Both of our Select Vestries recently adopted the Open & Welcoming Congregations Charter and this Sunday it was launched by the rector and a number of parishioners along with Changing Attitude Chairperson and Celbridge parishioner Mark Bowyer
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Sunday, 17 November 2024
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
CSNL News: Nov-Dec 2024
Issue
86 CSNL NEWS November/December, 2024.
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 ..
It is
the morning of the US Presidential election as I write these notes and a time
when many people are holding their breath as they wait to see the outcome, not
just in America but throughout the World and that includes Ireland. It is a
nervous and uncertain time as the result will have implications for all of us.
We too are facing into an imminent election in this country and that will
affect us even more immediately than what happens on the other side of the
Atlantic. And so there is a lot of uncertainty as to what lies ahead and yet we
must keep going and hope and pray for the best.
The
Christmas story which we are about to enter into once again is also set in the
context of instability and uncertainty as we see the humble nature of Jesus’ birth and the subsequent threat to his life and his
being forced to flee to Egypt with Joseph and Mary until Herod
had died. And yet out of those fragile
and threatening beginnings Christianity was born – it was not and is not meant to be a religion of power or dominance but
rather presence and witness especially on the margins of our World communicating
God’s Love to all but especially
those who are suffering.
As
Christians by following Jesus we have committed ourselves to live in and
on the uncertain margins of our World. It is not the safest place to live but
it is the place where God does extraordinary things. May we have the faith to
embrace uncertainty and trust that God is closest to us when we feel most
vulnerable.
Yours Stephen
Straffan Sunday
Services Live Streamed
https://www.churchmedia.tv/straffon-church-of-ireland and www.facebook.com/CSNLParish.
Church
Services
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
5th 29th
December. United Service. 11 a.m.
Straffan Church.
*Services will continue in Newcastle at 10 a.m., on
the 1st Sunday as a permanent change in the Sunday timetable.
On Going Events
Craft
& Chat: The Group continue to meet each Tuesday in
the Slip Hall at 2.30 p.m. All are
welcome for crafting, chatting and refreshments.
Wednesday Night Prayers: From 8 p.m., to 9
p.m. At present, they are held in the
home of Tony & Elizabeth Waldron in Newcastle. If anybody would like details they can
contact Rev. Stephen or Dee Huddleston. Everyone is very welcome to come along or to
let them know if there is something they would like them to pray about.
Saturday Night Services: Rev. Stephen hopes to re-launch
the services in Christ Church, Celbridge in the New Year. These are generally quite informal. It would be great to see some new faces. Also
if you play a musical instrument feel free to bring it along. Refreshments normally follow and time for a
chat after the service.
Whist Drives: Come along for great fun, prizes and a tasty
supper on the last Fridays of the month at 8 p.m., in the Slip Hall. Thanks to all who organised and provided
refreshments and raffle prizes for those on 27th September and 25th
October. The next date is Friday, 29th
November and this will be the Christmas night - so lots of festive fun!
Chuckle
Time
A lady went into the Post Office to buy stamps for her
Christmas cards. “What
denomination?” asked
the clerk. “Oh good heavens,
have we come to this?” the lady exclaimed. “Well give me 20
Catholic & 20 Church of Ireland please.”
Christmas
Fair - Saturday, 30th November - Primrose Hill School
Put
the date in your diary! This is a joint
venture between the three churches and our parish school. It will be held from 11a.m., to 3 p.m.
All
the usual stalls, teas, a raffle and more and lots for the kids
· Face painters
· Santa’s Grotto
· Elvie Photo booth
· Personalised Colouring books
Church
Of Ireland Youth Department Funding Now Available
Youth workers and volunteer youth leaders are strongly
encouraged to apply for the above Bursary fund - Next Steps - to boost their
skills and bring out their potential.
The closing date for the current round is Saturday, November, 30th
2024. Vocational training and
development in youth ministry is essential and its impact on the Church can
last for generations. An application
form can be had from Barbara Swann, CIYD’s Office Administrator at admin@ciyd.org.
WhatsApp
Groups
WhatsApp group continues to be very active. There are also groups specifically for
Newcastle and another for Straffan notices – together they provide a very
effective means of contact in the parish.
Sharing
Hope With People Without A Home
Each parish in the Church of Ireland is being
encouraged to consider how it can help to overcome homelessness at a local
level between Harvest and Christmas.” Homelessness is a
rucksack that none of us wants to be carrying”. Archbishop
Michael Jackson, Chair of the Church & Society Commission
said. A two page flyer can be downloaded
from the Church of Ireland website, gives more information.
Straffan
Christmas Carol Service
This will be held on Sunday, 15th December
at 3 p.m. Whilst having a traditional
carol service, this year we would like to add something special. We have a small Ukrainian community living in
Straffan, some of which attend our church.
