may 2010
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The Family that Prays TogetherStays Together?Our Holy Week preacher, Charlie Combe, commentedon how we are very much a family in Carrigrohane Un-ion and many would agree with that. The Church as afamily is just one New Testament image that has muchto say about our life together.
Families are places where we are accepted for our-selves, make mistakes, laugh and cry together; wherewe are at our best and worst, and yet still can be for-given. In our families, we have the support to find ourplace in the world and God’s plan for our lives. Andthen appropriately for the church, the family that praystogether stays together. Well so the slogan goes.
Yes a slogan, not a text from the Bible! It was firstused in 1947 to promote on the radio, a CatholicChurch crusade. The problem is, it is just a slogan andI seriously question how many families “pray together”in the sense of actually getting together to pray. Hope-fully in our homes, an atmosphere of prayer is commu-nicated and we tell our loved ones that we pray forthem.
If the slogan has only a partial truth in everyday familylife, what about the church family? The church familythat prays together stays together? And here lies ourdifficulty, because, at the moment rarely do we createopportunities to do so. We have our intercessions onSundays and I’m sure many would pray personally dur-ing the week for the life of the church family. Some Iknow get together to pray as friends. But we havemuch to learn from the people of God in scripture,whose life together and mission washeld together by prayer.
For a week in March we dropped someof the regular activities and made spaceto allow God to work in and through us.A few gathered in silence in the churchbuildings -for the clergy it was good forus to have the added disciplines ofthese set times of prayer and do whatwe are called to be: intercessors for ourcongregations. A good number came forsome or all of the five hours of prayer,praise and listening to God. Journalswere completed with reflections onGod’s leading. Of course it was imper-fect, and we would do some things dif-ferently. But there was a very real sensethat God was with us in this week andthat as time unfolds, we will see moreclearly His plans and purposes.And that is just why we need to maintainour prayer life. So that we can see
CARRIGROHANE UNION OF PARISHESCARRIGROHANE UNION OF PARISHESSt Peter’s, Carrigrohane St Senan’s, Inniscarra The Church of the Resurrection, Blarney
www.carrigrohaneunionofparishes.iewww.carrigrohaneunionofparishes.ie
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those plans and purposes unfolding and thank Him forwhat He is doing. So I’ve set aside the times anddates below when I invite you to join me and cometogether for prayer. They are mainly on Tuesday butat different times and in different locations to encour-age all of us to drop in at least once during the month.We then come together at the end of the month fortwo hours of prayer, sharing of what God has beendoing, and celebration with contemporary worship.
I remarked at the Easter General Vestry (the annualchurch family business meeting) that we have a verygood mission statement but lacking specifics. Let usas His family, learn to pray together so we can beclearer about what God wants to do in the next whileand in doing so deepen our sense of family belonging.
CelebrationsWe rejoiced together as Alison Johnstone marriedDaragh Quill, and it seemed from being present inBaltinglass, that throughout Ireland there was a waveof delight for Ruth and Alan on their wedding daywhen the beautiful weather enhanced a beautiful oc-casion.
Feast for Holy WeekDuring Holy Week, the Rev Charlie Combe painted alandscape of the events of that momentous week andhis personality, prayerfulness and humility was a ser-mon in itself. He came with a message that was un-apologetically wrapped with traditional values of disci-pleship, the preaching of the Gospel, Christian livingand family life. And for this week many appreciated it,saturated as we are in a world of grey and politicalcorrectness. Here is one personal response:How Charles painted the reality of that week for Jesus
was incredible –so vivid, at times I feltI saw Jesus properly for the first timein my life and was moved beyondmeasure by what I ‘saw’For his part Charlie thanks us for
ministering to him. Blessing is alwaysshared.
ThanksTo everyone who led worship throughmusic and creative decorating for ourEaster Celebrations.
Select VestryThe Easter General Vestry saw a newSelect Vestry formed with a good mixof new and seasoned members. Weespecially thank the outgoing Vestry,and those who have “retired”, inparticular Dean Venables and KateDurrant for their service as ChurchWardens.
P.T.O.
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Carrigrohane Union Youth
May 2010
We had a really exciting Easter with a trip away to Ovoca Manor with a groupof 37 young people and leaders. We had a great time together doing all sorts ofstuff from zip wire to absailing to archery and learning more about God as theawesome creator and our Father, Jesus as our Servant King and the HolySpirit as our guide who equips and changes us. We really did experience theHoly Spirit at work in our lives as many of us grew significantly in ourrelationship with Jesus – praise God!!!
