December 2009/January 2010
RECTOR’S LETTER
SERVICES IN DECEMBER Thursday 3rd 10.30am
St. Andrew (Transferred) (Red) Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry
When parish visiting recently I stopped to look at a beautiful hand made crib that was in the entrance hall. As we spoke together, the parishioner pointed to her Christmas decorations and lights in the porch and said, “There is the glitter”; and then she turned and faced the crib in the hall and said, “Here is the fact”. How right she was! All too easily, the glitter can take over and consume our lives with the result that we have no room left for the fact – the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Yet during these days of Advent we can be so busy making out even more lists of all the things that we still have to get done before Christmas. We are rushing around at even greater speeds, in larger crowds and never ending queues, in packed shops with glitter everywhere, trying to achieve all our shopping targets and wondering how we are going to cope. Such a frenzy of activities can all too easily take away from the fact and importance of the Christmas story.
Sunday 6th 8.15am 10.30am 7pm
The Second Sunday of Advent (Purple) Holy Communion Reader Paul Stewart Philippians 1: 3-11 Gospel Clergy Luke 3: 1-6 All Age Worship followed by refreshments Reader Beth Cairnduff Luke 3: 1-6 Prayers Karen McAlpine Choral Evensong Reader Graeme Stevenson Isaiah 40: 1-11 Reader Graeme Stevenson Luke 1: 1-25
PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD
Sunday 13th 8.15am 10.30am 7.00pm
Dear Parishioner, GLITTER OR FACT?
The fact of the Christmas story – the birth of Christ - is clearly illustrated in this year’s parish Christmas card which contains full details of all our church services. I thank all the Art Group members who designed Christmas cards and congratulate Billy McAlpine, whose card was chosen. It depicts a large star in the background and a drawing of Mary holding her baby son Jesus Christ in her arms, with the words “Behold Emmanuel”. I hope that this card will help you focus on the real meaning of Christmas, which is Emmanuel, ‘God with us’. SUPPORT FOR OTHERS THIS CHRISTMAS There are many people for whom this Christmas will be particularly difficult for one reason or another. As the Bidding Prayer which we will hear at our Carol Service on Christmas Eve reminds us, “Let us remember, in his name, the poor and helpless, the cold and hungry, and the oppressed: the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved”. It is important that the essential Christmas message does not pass them by. It is into every situation that the light of Christ will come on Christmas morning to offer everyone hope, joy, peace and love. As we shortly prepare to receive the light of Christ into our lives, we are called to share that same light with other people through our words and actions. It can be all too easy for us to recognize a need and then simply pass by on the other side, because we are too busy looking after our own agenda and ourselves. We are reminded of these familiar words of Christ, who himself taught us to “love one another, even as I have loved you” (Jn. 13:34). Caroline, Charles and Henry join me in wishing you a very happy and peaceful Christmas and God’s richest blessing for 2010. Yours in His service,
Thursday 10th (Purple) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry The Third Sunday of Advent Holy Communion Reader Michael Davey Gospel Clergy Holy Communion Reader Fiona Haldane Gospel Bryn Harris Intercessions Meryl Townsend Late Evening Office Reader Gina Greeves
(Purple) Philippians 4: 4-7 Luke 3: 7-18 Philippians 4: 4-7 Luke 3: 7-18 Luke 1: 57-80
Thursday 17 (Purple) 10.30am Holy Communion for our Housebound Parishioners with Carols and Seasonal Refreshments th
Sunday 20th 8.15am 9.30am 10.30am 7.00pm
The Fourth Sunday of Advent Holy Communion Reader Lindsay Hodges Gospel Clergy Family Communion Gospel Karen McAlpine Morning Prayer Reader Patrick Good Reader Robin Haldane Occasional Roberta Rogers Prayers Holy Communion Reader Helen Donaghy Gospel Karen McAlpine
(Purple) Hebrews 10: 5-10 Luke 1: 39-45 Luke 1: 39-45 Micah 5: 2-5a Luke 1: 39-45
Isaiah 10: 33 - 11:10 Matthew 1: 18-25
Thursday 24th 10.30am 8.00pm
Christmas Eve (Purple) Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Luke 2: 1-14
9.30am 10.30am 7.00pm
Friday 25th 9.00am 10.15am
Christmas Day Holy Communion Reader Paddy Malone Gospel Clergy Intercessions Karen McAlpine All Age Worship Reader Charles Auchmuty (Children present a gift at this service)
(Red)
Thursday 21st (White) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry
(White) Titus 2: 11-14 Luke 2: 1-14
Saturday 26 10.30am
St. Stephen Holy Communion
Friday 1st 10.30am
The Naming and Circumcision of Christ (White) Holy Communion
Sunday 3rd 8.15am 10.30am 7.00pm
The Second Sunday of Christmas (White) Holy Communion Reader Trevor Buchanan Ephesians 1: 3-14 Gospel Clergy John 1: 10-18 All Age Worship followed by refreshments Reader Sharon Elkin John 1: 10-18 Prayers Karen McAlpine Evening Prayer Reader Fiona Haldane 1 Samuel 1: 20-28 Reader Fiona Haldane Matthew 2: 13-23
Thursday 7th 10.30am
The Epiphany (Transferred) (White) Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry
Sunday 10 8.15am 10.30am 7.00pm
The First Sunday after the Epiphany (White) Holy Communion Reader Muriel Arndell Acts 8: 14-17 Gospel Clergy Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22 Holy Communion & Dedication of Lighting & Heating Improvements Reader Alan Rogers Acts 8: 14-17 Gospel Clergy Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22 Intercessions Trevor Buchanan Preacher The Bishop of Down & Dromore Compline Reader Tony Greeves Mark 1: 4-11
th
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SERVICES IN JANUARY
Thursday 14th (White) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday 17th 8.15am
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany (White) Holy Communion Reader Paul Stewart 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11 Gospel Clergy John 2: 1-11
Sunday 24th 8.15am 10.30am 7.00pm
Family Communion Gospel Karen McAlpine John 2: 1-11 Morning Prayer Reader Caroline Auchmuty Isaiah 62: 1-5 Reader Moranne Noad John 2: 1-11 Occasional Muriel Arndell Prayers United Belmont & District Council of Churches Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in St. Colmcille’s No Evening service in St. Columba’s
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany Holy Communion Reader Michael Davey Gospel Clergy Holy Communion Reader Ian Noad Gospel Bryn Harris Intercessions Helen Donaghy Evening Prayer Reader Esther Templeton Reader Esther Templeton Occasional Karen McAlpine Prayers
1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a
Numbers 9: 15-23 Mark 1: 21-28
Thursday 28th The Conversion of St. Paul (Transferred) (White) 10.30am Holy Communion followed by refreshments in the Choir Vestry Sunday 31st 8.15am 10.30am 7.00pm
The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Holy Communion Reader Lindsay Hodges Gospel Clergy Service of the Word Reader Meryl Townsend Songs of Praise
(White) 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 Luke 4: 21-30 Luke 4: 21-30
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 C of the Revised Common Lectionary and are printed on our parish website:
www.stcolumbas.down.anglican .org
A PRAYER FOR OUR PARISH
HOLY COMMUNION FOR HOUSEBOUND PARISHIONERS in
O God, make the door of our Church wide enough to receive all who
St. Columba’s Parish Church
need human love and fellowship, and a heavenly Father’s care;
on
and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and hate.
