April 2012

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THE ANNUAL EASTER GENERAL VESTRY MEETING 2012

RECTOR’S ADDRESSCHURCH GROWTH

This past year in St. Columba’s has seen our parish team grow and develop in all sorts of ways which has been a source of immense encouragement. We have witnessed the largest number of baptisms and weddings in any one year since my Institution as your Rector. We have had the privilege of welcoming new families to our parish and seeing more parishioners becoming actively

involved in our parish. This is really good news and it has been wonderful to record an increase in church attendances throughout the year which has been particularly evident at the 10.�0am services.

CHURCH SERVICES

The primary reason that the church exists is for the worship of Almighty God. Here in St. Columba’s, we are extremely fortunate to be able to meet for worship in a beautiful church building and, through the support and hard work of many people, we are able to provide a wide and comprehensive range of well ordered services each month. This enables parishioners to exercise a great degree of choice as they attend a service which accommodates their spiritual needs and their dairies on a particular Sunday. No matter which service they choose, let it be the quietness of the early Holy Communion service at 8.15am, the activity associated with the main morning service at 10.�0am or the evening service at 7.00pm, there is a warm and sincere welcome extended to everyone. In addition, a similar warm and sincere welcome is extended to those who attend the increasingly popular family Holy Communion service at 9.�0am service on the third Sunday, where the hymns are played by members of our very talented Music Group; and to those who attend the Thursday morning Holy Communion, where we pray by name for all those who are listed on the Prayer Chain. While each one of those services is different, they are all united in the giving of ourselves in worship to Almighty God in church, and then being sent out to live and work to His praise and glory throughout the week.

Each one of the church services in St. Columba’s is carefully prepared by all those who are participating in it and I have been encouraged to see the level of congregational participation in our services develop further during the past year. Muriel Arndell ensures that there are readers for each service and it has been good to welcome some new readers and prayer leaders. Our Organist and Choirmaster, Gerald Hill, works tirelessly to choose the most appropriate music for all seasons which enhances our worship. He is ably supported and assisted by our Assistant Organist, Brian Clements, members of the Choir and the Music Group. Roberta Rogers organises the refreshments after the All Age Worship service with such efficiency and this is very well supported by the congregation, which also provides financial assistance for many different charities and organisations. It is wonderful to see parishioners and visitors alike enjoying those refreshments and sharing conversation with each other at the back of church. As one member of the congregation said to me after a recent All Age Worship service, “You know, Rector, the refreshments and conversation this morning have taken more time than the actual service!” How right they were! And what is more, it is so refreshing and encouraging to see parishioners spending quality time with each other in this way.

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One of the most significant aspects of our monthly schedule of services is tht no matter what service is in use on any particular Sunday, it is attended by parishioners of all ages. This is very evident each Sunday and it is a most important characteristic of St. Columba’s that at times can be overlooked and forgotten. What is equally significant is that the needs of all age groups are well catered for with our Crèche and Sunday School for the younger parishioners, and a now well heated and well lit church with an upgraded sound system for those sharing in the worship in church. Long may it be so that we can all come together for worship as a united parish family.

At the beginning of this year, having received many requests from parishioners, I introduced a Healing service with the Laying on of Hands at the evening service on the fifth Sunday of January. This quiet reflective service has proved to be very popular and was appreciated by those who attended it and, as a result, a Healing service will take at the 7.00pm service on the fifth Sunday of the month. Holy Week is now just a few days away and we look forward to welcoming Bishop Harold Miller as our preacher at all the evening services. He has just written a new book entitled “The Week of all Weeks” and he will be using the services which are included in his book for the first time here in St. Columba’s. This will provide us with a fresh approach to the events of that first Holy Week as we journey with Christ to the cross on Good Friday.

CLERGY TEAM

I am very fortunate to lead a dedicated Clergy team. By working together and sharing our individual skills and experiences, we have been able to develop our church worship and provide additional support to parishioners.

The Curate

It is hard to believe that the Curate has been with us now for almost three years. Robert is a valued and trusted colleague to me and assists faithfully in both the liturgical and pastoral ministry of the parish. In addition, he has given generously of his computer skills to serve parishioners and the parish in a unique way. He has recently installed a new computer system in the Parish Office, organized a number of Silver Surfer computer classes and provided recordings of the 10.�0am services to our housebound parishioners through the internet. He has also developed a very efficient way of sending the names of those who have asked to be included on the Prayer Rota to the Prayer Chain members by group text messages. The E100 Bible Study via e-mail is proving to be very rewarding and helpful to those who have requested the e-mails. All this has been achieved in addition to his many duties as Curate in an extremely busy parish. St. Columba’s has had a long history of training Curates and has been greatly enriched by their respective ministries over many years. Recently, two of Robert’s predecessors have been appointed to senior positions within the Church of Ireland. We convey our prayers and good wishes to John Mann (198�-85) upon his appointment as Dean of Belfast Cathedral last year, and to Victor Stacey (1976-79) who has just been appointed Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. We will be following Robert’s future ministry with great interest!

Bryn Harris

During the year, it was my privilege to present our long serving Diocesan Lay Reader, Bryn Harris, with a retirement gift to mark the huge contribution that he

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has made to the ministry of St. Columba’s over many years, and to present Thelma with flowers. They now attend the Thursday morning Communion services and have an open invitation from me to participate in any of our church services.

Karen McAlpine

It is with delight that I can announce that our Parish Reader, Karen McAlpine, has recently been accepted to begin training as a Diocesan Lay Reader. This is great news and we convey our warmest congratulations to her and wish her God’s richest blessing as she now begins the very challenging and demanding training. I am very grateful for her support and involvement in our church services, and also with the Doves. Following her training and commissioning, Karen will also be able to write her own sermons and conduct full non-sacramental services on her own. I look forward to sharing ministry with her in a more comprehensive way in the future.

ZAMBIA

In my Rector’s Address at last year’s Easter Vestry, I spoke about my hopes to explore the feasibility of providing parishioners with an opportunity to serve God overseas. I am delighted to report that my personal hopes have become a reality and that there will be a parish team of ten people visiting Zambia from 27th July to 11th August. The team will be lead by the Curate and Jayne Martin, and includes Yvonne Robb, Olivia Budde, Helen Cairnduff, Ross Cairnduff, Laura Gillespie, Mark Gillespie, Alan Boyd and Aaron Wilson. This marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the life and ministry of our parish. They are a strong team with many diverse gifts and talents which I experienced for myself when I visited them recently in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute in Dublin for a training weekend, facilitated by David Gough. I am very grateful to him and his colleagues from CMSI for the efficient ways in which they conducted the interviews last November, and for their assistance with the preparations that need to be completed before their departure. David Gough has spoken to me of the tremendous support which our Zambia Team is receiving from the whole parish, which he has described as “second to none”. This is so important and is reflected in both the financial support to assist with their travel costs from the Parish Organisations as well as the prayerful support.

