February 2003
During the next few months I will be taking photographs of the parish and of events to help build up an interesting Website for Kinneigh Union. But don’t let it be just ‘Kinneigh Union through the eyes of the Rector’ – I welcome your photographs as well, which I can scan in and let you have back. I am also interested in building up a history of all the churches – so if you think you have something of interest – dig it out and let me have a look! For instance there is no record (I’ve not seen one that is) of all the past rectors and clergy for the various churches. Perhaps a few of you could sit down and work out all the names and dates??
The visit of the Rev. Charles Irwin as the Church of Ireland Mission resource person to the diocese means several things. I would say the following applies to us ……(quote) :’A reality check by an outsider…..to help us see ourselves; ….to grasp the mettle about mission where we are;….to dream dreams and come to a clearer vision of where God is leading us;………recognition that small is beautiful.’ I have therefore invited Charles to spend part of the day on 1st February to help us think out a Mission statement for the Union. As your Rector is still new, I think this is adequate and a good thing to do at this time. All good companies have a mission statement, the shorter the better. For instance Lindt (chocolates):- "Pleasure is the purpose of our products". The shortest mission statement I can find is ‘be thankful’ (expandable to ‘Be thankful for what we have and what we can give to others.’ This belongs to The American Academy of Family Physicians.) The longest and least effective goes into several pages. I won’t say where I found that. I have already thought out my statement, it will be interesting to see what members of the Vestry and congregation come up with.
By the time you read this Jack Appelbe will have been baptised at Farranthomas Church (26th Jan) – we wish him well and for his family.
Over the Christmas/Epiphany period we had three wise men in bed, all in the same hospital! Willie Sullivan having come out of the CUH and well enough to go to his workshop, restoring a sofa, was sadly back in again over Christmas. At the time of writing he is still there but making good recovery. Paul Shorten, People’s Warden at Farranthomas was taken poorly and also in the CUH. He is now back home. Frank Stanley had a heart attack also in the CUH. Again at the time of writing is still in hospital but is recovering well.
In January the Mother’s Union enjoyed a fascinating and educative evening with Mary Wedel (who lives in the parish and owns the Bandon Health Food Shop), on buying health food products
We welcome the Rev Nigel Dunne, new Rector of Bandon, as our close neighbour.
Vestry meeting at 8pm Thursday 27th February at St Paul’s Parish Centre.
Ash Wednesday 5th March – 8pm Ballineen Methodist Church. Rector preaching.
Lent Course – I do Believe and Take It - a course looking at the Eucharist written by Michael Burrows. Thursdays 13th/20th/27th March, 3rd/10th April, 8pm at the Rectory.