February 2011
RECTOR’S LETTER Dear Parishioner, CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS We are fortunate to have a comprehensive Pew News sheet each Sunday in church. This provides us with a detailed Order of Service along with the announcements for the week ahead. As there is no rubric in the Book of Common Prayer suggesting that weekly announcements shall be read during a service, I plan from the beginning of this month to have the announcements five minutes before the start of each service. It would be very helpful if you could plan to be in church a few minutes earlier to hear details of parish activities and then to observe a few moments silence before the service begins. ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHALICE It is important that the administration of Holy Communion is conducted in a dignified and efficient manner. This is best achieved when there are at least four people assisting with the administration in the Sanctuary. Situations have arisen recently when some members of the Clergy Team (the Curate, Bryn Harris, Karen McAlpine and myself ) have not been present. This has meant that those sitting at the back of church have had to wait for a long time before being able to receive Holy Communion. In order to ensure that similar situations do not arise in the future the Bishop has given his permission for the following five parishioners to assist with the administration of the chalice: Patrick Good Brian Acheson Jennifer Johnston Gillian Sadlier Louise Mercer Both the Churchwardens and I are very grateful to them for kindly agreeing to serve St. Columba’s in this particular way. They will serve on a rota basis and will come forward to the Sanctuary immediately after the Clergy have received Holy Communion. They will return to their pews after the administration has been completed. Please remember them in your prayers as they commence their new responsibilities. Yours in His service,
SERVICES IN FEBRUARY Thursday 3rd The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Transferred) (White) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday 6th The Fifth Sunday before Lent (Green) 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Paul Stewart 1 Corinthians 2: 1-12 Gospel Clergy Matthew 5: 13-20 10.30am All Age Worship followed by refreshments Reader Charles Auchmuty Matthew 13: 1-9 Preacher Leanne Dunlop, Scripture Union E3 Schools Worker for East Belfast 7.00pm Choral Evensong Reader Jennifer Johnston Judges 5 Reader Jennifer Johnston James 5 Thursday 10th (Green) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday 13th The Fourth Sunday before Lent 8.15am Holy Communion Reader Paddy Malone Gospel Clergy 10.30am Holy Communion Reader Ross Thompson Gospel Karen McAlpine Intercessions Clergy 7.00pm Compline Reader Patricia Wilson
(Green) 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9 Matthew 5: 21-37 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9 Matthew 5: 21-37 Mark 1: 40-45
Thursday 17th (Green) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday 20th 8.15am 9.30am 10.30am 7.00pm
The Third Sunday before Lent Holy Communion Reader Leonard Pugh Gospel Gospel Family Communion Gospel Karen McAlpine Morning Prayer Reader Helen Donaghy Reader Jennifer Pyper Occasional Roberta Rogers Prayers Holy Communion Reader Patrick Wilson Gospel Karen McAlpine
(Green) 1 Corinthians 3: 10-11, 16-23 Matthew 5: 38-48 Matthew 5: 38-48 Leviticus 19: 1-2, 9-18 Matthew 5: 38-48
Ephesians 5: 1-17 Mark 2: 1-12
Thursday 24th (Green) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday 27th 8.15am 10.30am 7.00pm
The Second Sunday before Lent Holy Communion Reader Muriel Arndell Gospel Clergy Holy Communion Reader Linda Wilson Gospel Clergy Intercessions Karen McAlpine Evening Prayer Reader Helen Donaghy Reader Helen Donaghy
(Green) Romans 8: 18-25 Matthew 6: 25-34 Romans 8: 18-25 Matthew 6: 25-34
Proverbs 8: 1, 22-31 Luke 12: 16-31
Readers and Intercessors: If you cannot read or lead the prayers on the appointed day, please arrange a swap with someone else on the rota and let the Churchwardens know. We are always delighted to add new names to the Rota of Readers and Intercessors. If you would wish to serve your church in this way, please contact Muriel Arndell (028 90655500). The readings are from Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary and are printed on our parish website:
www.stcolumbas.down.anglican.org
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
FEBRUARY SIDESPERSONS’ ROTA Sunday 6th...................................................Olivia Budde and Aaron Wilson Sunday13th..................................................Alison and Brian Acheson Sunday 20th.................................................Nan Armstrong and Maureen Irwin Sunday 27th.................................................Jill and Brian Gillespie
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 90471514) or the Curate (028 90653370). In addition to requested Parish Visiting, the Clergy will be visiting parishioners in the following districts during February:
Rector: King’s Gate Beechcroft Park Stormont Park Brentwood Park Cabin Hill Park
Curate: Sunbury Avenue Sandringham Mews Quarry Road Old Quay Court Marmont Park
THE GENERAL REGISTER OF VESTRY MEMBERS The annual revision of The General Register of Vestry Members will take place at a meeting of the Select Vestry to be held on Sunday, 27th February, at 12noon. If your name is not already on the Register and you wish it to be included, you must: · · ·
Be over 18 years of age Subscribe to Church Funds Sign a declaration form which is available from the Churchwardens before Sunday, February 27th
I encourage you to become a registered vestry member which will enable you to vote at the Annual Easter General Vestry Meeting. The Rector
BOOK SALE There will be a selection of second hand books for sale in the Side Porch from the beginning of February. A contribution towards Church Funds of perhaps £1 per book would be appreciated. If this proves popular, we might also request books from parishioners. Any queries, please speak to the Church Wardens. Elizabeth Leonard
