMAS
Christmas is a &me when we are particularly conscious of the housebound. Each month Holy Communion is celebrated with a number of parishioners in their homes or in nursing homes. Please inform us if you would like your name to be added to the list or if you have an elderly relative staying with you for Christmas who might not be able to get to church.
Vacancy for Organist/Director of Music
An Organist/Director of Music is required for St. Luke’s Church, Douglas to:
• Play the organ at our church services
• Lead and develop our robed choir
• Work alongside the clergy to enhance the musical life and worship of the parish We are looking for:
• Someone who is passionate about developing worship within a Church of Ireland parish context
• An accomplished organist, with experience in directing a choir
• A well organised communicator and team player, who will encourage others Douglas Union is committed to the Church of Ireland Safeguarding Trust Policy.
For an application form, contact the Rector by email amwilkinson@eircom.net by Tuesday December 2015
Service & Sausages
It is a fact of life that Sunday mornings can be a time when there may be other activities on. Children play hockey, rugby and many other sports and have various hobbies which take place at this time. This is an unfortunate fact of life, but one nevertheless. To provide another option, we are going to hold a monthly service and sausages on the first Sunday of the month in St Luke’s Church, Douglas at 6pm. Of course, the service will be for children from all four parishes. It will comprise of a short service with a couple of well known hymns, some prayers and a very short address. It will be aimed at primary school children and be no more than 30 minutes long. In time we will have some guests to briefly talk to us. This won’t be possible without the help and support of parents both to encourage and bring their children. I also need help precooking and serving the sausages (vegetarian & pork!) and juice for after the service in the Canon Packham Hall. The first service will be held at 6pm on Sunday 7th February and I am initially looking for volunteers, (wonderful phrase!) for the first Sunday. My email address is dgd_bowles@yahoo.co.uk and my phone number is 089 2364969. I look forward to hearing from you!
Reverend David Bowles
Bishops’ Appeal for overseas aid and development
In our mailing to parishioners this Christmas, you will also find a Bishops’ Appeal envelope as usual. This is your means to give a donation to the Bishops’ Appeal for overseas aid and development. You can read more about the projects it supports by checking its website www.bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org Please give as generously as you can. The financial situation may be difficult here but this fund supports people who have to rely on the generosity of others for their most basic necessities because they are victims of conflict or natural disasters. Bishops’ Appeal does not engage directly in development work itself, but channels funds through agencies and partner churches that are already in place in areas of need. It is particularly active in the areas of health care, sustainable agriculture and education projects in some of the world’s poorest countries. Recently it has sent funds to help support agencies working with refugees and displaced people in massive camps in the Middle East and elsewhere. Please support this work by returning your envelope on the collection plate in church or by putting it in a stamped envelope and addressing it to one of the clergy or parish treasurers. We will see that it is included in our collection before the end of the year.
A. Wilkinson
The Curate writes….
We packed up our final bag, jumped into the car and set off for Cork from Bray, Co. Wicklow. It was a big daunting move, with many unknowns and a totally new life ahead. Included in the changes for us was a complete change of a way of life. As many of you know I have spent the last nine years of my life as an Assistant Accountant in an advertising specialist where I was very happy for the last nine years. Nevertheless, I believe that I was called to full-time ministry, and, happy as I was with my previous life and profession it was not my calling. I have not been disappointed. The welcome that we as a family have received in Douglas Union of parishes has been outstanding. I would especially like to thank the rector, Archdeacon Wilkinson helping us to settle in and also to the glebe wardens who on a very practical level assisted us in many ways to move in to our new home. It is an exciting time as I begin in my first role as a full-time minister amongst you. Already it is clear to me what an amazing privilege it is for me to lead worship with you and minister to you through the good and not so good times. I have visited a good few of you over the last couple of months, and enjoyed every moment. I hope to meet many more over the next while. I pray that we can journey together in Christ, bringing us to a closer understanding of his Word, and have an enjoyable time along the way!
