Rector’s Note
As we leave behind one phase and begin a new one, we do so with a spirit of
optimistic enthusiasm, knowing that the Risen Lord goes before us (Ps.23 and
Matthew 28:20). Spring has begun, the vaccination roll-out is back on track and
soon we’ll be worshipping in church. On the 22 April we had our Easter Vestry
meeting on Zoom. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to
the Select Vestry members who served this past while and to welcome the newly
elected vestry members as we begin this new phase of ministry. Revd. Cliff Jeffers
has been and continues to be amazing in his support of us as a parish. For this I
would like to express my most sincere thanks and appreciation to him and to his
wife, Mrs. Eunice Jeffers for all her support and prayers during this period of our
parish’s interregnum. As we begin this new phase, may we do so with every
confidence that the Lord is with us and His Spirit is guiding us and may all of us be
inspired to be faithful to our calling, both individually and collectively in a way that
brings glory to our Gracious and Loving Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Five Marks of Mission
Our focus over the next coming months is on the Five Marks of Mission and how
we can, as parish use them as a template to enhance our ministry.
1, Tell – to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.
- Teach – to teach, baptise and nurture new believers.
- Tend – to respond to human need by loving service.
- Transform – to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge
violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation. - Treasure – to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and renew
the life of the earth.
Mostly, the mission activity of the church, this does not happen by accident, but it is an intentional effort. We make the choice to tell others about Jesus, our faith in God, the peace and joy that believing in Him brings to our souls. It is the responsibility of parents, godparents and grandparents to pass this on to the children in their lives. As we meet people on our farms, in work, in the shops or in school, we all, young and old have a responsibility to pass on our faith to others. This is done by talking about your faith (and doubts) and telling others what you believe and what matters to you.
Why not look out for an opportunity to talk to someone about what you believe, the conversations might just end up helping the both of you!
Safeguarding Trust
All parishes have a Safeguarding Trust Parish Panel who have the responsibility
of implementing the Church’s Child Protection Policy.
The current members of our panel are:
Shirley Shorten, Kenneth Baker and Revd Ivan.
Contact details of the panel members and our child protection policy are on the
notice boards of our churches and halls.
Ballymoney National School
April was a busy month in our school garden. We have observed that our tadpoles
have developed their back legs this week. Both classrooms have eagerly planted
vegetables and flowers both in our polytunnel and in our outdoor raised beds. We
intend to enter the School Garden Competition again in June. This year we will
have to use our film-making skills to make a film of our garden for the competition.
On 22nd April, the senior classroom joined the National Museum on zoom
to celebrate ‘World Earth Day’. We learnt all about cool fossils and the animals that
lived in Ireland during the Ice Age.
In May we celebrated ‘European Day’ with quizzes on the European Union, we
baked buns which we decorated with European Union Flags, and we will be
completing creative art activities. We are hoping to be awarded a Blue Star Flag at
the end of our project on the European Union.
Finances
The Select Vestry would like to thank all our parishioners who have been so supportive of the parish since the beginning of the year. We have not had any Sunday Services, and we appreciate the generosity and loyalty of so many; by making contributions through the bank and giving contributions directly to the treasurers both for the Fair Share, which is for the ministry side of our parish but also for all our other costs related to running the parish e.g., heating, insurance, maintenance of the buildings, grounds, graveyards etc. The final date for this year’s Fair Share payment to the Diocese is Friday 28th May. There are several ways that can be used to send us funds:
Direct payments cash or cheque to the treasurers. Bank payments, either by over the counter or by electronic transfer.
Setting up a monthly standing order.
The Bank details are as follows:
FAIR SHARE ACCOUNT
Bank of Ireland, Clonakilty Sort Code 90-26-10 A/c no. 27034796
Account Name – Kinneigh Union Sustentation Fund
BIC – BOFIIE2D IBAN – IE35 BOFI 9026 1027 0347 96
(ALL OTHER COSTS)
Bank of Ireland, Clonakilty Sort Code 90-26-10 A/c No. 89158348
Account Name – Kinneigh Central Account
IBAN – BOFIIE2D IBAN – IE62 BOFI 9026 1089 1583 48
Bereavement
We send our sincere condolences to Susan Eady and family on the death of her mother Maud Swanton.
