Vol 7.2 Feb - Mar 2004

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Dear Friends, Having moved from the Christmas season of forty days, which includes Epiphany and is completed officially on 2nd February with the celebration of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple or Candlemas as it’s otherwise known, we now enter a period of ordinary time marked by the liturgical colour green as we begin the countdown to another of the seasons of the church’s year, Lent. Lent is the chief penitential season for us as Christians and is about preparing for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ in Holy Week and at Easter. Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday 25th February gives us the opportunity to ask ourselves searching questions about our priorities in life, religious and otherwise. Most would agree that the well being of one’s personal life has a direct bearing on personal spirituality and sense of the spiritual self. So Lent is to be seized as an opportunity for growth, self-examination, reflection and reorientation towards a closer walk with God on our spiritual pilgrimage and in life. In order to help us achieve our aspirations a number of special services and events have been organised for these forty days. Lent The Rural Deanery Lenten series of services this year is entitled “The Cross he bore”. As in previous years it will rotate around the various churches in the Antrim Deanery and is followed by tea at each venue. The services are at 7.30pm. This is your opportunity to set aside some time each Wednesday evening for reflection in the context of worship. Please do come along and bring a friend or another parishioner with you. The series venues are as follows:- Ash Wednesday 25.2.04 Kibride Parish Church 3.3.04 St Patrick’s, Templelpatrick 10.3.04 All Saints’, Antrim 17.3.04 St Patrick’s, Parkhall 24.3.04 Ballyscullion Parish Church 31.3.04 St Jude’s, Muckamore

Daily in Lent Also during Lent as we have been doing for a couple of years, matins will be said Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in St Patrick’s. You are of course very welcome to come along to this brief office lasting approximately 10-15 minutes. The service will begin at 9.20am

Youth Worship The clergy of the Rural Deanery have continued to plan a number of events supported by the Building for Generations Strategy in the Diocese. An evening of praise and worship will take place in Connor Parish Church on Sunday 4th April at 6.00pm. Young people especially are encouraged to attend. It has been planned by clergy and young people of the Rural Deanery and should prove to be an uplifting evening with contemporary music and is followed by refreshments in the Parish Hall.

Wedding Preparation Classes for those intending to be married this year will commence in Clotworthy Arts Centre Antrim on Tuesday 3rd February from 8.00pm - 9.30pm with a tea/coffee interval. Those intending to be married this year and haven’t already made themselves known to me are asked to get in touch as soon as possible. All couples have been asked to undertake these worthwhile classes before getting married. Running for consecutive evenings they include the following topics: Introduction to Christian Marriage; Finance; Relationships; ‘Christian Guidelines’ evening. Couples intending to be married should be aware of the new rules governing the registration of marriages.

BCP 2004 Orders for the new book are now being taken by the Churchwardens in St Patrick’s and St John’s. As you will have read in the last issue of the magazine, the weekly notice sheets and the Church of Ireland Gazette, this book will become the new legal standard of worship for the Church of Ireland this year. A Diocesan launch will take place on Ascension Day, Thursday 20th May (venue to be decided) and is expected to be in use in parishes from Trinity Sunday, 6th June.

Adult Confirmation Classes It would be my intention if there is the demand, to hold a series of confirmation classes for adults during Lent. Anyone who is interested or just curious please speak to me and I would be more than happy to have a chat with you about this. I am anticipating some demand and look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours in Christ, Stephen Fielding

BCP 2004 Pew editions of BCP 2004 can now be ordered at £11.99 (including 20% discount if you order through the parish now) The parish will be buying these early, in a

quantity, to obtain the discount. The Select Vestry are asking parishioners that they might consider buying their own copy and perhaps donating a copy to their parish to help

meet the considerable expense of the Church of Ireland’s new Prayer Book which will become the legal standard of worship in June this year. If you would like a pew edition (or

a presentation pew edition £15.99) of the Book of Common Prayer 2004 please speak to the churchwardens soon. Colour illustrations of the BCP 2004 are on the clip rail at the

back of the Church in St Patrick’s.

