Vol 13.2 Feb - Mar 2010

Cross Talk

From the Vicar… Dear Friends, When you read this we will be moving once again towards Lent. Ash Wednesday this year is on the 17th February and our Rural Deanery services begin once more on the Wednesday nights during Lent at 7.30pm. The service schedule is as follows: Ash Wednesday – Drumnaul 24th M – Ballyclare 3rd March – Bishop’s Seminar, Drumnaul 10th March – Muckamore 17th March – St Patrick’s, Antrim 24th March – Bishop’s Seminar, Drumnaul The theme for the Rural Deanery services this year is ‘the Mind of God’ and the sermons at those services will focus on this. You will notice from the schedule above that two of the Wednesday nights are a break from the usual Rural Deanery services. This is in order to facilitate the Bishop’s seminars which are taking place at Drumnaul church. The topic for the Bishop’s seminars this year is ‘Jesus is Lord’ and the Bishop plans to look at Christ's birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection over the two seminars. I have been advised to book places for these seminars, so anyone who wishes to attend should let me know.

During Lent we will also be having our daily Matins services at St. Patrick’s at 9.30am, which begin on Monday 22nd February. These morning services only last 15 minutes, and prayer is a great way to start the day. Everyone would be welcome to attend. There are a faithful few who lead these services, but anyone else who would be interested in being part of this ministry should let me know.

We will be sharing a Palm Sunday service again this year with the people of Templepatrick Presbyterian Church and the Old

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Presbyterian Church. This year the service will be hosted by us in St. Patrick’s and I would encourage you to attend and show your support.

We will be having our soup and cheese lunch in aid of the Bishops’ Appeal on the first Sunday in March, the 7th, in the Parish Hall following the 11.30 am service in St. Patrick’s and your support for this cause would be appreciated.

You will notice from the service schedule that a new service has been introduced to Holy Week. The Tenebrae service is designed to relate the events of Holy Week through readings and the use of light. A candle is put out after each reading until finally the church is in total darkness, symbolising the desolation of Good Friday. After a period of silence a gong is sounded and the lights come back on in the church, symbolising the light and joy of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is a service that is a little bit different, but I invite you to come and experience it.

I’m sure that like me those of you who attend church regularly have appreciated the dedication of the choir during the Christmas period. Whilst the choir is served well by its faithful members we are always looking to include new faces and if anyone would be interested in joining the choir, please speak either to me or to our organist, Denise Martin.

Lent is a time for reflection and repentance as we recall the sinful people we are and the mercy of God in sending his Son to die for us. We should be mindful of this sacrifice as we journey towards Easter and give thanks daily for the loving kindness of our God. Many blessings, Jennifer +

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If you, or someone you know, are going into hospital, or are sick please let the Vicar know. Thank you.

PARISH HALL - FINANCES Finances are handled through two accounts, the No.1 account for the day to day income and expenditure of the Parish and the No 2 account (fabric fund) for the upkeep and repairs of property and buildings. Currently both these accounts are significantly OVERDRAWN - the No 1 account by £6,000.00 and the No 2 Account by £27,000.00. The recent Parish Hall extension was covered from the Fabric fund, through lottery and priority fund grants and also direct giving from parishioners. While this largely covered the cost of the new extension, replacement windows were badly needed, at a cost of £26,000.00. This necessitated the need for an overdraft. Income to the fabric fund through parishioners direct giving, including covenant tax refund, is currently around £4,000.00 per year. Parish finances are normally reviewed every 4 years, and this is due in the Autumn 2010. During these 4 years, day to day expenditure increases considerably while income remains static, hence the No 1 Account is overdrawn. Obviously these overdrafts incur considerable interest payments. Hence the Select Vestry is keen to reduce them as quickly as possible and to this extent will continue to run fund raising events. They also welcome any further direct donations to the fabric fund from parishioners through the existing monthly envelopes, which all parishioners have, unless they currently donate by bankers order. Norman Shirley (Hon Treasurer)

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Walter Raleigh

Sunday Club – SCLUB4 Hello and welcome back to all the Children after the festive holidays !