As the money collected through our Mission and Charity envelopes can only be used for projects and not for travel costs, the Select Vestry will be making a generous donation to the Zambia Diocesan Schools Project which the team will be supporting during their visit. The Select Vestry has already allocated £1,000 to this project as detailed in the audited financial accounts before you tonight, and they will be advancing a second donation this year which the team will receive at the All Age Worship Service on Sunday, 6th May.

FINANCES

I am very grateful for the financial support which the parish receives from parishioners, and wish to convey my personal thanks to each parishioner who gives financially to our parish in the difficult economic recession we are all experiencing. The audited parish accounts which are before you tonight clearly reflect all the financial transactions of the past year in great clarity. The Hon. Auditors have been very complimentary of our Hon. Treasurer for her great attention to detail, and for her

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careful maintenance and recording of all the financial transactions. They have described Gillian Sadlier as a “wee gem”! We are so fortunate to have a professionally qualified accountant as our Hon. Treasurer. Gillian does all this work for our parish in addition to her demanding job and her many family responsibilities. The financial accounts for the year ended 31st December 2011 maintained the good progress made in 2010 by again recording a slight increase in the Free Will Offering, while at the same time showing a reduction in our operating expenses. Members of the Easter Vestry, this is particularly significant in these difficult times of an economic recession and of rising costs. Through the hard work of our Assistant Hon. Treasurer, Murray Hunter, 80% of parishioners who give through either the Freewill Offering Envelopes or through Standing Orders have also signed Gift Aid forms. This is an important source of our parish income and we continually encourage those who are taxpayers to sign a Gift Aid form, which benefits our church immensely without any additional cost to parishioners.

Legacy Bequests

The Select Vestry and I have been pleased to receive a number of generous legacy bequests during the year and have applied that money after careful consideration to many different projects within our parish. We are most grateful to those parishioners who served St. Columba’s so faithfully throughout their lives for bequeathing money for the further benefit of this parish after their death. Members of the Easter Vestry, without such legacies the financial accounts before you tonight would have recorded a significant deficit and certain projects could not have been carried out. This is an important and necessary source of income which we greatly value and appreciate.

Transferring to Standing Orders

It is very important that we take the safety of all our parishioners very seriously. As a parish, we work hard to ensure that we follow all the necessary guidelines and that we constantly update our operating procedures. From a security point of view, it would be very desirable if we could encourage those who currently use Freewill Offering Envelopes to seriously consider signing a Standing Order form. This would, I believe, offer five main advantages:

1. Providing additional safety to those parishioners who assist with the counting of the weekly Freewill Offering Envelopes

2. Reducing the amount of cash held on church premises

3. Reducing the amount of cash to be transported to the bank for lodgement

4. Parishioners avoiding the panic or stress of trying to find the correct amount of money for the envelope before leaving for church

5. Parishioners avoiding the large expense of having to put a number of envelopes on the offertory plate on a particular Sunday after a few weeks away

The Select Vestry and I are leading by example on this initiative as we have all just signed standing order forms in place of our Freewill Offering Envelopes. We would therefore encourage parishioners, to whom this applies, to consider signing the

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Standing Order form which will be included in the June Columban, and returning it to Murray Hunter. Those who move to Standing Orders this year can continue to use their Mission and Charity envelopes each month. For future years, they will just receive a set of twelve Mission and Charity envelopes.

Parish Dinner and Auction of Talents

The plans for our Parish Dinner and Auction of Talents on Friday, 8th June, in the Grand Ballroom of the Stormont Hotel are now at an advanced stage. I very much hope that parishioners of all ages will come to support this important fundraising event for our Building Fund Appeal. It has the potential to be a most enjoyable evening and will begin with a drinks reception upon arrival. This will enable everyone to meet together to enjoy informal conversations in the entrance area of the Grand Ballroom before going through to our tables for a three course dinner. A large number of imaginative talents have been gifted by parishioners, from alfresco afternoon tea to gardening expertise, a fishing trip, tennis and bridge lessons, to a day at sea! Details of all the talents will be published in the May Columban and there will be a catalogue available on the evening. Each talent is a generous gift which will provide pleasure and support to the fortunate bidder at the auction. The talent auctioneer on the evening will be Noel Thompson who is well known to us from his work with the BBC and also in our local community, where he lives with his family. He is very kindly gifting his professional services to the parish as it is our major fundraising event. I am very grateful to the Fundraising Committee members and the Talent Committee for all their hard work and enthusiasm with the many preparations which are associated with the organising of such a large event. Tickets for the evening are now available from Moranne Noad and must be purchased in advance. As a parish, we have more than sufficient parishioners to completely fill the Grand Ballroom to capacity and it would be a source of immense blessing and encouragement if every seat was occupied. I hope that the evening will be extremely well supported.

Through the support for our Building Fund Appeal we have been able to enjoy the benefits of much needed essential work to all our buildings. We have recently just completed a new Garden of Rest and also the sound system has been upgraded, which has greatly improved the quality of the sound at the rear of the church.

COMMUNICATION

Communication is a vital element if our parish is to continue to grow and develop. Put very simply, if we don’t communicate effectively how can we expect anyone to know about our church services or parish organisations, or to be aware of forthcoming events? If parishioners and members of our community don’t know what is happening and when it is happening, how can we expect them to come along? That is why it is right and necessary that we allocate so much of our time and resources to ensuring that our parish communication is effective and relevant, and connects with people in an appropriate manner.

The Columban

The Columban continues to go from strength to strength and is a very attractive and popular publication across our parish and community. Its great success was recognised again in the Church of Ireland Communications Awards at the General

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Synod last year when The Columban was awarded the Runners Up prize for the third consecutive year. I congratulate the Editor, Ian Noad, and all those associated with it’s publication and distribution on this excellent achievement. As the judges said, “For the third year running, The Columban maintains its impressive position as an exemplar monthly publication. The magazine is engaging, with a very good use of images and colour; simple, easy to follow written content and an impressive mix of material for all ages”. The Select Vestry and I deeply value and appreciate the important role that The Columban provides and see it as a valuable mission tool. So many parishioners speak to me about the support and blessings they receive from it, and look forward to seeing a fellow parishioner coming to deliver it to their home. During the past year we have reduced the number of magazines that were posted each month from over 50 to just nine. This has resulted in a financial saving and was achieved by the appointment of two new magazine distributors, who give generously of their time and fuel by personally delivering magazines to parishioners living outside the immediate boundaries of the parish.

Parish Website

The parish website also continues to grow and develop, and is attracting many new viewers not just from parishioners and the shores of Ireland, but also from right across the world. I congratulate our Webmaster, Ivan Roche, for all his work with the parish website and for fully maintaining it on a regular basis. In addition to uploading all the new material each month, Ivan has also recently introduced some new features to it. The parish website now contains the Pew News for each week, along with all the readings from the Church of Ireland lectionary that are read at our church services. This is a very beneficial source of reference to those who read the lessons and assists with their preparations. It is interesting to record that the number of visits to our website during the last six months was 5,897. We are very grateful to Ivan for the giving of his professional computer and managerial experience as a generous gift for the benefit of the parish.