Words of introduction to a service order for the beginning of Lent:- “ I invite you to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer

and fasting, and self-denial; and by the reading and meditating on God’s holy word.”

Swedish Link Our link parish in Västerviik have appointed a new chief Rector (Kyrkoherde). Her name is Britt Alf. Those of you who travelled with us to Sweden should remember her - she officiated at the Evensong in the chapel in the cemetery on the Saturday evening. She was also on the video that Gunnar & Sven-Allan brought on their first visit to NI. She is in her fifties and has served in Västerviik for over 15 years. She is very much loved in church circles there, especially for her warmth and compassion at funerals, marriages and the like. Please remember her in your prayers, especially for her Inauguration Feast (which is what they call it in Sweden!) which is on Sunday February 1st, and which, following Västerviik's kind invitation, will be attended by our very own rector, Stephen, accompanied by Brian McMeekin. We wish them well on their travels!

Steve Laird

The United Parishes of Templepatrick and Donegore Diocese of Connor

www.templepatrick.connor.anglican.org

THE PARISH DIRECTORY WHO'S WHO AND WHO TO CONTACT

Rector The Rev.Stephen A Fielding B.Sc.,B.Th., M.A.

The Vicarage,926 Antrim Road,Templepatrick,Co.Antrim, BT39 0AT

028 94432300 E-mail: templepatrick@connor.anglican.org

CHURCH OFFICE BEARERS

Rector's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's) Mrs M Walbridge 4 Broadacres, Templepatrick. Tel:94432795 People's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's) Mr D.Mawhinney 26 Burnside Road, Dunadry Tel:94433208 Rector's Churchwarden:(St.John's) Miss Y Hutchinson 74 Ballymena Road,Doagh Tel:93340613 People's Churchwarden:(St.John's) Mrs M Bell 2 Mossgrove Park,Newtownabbey Tel:90833300 Rector's Glebewarden:Mr R Barnes 47 Clady Road,Dunadry Tel:94432183 People's Glebewarden: Mr M Cooke 44 Rathmore Road, Dunadry. Tel:944433183 Supplemental Glebewarden: Mr S Clendinning Tel:94432523 Select Vestry: (Meets 2nd Monday in month at 8pm) Mr R Barnes,Mrs R Barnes,Mrs M Bell,Mr H Cinnamon,Mr S Clendinning,Mrs M Coe,Mr M Cooke,Miss Y Hutchinson,Mr J Jones,Mr C Lundy,Mr D Mawhinney,Mr T Michael,Mr S McCollam,Mrs I McCollam,Mr B McMeekin,Mr N Shirley,Mr A Walbridge, Mrs M Walbridge Honorary Secretary: Mrs M Bell 2 Mossgrove Park,Newtownabbey Tel:90833300 Honorary Treasurer: Mr N Shirley 23 Kingscourt,Templepatrick Tel:94432597 Honorary F.W.O. Recorder and Envelope Secretary: Mrs I McCollam, 7 Lylehill Road Tel:94432734 Covenant Secretary: Mrs P MacKean, 51a Loughanmore Road. Diocesan Synodsmen: Mr E.Cinnamon,Mr H.Cinnamon PARISH PANEL:- The Rector; Mrs M Bell; Mr S Clendinning; Mr M Cooke

‘Building For Generations’ & Swedish Link Rep: Mr S Laird Tel:90825368 Sacristan: Mrs R Barnes Tel:94432183 Hall Secretary: Mrs I McCollam Tel:94432734 Church of Ireland Gazette Secretary: Mrs M McConnell Tel:94432560 Bible Study Notes Secretary: Mrs D Lucas Tel:90825737 Christian Aid Secretary: Mrs L Lynas Tel:94433363 Parish webmaster: Mr A Walbridge Tel:94432795 alan@walbridge.co.uk Magazine Producer: Mrs Gail McCoy Tel:94432782 gail.mccoy@gallaherltd.com

