Maundy Thursday was a very special time of sharing as Rev Judith (who preached on diversity of bread in today’s shops as being representative of diversity in today’s society) and Rev John washed the congregation’s feet at Ballineen Methodist Church. We then shared in the Last Supper.
The Good Friday Three Hours Workshop at Farranthomas was a wonderful working together of all ages – a workshop in the true sense: as the making and doing was extraordinarily busy and enjoyable. Tasty buns with crosses on and Easter Chocolate nests in the kitchen; wonderfully colourful banners and other craft work, including bright yellow rocking chicks; and in the church a series of dark and light crosses, together with a huge cross which also spoke of light and dark. We finished as we started as we recalled the Story of Good Friday and the coming Easter Hope. Rev Judith led us in worship and we finished by building a cairn of flat stones (upon which we had written personal prayers) and laid them at the foot of the wooden cross, placed outside in the garden. This was very moving and special.
Later on Good Friday David Bourne preached at the Service at Ballineen Methodist Church.
On Easter Eve we had the service of Lighting the Easter Candle and the baptism of the Grunwell family at Kinneigh Church. Forty people (mostly friends and family) welcomed Neil, Joanna, Ryan, Nathan and Solomon Grunwell as members of the church.
Easter Day saw bumper crowds at church and Rev Judith shared some of the things we had thought about on the Good Friday Workshop but now in the light of the Easter Message.
On the following Sunday, 23rd April, we had our Annual General Easter Vestry Meeting at Farranthomas Hall after the Eucharist.
Thank you to all who provided refreshments between the service and the meeting.
The Rector gave her Annual Report and Frances Stanley presented the Accounts.
The following were elected as Select Vestry Members - John Anderson, Annie Bateman, Alan Buttimer, Jean Buttimer, Stephen Buttimer, Caroline Fogarty, Hilda Ross, John Schofield, Harold Shorten, Kenneth Shorten, Ralph Shorten, Frances Stanley.
The following were elected as Church Wardens – Valerie Jennings, Graham Garland for St. Mary’s, Desertserges; Billy Shorten, Rosie Appelbe for St. Patrick’s, Farranthomas;
Betty Kingston, Francis Buttimer for Christ Church, Kilmeen; William Duke, Dorothy Draper for St. Bartholomew’s, Kinneigh.
The following were elected as Glebe Wardens – Lily Shorten, Cyril Draper.
Thanks were given to the three outgoing members for their work – Tom Helen, Keith Ross and Benjamin Hosford. Benjy has served on the Select Vestry for over seventy years. Applause of appreciation for his faithfulness was given and also for Ethel. We welcomed the three new members - John Anderson, Annie Bateman and Ralph Shorten.
The rector was thanked for all she did by Lily Shorten and the meeting hoped the Rector would enjoy her forthcoming trip and come back!
At the new Select Vestry meeting afterwards the following were elected as Treasurers – Frances Stanley (Union Treasurer and Kilmeen); Lily Shorten (Missions and Farranthomas); Hilda Ross (Desertserges) and Kenneth Strickland (Kinneigh.)
Jean Buttimer was re-elected as Secretary to the Select Vestry.
On Easter Eve In St Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh –
Neil Ron Grunwell and Joanna Grunwell (neé Wood),
together with their sons - Ryan Steven Grunwell, Nathan John Grunwell and Solomon Jo Grunwell