They have also been actively involved with our Market & Carboot Sale
over the summer. This small community
arrived last year during 15th & 17th December. During this past year, they have made great
efforts to participate and integrate despite the significant language
barrier. At this year’s carol service we
would like to combine our traditional service with a flavour of Ukrainian
culture and have their participation.
Christmas is a time when everyone is easily preoccupied with their own
family arrangements and it can pass others by without any great joy.
In our combined Irish/Ukrainian Carol Service we will
have some carols with combined English/Ukrainian verses, some Ukrainian carols
and some readings in Ukrainian. It gives
us all an opportunity to share our cultures and celebrate a special occasion
together. After the Carol Service we
hope to have an opportunity to mix with our Ukrainian friends and to wish them
also a happier Christmas period.
There will be more details nearer the time and also on
all services during Advent and Christmas on the parish website and Social
Media.
Kill
Senior Citizen’s Christmas Dinner
The Editor has been asked to advertise the
above which will be held in Kill GAA Hall on Sunday, 8th
December. This covers Kill, Ardclough,
Straffan parish area & Johnstown.
Further details from Kill Parish Office.
Thanks
The Editor omitted to say thanks to all
maintaining church grounds and to Dee Huddleston & Geoffrey McMaster for
taking services in July, August and September!
Thanks to Dee for taking the service in Straffan on 6th
October and speaking on the work of Christian Aid and also 3rd
November and to both Dee and Geoffrey who took the services when
our Rector was preaching at the harvest in Limerick.
Baptism
Welcome
to Elizabeth Grace Rebekah Huddleston, daughter of James &
Rebekah who was baptised in Straffan Church on the 2nd November.
Her Godparents are Ellen Forster, Abbie Forster, Stephen Forster and Nina
Huddleston. We wish Elizabeth every blessing in her journey in faith
and life.
Concerts In Christ
Church, Celbridge
Concerts
– It has been a very busy
couple of months for concerts in Christ Church Celbridge since Abbaesque,
Culture Night Traditional Irish Night, Conor McKeown, Sean Keane and a Leonard
Cohen tribute with John McKenna.
The next date for the diary is Saturday 21st December when Conor
McKeown returns for a Christmas concert.
Regular
concert goers (and parishioners) are very happy to have full length pew
cushions in all the pews!
All tickets are now up on Eventbrite and also
available from Breda - 087-9630719.
During his sermon on Sunday, 27th October, Rev.
Stephen, spoke about the concert in Christ Church, Celbridge when John
McKenna presented “At War with Mercy” featuring
16 songs written by Leonard Cohen.
John dressed up as a tramp and greeted people at the church, but
most passed by. He then walked up the
aisle slowly at the start of the concert, when probably some were thinking was
he going to interrupt the concert, when he took to the stand as the
presenter. A lesson in how we perceive
people and treat them. A lesson for all,
before our Rector spoke on Blind Bartimaeus and his unorthodox
way of being noticed.
Remembrance
Sunday - 10th November, 2024.
Thanks to those who supported the Poppy Appeal,
poppies being available in all churches on the day. The Royal British Legion in Ireland would
like to thank all who donated last year.
2025 will be the 100th anniversary of the Legion in the
Republic of Ireland. A special service
of Remembrance will be held in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Dublin
on Saturday, 12th July.
Market
& Carboot 2024 - Looking Back - By Jos Evertsen
It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of our 14th
season. Another year of the Market &
Carboot has gone by. This year is
proving to be THE record year of all.
We hosted 12 events and nearly 800 cars.
Whilst we had a few light showers from time to time, overall we have
been blessed with the weather and did not need to cancel any event. The demand for bookings has been
unprecedented. It was not uncommon to
process up to 130 booking requests for 72 places.
It has been an interesting year where we tried to
introduce a little novelty and variety:-
We experimented
with creating a CRAFT corner
We had
extra help from our Straffan based Ukrainian community. It gave them an opportunity to integrate and
participate in our events, to learn English, to meet people and experience some
of our local culture;
Our
local Straffan based band ‘No Strings Attached’ entertained us several times;
We
hosted our first ‘KIDS
MARKET’ very
successfully, with a request for more next year;
We
sponsored a Stall for the RNLI. Their
efforts contributed to our community awareness of their activities and also
supported their fundraising efforts for a new boat in Wexford.
Including our new Ukrainian volunteers, this year we
have a Team of 49 people. We are quite a
large group, but as we know it takes a lot of people to run our Community
Event, everyone taking a few turns over the entire season. Thanks for your commitment and dedication, we
have had a most successful season. Here
are some of the comments that have come back from our regular booters:-
.. you
are an amazing Team, we feel very secure, there are lovely people, a social
every two weeks …
..thanks
to all the Team who work to set it all up and assist us as needed …
…thank
you all for hosting a great carboot this season …
..we
enjoyed all the fun and laughs. Most
successful season so far. Music and good
cheer. Well done to you and all the Team
…
Thanks again to everyone for your time and
contributions. A special
thanks to:-
Our
Team of Bakers. Without your
home baking, we would not be able to run such a successful Tea Stall. Your donations of baking are greatly
acknowledged and appreciated. We are all
well aware that the cost of both baking ingredients and the use of electricity
are increasing relentlessly. On behalf
of all of us “THANK
YOU!” and
Our
Behind The Scenes Team, for putting up and taking down the
roadside signs, setting out the roadside cones early on the Saturday morning,
managing our rubbish bins, cutting the grass and keeping the grounds, the ‘Staking-Outers’ and those
managing the bookings.