THURSDAY 17TH DECEMBER AT 10.30AM
Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to
With Christmas Carols and seasonal refreshments
children, nor to straying feet; but rugged enough to turn back the
Please phone the Parish Office (Wednesday or Friday morning 8.30am - 1.30pm) to arrange transport.
tempter’s power. Make it the gateway to thine eternal kingdom. Amen Bishop Thomas Ken 1637-1711
DECEMBER SIDESPERSONS’ ROTA Sunday 6 . ...............................................Helen Proctor and Liz McCaughey th
Sunday 13th..............................................Jennifer Johnston and Joan Madill Sunday 20th..............................................Margaret McConkey and Irene Gray Sunday 27th..............................................Patricia Wilson and Doreen Thompson
JANUARY SIDESPERSONS’ ROTA Sunday 3rd. ...............................................Nan Armstrong and Olivia Budde Sunday 10th..............................................Rosemary and Ivan Coffey
PRIVATE HOLY COMMUNION SERVICES It is always a privilege for the Rector to conduct private Holy Communion services in the homes of housebound parishioners who are unable to attend any of the Christmas services in St. Columba’s. Please telephone the Rector (028 90471514) by Friday, 11th December, to make an appointment if you would like a private Holy Communion service in your home.
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 below mentioned districts during January. Both the Rector and Curate will visit parishioners in all the Residential and Nursing Homes throughout the parish during December. In addition, the Rector will be conducting private Holy Communion Services in the homes of those housebound parishioners who are unable to attend any of the Christmas services. January
Sunday 17th..............................................Maureen Irwin and Walter Peake Sunday 24th..............................................Roberta and John McKeown Sunday 31st...............................................Yvonne and Eddie Cadden
Rector:
Curate:
Belmont Road
Cyprus Avenue
Belmont Park
Knockvale Park
Belmont Road
Quarry Road
If anyone would like to join the Sidespersons’ Rota,
Cairnburn Road
Cloverhill Park
please contact Rosemary Coffey on 028 9754 2198
Cairnburn Park
Massey Avenue
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.
KNOCK KNOCK, IT’S THE CURATE! How did we get to the December/January edition of the magazine already? November has been a term of new starts for the youth ministry in the parish, with my MAD challenge which involved Wispa Gold bars and survey forms. Elsewhere in the Columban, you will read about the new strategy which I am co-ordinating, looking over this winter at the work we are doing with young people and asking questions on how we can develop. I commend these plans to you, please do pray for this. Elsewhere, the Curate’s diary is filling up with all things Christmas – carol services, meetings, events etc. I love Christmas, it is a time when ministry is very busy, when presents have to be bought, wrapped and cards written, when relationships are renewed... when too much food is eaten! This year, it is great to be celebrating the incarnation of Jesus Christ in St. Columba’s. It is my prayer that as we get caught up in the magic and excitement of Christmas, each one of us may never forget the reason for the season. As we progress into 2010, I would encourage each one to stop and reflect about the year that has passed, thinking about its highs and lows, and to take a moment and thank God for the journey on which he has sustained us. As we look forward let us set ourselves some goals, not just things like giving up sweets or other such good intentions, but also remember that we are disciples. With our “L” plates up, what would you like to learn from or do for God? Perhaps it may be to carve out in our day quiet time to pray or read the Bible, perhaps it may be to go to church more regularly or maybe to attend Bible study. Whatever it is... as the Nike strapline says... ‘Just do it!’ Every Blessing Robert THE FIRST CHRISTMAS If on the first Christmas the three wise men had been women, they would have asked for directions, arrived on time, cleaned the stable, helped deliver the baby, made a casserole and brought practical gifts.
PARISH ORGANISATIONS SOMETHING FOR YOU? SUNDAY 10.30am Sunday School (2nd, 4th, 5th Sundays) Beth Cairnduff (3-5 yrs) 90874047 Joyce Stevenson (5-8 yrs) 90583381 Alan Boyd (8-13 yrs) 07979 830122
WEDNESDAY 7.30pm Bible Study Group Trevor Buchanan 90657697 7.45pm Ladies Guild (3rd Wednesday) Lilias Smith 90592039 8.00pm Senior Badminton Club Jill McDowell 07754 405511
8.00pm Beatitudes Choir David Beattie 90797125
THURSDAY 9.30am Art Club Bob Killen
MONDAY 2.00pm Ladies Bowling Phyllis Newton 90482113
90790210
7.30pm Senior Badminton Club Jill McDowell 07754 405511
2.30p.m. Afternoon Group (2nd Monday) May Preston 90489884
7.45pm Choir Practice Gerald Hill 90422101
7.30pm Men’s Club John Robb 90581438
FRIDAY 9.45am Mums & Tots Anne Clarke 90651412
TUESDAY 10.30am Ladies Badminton Muriel Jowett 90659984
3.45-5pm Toddler Mini Soccer 3-5yrs Tim Wareing 07740 120788
2.00pm Ladies Badminton Kyleen Clarke 90797155 8.00pm Mothers’ Union (1st Tuesday) Irene Gray 90653438 8.00pm Activity Group (except 1st Tuesday) Maureen Irwin 90795155
6.30pm Doves Karen McAlpine
90424390
6.30pm Brownies Beth Cairnduff
90874047
8.30pm H2O Mark Wilson
90761040
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
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
CHOIR NOTES
We would like to welcome Louise Craig and Sharon Elkin who have undertaken to act as our fourth teacher on alternate Sundays for the 3-5 year olds. Unfortunately, the large numbers that we had at the beginning of the year are no longer coming along, which is a great pity now that we have our full quota of teachers. Before each Sunday that the Sunday school is operating, the teachers have prepared varied and interesting activities for the children and it is a great disappointment when the numbers turning up are so small. Please send your children along to enjoy these activities. We are aiming to change the musical item which we contribute to each All Age Worship, as we find that many of the children who have practised the item are not present on that Sunday, or we are joined by others who have not been able to practice. We are currently looking at alternative ways of contributing to this service as we know many of the congregation enjoy seeing and hearing the children perform. Please see the February magazine for our new plans.
