feb 2011

CARRIGROHANE UNION OF PARISHESCARRIGROHANE UNION OF PARISHESSt Peter’s, Carrigrohane St Senan’s, Inniscarra The Church of the Resurrection, Blarney

www.carrigrohaneunionofparishes.iewww.carrigrohaneunionofparishes.ie

SPANSPAN FebruaryFebruary 20112011

MISSION -INTRODUCTION:“CONNECT 12”

SUN 6TH FEB 2011with the Rev Paul

Hoey, CPAS11.00 am United

Celebrationin the Parish Centre is

followed bya Bring and Share

Lunch

Kingdom Engage …expressing “the kindness and love of God our Saviour…” (Titus 3 v 4) Prayer Focus for February:

Blarney and Carrigrohane Toddler morningsAt toddlers we aim to share God’s love by providing a friendly, welcoming and

safe place for adults and pre-school children to come together for fun, chat,support and relaxation.(Caring for pre-school children can be emotionally and physically draining and

having the chance to get out of the house and meet other parents/carers canmake all the difference.) The volunteers on the toddler teams are:

In Blarney: Ruth,Rosemary, Judith, Alice,April, Geraldine,Catherine, Hannah,with Liz, Joan, Janet andLinda on the kitchen rota.

In Carrigrohane: Lucia,Assumpta, Leigh,Deirdre, Marcel,Samantha and Diane,with wonderful supportin the kitchen fromJean, Marg, Joan,Lorraine, Ann, Rubyand Berna and notforgetting Marion whomakes the scones.

Volunteering withtoddlers, while enjoyable and rewarding, is a big commitment and we wouldappreciate your prayers for:-- Continued energy and enthusiasm.

- Good caring relationships between team members and the parents, carersand children.- Safety both during the toddler mornings and for everyone travelling to andfrom toddlers.- Wisdom, perception and the ability to listen to those who may need some-one to talk to.- Guidance about how the toddler groups can best serve God's purposes.- The Big Toddle which we plan to hold again on June 17th.

(In particular for good weather, a good turnout and lots of helpers!)We can always use extra help so if you would like to get involved, please contact(Carrigrohane) Lucia 087-2942285 or (Blarney) Ruth 087-2941281 Thank you!

Sun 10th—Fri 15th July 2011

Get ready—it’s coming!

28 Feb—13 Maris FairTrade Fortnight

2011

An Action Guide is avail-able to download from:

www.fairtrade.ie/fortnight

Book Club:Feb 9th: Sarah’s Keyby Tatiana de Rosnay@ EleanorsMar 9th: Travels withmy Aunt by GrahamGreene @ Mary’sApr 13th: We Had ItSo Good by LindaGrant @ Helen’s

PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com

SPANSPANYouthwork news...

The Blarney Holiday Club is planned to run fromTuesday 19th –Friday 22nd July, with a preparationday for all leaders on the Monday (18th July).Please pray for these plans—and especially for lead-ers to come forward to help. If you’re interested, andwould like to know more, please talk to Matt, Katie orApril!Carrigrohane Union Youth Trip 2011—at the FaithMission Centre, Carhue, Bandon from Wed 27th -Sat 30th April (Growing Leaders group to helpMatt set up on Tue 26th April!) This annual trip is forall from Sunday PM, Glow MAX, and those in 6thclass from Glow/Adventurers/The Ark/JAM.It is always great!More details, including cost, to follow.For an interesting article on integrating youth workwith the life of the wider church see:http://www.cpas.org.uk/download/1674/web_upload%2525Bridging+the+Gap-1286873846.pdf

Sunday PM is going well at present, and our newformat for this term is to run two 'strands' alongsideeach other. What started as a small discussion groupof 8 young people now has 25-30 people comingranging from 1st through to 6th years, so a variedteaching input was needed to help all the youngpeople grow at the different ages and stages they arein. The young people have chosen to join either thegroup looking at CY (a Christianity Explored course)or Romans. So far, so good - but please pray forthese times on Sunday evenings, the two strands willstretch us at times. Thanks to Matthew W, Hil,Geraldine, Heather and Phoebe who lead this groupwith Matt and Katie and make these two strandspossible.Exciting news - Heather Lane has been appointedas the sessional worker to cover Katie's maternityleave, she starts at the end of Feb, and will continueher involvement in the various groups. She bringsyears of involvement and experience - she was onthe interview panel for Matt and Katie!