The total income raised during 2024 was just over €16,000 benefiting
the parish with just over €8,000. To date,
since 2011, the parish has benefited just in excess of €76,000!
With your help and support, we can hopefully continue
next year. The shape of the Market and
Carboot Event has increasingly become a widespread Community Event with
fundraising benefits. A change from our
initial Fundraising Event with local Community benefits. Looking forward to meeting up again next
March to review the Market & Carboot event 2025. If you have any further ideas or suggestions,
please bring them along. For now, thank
you all again. We wish you well and good
health over the next few winter months and until March, 2025. Best regards.
(.. and a HUGE
THANK YOU to Jos from all the Parish!)
Dublin &
Glendalough Magazine - The Church Review
Subscriptions are due on 1st January - thanks to Elizabeth
Waldron (Newcastle-Lyons), Debbie Kelly (Straffan) & Ken
Denner (Celbridge) for distributing and to whom subscriptions should be
paid. If you do not already receive the bumper packed magazine and would like
to do so, please contact the above.
Harvest
Festivals
The first was held in St. Finian’s Church,
Newcastle-Lyons on Sunday, 29th September, when our Rector
was the preacher. Members of the
congregation took part in the readings and prayers, led by Geoffrey McMaster and thanks too to James
Pasley for playing the organ. The
decorations were especially impressive.
The congregation remained in their pews and were served with
refreshments. The collection was for the
Bishops’
Appeal.
Christ Church, Celbridge celebrated the harvest
festival on Sunday, 13th October, when again the church was
beautifully decorated. It was lovely to
have involvement from some of our schoolchildren at the service - leading
prayers and assisting our Rector with his sermon. After the service, the congregation moved to
the Slip Hall for refreshments. The
collection again went to Bishops’ Appeal. Thanks
to James Pasley for playing the organ.
Sunday, 20th October was the date for the
harvest thanksgiving in Straffan Church, which was also live streamed on the
webcam. The church was decorated to the
usual high standard. Thanks are due to
all who made the preparations for the day, not only in Straffan but in all
three churches. Thanks to Jenny Shaw for
playing the organ. The collection again
was for the Bishops’
Appeal. It was good to see many
Ukrainian friends attending.
A fresh appeal was launched by the Church of Ireland
Bishops’
Appeal. Funds raised will be shared
equally between the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, which has a number of
schools and hospitals in the region including in Gaza, and Tearfund. The Archbishop of Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum said:
“The
whole system is collapsing but as Christians, we continue to have hope, and we
are called to be resilient. Despite
everything people are determined to continue with their ministry.” Tearfund’s church partners are doing their
best to respond across the region, working in very difficult circumstances to
provide meals for displaced people, ship vital medicines and keep schools
running.
Ecumenical
Pet Blessing Service - Saturday, 5th October - Christ Church,
Celbridge
This year was one of the biggest attendances with the
church full of pets and their humans. The dogs were in fine voices as
usual. Rev. Stephen was
accompanied by Fr. Jonathan from St. Patrick’s Church, Celbridge in blessing the
pets and remembering sick and deceased pets dear to their humans. All pets were given a Bandana with the word ’Blessed’ printed on it and
a Blessing certificate.
After the service the congregation moved to the Slip
Hall for refreshments. A collection of €640 given at the
service went to KWWSPCA who were there in numbers with some rescue and
volunteer dogs as usual and they shared information about the work they do in
sheltering, fostering and homing dogs.
Thanks to all who made it a great day - presenting certificates and
Bandanas, providing refreshments, preparing the church and cleaning afterwards
and to James Pasley for providing the music.
Sympathy
Our deepest sympathy to Judith Gleeson and
family of Celbridge on the recent death of Judith’s
father, Roy Watts. The Funeral
Service took place on Wednesday, 16th October in All Saints’ Church of
Ireland, Raheny with Cremation afterwards at Glasnevin Crematorium Chapel. Our prayers are extended to his wife, Pamela,
his children, Judith, Lynne, Sandra & Robert, sons-in-law Jim
& Shane, Robert’s partner Maria,
grandchildren Richard, Leanne, Peigi & Cara, sister Margery
and her husband Harry and extended family and friends. May God comfort all who mourn.
Slip Hall
With the closure of the Montessori School there is now some availability
for morning hires in the hall. Please
send enquiries to email:csnparishhall@gmail.com.
