The Columban November 2015
“At the going down of the sun...”
st. columba’s church, knock
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Front cover photograph courtesy of Paddy Malone
RECTOR’S LETTER WEEK OF MISSION SUNDAY, 27th SEPTEMBER SUNDAY, 4th OCTOBER Dear Parishioner I thank those members of our parish and local community who supported our Week of Mission so faithfully through their prayers and attendance. It was a most successful week in the life of St. Columba’s when we received so much support through the ministry of Bishop Alan Abernethy. We were immensely privileged that Bishop Alan was our Missioner who encouraged and challenged us in so many ways throughout the week. In his sermons at the daily services, and in his powerful contributions at the evening activities, he strengthened our faith immeasurably as we gathered together in church and in local community venues. It was so important that we moved out from our church building and hall for many of our activities as we are an outward looking church.
WEST END OF THE CHURCH St Columba’s is responding in a very practical way, following our Week of Mission, to strengthen the ‘Connections’ we currently enjoy in the parish and to create new ones through the refurbishment project at the West End of our church. The plans, which were displayed on the notice board throughout the summer, have been approved by both the Diocesan Council and the Representative Church Body. Following the tendering process the Select Vestry awarded the contract at their September meeting. When the work is completed we will have additional space at the back of the church to meet and chat with each other. In addition we will also be able to enjoy refreshments, in greater comfort ,following services. The Organist and Choir will also be able to use this new space for Introits and other musical items. While the work is being carried out services will continue as usual with access to church being through the side entrance and the Choir Vestry door. Yours in His service,
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SERVICES NOVEMBER Sunday, 1st All Saints Day (White) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Billy Nelson Revelation 21: 1-6a Gospel Clergy John 11: 32-44 10.30am All Age Worship and Holy Baptism followed by refreshments Reader Henry Auchmuty John 11: 32-44 Address: Julie Currie, Diocesan Children’s Officer 7.00pm Choral Evensong Reader Esther Templeton Isaiah 40: 27-31 Reader Esther Templeton Hebrews 11: 32-12: 2 Occasional Prayers Karen McAlpine Thursday, 5th (Green) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday, 8th Remembrance Sunday (Green) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Paddy Malone Micah 4: 1-5 Gospel Karen McAlpine Matthew 5: 1-12 10.30am Morning Prayer with Act of Remembrance Reader Tony Greeves Micah 4: 1-5 Reader Bill Taylor John 14: 1-6, 27 Preacher: The Reverend Canon Walter Laverty Occasional Prayers Clergy 7.00pm Compline Reader Robin Haldane Ephesians 6: 10-17 Thursday, 12th (Green) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday, 15th The Second Sunday before Advent (Green) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Elizabeth Miller Hebrews 10: 11-14, 19-25 Gospel Clergy Mark 13: 1-8 9.30am Family Communion Gospel Jamie Sadlier Mark 13: 1-8 Address: Heather Purdy, Christians Against Poverty 10.30am Morning Prayer followed by refreshments hosted by Murray & Pam Hunter Reader Hollie Wilson 1 Samuel 1: 4-20 Reader Joy Montgomery Mark 13: 1-8 3
Address: Heather Purdy, Christians Against Poverty Occasional Prayers Karen McAlpine Holy Communion Reader John Holland Daniel 3: 13-30 Gospel Clergy Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43
7.00pm Thursday,19th (Green) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday, 22nd The Kingship of Christ (White) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Irene Gray Revelation 1: 4b-8 Gospel Clergy John 18: 33-37 10.30am Holy Communion Reader Andrew Hirst Revelation 1: 4b-8 Gospel Karen McAlpine John 18: 33-37 Intercessions: Clergy 7.00pm Evening Prayer Reader Jennifer Pyper Daniel 5 Reader Jennifer Pyper John 6: 1-15 Thursday, 26th (Green) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday, 29th 8.15am 10.30am 7.00pm
The First Sunday of Advent (Purple) Holy Communion Reader Michael Davey 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13 Gospel Karen McAlpine Luke 21: 25-36 Songs of Praise BDCC United Advent Service at Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church (NO evening Service in St. Columba’s)
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 wish to serve your church in this way, please contact Muriel Arndell (9065 5500) The readings are from Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary and are printed on our parish website: www.coiknock.org 4
From the Registers Our Joys
Holy Baptism Sunday, 20th September Peter Frederick Martin 12 Stormont Park
Our Sorrows
Christian Burials Wednesday, 16th September Gladys Agnew Cherryvalley Nursing Home Tuesday, 22nd September James Savage Stormont Care Home
Flower Rota for November 2015 Sunday, 1st ............................................................Lindsay Brown Sunday, 8th............................................................ Remembrance Sunday, 15th................................................................ Carol Willis Sunday, 22nd.......................................... Helen and John Proctor Sunday, 29th..................................................... Esther Templeton The Church Flower Rota for 2016 is available at the back of church. If a particular date is important to you please make sure you put your name on the rota for 2016 as soon as possible as it is filling quickly. Thank you very much to everyone who has already signed the rota for 2016 and to those who supplied the beautiful flowers which adorned our church in 2015.