Church Notice Board

One of the things that struck me recently as I drove past the church was that our very clear notice board cannot be seen at all by passing motorists or cyclists, due to its present location! You and I are very familiar with our parish and church building, but what about those who are busily passing by on their way to a particular destination? They simply cannot see or read the notice board and, as such, it is only of limited use to those who are walking past the church on the footpath. Members of the Easter Vestry, this is of concern to me as we are failing to communicate or connect with many potential parishioners or visitors to our church. I wonder, have you recently studied the church notice or do you know what information it contains? While it displays the name of our church and the service times, along with the Rectory address and phone number, it does not contain the parish website address, one of the main sources of reference to which a potential newcomer will turn for information. At present, if a person is new to the area and dials the Rectory phone number as it appears on the notice board, they do not know to whom they are speaking. Not perhaps the best way to encourage new people to become involved in the life of our parish! I have shared my concerns with the Select Vestry and have asked the Property Committee to examine ways of how we can improve the situation. It is essential that a church notice board is in a position for as

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many people to see it as possible, and that it contains all the essential information in the clearest possible way.

CONCLUSION

We are so fortunate to have such dedicated members of the Select Vestry and Select Vestry sub-committees who have both, individually and collectively, given of their best and worked so hard as a united team for the common purpose of supporting St. Columba’s. I thank all the outgoing Office Bearers and members who have served so faithfully. In the many challenges, difficulties and opportunities which we have faced throughout the past year, I have been strengthened and encouraged by their united approach, for the large amounts of time they have given to our meetings and for the sharing of their professional skills for the benefit of the parish. In particular, I thank the Hon. Secretary, Alan Rogers, for his great efficiency and attention to detail with all our administration.

While we may come as individuals, we are all part of a parish team here in St. Columba’s and we have a great responsibility to make our contribution to the life and work of our parish to the best of our ability. However, we must continue to ensure that the parish team is complete and that every family makes their unique contribution to the life of St. Columba’s. We also have a responsibility to keep our eye on the ball and that we do not become distracted from the important work that God is calling us to do at this time. In these difficult economic times of uncertainty, we are called upon to act in a prudent and responsible manner. We must not waste time or resources on ill thought out projects or items of expenditure that are not absolutely necessary. I hope and pray that the Easter hope which we will celebrate in a few weeks time on Easter Day will give us the courage to face the challenges and opportunities of this new year with confidence.

In conclusion, I thank you for your invaluable support and encouragement which you generously extend to Caroline, Charles, Henry and myself as together we endeavour to serve this parish to the very best of our ability.

PARISH PRAYERGod, our Heavenly Father, make the door of our Church wide enough to welcome all who need human love, fellowship and a Father’s care;

but narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and hatred. Here may the tempted �nd help, the sorrowing receive comfort and the penitent be

assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength and go on their way in hope and joy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Bishop Thomas Ken 1637-1711

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BID FOR OUR BUILDING!And Come Dine with us too...

on

Friday, 8th June, at 7.00pm

In The Grand Ballroom, Stormont HotelIt’s our titanic bid to raise much needed

cash for our Building Fund

Auctioneer - BBC NI’s Noel Thompson

Lots on o�er from a day’s sailing, sightseeing �ights, a �shing trip, a round of golf, DIY, tennis, bridge, French and piano

tuition and much much more!

Tickets £30 p.p. to include drinks reception and three course dinner

Dress code: smart casual - no partner required

Tickets now available!

Contact

Moranne Noad: Tel: 028 90793704 or email: noadfamily@hotmail.com

Paris

h Dinner and Auction of Talentserr a cti

fD

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SERVICES IN APRILSunday 1st Palm Sunday (Red) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Trevor Buchanan Philippians �: 5-11 Gospel Clergy Mark 11: 1-11 10.30am All Age Worship followed by refreshments Reader Henry Auchmuty Mark 11: 1-11 Preacher The Diocesan Children’s Officer, Miss Julie Currie 7.00pm Service of Readings and Hymns in Knock Methodist Church No service in St. Columba’s Monday in Holy Week (Red) 10.00am Holy Communion 1.15pm Lunchtime service in Knock Methodist Preacher The Revd Jim Rae 8.00pm Service of the Word Preacher Bishop Harold Miller “The fulfilment of God’s PLAN”

Tuesday in Holy Week (Red) 10.00am Holy Communion 1.15pm Lunchtime service in Knock Methodist Preacher The Revd Jim Rae 8.00pm Service of the Word Preacher Bishop Harold Miller “The completion of God’s PROMISES”

Wednesday in Holy Week (Red) 10.00am Holy Communion 1.15pm Lunchtime service in Knock Methodist Preacher The Revd Jim Rae 8.00pm Service of the Word Preacher Bishop Harold Miller “The Great High PRIEST” Maundy Thursday (White) 10.30am Holy Communion for our housebound parishioners 1.15pm Lunchtime service in Knock Methodist Preacher The Revd Jim Rae 8.00pm The Lord’s Supper and the washing of feet Preacher Bishop Harold Miller “The PERFECTER of faith” Good Friday 10.30am Children’s Service 12noon - 3pm The Three Hours Devotions Conductor The Very Reverend John Dinnen 8.00pm Tenebrae Service Preacher Bishop Harold Miller “The One who PERSEVERES to the end”

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Sunday 8th Easter Day (White) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Michael Davey Acts 10: ��-�� Gospel Clergy John �0: 1-18 10.30am Holy Communion Reader John Holland Acts 10: ��-�� Gospel Karen McAlpine John �0: 1-18 Preacher Bishop Harold Miller Intercessions Clergy 7.00am Holy Communion Reader Patrick Wilson Ezekiel �7: 1-1� Gospel Clergy Luke ��: 1�-�5 Thursday 12th (White) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday 15th The Second Sunday of Easter (White) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Leonard Pugh Acts �: ��-�5 Gospel Clergy John �0: 19-�1 9.30am Family Communion Gospel Karen McAlpine John �0: 19-�1 10.30am Morning Prayer Reader Patrica Wilson Isaiah �6: �-9, 19 Reader Patrick Wilson John �0: 19-�1 Occasional Prayers Muriel Arndell 7.00pm Holy Communion Reader Esther Templeton Isaiah �6: 1-9, 19 Gospel Clergy Luke ��: 1-1� Thursday 19th (White) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday 22nd The Third Sunday of Easter (White) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Paddy Malone Acts �: 1�-19 Gospel Clergy Luke ��: �6b-�8 10.30am Holy Communion Reader Moranne Noad Acts �: 1�-19 Gospel Clergy Luke ��: �6b-�8 Intercessions Karen McAlpine

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7.00pm Evening Prayer Reader Helen Donaghy Deuteronomy 7: 7-1�

Reader Helen Donaghy Luke 16: 19-�1

Thursday 26th St. Mark (Transferred) (Red)

10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry

Sunday 29th The Fourth Sunday of Easter (White) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Lindsay Hodges Acts �: 5-1�

Gospel Clergy John 10: 11-18

10.30am Songs of Praise 7.00pm Healing Service with the Laying on of Hands Reader Jennifer Johnston John 6: �0-�0

Readers and Intercessors: If you cannot read or lead the prayers on the appointed day, please arrange a swap with someone else on the rota and let the Churchwardens know. We are always delighted to add new names to the Rota of Readers and Intercessors. If you would wish to serve your church in this way, please contact Muriel Arndell (028 90655500). The readings are from Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary and are printed on our parish website:

www.stcolumbas.down.anglican.org

CLERGY PARISH VISITINGIt is always a great privilege for the Clergy to visit parishioners in their homes. If you would like to request a Clergy Visit please telephone the Rector (028 90471514) or the Curate (028 90653370).