***

Parish organisations and their leaders:-

Choir: Practices on Thursdays at 8pm Organist and Choirmistress: Mrs M Irvine, Killead Rectory,Aldergrove,Crumlin. Tel:94453532 Sunday School: Co-ordinators:Mrs G McCoy;Mr B McMeekin. Leaders:Mrs V Brady,Mrs D Gaffney,Miss R Laird, Helpers:Miss C Lucas, Miss S McCollam Creche: (Sundays) Mrs Judith Collister Tel:93341644, Mrs Julia Fielding Tel:94432300 Youth Group: Dr Philip Lusty Tel:94432761, Mrs Valerie Brady Tel:94433003 Youth Organisations Choir: Practices on Thursdays at 8pm Rainbow Guides (4-7 years): Tuesdays 2.15-3.15pm Mrs Ann Forsythe Tel:93340709; Mrs D Reid Tel:94433712 Brownies (7-10 years): Wednesdays 6-7.30pm Miss Elaine McConnaughie Tel:93341204 Guides (10-14 years): Wednesdays 7.30-9.00pm Mrs Ann Forsythe Tel:93340709 Squirrels (4-6 years): Thursdays 4-5pm Mrs C Michael Tel:94433123 Beavers (6-8 years): Mondays 6.30-7.30pm Mrs C Michael Tel: 94433123 Cub Scouts (8-10years): Tuesdays 6.45-8.00pm Mr Alan Martin Tel:94433943 Scouts:(10+ years): Mr P Lawther Tel:94432628 Parents and Toddlers Group: Wednesdays 10.30am-12noon Mrs H Cunningham Tel: 93323034 Adult Organisations Choir: Practices on Thursdays at 8pm Indoor Bowling Club: Fridays 7.30pm Secretary: Mrs I McCollam Tel:94432734 Ladies Fellowship: 3rd Tuesday in the month at 8pm.Secretary: Miss A Kerr Parish Ramblers: meet occasionally

***

Junior Sunday School Last January I was confirmed and I decided to do something for the church. As I enjoy being with young children, I offered

to help with Sunday School. Since then I have been teaching and doing many interesting things with Junior Sunday School. Each week we look at a different Bible story and take part in a fun activity. I have really enjoyed helping with Sunday School and getting to know lots of boys and girls and I would like to thank the Rector and Gail, our co-ordinator, for giving me this opportunity. Catherine Lucas What is Junior Sunday School? The Junior Sunday school in Templepatrick Parish Church takes place during the Church service. The Children learn fun facts about God and Jesus and how Jesus had the power to heal people. They work through a booklet simplifying the details into easy, understandable steps and with the help of the Sunday School teachers they remember important details by doing various activities. Every week the Children leave the Church rooms feeling more educated about the love and care from God and Jesus to themselves. They will begin to understand the way in which Jesus lived, how much God cared for Him and why He died for us! Stephanie McCollam (The above views and observations of Junior Sunday School were made by Stephanie McCollam, who is currently helping at Junior Sunday School as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award.)

Youth Fellowship The Youth Fellowship group will meet in the Church Rooms on the following dates:- 22nd February 29th February Dates in April will be announced in church Time : 2.30 to 4.30 pm Come along and bring a friend - the craic is mighty! Philip Lusty

United Parishes of Templepatrick & Donegore

Select Vestry

presents

G l a r r y f o r d Y F C

in

“Quinns Secret” by George Shiels

in the Parish Hall, on Saturday 14th February 2004

at 8.00 pm Doors open 7.30 pm Tickets - £5.00

Safeguarding Trust

In accordance with the recommendations in ‘Safeguarding Trust - The Church of Ireland Code of Good Practice for Ministry with Children’, a Parish Panel has been appointed (operating since June 1998) to implement some of the responsibilities identified in the Code. The Panels responsibilities include: - interviewing persons willing to serve as workers in the parish - advising workers on their responsibilities in respect of the Code - advising the Select Vestry in respect of its responsibilities - being an immediate contact point for workers when a suspicion, complaint or allegation of child abuse is made about a worker or on parish premises in accord with the procedures set out in these guidelines. The Parish Panel Members are:- The Rev. S A Fielding, 926 Antrim Road, Templepatrick Tel:028 94432300 Mrs M Bell, 2 Mossgrove Park, Glengormley Tel:028 90833300 Mr S Clendinning, 14 Kilmakee Road, Templepatrick Tel:028 94432523 Mr M Cooke, 44 Rathmore Road, Dunadry Tel:028 94433183