‘Glow’
From this September the age group for Glow is going to change to 4th to 6th class in primary school. This isbecause we are getting so many people coming to Glow we can’t fit everyone in and also because it is quite a bigage range to cater for together. We are really sorry for anyone going into 3rd class in September who was lookingforward to coming – we can’t wait to have you the following year!
‘Glow Max’Our next Glow Max is Friday the 30th April at 7pm. Anyone who will be going to secondary school this Septemberis welcome to come along.
We would really value your prayers as we prepare for the Youth Café which will be running in June, July andAugust and the Holiday Club 20-23 July. Please pray especially for enough leaders who love the Lord andwould be willling to help!
Dates until the summer:Glow: May 14th; June 18th ; Glow MAX: May 21st .
Sunday PM - 5.30-7.30pm every Sunday evening in theParish Centre
Summer dates:Blarney Holiday Club leaders preparation day 19th JulyBlarney Holiday Club, 20th—23rd July
Summer Madness, 4th—7th July New Wine Holiday Conference in Sligo, 11th—16th July
Scripture Union Camps & Holidays for 2010—see www.scriptureunion.ie, phone 01-2802300 or [email protected] for more details of family weeks, parenting weekends or camps for young people of10-12, 13-15 & 16-19 years old.
Matt’s mobile: 085 1080067Katie’s mobile: 085 1080030 SPANSPAN
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Parish Contacts:Rector: Rev Ian Jonas – 4871106 email: [email protected] or [email protected]: Ruth Jackson – 4383103 email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Parish Office: 4877260 (Mon-Fri mornings) email: [email protected] Workers: Matt Gould: 085 1080067 Katie Gould: 085 1080030 email: [email protected]
Parish website: Parish Website: www.carrigrohaneunionofparishes.ieWe change the answer machine message at the beginning of each week—and include the times of the services for the following Sunday.
Kingdom Engage …expressing“the kindness and love of God our Saviour …”
(Titus 3 v 4)
Prayer Focus for May: John Tyrrell and hisinvolvement with Church 21
John says,‘Church 21 is anIreland-wide pro-gramme of parishdevelopment. As afacilitator it hasbeen very faithstretching helpingchurches engagewith their changing communities as they sought,recognised and channelled their God given visionfor mission. Facilitating involves spending up to 2years with a parish to encourage, stimulate, chal-lenge and pray through the process with them.’
We are reading ‘The Guernsey Literary& Potato Peel Society’ by Mary Ann Schaffer for May.All welcome. Contact Fiona Giles 0872220419 for more details.
Some of us from Carrigrohane are already booked to go to‘Unstoppable’ – the Sligo
Summer New Wine conference from 11-16 July.We’re all booked in an accommodation block and peoplecan be added in singly or in family groups. Car sharingfor the journey is also a possibility. So if you’re inter-
ested, please get in touch with the parish office.See www.new-wineireland.co.uk for more details.Early booking discounts still apply until 31 March.
Urgent request!!!The Parish office would be very grateful if the
people who used boxes:54, 30, 28, 27, 23, 22, 21 & 31 (for 2009)
would identify themselves for the records. Just leave amessage on the office phone or drop us an email:
[email protected] YOU!
Ladies’ Guild/Mothers’ Union—about 14 peopleenjoyed a visit to the Life Time Lab & Coffee Shop, LeeRoad, Cork on Monday 19th April. We next meet at 2pm onSaturday 15th May in Helen Burke’s house for a get-togetherand our AGM. All welcome!
Please continue to pray for the guests and team—and for Father Billy and Ian as they lead the
course that is meeting in the Parish Centre onThursday evenings.
Also please continue to pray for the MarriageCourse meeting in the Parish Centre on Wednesday
evenings—that the guests find it valuable and enjoyable.
...continue to meet throughout theparish.If you’d like to consider joining a group(Tuesday evening, Wednesday morn-ing, Thursday evening or Friday eve-ning) - please talk to Ian or Ruth.