HOSPITAL VISITING
The 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 offer 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 (9047 1514) or the Assistant Priest (9145 8706) to enable them to take careful note of the details. 5
Sunday School Sunday, 1st November 10.30 am Sunday, 8th November 10.30 am Sunday, 15th November 9.30 am Sunday, 22nd November 10.30 am Sunday, 29th November 10.30 am
All Age Worship Sunday School Family Communion Sunday School Sunday School
The numbers attending Sunday School have been very encouraging during September and hopefully this will continue throughout the year. The Sunday School children played an integral role in the Harvest Service - well done to Anna, Sophie, Laura and Hazel who read with great confidence. Many parishioners commented on the lovely singing of the children and the artwork produced at Sunday School which was displayed at the back of church. We plan to play a larger role at the All Age Worship services during the year. Joyce Stevenson
Clergy Parish Visiting It 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 9047 1514) or the Assistant Priest, (028 9145 8706). In addition to requested Parish Visiting, the Clergy will be visiting parishioners in the following districts during November: Rector Casaeldona Rise Cedarhurst Road Greer Park Drive Knockland Park Gorse Hill Road Church Road, Dundonald Grangewood Park Millreagh Avenue
Assistant Priest Sandown Road Thornhill Crescent Comber Road, Dundonald Millar’s Forge Mount Regan Avenue Moyra Crescent, New Line Old Dundonald Road Abbey Court Fold 6
All Age Worship Tea and Coffee
Thank you to everyone who supported The Leprosy Mission on 4th October. This month on Sunday, 1st November we shall be raising funds for the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA). The USPCA is the second oldest animal welfare charity in the world. It was founded in Belfast in 1836 and its aim then was to care for working horses which were seen daily on the city streets. Today the USPCA differs from many other animal welfare groups in that their commitment is to protect ALL animals. The USPCA is a registered charity and receives no financial support from government and it relies heavily on legacies and donations. They have pledged to use any funds donated to prevent cruelty and relieve the suffering of animals in need. I hope to see you in November enjoying a chat and cuppa. Roberta
Pause It was wonderful to see so many parishioners at the last PAUSE at Belmont Tower. One lady was there on her birthday. Bishop Abernethy was able to meet with St Columbans in a totally informal setting. Three further meetings have been planned: Friday, 13th November at 10.30am – Neill’s Hill for coffee – do come and join us! Saturday, 21st November at 11.00am – Art Exhibition in the church hall – tea/coffee, scones and fresh cream Wednesday, 2nd December, at 10.30am – The Culloden Hotel for coffee and shortbread or mince pies. I have included this December date in the November Columban as it occurs so early in the month. The hotel will be beautifully decorated for Christmas and we can relax and enjoy chatting with friends – old and hopefully new. If you are free please come to any or all three venues. Just turn up on your own or bring a friend or two. If you require transport or further details please contact me. Eileen Anderson (Phone 9020 3684) 7
LEST WE FORGET During the First World War, 48 parishioners from St. Columba’s served in H.M. Forces, the vast majority in the Army. Tragically, twelve did not return, a truly horrific rate of attrition. The names of both the fallen and the survivors are shown on the memorial plaque in the south transept where, in 1919, the beautiful memorial window was erected to their eternal glory. No less than three MC’s, one MM and one DFC were awarded for gallantry. In the Second World War, reflecting its far greater global reach, 120 parishioners from St. Columba’s served in HM Forces, not only in the Army but also in the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy, the Women’s Royal Naval Service, the Auxiliary Territorial Service and the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Tragically, twelve also did not return, eight from the ranks of the Royal Air Force alone, as high a rate of attrition as that suffered by those parishioners who served in the Army during the First World War. In more recent times, Constable Mark Evans was killed on 7th September 1981 whilst serving with the RUC in Pomeroy, and his name is displayed on a memorial glass case towards the rear of the church. St. Columba’s Roll of Honour in two World Wars, inscribed on the front two pillars of the nave, reads as follows: 1914-1918 1939-1945 J. Burke A. S. Craig A. D. Deane R. A. A. Doherty T. B. Elliot M. D. Green H. Hooton J. C. Harris I. C. McCormick A. R. Hill H. McCormick M. C. Hind R. Nelson H.G. Montgomery W. Nelson R. N. Morgan J. Purvis C. McConnell A. Rodgers A. McFarland W. H. Unsworth J. H. Rice G. W. Webb N. Turner Mindful of all current ongoing military operations, let us pause on Remembrance Sunday to remember those men and women who, in countless conflicts, made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and for our freedom. We also remember all worldwide victims of war, brutality, terror and oppression. Let us above all pray for those valiant young men who set forth from this parish in those dark and storm filled days, never to return home nor see their loved ones again.