It seems like no time since last Christmas, but here we are again, preparing for this year’s Christmas Eve Carol Service. Each year, we always try to sing some carols that we have not sung previously, while maintaining the traditional ‘menu’ of favourite carols. This year, we will be singing a lovely arrangement of a Catalan carol ‘Carol of the Gifts’ by John Rutter, whose name is synonymous with Christmas carols. The arrangement has a real Spanish flavour to the piano accompaniment and is characterised by a gentle, lilting melody - not to be missed! Other new carols include ‘The Miracle of this Night’, which has a beautiful melody; ‘O Sweet Child of Mary’, to a traditional carol tune, and a lovely arrangement of the Sussex Carol ‘On Christmas Night’. Also included will be some carols that we have not sung for many years. Two of these are ‘Quittez Pasteurs’ and ‘King Jesus Hath a Garden’. To hear the rest, and to indulge in some hearty carol singing, you will have to come along to the carol service on Christmas Eve at 8.00pm!
PROGRAMME for OCTOBER 2009 6th December 2009 13th December 2009 20th December 2009 27th December 2009 3rd January 2010 10th January 2010 17th January 2010 24th January 2010 31st January 2010
10.30am All age Worship 10.30am Sunday School 9.30am Family Communion Holiday 10.30am All age Worship 10.30am Sunday School 9.30am Family Communion 10.30am Sunday School 10.30am Sunday School Beth Cairnduff
Finally, we would like to extend warmest wishes for a speedy recovery to Alva Anderson, husband of Eileen, our esteemed chairwoman, and to wish everyone a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year.
I want to use this opportunity to appeal, yet again, for new choir members. We especially need sopranos and altos. Here, in St. Columba’s, we strive to maintain a strong choral tradition and that can be hard work. It requires resources in terms of numbers in the choir, and commitment to contribute faithfully and enthusiastically to the musical life of the parish. You do not have to be an operatic superstar to join the choir. You don’t have to be able to read music and you certainly don’t need to look like a glamorous popstar! All that we ask is that you can sing ‘in tune’ and be committed to regular attendance: Sunday mornings, the first Sunday evening of each month and Thursday evening practices (as often as you can). Many of our current choir members have given long and faithful service and would be pleased to welcome some new members to their ranks. Unfortunately, previous appeals have fallen on deaf ears, and yet the parish expects the musical tradition to be maintained! If only two people joined the choir as a result of this appeal, it would be great. Don’t think that somebody else reading this will rush to volunteer, because they might not! Why don’t YOU think about it? If you are interested, please contact me on 9042 2101, or speak to me or any choir member after a service.
Lilias Smith (Hon Sec)
Gerald Hill, Parish Organist and Choirmaster
LADIES GUILD NOTES By now we will have celebrated our 50th Anniversary with a Church Service, and a Dinner including entertainment provided by Murray Hunter and Emma Hill. On Wednesday, 9th December (not Wednesday 16th December!) we shall be holding our Christmas Fun Party and we intend to have a ballot, topical games, quizzes and carols, and, of course, our usual Christmas supper! We look forward to seeing everyone there. The first meeting of 2010 will be held on Wednesday, 20th January, and unfortunately, there may be a change to the programme but the committee will keep members informed.
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ST. COLUMBA’S LADIES GUILD: A BRIEF HISTORY
Senior Badminton Club
Extracts from the Rector’s Sermon on Sunday, 15 November
Badminton season is back up and running, and we would like to invite any member of the congregation who would like to enjoy a little exercise once a week to consider coming down and joining us. Club night is on Wednesday at 8.00pm and all are welcome!
th
Having successfully convinced the Incumbent of the day, Canon William Whittaker, of the need for another parish organisation for women, the inaugural meeting of the Ladies Guild of the Parish of St. Columba’s, Knock, took place on 12th November 1959 in the Parochial Hall on the Sandown Road, with an encouraging attendance of 34 members. Meeting weekly, the Ladies Guild immediately started fund raising, for example, on behalf of the new Parochial Hall to be built on the King’s Road behind the Rectory, through jumble sales, coffee mornings and a fashion show. Their first meeting in the new Hall, for which they had generously provided the curtains, took place on 3rd April 1963, with 70 fully paid up members in attendance! The 10th Anniversary was celebrated in 1969 with a Dinner at Girton Lodge, and throughout the Troubles thereafter members of the Guild, as well as parishioners, provided cakes and buns to the army, heralding the era of the much loved ‘Cake Bake’. By the Guild’s 25th Anniversary, fund raising initiatives included an Irish Night, a St. Andrew’s Night, coffee and bridge evenings as well as a Renaissance Concert, which, in 1984, provided sufficient funds for the beautiful stained glass Easter Window in the south aisle of the Church, still in position today. At the 30th Anniversary Service, the preacher was Kathleen Brown, whose mother, Mrs. Devitt, had been a founder member. In 1996, the Church’s Centenary Year, the Ladies Guild gifted a panel in the new West Window, a new Prayer Desk and made a major donation towards the Flower Festival. Four years later, they adopted a Hawaiian goose named ‘Gregor’, the adoption being maintained thereafter every year. In 2002, curtains were provided for the Soft Room, and at the 45th Anniversary Dinner held in Carmichael’s three of the founding members were present: Eileen Turner, Lily Hazard and Frances Roberts. Since then the Guild has flourished with a host of activities, including pampering with Clarins, cruising with Knock Travel, touring the bakeries of Old Belfast, recycling with Belfast City Council, as well as annual dinners, Christmas parties, demonstrations, talks and slide shows on War on Want, Christian Aid and the Woodland Trust, to name but a few. In 2007, the Parochial Hall was filled almost to capacity for a brilliantly successful ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’ with the BBC. St. Columba’s Ladies Guild can be summed up in three words – Fellowship, Fun and Fundraising. For 50 years the Guild has raised thousands of pounds for charities near and far, and members have never been found wanting in their support for others in greater need than themselves. Let us hope and pray that their wonderful tradition of fellowship, fun and fundraising may continue to flourish just as successfully over the next half century ahead! 12
We look forward to seeing you there! Jill McDowell, Club Secretary
THE AFTERNOON GROUP
Wednesday, 16th December, instead of the usual Monday, is the date of our next outing. We have lunch at 2nd Comber Presbyterian Church, followed by a visit to the Tudor Cinema. The coach leaves the church car park promptly at 11.45 am and returns at 4.30 pm. Our first meeting of the New Year takes place on Monday, 11th January, when we welcome back Marietta Lammy for a fun afternoon of gentle excercises to help us recover from the Christmas excesses! Nan and I wish all our members a very Happy Christmas, and a Peaceful and Healthy New Year. May
SONGS OF PRAISE SUNDAY 31ST JANUARY 2010 AT 7PM Followed by refreshments Parishioners are invited to choose the hymns that will be sung at this popular Songs of Praise service. Please write your favourite hymn on the list that will be on the church notice board at the beginning of January. From that list, eight hymns will be selected for the service.