CONFIRMATION 2011 In my October Rector’s Letter for the Columban, I referred to those who were considering confirmation this year by saying, “It is important that they are currently members of the senior Sunday School class or if they are 15 years of age or older, to assist with the Sunday School in addition to being regular church attenders at the family services. They will be encouraged to join the H2O Youth Group to have some fun”. It has been very encouraging for our parish that four young people had given their names to me for confirmation by Sunday, 31st October, last year. This has offered them time to get to know each other and to share fellowship together before the classes commence this month. The Bishop of Down and Dromore will administer the Rite of Confirmation for candidates from parishes in our Area Deanery in St. Donard’s on Sunday, 29th May, at 7.00pm. Following the pattern established last year, the parishes of St. Mark’s Dundela, St. Molua’s, St. Dorothea’s and our own will share the confirmation preparation. Please pray for these young people who are preparing for their confirmation this year: Sophie Pyper, Lauren Brooker, Hollie Wilson, Eve Tunnah The Rector
Relax... Enjoy... Engage! and ‘Rediscover the joy of coming to Church’ Check out our brand new series of Morning Services to celebrate Lent 2011 Our new programme kicks off on Sunday, 13th March, and each week a guest speaker will chat through various aspects of our faith journey
It’s definitely worth coming along! See next month’s magazine for further details!
KNOCK KNOCK, IT’S THE CURATE! I can’t believe February is here! It doesn’t seem that long ago since I was writing for the December magazine back in the middle of November. Now Christmas has passed and we are embarking on a new year. January for me has been a very “techie/geeky month” which has been great! In addition to the regular visiting, meetings, services and all the other things which go along with my role as Curate, my computers have been out and about on numerous occasions for various “Silver Surfer” events. I have been very encouraged by the enthusiasm of the many parishioners who ventured through the doors of our sessions, as well as the patience and skills of those who signed up to help. Thank you all very much. On the other part of the techie work (if all goes according to plan) we should have, by the time the magazine goes to print, a Youth Website (www.stcolumbasyouth.org) which makes use of the latest technology and social networking, helping us to link up with young people and their parents to interact with the parish on-line. This will hopefully allow us to communicate our message to a generation who are living through one of the greatest revolutions the world has ever seen. My passion for the church has always been and always will be - that we are able to communicate the good news of the Gospel, and what it means to all age groups. “Silver Surfers” has been a place where we met together, learned together, chatted and laughed together, and helped each other in community. The same is true with our new Youth Website: a place where as a parish we can share resources, ideas and communicate with each other in new and creative ways... that surely is at the heart of Christian community! Every Blessing Robert PS. A huge thank to all who sent cards, gifts and Christmas wishes to the Curatage over the festive season which were all greatly appreciated!
THE BIBLE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Amazing... you can read any chapter of the Bible in any one of 23 versions, including that of the King James Bible, by simply visiting the website:
http://www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm
St Columba’s Youth Website
What’s On Guide Bible Studies
Check it out stcolumbasyouth.org
Useful links Funnies Parents Section
FAQ’s about church, faith & life Online Community for all connected to the parish Weekly Updates St. Columba’s... for the whole Family
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES Sunday 6th February
10.30am All age Worship
Sunday 13th February
10.30am Sunday School
Sunday 20th February
9.30am Family Communion
Sunday 27th February
10.30am Sunday School
The bad weather in December did not prevent us from holding our Christmas Party on Sunday, 12th December, and the food was greatly enjoyed. The start of January saw an increase in our numbers in the 3-5 age group – an encouraging sign for the future of our Sunday school, and thank you to the children’s parents for bringing them along. We can, however, accommodate even more new children so if anyone else would like to come along, please do so! As we are continuing with our really interesting activities following the Scripture Union Light programme, there is always so much to interest our children. Beth Cairnduff
Hello Ladies I’m sure everyone will agree that our first meeting of the New Year got off to a flying start with the wonderful presentation by Roberta and Jenny McKeown on Peru. It was indeed a truly interesting and enjoyable evening, and our thanks go to Robbie and Jenny for providing us with such a fascinating insight into that country. We look forward to welcoming Bishop Gordon McMullan on Tuesday, 1st February, and on Tuesday, 1st March, Mothers’ Union member, Evelyn Briggs, will be giving a talk on “Building for Humanity in Romania”. SPECIAL DATE FOR YOUR DIARY Friday, 4th March, is Women’s World Day of Prayer and the service is being held in St. Brendan’s Parish Church, Sydenham at 8.00pm. The theme this year is “How Many Loaves Have You?” written by the women of Chile. This is a very special service and I hope as many of you as possible will come along on that evening. Thanks as always for your support. Irene
