connect 2012 refresh weekend flyer for website
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REFRESH WEEKEND- your personal invitation!
OCTOBER 22—23Saturday 22nd :
• meeting in the Parish Centre from10.30am—1pm,‘A Church of a Different Kind’
• Praise Service in Blarney at7.30pm,‘Feet of a Different Kind’
Sunday 23rd:• Holy Communion in Carrigrohane
at 9am’Love of a Different Kind’
• Parish Harvest Festival inInniscarra at 3pm,‘A Heart of a Different Kind’
Ian writes...Everyone knows the value of encourage-ment. It is as vital to us as rain is to crops.The analogy breaks down of course when wehave too much rain! But we can never havetoo much encouragement. It has a way oflifting us so that we are ready to carry on forthe task ahead.Churches need encouragement in a worldwhich can seem hostile or at best indifferentto the message and to church. And if thechurch is to respond to the needs of theworld and have confidence to share thegenerosity of grace seen in Jesus,ENCOURAGEMENT IS ESSENTIAL. Theapostle Paul thought so “Thereforeencourage one another and build each otherup.” (1 Thessalonians 5 v11).Encouragement simply refreshes and this isthe gift being provided by the RefreshWeekend on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd
October when the Bishop of Kilmore, KenClarke and his wife Helen encourage us aswe take another step towards Connect 2012.It is also a time of thanksgiving with ourharvest festival in Inniscarra – there’s beenjust the right amount of rain!
Inside are a few words of encourage-ment from Ken and Helen….
CARRIGROHANE UNION OF PARISHESSt Peter’s, Carrigrohane
St Senan’s, InniscarraThe Church of the Resurrection, Blarney
www.carrigrohaneunionofparishes.ie021-4877260
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Bishop Ken & Helen write:We are so looking forward to being with you for Connect 2012 in February nextyear. We believe it will be a very special time in the life of the Parish andcommunity and we are excited to see what God will do.
Co. Cork is a very important place for both of us. Helen is a Cork girl, and herparents, Canon Raymond and Jean Good moved into retirement from CarrigrohaneParish. Bishop Ken had to go the length of Ireland, as far as Cork, to find a ‘Good’wife. He grew up in Holywood, Co. Down. They were married in Glanmire ParishChurch in June 1971. They have four daughters, four sons-in-law and five adorablegrandchildren.
They have served in parishes in Dublin, in Northern Ireland and in Chile with theSouth American Mission Society. For over 10 years they have lived in Cavanfollowing Ken’s appointment as Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. Althoughbased in Cavan, ministry opportunities mean they travel a great deal across theDiocese and further afield. They have spoken at missions and conferences indifferent parts of the world. This year Bishop Ken spoke at Keswick Convention.
Helen trained as a nurse and counselor/trainer. Her particular interest is inencouraging young leaders in their personal development and spiritual growth. Herfirst love is spending time with the family. They both enjoy reading and walking.Bishop Ken also plays some golf, supports Manchester United, and has a particularinterest in church growth and leadership issues.
For us, joining with you in February will be one of the highlights of next year. Thepreparations for Connect 2012 have already begun. A vitally important part of thepreparations will be the Refresh weekend next month in October. It will berefreshing. It will clarify vision. It will focus our plans. It will also be fun. We lookforward to seeing you at some or all of the Refresh events.
SaltmineTheatre
Company- joining us forConnect 2012in February !!