They knew their duty and they died for it
LET US HONOUR THEIR MEMORY 8
William Hubert Unsworth, RN, 1891-1916 The First World War Roll of Honour in the transept and the Memorial Pillar in Saint Columba’s Church both have the name of a parishioner who lost his life almost one hundred years ago. Hubert Unsworth was an Engineer Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy serving on HMS Invincible. Invincible was the first battlecruiser to be built. In 1914 she participated in the Battle of Heligoland Bight and the Battle of the Falkland Islands. Invincible and her sister ship Inflexible sank the German cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau sustaining the combined loss of one sailor and five wounded, despite taking numerous hits. Invincible was the flagship of the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron during the Battle of Jutland in 1916. On 31st May Invincible engaged the German battlecruisers SMS Derfflinger and Lützow and damaged both of them. As Invincible returned a broadside from the German ships she was destroyed by a magazine explosion when her forward gun turret was penetrated and she sank in 90 seconds. A shot from Invincible holed the Lützow below the waterline and she subsequently sank Of her complement 1026 were killed, including Rear-Admiral Hood. Hubert Unsworth was 25 years old. There were only six survivors. Born in 1891, Hubert was the son of William Thomas (a manager of a tobacco factory) and Margaret Unsworth, 17 Kirkliston Drive, Belfast. He served his apprenticeship as an engineering draughtsman. He signed the Ulster Covenant at the Old Town Hall in 1912. As well as being on St Columba’s Roll of Honour his name is on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, the Strandtown War Memorial at Gelston’s Corner, the Queen’s University Belfast War Memorial and is in Ireland’s War Memorial Records, a copy of which is held in St Anne’s Cathedral. Similarly, stories might be told of the others on the Roll of Honour so let this be a tribute to all of them and a reminder to us of the dreadful consequences of warfare. Vernon Clegg Our thanks to Vernon for sharing this with us. If anyone else has stories about those named on our Roll of Honour please send them to the editor.
Sidesperson’s Rota Sunday, 1st
Suzanne Allen, Emma Mcacpherson and families
Sunday, 8th
Lilias Smith and Liz McCaughey
Sunday, 15th
Joy Montgomery and Joan Madill
Sunday, 22nd
Rosemary and Ivan Coffey
Sunday, 29th
Yvonne and Eddie Cadden 9
Mens’ Club We eventually commenced our new season after a delayed start due to the welcome renovations to the church hall windows. Our members are now enjoying our usual fun, friendship and fellowship every Monday evening commencing at 7.30pm. The programme for the season is well under way. Our bowling fixtures are finalised with our first match on 2nd November at Stormont Presbyterian. Preparations for the first of our talks on the 16th November are in hand. I would like to record our deep sadness at the passing of one of our past members, Mr Jim Savage, following a short period of ill health. Jim was a loyal member who played a major role in the club. He officiated and proved a worthy adversary on the mat. Jim was a true gentleman, who took an active interest in bowling and also in his fellow club members. We will miss him greatly. On a happier note we were highly delighted to hear of the birth of a bouncing baby girl, Emma Ruth, to our Chairman Andrew Launchbury and his wife Fiona. We wish them all good health and happiness for the future. Our first talk will be held in the church hall on the 16th November. It will be entitled “FROM KNOCK TO BALLYCLOGHAN”. The talk will be given by our own Mr Ivan Coffey a long serving parishioner. He traces the story of why and how St Columba’s came to its present Kings Road location. This is going to be a fascinating insight into how we as a parish have got here. Posters and flyers will be available leading up to the evening. Refreshments will be provided and admission is by voluntary contribution. Proceeds will go to the Hall Building Fund. John Robb
PARISH PRAYER
God, 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 find 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 10
From “KNOCK TO BALLYCLOGHAN” 16th November 2015 Venue: St Columba’s Church Hall Time: 7.30pm Speaker: Mr Ivan Coffey Refreshments supplied. Admission by voluntary subscription. Proceeds in aid of Hall Refurbishment fund St Columba’s Mens’ Club are hosting the above talk on how St Columba’s Church, as we know it, came to be located on the Kings Road. Our speaker, Mr Ivan Coffey, a parishioner, has been researching the history and foundation of St Columba’s, Knock. The content of his talk will cover various aspects including: • Late 12th Century Anglo intrusion into Co Down. • Historical links to Dundonald (St Elizabeth’s ) and Breda (Knockbreda Parish Church). • Relevance of Shandon Park mound to the first Knock church • The O’Neills of Castlereagh connection • Attachment to St Columba • A 1650’s Cromwellian initiative • 1730’s absorption of Knock into Knockbreda parish • Closure, dereliction and period of abeyance
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WEEK OF MISSION The Parish Week of Mission was held from Sunday, 27th September to Sunday, 4th October, with an imaginative and varied programme devised by the Bishop Alan Abernethy, the Rector and the Mission Team. The theme was ‘Connections’, with a specific focus on how we can relate faith to daily life and use it to help deal with the many different situations we encounter. Our Missioner was the Bishop of Connor, The Right Reverend Alan Abernethy, who preached at the Sunday services and led activities throughout the week. Bishop Alan’s informal style of preaching and discussion exemplified the theme and encouraged interest and involvement.