Coffee Morning & Cake SaleIn aid of The Hosford Foundation for Eradication of
Poverty in Kilembe, Uganda.At 5 Beverly Court, Ovens on Saturday 8th
May from10.30-12.30. All Welcome
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Useful Helplines to have to hand…• Console: 24-hour helpline offering support for those
bereaved by suicide 1800 201 890• 1Life: 24-hour helpline offering support and practical
interventions for the suicidal 1800 247 100• Samaritans: 24-hour helpline offering listening service
for the depressed, suicidal and lonely 1800 60 90 90• Aware: Helpline for those suffering depression. Mon-
Wed 10am-10pm, Thurs-Sun 10am-1am 1890 303 302• Childline: 24-hour helpline for children and teenagers
who are lonely, anxious or depressed 1800 666666• Treoir: National Federation of Services for Unmarried
Parents. Confidential advice available 9.30-5pm Mon-Fri on 1890 252 084
• Citizens information: confidential information on allstate services including welfare and legal rights 1890777 121 from 9am-9pm Mon-Fri
• National Office for Suicide Prevention: offers booklets,information on services, and details of how to contactregional suicide resource offices 01-6352139 or 016352179 office hours
The Church of Ireland Marriage Council is conscious ofeconomic difficulties for many families at this time, causingadded pressures on relationships. They offer subsidisedcounselling services to couples or individuals experiencingrelationship difficulties.Cork diocese contact: Deirdre Whitley 086 2612442
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Ian’s letter continued...Robert Devoy has stepped down as Glebe Warden, andrightly received warm applause at the meeting for his hugecontribution to the maintenance of all our buildings over manyyears.Blarney Evening ServiceFor some time there have been discussions about the eve-ning service in Blarney. For over 10 years the service was likea fountain of refreshment for many in and outside the Union,including Gail and myself when we used to come occasion-ally. In one sense it was an expression of worship that Godused for a season, for similar services in other churches haveevaporated or evolved into something different. And I say‘evolved’ deliberately, because the characteristics of thatservice are expressed broadly in the worshipping life of theUnion, especially the 11.00am United Celebration. Ruth and Ihave been looking at models of worship and prayer that ischaracterised by openness to God and where the gifts of theSpirit can be shared in a trusting environment ….and thismust be a priority.In the meantime, by way of experiment, we
are moving the Open to God service to theParish Centre during May and June on thedates below;Every blessing in Christ, IanChurch Family Prayer
For one hour – come and go as you wish.Tuesday 4th May 11.00am InniscarraTuesday 11th May 7.00pm Blarney.Tuesday 18th May 7.00pm St Peter’sFor two hours - come and go as you wish Friday 28th May8.00pm Prayer, Sharing and Worship in the Parish Centre.
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Stewardship/sustentation/collections (+8%) 129,096 60%
Tax Reclaim (+51%) 41,914 20%
Investment including interest (-33%) 9,339 4%
Rental (+55%) 8,494 4%
Special fundraising & donations (+41%) 20,750 10%
General (-21%) 4,041 2%
TOTAL €213,632 100%
2009 accountsWe give thanks to God and to everyone who has been involved in the finances of the parish during the last year.
Parish Income 2009(A decrease of 2.5% over 2008 figures, excluding 2008 Parish Centre Fundraiser—increase of 14.3%)
Parish Expenditure 2009(A decrease of 10% over 2008, excluding Parish Centre fundraiser, increase of 14.3%)
Assessment & Priority Fund (+12%) 132,592 63%
Buildings maintenance, running costs & insurance (-6.5%) 28,373 14%
Charitable giving (+23%) 19,756 9%Parish Administration (+0%) 21,390 10%
Ministry—literature, music, youth, clergy & youth expenses(-44%)
8,982 4%
TOTAL €211,091 100%
(Deficit) Surplus for year €2,541 surplus Vs (€15,353)2008 deficit
Parish 2009 finances were significantlystronger than 2008 and than what had been expected atthe start of the year. The overall result was a net surplusof €2,541 versus a 2008 deficit of €15,353. The im-proved performance was due to higher income receivedincluding a €10k increase in general giving and someone-off unexpected items such as a higher tax reclaim of€10k, an ESB rebate of €3.5k, and additional generaldonations of €5k.The youth programme had a total expenditure of justover €37k and was funded through interest income frombequest capital currently ring-fenced to support youthactivities. A net deficit for the year of €1.4k will be takenfrom capital and compares favourably to a deficit of €14kin 2008.The budget for 2010 forecasts a deficit of €15k as we willnot receive the one-off items delivered in 2009. This willbe funded from a cumulative parish surplus from the lastnumber of years. We need to continue to focus on tightcontrol of our expenses and place our prayers and trustwith God to deliver for the many worthy programmesunderway in the parish. Mick O’DeaCharity contributions were made to: Bishops Ministry Fund;Church Army; Mothers’ Union; Tearfund; British Legion; StVincent de Paul; Life Fm; Cork Christian Trust; BallincolligYMCA; Cork Simon Community; Welcome English LanguageCentre; Rita & Kevin Metcalfe; CPAS; Ministry of Healing;Church of Ireland Association of Deaf People; Mothers’ UnionOverseas; World Day of Prayer; Aid to Kosovo; Blarney Com-munity Playschool; Barnardos; Christian Aid; Bishops’ Appeal
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Tuesday 27th April10am-12 noon—Blarney Toddlers
Wednesday 28th AprilNo Marriage Course tonightThursday 29th April8pm– Alpha, Parish CentreFriday 30th April10.15-11.45am—Carrigrohane Toddlers7-9pm Glow Max, Parish Centre—Open Night for 6th class!
