The Rector writes……
This month our parish Sunday School groups resume after the summer break. There are active Sunday Schools in Douglas, Frankfield and Passage West and I know that all parishioners are very grateful to the leaders who run the programme in these churches during the year. In recent times we have seen a growing number of children attending services in St. Michael’s Blackrock. Hopefully if this continues, a regular Sunday School group will be reactivated there too. Sunday School registration forms are available with this newsletter and in the churches so that parents can register their children for the forthcoming year. Please fill it in and return to the leaders so that your details can be kept on file for this year.
In addition, we have an active Boys’ Brigade Company which meets every Thursday in the Canon Packham Hall. Despite its name, it caters for girls and boys. There are three sections for young primary school aged children up to teenagers. New members are always welcome and a short notice about its activities, as well as contact details is printed elsewhere in this newsletter for your information.
‘Just for Girls’ is a joint collaboration between this parish, the Methodist Church and other churches in the area. It is exactly as the name implies, an occasional event for girls only. It takes place a number of times throughout the year in the church hall at Ardfallen. Details of the autumn programme will be advertised through the parish or you can contact the Rectory for further information.
The Cork Diocesan Youth Council runs a packed programme of events for teenagers and young adults throughout the year. Last spring, Kristin Hollowell, the East Cork and Cork City Youth Coordinator, attended one of the confirmation classes in this parish where she had the opportunity to meet and talk to some of our younger parishioners. Recently she sent me information about the youth weekend in Cape Clear which runs between 23 and 25 September. If you want more information, Kristin’s email is eastcorkdyc@gmail.com Booking forms will be sent or delivered by the clergy to all those who were confirmed last year along with an invitation to attend. It really is a great weekend of fun and I recommend it highly.
So you can see that there are lots of opportunities for our young people to be involved in church based activities and events. All it takes is supportive parents and guardians to deliver their children and to encourage their involvement. While sometimes there may be minimal cost associated with events, this should never be an issue preventing involvement. I have funds available to assist discretely with expenses if required. Don’t say that there is nothing for children in the parish. There is so come along and get involved!
Yours in Christ, Adrian.
Schools re-open
As our parish primary schools reopen after the summer holidays, we hope that all the new pupils as well as new members of staff will settle in quickly and feel very much at home. Over the summer months there is often much to be done by school principals and members of the boards of management, thus ensuring everything is in place for the new academic term. We appreciate their diligence in this regard.
Harvest Thanksgivings: This year, services of Harvest Thanksgiving will take place in Holy Trinity Church Frankfield at 10.00am and in St. Luke’s Douglas at 11.15am on Sunday 25 September. At these services, we are looking forward to having the principal of The Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Revd Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, as our guest preacher. As we are a training parish for curates who are graduates of CITI, it is good to be able to have such a visit by the principal.
On 2 October we will celebrate Harvest Thanksgiving in St. Michael’s Church in Blackrock at 11.30. Here the guest preacher will be diocesan layreader Mrs Sabrina Cooke-Nivet. That evening, a weekend of celebrations and fundraising in St. Mary’s Marmullane will come to a conclusion when the Revd Peter Rutherford, the Rector of Kinsale Union, will be the guest preacher at the Harvest Service there.
‘Harbour Sounds’. This is the title of a special concert to be held in St. Mary’s Church, Marmullane (Passage West) on Saturday 1st October at 7.30pm. It features Fiona O’Reilly, John Spillane, Paula Mealy, Dan Twomey, Charlotte O’Connor, Denis Lane as well as the Monkstown Chamber Choir. Tickets are €15 and further information is available from the parish office. All proceeds will go towards the organ replacement project in this church. We look forward to having a packed church on this evening for an enjoyable and varied programme of music.
Parish Bowls Club: The Bowls Club reopens after their summer break on Wednesday 7 September at 7.45pm. They meet on Wednesday evenings in the Canon Packham Hall. In recent years the membership of the Club has increased and bowls nights are very well attended. The play is competitive but very good humoured! Parishioners who are interested in playing bowls are always welcome. Please contact the club secretary Jack Forde (Tel. 4291299) or any member for further information.
Parish Book Club. This group will resume again after the summer break in the Maryborough House Hotel on Tuesday 13 September, when the members will review their summer reading. Throughout the rest of the year, the Book Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month in the Rectory. New members, who enjoy reading, are always welcome. Contact Jacqui Wilkinson (4891539) for further details.
Culture Night. Each year a huge number of events and activities take place on Culture Night. This year as a parish we are participating with a special organ recital by Mark Slade. He will also give a brief talk on the history of the organ, built by James Jepson Binns (1855-1928) who was one of the most successful and prolific of the numerous Yorkshire organ builders working at the turn of the 20th century. The firm’s most distinguished work was produced between the 1890s and the First World War. The organ in St. Luke’s dates from this period. All are welcome to come to this recital on Friday 16 September, which like all events on Culture Night is free of charge.