ST. COLUMBA’S ART CLUB Our Annual Christmas Luncheon was held in Knock Golf Club on Wednesday, 15th December. This year we had the pleasure of the company of Julian Friars, President of the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts, our Rector John and Curate Robert as guests. The delicious meal was up to the usual high standard and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Following lunch, we had another version of the ‘Bob Quiz’. We are now getting to grips with the ‘devious questions’ but this ended in a tie break with quick eliminating questions to both teams. Congratulations to winners Billy N., Judy and Etain who outwitted Julian and Kyleen, the latter pair slipping up on a Strictly Dancing question. I guess we were all winners as the fun and friendship in our group was once again strengthened and renewed. Our warmest thanks to Bill Anderson for his part in liaising with staff at Knock Golf Club. Our Club members hope to hold a fund raising workshop on the morning of Saturday, 5th March, proceeds of which will go to the Church Building Fund. This will take the form of a pastel workshop for Club members. Our guest artist, Gregory Moore, has kindly agreed to guide and instruct us in this medium. At time of press, further details have yet to be finalised. It only remains for me to wish, on behalf of our committee, a very Happy, Healthy and Creative New Year 2011 to one and all! Gladys
THE AFTERNOON GROUP We had a Christmas party in December [It’s a wonder I can still remember] Everyone seemed to enjoy it well As far as May and I could tell. Then in January Twenty Eleven, A number of us [more than twenty seven] Went off to the cinema, after having some lunch, T’was so good we’ll be back, I have a hunch! Next month the theme is ‘Engage with Age’, So please come and see what’s on the next page. It’s a mystery to you and a mystery to me, But do come and join us for chat and some tea! Nan Armstrong
LADIES GUILD NOTES Happy New Year to Guild members and friends! Since the last magazine in December we have had our Christmas party evening with Jane Bailey reciting seasonal poetry, which had us laughing one minute and crying the next! We played £1 a parcel which was great fun and also improved our Guild funds. We also enjoyed the Christmas supper which was better than ever and ended the evening by singing our favourite carols. Amongst all the joy we were saddened by the passing of Dolly Scott on December 1st. She was almost 98 and one of our founding members. She had contributed greatly to the Guild and will be sadly missed. Our next meeting on Wednesday, 16th February, will be a talk on Guide Dogs for the Blind. Hope to see a big turnout of members and friends. Keep warm! Lilias Smith
ALL AGE WORSHIP TEA AND COFFEE It was great to see such a good turn out at our All Age Worship Service on Sunday, 2nd January, when so many stayed for a cuppa and a chat. We raised just under £100 for the Bishops Appeal, so a very big thank you to everyone who contributed. Every week, five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis, the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited disease. On Sunday, 6th February, our proceeds from tea and coffee will go towards vital research to treat the symptoms of, and find an effective treatment for, Cystic Fibrosis. Please plan to be with us. Roberta 10
St Columba’s Parish Church
Lenten Lunch Sunday 13th March Following Morning Service in the Church Hall
Admission: Voluntary Contributions towards the Parish Building Fund and the Pakistan Community Health Project
IRISH GHOST STORY This is a true story that happened near Dublin a while ago... John Bradford, a TCD student, was on the side of a country road hitch hiking on a pitch black night in the midst of a storm. Alas, no cars were travelling that night. The storm was so fierce he could barely see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly, a car came trundling towards him and stopped. Desperate for shelter and without thinking, John jumped into the back seat and closed the door... only to realise there was nobody behind the wheel and the engine wasn’t on! The car started to move off, slowly gathering pace. John looked at the road ahead and saw a sharp bend approaching. Terrified, he started to pray, fearing for his life. Then, just before the car hit the curve, a hand appeared silently through the window and turned the wheel. John, paralyzed with fright, watched as the hand repeatedly came through the window but never touched or harmed him. Shortly thereafter he saw the lights of a pub appear down the road. Gathering strength, John jumped out of the car and ran to the pub. Soaked through and out of breath, he rushed inside and started telling everybody about his dreadful ordeal. A silence enveloped the pub when everybody realized he was absolutely petrified and definitely not tiddly! Suddenly the door opened and two other people walked in from the stormy night. They, like John, were also drenched and completely out of breath. Looking around, and seeing him sitting at the bar, one said to the other... “Look Paddy... there’s that idiot that got into the car while we were pushin’ it down the road there...” 11
H2O
Ending and Beginning
On Wednesday, 22nd December, 15 hale and hearty souls braved the arctic conditions sweeping Belfast and set off to explore behind the scenes at Ulster Television studios. Our guide, Jenny, first led us up to the U105 studios. The studios are sound proofed with double four inch thick doors so there was no danger of our noisy party disturbing Carolyn Stewart’s program! Displayed along the corridors were exhibits belonging to the UTV art collection which began in 1959. Our next stop was the production and editing rooms. We were invited into one of the editing rooms and shown how a program was made. This was a great privilege as we were the very first people to see the first few minutes of UTVs News Review of the Year, due to be screened on the 28th December. Next it was down to the news desk where we said farewell and thanks to Jenny, and met our new guide, Marc Mallett. Marc explained how the reports came in and were written up as news articles, then passed to the editors for approval before being broadcast. We moved down next through the sound mixing area and into the producers’ gallery. Finally, it was down to Studio