Both the Rector and Curate will be visiting parishioners in the Residential and Nursing Homes throughout the parish during April. In addition, they will also be conducting private Holy Communion services in the homes of those housebound parishioners who are unable to attend any of the Easter services.

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HOLY WEEK SERVICES 2012 Palm Sunday 1st April

8.15am Holy Communion10.30am All Age Worship followed by refreshments7.00pm Service of Readings and Hymns in Knock Methodist

MORNING SERVICES (in St. Columba’s)

10.00am Holy Communion (Monday – Wednesday)10.30am Holy Communion for housebound parishioners (Maundy Thursday) 10.30am Children’s Service (Good Friday)

LUNCHTIME SERVICES (in Knock Methodist)1.15pm – 1.45pm (Monday – Maundy Thursday)

Preacher: The Revd Jim Rea M.B.E. Jim is a well-known communicator who contributes to the morning paper (Newsletter) and can often be heard on Radio Ulster’s ‘Thought for the Day’. He is a former President of the Methodist Church in Ireland. Now retired from the active work, Jim currently resides in Ballyhackamore. His theme for the week is: ‘Ancient Conversations with 21st Century Relevance.’

EVENING SERVICES (in St. Columba’s at 8.00pm)Preacher: Bishop Harold Miller

Title for the week is: Christ above all: Themes from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Monday: The fulfilment of God’s PLANTuesday: The completion of God’s PROMISES

Wednesday: the Great High PRIESTThursday: the PERFECTER of faith

Friday: The One who PERSEVERES to the end

The Letter to the Hebrews is one of the more complex books of the New Testament, but it gives us a magnificent and deep set of insights into the nature of Jesus Christ and the wonder of his salvation. It also makes clear that all that happens in this ‘Week of all Weeks’ is a fulfillment of the Old Testament focussed in this one person, Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine. The Christ of Hebrews becomes our encourager and our model for godly living in our generation and, more importantly, our ransom and redeemer. Set aside this week to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from him.

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GOOD FRIDAY THREE HOUR DEVOTIONS 12noon – 3.00pmConductor: The Very Reverend John Dinnen

We look forward to welcoming the former Dean of Down, The Very Reverend John Dinnen, to conduct the Three Hour Devotions on Good Friday in St. Columba’s. He will focus our thoughts on the Passion by reflecting on “The Sounds of Good Friday”. Sounds fill our lives every day. We live by sounds – the sound of the alarm, the kettle, the mobile. Sounds can also hold awesome memories for us. There are sounds from the first Good Friday that are worth reflecting on today, e.g:- 1. The Baying Mob 2. The Washing of Hands 3. The Falling of Coins 4. The Last Word 5. The Throwing of a Dice 6. The Rolling of a Rock

For those unable to stay for the full duration of the meditations it is possible to enter and leave at the end of each section.

Cash Collections at the Holy Week ServicesThe collections at all these services will be given to the work of the

Storehouse Ministry and Christians Against Poverty.

PRIVATE HOLY COMMUNION SERVICESIt is always a privilege for the Clergy to conduct private Holy Communion services for those housebound parishioners who will not be attending Easter services in St. Columba’s. Please telephone the Rector (028 90471514) by Wednesday, 4th April, to make an appointment if you would like a private Holy Communion service in your home.

HOLY COMMUNION FOR HOUSEBOUND PARISHIONERSin

St. Columba’s Parish Church on

MAUNDY THURSDAY, 5th APRIL, at 10.30am With Holy Week Hymns and seasonal refreshments

Please phone the Parish Office 028 9065 6891 (Wednesday or Friday morning 8.30am-1.30pm)

to arrange transport

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APRIL SIDESPERSONS’ ROTASunday 1st................................................ Aaron Wilson and Charles AuchmutySunday 8th ............................................... Brian Gillespie and Ronny MartinSunday 15th ............................................. Patrica and Patrick WilsonSunday 22nd ............................................ Dawn and Garth MacartneySunday 29th ............................................. Kathleen and Alex Acheson

EASTER GREETINGS FROM THE RECTORYOn Easter Sunday, we will celebrate with joy the good news of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I do hope that you will be able to join us in St. Columba’s as we proclaim, “Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia”. In addition to celebrating the good news of the resurrection, we look forward to welcoming the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Rev Harold Miller, to St. Columba’s at 10.30am when he will both preach and celebrate at the Holy Communion service.

No matter what our personal circumstances or situations, we can take confidence from the fact that Christ is alive and is with us each day. The resurrection marks the beginning for all of us of the new life in the risen Christ. I pray that the Easter hope will be re�ected in every aspect of our daily lives and in all our parish activities.

Caroline, Charles and Henry join me in wishing you a very Happy Easter.

The Rector

DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR EASTER

Saturday, 7th April, 10.30am – 12.30pmNo flower arranging skills necessary!

Gifts of �owers and a willingness to help is all that is required.

Children and young families will be particularly welcome to help with the decorating!

Refreshments in the Rectory

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SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES Sunday 1st April 10.30am All Age Worship

Sunday 8th April 10.30am Holy Communion (Easter Sunday)

Sunday 15th April 9.30am Family Communion

Sunday 22nd April 10.30am Sunday School

Sunday 29th April 10.30am Sunday School

Our numbers in the senior classes have decreased recently and we would encourage those young people to come along on the Sunday school mornings. The more we have in the class, the more interesting will be the discussions and the activities. For example, the senior class has learnt all the interesting, and sometimes disgusting, ways that common illnesses were cured in Biblical times, while Alan’s class were rewarded with sweets for the correct answers to the quiz in their work books!

We would like to see a good turnout for All Age Worship on Sunday, 1st April, asthe singing at the March service was excellent but would have been even better with larger numbers. Our Zambia effort will be on Saturday afternoon, 2nd June, so we hope all the young people will keep this afternoon free to come and enjoy the fun at our Jubilee Party!

Beth Cairnduf

THE AFTERNOON GROUP

Easter is such a blessed time,A time to start anew,

To leave behind cold wintertimeAnd bid dark days adieu.

April 16th is when we next meet,So do come along -you’ll be sure of a seat.