The next couple of months will be quite busy as we approach Lent, Mothering Sunday and Easter. We are currently counting the monies received, so far, from our Kindfund, Advent appeal. Look out for details on how much was collected in the next edition of the magazine. If anyone has not yet returned their jars, could we ask you to do so, as soon as possible please, to any of the Sunday Club leaders – thank you. May we take this opportunity of thanking everyone who contributed to this very worthwhile cause. If there are any Children who are aged 5 years or over and who would like to join the fun and fellowship of the Sunday Club, then please come along, you will be made most welcome. Gail

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Angels, roll the rock away; Death, yield up thy mighty prey:

See, He rises from the tomb, Glowing with immortal bloom.

Thomas Scott, "Easter Angels"

LADIES FELLOWSHIP Our November meeting was a very enjoyable evening of “Taste and Share”. Members brought their favourite dish and recipe which we all sampled with great pleasure. Hopefully in the future, with a few more contributions, we will endeavour to produce a small Recipe Book. In December we had a Christmas themed evening. A group of hand bell ringers from East Belfast entertained us and we were encouraged to try our hands at ringing along with them. This was followed by a fun quiz and supper of mince pies and shortbread. On January 23rd we held a Beetle Drive with supper as a fund raising event. Dates for your diary:- Friday 5th March 2010 Women's World Day of Prayer Kilbride Presbyterian Church at 8pm.

Sunday 7th March 2010 Bishop's Appeal, Soup and Cheese Lenten Lunch The lunch takes place in the Parish Hall following the All Age Worship Service. Any offers of help with catering would be much appreciated. We would be delighted to have some new members so please come and join us. You would be made most welcome. Margaret Walbridge (Hon Secretary) Tel: 9443 2795

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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

Vicar The Rev Jennifer Bell BSc, AG/AN SCI, (HAUC), BTh

The Vicarage, 926 Antrim Road, Templepatrick, Co Antrim, BT39 0AT 028 9443 2300 E-mail: templepatrick@connor.anglican.org

CHURCH OFFICE BEARERS

Vicar’s Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's) Mrs A Millar 35 Ballyclare Road, Templepatrick Tel: 9443 2066 People's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's) Mrs M Walbridge 4 Broadacres, Templepatrick Tel:9443 2795 Vicar’s Churchwarden:(St.John's) Dr C Lundy 11 Old Coach Road, Templepatrick Tel: 9443 3720 People's Churchwarden:(St.John's) Mrs M Bell 2 Mossgrove Park, Newtownabbey Tel:9083 3300 Vicar’s Glebewarden:Mr D Mawhinney 26 Burnside Road, Dunadry Tel:9443 3208 People's Glebewarden: Mr M Cooke 44 Rathmore Road, Dunadry Tel:9443 3183 Supplemental Glebewarden: Mr S Clendinning Tel:9443 2523 Select Vestry: (meets 2nd Monday in month at 8pm) Mrs M.Bell, Mr H.Cinnamon, Mr S.Clendinning, Mr M.Cooke, Mr K Egli, Ms A.Kerr, Dr C.Lundy, Mr A.Martin, Mr D.Mawhinney, Mr T.Michael, Mrs A.Millar, Mr S.McCollam, Mrs I.McCollam, Mrs G.McCoy, Mr N.Shirley, Mr D. Smyth, Mrs M.Walbridge. Honorary Secretary: Mr A.Walbridge 4 Broadacres,Templepatrick Tel:9443 2795 Honorary Treasurer: Mr N.Shirley 23 Kingscourt,Templepatrick Tel:9443 2597 Honorary F.W.O. Recorder and Envelope Secretary: Mrs I.McCollam, 7 Lylehill Road Tel:9443 2734 Covenant & Gift Aid Secretary: Mr M. Cooke 44 Rathmore Road, Dunadry Tel:9443 3183 Diocesan Synodsmen: Mr E.Cinnamon, Mr J.Sheldon Supplemental Synodsmen: Mr M. Cooke, Mrs M. Finlay PARISH PANEL:- The Vicar, Mrs A. Cinnamon, Mr M. Cooke, Mr A. Walbridge

  

  

  

  

     