One from where the UTV News and the 7:30 shows are broadcast. We were given a demonstration on how the crane camera works and shown the auto cue machines. Zac and Charles then amazed Marc by demonstrating how to play pinball on his telly prompt machine! All in all, a great day out for all who attended and a lovely way for H2O to end 2010. Many thanks to Marc Mallett who organised the tour and generously gave of his time to show us around. On Friday, 7th January 2011, H2O resumed with an outing to the Waterfront Hall to see the Pantomime, “Jack and the Beanstalk.” The show was great and extremely funny! My favourite character was Jack’s mother, Nanny Magee. All the actors and actresses were fantastic. They interacted well with the audience and everyone learnt a new dance to find Jack’s cow, Scooby-Moo! (The adults were by far the better dancers due to fear of being brought up on stage!). I thought it was funny the way they put fairy tales and nursery rhymes together, e.g. Jack and his new found love, Jill. It was amazing when the giant came out, he was a man on stilts and his costume was fantastic! All the songs were catchy and entertaining. The most famous line was “What’s the crack?” to which the audience would respond, “Magic Jack!” A few from our party roared back with great gusto and were a bit hoarse by the end of the show! Many thanks to Judith Owens for providing us with tickets. Hollie (and Mark) 12
H2O
2011 Programme
2011 sees the start of many new activites and normal nights - we have pool, darts, table tennis, football, games consoles, tuck shop, ipod dock, sofas and much more… u are most welcome! ST. COLUMBA’S CHURCH HALL, 8.30 - 9.30pm February
March
4th - Normal Night
4th - Ulster Rugby @ Ravenhill (T)
11th - Cinema Night
11th - VIP night
18th - Half Term
18th - Green / Weekend Away
25th - Console
25th - Normal Night
OUR MAN GETS THROUGH... Despite the atrocious weather, St. Columba’s Youth Leader, Alan Boyd, bravely battles through the arctic snow and ice to personally hand deliver yet another set of Freewill Offering envelopes to a grateful parishioner!
LADIES BOWLING It was good to get back in the New Year after missing many weeks due to the snow and the Christmas holidays. Over the next few months we have matches against St. Dorothea’s and Knock Presbyterian, as well as playing off our annual Pairs Competition. Phyllis Newton 13
THE KING JAMES BIBLE 400 YEARS ON Which of these means more to you: ‘Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!’ Or ‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled’? Both are translations of Matthew 5:6, but the first is from the Good News Bible of the 1960s, while the second is the King James Version, or Authorised Version, of 1611 (KJV for short). For many people, the older version goes deeper, is more stirring and tells us more about God. In 2011 we mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. There are a range of celebratory events – from talks by celebrities to readings in tiny churches. As we’ll be hearing often, the KJV has shaped the hearts and minds of Englishspeaking people throughout the world over the past four centuries. It first coined many words and expressions that have become part of the language – so much so that most people wouldn’t necessarily think of them as biblical, and generally believe that they’re from Shakespeare (especially as he was writing at about the same time). So we have: ‘loving kindness’ (Psalm 17 and elsewhere), ‘the signs of the times’ (Matthew 16), ‘the powers that be’ (Romans 13), and many more. But the old-fashioned words aren’t just part of our heritage, like an ancient monument; their poetry can speak directly to our needs today. They can give a stronger and more immediate sense of God’s tender love and glorious majesty, from ‘I water my couch with my tears’ (Psalm 6:6) to ‘Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…’ (1 Corinthians 13:1). It is easy to be put off by the dark type and odd words: ‘thee’ and ‘thou’, ‘-eth’ endings, ‘abide’ and ‘sojourn’. Some parts, especially the Epistles, can be dense and tortuous. We cannot turn the clock back: the KJV can never be the only version for us now. But if we use both old and new translations together, we gain so much more. In its heightened language, the KJV gives us a richer appreciation of wonder. So, just as we wouldn’t want to knock down old churches, we shouldn’t leave the KJV unread. It’s not just a cultural landmark, it’s something that can shape our lives right now. Rachel Boulding is a Deputy Editor of the Church Times, and the author of Celebrating the King James Version: Devotional readings from the classic translation (BRF, £9.99 hardback). For additional information on the KJV 400th anniversary celebrations, visit: www.kingjamesbibletrust.org. 14
BIBLE READING MARATHON Parishioners will also be interested to know that the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Alan Harper, launched a Bible reading marathon, KJV@4.00, at The Good Bookshop in Belfast on Tuesday, 4th January, by reading aloud the first six chapters of Genesis. The 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible in 1611 will be celebrated by reading the entire text aloud this year. The readings will take place on each weekday of business over the course of 2011with a wide range of readers joining in. Each session will last approximately 30-40 minutes while business continues as usual, placing the Bible where it belongs, at the centre of everyday life. Manager of The Good Bookshop, Richard Ryan, said: “It’s a massive undertaking, but we have already received a lot of support for it. I’m hoping as many people as possible will take part in this unique event, the biggest that has ever taken place in the bookshop. It’s open to everyone – clergy, lay readers, youth workers, Sunday School groups and, of course, our own customers. The more readers we can get the better.” There are still some slots for reading available and if anyone is interested in taking part, please e-mail Richard at sales@goodbookshop.com or phone 028 9024 4825.