We will also tell you all aboutMay 21st, when we’re going out!

Nan Armstrong

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ALL AGE WORSHIP TEA AND COFFEEA very big thank you to everyone who supported the NSPCC at last month’s All Age Worship tea and coffee when we raised just under £90. This month we shall be supporting The Ministry of Healing who seek to promote and give everyone, irrespective of their cultural or religious affiliation, access to God’s healing power through Christian healing and counselling. Please plan to be with us at our All Age Worship service on Sunday, 1st April, to support this very worthwhile cause.

Roberta

KNOCK KNOCK, IT’S THE CURATE!

You will probably receive your copy of The Columban at some point during our busy schedule of Easter services. If you receive it immediately, we will be celebrating Passion Sunday and you have a full week before Palm Sunday and the events of Holy Week. If you receive it during Holy Week, we will be in the process of journeying to the cross, together with Jesus. Or if it arrives later, then we will be singing “Alleuiah! He is not here...he has risen!’”The beginning of this month has so much emotion, so much drama. It is my prayer that all of us in St. Columba’s will enter into the whole passion narrative together.

Without the palm celebration on Palm Sunday, the events of that fateful Passover the disciples had to endure, the last supper on Maundy Thursday, the betrayal and the eventual arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus, the events of Easter day do not make much sense.

May we all have a holy Lent and journey together to the foot of the cross … so that on Easter day we indeed can say with the angels in the Easter Garden,“He is not here … he has risen!”

Every Blessing,Robert

SIGN ON DOOR OF MUSIC SHOPGone Chopin, but have Liszt so Bach in a Minuet!

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LADIES GUILD NOTESTEA FOR ZAMBIA OPEN NIGHT

onWednesday, 18th April, at 7.45pm

Speaker: Ross Thompson fromPUNJANA TEA

The Ladies Guild is holding a special evening to raise funds for the Zambian Project to which members of the congregation and their friends are most warmly welcomed! Ross Thompson will tell us about the growth and production of tea...a subject close to all our hearts! There will be a special supper including, of course, a cup of tea and a collection for the Zambian Project. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Lilias Smith (Hon. Sec.)

ZAMBIA TEAM REPORTIt is amazing how quickly time goes by! We could fill five or six pages of this magazine with what has been, and will be, happening. However, what I have decided to do is to condense everything into a short report, but be assured that under each of these headings there has been an enormous amount of work by so many people to get us to where we are today. At the time of writing, we have raised just under £2500 which is absolutely brilliant. Thank you!

The Team Training WeekendThe ten St. Columba’s parishioners who are going to Zambia and one CMSI staff member, David Gough, headed down from Belfast to Dublin for a weekend of training at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute in Dublin. We covered an enormous amount of material, with topics including our direction and purpose, cross cultural issues, medical matters, bonding as a team, prayer, worship, kids’ work and living conditions in a country such as Zambia. The Rector also joined us on Saturday afternoon and celebrated Holy Communion with the team. On Sunday morning we visited a local Dublin parish, St. George and St. Thomas’. At the invitation of the Rector, some members of the team read lessons and I preached. It was a great parish to visit as the majority of the congregation were from Africa and we were greeted as though we were actually out there, which gave the team a feel for what we might experience later this summer.

As leader, I was very impressed by how the whole team reacted with each other and their willingness to become involved in everything. It was a brilliant foundation to our mission as we move forward.

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Some comments from the team:“Not having ever stood up in front of people to give a talk, I found the prospect of taking one of the sessions on Zambian culture quite daunting, to say the least! But as I discovered first hand, if you ask for God’s help he will give it. We can draw our strength from him. When we are in Zambia we all know that we will be asked to do things that we feel are beyond us.” Jayne

“I can’t believe how well the team gelled on this our first real get together. The team building with David was invaluable, fun but with a serious purpose. Zambia now seems more of a reality!” Yvonne

Cash for ClobberI was absolutely amazed at our first major parish fundraiser – money for old clothes. We succeeded in raising £450! Thank you very much to all who brought black bin bags of old clothes down to the parish car park at the end of February. Our final Clobber collection will be held on Saturday, 30th June, at 10.30am. If you have any difficulty getting clothes down to the church car park, please let me know and I’ll arrange for them to be collected.

In the next edition of The Columban, we hope to report on what the team will be doing in Zambia and provide you with some general information on the country.

Robert

The Zambia Team in Dublin, from left: The Curate (Leader), Yvonne Robb, Laura Gillespie, Alan Boyd, Aaron Wilson, Mark Gillespie, Jayne Martin (Co-Leader), Helen Cairnduff, Oliva

Budde, Ross Cairnduff, the Rector.

MUMS & TOTSPlease note that due to the Easter holidays there will be no Mums & Tots on Friday 6th and Friday 13th April Anne Clarke

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Hello Ladies

We all thank Robert for speaking at our March meeting and telling us about the exciting, upcoming adventure to Zambia. Could I ask you to please give your overseas donations to Irene Gray or Irene Robb? There will be no meeting in April to allow us to attend the church services in Holy Week. Our next meeting in May will be with Reconnect who work and support people with acquired brain injury, to enable tham to achieve their full potential. Wishing you all God’s richest blessing at Easter.

Sandra

MEN’S CLUB NOTESWe were pleased to welcome nine ladies to our Open Night which proved to be an enjoyable and friendly occasion, with Joyce Stevenson taking the Visitor’s Prize for top score.

As the season moves on, members have begun preparations for the annual Club competitions. On Monday, 23rd February, our Captain, Jonathan, introduced a ‘round robin’ knockout competition resulting in the eight semi-finalists who will compete for the Pair’s Trophy. Our thanks to our Curate, Robert, for providing a computerised score table which, when projected onto a wall, enabled members to keep track of their progress throughout the evening. Thanks also to Ken and Eleanor who provided sustaining refreshments for the participants.

Congratulations are due to the Captain, Vice-Captain and members on achieving a ‘clean sweep’ in our Inter Church friendly games this year!

As always, we keep our absent members in our thoughts and prayers and, as spring awakens, wish them and all Club members and their families the blessings of Easter.

Geo� Launchbury

ST. COLUMBA’S CHOIR TABLE QUIZFriday, 20th April, at 7.30pm

in the CHURCH HALLALL WELCOME!

Proceeds in aid of the Zambia Travel Fund

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Several members of St. Columcille’s Art Group paid us a return visit on Thursday, 26th January. We spent a lovely informal morning enjoying coffee and ‘eats’, and had the pleasure of watching our irrepressible tutor, Bob, do a little knife painting of flowers as well as a colourful painting demonstration in the style of the artist, David Hockney.

Zambia Support

Thank you to Bob Killen for his most generous donation of a lovely framed oil painting entitled ‘The Lady Magenta is at the Front’. The raffle for this was held in the church hall on Thursday, 1st March. Our Rector, the Revd John Auchmuty, drew out the lucky prize winning number, the winner being art club member, Christine Baker. The amount of money raised for the Zambia Fund reached a magnificent £472. Our thanks go also to Billy McAlpine and Margaret Hirst for organising the raffle, and to all art club members, friends and parishioners who contributed to the fund.