 Hall Secretary: Mrs I. McCollam Tel:9443 2734 Sacristan (St. Patrick’s): Mrs R. Barnes Tel:9442 9923, Mr B McMeekin Tel: 9446 4483 Sacristan (St. John’s): Mrs W Lundy Tel: 9443 3720 Church of Ireland Gazette Secretary: Mrs M McConnell Tel:9443 2560 Bible Study Notes Secretary: Mrs D. Lucas Tel:9082 5737 Christian Aid Secretary: Mrs L. Lynas Tel:9443 3363 Magazine Editorial Team: The Vicar; Mrs G. McCoy; Mr A. Walbridge Parish webmaster: Mr A. Walbridge Tel:9443 2795 alan@walbridge.co.uk Magazine Production: Mrs Gail McCoy Tel:9443 2782 gail.mccoy@jti.comPre-service Coffee: rota organizer - Mrs A. Millar Tel:9443 2066

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Parish organisations and their leaders:- Choir: Practices on Thursday at 8pm. St Patrick’s, Templepatrick Organist and Choirmistress: Mrs D. Martin, 22 The Chase, Parkgate Tel: 9443 3943 St John’s, Donegore Organist and Choirmistress: Mrs S. Cotter Sunday Club: Co-ordinator: Mrs G. McCoy Tel: 9443 2782. Helper: Miss C. Lucas Creche: (Sunday) Mrs Judith Collister Tel: 9082 5121 Youth Organisations Choir: Practices on Thursday at 8.00pm Mrs D. Martin Tel: 9443 3943 Rainbow Guides (4-7 years): Wednesday 6.00-7.00pm Rhonda Gamble Tel: 9335 4842 Brownies (7-10 years): Wednesday 6.30-8.00pm Rhonda Gamble Tel: 9335 4842 Guides (10-14 years): Wednesday 7.30-9.00pm Karen Kelly Tel:9443 3131 Beavers (6-8 years): Tuesday 6.30-7.30pm Catherine Michael Tel:9443 3123 Cub Scouts (8-10years): Monday 6.45-8.00pm Mr Alan Martin Tel:9443 3943 Adult Organisations Choir: Practices on Thursday at 8pm. Mrs D. Martin Tel:9443 3943 Indoor Bowling Club: Friday 7.30pm. Secretary: Mrs I. McCollam Tel:9443 2734 Ladies Fellowship: 3rd Tuesday in the month 8pm. Secretary: Mrs M Walbridge Tel: 9443 2795 Parish Ramblers: meet occasionally  

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United Parishes of Templepatrick and Donegore 

present

A Community Soup and Cheese Lunch  

on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month

from 12 noon – 2pm

at Templepatrick Parish Hall, Old Coach Road, (just under the railway bridge)

All welcome for food and fellowship

£2.50 admission

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Bible Study

The Bible Study group continues to meet on a Wednesday evening at 7.30 pm in the Vicarage. If anyone wants to attend you would be most welcome. Please speak to the Vicar.

LITTLE THOUGHTS

Genesis 1 : 31 KJV And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

Of course we can’t see angels! But we know that God has made them, just the same.

And who knows, maybe each of them knows each of us by name? For we are sure that He has charged them, one-by-one, to keep,

His children safe in waking hours by day, And guard us when the stars come out – in sleep.

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From the Registers ………

CHRISTIAN BURIAL

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord”

25th November 2009, Ron Emsley, 10 Bridge Park, Templepatrick

BIBLE MOMENTS

Are there not always moments in our lives when we need to call on a verse from God’s word, to say to ourselves, to think on, and to let Him build us up through it? There is no circumstance in life where we can’t find help, encouragement and strength from the many words that God has prepared for us, from times long ago up to the present moment!

The Time Ahead It probably comes natural to most of us to think of a new year as the next twelve months into the future. And, when it comes to the future, maybe we think of years ahead. But, on reflection, can’t sometimes the next five minutes be as important – or, in some circumstances, even critical? This verse uses the power of the word Always. And it’s just that. When we need God’s comfort and reassurance, every second, every minute, every hour, every day. Not just for the years ahead – but always. Matthew 28 : 20 King James Version And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28 : 20 New Revised Standard Version And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28 : 20 The Message I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.