BROWNIE NOTES On Friday, 10th December 2010, we enrolled four new members into our Pack but unfortunately Lara missed out as her birthday is on 31st December so we will have another enrolment towards the end of this month. The bad weather of Friday, 17th December, meant that Brownies had to be cancelled and regretfully we were unable to hold our much anticipated Christmas Party. We will make up for this with a really good Easter Party! Our first night back after Christmas saw Sophie excitedly join us from Doves, and with two additional girls coming last Friday and hopefully returning next week, we have now increased our numbers to 12. As most of the girls are young and hopefully likely to stay awhile the future of the Pack is looking healthy. We are just starting our World Guiding badge and next week hope to sample food from another country with brownies – we think ‘Australian brownies’ (buns not girls!) sound good. In future weeks we also hope to become pen pals to another Brownie pack abroad and find out lots about our chosen countries of Canada, Australia and USA. So if you want something exciting to do on Friday evening why not come along and join us! Beth Cairnduff 15
SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD A group of pupils were asked to list what they thought were the present ‘Seven Wonders of the World’. After some heated discussion the following received the most votes, in no particular order: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Egypt’s Great Pyramids The Taj Mahal Petra The Panama Canal The Empire State Building St. Peter’s Basilica The Great Wall of China
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one pupil had not finished her paper yet. She asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I can’t quite make up my mind because there are so many.” The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have and maybe we can help.” The girl hesitated and then read out her list of ‘Seven Wonders of the World’: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
To see To hear To touch To taste To feel To laugh To love
The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The things we regard as simple and ordinary, and so often take for granted, are truly wondrous! A gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.
FINANCIAL UPDATE ‘The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.’ Cicero (55 BC) 16
St Columba’s Young Families: An essential dinner date for your diary! Date: Saturday 26 March 2011 Time: 7.30 for 8.00pm Venue: The Mandarin City For more details and to book your seat please contact: Victor Dukelow Email: vkj.dukelow@ntlworld.com Tel: 028 90 290625 Linda Wilson Email: linda_wilson_9@hotmail.com Tel: 028 90 761040
Thank You...
Thank you so much for all the cards and lovely flowers for my 90th birthday. I felt just like the Queen! Unfortunately, the weather was against us and we had to cancel (hopefully, merely postpone!) the birthday tea as relatives from England were unable to come over, and many folk here were also deterred by the icy weather. Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year! Maureen Garrett 17
PERFECTION One of the perils of writing is believing that what one has written today is exactly how one wants it, but waking up next morning and finding that it’s not. This is a process that continues non-stop if it is allowed to. The advice that a difficult letter should always lie overnight and be re-read next morning before it is sent is absolutely sound; but sooner or later the nettle has to be grasped and the letter sent or the piece delivered. Deadlines wait for no one. (Ed. Hear Hear!) Perfection, oh perfection, that elusive little devil; His goal-posts keep on changing and his playing-field’s not level. He’s slipp’ry as those tiny bits of egg-shells in the yolk That you can’t get out no-matter how you push or pull or poke. You’re better far to give in and to take the risk of eating ’em, For deadlines wait for no-one and you can’t afford not meeting ’em! Tony Greeves
CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to our Assistant Organist, Brian Clements, who has not only passed the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Grade 7 examination in Organ, but has done so with merit! - a very significant achievement at this high level. Well done to Brian, who is now ‘pulling out all the stops’ to work towards the top grade. We thank Brian for his valued contribution to music in St. Columba’s and wish him well in his further studies. Gerald Hill, Parish Organist and Choirmaster
Parish BBQ and Barn Dance Evening of Friday 10th June 2011 at Tony and Clodagh Reid’s Home Unicarvel, 88 Ballyrainey Road, Comber PROCEEDS FOR THE PARISH BUILDING FUND Check out next month’s Columban for further details! 18
BELFAST ROTARY CLUB The Rector attended the first meeting of 2011 for Belfast Rotary Club who hold their lunchtime meetings at the Europa Hotel on Mondays. As special guest of Club President, Brian Clements, he was asked to give a New Year’s message to those present. The Rector paid tribute to the outstanding charitable work of the Belfast Rotary Club whose motto is “Service above Self “ and urged the club to renew their efforts in the New Year. He suggested that they look at innovative ways to serve those in need in our community, using the example of the Good Samaritan as an outstanding role model. His uplifting and thought provoking message was of great encouragement to all the members. Brian Clements
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WINTER SCENE...
These photographs, kindly sent in by Kyleen Clarke, look rather familiar in the light of the recent spell of seemingly endless weeks of arctic weather... except they are from last winter (2009), remember? Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose...
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 they already know the information as situations have occurred recently when they have not been informed. Please telephone the Rector (028 90471514) or the Curate (028 90653370) to enable them to take careful note of the details.
