Vol 10.2  

Feb - Mar 2007  

Dear Friends ,

Next week in the parish we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation otherwise known as Candlemas, marking 40 days since Christmas Day and the extended Christmas season including Epiphany. It is a turning point for followers of the church year, and the Sundays are referred to as ‘Sundays before Lent’, in the period before Ash Wednesday. There will be many opportunities to observe Lent outside the normal Sunday offering, and of course whether we ‘give up’ or ‘take on’ something for the course of Lent will be another way of marking these special days of penitence and spiritual renewal.

Lent in the Parish
Matins will be said daily, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in St Patrick’s from Monday 26th February at 9.30am during Lent (Wednesdays - 10am Holy Communion as usual) and all are welcome. This is a brief service lasting about 10 minutes.

Bowling Club

The bowling club continues to meet on Friday evening from 7.30 pm – 10.30 pm and on Monday evening from 8.00 pm – 9.30 pm.

Our outing to the Waterfront in December was very enjoyable with an excellent meal in the Templeton Hotel before travelling by coach to the Waterfront.

We had our Christmas party night on 22 December, with a visit from our ‘resident Santa’. The winner receiving a turkey and a gift for everyone else from ‘Santa’s sack’.

Our visit to the Baker Stadium on Tuesday 9 January was once again a great success with 24 members in attendance.

New members would be made most welcome.

Isobel McCollam (Hon. Sec.)

Safeguarding Trust

In accordance with the recommendations in 'Safeguarding Trust - The Church of Ireland Code of Good Practice for Ministry with Children', a Parish Panel has been appointed (operating since June 1998) to implement some of the responsibilities identified in the Code.

The Panels responsibilities include:

• interviewing persons willing to serve as workers in the parish
• advising workers on their responsibilities in respect of the Code
• advising the Select Vestry in respect of its responsibilities
• being an immediate contact point for workers when a suspicion, complaint or allegation of child abuse is made about a worker or on parish premises in accord with the procedures set out in these guidelines.

The Parish Panel Members are:-

Teach Me

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and not to seek reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.

Ignatius of Loyola (c1491 – 1556)
Founder of the Society of Jesus

Saints of the Church

Brigid, Abbess of Kildare
1 February -- Festival
Brigid (also known as Bride) was born in the latter part of the fifth century, of humble origin just five miles from Kildare. She was to become first a nun in the monastery there and then its Abbess. She is believed to have been baptised by and the stories of her portray a woman of great compassion. She is even said to have been consecrated a bishop by Bishop Ibor, because of her resemblance to the Virgin Mary, but this may have been put abroad to support the claim of the primacy of the Abbey of Kildare. By her prayers and miracles, she is reputed to have strongly influenced the formation of the Church throughout Ireland, where she is, with St Patrick, the patron saint. She died in about the year 525.

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)
2 February -- Principal Feast -- Gold or White
This day marks the completion of forty days since the birth of Jesus, when Mary and Joseph took the child to the Temple in Jerusalem. The requirement in Levitical law was for Mary to be 'cleansed', the completion of her purification following the birth of a male child. Until that day, she could touch no holy thing nor enter the sanctuary. Yet on seeing the holy family, Simeon praised God and acclaimed the infant as 'the light to enlighten the nations' and the prophet Anna gave thanks and proclaimed him her Redeemer. The image of Christ as the Light has led to the celebration of light countering darkness, with candles often taking a central place in the observance.

George Herbert , Priest
27 February -- Lesser Festival -- Pastor --White
Born in 1593 into the aristocratic Pembroke family, George Herbert went up to Cambridge in 1614, eventually becoming a fellow of Trinity College. At the age of twenty-five, he became Public Orator in the University and then a Member of Parliament, apparently destined for a life at court. To everyone's surprise, he decided to be ordained and, after spending a time with his friend Nicholas Ferrar at Little Gidding, he was made deacon in 1626. He married in 1629, was priested in 1630 and given the care of souls of the parish of Bemerton, near Salisbury, where he spent the rest of his short life. He wrote prolifically, his hymns still being popular throughout the English-speaking world. His treatise, The Country Parson, on the priestly life, and his poetry, especially The Temple, earned Herbert a leading place in English literature. He never neglected the care of the souls of Bemerton, however, and encouraged attendance at the weekday recitation of the daily office, calling to mind the words of his hymn, 'Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee'. He died on this day in 1633.

