Kinneigh Union of Parishes March – April 2022

Rector: Rev’d. Ivan Ruiters

As you may well be aware, in recent weeks the government has lifted some of the COVID restrictions. This has been very well received. However, we have been encouraged to be cautious and responsible as we transition into this new era. The bishop has advised us to be cautious and to continue wearing our masks, sanitising, and keeping our distances as we gather for worship and to refrain from sharing the cup at Communion until we’ve been given the go ahead, hopefully soon.

Being aware that many of us are still anxious about moving forward too quickly, at communion, we’ve begun using gluten free wafers in place of bread. This will allow for the wafer to be dipped into the
wine (intinction) at the point of receiving Holy Communion rather than each person drinking from the cup. For those who would rather continue receiving Holy Communion in one kind, that would
also be ok. After some time, we would then re-evaluate whether or not it is safe to go back to sharing the Chalice again.

So, for those of you who may have been anxious about coming back to church, I hope that these new developments and the safe practices we’ve put in place would give you the confidence to return
to Sunday worship. Please continue to pray for all who have been affected by the Corona virus, those still recovering and those who are not vaccinated.

As we reflect on our journey these past 2 years, may we give thanks to God for His sustaining Love, Grace, Guidance and Protection. As we continue into the future may we know with every confidence that He never fails us (even though it may feel like it at times) and that He is always watching over us. Another piece of good news is that the bishop has confirmed that the Confirmation service will take place at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh, on Sunday 24 th April at 3:30pm. As the bishop has said, it’s been a while since he last visited our union of parishes and looks forward to being with us as do we.

Please continue to pray for our candidates (Katie Applebe, Naihm Bennett & Anna O’Halloran) as they prepare for this special event in their lives. Also keep in your prayers all the other candidates in the
diocese, especially those from Fanlobbus Union with whom our candidates are being prepared.

God bless.

Ivan

Ballymoney National School – On Tuesday 25th January the Bangers and Crash Percussion Group visited the school to perform an outdoor concert for us. It was a cold day but the pupils had blankets and hot water bottles to keep them warm. The sun shone and the pupils were treated to hot chocolate afterwards.
In February, the senior pupils performed their first ukulele concert on zoom for St. Multose National School and Kilgarriffe National School. It was a very enjoyable experience and we are proud of our pupils. The junior pupils also performed two pieces on the boomwhackers.

On Tuesday 8th February, Pickers Pal TV came to visit the school. They run a litter picking initiate for primary school. They are making a programme about the school’s bottle top mural for their next
episode.

Clare McLoughlin, a local artist, is working with the school as an artist in residence over the next six weeks on a collaborative art project.

Mother’s Union – Are meeting on Tuesday 1st March I St. Paul’s Parish Centre, Ballineen at 8.30pm. All welcome.

Ash Wednesday Service – Is taking place in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh at 8.00pm. The Rev. Tony Murphy will be officiating as Rev. Ivan is still on compassionate leave. All welcome.

World Day of Prayer – Is on Friday 4th March in Ballineen Methodist Church, at 8.00pm. All welcome.

Select Vestry – The next meeting is on Tuesday 8th March in St. Paul’s Parish Centre at 8.30pm.

Easter Vestry – Is on Wednesday 27th April in St Paul’s Parish Centre, Ballineen at 8.30pm

Confirmation – Rev. Ivan and Rev. Cliff Jeffers from Fanlobbus Union have joined forces to prepare the young people in their parishes for Confirmation this year. Thank you to those who volunteered to be
‘Parish Sponsors’ for the young people who are exploring their faith. They have been praying for their candidate and taking an interest in their progress. Over the few days of St. Patrick’s weekend, Rev. Ivan
and Rev. Cliff will be visiting the candidates in their homes to see how they are getting on and see if they ready to answer the questions that they will be asked by the bishop at the confirmation service for themselves. During the weeks of preparation, they will visit all of the churches and halls in the Kinneigh and Fanlobbus Unions of parishes, as well as having a few social outings. Hilda Connolly from the Diocesan Youth Council is running a confirmation retreat in Bandon for all of those being confirmed this year on the 4th and 5th of March, where the young people will get to meet others preparing for confirmation from around the diocese and also have some time for fun and reflection.

Vestrypersons – Each year we revise our list of vestrypersons. This is effectively our voting register of people who are over 18 and are eligible to vote at our AGM and allowed to hold office in the parish. The
churchwardens have forms for those who are not yet registered or wish to register and are currently involved in the life of the parish.

If you are unsure if you are on the register and like to check, please send Rev. Ivan a message and he can look up the register for you.These need to be filled in by the 13th of March.

Fair Share – The Select Vestry wish to inform you that our contribution to the above scheme is due and should be paid by Friday 25th May 2022; thereby avoiding any interest and or penalties. The amount due this year is is a similar figure on last year. The Select Vestry is recommending the same amount, per church member as last year to meet our liability. The Select Vestry would greatly appreciate your support and should you have any queries then please speak to the union treasurer (Graham Garland 087 1382596) or any Select Vestry member.

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