Gladys

Raffle winner, Christine Baker, with the Rector (left) and Billy McAlpine (right)

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M U ACTIVITY GROUP

Beetle DriveFriday, 27th April

7.30pm in the Church HallAll AGES WELCOME!

Light Supper Included

Proceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling Fund

7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall

Proceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling Fund

7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall

Proceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling Fund

7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall

Proceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling Fund

7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall

Proceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling Fund

7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall

Proceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling Fund

7.30pm in the Church Hall7.30pm in the Church Hall

Proceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling FundProceeds towards the Zambia Team Travelling Fund

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MY TITANIC STORY: THE TITANIC CHAIRIn this centenary year marking the maiden voyage and sinking of the Titanic, we are delighted that Judith, a member of St. Columba’s choir, is able to tell us about a very personal family connection to the once mighty ship.

As a young girl, when I was about the same age as our daughter, Grace, is today, I remember waiting for my father (Jim) to finish work as General Manager of the Electrical Division of Harland and Wolff. I vividly recall his grand office, the ornate and beautiful furniture within it, the amazing wooden carved staircase and the opulence of the surroundings. It is ironic that I now �nd myself temporarily located in the old headquarter buildings as I wait to move my team into the new Titanic Belfast Experience, where I am Director of Operations.

The story of Titanic has always been part of my life as, like so many others, both my grandfather and my father worked in the shipyard. Joining the team at Titanic Belfast has been a brilliant but emotional move for me as my Dad, unfortunately, passed away six years ago. However, he instilled my love of the Titanic story into me and I, in turn, have passed it onto Grace.

The ‘Titanic Chair’ came into our family when it was presented to my father 30years ago on his retirement from Harland and Wolff, and he gave it to me when I moved into my first house. Dad was told that the chair had been one of a number of pieces of furniture specially made for the Titanic, but that had never made it on board. Over the years, the chair has been part of several Titanic Exhibitions and television programmes and will always have pride of place in our home.

Judith Owens

Grace beside the Titanic chair

DOVESDoves continues to meet each Friday evening and we have been excited to see an increase in our numbers. We enjoy toys and games, stories and singing, as well as a variety of craft activities. We will arrange some outdoor fun during the summer months and would encourage any boys and girls between three and six years old to come along and join us! Karen

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BROWNIE NOTESOn Friday, 24th February, we held our “Thinking Day” celebrations. The posters linking the Olympics to our Guide friends across the world were very colourful, as shown in the photograph! Some of the food proved highly popular, including the Jamaican ginger cake and the German frankfurters, but the American burgers and the Swedish cake were less so. We rounded off the food tasting with some South African plums.

We were delighted to welcome back to Brownies someone who left the Pack approximately 12years ago. Katherine Hillis has volunteered to become the new assistant leader we were so anxiously looking for. It is great to see someone who has gone through the Pack come back a number of years later to help. We hope she enjoys her new role with us! As you can see, we have also been making giant flowers for our Mums for Mother’s Day. These proved hard work and took nearly a whole night to complete, but we think the final product was worth all the time spent and we hope the Mums will enjoy them! Our Zambia effort will be on Saturday afternoon, 2nd June, so we hope all the young people will keep this afternoon free to come and enjoy the fun at our Jubilee Party!

Beth Cairndu�

Brownies someone who left the Pack approximately 12years ago. Katherine Hillis has volunteered to become the new assistant leader we were so anxiously looking for. It is great to see someone who has gone through the Pack come back a number of years later to help. We hope she enjoys her new role with us! As you can

hope the Mums will enjoy them! Our Zambia effort will be on

ST. COLUMBA’S PARISH LENTEN LUNCHOn behalf of the Zambia team I want to express our sincere thanks to the many parishoners who so generously supported the Lenten Lunch on Sunday, 26thFebruary. We were overwhlemed by the numbers attending. A special thanks also to Roberta Rogers and her team for preparing the church hall and serving the delicious soup and apple tarts, as well as to all those who kindly provided the food. There was a really special atmosphere in the hall during the lunch and it was very encouraging for the team members to experience the genuine interest in our project. Voluntary donations amounted to £1,210 (including Gift Aid) and this represents a tremendous start to our fund raising efforts. (See next page)

Jayne Martin

2424

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STUDY USAWe are delighted to hear from Lindsay, eldest daughter of parishioners, Louise and Steven Mercer, whilst she is currently undertaking a year’s study placement in America.

Last February, after an application and interview process, I was lucky enough to be selected onto the Study USA programme ran by the British Council.

Study USA was originally called Business Education Initiative (BEI) and was formed in 1993 after a group of Protestant and Catholic officials discussed the benefits that Northern Irish students could receive from studying for a year in the USA. The Training and Employment Agency in Northern Ireland (whose work is now integrated within the Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning) enthusiastically supported the idea, recognising the significant impact the programme could potentially have. During the 1994/95 academic year, 19 students left to study in eleven US Presbyterian related colleges and universities. In the following years, partnership was developed with other American colleges and universities affiliated to the Catholic, Presbyterian, United Methodist and Episcopal Churches in the United States. The programme received the endorsement of President Bill Clinton and has enjoyed backing in both London and Washington, and has grown and evolved to its present stage, offering places to around 70 students in colleges and universities right across the USA.

As key partners, US colleges and universities waive all tuition fees for the students while DEL pays for most other costs, such as accommodation and catering, relating to the students’ academic year in America. Located in Belfast, the staff of the BEI team administers the programe which includes the selection and placing of students, and the provision of support services and financial management. Executives of the Church denominations affiliated with the programme also provide key direct support and serve as liaison between the programme, the Churches and the colleges.

I am currently studying at King’s College, a Catholic college, in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Wilkes Barre is a city of around 40,000 people and King’s College has approximately 2500 students, mainly from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and New York. Last semester, I took four business classes and one elective, and I will be doing the same this semester. As I study geography at Queen’s, business is a completely new subject for me but I am enjoying learning about it. I play centre midfield for the field hockey team and have made some great friends this way. It also allows me to travel to the surrounding states of New Jersey, New York and Maryland. I share a dorm with my room mate, Amanda, who studies accounting and I have a 19 meal week plan for the cafeteria.

All the students coming over to America are told to prepare for culture shock and home sickness, however, I have felt very much at home at King’s College from my first day. Unlike Queen’s, the classes are small and compulsory, and the teachers prepare tests every four weeks rather than accumulatively. The only problems I have encountered are people struggling to understand my accent!