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So what’s so special about Lent, anyway? Lent begins on 17th February. It begins with Ash Wednesday, which always falls in the seventh week before Easter. Lent is widely observed by Christians around the world as a time of fasting or meditation.

Why ‘Ash Wednesday’? What do ashes have to do with anything? This goes right back to the Old Testament custom of putting ashes on one’s face or clothing as a symbol of repentance or remorse. (e.g. Esther 4.1; Jeremiah 6.26). When the early Church began to observe Lent as a period of preparation for Easter, repentance and remorse played a key part. Therefore the wearing of ashes was adopted as a proper external sign of this inward attitude of remorse or repentance.

So the early Christians, especially during the Middle Ages, used the first day of Lent to impose ashes on the heads of the clergy and the people. Nowadays, these ashes come from the burning of the palm crosses that were handed out on Palm Sunday during the previous year’s Lent.

Some churches continue this theme of repentance by the symbolic use of purple clerical dress during Lent.

What about the custom of giving up things for Lent? In the past, Lent was a time for fasting, because it is based on the period of 40 days spent by Jesus in the wilderness before the beginning of his public ministry in Galilee. Jesus fasted for 40 days, and so his followers were encouraged to do the same thing. The early Church recommended a fast of two or three days, but by the fourth century, people were encouraged to fast for the full 40 days.

The precise nature of this ‘fasting’ varied. In general, the western church understood ‘fasting’ as a reduced intake of food, and eating fish rather than meat. It encouraged Christians to spend time in devotional reading or attendance at church rather than fasting.

But what about the length of Lent? The numerically able reader will have worked out by now that the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Day is actually 46 days. So why not the 40 days that Jesus fasted? Again, we go back to early church tradition. In the early Church, every Sunday was regarded as a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. So fasting was forbidden on a Sunday! So the period of 46 days thus consists of 40 days of fasting, plus the six Sundays which fall between Ash Wednesday and Easter Day. Finally, just before Ash Wednesday, we have Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday. This custom comes from the many thousands of Christian housewives down the centuries who cleared out their larders immediately before the fast of Lent. The simplest way of using up all their eggs, flour and milk was to make pancakes. In some countries the day is known as Mardi Gras, and is marked by major carnivals, most famously in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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St Patrick’s & St John’s Bowling Club COLEMAN’S GARDEN CENTRE

pm pm

The Bowling Club continues to meet on Friday evenin

to 10.30 pm and Monday evening from 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm.

Since our last magazine we have had our Christmas party night, wiour ‘resident’ Santa. We had a good turn out of members, the winnevening received a turkey, with lots of other prizes and everyone refrom Santa.

We are now looking forward to our second visit of the season to theStadium, date to be arranged, and a return visit to the Rock Bowlin

To anyone who has never bowled before, come along and enjoy thefriendship, everyone 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 fam

life of the church. When considering getting married plpossible dates with the Rector before confirming arran

It is expected that couples will make a regular commitmenthe church in preparation for marriage.

An annual Rural Deanery marriage preparation course takyear in February which ‘intending’ couples are asked

6 Old Ballyclare Road, Templepatrick For further information Tel: 028 9443 2513

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

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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

CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY 2010 - MARCH 2010 2nd Sunday before Lent 07.02.10 8.30 am Holy Communion; 11.30 am All Age Worship Old Testament Isaiah 55:10-13 Psalm 92:1-4 + 12-15 Epistle 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Gospel Luke 6:39-49 The Sunday before Lent 14.02.10 10.00am Parish Eucharist; 11.30 am Matins Old Testament 1 Kings 18:20-21 + 30-39 Psalm 96 Epistle Galatians 1:1-12 Gospel Luke 7:1-10 1st Sunday in Lent 21.02.10 8.30 am Holy Communion; 11.30 am Parish Eucharist Old Testament Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2 + 9-16 Epistle Romans 10:8b-13 Gospel Luke 4:1-13 2nd Sunday in Lent 28.02.10 10.00 am Matins; 11.30 am Morning Prayer Old Testament Genesis 15:1-12 + 17-18 Psalm 27 Epistle Philippians 3:17-4:1 Gospel Luke 9:28-36 3rd Sunday in Lent 07.03.10 8.30 am Holy Communion; 11.30 am All Age Worship Old Testament Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-9 Epistle 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Gospel Luke 13:1-9 4th Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday) 14.03.10 10.00 am Parish Eucharist; 11.30 am Matins Old Testament Exodus 2:1-10 Psalm 34:11-20 Epistle 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Gospel Luke 2:33-35