Walk-in (no appointment) COVID 19 testing centre
The pop-up Covid 19 test centre at Randal Og GAA Club (Dunmanway) is being extended. Testing will be available Mondays to Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. The centre will run until Tuesday 4 th May and will be reviewed again at that point. This no-appointment testing is available to anyone aged 16 and over and who does not have Covid 19 symptoms. Everyone attending needs to bring a photo ID and a mobile phone number to receive their results.
On-line Bible Study
Some of us are joining with Rev. Cliff Jeffers on his Online Bible Study entitled “What happened to Jesus’ Disciples”. It is a 5-week course and started on the 22nd April covering the events after the resurrection, The Disciples time with Jesus
between the resurrection and ascension. The nine days from Ascension to Pentecost. The early church in Jerusalem and the rise of persecution and the dispersal of the Good News.
Pentecost Sunday
Is early this year, falling on the 23rd of May. The nine days from Ascension Thursday (13th May) to Pentecost Sunday are a special time for preparation for the work of God’s Holy Spirit to be active in our lives.
Bishop of Cork
Pastoral Care Fund
The Bishop’s update:
I would like to update you about the Founders’ Appeal for the new Charity – theBishop o f Cork Pastoral Care Fund – which I announced at the start of Lent. The response has been extremely positive, and it is very clear that this initiative has struck a chord with people throughout the Diocese and further afield. In addition, the Charity has been recognised by Paypal as a charity and included within its ‘Paypal Giving Fund Ireland’. A number of individuals have also nominated the Charity for recognition by their own workplace charity parner schemes. This is all very encouraging progress. I want to thank everyone most sincerely for their support. Most parishes have already responded positively to this initiative and I want to thank everyone most sincerely. Donations small and large, to the Charity
will always be welcome in the future and, no doubt, as many of you have suggested there may be an annual retiring collection in parishes on a particular date and other opportunities to give support.
However, the Founders’ Appeal phase of the charity, with its target of having a substantial fund for investment to kickstart all this, will come to an end on Trinity Sunday, 30th May next. This is to facilitate the investment arrangements so that the fund established can begin to generate income for distribution in the future. The new Minute Book will commence with a short history of the Charity and a list of the Founder Members – individuals and parishes – unless anonymity has been requested. Amounts donated will not be included in that list. I would love history to record that this initiative has the overwhelming and positive support of the Parishes of the Diocese at this time of both need and challenge in our day. We often think of charities as, either something someone else did in the past and which we can turn to today, or as something that someone else does and that we support. Through this initiative of our own, I am inviting you to be a prime mover in creating something in our time that will benefit others today and tomorrow, and for which our successors will give thanks.
Again, I fully understand that many may be able to respond positively to this appeal, and that others may not be in a position at all to do so, but all offers of help and all donations however big or small will be most welcome.
Easter Vestry
The Easter took place on Thursday 22 nd April by Zoom. At the meeting, the Audited Accounts were presented and accepted. The nominations for the select vestry were confirmed and the following people were elected:
- Incumbent’s Church Wardens:
- Kinneigh – Dorothy Draper
- Kilmeen – Elizabeth Kingston
- Farranthomas – Lilian Shorten
- Glebe – Joanna Moore
- People’s Church Wardens
- Kinneigh – Edith Draper
- Kilmeen – Frances Stanley
- Farranthomas – Shirley Shorten Glebe
- Glebe – Cyril Draper
- Select Vestry Members
- Olive Bradfield
- Georgina Deane
- Colin Draper
- John Duke
- Susan Eady
- Graham Garland
- Marjorie Garland
- Helen Kingston
- Maia Paulus
- Harold Shorten
- Ivan Shorten
- Sara Shorten
Outgoing members were thanked for their contributions.
The next meeting is planned for Tuesday 5th May at 8.30pm on Zoom. The meeting details will be notified nearer the time.
World Day of Prayer Service
Sara Shorten and Hilda Deane would like to thank everybody that contributed to the service and to those who viewed online.