______________________

Notes for next issue of the Parish Magazine are due on:-

Wednesday 10 March 2004

Contributions from all parish organisations would be very welcome.

Rotas

St Patrick’s

Intercessor Rota for Parish Eucharist

February A Cooke March W Brolly

Communion Rota

February Younger Parishioners March Mr T & Mrs C Michael

Cleaning Rota February A Cooke, O Erskine, M Montgomery March C Michael, R McCoy, G McCoy

Flower Rota

February 1st Vacant, 8th, 15th & 22nd E Smyth, 29th Lent

March 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th Lent

St John’s

Communion Rota

February Mrs McElhinney & Mrs Finlay March Churchwardens

CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY 2004 - MARCH 2004 1.2.04 Epiphany 4 8.30am Holy Communion; 11.30am All Age Worship Old Testament Jer 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 Epistle 1Cor 13:1-13 Gospel Luke 4:21-30 8.2.04 Septuagesima 3rd before Lent 10am Parish Eucharist; 11.30am Matins Old Testament Isa 6:1-8,(9-13) Psalm 138 Epistle 1Cor 15:1-11 Gospel Luke 5:1-11 15.2.04 Sexagesima 2nd before Lent 8.30am Holy Communion; 11.30am Parish Eucharist Old Testament Genesis 2:4b-9,15-25 Psalm 65 Epistle Rev 4 Gospel Luke 8:22-35 22.2.04 Quinquagesima. Sunday next before Lent Transfiguration 10am & 11.30am Matins Old Testament Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 Epistle 2Cor 3:12-4:2 Gospel Luke 9:28-36,(37-43) 25.2.04 Ash Wednesday 10am Holy communion Old Testament. Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17 or Isa 58:1-12 Psalm 51:1-17 Epistle 2Cor 5:20b-6:10 Gospel Matt 6:1-6, 16-21

29.2.04 1st Sunday in Lent 11.30am United Parish Eucharist (5th Sunday in month) Old Testament Deut 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2,9-16 Epistle Rom 10:8b-13 Gospel Luke 4:1-13 7.3.04 2nd Sunday in Lent 8.30am Holy Communion; 11.30am All Age Worship Old Testament Gen 15:1-12,17-18 Psalm 27 Epistle Phil 3:17-4:1 Gospel Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36 14.3.04 3rd Sunday in Lent 10am Parish Eucharist; 11.30am Matins Old Testament Isa 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 Epistle 1Cor 10:1-13 Gospel Luke 13:1-9 17.3.04 (Wednesday) St Patrick’s Day 10am Patronal Festival Eucharist 21.3.04 Mothering Sunday (4th Sunday in Lent) 8.30am Holy Communion; 11.30am Parish Eucharist Old Testament Exodus 2:1-10 Psalm 34:11-20 Epistle 2Cor 1:3-7 Gospel Luke 2:33-35 28.3.04 5th Sunday in Lent 10am & 11.30am Matins Old Testament Isa 43. 16-21 Psalm 126 Epistle Phil 3. 4b-14 Gospel John 12:1-8

LADIES FELLOWSHIP There was an extremely good turnout for the November meeting. A presentation by Mrs Christine Cuthbertson of her experiences when she walked/hiked the Great Wall of China, in aid of charity. A fascinating talk by Christine, she held the attention of all present.