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Ordinary People—Sharing our Stories…Jim & Sarah Casey—chatting with Fiona McAuliffe
Fiona: How or when did you become a Christian?Sarah: My Dad was a Church of Ireland Rector (GordonPamment) in Cork, but there was no pressure to be regularchurch goers, I just was. I never had a lightning boltexperience but I've always believed in God. When we wereliving in Celbridge, we went to the Church somewhat irregularlyuntil we moved to Blarney. We began going to the Church ofthe Resurrection and the people were so friendly and open. At a service led byFrancis Rutledge and George Newell, I committed my life to God.Jim: I'm from a Catholic family in Waterford and my parents had a very strong faith.I always believed in God and went to mass, but my faith didn't go much deeper thanthat. Our welcome in Blarney, Inniscarra and St. Peters made a difference.Inniscarra was Gordon's old church so Sarah had connections, but the whole familywas welcomed even where people didn't know us. We felt there was somethingdifferent about the people of the Parish and we wanted to be part of it. I decided tocommit myself to God. I've since done Alpha courses and this year New Wine wasvery spiritually uplifting for our family. It was an intense week but we feel closer toGod.Fiona: Can you pinpoint times where you felt God was particularly present orworking in your life?Sarah: Our first baby (Eoghan) was stillborn and although this was a very difficulttime for us, I didn't blame God. In fact some good came out of such a sad time, wehave both had our wobbly moments but the support we got from family and friendswas incredible. Eoghan is a part of our lives and we all talk openly about him as afamily.Sarah: Also whenever we've needed things, they've just fallen into place.Jim: I was hoping to go on a trip to Uganda with the Healthy Vine Trust, but wewere struggling to afford the tickets. Sarah had a coffee morning and we managedto raise the exact amount needed. We think it was God, I mean what are thechances?Sarah: Another moment was my Dad's passing. It was very sudden (he didn'tsuffer), an answered prayer and he was able to stay at home doing normal things upto the end. He even went for his usual at BBs in Ballincollig the afternoon before hedied.Fiona: What aspects of Christianity do you struggle with?Sarah: I struggle with never having that lightning bolt experience of feeling God'spresence or hearing him like other people.Jim: I doubt a lot, but I feel that faith is a decision to believe.Fiona: How do you think your life would differ if you were not a Christian?Sarah: I think there would always be a gap and you'd miss out on a lot. It would belike losing your family.Jim: Most of our friendships wouldn't exist. Also our faith plays into the way we areas a family, we are very close. We wouldn't like not to be Christians.PDF Creator - PDF4Free v3.0 http://www.pdf4free.com
Parish Contacts:Rector: Canon Ian Jonas – 4871106 email: [email protected]
Parish Office: 4877260 (Mon-Fri mornings) email: [email protected] Workers: Matt Gould: 085 1080067 & Heather Lane: 0852744404 (Katie Gould: 085 1080030)
email: [email protected] website: www.carrigrohaneunionofparishes.ie
We change the answer machine message at the beginning of each week—and include the times of the services for the following Sunday.
Connect 2012…AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE in an EXCELLENT TEAMAnd we don’t just mean our invited speakers and drama group! Everyone one of usis a vital part of the excellent team that is crucial for Connect 2012 to be effective.So at the Refresh Weekend there will be opportunities to sign up to serve duringConnect 2012, anything from being a steward with a warm greeting, to baking,street witness, hosting and praying etc…
Connect 2012…AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A COMMON PURPOSEWe rejoice in the community life of our churches - we think we have somethinggoing for us. Whatever else, there must at the heart of it, be God and His Word. Soduring the Refresh Weekend we will be introducing a DVD series to take place inNovember, “For such a time as this”... as we see with Ian Coffey* how the ancientbook of Esther from the Bible has relevance to us today. If you have not been a to asmall faith group before - this will be an excellent starting point, while those familiarwith the scriptures will enjoy the freshness of Ian Coffey’s talks.* Ian is principal of Moorlands Bible College and a key note speaker at C of I Church 21events and New Wine etc
Connect 2012…AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVEThe aim of Connect 2012 is to witness to Christ and the Kingdom of God through ourcommunity life. We have built up much respect over the years, but many don’tknow us - and to cross the door of church buildings is a big ask. So Connect 2012will:• As much as possible take place outside of church venues• Use publicity to reach up to 10,000 homes.While being faithful to the timeless message of Christ, theGood News will be presented in creative and imaginative waysthrough our speakers and one of Britain’s leading dramagroups, the Saltmine Theatre Company.
This is an investment which prayerfully will have an impact for years to come. Likeall investments it requires funding and the Select Vestry have agreed a maximumbudget of €12,000 and invites contributions towards the costs. Already we havereceived a €1000 . Please catch the vision and give what you can – there will beretiring collections at the events of the Refresh Weekend or contributions can be
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