Scott Family - December 2006

Greetings to you all from Zambia,

Well after our all too brief sojourn in Ireland and Britain we are all safely back and settled in Zambia. Our trip “home” was a very packed and busy time. The day we were packing to leave Zambia Lyn’s father ‘phoned to say that her mother had had a fall, and was in hospital. Fortunately we had already arranged a two week stay in Nottingham, so we were able to spend a good deal of time visiting her and Lyn’s Dad. She has now been diagnosed as suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and as we write is still in hospital. She is waiting for some skin lesions to heal, and then hopefully, she will be discharged, although she will need a lot of support. We did also manage to catch up with many of our friends in England and take some time to see around Nottingham, and even a visit to Alton Towers, which Adam especially enjoyed. We also managed to spend time with Keith’s mum, who is well and settled in her nursing home at Ballyclare.

At the end of August Lyn and the children headed for Zambia and the beginning of the school term while Keith stayed in Ireland to visit our link parishes. The only visit we managed together was to Ballina, where we thoroughly enjoyed “western” hospitality for a weekend. Keith enjoyed the rest of the parish hospitality, and was greatly encouraged by the support. We are all very grateful for everyone’s interest, and we would like to encourage everyone to keep it up, as we are entering a really important phase in the development of the seminary.

Back in Zambia the water tower project has now been completed, and is a real help. The water pressure in the houses is almost up to Western standards, and the students are able to use the showers and flush the toilets upstairs in the accommodation block without having to wonder if there is any water in the system. The only problem has been the M.E.F has suffered some difficulties with the maintenance of the water system, and sometimes has had to stop supplying the seminary. Even then the tanks have helped us smooth out the bumps, giving us a reserve when things have been difficult. Again we are deeply grateful for the support of the Bishop’s Appeal, the St. Augustine’s foundation and the parishes who have so generously donated money towards this project. In fact we have had a little extra money, which we have been able to use towards other maintenance in the seminary. We especially needed some new pipes and hot water tanks, as well as some work at the staff housing. All the money is being carefully spent and will really help to improve life at the seminary for both staff and students.

Synod Information

Partial Text of Synod Address

MINISTRY in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor must be reshaped, the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Harper, said in his Presidential Address to the Diocesan Synod in Portrush on October 12.

Describing this as a ‘housekeeping synod,’ Bishop Harper said that in the four and a half years since he became bishop he had appointed and instituted half of the incumbents of the diocese - 38 out of 77.

“More than half of the people now training for ordination are candidates for non-stipendiary ministry and many stipendiary clergy have come to ministry after other employment,” the Bishop said.

“These simple facts are immensely significant. They speak of a rapidity of turnover amongst incumbents, fluidity of life in the ordained ministry, much shorter periods of service in Holy Orders, declining numbers of candidates for full time (stipendiary) ministry, and an accelerating rate of change in parish life. All of this already impacts severely upon the availability of stipendiary clergy to staff parishes.”

The average time served in incumbencies is decreasing and there are fewer clergy eligible for appointment, the Bishop said, adding that parishes now remained vacant for longer and the workload of archdeacons and rural deans is growing.

“Without the hard work and commitment of retired clergy the task of maintaining pastoral care in vacant parishes would be unsustainable,” he said.

“Let us not pretend that we can any longer ignore the gravity of the situation. The Connor Strategy for Mission and Ministry has been specifically devised by the Diocesan Council over a period of more than two years to tackle some of the major challenges set out above. I want to commend that strategy to you and to seek support for it.”

Bishop Harper said the burdens placed upon clergy should be made more equal, outling a proposal that the diocese should have three archdeacons with each archdeacon responsible for three deaneries.

Rector

The Rev. Stephen A Fielding B.Sc., B.Th., M.A.