The
Church Clairvoyant (1955) - Rev’d S J Forrest
They grumbled at
the anthems and the chants they couldn’t sing,
They moaned about
the settings that the festivals would bring,
But they left the
poor old organist to find out everything,
By instinct, or
possibly, by radar.
They groused about
the particles of dust upon the pew,
But they never
told the verger, or perhaps they thought he knew,
By instinct, or
possibly, by radar.
They fetched the
doctor fast enough when father had the gout,
They called the
district nurse when tonsillitis was about,
But they never
told the Vicar, for they thought he’d know without,
By instinct, or
possibly, by radar.
The moral of these
verses isn’t
difficult to show:
That if you think
a man is wrong, politely tell him so,
Don’t leave
the chap to ascertain the things he doesn’t know
By instinct, or
possibly, by radar.
I am slowly
learning who is who and what is where but it’s going to take
some time to reach what might be called ‘Full Operating
Capacity’.
Organisation
Focus - Team Hope Shoe Boxes
Team Hope sent 176,615 shoebox gifts to children in 12
countries across Easter Europe and Africa as part of the 2023 Christmas Shoebox
Appeal. For many of these children, this
is the only gift they will have received this Christmas (or in their lives
before). We know every box contains
cherished items that can transform a child’s life, a scarf and woolly hat can
keep the cold at bay or a simple pen and notebook could be the passport that a
child needs to be able to start their journey through the education
system. Through the giving of a shoebox
our Partners can also identify other needs and provide help.
Your kindness spreads to the families and communities
and the ripple effect you start with your shoebox gift can never be
under-estimated. Thanks to all who
provided items and shoeboxes this year and in advance to all those involved in
the packing.
Calendar
Of Events
November
Sun 10 Remembrance Sunday.
Fri 29 Whist Drive. Slip Hall.
8 p.m.
Sat 30 Christmas Fair. Primrose Hill School. 11 a.m.
- 3 p.m.
Closing
date for C of I Youth Department Funding.
December
Sun 1 Advent Sunday
Sat 8 Kill Senior Citizen’s Christmas
Dinner.
Sun 15 Straffan Christmas Carol Service. 3 p.m.
United
with Ukrainian community.
Sat 21 Concert.
Christ Church, Celbridge. 8
p.m. Conor McKeown.
Tue 24th Christmas Eve
Wed 25th
Christmas Day. Holy Communion in all 3 churches at the usual
times.
Happy
Christmas!
Sun 29th United Service. 11 a.m.
Straffan Church..
(Details of other
Christmas services will be posted on the Parish website, Social Media and
announced in all churches.)
January
Wed 1 New Year’s Day. Happy 2025 to all readers!
Church
Review subscriptions due.
Tue 7 Closing date for inclusion in the next
issue of CSNL NEWS.
Sun 12 CSNL NEWS available in all 3 churches.
Who’s Who
In The Parish
www.cs-nl.org celbridgestraffannewcastlelyns@gmail.com
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
Anxiety weighs down a heart,
but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs.
12:25.
Thursday, 10 October 2024
Harvest Thanksgiving Celbridge - Sunday 13th October
Reminder - Harvest Thanksgiving Service this Sunday 13th October
at 3pm in Christ Church Celbridge - Refreshments afterwards
Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Busy weekend of concerts in Christ Church Celbridge
Performance by Comhaltas Ceoltóirà Éireann Lucan/Leixlip as last year
Saturday, 14 September 2024
Harvest Services
HARVEST
THANKSGIVING SERVICES 2024
Newcastle:
Sunday 29th September 3pm
Celbridge:
Sunday 13th October 3pm
Straffan:
Sunday 20th October 3pm
Friday, 13 September 2024
Dee Huddleston reflects on her recent trip to Zimbabwe with Christian Aid
Parishioner, Diocesan Lay Minister and Christian Aid Staff Member Dee Huddleston reflects on her recent trip to Zimbabwe
As some people may know, I had the great privilege of being part of a team of Christian Aid staff and supporters that went to Zimbabwe in July. The purpose of our visit was to see some of the projects and to meet the staff, partners and some members of the communities that Christian Aid has the privilege of working alongside. There were seven of us on the trip and, although we had all met together only twice before leaving (once over zoom and once in person), we all got on really well throughout the whole visit. We left on Sunday 7th July, all meeting in Dublin Airport to fly to Paris, then with stopovers in Nairobi and Lusaka and finally on to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, arriving over twenty four hours later.
CSNL NEWS - SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2024
Issue
85 CSNL NEWS September/October, 2024.
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 ..
The kids are back at school, The Indian Summer is here
and the Late Late Show returns this Friday night - all the signs are its time
to prepare for Winter! Signs are
something we look for in our lives. We
like to have points of orientation and direction and at least even if it means
colder and darker days ahead we know where we are going and there is a comfort
in that.
But it doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes the signs get wrong, a bit like our
weather forecasting which seems despite all the advances in technology to have
become less and less accurate and reliable.