God Bless, Rev’d David Bowles (Your new Curate)
You are invited to a Christmas Coffee Morning Christmas Coffee Morning at the Rectory on Friday 18th December. Just pop in anytime between 10.00am and 12.00noon. All proceeds in aid of parish funds and the United Society (which is working in challenging conditions to help the poor in Swaziland)
Hymn singing
Many thanks to those who came to learn new hymns and songs from Thanks and Praise in Blackrock and Douglas last month. If anyone is interested in learning more new hymns next year, or in singing old and / or new hymns on a more regular basis, please let me know. Florence Binions. 0861604544
Follow us on Twitter! The parish is now on twitter. For those who want to be kept up to date you can follow us @DouglasUnion
Was St Francis Wrong?
“It is said that St Francis told his followers to ‘Preach the gospel by all means, and if you have to, use words.’ If he ever said that he was WRONG. Language is just as important as lifestyle.” Bishop Nick Baines. What about the language of prayer? There are 7 people in our parish who prac&se a par&cular form of prayer – intercessory prayer for those who request it in &mes of illness or other challenge. Over the past 8 years we have been told many &mes that it has made a difference. We have even known some miracles. Prayer is not bringing a shopping list to God but bringing ourselves and those for whom we pray into the presence of God and asking that He will fill them with strength and courage, and heal them in whatever way is appropriate in their circumstances. If you are seriously ill or troubled and would like us to pray, simply pass a note with a first name and the reason for prayer to one of the clergy or post it in the box at the back of the church. We will pray for you every day for a month, and longer should you request it. If it’s for a family member or close friend, simply ask them if they would like us to pray before sending the note. Hazel Minion
Climate change is affecting subsistence farmers in Swaziland Jan writes from Swaziland:
“Reports from Swaziland tell of serious drought and high temperatures. In fact the situation here is described as a National Disaster. The media has reported that many families are losing their cows while other families are not able to plant anything. Most Swazis are subsistence farmers who grow maize and other crops to feed and raise their families while also rearing cattle to sell and educate their children. In Swazi tradition a man’s cattle reflects his wealth and most Swazis have a sentimental attachment to their livestock. It is for that reason that the death of cattle owing to drought is an emotional trauma to most families as well as financial ruin. A large proportion of rural households practice subsistence agriculture. About 66 percent of the population is unable to meet basic food needs, while 43 per cent live in chronic poverty. We have to ask the question is this drought and lack of rain a Swazi problem and are they the ones who caused it? “Last month was the hottest October in modern history and the first ten months of the year have also been at record levels, US government scientists said this afternoon. (18 November) The latest data means that 2015 is firmly on pace for being the most scorching since 1880, as global warming concerns mount ahead of key climate talks in Paris later this month. October marked the sixth month in a row that heat records were shattered worldwide, said the monthly report by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for October 2015 was the highest for October since record keeping began in 1880,” said NOAA.” The situation in Malkerns: The average monthly maximum temperature for Actual maximum average temperature in 2015 measured at the farm in Luyengo August: 23.8C⁰ August: 29C⁰ September: 25.4C⁰ September: 29C⁰ October: 25.4C⁰ October: 36C⁰ The average monthly rainfall in Malkerns for: Actual rainfall measured at Luyengo farm for: August: 20mm August: 6mm September: 44mm September: 12mm October: 98mm October: 38mm The situation in the Makerns Valley is exaggerated by the ongoing repairs to the canal, necessitating periodic closure. I went to see the very origin of the canal at the Usuthu river, 12 km from the farm. The river has practically no flow. Normally 50% of the water from the river is directed towards the canal. This canal feeds the entire Malkerns valley, all farms, all households and all businesses. The latest rationing proposals include the complete closure of the canal for periods of 2 weeks, that is if some rain will fall, otherwise there will be no water at all from the canal. At the moment the position is close to catastrophic. The farm is alive, but only thanks to the reservoir, and Tiekie’s careful rationing strategy.” Please support the Diocese of Swaziland as it continues to serve the people of Swaziland in these difficult days. From current publicity by the United Society about their work in Swaziland and reproduced with their permission. (See Coffee Morning above)
Coping with Christmas
The Irish Hospice Founda&on provides pastoral leaflets on a variety of subjects. A list of these can be found on their website www.bereaved.ie Recently I was send a copy of one called ‘Coping with Christmas when you are bereaved’. It was full of realistic, simple and practical suggestions to help those who are dreading Christmas because they have experienced the death of a loved one within the past year. I have ordered extra copies of this leaflet which I will leave among other the other pastoral resources that are available free of charge at the back of the churches. If you or someone you know would find this information helpful, please take a copy. A. Wilkinson
Book Club
The Book Club continues to meet each month. We started in September with coffee in the Maryborough House Hotel and a chance to swap books and chat about our summer reading. In October we discussed Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee with much lively debate. In November we swapped the Rectory sitting room for Douglas Cinema and a large group watched Brooklyn which had been our first Book Club choice several years ago. We have double homework now for December when we will meet on 8th to discuss Brendan Behan’s Borstal Boy and Terry Hayes’ I am Pilgrim which is a rare thriller choice for the group recommended by a member who had read it over the summer. We will meet again on 12th January with plenty of New Years’ Resolutions to read more and watch fewer box sets! New members are welcome. Contact Jacqui 0876404724.
