December 2003
I can’t believe that I am now well into my second year here as Rector. Time seems to be flying by, and now we’re back to that time in the year as we prepare for the Christmas season. “Busy time for you, Rector.” someone said. But I would say every season has its own busyness, just that Christmas is more outwardly obvious. On a more sombre note, Christmas, inspite of its cheerful appearance of joy and celebration, can also be a sad and lonely time for many people.
There will be three evenings during Advent of quiet meditation and prayer for healing as we lead up to Christmas itself. The evenings will be of one-hour duration each on Thursdays at 8.30pm 4th/11th/18th December at the St Paul’s Parish centre. These evenings are open to everyone. As they are meditations and a time for prayer I ask that you arrive in time (by 8pm) so we can settle into the quiet early on. There will be a time of guided meditation on a Biblical story, silence and prayer for healing.
4th – John the Baptist - Advent
11th – A time with Mary – Annunciation
18th – The Still of the Night – the Birth of Jesus
Last month we saw Dorothy Draper and Seán Brennan’s wedding, which was a lovely ecumenical occasion. The church at Kinneigh was decorated in autumn colours with candles on every windowsill.
We now look forward to these candles again for the candlelit Ecumenical Carol Service held this year at Kinneigh on the evening of 21st December. This service will be an extravaganza of Christmas music led by our local ecumenical choir, followed by mince pies, punch and other edibles at the Table Tennis Hall in Castletown.
Other ‘specials’ will be the two School Carol Services at Desertserges on the 14th December at 11.30am and at Kilmeen on 21st December also at 11.30am. The schools work very hard for these occasions and it is good for the community to see what talent our young people have.
The All Age Carol Service on Christmas Eve, 3pm at Farranthomas is for everyone, especially the very young (but good for grandparents as well) as we make our way towards Bethlehem and gather around the Crib. There will also be a special lighting of the Christmas tree!
It was a truly rotten night with gale force winds gusting up to 75mph and at Farranthomas on top of the hill, where it is always windy; it felt to be all of a full gale-force 12! Only the very hardy turned out and a huge admiration for Eileen Cremin our preacher who stoically battled the elements from Douglas. Inspite of such a small number we raised €1235 on the night, which was excellent. We had a happy get together afterwards with tea and cake. Kathleen Damery told us how this evening started some seventy years ago arising out of raising money from the harvest thanksgiving of the time. Lily Shorten is still happy to receive your donations if you missed the evening.
43rd Ballineen Company Girls Brigade
The company held its enrolment service at St Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh on 16th November. The Rector took the service and taught the congregation a new hymn; and the Rev. John Purdy preached. The company under the direction of the Captain, Mrs Susan Smith is flourishing with the help of new leaders. Girls’ Brigade meets on Friday nights at 7pm in Ballineen and is open to all girls aged five upwards.
HOLY BAPTISM
19th October
St Bartholomew’s Church Kinneigh, Kelvin, son of Carolyn and Ralph Shorten
HOLY MATRIMONY
23rd October
St Bartholomew’s Church Kinneigh, Dorothy Draper and Seán Brennan