I am writing this just before I set off on a fortnight’s holiday in England. It will be a time to relax and also to meet up with old friends and family. It is good to get away but there is always such a lot of domestic and parish bits to do to before going! Then it is good to get back, but then another lot of domestic activities to get settled in again. By the time I get back this issue will be just coming out!
We enjoyed a splendid Baptism and Confirmation Service in this Union on 29th May at St Patrick’s Farranthomas. We had a full church, the singing was good and our six candidates did well. The day was sunny and bright and the churchyard looked well with the newly cleaned gravestones. Several people pointed out that this might well have been the first confirmation service ever at Farranthomas. In living memory (certainly) confirmations have always been held at larger churches (memories of horse and trap to Bandon) or at other churches in the Union. So well done St Patrick’s and a big Thank You to all who helped make the day a success.
Lindsay Shorten one of the newly confirmed was quickly able to be godmother to her new brother Graham Eric Samuel Shorten.
The Bring and Buy at Farranthomas on 3rd June in aid of St Luke’s and the Bandon Day Centre made €1,200. An enjoyable evening was had by all.
Although not a ‘church’ event at all, many of us turned up to the fascinating afternoon at the Hollies (north of Enniskeane) to learn about Cob Houses and how to build in a traditional old way out of earth. Using the soil around us, clay and straw, was traditionally common not only in these islands but worldwide and certainly in the biblical world. Cob, which sets very hard, will last for centuries, is cheap and is simple to use. Yes, it is labour intensive, but building and working together is a wonderful way of being community. With the future in mind and of sustainable living I know we shall see more of this type of building where nothing is wasted.
The sun shone again for the wedding of Emma Wyllie and Hugh Giles at St Bartholomew’s Church Kinneigh. Hugh’s parents Norman and Florence do much for Kinneigh in keeping the grounds beautifully clean and tidy.
29th May In St Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh - Graham Eric Samuel Shorten, son of Heather and Leonard.
11th June In St Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh – Emma Wyllie and Hugh Giles