Sometimes we look at the weather app on our phone and it shows sunny
skies and we look out the window and it is monsoon season. Our lives are often like that and through
various circumstances we may find ourselves in bewilderment, confusion and even
pain as life doesn’t live
up to our expectations.
As Christians we follow in Jesus one who walked on
this Earth and experienced exactly what we experience so often - despair! How else can we interpret those words of
Jesus - My God, My God - Why have you forsaken me? And yet he triumphed and because of the
Resurrection we live lives full of potential and possibility even when all the
signs suggest otherwise.
There is only one sign that is utterly reliable and
trustworthy and that is Jesus himself who described himself as the WAY. The earliest Christians were called the
people of the Way because they walked in his steps and followed him along the
Way. That sign is still available to us
today and He is calling us to follow on a journey and an adventure where we may
not know where we are going but we are never lost.
Yours Stephen
St.
Finian’s
Church, Newcastle-Lyons, Tri-centenary Celebrations by Geoffrey McMaster
The week-end of 31st August/1st September 2024 saw
the Tri-centenary celebrations of St. Finian’s Church, Newcastle-Lyons Parish. Parishioners decided
to mark the special year of 1724 in which the church building was reduced in size
to what we have today. A prominent
feature of the East Window of St Finian’s Church is the date 1724 which is embedded in the top
right-hand panel. This records the year in which Archdeacon Thomas Smith oversaw
the transfer of the Window from the end of the Chancel to its present position,
thereby dramatically reducing the size of the building. While the presence of a
Church on the site goes back to Norman times, and beyond, as evidenced by the
old cross still standing in the Churchyard, no definitive timelines are known
(at the present time).
The celebrations took the form of a fair on Saturday, 31st
August in the grounds and on the site of the old market green outside the gate,
and a Service of Thanksgiving on Sunday 1st September.
THE FAIR took place in brilliant sunshine with many stalls and activities, a
historic talk on the Church building, and an enjoyable music session was
provided by the R.A.M.S in Rhythm musicians.
Frank Kerins, owner of the Old Glebe which adjoins the
churchyard, opened his beautiful gardens for the day and made his conservatory
available for teas and refreshments. Visitors were able to relax and enjoy
home-baked treats in beautiful surroundings. In addition, there were a variety
of raffles, with prizes donated by many local businesses. A beautiful painting of the Church (created
and donated by Lucy Jones) and a beautiful handmade quilt (made and
donated by Esther Lougheed) were auctioned. Local Councillor, Francis
Timmons visited to offer his support.
Over €2,800 was raised
but more importantly the day was a lovely sociable and community day.
A CELEBRATION SERVICE took place on the Sunday afternoon when the guest
preacher was Canon Leonard Ruddock. The attendance included Canon
Adrian Empey, Father Joseph Ryan (PP Newcastle), Minister Emer Higgins,
Councillor Shirley O’Hara and Nicola
Mernagh (reNewcastle). James Pasley was the organist. There was great
congregational participation in the service which included the presentation of
symbols: - a key from the old door of the Church, a History Book on Newcastle,
a Bible, a Prayer Book, a Hymnal, The Baptismal Register, Chalice and Paten,
The Marriage Register and a Cross. Eleven members of the congregation did the
intercessory prayers and the two lessons.
As we reflect on the event we must not forget that just as the original
Church relied on people to set it up, and people to maintain it to the present
day, so too did the celebrations depend on many playing their parts. The interior of the church building was
beautifully decorated by some of our talented ladies, one of whom donated the
flowers. A beautiful selection of flowers and greenery was also donated by Frank
Kerins. A massive clean-up of the churchyard had been carried out by
parishioners, and the main gate was freshly painted for the occasion. Many people from our parish and from Straffan
and Celbridge Parish gave of their time and talents to organise the activities
and assist throughout the week-end. A
retiring collection was received which reflected the significance of the
occasion and the appreciation of those present for the ongoing preservation of
the church building as a place of worship in Newcastle.
Truly this was indeed a once in a lifetime event and will be remembered
for many years. Thanks to everyone who participated/contributed in any way to
its success.
“Come ye thankful people, come”.
Straffan Market & Carboot Sale
Thanks to all who have helped on the days, baked and
bought over the five markets since the last issue, with one due on 7th
September. The remaining dates are:
21st
September. 5th October
The gates open from 8.45 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. If you are interested in booking a stall,
WhatsApp your name and what you sell to Mobile 089-2797200. Calls can not be answered. Pre-BOOKING is required. Fee is €15, paid at the gate. Car + Small trailer is €20. Please use the exact amount. This year we are opening a dedicated CRAFT
only section. When applying for a CRAFT
Stall, please WhatsApp your full name + type of CRAFT. A full report of the season will be given in
the next issue of CSNL NEWS.
Church
Services
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
5th 29th
September. United Service. 11.30.