In December a group of 13 members spent a quiet evening at Coleman’s, viewing the Christmas decoration display, which included a seasonal floral demonstration by Mrs Marretta Coleman. To round off the evening we retired to Barnaby’s Restaurant for supper. Forthcoming activities:

FEBRUARY On Tuesday, 20th, Mrs P Wallace, All Ireland President of the Mothers’ Union (MU), will give a Presentation titled, “Around the world, around the corner”. The purpose of this subject is to give us a greater awareness of the work undertaken by the MU. All ladies of the Parish are very welcome to attend.

MARCH Friday 5th, 8.00 pm - Women’s World Day of Prayer at Kilbride Parish Church. Sunday 7th – Bishop’s Appeal – Soup and Cheese Lunch. Tuesday 16th – Presentation by Mrs H Semple, subject “Camphill Community” followed by the AGM. Ann Kerr (Hon Secretary) Tel: 9443 3459 Parking outside St Patrick’s It has been suggested that I bring the following to your attention. Please note that if you choose to park outside St Patrick’s, Templepatrick you should leave enough room for pedestrians or childrens’ buggies to pass on the inside. Many thanks for your continued co-operation. The Rector

St Patrick’s & St John’s Bowling Club The bowling club continues to meet on Friday evening from 7.30 pm

– 10.30 pm and Monday evening from 8.00 pm – 9.30 pm. Since our last magazine we have had our Christmas party night on Friday 19 December 2003. The winner on the evening received a turkey, with lots of prizes for other members. Our ‘Annual’ concert will be in March, date to be finalized. Our second visit to the Baker Stadium will be sometime in March, were we will bowl for 2 hours and afterwards have a meal and refreshments. New members would be made most welcome. Isobel McCollam (Hon Secretary)

O r g a n i s i n g y o u r W e d d i n g

Weddings are very special occasions in the life of any family and in the

life of the church. When considering getting married please check possible dates with the Rector before confirming arrangements.

It is expected that couples will make a regular commitment to the life of the church in preparation for marriage.

An annual Rural Deanery marriage preparation course takes place every year in February which ‘intending’ couples are asked to attend.

Culled from real church bulletins, these amusing gaffs almost

(that's almost) inspire us to attend church some time. (Almost!)

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict. The sermon this morning is "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight is "Searching for Jesus." Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get. Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered. Miss Charlene Mason sang "I Will Not Pass This Way Again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. The cost for attending this week's "Fasting and Prayer" conference includes meals. Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10:00. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done. Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Please use the back door. Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch. This evening there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons. The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility.

*** - Those without a sense of humour are at the mercy of the rest of us! -

New Daylight Bible Reading Notes By now you will, if you’re like me, probably have broken all your brave New Year resolutions. Perhaps this is the year when you could resolve to do something different, which could really help change your life. Maybe 2004 is the year you get to grips with your bible reading on a daily basis. We are all so fortunate in this part of the world to have not one but probably several copies of the bible sitting on our bookshelves. Unlike the Chinese Church, where estimates suggest that less than half of China’s 60-90 million Christians have their own copy of the Scriptures. We are indeed fortunate to have God’s word so freely available to us. I know it can be difficult not only to find the time but to really understand some biblical passages and their relevance to our 21st century lifestyle. It was with this in mind that I started to use the New Daylight notes while I was a member of St Mark’s Church, Dundela, that was way back in 1990. I was very pleased when in 1998 Rev Fielding asked me to look after the distribution of these same bible notes in our church. Since leaving St Mark’s I had fallen behind with using the notes, so it was good to start again with them and to find my spiritual walk with the Lord has grown so much deeper thanks to that. Since then there has been a small but faithful bunch of parishioners who use these notes. I hope they have found them as helpful and encouraging as I have.