We are delighted to hear from Lindsay, eldest daughter of parishioners, Louise We are delighted to hear from Lindsay, eldest daughter of parishioners, Louise

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I was lucky enough to have my family fly over to visit my college for two days before Christmas and then we travelled to New York City for three days. It was great to see them all and I was glad they got to see what my life is like over here, and meet my friends. For Christmas week I met up with 35 of the other Northern Irish students on the programme in Miami, Florida. It was surreal spending Christmas on the beach in 80 degrees but I won’t complain! We also met the tennis player, Andy Murray, on Christmas day! I went to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and attended the inauguration of Father John Ryan at King’s College in October. It has been interesting to spend time at a different service and I count myself very fortunate to be over here, and to be a part of

the Study USA programme.

To the left is a picture we took at St. Paul’s Chapel, a church beside the World Trade Centre, which survived the 9/11 terrorist attacks without even a broken window. For eight months after the attacks, the chapel became a rest and refuge centre for the hundreds of volunteers and servicemen and women who worked 12hour shifts. The chapel contains several monuments and memorials from that day, and it was my favourite place that I visited in New York City.

Lindsay Mercer

LADIES BOWLINGWe finished our season on Monday, 26th March, with an afternoon of fun bowling. In spite of some absences due to illness, it has been a good season and the members are keen to keep it going. On Monday, 19th March, we entertained St. Dorothea’s for our annual fixture - most enjoyable - especially the apple tart for St. Patrick’s Day! Many of us will now be playing outdoors, so here’s hoping for

good summer weather. Thanks again to our Rector and Curate for their many visits.

Phyllis Newton

THE GRAND CATHEDRAL CYCLE TOURRonny Martin and Brian Acheson will be cycling around Northern Ire-land, visiting all the Church of Ireland Cathedrals, from Saturday, 2nd to Monday, 4th June. This will involve a journey of approximately 200 miles over the three days. All money raised from this event will be donated to the Zambian project. More details will be included in the May magazine and sponsorship forms will be available at the back of church after Easter.

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WITH TITANIC, REMEMBER ALSO LUSITANIA

As we remember the loss of Titanic in this centenary year, we must equally recall another maritime disaster of that era – the wartime sinking in May 1915 of the Cunard liner, Lusitania. While the former retains her position as the finest vessel of her time, and perhaps all time, the latter was also among the largest and most comfortably appointed transatlantic ships of that age. Titanic was, of course, the famed product of Belfast’s shipyard - but both vessels and the tragedies that accompanied their loss have a strong association with southern Ireland, and with the once famous port of Queenstown (today known as Cobh), in County Cork.

After her departure from Southampton in early April 1912, Titanic made port calls at Cherbourg in northern France and then at Queenstown, where she dropped anchor off Roche’s Point lighthouse. At Queenstown, passengers were conveyed on tenders that plied to the great ship from the White Star line’s once bustling terminal on the colourful waterfront. Soon afterwards, she set sail along the south west coast of Ireland, passing close to the Old Head of Kinsale and the scene of what, in just over three years, would be the sinking of Lusitania by a German U-boat.

Lusitania had been built on Clydebank and had entered transatlantic service just a few years ahead of Titanic, in 1907. At the beginning of May 1915, with the First World War only nine months old, Lusitania had left New York bound for Liverpool. While being a British vessel, it was expected that large civilian ships would not fall widely prey to U-boats. Nevertheless, and tragically, she was indeed attacked on the last leg of her voyage while just south of Kinsale and sank in only 18 minutes, with the shocking loss of almost 1,200 civilian lives. Among the dead were more than 100 American citizens, including a famous businessman and tycoon, Alfred Vanderbilt, and this led to a clamour for the United States to side with the allies – Britain, France and Russia – and to join the war alongside them. While the United States did not enter the war until 1917, historians accept that the sinking of Lusitania and the loss of American lives probably did influence its eventual participation.

Survivors from Lusitania, and indeed many of the dead, were landed on the waterfront at Queenstown, which had bade farewell to Titanic just three years previously. An oar from one of Lusitania’s lifeboats can to this day be seen in the porch of St Barrahane’s Church of Ireland at Castletownshend, in west Cork. A few miles away, in the holiday village of Schull, a public house provides a less dignified setting for one of Lusitania’s deckchairs, where it hangs suspended from a ceiling.

By dint of fate, the commander and crew of the U-boat that sank Lusitania were themselves lost in the ensuing war at sea within a few months of its sinking. In keeping with the highest traditions of marine service, the captain of Lusitania, William Turner, only abandoned his ship at the very last possible moment and spent several hours in the water from where he was subsequently rescued. He later resumed his maritime service and, remarkably, was again sunk – and once again survived – when another ship under his command was attacked by a U-boat in 1917.

So, at this centenary of Titanic’s loss, we also remember Lusitania – two great ships, and two great tragedies.

Ivan Maginnis

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GREAT BIG PHOTO FESTIVALDuring the last weekend of April, our church will fling wide its doors to visitors and to photographs from all round the city, and beyond. We will hopefully become a canvas for photos from professionals and amateurs, grannies and grandads, kids and adults.

We are looking for individuals to submit photos to us. There is still time – we are keeping registration

open until Sunday, 22nd April, to allow us to maximise the number of entries.

The festival programme is planned as follows:

Friday 27th April

12noon – 4.00pm Church open for viewing – light refreshments will be served

7.30pm Beetle Drive in the parish hall

Saturday 28th April

10.00am – 4.00pm Church open for viewing –light refreshments will be served

10.00am – 11.30am A Photo Walk from the church to Stormont Estate and back, with coffee and bacon butties on return

2.30pm – 4.30pm Digital photograph workshop – bring your camera and laptop (a few laptops can be supplied if you let us know). This session will cover basics and also editing of photos

7.30pm – Late A community pot luck supper – simply sign up in church or contact the Curate as to whether you would like to provide a main course, side dish or dessert. Bring it down to the hall and enjoy each other’s company! Invite friends – everyone in the parish is welcome!. BYO drinks.

Sunday 29th April

Sunday Services are as normal

1.00pm-4.00pm Church open for viewing – light refreshments will be served

More information can be found at the back of the church or on our website

www.thephotofest.net

Robert

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY(Fundraising Initiatives for the Zambian Travel Fund)

Saturday, 31st March‘Cash for Clobber’ Collection

Wednesday, 18th April Ladies Guild Tea for Zambia Open Night

Friday, 20th AprilSt. Columba’s Choir Table Quiz

Friday, 27th AprilMU Activity Beetle Drive

Saturday, 28th AprilPot Luck Supper

Friday, 27th to Sunday, 29th AprilGreat Big Photo Festival

Saturday, 2nd to Monday, 4th JuneThe Grand Cathedral Cycle Tour

MAY MAGAZINEPlease note, any articles or photographs for publication in the May parish magazine should be handed or e-mailed to the editor by 6.00pm at latest on Sunday, 15th April. Many thanks

FROM THE REGISTERSOur Joys

Holy BaptismSunday 11th March Luke Julian Alexander Smyth

34 Wynard Park

Our SorrowsChristian BurialThursday 16th February Florence Harrison

51 Wandsworth Road

FLOWER ROTA FOR APRILSunday 1st .............................................................. Palm Leaves and GreenerySunday 8th ............................................................. Easter Lilies by Mrs. C. CrampSunday 15th ........................................................... Margaret McKeeSunday 22nd. .......................................................... Moranne NoadSunday 29th ........................................................... Margaret Stewart

HOSPITAL VISITINGThe Clergy would appreciate being informed if parishioners are in hospital, going into hospital, are being transferred or if they have been discharged, and will be pleased to o�er them pastoral support. Do not assume the Clergy already know the information as situations have occurred recently when they have not been informed. Please telephone the Rector (028 90471514) or the Curate (028 90653370) to enable them to take careful note of the details.