CAN’T SCARE ME! My wife and I were watching the gorillas at the zoo when several of them charged at the enclosure fence, yelling terribly, rolling their eyes around, and clenching their fists. They looked absolutely terrifying. The crowd scattered except for one elderly man, who did not bat an eye. Later, my wife asked him how he had kept his composure. “Oh, easy,” he said cheerfully, “You see, I used to drive a school bus.” 13
MEN’S CLUB - UP AND RUNNING! That’s us alright. Up and running, full steam ahead into what will be a busy but enjoyable season! Three matches under our belts already, albeit with different outcomes. First up were St Mark’s who visited us on Monday, 12th October. Despite their lack of players we enjoyed a good entertaining evening. We mixed some of our own players with theirs to make up rinks and ensured everyone had a good time. St Mark’s (ironically) won by two shots, 43 – 41! Next up, on Monday, 2nd November, we visited St Donard’s. Excellent turnout by the club resulted in a good 51 -25 win. The following Monday, 9th November, we were entertained by Stormont Presbyterian for what we knew would be a tough match. Result was 44 – 28 in their favour. The crowning feature in all our matches is the fellowship and camaraderie which exists when we meet. In December, we will be hosting in our hall an East Belfast Zones National Fours section where teams of four will take part in a competition held under the guidance of the I.I.B.A (Irish indoor Bowling Association). It is an honour to host this event as it shows how lucky we are at St Columba’s to have such good facilities at our disposal. Later on, our own in- house Xmas competition will take place. I would like to mention Alva Anderson who at the time of writing has just come home from hospital. The club wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in the hall soon. Early in the New Year will be a visit to Knock Methodist in January, then we have St Colmcille’s at home for the last match of the season on Monday, 1st February. We hope to have details in the next article of the Thanksgiving Service for the 50th Anniversary of the Club. Until then, season’s greetings to all for the Xmas period and have a prosperous and peaceful New Year. John Robb, Hon Secretary.
LADIES BOWLING We are delighted to say some new members have joined us and we would like to welcome even more! (Mondays at 2.00pm). The Ladies Guild are celebrating their 50th Anniversary and the Bowling Section 45 years! Congratulations also to the Men’s Club on their 50th Anniversary, as well as many thanks to members of the Men’s Club who have assisted us over the years. We also appreciate the Rector and the Curate calling in with us. We played our first match against Kirkpatrick Presbyterian, a very enjoyable afternoon, and look forward to two more matches in the New Year, against St. Dorothea’s and Knock Presbyterian. Best wishes for Christmas, see you in the New Year! Vi McMeekin 14
Hello Ladies I’m sure everyone who attended our meeting on Tuesday, 3rd November, was indeed touched by the breathtaking journey through the south of England presented to us on film by Ken Craig. It was truly “God’s Wonderful Creation” and held us all enthralled as we drank in the stunning scenery accompanied by equally beautiful music. Without doubt, an evening to remember! We look forward to our Christmas Meeting with the Shore Singers on Tuesday, 1st December, when we will be joined by visitors from local Parishes and ask for a good turnout from our own Parish. Our first meeting in the New Year will be on Tuesday, 5th January, when Joyce will be showing us how to get fit for 2010. We will also have a Bring and Buy Sale that evening which will be our Fundraiser for the Building Fund. Roberta, our Diocesan President, has asked me to pass on the following on to you: “The Mothers’ Union throughout Down & Dromore Diocese has commenced a programme of supporting the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. This involves many activities such as driving clients and their dogs to appointments, befriending a blind person who is too frightened to leave their home and taking them out occasionally for shopping or coffee, or even fostering a guide dog puppy. A very practical way in which we can help is through recycling and, from the beginning of December, we will have a Guide Dog Recycling box at the back of the church in which you can put: • • • • • •
Old foreign coins and notes Spectacles Gold and costume jewellery, even if it is broken Mobile phones Keys, even old rusty ones Old watches
We hope all members of your family will get involved and help the Mothers' Union in supporting this worthwhile cause. Many thanks”. It just remains for me, on behalf of all the Committee members, to wish you and your families a Very Happy and Blessed Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. Irene Give thanks to our Lord, His only Son and cherish His Christmas, everyone. 15
SAY IT SLOW On a beautiful summer’s day, two Americans were driving through Wales. They reached Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogoch (yes, that well known place!) and stopped for lunch. Still gazing in fascination at the place name on the sign outside, one of the tourists approached the waitress and said: “Before we order, I wonder if you could settle an argument for us. Can you pronounce where we are, very, very, very slowly?” “Sure,” the girl shrugged. She leaned over the counter and said: “Burr...... gurr...... king.”
HELP STAMP IT OUT! The Leprosy Mission is an international Christian organization working toward the eradication of the causes and consequences of leprosy. It’s a global network active in over fifty countries across the world. • • • • •
Its strives to be like Jesus……motivated by the gospel and compassionate. Holistic……..valuing each person, their families and communities, and working at every level. Professional ……in attitude, actions and management. Appropriate..........in practice. Open.....................working for authentic participation and promoting dignity. HOW WE CAN HELP
By saving used postage stamps and bringing them to church every week! This can be done by simply tearing carefully round the stamp, ensuring not to damage it. The torn off stamps can then be gathered together and bought either weekly, or as frequently as appropriate, to church and placed in a collecting box. This will then be emptied and the stamps sent to the Leprosy Mission who, in turn, will sell them to philatelists to add to their collections. The cash received is then to further the work of the Mission. In the next few weeks there will be the usual increase in the volume of mail as we start to send each other Christmas cards. I would urge you, therefore, to start to collect your stamps including those from overseas to benefit this worthy cause, of which Bishop Harold is one of four vice- presidents. Happy Collecting! Patrick Wilson 16
THE MUSIC GROUP The Music Group continues to grow - we are pleased to welcome our newest member, Olivia Budde, who plays flute. We enjoy playing twice a month on the first and third Sundays as well as at special services throughout the year. We play a varied selection of music which caters for all abilities! We would love to add to our group and would welcome anyone who plays a musical instrument, especially a string instrument. If you would like to come and join us please speak to anyone in the group. Emma Hill
YOUNG FAMILIES WINE AND CHEESE PARTY At the end of a busy working week many of us are ready to relax and recharge our batteries with an evening in. However on Friday, 6th November, the Young Families Wine and Cheese Party was the perfect place to trade tales of the week’s trials and tribulations. Those who attended had the opportunity to chill and chat over a glass or two of wine – a mouth-watering New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with a distinctive grapefruit guava and gooseberry palate, and a deep, dark Chilean Carmenère which tasted of damson plums, blackberries and raspberries. Both the red and white were supplied by Gapwines, an emerging independent wine importer located on the Antrim Road. The wines were complimented perfectly by a wide selection of carefully selected cheeses, grapes, olives and canapés. All those who attended commented on how much they enjoyed the evening and no one was left hungry or, indeed, thirsty! All in all the evening was a resounding success and, as a direct result of the generosity of those who attended, almost £150 was raised for the worthy Church Building Fund. The Young Families Group Organising Committee would like to extend heartfelt thanks for this significant charitable contribution and to the Auchmuty family, who kindly hosted the event - had it not been for their warmth and hospitality, the evening would not have proved to be such a success. Further good news for the group is that Sharon Elkin and Linda Wilson have joined the organising committee. It is great to see this group going from strength to strength and we are all looking forward to the next event – the annual Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, 12th December, in the Church Hall – and to further events in 2010! Victor Dukelow 17
St Columba’s Kids Christmas Party
Saturday 12th December St Columba’s Church Hall 3pm – 5pm •••••••• Bouncy Castle • Magician Face Painting • Party Food And a special guest... Ho Ho Ho! DATE FOR YOUR DIARY! Saturday Morning, 20th March 2010 St Columba’s Art Club will be holding an Art Demonstration by a most distinguished guest artist, Julien Friers, President of the RUA, to which all parishioners and friends will be most welcome! Donations will be for the Building Fund
H2O
H2O BATTLE IT OUT IN DUNDONALD On Friday, 6th November, a group of eighteen young people and adults took up arms and prepared for war in Battlefields Sports, Dundonald. Having been split into two teams and given some instruction on how to operate the laser rifles and play fairly and safely, we set off.