Cork Girl’s Brigade. Past members of the 1st and 2nd Cork Companies of the Girls’ Brigade might like to note the reunion that is being planned for 23 October in Trinity Presbyterian Hall. As many girls from this parish were involved in the GB over the years, no doubt there will be a lot of interest in this event.
Douglas Slainte Toastmasters meets fortnightly on Wednesday evenings 8.00 to 10.00pm, in the Rochestown Park Hotel. We provide a platform for people to improve self-confidence through Public Speaking skills. Our next meetings are;- 14th & 28th of September. Contact;- Aidan Coakley 0868257224 aidancoakley@gmail.com
Old School Lunch: The monthly ‘last Wednesday lunches’ resume in Blackrock on Wednesday 28 September at 12.30. We hope that many people will gather for good food and conversation and take the opportunity to catch up with each other after the summer holidays. All are welcome.
Murder Mystery. Currently a cast is being assembled who will take part in a murder mystery wedding and it is anticipated that it will be held on 21 and 22 October in the Canon Packham Hall. This event is being organised by our curate Revd David Bowles. He writes… ‘we are looking for a cast for our Murder Mystery Wedding. There will be a reading for parts in the Canon Packham Hall at 8pm on Tuesday 6th September. All acting experiences welcome, from complete beginner to veteran, we need you. Parts for all ages from 18 to late 80’s. We really need your help to make this work! Any questions call David on 089 2364969 or email dgd_bowles@yahoo.co.uk’
SAFEGUARDING TRUST:
The aim of Safeguarding Trust is to put in place procedures to be followed to ensure a safe environment for the protection of children and young people from all forms of abuse. Safeguarding Trust helps to set high standards of care. Parents have a right to expect these standards as they entrust their children to the Church. It also safeguards those who work with children from the consequences of unfounded allegations.
Safeguarding Trust includes guidance on
- Areas of responsibility
- Recruitment, selection and management of parish workers
- Child protection reporting procedures
- Codes of conduct for workers*, children and young people
- Sharing information
- General safety and management
In the Church of Ireland in general and here in this parish in particular, we take seriously the recruitment of all leaders who work with children and young people. Despite improvements and the introduction of online Garda vetting in recent months, the whole process of interviewing, taking up references, Garda Vetting and Diocesan training can take some time, so it is always important to be looking ahead for potential leaders. Workers do not necessarily need to be parents of those children attending youth activities. They can be any adult who has gone through the required procedures and regulations. Therefore, we would love to have an initial conversation with any parishioner that may be willing to give of their time and experience in volunteering to help in this vitally important aspect of ministry within our parish. If you feel you have something to contribute, please do not by shy at coming forward.
The Parish Panel responsible for overseeing all aspects of Safeguarding Trust in this parish is made up of three people; the Rector, Sandra Swanton and Noel Locke. Their pictures and contact details are on display in all our parish halls and in the churches. If you ever have any concerns or questions in relation to child protection matters in this parish, please contact them in confidence. Their contact details are as follows:
Sandra Swanton: (021) 4294737 or (087) 2860505.
Noel Locke: (021) 4292781 or (086) 8321797.
Adrian Wilkinson: (021) 4891539 or (086) 1664805.
*worker means all who, at times, share in the church’s ministry with children.
- Wilkinson (Rector and Panel Member)
Anam Cara, the national organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its next monthly Parent Evening on Wednesday 7th of September from 19:30 to 21:00 in Brú Columbanus, Cardinal Way, Wilton, Cork (please note change of venue). This event is open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether the death was recent or not.
The next Select Vestry Meeting will take place in the Canon Packham Hall on Friday, 14th October at 8pm.
UTUMN FAIR in the Grounds of St Lappan’s Church, Little Island takes place on
Saturday 10th September at 2.00 pm. Plant/Garden Produce Stall, Cake Stall, “Bric a Brac” Stall , Children’s Corner and Teas. In Aid of The Church Restoration Fund.
Praying for our Parish.
Among your private prayers for your family and friends, and for your own personal walk with God, please, if you do not already do so, give a thought to praying for our parish. And what about getting together with others? Kay Allander has, as in the past, offered to host an evening for all who would like to talk about this and join with her in praying for our parish. “No previous experience necessary.” Or come and keep us company as we pray. At 12 Richmond Estate, Blackrock Road, 8-9pm, Tuesday 20th September.
The clergy and all who are involved with the direction of our parish, in music, Bible Studies, Sunday Schools, preparing our churches for worship, reading, assisting with Holy Communion, our Select Vestries, fundraisers and other volunteers can be supported quietly but importantly by your prayers.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it.”