The New Daylight notes offer four months of daily bible reading and reflection, provided by an excellent team of writers, who present a bible passage, helpful commentary and a prayer or thought for the day ahead. These notes or in fact any of the many commentaries widely available, give us a greater understanding of God’s word. It is from reading and studying the Scriptures that enables men and women ‘to know Jesus Christ more clearly, to love him more dearly and to follow him more nearly’. I hope that you might take up this challenge for 2004. Daphne Lucas Tel: 9082 5737

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

Becoming a Registered Vestrymember Notice is hereby given that the Register of General Vestrymen is open for revision from Sunday 1st February until Monday 9th February, 2004. Persons wishing to qualify as Registered Vestrymembers should complete the necessary form, available from a Churchwarden, and return it to the Churchwarden(s) NOT LATER THAN 9th February, 2004. Forms of Declaration may be had, upon request, from the Churchwardens. Persons already registered do not need to re-register. Please check the existing list of Registered Vestrymen in the church porch if you are in any doubt. Revision will be completed and the list closed by the Select Vestry at its meeting on Monday 9th February 2004 in the Minor Hall at 8.00pm. Signed: Stephen Fielding Rector

To qualify you must be: A member of the Church of Ireland Over 18 years old A parishioner or accustomed member - (and not on any other parish register of vestrymembers) A Subscriber to Church funds Registering your name on the Register of Vestrymembers entitles you to be elected to the Select Vestry and to a vote at the Easter AGM when, from among the members, the Select Vestry is elected for another year. Registering does not mean that you will automatically be a member of the Select Vestry, which meets monthly and whose terms of reference are furnishings, fabric and finance. Your presence at this meeting is valued and expresses your support for the Select Vestry’s work throughout the year.

BFG Course The Diocese of Connor Building for Generations program has been running various courses for both clergy and laity under its newly appointed training co-ordinator, Peter Hamill. I attended a lay visitor training course entitled Pastoral Care in a Mission Context for 8 weeks from October 20th 2003. The course was held in St Paul’s Church, York Road and our tutor was Captain Isaac Hanna of the Church Army. I found it a most interesting and rewarding experience as it gave an opportunity to look at how we can reach out through visiting others. It was good to meet other parishioners from the Diocese; there were participants from Kilbride Parish, Greenisland, Lambeg, Lisburn and St Paul’s. Captain Hanna was an excellent and very enthusiastic Lecturer. Some of the issues we looked at were – What is Pastoral care? Pastoral care in the context of Mission, sickness, healing and salvation, also in coping with bereavement. We looked at special groups with disabilities and how to improve communication skills. The course concluded with a very special Service of Commendation in St Paul’s led by Bishop Harper and attended by family members and various Rectors. I felt the course was very worthwhile and I look forward to putting what I learnt to use in the parish. Daphne Lucas (Queries on BFG should be directed to Mr Steve Laird – see Parish Directory)

Anyone who would find it useful to have a large print Hymnal for worship,

please speak to the Churchwardens, as there are now some available

for those who have difficulty reading the standard print.

If you are interested in the possibility of a large print copy, please

speak to Mr H Cinnamon.

COLEMAN’S GARDEN CENTRE 6 Old Ballyclare Road, Templepatrick

For further information Tel: 028 9443 2513

Garden Centre Opening Hours - Mon – Sat 9am – 5.30pm Sunday 1pm – 5.00pm

F u t u r e E v e n t s

14 February Farmers/Country Market 9am – 1pm 13 March Farmers/Country Market 9am – 1pm 28 March Daffodil Show 1pm – 5pm 10 April Farmers/Country Market 9am – 1pm 24 April Farmers/Country Market 9am – 1pm

Antique Fairs:- 7 & 8 February, 17 March, 12 & 13 April Festival of Art - 12 – 20 March

International Wealth Management

Steve Laird FLIA(dip)

For expert advice on:

Capital Investment

Tax Avoidance

Spanish Property

Retirement Planning

73 Long Rig Road, Nutts Corner, BT29 4YX Tel / Fax: 028 9082 5955 / 5975

Mobile: 07739 390472 e-mail : SteveLairdFLIA@aol.com

McCOLLAM (Heating and Plumbing) Ltd

Boiler Service, Boiler Replacement

Oil Tank Replacement Bathrooms, Shower Speciality

Complete Oil-Fired Heating

7 LYLEHILL ROAD, TEMPLEPATRICK, CO ANTRIM, BT39 0EN Tel/Fax: 028 9443 2734

Specialists in Small Business Accounts Audit and Accountancy Book Keeping Personal Taxation VAT Returns Self-Assessment Wages & PAYE

