Issue
61
CSNL NEWS September/October, 2020
Parish
Of Celbridge & Straffan with Newcastle-Lyons
Church
of Ireland United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough
By
the parishioners - for the parishioners
From
Our Rector - Dear Friends ..
Well
- it’s
not over yet - just when we thought the last of the Covid
restrictions were going to be lifted we find ourselves going
backwards and we in County Kildare back in lockdown. There is no
point pretending it is not upsetting and disheartening, never mind
the genuine hardship for those in the business sectors most affected,
especially the hospitality sector. I think we should pray for one
another at this time and especially for those whether employers or
employees facing into an uncertain and challenging future. Let us
also pray for our schools, for pupils, staff, teachers and parents
who are anxious about the challenges that will be faced in the school
setting. Let us pray too for those who continue to suffer the
restrictions around significant life events such as weddings and
funerals and for all who bear this additional pain.
2020
is a year many of us will want to put behind us and yet the
challenges we have faced together have perhaps given us a fresh
perspective on what and who really matters in our lives - it has also
created a stronger sense of community and perhaps painful and all as
it is we will come out the other side a kinder, more generous and
more responsible society. Not that it is all rosy in the garden -
the political shenanigans of recent weeks have taught us one thing
and that is that we cannot assume that those in positions of
leadership will do the right thing and that we all need to look after
each other and play an active part in creating a world where we live
for one another and not for ourselves - funnily enough a wandering
Jewish teacher said something similar 2000 years ago!
Every
blessing. Stephen
Services
- September/October - (subject to change due to Covid 19)
Sunday Newcastle
9 a.m. Straffan 10.15 a.m. Celbridge 11.30 a.m.
1st Holy
Communion Service of Word Holy Communion
2nd Service
of Word Holy Communion Service of Word
3rd Holy
Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion
4th Morning
Prayer Holy Communion Morning Prayer
For
humans and pets, note that (dependent on Covid restrictions) it is
hoped to have a service outside on Sunday, 4th
October, which is appropriately St. Francis’
Day!
Ongoing
Events
Craft
& Chat/ Time Of Prayer For Healing & Whist Drives will
not resume until the Pandemic is considerably less of a threat.
Baptisms
& Weddings
There
have been no baptisms. A number of weddings were cancelled but there
is one coming up - Samantha
Geoghegan
of Christ Church, Celbridge parish will be married to Lee
Farrand in
Christ Church, Celbridge on 19th
September. We wish them every blessing in their lives together.
Bereavements
White,
Matilda Elizabeth (Tilly) (nee Beattie),
15th
August in her 94th
year. Beloved wife of the late Robert
James White.
Sadly missed by her daughters Noelle
& Hazel,
granddaughter, great-granddaughter, brothers John
& Ken,
sister Alice,
sisters-in-law Mary,
Betty, Marion, Evie & Evelyn and
her extended family and friends. The service was held in Kells
Presbyterian Church on 17th
August followed by burial in St. Columba’s
Church of Ireland graveyard, Kells.
Jim
Shattock,
late of Morrell Farm, Straffan & Drimnagh, died on 18th
August and Rev.
Stephen
conducted the funeral service on 20th
August in the Victorian Chapel Mount Jerome. He will be sadly missed
by his loving wife Adele,
son Jamie,
brother, sister, nephews, nieces, relatives (including Denis
Shattock & Bishop Ken Kearon)
and friends. We remember all those who mourn - may God comfort them.
Heritage
Week
Thanks
to Geoffrey
McMaster who
prepared a short history of St. Finian’s
Church, Newcastle and Anne
& Bill Nicholson who
created a website to make Christ Church, Celbridge available to view
during Heritage Week. The photography was provided by Dallas
Camier & Rev. Stephen Neill,
with the research by Anne
Nicholson and
the website by Bill
Nicholson and
also included are audio visuals of interest to the area by Dallas
Camier & Celbridge Camera Club.
Organisation
Focus - CRiTiCall
This
is a new organisation which has been set up in the last few months to
collect essential household items for families exiting domestic abuse
situations. A local branch was set up in Celbridge in July by Kelly
Bermingham,
who lives in Celbridge supported by Dee
Huddleston,
Valerie Denner & Linda Halnon
from our parish. There are a number of other local volunteers and a
community guard involved on the team too. Collections are taken at
the Slip Hall on the first Saturday of each month between 10 a.m.,
and 12 noon. Their first two collection days (in July & August)
were very generously supported by many members of the parish. They
are grateful for all donations given. These are brought to local
refuges on the day and are distributed as needed. The next
collection day is Saturday, 5th
September. All types of goods are acceptable - crockery, towels,
toys, games, bedding etc. If you would like further details of what
to donate or would like to volunteer to help sort the items donated,
please contact Dee
at 086-8252455. Thanks again for all the support received.