Much love - remember Romans 5.1 'Therefore, sincewe have been justified by faith, we have peace withGod through our Lord Jesus Christ'.

Matt & Katie

Parish Office ReviewAt the last meeting of the Select Vestry (SV) Ian explainedthe review process & evaluation of the Parish Office that washeld before Christmas.

At that meeting, it was suggested that it might be helpful tooutline the basic different responsibilities that we, Jaki &Patsy, fulfil:-

• so that it’s easier to contact the right person! (But we docover for each other a lot and pass messages quite well,so don’t worry if the ‘right’ person isn’t in!)

• so that parishioners might see what goes on and possi-bly notice opportunities to offer their gifts and time to helpout! Many jobs now covered by the office used to bedone voluntarily by parishioners, and as the office rolehas grown (but not the hours worked!) - there is plenty ofwork to go around!

Jaki mainly looks after all the rotas, the service sheets andweekly diaries, the safeguarding trust work and office jobsconnected with youth-work. She also keeps the office andthe parish centre stocked with equipment & consumables,does all the banking and cleans the parish centre (eventouching up the paintwork during the ‘quiet time’ of the sum-mer!).

We both look after the bookings of the parish centre and thediary of events kept in the office. Together, we also do thestewardship envelope counting each week and pay the bills.

Patsy mainly puts Span together, looks after the website, thewall calendar, the monthly finance reconciliations and theannual tax reclaim process. She also takes the minutes atSV meetings and for the mission planning group, and is partof the finance sub-group of the SV.

The SV expressed their thanks to us for our contribution tothe life of the Union. We appreciate the kind words of en-couragement—and are always glad to help!

Of course, we don’t always get it right - but we do try!Jaki & Patsy

A belated big thankyou to Ruth Hockeyfor the great Tear-craft stall that so

many of us enjoyedshopping from overthe Christmas Sea-son. It was lots ofwork—and much

appreciated!

Congratulations…...to Helen Lane & James Fleury who became engaged onNew Year’s Eve!...to Mary & Dean Venables, Anne & Lydia on the safe arrivalof baby Irene.

PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com

SPANSPANAlready mentioned in the media from TheSunday Times and BBC’s ‘Panorama’ to Spin

South West radio in Limerick...The Mothers’ Union Bye Buy

Childhood Campaign is the topic forCafé Church on March 5th

- come along to the Parish Centrehear what it’s all about, enjoy some

good music, food & coffee!Doors open from 7.30pm to gather and thingswill get started at 8pm. Come & join Patsy,

Ruth & Marg—to hear about a serious subject—and have some fun!

Regular check-ups help a car run smoothly and reduce therisk of breakdown. The best sports professionals spendhours being coached and perfecting their technique. Thegreatest achievements in life take practice, training anddedication!

It is the same with marriage. A strong, loving and lifelongrelationship doesn’t happen by chance—and we can alllearn how to make even the happiest marriage better.

...suits couples who have been married a little while ormany years—or who are living together. Sometimes peoplecome along who are planning to get married.If you’re interested in finding out more—come along to theDinner Party on Saturday 16th April in the Parish Centre at8pm—enjoy a full dinner with wine, watch an introductoryvideo and we’ll explain how the course runs here. Phonethe parish office as soon as you like to book in, but prefera-bly by 8th April. If you’ve been on the course before we’dlove to have you at the Party—and feel free to bring friendsalong who might be interested. There’s no charge for thisevening—there’ll just be a box for anyone to put a smalldonation towards expenses if they are able.

The seven session course is set in a lovely atmosphere,with desserts & coffee at candlelit tables for two while youlisten to practical talks that are informative and fun playedon DVD. It’s more like a date than a ‘course’!!!

There is never any group work and you will never beasked to share anything about your relationship withanyone other than your partner.

We enjoy running this every year—and look forward towelcoming our guests for 2011!This year the course itself will run on Saturday evenings onMay 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, June 4th, 11th & 18th.The cost for the course is €70 per couple which covers thebooks and the refreshments (but if that is a problem for anyone,please talk to us or to Ian in confidence). the Lanes & the Devoys!

CONNECT 12 - Connect inPRAYER - Connect NOW with the

following:

1) Thank God for the opportunities the mission willgive.

2) For Ken and Helen Clarke and all those involvedin the mission for guidance and wisdom fromthe Holy Spirit.