The Vicarage, 926 Antrim Road, Templepatrick, Co.Antrim,

BT39 0AT

(028 9443 2300    E-mail: templepatrick@connor.anglican.org

CHURCH OFFICE BEARERS

Rector's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's)
Mr S. McCollam, Nutts Corner

People's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's)
Mrs A Millar, Templepatrick

Rector's Churchwarden:(St.John's)
Miss Y.Hutchinson, Doagh

People's Churchwarden:(St.John's)
Mrs M Bell, N'abbey

Rector's Glebewarden:Mr D Mawhinney, Dunadry

People's Glebewarden:
Mr M Cooke, Dunadry

Supplemental Glebewarden:
Mr S Clendinning, Templepatrick

Select Vestry: (Meets 2nd Monday in month at 8.00 pm)
Mrs R.Barnes, Mrs M Bell, Mr H Cinnamon, Mr S Clendinning, Mrs M Coe,
Mr M Cooke, Mrs Y Hutchinson, Mr C Lundy, Mr D Mawhinney,
Mr P McCausland, Mrs I McCollam, Mr S McCollam, Mr T Michael,
Mrs A MIllar, Mr R Montgomery, Mr N Shirley, Mr A Walbridge,
Mrs M Walbridge

Parish Diocesan Synodsmen:
Mr E Cinnamon, Mr H Cinnamon

Diocesan Synodsmen:
Mrs M Bell, Mr R Montgomery

Honorary Secretary:
Mrs M Bell, Newtownabbey

Honorary Treasurer:
Mr N Shirley, Templepatrick

Honorary F.W.O. Recorder and Envelope Secretary:
Mrs I McCollam, Templepatrick

Covenant Secretary:
Mrs P. MacKean, Antrim

PARISH PANEL:-
The Rector; Mrs M Bell; Mr S Clendinning; Mr M Cooke

Parish Organisations and their Leaders:-

Choir Practices on Thursdays at 8pm.

St Patrick's Organist and Choirmistress Mrs D.Martin, Parkgate

St John's Organist and Choirmaster Mr R Thompson

Sunday School Coordinators: Mrs G McCoy, Mr B McMeekin. Leaders: Mrs V Brady, Mrs D Gaffney. Helpers: Miss C Lucas, Miss S McCollam..

Crèche (Sundays) Mrs Judith Collister, Mrs Julie-Ann LoganFielding

Youth Group Mrs Valerie Brady

Sacristan: Mrs R Barnes

Hall Secretary: Mrs I McCollam

CofI Gazette Secretary: Mrs M McConnell

Bible Study Notes Secretary: Mrs D Lucas

Christian Aid Secretary Mrs L Lynas

Parish Webmaster Mr Alan Walbridge

Magazine Production Mrs Gail McCoy

Pre-service Coffee rota organiser Mrs A Millar

Youth Organisations

Choir Practices on Thursdays at 8pm

Rainbow Guides (4-7 years): Tuesday 2.15-3.15pm
Mrs D Reid

Brownies (7-10 years): Wednesdays 6.00-7.30pm
Miss Elaine Lamont, Mrs A Millar

Guides (10-14 years): Wednesdays 7.30-9.00pm
Mrs Ann Forsythe

Squirrels (4-6 years): Thursdays 4-5pm
Mrs C Michael

Beavers (6-8 years): Mondays 6.30-7.30pm
Miss K Shirley

Cub Scouts (8-10years): Tuesdays 6.45-8.00 pm
Mr Alan Martin

Scouts (10+ years): Mrs Kim Gleave

Parents and Toddlers Group Wednesdays 10.30am-12pm Mrs Hayley Cunningham

Adult Organisations

Choir Practices on Thursdays at 8pm

Indoor Bowling Club : Fridays 7.30pm
Secretary: Mrs I McCollam

Ladies Fellowship 3rd Tuesday in the month, 8pm. Secretary:Mrs A Kerr

Parish Ramblers meet occasionally

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Mothering Sunday      Lent 4

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Fifth Sunday in Lent    Passiontide begins

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Becoming a Registered Vestrymember

Notice is hereby given that the Register of General Vestrymen is open for revision from Sunday 28th January until Sunday 4th February, 2007.

Persons wishing to qualify as Registered Vestrymembers should complete the necessary form, available from a Churchwarden, and return it to the Churchwarden(s) NOT LATER THAN 12th February, 2006.

Forms of Declaration may be had, upon request, from the Churchwardens.

Persons already registered do not need to re-register. Please check the existing list of Registered Vestrymen in the church porch if you are in any doubt.

Revision will be completed and the list closed by the Select Vestry at its meeting on Monday 12th February 2006 in the Minor Hall at 8.00pm.