Straffan
Car Boot Sales Report By Jos Evertsen
Due
to Covid restrictions and lockdowns, it has been decided to cancel
all car boot events for the remainder of this season. Hopefully by
next spring we may find ourselves in a more positive environment and
hope to start up again by the end of April/beginning of May. Whilst
the social aspect of the car boot event was greatly missed due to
the Covid lockdown it has also been a great loss as a source of
income, something suffered by many other businesses. Normally the
car boot events would generate between €7,000
- €7,500
a year. Hopefully next year will be better.
Easter
General Vestries
The
Easter General Vestry for Celbridge & Straffan was held on
Thursday, 27th
August at 8 p.m., via Zoom. As a Triennial year, there were also
elections for Synod members and Nominators.
The
Rector
opened the meeting with prayer especially remembering those who were
sick and those bereaved. Parishioners from both ends of the parish
took part via Zoom. Rev.
Stephen welcomed
all and remarked on the circumstances that Covid-19 had brought on
the parish with the children from Primrose Hill School returning to
school that day. He thanked all those who had served on the Select
Vestry especially John
Lougheed as
Honorary Secretary for his preparation for the meeting and all his
administration and Gordon
Bass for
the increasingly demanding job of managing the finances as Honorary
Treasurer. He also thanked Church & Glebe Wardens, Jos
Evertsen in
heading up the overseeing of the Slip Hall Complex and handing it
over to Bill
Nicholson.
Jackie
Taylor was
thanked as Lay Minister, our organists and Caroline
Flood,
School Principal. Gordon
presented
a very detailed account of the parish finances and answered any
queries that arose. It was agreed to send a letter to the
parishioners shortly to make them aware of the parish finances. The
elections duly took place and the following were elected.
Rector’s
Church Wardens: Celbridge Paula
Howard
Straffan Shirley
Dunlop
People’s
Church Wardens: Celbridge Bill
Nicholson
Straffan Dee
Huddleston
Rector’s
Glebe Warden: Celbridge & Straffan Ken
Denner
People’s
Glebe Warden: Celbridge & Straffan TBA
The
remaining members of the Select Vestry are:-
Gordon
Bass Caroline Cummins Linda Daly
Jos
Evertsen Tom Hardy John Lougheed
Liam
Gately
There
are still a couple of vacancies on the Select Vestry.
Then
followed the Triennial elections:
Parochial
Nominators: Bill
Nicholson Paula Howard
Supplemental
Parochial Nominators:
Tom
Watkins Jos Evertsen
Diocesan
Synods Persons: Tom
Hardy Robert Moody
Supplemental
Diocesan Synodspersons;
Tom
Watkins John Lougheed
At
a short meeting afterwards, John
Lougheed & Gordon Bass were
confirmed respectively as Secretary & Treasurer unopposed!
The
Easter General Vestry for Newcastle-Lyons is due to be held in St.
Finian’s
Church on Thursday, 3rd
September at 8 p.m.
Thanks
Parishioners
were delighted to worship, if socially distancing, in all three
churches for 4 Sundays in July and 1 in August. Thanks to our Rector
who
then continued when Kildare was in lockdown to have a service in St.
Finian’s
and broadcast this to parishioners on the internet. Thanks to
Geoffrey
McMaster who
took services on 2nd
August and to those who continue to maintain the grounds of all three
churches and set up the churches to abide by Covid-19 guidelines.
Calendar
Of Events
September
Thu
3 Easter General Vestry. 8 p.m.
St.
Finian’s
Church/Zoom.
Sat
5 Collection point for CRiTiCall.
Slip Hall. 10 a.m., to
Noon.
October
Sat
3 Collection
point for CRiTiCall.
Slip Hall. 10 a.m., to
Noon.
Sun
4 Provisional date for Pet Blessing Service. St. Francis’
Day.
November
Sun
1 All Saints Day.
Mon
2 Closing
date for material for next issue of CSNL
NEWS
- to be in churches on 8th
November.
Search
For Christmas Miscellany Robes!