There was a little apprehension in the Green Team as there were a few tall, strong males in the Desert Team! There was a lot of screaming, panting, ducking and diving, but most of all laughter! At 10pm, to the relief of the less fit adults in the party, the siren sounded. The group disarmed and returned to the briefing room to hear the results. Apparently it was a good night, only one injury and no ambulance was required!! One over zealous lady, who shall remain nameless, managed to inflict a wound on another member of her own team! Despite the injury and the lack of male support, this team went on to win by over fifty points. The old adage of ‘Brain versus Brawn’ still has a ring of truth to it! Well done Green Team! Seriously, it was a fantastic night and so good to see so many of our young people having fun together. Our thanks go to Robert, our Curate, for booking the event and encouraging so many to join us. We hope to welcome all those people and some more back in the New Year.
In the afternoon, Julien Friers will run a workshop for around 20 artists More details to follow
SCHOLASTIC HOWLERS
Linda Wilson
Noah built an ark and the animals came aboard in pears. To germinate is to become a naturalised German. The people who followed the Lord were called the Twelve Decibels. John Milton wrote Paradise Lost. Then his wife died and he wrote Paradise Regained. In some rocks there are to be found the fossil footprints of fishes. Alexandra the Great conquered Persia, Egypt and Japan. Sadly he died with no hair. 18
H20 DECEMBER/JANUARY PROGRAMME Friday, 4 December th
DVD (Boys) & Ikea to furnish room (Girls), then all together for Pizza
Friday, 11th December All out in town Friday, 8th January
Take the Plunge (Lisburn Leisureplex)
Friday, 15 January
Friday Night Takeaway with Andrew Branigan
Friday, 22 January
CSI
Friday, 29th January
In Hall
th
nd
19
YOUTH MINISTRY IN ST. COLUMBA’S
Where will the gener8 process lead us to?
Over the course of the winter months, this parish will be looking seriously at its ministry with young people. We aim to look at every aspect, especially concentrating upon three particular areas which go under the banner of “gener8”.
To be honest, it is a journey and I don’t really know. However, I do know that as a parish family we do need to go on this journey as each week passes. A large number of our members are missing, they do not set foot inside our church or hall, and that is sad. We all have our part to play. From the home side could I ask parents, grandparents and Godparents to encourage young people to engage with church. I am also delighted to hear any feedback from anyone who would like to chat about youth ministry in the parish. I’ll meet people in coffee shops, at home, in town, anywhere!
Why are we doing this now? In St. Columba’s, we are blessed with a great selection of organisations for adults who are all very active and faithful, which is great. However, proportionately, there are very few children and young people engaging in organisations. It is our desire to find out what is stopping these young people from becoming involved. We also want to ensure that those young people who do come faithfully Sunday by Sunday are getting the support they need, and that their voice and ideas are heard in this process.
This is a PRIORITY for the parish, it is a PRIORITY for us as Clergy so please, as we generate this work, please do get involved … if you don’t know how, please do not hesitate to ask. Robert Ferris
What is gener8? Gener8 is a process which I am heading up, with the support of the Rector, to examine all aspects of youth ministry in the parish. It splits into three distinct areas: Gener8 Resources – This area is looking at the resourcing of our youth ministry in terms of Prayer, People and Finances. For any quality youth ministry to happen these three things need to be in place. The church body needs to pray for the work. People need to come forward to be trained (you don’t need any prior experience – we are looking for people who will come along and simply help and support ministry).There will be more about this in the next edition. We also need to identify which resources need to be purchased. Gener8 Kid’s Ministry – We are aiming to support the work of Dove’s and Brownies on a Friday night, as well as Sunday School on a Sunday morning, including encouraging others to join up. Perhaps also to examine how our ministry to kids can be developed in future. We are blessed by having great committed leaders in this area, what we do need to do is draw upon their experience and support them in the work they are doing. Gener8 Youth Ministry – This is the final of our three areas, and it aims to get to grips with the problem of disappearing young people before, and particularly after, confirmation. This is a common problem throughout the Church of Ireland and we are looking seriously at what can be done in this parish. It is to these young people that questionnaires have been sent out and pastoral visits have been made. We are committed to following these up and developing programmes and strategies, based upon the findings of the questionnaire. 20
ALL AGE WORSHIP TEA AND COFFEE A very big thank you to everyone who the supported the Poppy Appeal at our last All Age Worship Tea and Coffee. We raised just over £75 and that will be added to the loose plate collections on Remembrance Sunday. On Sunday, 6th December, we will be raising much needed funds for an organisation called CAHPA: Co-operative for Artists Handicapped Physically in Abidjan. One of of our parishioners, Patricia Wilson, is involved with assisting the organisation’s work in Ireland. CAHPA is an organisation which offers support to men and women who are begging on the streets of Abidjan, in the West African country of the Ivory Coast, by giving them an opportunity to live with dignity. Volunteers train men and women in sewing skills using local material, in shoe mending, weaving and jewellery making. They are self sufficient and rely totally on sales of their products in Ireland. The organisation is hoping to provide a weekly meal for these people and to set up courses to teach them literacy skills, and raise awareness on health and hygiene. As well as supporting them by staying for a cuppa there will also be some of their products for sale, so please plan to stay and do some Christmas shopping! On Sunday, 3rd January, we will all have enjoyed a lovely Christmas with family and friends, but let us not forget those less fortunate. Our proceeds from tea and coffee in January will be going to the Simon Community for the homeless. Many thanks. Roberta 21