SUNDAY In his sermon on 27th September, Bishop Alan spoke of two people who had influenced him. One was Patrick Gallagher, a Roman Catholic resident of Achill Island, whom he met and got to know while still a student at Theological College. Rather than answering a calling to the Priesthood, Patrick had decided to stay at home and care for his orphaned siblings. Patrick believed that his devotion to his siblings was a reflection of God’s love for us. Bishop Alan said that this was an abiding truth: knowing that we are loved and cherished by God and that it is important to make that connection. The other person was Madge (Bishop Alan’s mother), who, although she felt loved by God, did not, through circumstance, feel accepted by her local parish church. Madge believed that God’s grace was not reflected in her fellow Christians. Bishop Alan said that he hoped that God’s grace should become real for us and help us to connect with other people, especially those who may not relate to the Church.
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MONDAY A young families’ cookery night, with Bishop Alan and his wife, Liz, was held on Monday evening in the rectory kitchen. Here, Bishop Alan and Liz employed their culinary skills, while sharing stories about their lives and those of their children. A fig and goat’s cheese starter was followed by a honey and orange chicken dish (a firm favourite of Bishop Alan and Liz’s children), while a ‘death by chocolate’ torte rounded off the gastronomic delights. The cookery night was an excellent way of getting to know Bishop Alan and Liz in an informal setting and those present were privileged to hear their personal accounts of their lives together and the important part that faith has played for them on their journey.
TUESDAY On Tuesday night a large audience of parishioners and friends gathered at Bloomfield Collegiate School for Question Time. In his opening remarks, the Rector thanked everyone for attending and hoped that the occasion would provide an opportunity to make connections with God, one another and the local community. The panel members were Bishop Alan, Reverend Dr Heather Morris (a former President of the Methodist Church in Ireland), Dr Marion Gibson (a consultant in Trauma) and Mr George Hamilton, Chief Constable of the PSNI. Questions had been submitted by parishioners and several of these were put to the panel by Mr Mark Simpson (BBC NI), including: Is lack of respect for church authority a contributing factor to lawlessness? (The panellists commented that there is a general lack of respect in the home and at school and that the church is only a part of it; that the church is not the only moral voice and, although it may be on the edge of society, it needs to fight its corner and become more relevant.)
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As the Northern Ireland Assembly appears to be self-destructing, is there anything we can do to create a better society? (The panellists commented that people need to talk more to politicians; that some politicians are more interested in pleasing their own party than working for the general good of society; that there is a need to address education and deprivation issues and that low voter turnout in more affluent areas suggests that those constituents are content to let other voters sort out the problems.) Should we make a distinction between asylum seekers and economic migrants? (The panellists felt that it was important not to label people because we are all human beings; that there is a need to be alert to racism; that everyone should be treated with dignity (quoting Matthew 25 v40); but the Government also needs to make a distinction from a pragmatic point of view.) As the use of computers is contributing to appalling standards of literacy, is it not time to revert to traditional methods of teaching? (The panellists commented that there is a need to strike a balance between the use of IT and the written word.) In summing up, the Rector said that the Question Time event emphasised the need to bring the issues of today to our church services and make the connection with Christian faith, always asking the question: What are we doing to remove labels and acknowledge other people as God’s creation?
THURSDAY Perhaps the most interesting, if not most relevant, event of the week took place on Thursday evening at Knock Golf Club, when Bishop Alan led a seminar on the ‘Struggle of Faith’. In a frank and open talk, Bishop Alan revealed his own struggles, including how, as a young man, he found his relationship with the Church difficult but, nevertheless, felt a calling to ordination which, initially, he did not want to accept. As a curate, he experienced many tragic situations for which he felt unprepared.