All
30 Miscellany Robes have now been gathered in and 27 are being stored
for safekeeping in Straffan Church until the next outing. 3 robes
are being looked after in their homes! Some collars are still
outstanding but it is unlikely they will turn up at this stage.
However, they can be made quite easily if needed in the future.
Thank you to all who engaged in the search. Dorothy
Evertsen
Bishop’s
Appeal Response To Beirut Explosion
On
4th
August, a massive explosion ripped through Beirut, killing 157
people, injuring 5,000, damaging 50% of the buildings and leaving
300,000 homeless. This comes when the whole country was already on
its knees due to its worsening financial crisis in decades and its
struggles to contain a rapidly increasing corona virus outbreak.
Beirut’s
hospitals are overwhelmed. Lebanon has taken 1.5 million refugees
since war erupted in Syria in 2011. These make up 30% of the
country’s
population. Bishop’s
Appeal has long supported Christian Aid & Tearfund partners in
Beirut and has already funded the provision of emergency supplies and
increased food and hygiene parcels for people who were destitute.
Now,
as they assess the damage and the needs, Bishop’s
Appeal extends the opportunity to all parishes and individuals who
wish to contribute to these vital efforts. Donations can be made
online http://www.bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give/
or sent to Bishops’
Appeal, Beirut Response, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue,
Rathmines, Dublin 6. We are also asked for our continued prayers for
those affected and those trying to bring relief.
The
Lower Hall Report By Jos Evertsen
The
refurbishment of the Lower Hall was started last January and is now
expected to be completed by mid-September. It entailed replacement
of the roof timbers, rewiring, new plumbing, heating, insulation,
fire alarm, security and WIFI set up. In all it has been modernised.
There has been quite a delay due to the Covid lockdown, which caused
the refurbishment works to be stopped from mid-March to early July.
We now look forward to having it rented out as soon as possible and
recover the lost rental income.
Team
Hope Shoe Boxes
Unfortunately
Team Hope have come to the difficult decision to run the 2020
campaign online only, meaning Team Hope and volunteers will be
encouraging people across Ireland to work together, in any way they
can, to donate €20
to have shoeboxes made on their behalf. Team Hope’s
network of local partners in Africa and Eastern Europe will then use
this money to purchase items from the 4w’s
- wear/write/wash/WOW - locally. They will then create the shoebox
gifts and deliver them directly into the hands of the children. We
would encourage you to keep collecting/making/buying fillers for the
shoeboxes as it may be possible for these to still be sent overseas
to help make this year’s
shoeboxes and if not we will use them next year when we hope to have
a huge shoebox campaign to make up for this year. If anybody has a
lot of fillers and would like to leave them in the sort centre,
please contact Claire
Burke -
celbridgeshoeboxes@gmail.com
and she can arrange a time to meet.
Primrose
Hill National School Fundraiser To Resurface Play Area
This
is being organised by Caroline
Flood.
The play area where the equipment is based is badly in need of a new
surface that is durable through all weathers and is in keeping with
the current playground health and safety standards. It is used on a
daily basis by all from Junior Infants to 6th
Class and enjoyed by all. Although 12 months have been spent in
fundraising and the school received a very generous donation from
Intel, on August, 12th
one third of the amount needed (€6,000)
was raised. Fundraising events have been lost. In order to hold on
to the generous donation, the funding needs to be in place and the
surface replaced within a 6 month window. The entire school,
community, staff, pupils, parents and the Board of Management are
appreciative of your help in reaching their goal.
Plans
were put in place so that the school reopened with rearranged
classrooms and sanitising stations throughout. In addition teachers
and other staff will wear mask/face shields when in proximity to
children. Best wishes to all staff and pupils in their new environs.
Chuckle
Time - Notice Outside A Local Chapel
GUEST
SERVICE NEXT SUNDAY, 6.30 P.M. COME AND SHARE OUR MASSAGE.
Who’s
Who In The Parish
Rector:
Rev. Stephen Neill 01-6288231 087-2328172
www.paddyanglican.com stephen.neill@gmail.com
Keep
up to date on www.cs-nl.org
&
https://www.facebook.com/CSNLParish
& www.Dublin.anglican.org
Prayers
We
remember all those who are sick at this time, at home, in hospital or
nursing homes especially with very restricted visiting hours. All
those who care for them at home or in hospitals/nursing homes. Those
who have lost their livelihood due to Covid-19, those isolated in
their homes not able to see/visit friends and loved ones.
2020
- A Fresh Vision
