Lent 2007

Dear All,

Welcome to the Parish Church of St George and St Thomas. We are a Church of Ireland Parish (Anglican/Episcopalian). Our Church family is made up of people who have lifelong connections with this parish and this area of Dublin as well as people who have come more recently to live in this city. We enjoy being a multi national congregation and have members from at least 9 countries worshipping regularly here. If you are new to the parish and would like to give your name to the Rev. Katharine she would be happy to make contact with you.

Today we have a service of Holy Communion with lively Gospel Music. People of all Christian traditions are welcome to share in Holy Communion. The service is printed on the sheets. Following the service today we have tea, coffee and biscuits as well as a small bric a brac and book sale.

Next Sunday: 25th March: A service of the word for all ages followed by tea, coffee and cake. REMEMBER to put your CLOCK forward one hour next Saturday night. If you forget you will come to church at the wrong time!

This afternoon, in Tallaght Parish Church a Discovery Service to celebrate Mothering Sunday will be held at 3 o’clock. Special guest the Archbishop and Mrs Betty Neill. Everyone welcome. Tallaght Discovery hospitality following the service.

Sunday 1st April at 7.00pm: A U2 Eucharist will be held HERE. Discovery Gospel Choir is teaming up with 3-Rock Youth for this event, using the music of U2 in the context of a Holy Communion Service. Please encourage people of all ages to come along for this innovative service and especially those in the 15 plus age group who might not usually come to church. The Archbishop has given his backing to this pilot project and we have received all the information from the USA where this type of service has been growing in popularity.

A Greener Church: We strive to be as eco-friendly as possible. If you aren’t taking your service sheet/link sheet home please place it in the tray for recycling. Derek Waller is the recycling co-ordinator. We also strive to use Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar for our refreshments.

The knitting circle meets on Friday afternoon in Damer Court. All knitters welcome and anyone new to knitting will be given help!

Holy Week Services: will take place at Lunch time in Dublin Central Mission and on the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday here at 7.30 pm. A craft morning and service for the children will take place on Good Friday - 6th April from 10.30 here with a short service at 11.45 am

Amazing Grace - is the name of a movie to be released this Friday, 23rd March. The movie is the dramatic story of a foul mouthed slave trader whose life was transformed after a miraculous escape from death. Hymn writer John Newton penned “Amazing Grace” to describe his own spiritual journey – a journey which began after a violent storm in the Atlantic Ocean. When all hope was lost, Newton’s ship found refuge in Lough Swilly, County Donegal, Ireland. Newton went on to become a prolific hymn writer and, later in life, to mentor William Wilberforce in his fight against the Slave Trade. He was a changed man thanks to his encounter with God’s Amazing Grace. The movie will be shown in the Savoy Cinema, close to the church and in other cinemas too. Do try to see it.

TABLE QUIZ in aid of RWANDA Water Project in Christ Church Cathedral Crypt 7.45 pm. sharp  Friday 23rd March 2007  Raffle, Spot Prizes, Auction. 40 Euro per table

Easter Vestry: The Annual Meeting of the Parish will be held on Sunday 15th April immediately following the morning service. Everyone in the parish is invited to come along. At the meeting the election of churchwardens, glebe wardens and 12 select vestry members takes place. To be eligible for one of these posts you should make sure you are on the church register. To vote at the meeting you also need to be on the register.

The Women’s Mini Marathon will take place on the June Bank Holiday. This year the ladies of the parish will be “Doing it for DEBRA” a charity for children who suffer from Epidermolysis Bullosa -EB- a distressing and painful genetic skin disorder causing skin layers and body linings to separate and blister at the slightest touch. Children born with EB have skin that is as fragile as the wings of a butterfly - and as easily damaged.
If you would like to walk or run the marathon you will need to register. If paying the registration fee of 15 euro( to be confirmed) will be a problem to your participation please speak to Katharine. A representative of DEBRA will come to speak to the Mothers Union and any other interested people soon.

FUNDRAISING: for the building work has been quiet for the past 2 months. A “Fireside” quiz costing 2 Euro is available from Rev. Katharine. Get out your atlas of Ireland to look for the answers!
An Easter hamper is ready to raffle. Tickets are 2 Euro each, or 3 for 5 euro.
A beetle drive and big quiz are planned for after Easter.
Gill Deane is compiling a cookery book of recipes from around the world. Please give her your recipe for inclusion in the book which will then be sold to raise funds. When all the recipes are ready you will be asked to bring along the dish you suggested and we will have a taste day.
Please support these initiatives which help to bring in small but significant amounts of money. The building work is very slow. Because it is a small job contractors tend to put it to one side. Apart from a few minor changes to accommodate kitchen and band equipment the plans remain as discussed by the Select Vestry and Easter Vestry last year and the rooms are the dimensions agreed.

The Rev. Norma would still like to hear from anyone who would like to contribute to the Memory book she is planning to make. Please give her a call if you would like to participate.

The dishwasher which has been at the side of the church for many months is now not going to be installed in the kitchen. If anyone would like to have it they are welcome to take it home.

There are some bags of good, clean, second hand and new clothes at the back door. They were donated by a nurse from the Mater Hospital. If you would like to take a bag or two home with you please do so.

Thanks to everyone who helped on Friday night and especially to those who helped with the mammoth cleaning and setting up during the week. Hopefully most of the dust is in the vacuum cleaner and on the cloths and not on your clothes.

CMS spring sale 21st April, 10.30-12.30 St Philip’s Hall, Temple Road, Dartry. 14a bus from D’Olier street, Milltown LUAS.

Clergy: Priest in charge: The Rev Katharine Poulton (2852228), Parish Reader: Ms Yvonne Ginnelly, Lay Reader: Ms Martha Waller. Churchwardens: Nicola Jennings and Funmi Akingbade. Please ask us for further information about the parish.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Katharine Poulton