THE DUNDALK GROUP OF PARISHES

Dundalk: St Nicholas, Dundalk; St Pauls, Heynestown Ballymascanlan & Carlingford: St Marys, Ballymascanlan; St Andrews, Rathcor (Bush) Crossmaglen: Creggan Parish Church

Newsletter November 2013

MINISTRY TEAM

Issue 8.05 November 2013

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

You the people of the parishes with The Revd Richard Moore (Assistant Minister), and our Parish Readers, Mr Rodney McDowell and Lady Kate Hall Contact: Rev Richard Moore, Dundalk Rd, Dunleer, Co Louth 0416851327 We were delighted to see the wonderful new building in the Grammar School. Work is still on-going, but the students and staff are already enjoying the benefits of superb classroom and recreational facilities. Our parish is privileged to have such an excellent secondary school in our midst. The school will be celebrating its 275th anniversary this academic year. Long may it continue to deliver a well-rounded education. I would like to pay tribute to all of you who have continued to support your church with enthusiasm and faithfulness during the absence of a rector. Finally, may I thank Brigitte for her professional production of the Newsletter, Colin for printing it and Eileen and the team who distribute it. I wish each of you a holy and blessed Advent, Christmas and New Year. Richard.

I am sorry we have not been able to produce a newsletter over the summer, because unforeseen events caught up on us. It was, and still is, the intention to continue a bi-monthly newsletter during the vacancy. Please let Brigitte or me have any material for inclusion in the January 2014 edition. St. Nicholas church was included as part of a walking tour of Dundalk, on 13th July. Owing to a family funeral, I could not attend, and I thank Colin Lloyd and Noel Ross for showing the visitors around. Congratulations to Wilhelmina and Eric on becoming grandparents again and to Nigel and Elaine on the birth of their daughter, Robyn, on 9th October. We were saddened to hear of the death of the Revd Mervyn Kingston, former rector of Creggan, Ballymascanlon and Bush. Mervyn lost his long battle with cancer; his funeral service took place in Craig outside Belfast, on 6th August, followed by interment in Down. Once again, this year, we had a wonderful series of Harvest Services. Our churches were beautifully and lovingly cleaned and decorated. Thank you to all who contributed to making our harvest celebrations such special occasions visually as well as in word and song. Thank you to our Harvest preachers: Mr. Ruddle, Lord Bellew and my wife, Joyce. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever. Following the Harvest Thanksgiving Service on 29th September, in the Presbyterian Church, there was a farewell supper for the Revd Stanley Millen, who has ministered in this area for many years. On behalf of all parishioners, I wish him and his wife every blessing and much work in the next phase of their ministry. On behalf of all parishioners, I would like to thank the visiting clergy and readers for their help since the vacancy: without their help our services would be much diminished and considerably fewer in number. As you know, the nominators business is confidential. We do know that they have advertised for a new rector, but as yet, no appointment has been made. Please continue to remember their efforts in your prayers. Despite the downturn in the building trade, I am delighted to report that, on 24th August, the Bush Schoolhouse project was formally opened. We were glad to welcome back the Very Revd Sandra for the occasion. Congratulations to all involved in the work. Phase Two of the Wellington Hall is also nearing completion. Many thanks to all those whose tireless efforts ensured that the work progressed efficiently and cost-effectively. The parish owes them a great deal. Since its refurbishment, the Hall is used most days or evenings of the week. This involves booking, cleaning, opening and closing: a heavy voluntary commitment for Colin and Eileen, on whose shoulders falls the work involved to ensure the smooth running of the arrangements. Phase Two of the Wellington Hall project has been funded by the Peace III Initiative. In conjunction with this, there have been on-going inter-faith and cross-cultural training days and evenings. Again, I am very grateful to the parishioners who attend these. As part of one of these training sessions, a series of interactive talks on different traditions and faiths was planned. Trevor Patterson was asked to prepare a lecture on the Church of Ireland. Having listened to him with interest, all I can say is that we chose the right man for the task. Thank you Trevor!

FROM THE REGISTERS

Holy Baptism 14th July Charlotte Eve, daughter of Vivienne and Eddie, in Bush Church 4th August Andrew David , son of Nicola and Tony, in Heynestown Church Lord, may they walk in the light of Christ all their days. Christian Funeral and Burial 12th August Edwin Bothwell; Funeral service in St. Marys Abbey, Ardee, followed by interment in Bush graveyard. 20th August Gillian Macnamara; Funeral service in St Nicholas, Dundalk, followed by burial in Heynestown graveyard. 11th September Mae Armstrong; Funeral service in Ballymascanlon, followed by interment in Balymascanlan Churchyard. 23rd September Jim Browne; Funeral service in Bush, followed by interment in Omeath. Lord, in you the dead find life forever, and the faithful praise you for all eternity Christian Marriage 3rd April Iain and Venora Horvelt Browne, in Ballymascanlon Hotel, followed by blessing in Ballymascanlon Church 6th September Wesley and Katie Bredin, in Lordship RC church Lord, may their home be a place of blessing and peace.

Please come along to support the annual

ST NICHOLAS' SALE OF WORK

Friday 15th November. Doors Open at 7pm Wellington Hall, St Marys Road, Dundalk PLANTS CAKES HOME PRODUCE GIFTS TOYS BOOKS BRIC A BRAC BOTTLES CHRISTMAS STALL
If you can help with selling raffle tickets or lend at hand on the night, please contact Mrs Jean Christmas on 042 933 2017 or Mrs Wilhelmina Craig 042 933 7023. Gifts & donations can be left in any of our churches or delivered to the Wellington Hall on the evening of Thurs 14 Nov... We would be especially grateful for contributions to the cake stall . .