“Today’s Hymns are based on last week’s trend in petrol prices...” 20
ON THE DISCOVERY OF A LONG LOST CRYPT (Letter from the Reverend Eustace to his nephew Darren)
The Rectory St. James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren
ct that were the floor to be removed Since your church is a former cinema, I suspe for the last Charlie Chaplin film would cigarette ends, sweet wrappings and tickets was raised last week to try and find be revealed. Our marble flooring in the chancel heating pipe. It made its presence so the rat that had died beside an under floor to use incense. blatant last winter that it gave me the excuse lost crypt containing the tombs of But we have made an exciting discovery: the long until a little domestic disagreement the Lords Staveley, who flourished in this area life in Italy might be distinctly more with Henry II made the family realise that s. The stone from their manor house pleasant, if they wished to retain their head ling as a euphemism for theft. recyc of soon became our lady chapel, an example very, rumours of vast treasure flew Inevitably, as soon as we had made the disco descended into it the Treasurer had round the parish. Long before anyone had h, the Organist decided it should be the fortune earmarked for re-wiring the churc insisted it would keep the flower gton spent on enlarging the organ and Mrs. Millin nnium-but-one. I confess that even I arrangers in chicken wire until the next mille eet drinks cabinet at the Rectory. toyed with the idea of a conservatory with a discr of rows of coffins in various stages Sadly, it was not to be. Our ‘treasure’ consisted r’s vegetable patch enriched for Verge of decay, enough bat droppings to keep our ermints dropped by generations of the coming year and scores of long lost pepp way through the sermons. choristers sitting above, as they munched their left, I decided to have one last look. Later that evening, when the workmen had lost my footing. The now-broken but Taking a torch I descended the stone steps dering round in total darkness and torch went one way and I another. After floun myself to an uncomfortable night in unable to find the stairs to escape, I resigned heard steps on the same stairs and in the crypt until daybreak. In the early hours, I have heard of the rumours of treasure their torchlight saw it was someone who must ed, fell and lost his torch, and in the and decided to liberate some of it. He, too, tripp other end of the crypt amongst the total darkness I heard him fumbling about at the that I’d been trying to get out of here coffins. Intending to be helpful, I shouted out so he may as well give up. But do you myself for a long time and had never made it, know, he found his way out in no time! Your loving uncle, Eustace
21
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PARISH 2010 Listed below are the totals of contributions given by parishioners in 2010 for Free Will Offering by means of FWO Envelopes, Standing Orders and / or Annual Cheques. Env YTD Env YTD Env YTD Env YTD No. Total No. Total No. Total No. Total 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
£25.10 £230.00 £260.00 £500.00 £520.00 £0.00 £0.00 £104.40 £260.00 £49.20 £475.00 £300.00 £144.00 £50.00 £150.00 £166.00 £225.00 £265.00 £295.00 £211.00 £200.00 £420.00 £0.00 £100.00 £0.00 £200.00 £388.00 £204.00 £275.00 £0.00 £1000.00 £0.00 £0.00 £510.00 £275.00 £160.00 £18.00 £250.00 £100.00 £60.00 £645.00 £0.00 £90.00 £250.00 £320.00 £1,780.00 £191.75 £0.00 £22.00 £46.80 £375.00 £110.00 £230.00 £0.00
55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110
111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 139 141 142 143 144 145 147 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169
£268.00 £1,340.00 £210.00 £710.00 £0.00 £0.00 £35.00 £168.00 £450.00 £26.00 £21.60 £70.00 £165.00 £105.00 £0.00 £93.00 £760.00 £0.00 £123.00 £209.00 £180.00 £312.00 £210.00 £175.00 £285.00 £260.00 £1,363.00 £830.00 £297.00 £40.00 £510.00 £632.00 £66.00 £55.50 £243.12 £534.00 £8.00 £300.00 £600.00 £0.00 £172.50 £40.00 £1,000.00 £340.00 £507.00 £0.00 £431.00 £40.00 £300.00 £0.00 £383.00 £291.00 £18.00 £50.00 22
£480.00 £0.00 £200.00 £0.00 £107.30 £30.00 £525.00 £400.00 £540.00 £425.00 £0.00 £780.00 £510.00 £112.00 £40.00 £0.00 £260.00 £0.00 £210.00 £180.00 £200.00 £325.00 £506.00 £110.00 £301.80 £256.00 £177.00 £120.00 £275.00 £0.00 £520.00 £100.00 £0.00 £210.00 £1,060.00 £276.00 £120.00 £1,620.00 £50.00 £12.00 £660.00 £0.00 £300.00 £60.00 £647.00 £39.00 £41.10 £240.00 £0.00 £829.00 £153.00 £0.00 £419.00 £340.50
170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 226
£40.00 £349.00 £540.00 £360.00 £0.00 £0.00 £98.00 £650.00 £111.50 £165.00 £660.00 £95.00 £245.00 £180.00 £120.00 £300.00 £150.00 £25.00 £45.00 £108.00 £360.00 £0.00 £980.00 £208.00 £300.00 £795.00 £156.00 £312.00 £480.00 £0.00 £5.00 £185.00 £0.00 £1,097.60 £30.00 £1,295.00 £0.00 £380.00 £28.00 £150.00 £380.00 £65.00 £255.00 £0.00 £288.50 £500.00 £117.00 £485.00 £0.00 £280.00 £530.00 £7.97 £663.00 £576.00
Env No.
YTD Total
Env No.
YTD Total
Env No.
YTD Total
Env No.