Holy Communion. Celbridge.
*Services will continue in Newcastle at 10 a.m., on
the 1st Sunday as a permanent change in the Sunday timetable.
On Going Events
Craft
& Chat: The Group were welcomed back on Tuesday, 3rd
September at 2.30 p.m., in the Slip Hall, when they resumed after the summer
recess. All are welcome for crafting,
chatting and refreshments.
Wednesday Night Prayers: From 8 p.m., to 9
p.m. At present, they are held in the
home of Tony & Elizabeth Waldron in Newcastle. If anybody would like details they can
contact Rev. Stephen or Dee Huddleston. Everyone is very welcome to come along or to
let them know if there is something they would like them to pray about.
Saturday Night Services: The next service in Christ Church,
Celbridge will be on 14th September at 7 p.m. This is generally quite informal. We would be delighted to see some new faces.
Also if you play a musical instrument feel free to bring it along. Refreshments normally follow and time for a
chat after the service.
Whist Drives: Come along for great fun, prizes and a tasty
supper on the last Fridays of the month at 8 p.m., in the Slip Hall. The dates are 27th September, 25th
October & 29th November.
Presentation
Thanks to Robert Moody. who represented the
parish at the farewell mass in St. Brigid’s, Straffan for Fr. Jacob Shanet,
who was returning to Nigeria to continue his ministry. Robert was invited to participate in
the liturgy and on behalf of the parish presented a white stole to Fr. Jacob
at the reception following the mass.
We wish Fr. Jacob every blessing in his future ministry.
Reflections On My
Trip To Zimbabwe By Dee Huddleston
As some people may know, I had the great privilege of being part of a
team of Christian Aid staff and supporters that went to Zimbabwe in July. The
purpose of our visit was to see some of the projects and to meet the staff,
partners and some members of the communities that Christian Aid has the
privilege of working alongside. There
were seven of us on the trip and, although we had all met together only twice
before leaving (once over zoom and once in person), we all got on really well
throughout the whole visit. We left on
Sunday 7th July, all meeting in Dublin Airport to fly to Paris, then
with stopovers in Nairobi and Lusaka and finally on to Harare, the capital of
Zimbabwe, arriving over twenty four hours later.
Our first day was busy but did not involve too much travel as we visited
the Christian Aid office in Harare and met all the staff there, then onto a
Gender Faith Network meeting where some of the representatives of the many
churches and community groups shared about the work they are doing,
particularly in relation to the role of women and girls in what is still quite
a patriarchal society and in working to raise awareness of the extent of child
marriages taking place, with girls as young as twelve being given over by their
families for marriage. There are many reasons for this and it is a complex part
of the culture in Zimbabwe, so communication and discussion is a
large part of this work.
In the afternoon we visited the Zimbabwean Council of churches and had a
very interesting meeting hearing about all the work they are doing, especially
with isolated and vulnerable people and communities. We had been warned not to
discuss politics at all but we learned at this meeting just how much control
the government has over all the various aspects of life. Apparently church
leaders are monitored in what they do and say and on many occasions they have
to be courageous, knowing that what they say may easily be taken the wrong way.
Next morning, we were on the minibus at 8.30, ready for our first long
journey to Mwenezi which is in the south west of the country. John, our
bus driver, was a really lovely man, who would chat away to whichever person
chose to sit up front with him and had his first, but not his last experience
of all the snacks, which we had been advised to bring with us for the long
journeys we would be taking. There was a wonderful selection of peanuts,
biscuits, breakfast cereal bars, sweets, small cheese snacks and a basket of
fruit given to us by the staff who were travelling with us. At first John
was very polite and somewhat hesitant in accepting the snacks we offered but as
the days went on, he seemed to enjoy whatever new treat was offered and would
happily open his hand as soon as we began sharing!! It was a journey of five hundred kilometres
to Mwenezi and the roads were somewhat challenging. Mwenezi is one of the areas
that has been hardest hit by the drought which is currently affecting over two
and half million people. One of the saddest things we saw was the many dry
river beds as we drove along. We met some of the staff from our partner
organization in the region, Sustainable Agricultural Technology. They work
alongside farmers helping them grow sesame which is a tough, drought resistant
plant. They brought us to see a new sesame oil production plant where the
farmers can bring their sesame seeds to be cleaned and turned into sesame oil,
for which they have a market in Japan.
That night we stayed in an interesting old safari lodge but thankfully
weren’t disturbed by the wild
animals which we discovered next morning were in the land which was adjacent to
us! Before we left, we were able to have a walk along the dried up river bed at
the lodge. It was much wider than the Liffey and shocking to see it so dried
up. We then boarded the minibus for a two hour drive to meet some of the
farmers on their small holdings, to hear about their farms and how everything
was so badly affected by the drought. Despite the nearest water source being
quite a distance away, the community were positive and shared how they all
worked with each other to make the best of what they had. We then travelled to visit a women’s health project in a different part of Mwenezi
to hear from women involved how the project has affected not only them but also
their families and the wider community.