Christmas Tree Sale
This has become an annual tradition in the parish as people buy their Christmas trees in the grounds of the Canon Packham Hall in early December. The trees are prepared and netted individually for customers. We thank Mervyn Sweetnam for supplying the trees and Uwe Schiller and his helpers who will be working hard on the day. So please come, buy your tree on 5 December in Douglas. All profits go to parish funds
St. Luke’s School Notes
Our “Class of 2015” are well settled into life at St. Luke’s. We welcomed 27 Junior Infants and 8 new pupils into various classes throughout the school in September. We also welcomed a number of temporary teachers: Ms Laura Phelan, Ms Therese McCarthy, Ms O’Toole and Ms Jean McCarthy. We were delighted that Ms Delia Hodne6 joined our SNA team. During the term we welcomed Ricky McMahon and Niamh O’Donoghue on teaching practice and Tara Cronin on TY work experience. Sonia Jermyn and Emma Wilkinson come to us every Tuesday from Ashton as part of their very worthwhile Community Ac&on Programme. We congratulate Bean Uí Mathuna on the birth of baby Saoirse, Ms Bryan on the birth of baby Orla and Ms Egner on the safe arrival of baby Róisín. Our very energetic Parents Association organised a very successful “CoffeeTo-Go Morning and Cake Sale” and raised over €800 for school funds. They hosted a very interesting talk for parents on Internet Safety by Sinéad Divine and organised a most enjoyable Halloween Disco for the pupils. They are presently busy preparing for their annual Christmas Fair and Gold Run. We have had various visitors to the school during this term. Cllr Chris O’Leary, our new Lord Mayor, Peter Stobart from St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and the London Brass Quintet all called to see us. Pupils have enjoyed taking part in the Food Dudes Healthy Eating Programme when they were encouraged to eat more fruit and vegetables. The pupils supported Enable Ireland in our annual Game Playing Day and enjoyed wearing their jerseys to school on the GOAL Jersey Day in aid of the Syrian refugees.
2015 saw a change in our Board of Management. We are extremely thankful to Mr Roger Flack, Archdeacon Wilkinson, Ms Olwen Anderson, Dr Ann Caird, Mr Shane Treacy, Ms Elaine Guinane, Mr Gordon Jermyn and Ms Sarah Jones for all their hard work and commitment to the school during their four years on the outgoing Board. We welcome our new board members: Mr Roger Flack, Archdeacon Wilkinson, Ms Olwen Anderson, Ms Helen Wilson, Mr Shane Treacy, Ms Anne O’Driscoll, Mr Gordon Jermyn and Ms Jenny Miller.