T V Michael BA FSCA MBIM ACIM AIPA

4 Knightswood, Templepatrick, Co Antrim, BT39 0AX

Tel/Fax: Templepatrick (028) 9443 3123 e-mail: tvmichael@nireland.com

TV Michael & Co

A c c o u n t a n t s

The Internet www.templepatrick.connor.anglican.org A special welcome to those new to the computing community as a result of Christmas gifts. Even those who could be classified as “silver surfers” can find much to interest them on the internet.

Apart from out parish website, there is now the diocesan website that was recently launched and is nearly over its first stumbling steps. All you need to know about Connor can be found at http://www.connor.anglican.org/

It is still developing so any comments, suggestions or mistakes spotted would be welcome to those who maintain the site. I will gladly pass on anything you bring to my attention. Please be free with your criticism as there is a lot still to be done with the site. However it is a good place to find out what is happening and what is planned for the future. Of course if we don’t let them know what WE are doing then they cannot publicise it. So organisations running events need to let them, or me, know when publicity is required.

On the site you will find sections on

Diocese A-Z, News and Events, Connor Youth/Training, Building for Generations, Connor Organisations, Resources, Connor In Mission, On-Line Ministry

Within each of these is more information. For example under Resources there are sections on

Fund Raising, Sales/Wants/Exchange, Are You an Office Holder, Church Music, Vacancies

The deeper you delve the more you may find of interest to you. Well worth spending some time discovering what information/resources it provides.

One thing that can greatly increase the interest of a website is pictures and with the increased ownership of digital cameras we should have lots more on our parish site. Pictures of members, prizes, events or places could all add to our site. If you are not sure how to do it there is a lot of help on the internet. SayCheese at http:/saycheese.com has the basics plus tips and tricks for taking better pictures, while your questions could be answered at Digital photography FAQ, which resides at http:/www.cs.duke.edu/~parr/photography and has plenty of information for all levels of expertise. Let me have your pictures and parishioners who stay in touch by looking at our site could see them throughout the world.

The letters FAQ above is an abbreviation for Frequently Asked Questions. It itself is a TLA or Three Letter Abbreviation of which the computing world has too many. Eventually the more common ones are learned, but it is nice to have a reference to help with those that are unknown. Such a reference is AcronymGenie, which is available to download from http:/acronymgenie.tripod.com

Once you have it on your machine you do not need to be online to reference it. But be warned that it is only concerned with computing terms. For example RCL is given as Rotate through Carry Left rather than Revised Common Lectionary as you might have expected.

Being the start of a new year our new calendars adorn the walls and backs of doors. We can quickly see what day of the week our birthday is or when festivals are. However we are limited to this year, why not browse through times past and future as well? Discover that 12 July 1690 was a Wednesday or that the Bastille was stormed on a Tuesday. Investigate the calendar of 1752 when 11 days of September were omitted. For the thrifty among you, did you realise that you can keep this year’s calendar and reuse it in 2032, but you will have to change the date of Easter?

I look forward to receiving your material for inclusion on our website on any date. You even have an extra day this year with it being a Leap Year; but that is another story.

Alan alan@walbridge.co.uk

“There is no love without hope, no hope without love,

and neither hope nor love without faith.”

(St Augustine of Hippo)

“God is love, and those who live in love

live in God: and God lives in them.” (1John 4.16)

Saints of the Church

Brigid, Abbess of Kildare 1 February -- Festival

Brigid (also known as Bride) was born in the latter part of the fifth century, of humble origin just five miles from Kildare. She was to become first a nun in the monastery there and then its Abbess. She is believed to have been baptised by and the stories of her portray a woman of great compassion. She is even said to have been consecrated a bishop by Bishop Ibor, because of her resemblance to the Virgin Mary, but this may have been put abroad to support the claim of the primacy of the Abbey of Kildare. By her prayers and miracles, she is reputed to have strongly influenced the formation of the Church throughout Ireland, where she is, with St Patrick, the patron saint. She died in about the year 525.