To finish off that day we visited the Great Zimbabwe National Park in
Masvingo, which was around a hundred and fifty kilometres away. As a UNESCO
world heritage site, it was wonderful to have the experience of visiting this
great historical site.
Our journey the next morning began at 6.30, with a picnic breakfast on
the bus! We drove to Chipinge in a mountainous region of east Zimbabwe, where
we met some staff from another partner, the Methodist Relief and Development
Association. The community that they were bringing us to visit lived high in
the mountains nearby and it was quite a challenge to reach them, even in the
dry weather. I really don’t know how they
manage when it is raining.
We met some people whose homes had been completely destroyed in 2019
when Cyclone Idai devastated the region. One lovely lady, a widowed grandmother
called Loveness Chapano had lost everything, including her son and her
daughter, and is now the sole carer for her six grandchildren. She was an
inspiring lady, with a vibrant faith. As she invited us into her simple two
roomed house, which was rebuilt after the cyclone, we saw there were pictures
from what appeared to be a children’s bible stuck along one wall. She had a basic table and two chairs, made
by her nine year old grandson from some branches of a tree that he had
collected. Despite all she had been through, Loveness radiated joy and
she told us how thankful she was to God for her new house. As it was made from
concrete and steel, she feels safe and happy in it. As we came down the challenging road from the
mountain, we met a young couple who had also lost their home but thankfully
their home had also been rebuilt. It made us all feel so humble, seeing how
little all the people we met had and yet how thankful and grateful they were
for what they had. It certainly helped us to reflect on how we look at our
lives.
Although the trip involved a lot of travelling, and we did have some
extra challenges with overnight delays on the flights home, it was worth every
moment to meet the families and communities that we usually hear about from a
distance and to listen to their stories. It brought home the reality of the
serious challenges and difficulties that so many people face every day and
renewed all of our determination to do what we can to try to make a difference.
Can I just say a heartfelt thank you to everyone for the support I
received from the Parish and all your prayers during our time away.
Birthday
Congratulations!
Following last year, Jackie Taylor celebrating
a big 90 in Straffan Church on her birthday - a Sunday, Pat Sharp celebrated
a big 90+ on Sunday, 11th August also in Straffan Church.
Welcome
Update
Our Rector wrote in the last Issue of CSNL NEWS
of the need to find new ways to make our WELCOME as a Church more explicit and
obvious. The discussion continued
following an excellent presentation by Lucy Jones at June’s Select Vestry
Meeting for Celbridge & Straffan.
One very important concrete step was taken at the meeting in that the
Select Vestry signed up as an ‘Open and Welcoming Congregation’ to LGBT+ people
and their families.* It was further
suggested that we set up a group to plan strategies and events in our parish
that focus on welcoming new people into our church community. One suggestion in particular was that we
should try and haave tea and coffee after our services most Sundays and that we
provide services that meet the needs of the community in which we find
ourselves - children’s
church services and perhaps in future a service for those facing exams or
indeed a vigil for peace in our world.
These are just a couple of ideas and if you have any others or would
like to participate in this initiative please contact me at Stephen.neill@gmail.com or
087-2328172 or any of the churchwardens or lay ministers in the parish. This initiative includes all three churches
in the parish. Rev. Stephen looks
forward to hearing from you.
*Registering as an
Open and Welcoming Congregation.
It is suggested
that congregations and clergy who wish to register with Changing Attitude
Ireland as Open and Welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered
(LGBT+) people and their families should formally agree to do so at a select
vestry meeting. Parishes that register
as Open and Welcoming agree to the following:
We promote trust and understanding amongst
heterosexual and LGBT+ parishioners. We
seek to include LGBT+ people and their families at every level of parish life,
welcoming not only their presence but all they have to offer. We do not make the assumption that everyone
is heterosexual, whether in conversation, preaching, or in the prayers of the
church. We are upfront in our welcome
for LGBT+ people and same-sex couples.
We recognise committed same-sex unions at social events, in church
services and other aspects of Church life.
We welcome clergy regardless of their sexual orientation or gender
identity. Parishes that register with
CAI as Open and Welcoming Congregations will be listed as such on the website.
Primrose
Hill National School
Friday, 21st June marked the end of another
school year in Primrose Hill with the traditional service in Christ Church,
Celbridge. As always it was a
bittersweet occasion as we said farewell to some of our students who were moving
on to Secondary School. Over the
holidays we heard the great news of the birth of a baby girl (Freya) to
one of our teachers Sarah Tobin.
Congratulations! And now School
is back with our new Junior Infants settling in and the children and staff
looking forward to another school year.
Our thoughts are also with those who await exam results and career
choices and move on to higher education..