St. Patrick’s Day 17.03.10 10.00 am Patronal Festival in St. Patrick’s Old Testament Deuteronomy 32:1-9 Psalm 145:1-13 Epistle 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 Gospel John 4:31-38 5th Sunday in Lent 21.03.10 8.30 am Holy Communion; 11.30 am Parish Eucharist Old Testament Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Epistle Philippians 3:4b-14 Gospel John 12:1-8 6th Sunday in Lent (Palm Sunday) 28.03.10 10.00 am Matins; 11.30 am Morning Prayer; 7.30 pm Joint Churches service in St. Patrick’s Old Testament Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 118:1-2 + 19-29 Epistle Philippians 2:5-11 Gospel Luke 19:28-40 Monday of Holy Week 29.03.10 10.00 am Holy Communion Old Testament Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 36:5-11 Epistle Hebrews 9:11-15 Gospel John 12:1-11 Tuesday of Holy Week 30.03.10 10.00 am Holy Communion Old Testament Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 71:1-14 Epistle 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Gospel John 12:20-36 Wednesday of Holy Week 31.03.10 10.00 am Holy Communion; 7.30pm Tenebrae Service Old Testament Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 70 Epistle Hebrews 12:1-3 Gospel John 13:21-32 pto …

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Old Testament Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 116:1 + 10-17 Epistle 1 Corinthians 11:23-36 Gospel John 13:1-17 + 31b-35 Good Friday 02.04.09 2.00 – 3.00pm The Last Hour 7.30 pm An Evening Service for Good Friday Old Testament Genesis 22:1-18 Psalm 130 Epistle Colossians 1:18-23 Gospel John 19:38-42 Easter Day 04.04.10 10.00am Parish Eucharist; 11.30 am Parish Eucharist Old Testament Acts 10:34-43 Psalm Easter Anthems Epistle 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 Gospel John 20:1-18

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A t t

NB: Rural Deanery Lenten Services are on Wednesdays at 7.30pm (see Vicar's letter for more details). Saints' days are as announced. Matins is said in St Patrick's every Mon, Tue, Thurs, and Fri each week during Lent at 9.30am beginning Monday 22nd February until Holy Week.

Christmas Quiz Answers Reindeers The reindeers eventually managed to sort the presents out. The correct distribution was:

Name County Present

Alan Crawford Antrim Pony

Cliffy Rowlands Down Guitar

Jennifer Feather Tyrone Computer

Liz Northey Fermanagh Painting Set

Sarah Jamison Armagh Bicycle

Trivia 1) Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer made his first appearance in 1939, in a story

that was written to promote a department store (D).

The story was written by Robert L. May, the advertising editor of the Montgomery Ward department store chain. His four-year-old daughter picked the name Rudolph. May's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, later turned it into the now-familiar song, which was popularized by singer Gene Autry in 1949.

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2) After Scrooge has reformed his life at the end of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", he proposes getting together with Bob Cratchit for some "smoking bishop", which was a hot spiced drink (C).

Mulled wines were popular festive drinks in 19th- century London. They were undoubtedly much safer to drink than the untreated water. To make Smoking Bishop, take 6 bitter oranges and stick them with 6 cloves each. Put them in a bowl, cover with (cheap) red wine, and set in a warm place for a day. Squeeze the oranges into the wine and strain. Add port. Heat, and serve with a cinnamon stick.

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3) Prior to the continuous occupation of the International Space Station in 2001, how many people actually spent Christmas Day in space? Thirty-five (D).

The first people in space at Christmas were Borman, Lovell and Anders, who orbited the moon in Apollo-8. Since then, 32 others have spent December 25 either in Salyut 6, MIR, or the International Space Station. Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev was there three times, in 1988, 1991 and 2000. Now that the ISS is continuously occupied, the number should continue to increase steadily.

