* On the 12^th September 11.30 at Kilmeen we again welcome members of the Willis family from Alexandria in Virginia, USA, whose forebears once lived in the Kilmeen area. They are bringing a set of seasonal frontals – white, red, green and purple as a gift for our use at the church. (Emails have been flying backwards and forwards across the Atlantic for this to happen, getting measurements and design just right.) At this service we will also give thanks for the many new prayer books given by generous donors.

** Harvest Thanksgiving This year the Kinneigh Union Harvest Thanksgiving will be at Farranthomas when our Methodist friends from Ballineen will join us on Sunday and we are invited to join them on Monday. On Sunday 26^th at 10.30am we will think of ‘Harvest Past’  - looking back over the last 300 years which links into the 300^th Anniversary of the Chalice from the old Murragh Church, which we use at Farranthomas.  On Monday we think of ‘Harvest Future’ – projecting our thoughts towards the next three hundred years. What humankind sows now in our management or misuse of the planet, our children and grandchildren and those beyond will reap: for better or worse. As stewards of the planet earth, which is part of God’s creation, this is an awesome responsibility.

To round off the Ecumenical Harvest Thanksgiving there will be a Children’s Harvest at Dunmanway at 6.30pm on Tuesday 28^th September at the Cox’s Hall.

History            The rector has been doing some research into the history of the parish of Murragh. This can now be found on the website. An abbreviated history in leaflet form will also be available from the 26^th September onwards. Profit from this will go towards Christian Aid.

Baptisms             This summer we have welcomed four new members into the church. Twins Ethan James and Brian Thomas Buttimer at Christchurch Kilmeen on 27^th June; Louka Marie Draper at St Patrick’s, Farranthomas on 25^th July and Abigail Louise Victoria Shorten at St Bartholomew’s Kinneigh on 1^st August. These were all very happy occasions.

Weddings            The splendid arrival of Janet Ross by horse and trap was even more enhanced when caught in a sudden torrential downpour of rain  - it simply didn’t matter! It just added to the joyful and very natural country wedding at St Mary’s Desertserges where she and Colin Barrett were married on Saturday 3^rd July.

Joy Sebury and Kevin Carton were married at St Lachteen’s Church at Grenagh on 12^th August and at the time of writing we look forward to the Marriage of John Wilson and Mary O’Sullivan at St Patrick’s Farranthomas on Saturday 4^th September.

Golden Wedding             Thursday 5^th August saw the 50^th anniversary of Kathleen and Edward Damery’s wedding. There are not many people like Edward who wait until they are 46 years old before marrying and then go on to celebrate a golden wedding. Congratulations to both for fifty years of happiness together.

Funeral              We were all saddened at the death of Sarah Duke. Although she had been ill for some time, her strength of will and ability to keep positive and cheerful was remarkable, even right up to a day or so before she finally passed peacefully away at Cork University Hospital. The funeral took place on the afternoon of the 4th July at the beautiful setting of Kinneigh church. This was a huge occasion with nearly 600 people present. Doris Bryan read the lesson and Ethel Shorten played the organ. Thanks to all who cleaned, decorated, organised the proceedings and those who provided a splendid tea afterwards: a real community effort. Sarah had done so much for her church and community, being the sort of person who was both practical herself and supportive of others in their work. She is greatly missed and all our best wishes go to Billy and the family.

All Day Coffee Day               Well done Valerie and Frank Jennings for raising €3,585 for the Cancer Care Unit at Cork University Hospital. This is a magnificent sum: thank you to all who supported so generously.

Rectory Garden            Thanks to Richard Buttimer and Henry Patterson for removing a tree that had grown to the garden wall and for removing part of a laurel that was overshadowing the driveway entrance. On 14^th August, after a day of doubtful weather, we had a splendid August evening when a large number of people enjoyed a Parish Barbeque in the Rectory garden.

Art Exhibition in aid of Sight Savers 10am – 5pm 14^th October at Farranthomas Hall and a preview the night before. As I have said before here there are many people in this parish with great talent in using their hands and practical skills. I have often wondered how best to acknowledge this in the life of the parish. I have located and spoken to various people who paint and create – this includes home products of the edible kind!!  All this has had the encouragement of David Llewellyn who himself enjoys painting and supports Sight Savers. We will donate proceeds to this worthwhile charity, which helps combat blindness in developing countries. More about this in next month’s magazine.

Holy Baptism

June 27^th        In Christchurch Kilmeen - Ethan James and Brian Thomas, twin sons of Stephen and Hilary Buttimer

July 25^th          In St Patrick’s Church, Farranthomas - Louka Marie, daughter of Colin and Ingrid Draper

August 1^st       In St Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh - Abigail Louise Victoria, daughter of Harold and Violet Shorten

Holy Matrimony

July 3^rd            In St. Mary’s Church, Desertserges – Janet Ross and Colin Barrett

Christian Burial

July 4^th            In St Bartholomew’s Churchyard, Kinneigh – Sarah Jane Duke (neé Kingston)