ST. COLUMBA’S ART CLUB Royal Ulster Academy of Arts 128th Annual Exhibition This autumn, the Academy’s Annual Exhibition moved to 2, Donegall Street, to the former Old Assembly Building which was to become the Northern Bank, now closed. In his article in the RUA catalogue entitled “A Place of Art”, Dr. Paul Larmour gives us a history of the current location of the RUA Exhibition. In 1769, a market house was built on the site by Lord Donegall, and a second storey was added in brick in 1776. In 1844, the local architect Charles (later Sir Charles) Lanyon was employed to convert the Old Exchange for use as a bank. He completely refaced its exterior in Roman cement, or stucco, the first full blooded example built in Ireland of the Italian derived ‘palazzo style’. The present building makes an impressive setting for this year’s RUA Exhibition, some aspects of the building even competing with the art itself. A large group from St. Columba’s Art Club visited the RUA Exhibition on the morning of Friday, 30th October. Our tutor, Bob, with two of his own paintings exhibited, had arranged for Lynn McGrane, Education Co-Ordinator at the RUA, to take our group around and comment on, and explain, a number of art exhibits. Lynn described herself as an art historian and started with a brief talk on Portraiture through the ages, before first looking at Stephen Pender’s “Self Portrait Holding Face”, which was in a classical Rembrandt style of light and deep shade. We then moved on to a very different approach, a full length figure by Eddie Rafferty, “Man Waiting for Work”, which was a combination of collage and paint. In the landscape and sculpture room our attention was immediately caught by three child life- size “Bears in Ceramic” by Nicola Agnew, arranged in a ‘hide n’ seek’ setting. We then looked at a highly colourful scene entitled “Woodland”, by Bernadette Madden. Surprisingly, the technique here was Wax Resist on linen, reminding me of a visit several years ago to the Island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean to watch local artists transform Sea Island Cotton into stunning Batik fabrics, using wax as a resist. Very different again was an intensely colourful painting in oil of a multi-storey building in the course of construction entitled “The Arc”, by Simon McWilliams. This piece was striking for its vivid colours and the fact that a very ordinary subject could be turned into such an arresting painting. In another room, an entirely different technique was observed in Barbara Ellison’s “Interior Ballyteigue Mixed Media”, where pieces of paper and material had been stuck on the surface of the picture and painted over. Finally, we encountered a “Textile installation Silk Crepeline, unspun threads”, which was suspended from the ceiling in a circle eight feet in diameter, with threads hanging down six feet around the circle, by Maria Scappaticci. Every member of our group thoroughly enjoyed the visit along with the explanations supplied by our guide, Lynn McGrane, whom we would like to sincerely thank. Unfortunately, we were only able to concentrate on a small number of the hundreds of exhibits on display. I would also like to quote Julien Friers, President of the RUA, who said: “We continue to work towards the acquisition of suitable premises and are ever hopeful of a development. This issue must be considered a priority as we remain the only Royal Academy in Britain and Ireland that does not have a building we can call home”. Billy Nelson, Chairman 22
BELMONT AND DISTRICT COUNCIL OF CHURCHES St Columba’s recently hosted the Belmont and District Council of Churches, which held the first of a two-part event on understanding Holy Communion in our various traditions. The Rector opened with a meaningful prayer after which he introduced the Revd. Jim Campbell, who gave an interesting history and explanation of the Presbyterian Communion. This was followed by the Rector, who gave us prayer books to follow the Holy Communion Service in the Anglican Church. He explained its structure and the reasons for each part. We all learnt things we did not know before! The next two events will be on Thursday, 14th January, when Lord Eames will speak on “The Churches’ Influence on a Shared Future” in St Mark’s Heyn Hall at 7:30pm; and on Sunday, 17th January, when the “United Evening Worship” will take place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in St Colmcille’s Church, at 7.00pm. Programmes with details of our future events are available at the back of the Church. Muriel Arndell
ST. COLUMBA’S FLOWER FESTIVAL 4th – 6th JUNE 2010 There are many ways in which you, as a parishioner, can become involved in our forthcoming Parish Flower Festival. Help will be required throughout the whole week-end and you will also have the opportunity of being able to sponsor an arrangement, perhaps in memory of a loved one. Details of how you will be able to assist and contribute to its success will appear in the February edition of the Columban. Alan Rogers,
RUSSIAN RAIN A Russian couple walks down a street in Moscow when the man feels a drop hit his nose. “I think it’s raining,” he says to his wife. “No, that feels like snow to me, dear,” she replies. Just then, an important communist party official walks towards them. “Let’s not fight about it,” the man says. “Let’s ask Comrade Rudolph whether it’s officially raining or snowing.” “It’s raining, of course,” Comrade Rudolph tells them, and walks on. But the woman insists, “I know that felt like snow.” To which the man quietly says, “Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear.” 23
MARTHA HEALTH CLINIC, SOUTHERN SUDAN: AN UPDATE The St. Columba’s fundraising drive to support the work of the Martha Health Clinic during Lent 2009 raised the magnificent sum of £6,559. This, together with the very generous £1,500 allocation from the Finance Committee and the Select Vestry, has allowed a much needed expansion of the services provided by the clinic. Martha Clinic is now viewed by politicians nationally as the ‘gold standard’ for out-patient health care in Southern Sudan and a model for other communities to emulate. With the excellent facilities, however, come increased patient expectations, and numbers of patients seeking help at the clinic on a daily basis have doubled to 2000 each month in the last year. Staff are constantly overwhelmed by the needs of those presenting for treatment, but morale is very high and the clinic is now almost self-financing. Nursing staff, however, have become increasingly aware of the limitations of the clinic, and have recognised the need to improve staff training in specific areas so that standards can be raised and difficult cases treated more successfully. Training beyond a basic nursing degree in Southern Sudan has always been difficult due to lack of local teaching hospitals and funding. Nurses must travel to other countries and live away from their families for up to a year to further their training, and courses are expensive. Sudanese nurses in Uganda are required to pay double the tuition fees charged to local nurses to attend comparable courses. In 2009, the Government of Southern Sudan, in collaboration with Juba University and the medical charity, Christian Blind Mission, introduced a oneyear programme for nurses to train as Ophthalmic Clinical Officers at Juba Teaching Hospital. Juba is relatively accessible, being the capital of Southern Sudan and three hours by road from Martha. Experienced nurses, with a keen interest in eye care and blindness prevention, and able to speak both English and Arabic, were interviewed at Martha Clinic during September, and Abui Simon Costa was selected, interviewed by CBM in Juba, Simon and accepted for Clinical Officer training for the coming year. Simon, who is 27, was born in Rumbek, Southern Sudan, the son of a soldier. His father died when he was three years of age and he attended Yei Primary School until the school was destroyed by war. Continued violence forced him at the age of twelve to walk 150 miles to live in a refugee camp in Uganda, and there he attended secondary school. Unable to pay his fees, Simon was forced to return to school in Sudan but his education was again disrupted by bombing raids and he fled to Uganda where he completed his ‘O’ Level examinations. He did particularly well in science subjects but was unable to study further through lack of funds, and returned to Sudan to work as a farmer to pay the fees for a three year course to qualify as a certified Community Nurse. 24