YTD Total
227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 245 246 247 248 249 250 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270
£265.00 £290.00 £150.00 £235.00 £735.00 £0.00 £360.00 £480.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £112.00 £140.50 £185.00 £530.00 £0.00 £255.00 £52.00 £172.50 £0.00 £270.00 £250.00 £0.00 £480.00 £431.00 £0.00 £240.00 £300.00 £305.00 £10.00 £660.00 £240.00 £40.00 £167.30 £264.85 £151.80 £141.00 £50.00 £160.00 £45.00 £48.50 £336.00
271 272 273 274 275 276 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313
£109.00 £20.00 £0.00 £35.00 £85.00 £210.00 £500.00 £170.00 £11.00 £465.00 £45.00 £693.00 £250.00 £300.00 £0.00 £253.00 £323.00 £240.00 £520.00 £120.00 £115.00 £94.20 £275.00 £550.00 £300.00 £720.00 £510.00 £19.00 £205.00 £0.00 £275.00 £663.00 £30.00 £0.00 £0.00 £840.00 £265.00 £0.00 £120.00 £130.00 £250.00 £209.00
314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 330 331 332 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 350 351 352 353 354 355 358 359 360 361
£560.00 £500.00 £210.00 £10.00 £220.00 £185.00 £65.00 £170.00 £0.00 £1,040.00 £190.00 £0.00 £36.00 £185.00 £0.00 £80.00 £315.00 £1,220.00 £260.00 £500.00 £277.00 £40.00 £400.00 £250.00 £223.00 £0.00 £360.00 £922.00 £20.00 £130.00 £180.00 £260.00 £165.00 £340.00 £140.00 £220.00 £1,010.00 £770.00 £72.00 £40.00 £119.00 £35.00
362 363 364 901 902 903 905 906 907 908 909 910 913 915 916 920 921 923 924 927 930 932 933 934 936 937 938 939 940 947 949 950 951 952 955 956 957 958 959 960
£150.00 £31.00 £210.00 £300.00 £300.00 £600.00 £150.00 £850.00 £0.00 £1,080.00 £130.00 £720.00 £0.00 £48.00 £120.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £240.00 £0.00 £0.00 £360.00 £400.00 £720.00 £600.00 £0.00 £300.00 £0.00 £300.00 £100.00 £1,500.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £120.00 £140.00 £960.00 £1,080.00 £125.00 £100.00
Total £99,518.89
The above FWO figures and the totals listed below do not include Income Tax claimed from the Inland Revenue through the Gift Aid Scheme. Other major contributions received during the year were: Mission & Charities £9,288 Building Fund £11,032 Lenten Appeal (Martha Health Clinic, Sudan) £14,367 Loose Plate £2,795 On behalf of the Rector and Select Vestry may I take this opportunity to thank you for your most generous and regular support during another year of financial uncertainty. Murray Hunter (Asst. Hon. Treasurer, Freewill Offering Envelope and Gift Aid Secretary) 23
Children’s Colouring Page!
Colour in this calendar page for February and use it to write down all the lovely things you do this month! 24
MARCH MAGAZINE Please note, any articles or photographs for publication in the March parish magazine should be handed or e-mailed to the editor by Sunday, 13th February, at latest. Many thanks
FLOWER ROTA FOR FEBRUARY Sunday 6th............................................... Patricia Wilson Sunday 13th ............................................ Geraldine and Anella Gallen Sunday 20th ............................................ Margaret Stewart Sunday 27th ............................................
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FROM THE REGISTERS Our Joys Holy Baptism Sunday 19th December Alexandru Joseph Brown 23 Tudor Road, Carrickfergus Our Sorrows Christian Burial Wednesday 8th December
Ellen Dorothy (Dolly) Scott 132 Barnett’s Road
Friday 10th December
Frederick Haugh 8 Knockdene Park 25
PARISH ORGANISATIONS SOMETHING FOR YOU? SUNDAY 10.30am Sunday School (2nd, 4th, 5th Sundays) Bubbles (3-5 years) Louise Craig 90472512 Patricia Wilson 90401066 Splash (5-8 years) Joyce Stephenson 90583381 X-treme (8-11 years) Alan Boyd 07833 391945 The Grid (11 years +) Beth Cairnduff 90874047 8.00pm Beatitudes Choir David Beattie 90797125 MONDAY 2.00pm Ladies Bowling Phyllis Newton 90482113 2.30p.m. Afternoon Group (2nd Monday) May Preston 90489884 7.30pm Men’s Club John Robb 90581438 TUESDAY 10.30am Ladies Badminton Eithne Hobson 90797793
WEDNESDAY 7.30pm Bible Study Group Trevor Buchanan 90657697 7.45pm Ladies Guild (3rd Wednesday) Lilias Smith 90592039 8.00pm Senior Badminton Club Jill Spratt 07754 405511 THURSDAY 9.30am Art Club Bob Killen