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Dealing with his parishioners’ life events, like severe illness and bereavement through suicide, raised for him the issue of a ‘God of Love’ allowing suffering. Bishop Alan said that, while he had no answer to this, he did, however, see more of the love of God in the pains of life than in its joys. Referring to his election as Bishop of Connor, Bishop Alan said that his move from Ballyholme to Connor Diocese presented him with a real struggle of faith. Leaving the security of the parish that he had served for 17 years to become responsible for Connor Diocese had brought difficulties that resulted in personal pain. However, he had found strength through his family and referred to the support of others, or the ‘shield of faith’, that is necessary on life’s journey. Bishop Alan concluded by saying that his greatest struggle now is to encourage the Church to connect with local communities. This would require things to be done differently, probably through greater outreach, and for the Church to become more relevant to society. Thanking Bishop Alan for his revealing and thoughtprovoking talk, the Rector emphasised the need for parishioners to live their lives in discipleship and to consider how we bring the Christian message to people in social settings.
EACH DAY Throughout the week, Bishop Alan gave a ‘thought-for- the- day’ at the 10.30am communion services. These were well-attended and those present listened intently as Bishop Alan shared personal and intimate anecdotes that shone light on his personal journey of faith. Some of his mini-homilies struck uncomfortable or challenging notes and invited serious reflection on how we could respond with honesty.
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FRIDAY Tony and Clodagh Reid’s home in Comber was the venue for the parish Barn Dance and Hog Roast on Friday evening – an opportunity for more informal connections to be made. The Hog Roast was served with an array of salads and sauces and was a most enjoyable feast. The barn dance was a wild and noisy affair with as much laughing as dancing, as most of the men discovered that they had two left feet! Many topics were discussed at this event and the general opinion, among those attending, was that the Mission Week had been a success.
SUNDAY In his closing sermon on 4th October, Bishop Alan preached on the Harvest theme. Referring to a visit he made to the Maasai people in Kenya, Bishop Alan talked about the hurt and hunger he had seen. In comparison to many scenes of famine, where people scramble for food-aid, the Maasai picked twenty families most in need of food and applauded as they each received their provisions in an orderly and dignified manner. Bishop Alan made the point that it is very easy to be thankful for the harvest when we know that we have enough food. But the Maasai were an example of thankfulness for very little. The paradox was that, even though they had so little food, he saw more joy in them than in places where there is plenty. This was a stark reminder that we need to be more appreciative of the gifts of harvest. The sermons on 4th October concluded Bishop Alan’s week in St. Columba’s. We thank him for sharing his ‘journey of faith’ with us and for telling it as it was: with doubts, insecurities and challenges, but ultimately commitment. We thank also his wife Liz for her contribution, particularly at the cookery night. We thank Bloomfield Collegiate School for hosting ‘Question Time’; Knock Golf Club for hosting the ‘Struggle of Faith’ seminar and Tony and Clodagh Reid for hosting the Hog Roast and Barn Dance. So, we have been challenged! Bishop Alan’s experience is not unique and, no doubt, we have all had periods of uncertainty and insecurity. The message coming out of Mission Week seems to be that the ‘journey of faith’ can often be a bumpy ride, with no easy answers to life’s difficulties, but that, by connecting practically with others within and outside of the Church, we can continue in faith with renewed commitment and hope. Are we up for that challenge? Gerald Hill (with contributions from Jill Armstrong and David Beattie).
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A Run in the Park
Thought for the Month
Until recently, it would have been somewhat out of character for me to set an alarm on a Saturday morning. Even more unusual would be to find myself on such a morning in Victoria Park on the shores of Belfast Lough. Yet that is exactly what has been happening with increasing regularity. There I join about three hundred others for a weekly “Park Run” including I might add, a number of other St Columba’s parishioners. For those of you not familiar with Park Running, the concept is simple. You turn up at a participating park each Saturday morning and run, or walk, five kilometres. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, young or old, fit or out of condition – but your finishing time is recorded and beating your personal best quickly becomes a motivation. It is free to take part and it is easy to register on-line at: www.parkrun.com.
I understand that the first Park Run took place in London about a decade ago but the idea spread rapidly. Park Runs are now held, every Saturday, across the globe with around half a million people taking part each week!! Like most organisations of value (including St Columba’s Church) Park Runs rely heavily on the hard work of a dedicated band of volunteers. I don’t want to fool you into thinking I am a finely tuned athlete. I most certainly am not. But what encourages me to keep setting the alarm is the feeling that, by taking part, you are participating in something bigger. No doubt there are times when you feel like giving up or that you will never complete the distance. However, there is a real sense of community with others there to encourage you along the way. Perhaps, in those regards, it is a little like our own spiritual journey. Certainly, I can tell you with confidence, there is no greater feeling than completing the distance successfully. Victor Dukelow Our sincere thanks to Victor, a former Church Warden, for sharing this with us. The December/January ‘Thought’ will be written by Christine McKee.