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SUNDAY10.30am Sunday School

(2nd, 4th, 5th Sundays)Bubbles (3-5 years) Louise Craig 90�7�51� Patricia Wilson 90�01066Splash (5-8 years) Joyce Stephenson 9058��81X-treme (8-11 years) Alan Boyd 078�� �919�5The Grid (11 years +) Beth Cairnduff 9087�0�7

8.00pm Beatitudes ChoirDavid Beattie 907971�5

MONDAY2.00pm Ladies BowlingPhyllis Newton 90�8�11�

2.30p.m. Afternoon Group (2nd Monday)May Preston 90�8988�

7.30pm Men’s ClubGeoff Launchbury 90�81�0�

TUESDAY10.30am Ladies BadmintonEithne Hobson 9079779�

2.00pm Ladies BadmintonKyleen Clarke 90797155

8.00pm Mothers’ Union (1st Tuesday)Sandra Lowe 90808755

8.00pm Activity Group (except 1st Tuesday)Maureen Irwin 90795155

WEDNESDAY7.30pm Bible Study Group Trevor Buchanan 90657697

7.45pm Ladies Guild (3rd Wednesday)Lilias Smith 9059�0�9

THURSDAY 9.30am Art ClubBob Killen 90790�10

7.30pm Senior Badminton ClubJill Spratt 0775� �05511

7.45pm Choir PracticeGerald Hill 90���101

FRIDAY9.45am Mums & TotsAnne Clarke 90651�1�

3.45-5pm Toddler Mini Soccer 3-5yrsTim Wareing 077�0 1�0788

6.30pm DovesKaren McAlpine 90����90

6.30pm BrowniesBeth Cairnduff 9087�0�7

8.30pm H2OMark Wilson 907610�0

Young Families Group (Social events as arranged)The Rector 90�7151�

PARISH ORGANISATIONSSOMETHING FOR YOU?

Please note, requests for the occasional use of Church premises must first be submitted to the Premises Convenor, Alan Rogers, on 90656183

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WHO’S WHO IN ST. COLUMBA’SPARISH WEBSITE: www.stcolumbas.down.anglican.org

RECTORThe Revd John R. AuchmutySt. Columba’s Rectory�9 King’s RoadBT5 6JGTel 028 90471514 Email johnauchmuty@btinternet.com

CURATE The Revd Robert FerrisThe Curatage� Sandown Park SouthBT5 6HETel 028 90653370Email rferris281@gmail.com robert@stcolumbasyouth.org

PARISH READERKaren McAlpine10 Old Quay CourtHolywoodBT18 OHTTel 028 90424390

DIOCESAN LAY READER (EMERITUS)Bryn Harris�� Dalton GladeGlen RoadComberBT�� 5SZTel 028 91878816

RECTOR’S CHURCHWARDENJill Gillespie� Cairnburn CrescentBT� �HUTel 028 90769508

PEOPLE’S CHURCHWARDENRonny Martin1� Cyprus GardensBT5 6FBTel 028 90654301

RECTOR’S GLEBEWARDENJim Stevenson�� Casaeldona RiseBT6 9RATel 028 90583381Mob 07973 392448

PEOPLE’S GLEBEWARDENJohn Proctor1� Richhill ParkBT5 6HGTel 028 90870526Mob 07989 469773

SELECT VESTRYRector, Curate, Churchwardens, Glebewardens, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Asst. Hon. Treasurer, Brian Acheson, Helen Donaghy, Victor Dukelow, Patrick Good, Jennifer Johnston, Elizabeth Leonard, Moranne Noad, Roberta Rogers, Linda Wilson

HON. SECRETARY & PREMISES CONVENORAlan Rogers50 Cabin Hill GardensBT5 7AQTel 028 90656183Email alanrogers53@gmail.com

HON. TREASURERGillian Sadlier70 Kensington RoadBT5 6NGTel 028 90403278

ASST. HON. TREASURER/GIFT AID SECRETARY/FREE WILL OFFERINGMurray Hunter1� Knockdarragh ParkBT� �LETel 028 90761295

PAROCHIAL NOMINATORSTrevor BuchananPatrick GoodElizabeth LeonardMoranne Noad

DIOCESAN SYNOD MEMBERSVictor DukelowPatrick GoodElizabeth LeonardMoranne NoadRoss Thompson

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ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTERGerald Hill6 The CoachesBrown’s Brae, Croft RoadHolywoodBT18 OLETel 028 90422101

ASSISTANT ORGANISTBrian Clements150 Sandown RoadBT5 6GXTel 028 90793641

READERS & INTERCESSORS CO-ORDINATORMuriel Arndell18 Kinedar CrescentBT� �LYTel 028 90655500

SIDESPERSONS’ ROTA CO-ORDINATORRosemary Coffey�� Thornyhill RoadKillinchyBT�� 6SJTel 028 97542198

CRÈCHE ROTA CO-ORDINATORSuzanne Allen9 Cabin Hill GardensBT5 7APTel 028 90653511

MAGAZINE EDITORIan Noad�6 Shandon ParkBT5 6NXTel 028 90793704Email noadfamily@hotmail.com

MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTOR CO-ORDINATORJohn HollandGreengraves Cottage8 Ballyrogan Park, NewtownardsBT�� �SDTel 028 91814036

PARISH WEBMASTERIvan Roche�9 Richhill ParkBT5 6HG Tel 028 95140141Email ivan.roche@me.com

C of I GAZETTE DISTRIBUTORRuth Pugh1�7A King’s RoadBT5 7EGTel 028 90483459

BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP NOTESEvan Preston1� Carrowreagh GardensDundonaldBT16 ITWTel 028 90489884

CHURCH FLOWERSPaddy Nesbitt�0 Knockhill ParkBT5 6HYTel 028 90650716

ST. COLUMBA’S PARISH OFFICEOffice Hours

Wednesday & Friday 8.�0am – 1.�0pmParish Secretary: Janet Johnston

Tel 028 90656891Email office.knock@down.anglican.org

SAFEGUARDING TRUST The Rector, Select Vestry and Parish Leaders are committed to upholding good practice in the parish’s ministry with children and young people. Should you have cause for concern or suspicion regarding child welfare in the parish, please contact a member of the Parish Panel below, or any of the statutory agencies.

The Rector 028 9047 1514 Patrick Good 028 9065 6908 Elizabeth Leonard 028 9065 3162