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4) In the Ukraine, if you find a spider web in the house on Christmas morning it is believed to mean good luck (A).

One Christmas morning, a poor woman, who could not afford decorations, found that spiders had trimmed her children's tree with their webs. When the morning sun shone on them, the webs turned to silver. An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees.

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5) America's official national Christmas tree is located in King's Canyon National Park in California (C).

The tree, a giant sequoia called the "General Grant Tree", is over 90 meters (300 feet) high. It was made the official Christmas tree in 1925.

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6) A modern Christmas custom borrowed from ancient Rome's New Year's celebrations is displaying a wreath on the front door of one's house (C).

Romans wished each other "good health" by exchanging branches of evergreens. They called these gifts "strenae" after Strenia, the goddess of health. It became the custom to bend these into a ring and display them on doorways.

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7) The first instrument on which the carol "Silent Night" was played was a guitar (C).

The carol was first sung as part of a church service in Oberndorf, Austria. The unusual choice of guitar for the accompaniment rather than the traditional church organ has given rise to a number of picturesque stories (the organ bellows had been damaged by mice; the organ had been sabotaged; etc.), but in fact it was simply a matter of preference on the part of the author, Joseph Mohr.

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8) Good King Wenceslas was king of Bohemia (C).

The historical Wenceslas was actually only Duke of Bohemia, not a king. He lived in the tenth century.

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9) The real St. Nicholas lived in Turkey (C).

St. Nicholas was bishop of the Turkish town of Myra in the early 4th century. It was the Dutch who first made him into a Christmas gift-giver, and Dutch settlers brought him to America where his name changed.

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Alan alan@walbridge.co.uk

Out of the mouths of babes Children say the funniest things. A book by Nanette Newman called To You With Love is a compendium of some of the things children have said. There is a whole section on God and Jesus and faith and I thought it might brighten our day if I put a couple of quotes in the magazine. “Jesus was born with a yellow frill around his head like his mother.” Jeffrey – aged 5 “My granny always talks to Jesus on Sundays. The rest of the week she goes to bingo which is where he lives sometimes.” Charles – aged 5 More in the next magazine!  

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The very first Valentine card - a legend The Roman Emperor Claudius II needed soldiers. He suspected that marriage made men want to stay at home instead of fighting wars, so he outlawed marriage. A kind-hearted young priest named Valentine felt sorry for all the couples who wanted to marry, but couldn’t. So secretly he married as many couples as he could - until the Emperor found out and condemned him to death. While he was in prison waiting execution, Valentine showed love and compassion to everyone around him, including his jailer. The jailer had a young daughter who was blind, but through Valentine’s prayers, she was healed. Just before his death in Rome on 14 February, he wrote her a farewell message signed ‘From your Valentine.’ So the very first Valentine card was not between lovers, but between a priest about to die, and a little girl, healed through his prayers.

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DID YOU GET …

… THE MESSAGE?

Romans 12 : 1

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.

THE MESSAGE

EUGENE H. PETERSON

THE MESSAGE IS A CONTEMPORARY RENDERING OF THE BIBLE FROM THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGES

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Lord, Teach Me The Art Of Patience

Lord, teach me the art of patience whilst I am well, and give me the use of it when I am sick. In that day either lighten my burden or strengthen my back. Make me, who so often in my health have discovered my weakness presuming on my own strength, to be strong in my sickness when I solely rely on thy assistance. By Thomas Fuller

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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 Jennifer Bell, 926 Antrim Road, Templepatrick Tel:028 94432300 Mrs A Cinnamon, 27 Templerise, Templepatrick Tel:028 9443 2317 Mr M Cooke, 44 Rathmore Road, Dunadry Tel:028 94433183 Mr A Walbridge, 4 Broadacres, Templepatrick Tel:028 94432795

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

Wednesday 10 March 2010

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  Mr J & Mrs M Templeton March  Mr T & Mrs C Michael 

Cleaning Rota 

February  A Cooke, O Erskine, B Perris March  C Michael, T Michael, G McCoy 

Flower Rota 

February  7th & 14th V st 8acant, 21  & 2 th Lent March  7th, 14th, 21st & 28th Lent 

St John’s 

Communion Rota 

February  Mr & Mrs Lundy March   

From the Vicarage Cat Happy New Year everyone. I wonder did any of you make a New Year’s resolution? Herself always says there is no point because you end up breaking them and then you feel guilty so it’s better not to make them in the first place. Having said that, she keeps talking about going back to the gym this year, which sounds awfully like a resolution to me. Too bad she hasn’t started going yet… she says it’s too cold in the mornings at the moment.