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Free Will Offering Envelopes
Free Will Offering/ Charity & Mission Envelopes for 2016 will be available from church on Sunday, 29th November. It would be a great help if you could assist us by delivering envelopes to people you know - friends and family or take a bundle and deliver them with your magazines the following week. All help to deliver these envelopes quickly will be greatly appreciated.
Ladies Guild Our first meeting of the new year was a resounding success. Dr Carol Fulton shared with us many funny stories whilst touching on the real Belfast of the 1950s. Her book ‘Coalbrick and Prefabs’ began its life after she was given a lifetime membership to the Linenhall Library from her sister Jean following her retirement from teaching. She told us Belfast was very dingy with lots of bomb sites as one third of the housing stock was destroyed during the blitz. Gradually things improved and the opening of the purpose built C&A caused a shopping sensation with men’s rayon suits at £5-19-0 (£5.95!) Prefabs were built to sort out the housing crisis and everyone rushed to Cyril Lord carpets for their floor coverings. Many of us remembered these days and contributed our memories too!! The Committee have decided to nominate a local charity annually and have chosen Christian Aid for this year to help them celebrate their 70th Anniversary. We look forward to hearing more about their history and work when we welcome them to our meeting on Wednesday, 18th November. We are also helping to co- ordinate the collection of used stamps for Leprosy Mission, Northern Ireland, so give any stamps you have to a Guild Committee Member and we will pass them on. Imelda Shephard
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Brownies are back in Action!! On our first night back we heard all about our fantastic summer adventures and made plans for our ‘Bring a Friend to Brownies Night’. There is a special badge for each girl bringing a friend and we have four new girls interested in joining us which is fantastic news! As if that wasn’t exciting enough we were very fortunate to have a visit from the Guide Dog Association to finish off our Friend to Animals badge. We met a guide dog puppy called, ‘Rex’ and learnt so much about how guide dogs are trained and their very important jobs. We are off on a trip to the Ice Bowl soon and are looking forward to our Hallowe’en Party with the Doves ! Amanda and Kathryn
Doves We recently made dinosaurs from paper plates, coloured pictures and did actions to a dinosaur rhyme. Next week we hope to be covering apples in chocolate and then decorating them. Moira Saunders 19
DECEMBER/JANUARY PARISH MAGAZINE Any articles or photographs for publication in the December/January parish magazine should be handed or e-mailed to the editor, Billy McAlpine, by Wednesday, 11th November. Please Note there is no separate January Magazine His contact details are as follows:10 Old Quay Court, Holywood BT18 0HT Tel: 9042 4390
Email: colmaged@outlook.com
We all love to see photographs of people enjoying our Church activities. So we can all benefit fully from this, and for reproduction purposes, it is very important that photographs are clear and in focus. Many thanks
Mothers’ Union Thank you to all Mothers’ Union members a n d parishioners who generously supported our cake sale in September and purchased the ‘Grace and Favours’ cookbook. As a result a fantastic total of £276 was raised for the ‘Mums in May 2015’ initiative. Many thanks also to the Rector for officiating at our Annual Service on 6th October, to Gina Greeves for the beautiful music and to all those who helped with readings, prayers and refreshments. We are looking forward now to the next Mothers’ Union ‘get-together’ which will take place on 3rd November. Suzie Miller will be the guest speaker and will share with us the Miller family’s links with the Titanic. On 1st December our Christmas outing is a festive movie night at the Tudor Cinema in Comber. The movie night, including snacks, will cost £10 per person. If you would like to come along and, perhaps, bring a friend please call me to book your place. Finally members will wish to note that this year’s annual subscription is £20, the majority of this subscription goes to Mary Sumner House to support the continuing good work of Mothers’ Union. Katrina Tel : 07974 577107 20