Signed: Stephen Fielding
Rector

To qualify you must be:

• A member of the Church of Ireland
• Over 18 years old
• A parishioner or accustomed member - (and not on any other parish register of vestrymembers)
• A Subscriber to Church funds

Registering your name on the Register of Vestrymembers entitles you to be elected to the Select Vestry and to a vote at the Easter AGM when, from among the members, the Select Vestry is elected for another year. Registering does not mean that you will automatically be a member of the Select Vestry, which meets monthly and whose terms of reference are furnishings, fabric and finance. Your presence at this meeting is valued and expresses your support for the Select Vestry’s work throughout the year.

Technology - Phishing & Pharming

Phishing may sound like an enjoyable countryside pursuit, but don't be fooled by the cute name. Phishing attacks are those that use spoofed emails and fraudulent websites to trick people into giving out personal financial data. Phishers hijack brand names of banks, web retailers and credit card companies and send emails that ask the recipient to click on a link to update their details on a fake website.

Since the instructions to create the opening page of your banks website are sent out every time somebody logs on to it, it is a trivial matter to recreate a site that looks identical to your bank’s. When you click on a link in an email you are simply clicking on a button, what the button actually does need not relate to what is written on the button. Most browsers will now check that what is written on the button or hyperlink is the same place as you are being sent. So you click on a link that looks like it will connect you to your bank and you arrive at a site that looks like your bank – and then you start typing in passwords!

The damage caused by phishing can be anything from not being able to access your email to losing all the money in your bank account. All they need to do this is to have your personal information that you use for authentication purposes. When you reveal this to these phishing sites, they get your personal secret information and can handle it any way they want. They might even prevent you from accessing your own accounts.

The bait that the phisher has used could well be an email telling you that there has been a suspicious looking withdrawal from your account and asks you to contact them.

How can you avoid being caught?

• Remember that it is highly unlikely that a company will have lost your account information.
• Always remember that banks will never write to you asking for your password or any other sensitive information by email.
• If you receive a dubious email do not click on links or attachments and contact a bank or company immediately. Always type the bank or company's address in yourself, but read the next section about pharming.
• Check there's been no fraudulent activity on your account by checking it when it arrives, or raising a query if it is late.
• Phishing emails often contain grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.

Pharming

Phishing is to pharming what someone with a rod and a reel is to a Russian trawler. Phishers have to approach their targets one by one. Pharmers can scoop up many victims in a single pass.

The problem is due to the way the Internet works. When it was designed it was to enable the transfer of information between academics, who probably knew each other. It was not designed to run a secure worldwide financial operation.

Every website on the Internet has a unique address (IP address) that is a series of digits such as 140.254.85.2, similar to a telephone number with its country code, exchange code and number. But not many would know the IP address of any but a few sites. We rely on what are effectively telephone directories. When you type in the name of a website, e.g. amazon.co.uk, your computer automatically looks it up in the directory to find its IP address; just as you convert surnames to telephone numbers with your telephone directories. The “telephone directories” of the Internet are called DNS (Domain Network Service) Servers. With the continual creation of sites around the world these directories are usually updated every four hours.

As you can imagine “directory enquiries” is kept very busy, so to speed things up, when you visit a website, Windows XP places the DNS information about that site into a DNS file on your PC.

Similar to your having a list of useful numbers written down somewhere. So what is the problem?

Imagine that someone broke into your house and changed Aunt Maud’s number in your personal directory to that of Pharmer George. Every time you tried to phone Aunt Maud you would look up her number, dial it in but connect to Pharmer George. On your computer you would type in the correct Internet address for your bank but be connected to a fake website. This fake website, having the same look and feel of the original website, can be used to "phish" or steal a computer user's passwords, PIN number or account number.

Whilst this would only affect your computer imagine the consequences if the DNS Servers were attacked. Every attempt to connect to say amazon.co.uk could lead to a connection to ripoff.com. Every internet request has to go through a DNS server, and malicious hackers realized a long time ago the profit potential in hacking DNS records. This is such a major problem that the DNS Servers are well protected, unlike your machine.

So what can you do?

Some places to seek help are:

Bank Safe Online (www.banksafeonline.org.uk) is the UK banking industry's website for helping online banking customers stay safe online. You can also forward suspect scam emails.

( www.antiphishing.org/consumer_recs.html ) has advice on spotting phishing and pharming emails and invites you to report suspect messages.

If you take sensible precautions you should really have nothing to worry about.

Alan

Puzzle