90790210
7.30pm Senior Badminton Club Jill Spratt 07754 405511 7.45pm Choir Practice Gerald Hill 90422101 FRIDAY 9.45am Mums & Tots Anne Clarke 90651412 3.45-5pm Toddler Mini Soccer 3-5yrs Tim Wareing 07740 120788 6.30pm Doves Karen McAlpine
90424390
2.00pm Ladies Badminton Kyleen Clarke 90797155
6.30pm Brownies Beth Cairnduff
90874047
8.00pm Mothers’ Union (1st Tuesday) Irene Gray 90653438
8.30pm H2O Mark Wilson
90761040
8.00pm Activity Group (except 1st Tuesday) Maureen Irwin 90795155
Young Families Group (Social events as arranged) The Rector 90471514
Please note, requests for the occasional use of Church premises must first be submitted to the Premises Convenor, Alan Rogers, on 90656183 26
WHO’S WHO IN ST. COLUMBA’S PARISH WEBSITE: www.stcolumbas.down.anglican.org
RECTOR The Revd John R. Auchmuty St. Columba’s Rectory 29 King’s Road BT5 6JG Tel 028 90471514 Email johnauchmuty@btinternet.com
PEOPLE’S GLEBEWARDEN John Proctor 13 Richhill Park BT5 6HG Tel 028 90870526 Mob 07989 469773 SELECT VESTRY Rector, Curate, Churchwardens, Glebewardens, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Asst. Hon. Treasurer, Brian Acheson, Clare Best, Helen Donaghy, Patrick Good, Jennifer Johnston, Elizabeth McCaughey, Moranne Noad, Roberta Rogers, Linda Wilson
CURATE The Revd Robert Ferris The Curatage 3 Sandown Park South BT5 6HE Tel 028 90653370 Email rferris281@gmail.com robert@stcolumbasyouth.org
HON. SECRETARY & PREMISES CONVENOR Alan Rogers 50 Cabin Hill Gardens BT5 7AQ Tel 028 90656183 Email alanrogers53@gmail.com
PARISH READER Karen McAlpine 10 Old Quay Court Holywood BT18 OHT Tel 028 90424390 DIOCESAN LAY READER (EMERITUS) Bryn Harris 22 Dalton Glade Glen Road Comber BT23 5SZ Tel 028 91878816
HON. TREASURER Gillian Sadlier 70 Kensington Road BT5 6NG Tel 028 90403278
RECTOR’S CHURCHWARDEN Victor Dukelow 19 Thornhill Park BT5 7AR Tel 028 90290625
ASST. HON. TREASURER/GIFT AID SECRETARY/FREE WILL OFFERING Murray Hunter 13 Knockdarragh Park BT4 2LE Tel 028 90761295
PEOPLE’S CHURCHWARDEN Elizabeth Leonard 28 Knockdene Park South BT5 7AB Tel 028 90653162
PAROCHIAL NOMINATORS Trevor Buchanan Patrick Good Moranne Noad Meryl Townsend
RECTOR’S GLEBEWARDEN Jim Stevenson 44 Casaeldona Rise BT6 9RA Tel 028 90583381 Mob 07973 392448
DIOCESAN SYNOD MEMBERS Emma Hill Elizabeth Leonard Moranne Noad Roberta Rogers Paul Stewart 27
ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER Gerald Hill 6 The Coaches Brown’s Brae, Croft Road Holywood BT18 OLE Tel 028 90422101
MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTOR CO-ORDINATOR John Holland Greengraves Cottage 8 Ballyrogan Park, Newtownards BT23 4SD Tel 028 91814036 PARISH WEBMASTER Ivan Roche 49 Richhill Park BT5 6HG Tel 028 95140141 Email ivan@treadmillcommunications.com
ASSISTANT ORGANIST Brian Clements 150 Sandown Road BT5 6GX Tel 028 90793641
C of I GAZETTE DISTRIBUTOR Ruth Pugh 147A King’s Road BT5 7EG Tel 028 90483459
READERS & INTERCESSORS CO-ORDINATOR Muriel Arndell 18 Kinedar Crescent BT4 3LY Tel 028 90655500
BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP NOTES Evan Preston 12 Carrowreagh Gardens Dundonald BT16 ITW Tel 028 90489884
SIDESPERSONS’ ROTA CO-ORDINATOR Rosemary Coffey 44 Thornyhill Road Killinchy BT23 6SJ Tel 028 97542198
CHURCH FLOWERS Paddy Nesbitt 30 Knockhill Park BT5 6HY Tel 028 90650716
CRÈCHE ROTA CO-ORDINATOR Daphne Nelson 14 Rosepark BT5 7RG Tel 028 90483889
ST. COLUMBA’S PARISH OFFICE Office Hours Wednesday & Friday 8.30am – 1.30pm Parish Secretary: Janet Johnston Tel 028 90656891
MAGAZINE EDITOR Ian Noad 36 Shandon Park BT5 6NX Tel 028 90793704 Email noadfamily@hotmail.com
Email: office.knock@down.anglican.org
SAFEGUARDING TRUST The Rector, Select Vestry and Parish Leaders are committed to upholding good practice in the parish’s ministry with children and young people. Should you have cause for concern or suspicion regarding child welfare in the parish, please contact a member of the Parish Panel below, or any of the statutory agencies.
The Rector Patrick Good Elizabeth Leonard 28
028 9047 1514 028 9065 6908 028 9065 3162