Gilnahirk Area Service, 14th September 2015 I would like to thank everyone who attended the service in St Elizabeth’s. Your support was invaluable, and a special mention must be made of those ladies who were at the Afternoon Group who also turned out again that evening. Thank you all so much. It was a lovely service enjoyed by all. The unexpected cabaret of three ladies from our parish being stuck in the lift for over half an hour added a bit of humour to the evening. Thanks must also go to Canon Walter Laverty for his encouraging remarks to the “prisoners” indicating that it might not be a bad idea if they took up residency in the lift! Thankfully, just before the service started, the ladies were rescued. On another note, the Advent Carol Service will take place on Monday, 7th December in St Columbanus Parish Church, Ballyholme at 8.00pm. Can anyone who intends going please let me know so that transport can be made. Thank you, ladies. Irene
Applying the finishing touches… Our Church Hall has just had new windows installed and we are now hoping you can help with the finishing touches! We would like to remove the old curtains and replace them with new vertical blinds which would be easier to use and help reduce sun damage. Can you help? We would be grateful if parishioners or organisations would be willing to ‘gift’ blinds. The cost is: £184 per large window (8 windows) £155 per small window (8 windows) The prices include VAT, installation and fitting. Please contact the Rector this month if you can help. Thank you. 21
Railway and Model Club Our little parkland grows apace. We have grass areas with a few outcrops of rock. We also have a path, which has been worn down by the feet of many visitors. (I don’t believe I’m writing this!!!). There will soon be a little lake and we hope to find geese, swans and ducks in ‘00’ scale to inhabit the lake. Model shops have plenty of cows, sheep, lambs and dogs but no chickens, or geese etc. Hopefully we will find a website with the necessary fowl for sale. There are now two bus routes on the layout. The Green route, serviced by double deckers, and the Blue, serviced by single deckers. The Bus Station, for the village, lies just beside the road flyover. Some degree of ‘Park & Ride’ is also provided. (i.e. a bicycle rack) Stewart is currently surfacing the flyover road. John’s large warehouse is now at the Fiddle Yard, with ample car/lorry parking space. He has also completed a row of terrace houses and a couple of neat semi-detached houses. Geoff’s station has been supplemented with workmens’ huts etc. Jack and Richard continue the long, but very necessary, job of ballasting the track….and there is a lot of track. At the farm, Stewart is ‘building’ a field for the herd of cows, and we hope to have some chickens before too long. Our Open Morning will be Sunday, 15th November, after both morning services. So, please do make plans to pop down to see us. Keep Rollin’
David Beattie
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Art Club An exhibition and sale of paintings is to be held in the church hall on Saturday, 21st November from 10.00am until 4.00pm. The Art Club members invite all church members, family and friends to join us for coffee and home-made scones with fresh cream and to view the paintings. Refreshments will continue throughout the day and entry is free. It is hoped that some members will be painting in the hall during the exhibition. The club will visit the Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition (being held at the Ulster Museum, Belfast from 16th October 2015 to 3rd January 2016) on Thursday, 5th November at 11.00am. Over 300 original works by emerging and established artists will be showcased across the disciplines of the visual arts. We are all looking forward to this. Vida Shaw
St Columba’s Art Club You are invited to an
Exhibition/Sale of Paintings by Club Members
Please join us for Tea/Coffee and home made scones Entry is free and refreshments continue throughout the day Saturday, 21st November 10.00am - 4.00pm 23
St. Columba’s invites all children to
in the Church Hall Saturday, 5th December 2015 3.00pm-5.00pm with our very special guest‌ Parents: Please speak to an organisation leader for more details!
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PARISH ORGANISATIONS New members are always welcome at any of our organisations!
SUNDAY
WEDNESDAY
MONDAY
THURSDAY
10.30am Sunday School (2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays) Superintendent Joyce Stevenson 9058 3381 Bubbles (3-5 years) Splash (5-8 years) X-treme (8-11 years) The Grid (11-14 years) 10.30am Crèche (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays) Lynn Ryan 07955 479065
6.30pm Brownies Amanda Fee 07739 039750 6.30pm Doves Moira Saunders 07739 041392 7.00pm Railway and Model Club David Beattie 9028 5868 7.30pm Bible Study Group Anella Gallen 9065 8077 7.45pm Ladies Guild (3rd Wednesday) Imelda Shephard 9079 7683