Harvest Festivals
& Pet Blessing Service
St. Finian’s Harvest Festival
will take place in St. Finian’s on Sunday, 29th
September at 3 p.m. The dates for
Straffan & Celbridge will be announced later. Saturday, 5th October at 2 p.m.,
in the now annual Pet Blessing Service in Christ Church, Celbridge. All pets and their humans are welcome. Collection at the service will go to KWWSPCA.
Chuckle
Time
What do graves do after they die? They lie still. On what side of a country church is the
graveyard? It is always situated on the
outside!
AIG
Advertisement
The sharp eyed among you may have noticed that
Straffan Church features in the current advertising campaign by AIG
Insurance. In the advert in question a
hen party has the misfortune to have their car breakdown outside the front
gates of the church. It seems all ended
well and the hens eventually made their way onward.
Wedding
Congratulations to Isobelle Jacob & Samuel Herpin who were
married in Straffan Church on 28th July. We wish them every blessing in their married
life together.
Slip Hall
With the closure of the Montessori School there is now some availability
for morning hires in the hall. Please
send enquiries to email:csnparishhall@gmail.com.
Concerts In Christ
Church, Celbridge
Concerts continue to be a great success.
Most recently John Spillane performed on 22nd June and
was very well received. Then on Sunday
afternoon, 14th July, St. Mary’s Brass & Reed Band from Maynooth gave a wonderful
outdoor concert in the church grounds with a mixture of classical and
contemporary - something for all tastes.
By the time your read this Abbaesque will have performed on 7th
September but there is lots more to come including:
Fri 20th September -
Culture Night (Traditional Irish music) with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
Leixlip.
Sat 21st September - Connor
McKeown,
Sat 5th October - Sean
Keane.
Sat 19th October John McKenna presents At War with
Mercy - featuring 16 songs written by Leonard Cohen.
All tickets are now up on Eventbrite and also
available from Breda - 087-9630719.
Dwaine,
The Rock Snake!
On 14th July, Christ Church, Celbridge
worked with The Purple Llama Market in a free stone painting workshop.. All materials were provided. The aim was to send some positive vibes and
work together for community support. Dwaine
is growing fast in the Parish Slip Hall.
A lovely family project. Is he the biggest positivity snake in
Ireland? He’s getting there. (posted by Lucy Jones).
WhatsApp
Groups
WhatsApp group continues to be very active. There are also groups specifically for
Newcastle and another for Straffan notices – together they provide a very
effective means of contact in the parish.
Straffan Sunday
Services Live Streamed
https://www.churchmedia.tv/straffon-church-of-ireland and www.facebook.com/CSNLParish.
Saidhbhin Gibson
Exhibition “Beer And Tea
Instead Of Milk”
Saidhbhin has a solo exhibition in the McKenna Gallery, Riverbank Theatre,
Newbridge from Saturday, 9th November to Saturday, 21st December. Admission
free! www.riverbank.ie for
further details.
Team
Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal.
Shoebox Checking Volunteers Needed this November. Contact info@teamhope.ie or
01-2940222. Now is the time to start
collecting or making items for the shoeboxes - as usual something to Wash,
Wear, Write and Wow! The items/boxes
will be collected probably on 10th November for sorting and
preparing for delivery.
Church
of Ireland Board For Ministry With Children & Families
There will be
conference on Saturday, 9th November from 10.30 a.m., to 4
p.m., at Mount Saint Annes Conference Centre, Portarlington. The keynote speaker will be Rachel Turner. The cost of the day os €25, which includes
lunch and refreshments. Spaces are
limited . The theme is Neartu
(Strengthen). Book at https://bit.ly/neartu.
Calendar Of Events
September
Sat 14 Service.
Christ Church, Celbridge. 7 p.m.
Fri 20 Concert.
Christ Church, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Sat 21 Car Boot Market. Straffan.
8.45 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
Concert. Christ Church, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Fri 27 Whist Drive. Slip Hall, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Sun 29 United Service. Christ Church, Celbridge. 11.30 a.m.
Harvest
Thanksgiving. St. Finian’s Church,
Newcastle-Lyons. 3 p.m.
October
Sat 5 Car Boot Market. Straffan.
8.45 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
Pet
Blessing Service. Christ Church,
Celbridge.
2
p.m.
Concert. Christ Church, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Sat 19 Concert.
Christ Church, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Fri 25 Whist Drive. Slip Hall.
Celbridge. 8 p.m.
November
Tue 5 Closing
date for CSNL NEWS next issue.
Sat 9 Conference. Mount Saint Annes. 10.30 a.m.
Sun 10 Remembrance Sunday services.
Fri 29 Whist Drive. Slip Hall.
Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Who’s Who
In The Parish
www.cs-nl.org celbridgestraffannewcastlelyns@gmail.com
Rector: Rev.
Stephen Neill 01-6288231 087-2328172
Keep up to date on www.cs-nl.org
&
https://www.facebook.com/CSNLParish & www.Dublin.anglican.org
Anxiety weighs down a heart,
but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs.
12:25.
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