Dates for your Diary Sunday 6th December – Christmas Fair in the Canon Packham Hall, 12.30pm- 2.30pm
Thursday 17th December – Senior Carol Service in St Luke’s Church, 7.30pm
Friday 18th December – Junior Carol service, 12 noon
Retiring Organist Dermot Locke has informed the Select Vestry that he intends to retire as organist of St. Luke’s Church at the end of this year. This news was received with regret as we very much appreciate all that Dermot, assisted by his wife Valda, has done in promoting music in the parish for the last number of years. We are delighted to note that Dermot will be only moving a short distance in retirement, from the organ stool to the base line in the choir. He will also be available to deputise as an organist in some of our churches from time to time. We intend to say thank you to Dermot for all his work in the parish after the Carol Service in St. Luke’s Church on Sunday 20th December. Efforts at securing a replacement organist are now under way. An advertisement can be found elsewhere in this magazine, as well as on the parish and diocesan website.
Blackrock Brevities
Blackrock Old Schoolhouse continues to be a venue for varied activities, as well as School work. Damien Marry conducts art classes on Tuesday mornings, while on other occasions actor Jim Queally and fellow artistes practise their talents. A recent one-off event, prepared by our church organist Florence Binions, provided an interesting preview of the new hymn supplement. Then there is the Lunch, held on the last Wednesday of the month and providing a welcome get-together for people of all age groups and denominations. Started more than twenty years ago by Elma Moore and the late Hylda Loane, the same format con&nues under the supervision of Joan Miller and her team of willing volunteers. A nourishing three-course meal is provided for €7. This; with help from a sales table, provides a modest profit which pays for such items as church cleaning and the renewal of kitchen equipment. Proceeds of the Lenten lunch go to a cause of the Rector’s choice. Jack Forde is chancellor of the exchequer and heads the men’s table, doing his best to keep a lively lot in order. A regular patron is one of our oldest parishioners, Brian Bolingbroke, a veteran of World War II. Brian, by the way is not our only patron around the ninety mark. Esther Deane has just reached this state. Long may her needles continue to click, knitting baby jackets and other garments in aid of church funds. (At a recent coffee morning in Douglas crafts produced by Blackrock and Passage West raised €500 towards the excellent total of €5,200). The lunches are open to all ages and denominations. Recently we lost through death Eveline Catchpole, who travelled on two buses to get here; and Edwin Vincent, a devoted member of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. A few days before his passing Edwin attended the October lunch with his wife, Beryl, who is a faithful member of St. Michael’s Church Choir. Kathleen Comerford, a regular attender, has the good wishes of all who knew her in Blackrock. She has left Cork (her home for many years) to be close to relatives. At time of writing we look forward to the Christmas lunch on December 9.
Annie Stephens
Bible Studies
We continue to study John for Everyone by Tom Wright, which is very user friendly. Our last Bible studies this year will take place in Joan Miller’s home in Ballintemple on Wednesday 2nd December at 2.30 p.m., and in Carol Boylan’s home in Moneygourney on Thursday 3rd December at 7.30p.m.. Our fellowship night, which involves edible goodies, and carols around the piano, is on Wednesday 16th December in Carol Boylan’s home at 7.30 p.m. …all dv. We hope to resume in early January. Newcomers are welcome to join the Thursday group. Please contact me or the clergy if you would more information.
Florence Binions 0861604544
BADMINTON
The parish Badminton Club play in the Canon Packham Hall on Monday evenings from 8pm until 10pm. We don’t play matches but you will get a good game. The fee is small, it won’t cost you “an arm and a leg” but you will need both to play! New members are always welcome. – Ida Lee
Want to practise your Irish?
On the first Saturday of every month the Midday Eucharist in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral is celebrated in Irish. The prayer book used has parallel texts in Irish and English, so that even someone with no Irish can follow the familiar prayers and praises. Hearing them in another language can sometimes give new and unexpected insights. You will be very welcome!
Merry Christmas from all at The Boys’ Brigade
The Boys’ Brigade – 1st Cork Company Cork Company Cork Company Boys’ Brigade is for boys and Boys’ Brigade girls of all ages
The adventure starts here! Boys’ Brigade meet every Thursday evening during school term at Canon Packham Hall Anchor Section: 4 – 7 yrs Time: 6 – 7pm Junior Section: 8 – 11yrs Time: 7.15 – 8.30pm Company Section: 11years plus Time: 7.15 – 8.30pm