3) Pray for increased involvement with existingcommunity organisations.

4) That God may make himself known in meetingthe needs of the community.

5) For the right venue(s).6) For financial and practical help.7) For everything we do to be

centred on the person of Jesus.8) For transformed lives.

A Prayer …..Thank you Father that you sent

your Son to live and work in communitiesso that everyone could see and know what youare like. Help us now to go out in the power ofthe Holy Spirit to make you visible. Amen.

Feb 2011 Eco TipKnow your bin!

Over the next week, keep a note of what gets throwninto your bin. Choose one item that makes a regularappearance and take steps to reduce it.

(For example, if you have children and give themcrisps in their lunchbox, buy a big bag of crisps andput a handful in a re-usable box, rather than buyinglittle individual bags.)

Ruth Valerio,08/06/2010 www.arochalivinglightly.org.uk

Quote of the month:W.H. Auden said the human species is distinc-tive in 3 ways: we work; we pray; we laugh.Send in a favourite quote to be included in Span:[email protected]

PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com

SPANSPANTuesday 25th January10am-12 noon Toddlers in Blarney church

Thursday 27th January1-5pm— Mission of the Church Forum in The Haven

Saturday 29th January1pm—Annual Ladies’ Lunch in the Parish Centre—opento all in the parish and friends & guests. €20 per person.

Please phone the parish office (4877260)to book in so we know how many to cater for—

and bring your money along on the day.All profits from the lunch will go to the Ladies’ Guild

project this year—supporting St Vincent de Paul.

Monday 31st January7.30pm Select Vestry meeting in the Parish Centre—beginningin committees

Tuesday 1st February10am-12 noon Toddlers in Blarney church

Friday 4th February10.15-11.45am Toddlers, Parish Centre, Carrigrohane7-9pm Glow Max in the Parish Centre

Monday 7th February9.30-3.30pm— Multi Church Benefices Leading Edge Trainingday with Paul Hoey in the Parish Centre ‘ ‘How many churchescan one person juggle?’7.30pm—Growing Leaders’ Mentors meeting in the ParishCentre

Tuesday 8th February10am-12 noon Toddlers in Blarney church

Wednesday 9th February8pm—Book club ‘Sarah’s Key’ by Tatiana de Rosnay atEleanor’s house.

Sunday 6th FebruaryMission Introduction—CONNECT 129.00am Holy Communion, Carrigrohane

Followed by refreshments in the Parish Centre11am United Celebration in the Parish Centre

With Rev Paul Hoey, CPASFollowed by a Bring & Share Lunch

5.30-7.30pm Sunday PM, Parish Centre

Friday 11th February10.15-11.45am Toddlers, Parish Centre, Carrigrohane

Tuesday 15th February10am-12 noon Toddlers in Blarney church

Friday 18th February10.15-11.45am Toddlers, Parish Centre, Carrigrohane7-9pm— Glow in the Parish Centre

Wednesday 23rd February12 noon—Holy Communion in the meeting room of theParish Centre12.45pm—Seniors’ Lunch in theParish Centre(please phone 4877260 to book in)

Monday 28th February—FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT BEGINS

7.30pm—meeting for revision of General Vestry Rollfollowed at 8pm by meeting of the Select Vestry—ParishCentre

Tuesday 1st March10am-12 noon Toddlers in Blarney church8-10pm—a 6 evening course commences—’Addressingloss in all its forms—an introduction’ in St Luke’s Home,Mahon. Cost €75. More information from Bruce Pierce(4359450) or email: [email protected]

Friday 4th March—World Day of Prayer10.15-11.45am Toddlers, Parish Centre, CarrigrohaneSee noticesheets & website for service details forWorld Day of Prayer.

Sunday 13th February9am Morning Prayer, Carrigrohane

10am Holy Communion, Carrigrohane11am A Service of the Word, Blarney11.30am Holy Communion, Inniscarra

5.30-7.30pm Sunday PM, Parish Centre

February 2011

Sunday 30th January10am A Service of Wholeness & Healing, Carrigrohane

11am A Service of Wholeness & Healing, Blarney5.30-7.30pm Sunday PM, Parish Centre

8pm—Praise & Worship led by the Band, as AshleyHayes comes to re-affirm her baptismal vows.