Married with three children, Simon has given a commitment to return to Martha to work for at least two years on completion of this training. His course fees for the year amount to £4,800 and a laptop costing £300 has been purchased to help him with his studies. Over past years, several of our parishioners and others interested in developing services at Martha have supported Weki Joseph, a 24 year old Sudanese student from Yambio, Southern Sudan, during his secondary school education and his studies for the Diploma in Laboratory Science at Mbarara University, Uganda. University teachers and the laboratory staff at Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda, where Trevor & Weki Weki has been working for the past six months, have been impressed by his ability and have encouraged him to complete a three year degree course which would qualify him to take charge of a hospital laboratory, or a laboratory serving several health centres in Sudan. He, too, has had his schooling severely disrupted by war and illness, and his brother died during a cholera outbreak in Sudan in 2007. Weki has also agreed to work at Martha Clinic on completion of this degree. His fees amount to £4,000 each year. As I write about these eager young men I am reminded of Timothy, St Paul’s partner on two missionary journeys. Timothy was a shy young Christian who was concerned for other people and worked well with them. He must have been intimidated by Paul’s intense personality and might have been written off by Paul but, by God’s grace, Paul saw great potential in him and encouraged and supported him, entrusting him with important responsibilities. Through Timothy’s ministry, the Gospel message spread rapidly and many came to faith through his preaching and teaching. With our encouragement and following their studies, these two Sudanese young men will assume positions of responsibility in their communities and share the Gospel with those who are open to it. Gifted individuals like Simon and Weki are rare in Southern Sudan where schooling is difficult, and without our support neither would realise their full potential. I have used your generous funding to sponsor both; they are two important pieces in the Martha ‘jigsaw’ and their work with the Martha team as qualified staff will enhance the work of the clinic and allow it develop further, thus ensuring its future in the long-term. Please accept my most grateful thanks for all your splendid fundraising efforts and give Simon and Weki your prayerful support. They will remember us and our Parish in their prayers and thank us, and through their concern for other people, the Kingdom of God will grow and God will be glorified. Trevor Buchanan 25
GENTLEMEN’S CHRISTMAS
PARISH PRAYER CHAIN
God rest ye merry gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay. You may be sure the ladies Have sorted Christmas Day! They’ve shopped and chopped and scrubbed and wrapped, They’ve bought and dressed the tree, So you’ll have a joyful Christmas Day, Christmas Day So you’ll have a joyful Christmas Day!
Those wishing to have a person’s name included on the Parish Prayer List are asked to place their Christian name in the Prayer Request Box by using the white cards provided on the table at the back of church.
Children’s Colouring Page!
Those wishing to remove a person’s name are asked to complete one of the yellow cards provided on the table at the back of church and place it in the Prayer Request Box. This is to ensure that the Prayer List is kept up to date each week with the names of those who are currently ill or experiencing difficulties.
Now come, ye merry gentlemen, And follow my advice. You’d better not upset her Or you will pay the price! So get you to the nearest town And buy her something nice Then you’ll have a joyful Christmas Day, Christmas Day Then you will have a joyful Christmas Day!
The Rector DEDICATION of NEW CHURCH LIGHTING SYSTEM & IMPROVEMENTS TO HALL LIGHTING & CHURCH HEATING on SUNDAY 10TH January 2010 at 10.30am by The Bishop of Down & Dromore
So then, ye merry gentlemen Who’ve tied those marriage knots, Once Christmas lunch is over Tell her you love her lots. Then prove it, merry gentlemen, By washing up the pots. And you’ll have a joyful Christmas Day, Christmas Day And you’ll have a joyful Christmas Day! Then, just as you are thinking What a good chap you have been; Perhaps you’ll watch the movie – It’s one you haven’t seen. Forget it, merry gentlemen, She’ll want to watch the Queen! But she’s earned a joyful Christmas Day, Christmas Day She’s really earned a joyful Christmas Day!
“Does anyone have a light please?”
Nigel Beeton 26
Colour-in this Christmas Carol Scene! 27
CHURCH LIGHTING AND HEATING As you will have already noticed, improvements to the church and hall lighting systems have taken place. Church Lighting The lighting in the church has been replaced with low energy, long life fittings: 75w downlighters to the main body of the church, 35w uplighters highlighting the roof timbers, and 75w pulpit and baptismal font spot lights. Externally, the floodlight to the front of the church has been replaced. Additional work was also carried out, namely: Replacing the ancient and dull front porch light with a 35w downlighter, adding a timer to the front external floodlight, replacing the defective timer to the front porch window spotlights, replacing the two defective external floodlights on the church gable and installing an additional bulkhead light in the organ housing. Hall Lighting Whilst the main hall lights were being re-lamped (there are three florescent lamps per light fitting) it was discovered that a number of these fittings were burnt out, requiring eight replacements. The covers were also cleaned and additional work consisted of: Adding a light fitting to the lobby outside the female toilets, replacing the light fittings to the female and male toilets and downstairs corridor with low energy, long life fittings. This was considered necessary due to the poor state of the existing fittings, often resulting in the old glass light shades having to be broken should a bulb need replacing. We negotiated a larger discount than expected on the price of the church light fittings, and obtained the replacement light fittings for the hall toilets and corridor at a reasonable price during a B&Q clearance sale. This more than covered the costs for the additional works to the church and hall lighting. Church Heating System Whilst some improvement has been gained by flushing the heating system it was agreed that this was not adequate, therefore additional work consisting of fitting three diverter valves (to better control the flow through the system), replacing a length of piping that was badly furred and replacing a defective air valve, was carried out. It was also discovered that the radiator to the baptistery was leaking and a new radiator has just been fitted. The system will now require further re-balancing over the next few weeks. The cost of the additional work to the church heating system, including the new radiator, will be in the region of £2700. Church Heating Boiler During the recent annual servicing of the church boiler it was discovered that the internal combustion chamber had sprung a leak. The boiler was installed as an oil-fired boiler circa.1994 and converted to gas circa.2003. This, and lack of adequate circulation due to the ineffective heating system prior to the recent improvements noted above, may have led to the early demise of the boiler combustion chamber. Due to the boiler age, replacement parts are unavailable. We are currently seeking estimates for a replacement boiler and the costs may be in the region of £15,500 to £20,000. The new boiler will have to be a “sectional” rather than a “fixed” type and is therefore more expensive, due to the logistics of installing a large boiler into a basement boiler house via steps and narrow doorways. The chimney may have to be relined to meet current legislation with regards to flue gas emissions, and advice is being sought on this. Internal Church Wall Repairs The new lighting revealed defective plasterwork above the windows to the side chapel caused by moisture ingress some time ago. On closer examination, it was discovered 28