All Boxed Up
The Rev. Ivan has many various sized packing boxes available for anybody that is
in need of some. Please contact the Rectory direct. 0238847856
Thank you
Rev Anne Skuse chaplain to Bandon Grammar School would like to thank most sincerely all those who knit or crocheted squares for their project to provide knee blankets for the elderly. The blankets were presented last Wednesday to representatives from Bandon Community Hospital, Clonakilty Community Hospital and St Luke’s Home.
Ruth Wolfe Retires after nearly 20 years’ Service in Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Ruth Wolfe, who has been part-time secretary to the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, for almost the last 20 years retired on Friday 30th April, which was her last morning ‘in the office’. Bishop Colton said
It’s terrible we can’t even have coffee and a cake from The English Market together (as we so often did) to mark Ruth’s significant period of work alongside us all. Such, sadly, are some of the disappointments of the times in which we are living. I would want Ruth and everyone to know, however, how much her work and solidarity has been appreciated, not only by me, but by everyone in the Diocese and further afield with whom she came into contact. She has been a model also of discretion and confidentiality, which is essential in support of the Bishop’s ministry and the work of the Diocese. Thank you, Ruth, so much for your work throughout the last 20 years.
At the meeting of the Diocesan Council of Cork, Cloyne and Ross on Wednesday 28th April, a motion recording admiration for Ruth and gratitude to her was passed unanimously by acclamation; acclamation which was no less sincere and enthusiastic just because it was emoji clapping hands on the screen of a ZOOM meeting. Strange times, indeed! Ruth will be missed. Thank you, Ruth!
Diocesan Burundi Maize Project
The Reverend Tony Murphy, an auxiliary minister in the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, was sent on his way on Friday 30th April with the goal of walking 100 km in the month of May throughout the Diocese in aid of the Diocesan Project in Burundi. Ranking 185th out of 189 countries, Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, and Andrew Coleman of Christian Aid, who is also the Bishops’ Appeal representative in the Diocese, waved Tony off from the forecourt of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. Tony visited Burundi in 2019 to see the project first-hand. Tony’s goal in May is to walk 5 km in every parish of the Diocese, supported by socially distanced clergy and parishioners, to raise funds for and awareness of the project.
You can follow Tony in the Diocese or join him (socially distanced) for part of his walk as follows:
1st May: Morning: Kilmocomogue (Durrus)
1st May: Afternoon: Kilmoe (Schull)
4th May: Morning: Ballydehob
4th May: Afternoon: Abbeystrewry (Skibbereen)
6th May: Morning: Rosscarbery
6th May: Afternoon: Kilgariffe (Clonakilty)
10th May: Bandon
11th May: Douglas
12th May: Carrigrohane
13th May: Mallow
15th May: Fanlobbus (Dunmanway)
17th May: Moviddy (Aherla)
18th May: Kinsale
19th May: From Saint Anne’s Shandon to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork City
20th May: Fermoy
22nd May: from Carrigaline to Crosshaven
25th May: Cobh and Glanmire
26th May: Kinneigh (Ballineen and Enniskeane)
27th May: Morning: Cloyne
27th May: Afternoon: Youghal
Services
Following the announcement from the Government on the 29th April restrictions have been reduced allowing Church services to re-commence from the 10th May and restricted to a maximum of 50 people per service providing the church can accommodate this number under COVID 19 regulations therefore, as previously, if you wish to attend a service can you please contact the church wardens to book a place as some of our churches cannot accommodate 50 people under the restrictions.
Kinneigh – Edith Draper 086 357 7765
Kilmeen – Frankie Stanley 023-8838666
Farranthomas – Lily Shorten 021-7338033
PLEASE REMEMBER MASKS MUST STILL BE WORN
Following these guidelines our services will be as follows:
Sunday 16th May
10.00am St. Patrick’s, Farranthomas
11.30am St. Bartholomew’s, Kinneigh
Sunday 23rd May
10.00am Christ Church, Kilmeen
11.30am St. Bartholomew’s, Kinneigh
Sunday 30th May
United Service, St. Bartholomew’s Kinneigh
Service sheets will be provided as the restrictions on prayer and hymn books, along with singing and communion have not been lifted.