10.30am Craft & Hobby Circle (1st Monday) Carol Willis 9079 9997 2.00pm Ladies Bowling Phyllis Newton 9048 2113 2.30pm MU Afternoon Group (2nd Monday) Joy Montgomery 9029 5427 7.30pm Men’s Club John Robb 9058 1438
9.30am Art Club Bob Killen 9079 0210 7.30pm Choir Practice Dr Joe McKee 07976 294574
FRIDAY
9.45am Mums & Tots Anne Clarke 9065 1412 3.45-4.30pm Toddler Soccer 3-5 years Tim Wareing 07740 120788
TUESDAY
10.30am Ladies Badminton Gillian Popplestone 9080 3799 2.00pm Ladies Badminton Kyleen Clarke 9079 7155 7.30pm Activity Group (except 1st Tuesday) Maureen Irwin 9079 5155 8.00pm Mothers’ Union (1st Tuesday) Katrina Dukelow 9029 0625
Pause: Bi-monthly outings as arranged Eileen Anderson 9020 3684 Youth Etc. (11 – 15 years): Monthly outings as arranged David Kelly 9079 6658 Young Families Group: Social events as arranged Victor Dukelow 9029 0625
Requests for the occasional use of church halls must be submitted to Stewart Beckwith. Telephone: 9048 6622
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WHO’S WHO IN ST. COLUMBA’S PARISH WEBSITE:
www.coiknock.org
RECTOR The Reverend John R. Auchmuty St. Columba’s Rectory 29 Kings Road BT5 6JG Tel 028 9047 1514 Email johnauchmuty@btinternet. com
PEOPLE’S CHURCHWARDEN Jon Allen 9 Cabin Hill Gardens BT5 7AP Tel 028 9065 3511
ASSISTANT PRIEST The Reverend Canon Ken Smyth 3 Mount Royal Bangor BT20 3BG Tel 028 9145 8706
RECTOR’S GLEBEWARDEN Jim Stevenson 44 Casaeldona Rise BT6 9RA Tel 028 9058 3381 Mob 07973 392448 PEOPLE’S GLEBEWARDEN Mark Reid 54 Knocklofty Park BT4 3ND Tel 028 9028 4367 Mob 07810 648167
JUNIOR CHURCHWARDENS Emma Craig, Jamie Sadlier
PARISH READER Karen McAlpine Email readercolumba@gmail.com DIOCESAN LAY READER (EMERITUS) Bryn Harris 22 Dalton Glade Glen Road Comber BT23 5SZ Tel 028 9187 8816
HONORARY SEXTON John Proctor 13 Richhill Park BT5 6HG Tel 028 9087 0526 Mob 07989 469773
RECTOR’S CHURCHWARDEN John Macpherson 10 Sandhill Gardens BT5 6FF Tel 028 9028 2076
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SELECT VESTRY Rector, Churchwardens, Glebewardens, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Assistant Honorary Treasurer, David Craig, Helen Donaghy, Jill Gillespie, Patrick Good, Jonathan Stewart, Mark Ryan, Gillian Sadlier, Keith White, Moira Saunders
PAROCHIAL NOMINATORS Victor Dukelow, Patrick Good Elizabeth Leonard Moranne Noad DIOCESAN SYNOD MEMBERS Patrick Good Moranne Noad Ross Thompson (under 30)
HONORARY SECRETARY Elizabeth Leonard 28 Knockdene Park South BT5 7AB Tel 028 9065 3162 Email elizabeth.leonard@me.com
ORGANIST AND CHORAL DIRECTOR Dr Joe McKee 76 Sandown Road BT5 6GU Mob 07976 294574
HONORARY TREASURER Josephine Kelly 15 Manse Road BT6 9SB Tel 028 9079 6658
ASSISTANT ORGANIST Brian Clements 8 Lacefield BT4 3PA Tel 028 9079 3641
ASSISTANT HONORARY TREASURER Victor Dukelow 19 Thornhill Park BT5 7AR Tel 028 9029 0625
READERS’ & INTERCESSORS’ CO-ORDINATOR Muriel Arndell 18 Kinedar Crescent BT4 3LY Tel 028 9065 5500
GIFT AID SECRETARY Ronny Martin 8 Gillycourt Manor 309 Gilnahirk Road BT5 7SL Tel 028 9079 0821 Mob 07526 396838 Email ronny.martin@sky.com
SIDESPERSONS’ ROTA CO-ORDINATOR Rosemary Coffey 44 Thornyhill Road Killinchy BT23 6SJ Tel 028 9754 2198
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CRÈCHE ROTA CO-ORDINATOR Lynn Ryan 2 Ballyregan Road Dundonald BT16 1HY Tel 07955 479065
BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP NOTES Evan Preston 12 Carrowreagh Gardens Dundonald BT16 ITW Tel 028 9048 9884
MAGAZINE EDITOR Billy McAlpine 10 Old Quay Court Holywood BT18 0HT Tel 028 9042 4390 Email colmaged@outlook.com
CHURCH FLOWERS Eleanor Launchbury 14 Glenbrook Avenue BT5 5JP Tel 028 9028 1204 PREMISES’ CONVENOR Stewart Beckwith 26 Stormont Park BT4 3GX Tel 028 9048 6622
PARISH WEBMASTER Ivan Roche 49 Richhill Park BT5 6HG Tel 028 9514 0141 Email ivan.roche@me.com
ST. COLUMBA’S PARISH OFFICE Parish Administrator/Financial Giving Secretary: Karen Patterson Office hours Monday to Friday: 9.00am – 1.00pm Tel 028 9065 6891 Email office@coiknock.org
C of I GAZETTE DISTRIBUTOR Moranne Noad 36 Shandon Park BT5 6NX Tel 028 9079 3704
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: The Rector.........................................................................028 9047 1514 Patrick Good.....................................................................028 9065 6908 Elizabeth Leonard...........................................................028 9065 3162
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