Finally major restoration work on St John’s has begun. At present inside it is an empty shell with scaffolding surrounding the tower and spire. It will take some months to complete. In the mean time I would ask you to come along and support if you can the various fund raising activities organised by the Restoration Committee and which are planned for the summer, among them an evening at Coleman’s Garden Centre. Details of these can be found in the section, Donegore Restoration News further on in this issue. Please make a date in your diary.

For nearly half a decade now our Province has been affected by the controversy and violence that has surrounded the Drumcree stand off. As July nears there is a noticeable tension in the air as the prospect of more trouble, bad feeling and disagreement looms.

As a church committed to peace and reconciliation among all Christians let us remember in our prayers at this time our land, its people, the security forces, all peace keepers and peacemakers, the communities and individuals involved in negotiations and pray that there may be a resolution to this conflict and a settlement for the sake of peace.

During July and August the Wednesday morning service of Holy Communion with intercession for the sick will stop and resume again in September. Many of those who attend, and the numbers are increasing, have said how much they value this quiet time in the middle of the week and the opportunity to say their prayers for sick friends and relatives. There is a very tangible atmosphere of prayer which pervades our celebration on that day. Do come along in September and join in the fellowship.We always delight in seeing new faces.

May I take this opportunity to wish all of you who are going away to holiday elsewhere a safe journey there and back and to all parishioners a relaxing, refreshing and peaceful summer.

We welcome the Committee elected and we are looking forward to the start of the new season in September, 1999. All new comers will be most welcome.

On Saturday 21st August 1999, the Bowling Club and Friends will travel by Coach to Dunluce Outdoor Bowling Club for a few hours bowling with a meal to follow afterwards in a local hotel.

Thank you to all members who supported the Fellowship throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming any new faces in September!

On the 20h June the choir sang at Evening Prayer in Gartree Parish Church on the shores of Lough Neagh. The service is an annual Summer Festival, attended by many friends of the congregation and people associated with Langford Engineering Works. Many appreciative comments were heard afterwards, both about the singing and the robes.

During the summer months our members are fewer than usual, but I know that members are present unless on a holiday and I greatly appreciate all the help and support of the choir.

Mildred

April 25th 1999 - Adam Jonathan Aitcheson, Templepatrick.

May 30th 1999 - Naomi Ruth Martin, Parkgate.

We are fortunate in having further grant assistance from The Pilgrim Trust, The Esmé Mitchell Fund and The Beresford Fund. This is all thanks to Margaret Bell’s tireless form filling and answering of queries. However there is still plenty left for the Parish to raise.

A Finance Sub-Committee of the Select Vestry has been constituted to examine ways in which to go about raising funds for the restoration of St John’s and to increase giving to general Church funds. You will hearing more from them in the early autumn and about the proposed Gift Day for St John’s in October.

Rector's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's) Mr S Laird, Crumlin.

People's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's) Mr S McCollam, Crumlin

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

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

Rector's Glebewarden:Mr R Barnes, Dunadry

People's Glebewarden: Mr S Clendinning,Templepatrick

Select Vestry: Mrs R.Barnes,Mrs M Bell, Mrs M.Coe,Mr M.Cooke,Mr J. Dobbs,Mr J.Jones,Mr P.Kinkead,Mr C Lundy,Mr D. Mawhinney,Mr T.Michael,Mrs I.McCollam,Mr N.Shirley.

Diocesan Synodsmen: Mr E.Cinnamon,Mr H.Cinnamon

Honorary Secretary: Mrs M.Bell, Newtownabbey

Honorary Treasurer: Mr N.Shirley, Templepatrick

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

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

Organist and Choirmistress Mrs M.Irvine, Ballyclare

Sunday School Coordinators: Mrs V.Brady;Mr B.McMeekin. Leaders: Mrs D.Gaffney,Miss J Erskine,Mrs G.McCoy, Mrs A McMorran.

Crèche (Sundays) D.Martin, W.Brolly

Choir Practices on Thursdays at 8pm

Rainbow Guides (4-7 years): Tuesday 3-4pm Mrs C.Gregory

Brownies (7-10 years): Wednesdays 4.30-6pm Mrs H.Johnston

Guides (10-14 years): Wednesdays 7-8.30pm Mrs E.McConnaughie

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

Beavers (6-8 years): Mondays 6.30-7.30pm Mrs C.Michael

Cub Scouts (8-10years): Tuesdays 6.45-7.45pm Mrs D.Berry

Scouts (10+ years): Tuesdays 745-9pm Mr R.Barnes

Parents and Toddlers Group Wednesdays 10.30am-12pm Ramona Geddis

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 Jones

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Sacristan: Mrs R.Barnes

Hall Secretary: Mrs I.McCollam

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Secretary: Mr M. Cooke

The Corrymeela Centre was founded in 1965. The first leader was the Rev. Ray Davey followed by the Rev. John Morrow. The present leader is the Rev. Trevor Williams.

There are 180 members of the community scattered all over Ireland and beyond. They carry on with the work of Corrymeela wherever they work or live. Throughout Ireland there is a network of more than 1000 ‘Friends of Corrymeela’ and several local support groups for study, worship, mutual support and fellowship. Groups sometimes become involved in local projects in response to Christ’s call to Christians to be peacemakers.

Corrymeela operates in three centres: Ballycastle; Knocklayd and Belfast. The new house in Ballycastle was dedicated by HRH The Prince of Wales in June 1998. The Ballycastle/ Knocklayd centres welcome around 7,000 men, women and children for short residential stays each year. They come from church, school, community, youth and family groups. Christian education programmes explore the connections between Christian faith and contemporary social and political issues, encouraging understanding of different church traditions. Corrymeela believes that reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel.

The centres are operated by a combination of long term staff and short term volunteers. Each year 12 young volunteers are chosen to work on the Ballycastle site. They come from Northern Ireland, Ireland, other parts of the U.K. and all over the world..

The visiting group from the Parish was shown round the stub by Mary-Ann and Chris Busch, mature volunteers from the U.S.A. coming to the end of a busy successful year working as facilitators.