that the plaster to this wall was in a precarious condition with chunks of loose plaster liable to fall off at any time. In the interests of health and safety it was agreed to repair this as a matter of urgency. Estimates were sought and the repairs were carried out for £300. The jointing to roof parapet above this area was also re-pointed over the summer as a precautionary measure. Rectory Bay Window The Rectory bay window and roof required repairs to prevent the ingress of rainwater into the Rectory. On closer examination, it was discovered that the brickwork to the right-hand pier and middle arch of the bay window showed signs of structural movement, most likely caused by frost action in the past when the roof may have leaked. To fully repair this, as well as stop further movement, required the middle and left hand window arches and right-hand pier to be taken down to sill level, the bricks cleaned for re-use, the pier and window arches rebuilt to match existing brickwork and the bay re-roofed. The Rectory, whilst not a listed building, is in a conservation area and requires any repairs to be carried out in a sensitive manner, re-using where possible existing materials and gutters. A number of quotes were obtained and a builder was appointed to carry out the work for £2400. Jim Stevenson, Rector’s Glebewarden
PARISH FINANCE MATTERS The year is racing to a close and we are appealing to everyone who intends to contribute financially to St Columba’s this year to do so by the 31st December. This will ensure that your contributions will be allocated to you in this financial year. Contributions received in January 2010 cannot be included in the 2009 Report. The Select Vestry is grateful for all contributions received from parishioners during the year, however there are still many families who belong to the parish but do not contribute financially. We would ask those who do not contribute to consider some form of regular giving to the Church, i.e. through Free Will Offering Envelopes on a weekly or monthly basis, or by Standing Order, to assist the Select Vestry in meeting the ever increasing financial demands on the parish. Parishioners who are UK taxpayers may elect to contribute under the government’s Gift Aid Scheme, enabling the Select Vestry to reclaim income tax on the amount given, providing a significant and vital source of additional income to the parish. FWO Envelopes, Standing Orders and Gift Aid Forms can be obtained from the undersigned. The Bishops’ Appeal will take place during Advent. Bishops’ Appeal envelopes will be available in the pews each Sunday. Please take one and give due consideration to your contribution. These contributions may also be Gift Aided but it is imperative that only the name of the UK taxpayer is written on the envelope. During the month of December, the Dean of Belfast’s Annual Sitout for Charities takes place and all the contributions received are distributed amongst many local Charities. This year, our parish Carol Service collection will be shared equally between the Dean’s Sitout and our own Building Fund Appeal. Gillian Sadlier (Treasurer) Murray Hunter (FWO and Gift Aid Secretary) 29
FEBRUARY MAGAZINE Please note, any articles or photographs for publication in the February parish magazine should be handed or e-mailed to the editor by Sunday, 17th January 2010 at latest. Many thanks
Season’s Greetings The Editor wishes a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers, and extends special thanks to all those who have so willingly contributed articles and photographs to the parish magazine over the year.
FLOWER ROTA FOR DECEMBER FLOWER ROTA FOR JANUARY Sunday 6th
Sunday 3rd..............Coffey Family
Sunday 13th...........Margaret McKee
Sunday 10th...........Lees Family
Sunday 20th...........Kate Crone
Sunday 17th
Sunday 27th
Sunday 24th...........Caroline Auchmuty Sunday 31st
FROM THE REGISTERS Our Joys Holy Baptism Sunday 1st November
Max Robert Morrow 41 Orby Grove
Our Sorrows Christian Burial Gladys Milligan Friday 13th November 21 Richhill Park Tuesday 17th November
Maureen McCrindle Brookmount Nursing Home, Coleraine (Formerly of 201 Sandown Road) 30
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
CURATE The Revd. Robert Ferris The Curatage 3 Sandown Park South BT5 6HE Tel 028 90653370 Email rferris281@gmail.com
SELECT VESTRY Rector, Churchwardens, Glebewardens, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Asst. Hon. Treasurer, Brian Acheson, John Best, Victor Dukelow, Patrick Good, Jennifer Johnston, Elizabeth McCaughey, Moranne Noad, Roberta Rogers, David Sweet
PARISH READER Karen McAlpine 10 Old Quay Court Holywood BT18 OHT Tel 028 90424390
HON. SECRETARY & PREMISES CONVENOR Alan Rogers 50 Cabin Hill Gardens BT5 7AQ Tel 028 90656183 HON. TREASURER Gillian Sadlier 70 Kensington Road BT5 6NG Tel 028 90403278
DIOCESAN LAY READER (EMERITUS) Bryn Harris 22 Dalton Glade Glen Road Comber BT23 5SZ Tel 028 91878816
ASST. HON. TREASURER/GIFT AID SECRETARY/FREE WILL OFFERING Murray Hunter 13 Knockdarragh Park BT4 2LE Tel 028 90761295
RECTOR’S CHURCHWARDEN Patrick Wilson 5 Kingsway Park BT5 7EU Tel 028 90401066
PAROCHIAL NOMINATORS Trevor Buchanan Patrick Good Moranne Noad Meryl Townsend
PEOPLE’S CHURCHWARDEN Helen Donaghy 1 King’s Gate 91 King’s Road BT5 7BU Tel 028 90704932
DIOCESAN SYNODS PEOPLE Emma Hill Elizabeth Leonard Moranne Noad Roberta Rogers Paul Stewart
RECTOR’S GLEBEWARDEN Jim Stevenson 44 Casaeldona Rise BT6 9RA Tel 028 90583381 31
ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER Gerald Hill 6 The Coaches Brown’s Brae, Croft Road Holywood BT18 OLE Tel 028 90422101
PARISH WEBMASTER Ivan Roche 49 Richhill Park BT5 6HG Tel 028 90229310 Email ivan@treadmillcommunications.com C of I GAZETTE DISTRIBUTOR Ruth Pugh 147A King’s Road BT5 7EG Tel 028 90483459
ASSISTANT ORGANIST Brian Clements 150 Sandown Road BT5 6GX Tel 028 90793641
BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP NOTES Evan Preston 12 Carrowreagh Gardens Dundonald BT16 ITW Tel 028 90489884
READERS & INTERCESSORS CO-ORDINATOR Muriel Arndell 18 Kinedar Crescent BT4 3LY Tel 028 90655500 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
MAGAZINE EDITOR Ian Noad 36 Shandon Park BT5 6NX Tel 028 90793704 Email noadfamily@hotmail.com
ST. COLUMBA’S PARISH OFFICE Office Hours Wednesday & Friday 8.30am – 1.30pm Parish Secretary: Janet Johnston Tel 028 90656891
MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTOR CO-ORDINATOR John Holland 8 Greengraves Cottages Ballyrogan, Newtownards BT23 4SD Tel 028 91814036
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
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028 9047 1514 028 9065 6908 028 9065 3162