February 2004
Talents. Over Christmas it was seen that there is plenty of musical talent in the parish both in singing and in instrument playing. It would be good to increase the enjoyment of making music together through out the year not just at Christmas. I am also aware of other talents going on in the parish – of drawing and painting; tapestry and needlework; gardening; baking; carpentry and all sorts of practical skills like plastering, DIY and making good the buildings we use and live in. We need somehow to celebrate and enjoy what we can do and share our interests with others for encouragement and to exchange ideas. We are all given talents by God to use and enjoy, not to bury – so get out your paints and craft work, or tackle that room you’ve been meaning to do; make your mind up to give time to those things you enjoy and see what you can produce this year. One or two of us are thinking that later on in the year we can perhaps have our own Union Art and Craft exhibition and Open Day. Watch this space!
Leading on from the above I am made to think how, although academic achievement is important and more and more young people are encouraged to go to university and whilst this is absolutely right: what the world really needs at the end of the day, are more skilled plumbers and carpenters and people who can share their talents with others in practical ways.
It was a great joy one day this week, for me to go and visit Willie Sullivan in Golden Meadows at Clonakilty and to find him and others enjoying a session of painting. Even if pictures are not possible – just the sheer pleasure of making patterns out of colours is worthwhile. Such activities especially in a group are good for mental stimulation and conversation, rather than endlessly and passively watching other people doing their thing on TV.
The Ash Wednesday (25th February) joint Anglican/Methodist service will be at Kinneigh Church this year at 8pm.
Good luck to the members of the Girls’ Brigade doing their Scripture Exam on 28th February.
The 29th February is a fifth Sunday in the month, which is unusual for February. So we will have our usual fifth Sunday Parish Communion with an all age activity by way of a sermon.
Congratulations to Janet Ross (daughter of Albert and Hilda) on her engagement to Colin Barrett a farmer/builder in Co. Wicklow. Janet is a teacher in Co. Wicklow. We wish them all the best as they plan for their future together.