Talking about being cold, I’m very glad I stay inside and don’t go out. The snow recently was terrible. Horrid Cat Next-door left paw prints all over our back garden, and Herself left the back door open when she took something out to the bin and he even tried to get in MY house. No sense of decency at all. Herself had a rotten time trying to keep the driveway clear so she could get the car out. Just imagine if she slid down the hill, it wouldn’t be too good at all. There are some very nice people who have been coming when no one is looking and putting salt and grit on the driveway for her and thank you to those people for keeping her safe. Of course the ice and snow make her grumpy and she has to stick to the main roads so she can’t see as many people as she’d like to, but hopefully now it’s gone, so she’ll be in a better mood! If you are driving in the bad weather please be careful.

May your whiskers always be clean, Libby

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Cookery Corner

Basic Pancakes with Sugar and Lemon Ingredients 4 oz (110 g) plain flour pinch of salt 2 large eggs 7 fl oz (200 ml) milk mixed with 3 fl oz (75 ml) water 2 oz (50 g) butter To serve:caster sugar, lemon juice and lemon wedges Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl with the sieve held high above the bowl so the flour gets an airing. Make a well in the centre of the flour and break the eggs into it. Whisk the eggs, incorporating any bits of flour from around the edge of the bowl as you do so.

Gradually add small quantities of the milk and water mixture, still whisking (don't worry about any lumps as they will eventually disappear as you whisk). When all the liquid has been added, use a rubber spatula to scrape any elusive bits of flour from around the edge into the centre, then whisk once more until the batter is smooth, with the consistency of thin cream. Melt the butter in the pan. Spoon 2 tablespoons of it into the batter and whisk it in, then pour the rest into a bowl and use it when needed to lubricate the pan, using kitchen paper to smear it round.

Now get the pan really hot, then turn the heat down to medium and, to start with, do a test pancake to see if you're using the correct amount of batter. I find 2 tablespoons about right for a 7 inch (18 cm) pan and 3 tablespoons for an 8 inch (20 cm) pan. It's also helpful if you spoon the batter into a ladle so it can be poured into the hot pan in one go. As soon as the batter hits the hot pan, tip it around from side to side to get the base evenly coated with batter. It should take only half a minute or so to cook; you can lift the edge with a palette knife to see if it's tinged gold as it should be. Flip the pancake over with a pan slice or palette knife – the other side will need a few seconds only – then simply slide it out of the pan on to a plate.

To serve, sprinkle each pancake with freshly squeezed lemon juice and caster sugar, fold in half, then in half again to form triangles, or else simply roll them up. Serve sprinkled with a little more sugar and lemon juice and extra sections of lemon. Delia Smith - www.deliaonline.com/

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.

George Herbert, Priest 27 February -- Lesser Festival -- Pastor -- White

Born in 1593 into the aristocratic Pembroke family, George Herbert went up to Cambridge in 1614, eventually becoming a fellow of Trinity College. At the age of twenty-five, he became Public Orator in the University and then a Member of Parliament, apparently destined for a life at court. To everyone's surprise, he decided to be ordained and, after spending a time with his friend Nicholas Ferrar at Little Gidding, he was made deacon in 1626. He married in 1629, was priested in 1630 and given the care of souls of the parish of Bemerton, near Salisbury, where he spent the rest of his short life. He wrote prolifically, his hymns still being popular throughout the English-speaking world. His treatise, The Country Parson, on the priestly life, and his poetry, especially The Temple, earned Herbert a leading place in English literature. He never neglected the care of the souls of Bemerton, however, and encouraged attendance at the weekday recitation of the daily office, calling to mind the words of his hymn, 'Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee'. He died on this day in 1633.

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.

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