Tuesday 4th May10am-12 noon—Blarney Toddlers11am—an hour of prayer in St Senan’s, Inniscarra (come andgo as you wish)Wednesday 5th May8pm—The Marriage Course (3), Parish CentreThursday 6th May8pm—Alpha, Parish CentreFriday 7th May10.15-11.45am—Carrigrohane Toddlers
Monday 10th May7pm Property Committee meeting—Parish Centre8pm Select Vestry meeting—Parish Centre
Tuesday 11th May10am-12 noon—Blarney Toddlers7pm—an hour of prayer in Blarney church (come and go as youcan)Wednesday 12th May8pm—The Marriage Course (4), Parish Centre
Thursday 13th May8pm—Alpha, Parish Centre
Friday 14th May10.15-11.45am—Carrigrohane Toddlers7-9pm Glow, Parish Centre
Tuesday 18th May10am-12 noon—Blarney Toddlers7pm—an hour of prayer in St Peter’s, Carrigrohane (come andgo as you wish)
Wednesday 19th May8pm—The Marriage Course (5), Parish Centre
Thursday 20th May8pm– Alpha, Parish Centre
Friday 21st May10.15-11.45am—Carrigrohane Toddlers7-9pm—Glow Max, Parish Centre—Open Night for 6th class!
Tuesday 25th May10am-12 noon—Blarney Toddlers
Wednesday 26th May8pm—The Marriage Course (6), Parish Centre
Thursday 27th May8pm—Alpha, Parish Centre
Friday 28th May10.15-11.45am—Carrigrohane Toddlers8-10pm Prayer, Sharing and Worship in the Parish Centre(come and go as you wish)
Opening soon….the Youth Café is on it’s way for the summer—for all those of secondary school age, in the Parish Centre.
Carrigrohane Union of Churches ….Doing the Doable withJesus in the Church and Community
Sunday 25th April5.30-7.30pm Sunday PM in the Parish Centre
7.30pm—Open to God, Blarney,
Sunday 2nd May9am, Holy Communion, St Peter’s, Carrigrohane
10.30am Refreshments in the Parish Centre followed by11am United Celebration of Worship and bring and share lunch
to welcome Ruth & Alan home from their honeymoon(see newsletters in churches for details)
5.30-7.30pm Sunday PM in the Parish Centre
Sunday 9th May9am Morning Prayer, Carrigrohane
10am Holy Communion, Carrigrohane11am A Service of the Word, Blarney
11.30amn Holy Communion, Inniscarra5.30-7.30pm Sunday PM, Parish Centre
7.30—’Open to God’, Parish Centre
Sunday 23rd May9.00 am Holy Communion, Carrigrohane
10 am All-Age Service of the Word, Carrigrohane.11am A Service of the Word, Blarney11.30am Morning Prayer, Inniscarra
5.30-7.30pm Sunday PM in the Parish Centre7.30pm ‘Open to God’, Parish Centre
Sunday 30th May(no 9am service this week)
10pm A service of wholeness & healing, Carrigrohane11am A service of wholeness & healing, Blarney
5.30-7.30pm Sunday PM in the Parish Centre
Sunday 16th May9.00 am Holy Communion, Carrigrohane10 am Service of the Word, Carrigrohane.
11am Holy Communion, Blarney3.30-5pm Lighthouse, Blarney
5.30-7.30pm Sunday PM in the Parish Centre
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Ruth & Alan’shappy day!
We look forward towelcoming them home
soon—come to the bringand share lunch after theUnited Celebration in the
Parish Centre onSunday May 2nd.
‘Messy Fiesta’
with Lucy Moore, originatorof Messy Church.
The training and encouragementday on Saturday 24th Aprilwas great fun—and really
encouraging for those who cameto hear more about MessyChurch and share ideas !
Thanks to the Diocesan Councilfor Mission—and to Lucy !
Concentrate!!!
Enjoying lunch break and a chat...
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