The Ecumenical Harvest Thanksgiving this year back in September was a huge success. Our Methodist friends joined us at St Patrick’s Farranthomas for a packed full house and we were able to give thanks for the 300 years or more of the Murragh chalice and paten. [The Rector now has confirmation that the chalice and paten was made by a Huguenot - Robert Goble Master 1672, master silversmith 1677 & 1694-5, maker of the sumptuous 1696 Mace of the Trade Guilds of the City of Cork. He died 1719, buried in the Huguenot burial place, French Church Street. It is an interesting connection. ]
At St Patrick’s we thought of tradition and history and the need for community. The next day we were at Ballineen Methodist church where the Rev. Ian Jonas plunged us into the future – how would farming look then? This has raised some interesting speculation, but we still felt community would be of huge importance.
A big thank you to all who supported the Art Exhibition at Farranthomas Church Hall. It was worthwhile in so many ways.
Firstly we raised €3,000 for the work of Sight Savers. This is a leading charity combating blindness in developing countries. Sight Savers’ vision is of a world where no-one is needlessly blind. The charity works with partner organisations in poor and the least served communities to help establish and support permanent activities that prevent and cure blindness, restore sight and provide for people who will never see.
Secondly it was a celebration of the talent we have within the Union. People from the congregations and others (all within a ten mile radius or so) were able to share with others their pictures, craft and woodwork, home produce and interests. From fine water colours to oils; a wooden dolls house to Arran sweaters; an iced celebration cake to encaustic pictures (using melted wax to make a picture); homemade greetings cards and lacework; all in all, it was a feast for the eyes!
The clean walls of Farranthomas hall, now fitted with proper hanging rails, was an excellent venue. The weather (complete with sunshine and full rainbow) was kind to us.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet, on earth but yours.
Your are the eyes through which He looks
Compassion on this world
Yours are the feet
With which He walks to do good.
Your are the hands
With which He blesses all the world
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet.
Yours are the eyes, you are His body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes, through which He Looks
compassion on the world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
(Teresa of Avila)
Congratulations to Henry and Olive Appelbe on the arrival of their daughter Sarah, a sister for Jack.