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) 2 February -- Principal Feast -- Gold or White

This day marks the completion of forty days since the birth of Jesus, when Mary and Joseph took the child to the Temple in Jerusalem. The requirement in Levitical law was for Mary to be 'cleansed', the completion of her purification following the birth of a male child. Until that day, she could touch no holy thing nor enter the sanctuary. Yet on seeing the holy family, Simeon praised God and acclaimed the infant as 'the light to enlighten the nations' and the prophet Anna gave thanks and proclaimed him her Redeemer. The image of Christ as the Light has led to the celebration of light countering darkness, with candles often taking a central place in the observance.

Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, Priest, Poet 8 March -- Commemoration

Born in 1883, Studdert Kennedy was a young vicar in Worcester who became an army chaplain during the First World War. His warm personality soon earned the respect of soldiers, who nicknamed him 'Woodbine Willie' after the brand of cigarettes he shared with them. After the First World War, he became a writer and regular preacher, drawing large crowds, who were attracted by his combination of traditional sacramental theology with more unconventional theological views. He worked tirelessly for the Christian Industrial Fellowship, but his frail health gave way and he died (still a young man) on this day in 1929.

Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland 17 March -- Missionary -- Festival -- White

Patrick was born in Celtic Cornwall around the year 390 and was captured by Irish raiders when he was sixteen years old and taken to Ireland as a slave. After six years, he escaped and seems to have gone to the Continent. He eventually found his way back to his own family, where his previously nominal Christian faith grew and matured. He returned to Gaul and was there trained as a priest and much influenced by the form of monasticism evolving under Martin of Tours. When he was in his early forties, he returned to Ireland as a bishop, and made his base at Armagh, which became the centre of his See.

He evangelised the people of the land by walking all over the island, gently bringing men and women to a knowledge of Christ. Although he faced fierce opposition and possible persecution, he continued his missionary journeys. Despite being unsuccessful in his attempts to establish the diocesan system he had experienced in Gaul, his monastic foundations proved to be the infrastructure required to maintain the faith after his death, which occurred on this day in the year 460.

Joseph of Nazareth 19 March -- Festival -- White

In the gospel of Matthew, Joseph is depicted as a good man, a working carpenter, who trusted in God. He received God's messenger who shared with him God's will for him and for Mary, to whom he was engaged to be married. Luke's gospel describes how Joseph took the new-born child as if he were his own. He was with Mary when, on the fortieth day after the birth, Jesus was presented in the Temple, 'where every first-born male is designated as holy to the Lord'. The adoption of Jesus by Joseph also established Jesus in the descent of David, to accord with the prophecy that Israel's deliverer would be of the House and lineage of David.

The Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessèd Virgin Mary 25 March -- Principal Feast -- White or Gold

The story of the announcement of the coming of God made flesh in the person of his Son, Jesus the Christ, the Anointed One, is heard in today's proclamation of the good news from the gospel of Luke. The feast marks the conception of Christ in the womb of Mary and has been celebrated in the Church at least since the late fourth century. The perfect humanity and the complete divinity of Jesus is affirmed, following the controversies around those orthodox assertions, which themselves led to the acknowledgement of Mary as Theotokos, God-bearer, which in the West became translated as Mother of God. The celebration thus took on strong associations with the person of Mary, and became known in England as Lady Day. In recent years, the Church has re-affirmed the day as a Feast of our Lord, on which his virgin- mother has a unique place of honour and veneration.

Kitchen Fund - Parish Hall

The Kitchen fund account is now on going. All contributions would be most welcome.

Anyone wishing to contribute please contact Isobel McCollam

or the Hon Treasurer Norman Shirley.