Sunday 27th February9am Holy Communion, Carrigrohane

10am All-age Service of the Word, Carrigrohane11am A Service of the Word, Blarney11.30am Morning Prayer, Inniscarra

No Sunday PM—1/2 term

Sunday 20th February9.00 am Holy Communion, Carrigrohane

10.00am A Service of the Word, Carrigrohane11am Holy Communion, Blarney

3.30-5pm The Lighthouse, BlarneyNo Sunday PM—1/2 term

PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com

SPANSPAN

Parish Contacts: Rector: Rev Ian Jonas – 4871106 email: [email protected] Office: 4877260 (Mon-Fri mornings) email: [email protected]

Youth Workers: Matt Gould: 085 1080067 Katie Gould: 085 1080030 email: [email protected] website: www.carrigrohaneunionofparishes.ie

We change the answer machine message at the beginning of each week—and include the times of the services for the following Sunday.

The Climate of FaithAs the pantomime season has its “Ugly Sisters” so our weather has too – but they are not fun!

These “ugly sisters” are El Niño and La Niña the weather systems which have brought huge disruption at the least,and at the worst, deadly devastation throughout the world. And like the pantomime season they appear aroundChristmas - El Niño is Spanish for "the boy" and refers to the Christ child, because periodic warming in the Pacificnear South America is usually noticed around Christmas.

Day in day out of course the climate shapes us by affecting us for the good or the bad. It is literally the atmospherewe breathe. We live with it. But in the life of the local church, we can actually set the “barometer” and achieve theclimate that will help us flourish and grow, by having faith instead of fear, and from faith everything else flows.

It involves not giving into feelings but standing up to them and mastering them with faith especially when supportedby Love - faith’s beautiful sister. If we wait until fear goes away, we will not get anywhere. But when we use the Bi-ble promises, for all faith rests on God’s word, then fear is eroded and we can move on and find God’s direction.

For churches in 2011 it would be easy to set the barometer needle to fear, with dwindling giving and expenses stillhigh. So in Carrigrohane Union it would be easy with the vacancy in Blarney to not bother appointing someone elseas the Minister and thus make considerable savings. But faith prays for another Minister because without leader-ship and a focus, the mission of the church is compromised across the Union. The 15 years of development couldrun aground. It could send the wrong signal that the Church of Ireland has given up.

So the appointment of a new Minister in Blarney, including removal expenses etc, is in the budget set by the SelectVestry. As is the decision to go ahead and build the extension to St Senan’s Inniscarra that has been on the draw-ing board. With an estimated cost of €40,000, while still tens of thousands less than the original plans, it still repre-sents an act of faith.

Right now, we can chose to have faith and thus set the climate for the life of the church and thus make sure thatthe churches own “Ugly Sisters” of fear do not lead to depressions that wreak havoc with our mission to glorify Godin all we do.

Connect 12 – the Simplicity of KindnessConnect 12, the mission planned for 2012, will encourage us to make bold steps of faith and thus continue to setthe climate of the Union for the years ahead. It is a focus on mission in a way that seeks to enhance what we al-ready doing, and help us to engage with more people. One of the keys ways is through building respect and theministry of Acts of Kindness is quietly but noticeably having a positive effect. The street clean around St Peters inearly December was well supported (thank you) and commented on by the locals. The toy and children’s clothes“give away” in Blarney was astonishing – to see the look on faces at the realisation that we were not looking formoney was amazing. When so often we make mission complicated and fearful, this is so sim-ple that anyone with a smile can do it from age 8 to 88! It is simply kindness in deed and thehuman heart always responds to kindness. It is the preparing of the ground for the sowing ofthe seed of the Good News of Jesus. “the kindness and love of God our Saviour”. Titus 3 v 4

AlphaThe next Alpha course will be in Ballincollig commencing in March, working alongside Father

Billy. Please pray for this and if you would like to be part of the team have a word with me.

Kingdom Engage Prayer FocusIt has been astonishing to see just how many in Carrigrohane Union roll up their sleeves andget in involved with community needs. We are now widening the focus of the Kingdom Engageprayer to include our daily occupations and ministries. So that should include everyone at somestage or other – let us know if you would like to be included soon!

Blarney RampFinally a note on the ramp installed in Blarney to make wheelchair and buggy access easier. Toput it mildly, it has been less than satisfactory, but thankfully the company that installed it hasindicated that they will make the necessary modifications and improvements to its appearance.

Every blessing in Christ,Ian

PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com