For Your Prayers

For our group of parishes and our parochial nominators as they seek to appoint a new rector. For those who are sick, housebound, elderly or lonely. For those recently bereaved. For those preparing for marriage: Charlene and Kevin For our parish links with Bishop Isesomo and the Diocese of North Kivu in DR Congo and for all the work of CMSI and our parish link with Bishop Suheil Dawani and the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

Services in November 2013

Week Commencing 03 Nov
Creggan Parish Church St Marys Ballymac St Andrews Rathcor St Pauls, Heynestown St Nicholas, Dundalk Sunday 3 rd Sunday 3 rd Sunday 3 rd Sunday 3 rd Sunday 3
rd

9.30am 10.45am 12 noon 10.00am 11am

News in Brief
* Census Cards will be handed out in church on three Sundays in November, 3rd, 17th and 24th to enable the Diocese to establish the age and gender profile of parishioners in each church. Please complete the forms before you leave church and return them to the churchwardens. * Mothers Union members have had two very successful meetings:On 23rd September, Roisin Carroll, a medical herbalist, gave a very informative talk and on 21st October, Sharon Eveson gave a demonstration of flower arranging. It was most enjoyable. * The Bowling Club in the Presbyterian Hall, Jocelyn St. has reopened and all are welcome to attend.

Week Commencing 10 Nov

Creggan Parish Church St Marys Ballymac St Andrews Rathcor St Pauls, Heynestown St Nicholas, Dundalk Sunday 10 th Sunday 10 th Sunday 10 th Sunday 10 th Sunday 10
th

9.30am 10.45am 12 noon 10.00am 11.00am

Week Commencing 17 Nov

Creggan Parish Church St Marys Ballymac St Andrews Rathcor St Pauls, Heynestown St Nicholas, Dundalk Sunday 17 th Sunday 17 th Sunday 17 th Sunday 17 th Sunday 17
th

Christmas Carol Services 2013

15 Dec Carol Service with the Earl Moffit and the Lowry Singers, 5pm, St Marys, Ballymascanlan 22 Dec - Carols by Candlelight at 7.30pm in St Nicholas Church, Dundalk, followed by refreshments in the Wellington Hall. Details of Christmas Day Services and carols in the other churches will be advised in the December Newsletter Bush Old Schoolhouse Trust presents a

9.30am 10.45am 12 noon 10.00am 11.00am

Week Commencing 24 Nov

Creggan Parish Church St Marys Ballymac St Andrews Rathcor St Pauls, Heynestown St Nicholas, Dundalk Sunday 24 th Sunday 24 th Sunday 24 th Sunday 24 th Sunday 24
th

9.30am 10.45am 12 noon 10.00am 11.00am

Christmas Flower Demonstration

by Vivienne McElwain on Thursday 21st Nov.at 8.00pm. followed by light refreshments. Tickets 10.00 each. limited tickets available. Contact Muriel Grills. 0876362822.

Week Commencing 01 Dec

Creggan Parish Church St Marys Ballymac St Andrews Rathcor St Pauls, Heynestown St Nicholas, Dundalk Sunday 1 st Sunday 1 st Sunday 1 st Sunday 1 st Sunday 1
st

9.30am 10.45am 12 noon 10.00am 11.00am

WELLINGTON HALL DUNDALK

Building work is nearing completion on the first floor of the Wellington Hall, with the three new meeting rooms/ small hall being available for use in early January. Regular Hall Activities Mothers Union Last Monday of the month (usually) at 8pm. For more information call Gillian Patterson on 042 9379211 1st Louth Cubs/Scouts/Venture Scouts Friday evenings. For more information contact David Ross on 087 678 9942. Zumba Classes - Every Wednesday - 7-8pm. Telephone Ira Smith 087 1677 088 for more information. Slimming World Classes every Tuesday at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Telephone Aileen on 0860332978 Martial Arts Classes Every Thursday, 7-9pm. Contact Malcolm Ladley on 086 600 0799

A list of visiting clergy taking the services in each church and the type of service is available from the church wardens or displayed in the church porches.

DIARY DATES
Sunday 10 Nov: Remembrance Sunday will be observed in our 5 churches at the usual Sunday times. Friday 15 Nov: St Nicholas Parish Annual Sale of Work in the Wellington Hall, 7pm. Monday 25 Nov: MU AGM in the Wellington Hall at 8pm, followed by games night. Friday 6 Dec: St Nicholas Day service with St Nicholas NS at 1pm in Dundalk Saturday 7 Dec: Festive Coffee Morning/Cake Sale in the Wellington Hall organised by St Nicholas NS Parents Committee Thursday 21 Nov: Flower Demonstration, 7.30pm, Bush Old Schoolhouse. Friday 13 Dec: St Nicholas NS choir will be carol singing in the Longwalk Shopping Centre Sunday 15 Dec: Carol Service with the Earl Moffit and the Lowry Singers, 5pm, St Marys, Ballymascanlan4 Saturday 21 Dec: Dynamic Dance Concert in Wellington Hall Sunday 22 Dec - Carols by Candlelight at 7.30pm in St Nicholas Church, Dundalk, followed by refreshments in the Wellington Hall Sunday 29 Dec: United Service for Parish Group in Creggan Parish Church at 10.30am

For enquiries/bookings contact Colin Lloyd (086 608 5662) or Eileen Dunne (087 943 9954) or visit the website: www.wellingtonhalldundalk.ie.
www.facebook.com/WellingtonHallDundalk

If you have any notice or events for inclusion in the monthly newsletter please contact. Rev Richard Moore: 0416851327 Brigitte Nelson: 0429322981 To receive a copy of the newsletter by email, please email dundalkCOInewsletter@gmail.com.
The December Newsletter will be distributed on Sunday 1 December