Dear Friends,

With the great fifty days of Easter well behind us we now look forward to a time for 'ordinary ' Sundays of the year. The colour of the season is green symbolising growth. Whilst all around us plants and herbs, grass, hedges and shrubs are in full shoot we too turn our moments into ones of re-creation and refreshment with the forthcoming annual holiday time.

It is a time for personal growth too. The summer is always a time to reflect and take things easier when the opportunity allows and those of us who are fortunate to have holidays to take enjoy the change of scenery and pace for a time. Someone recently said, "you should always reinvent yourself every four years". Now there's a challenge to most of us! For instance, taking time away, 'time out'. This can be at any time of the year, on holiday or on retreat, at the beginning of the day, to reflect on how you have moved on, changed in the past while, and on where you might go from here. It may mean training for a skill that is useful to your parish. It may mean committing yourself to a voluntary position, even for a while, it may enrich your life. It may mean reading those books you bought some time ago and lie dormant on the bookshelf, and every time you pass them they scream 'read me'.

All in all it will probably mean change to your routine and spicing up your daily round. But all of these things, whatever furrow you wish to drive, if any, will inevitably mean that we are changed some way because of that experience.

These tasks or challenges we set ourselves, big or small can be looked on as opportunities for enrichment of life and personal growth, rather than problems to be overcome. Life experiences do affect us as people and have a bearing on our unique spiritualities.

It is also worth remembering that as Creator, God has a place in every life-forming moment. God constantly draws us to himself. God is in the world reconciling the world to himself and so whatever we chose to do in the next few months is already sanctified by the divine presence in his creation. Recognition of this fact will undoubtedly make the day, event and moment a holy one for us. Our worship and our work is blessed by this awareness.

My hope this summer is that in spite of the dark cloud of the Drumcree situation or whatever else may befall us, we will begin to see more clearly the divine aspect in all the trials and tribulations that we may encounter. There will no doubt be many pleasant and happy experiences too. These are occasions for discerning the divine and giving thanks also.

Your prayer is asked at this time for all who are caught up in the recurrent situation centred around the Church of Ireland Parish Church at Drumcree. Please use the enclosed card as a daily prayer.

In Christ,
Stephen Fielding

Bowling Club
We had our AGM on Friday 4th May, in the Parish Hall with a good turn out of members, followed by the presentation of Prizes and supper.

We welcome the Committee elected and look forward to the start of the new season on Friday 7th September at 7.30pm

Newcomers would be made very welcome, come along even if you have never bowled before.

On Saturday 11th August, members of the Bowling Club and friends will travel by coach to Dunluce Bowling Club, Bushmills, for a few hours of bowling followed by a meal at a local hotel.

Isobel McCollam (Hon. Sec.)

St. John's Restoration News

Since the last edition of the Parish Magazine, three significant fund-raising events have taken place which have led to a rapid reduction in the amount of monies outstanding.

Mr Stanley Clendinning and his team are to be congratulated for the efforts they put into ensure a smooth running, enjoyable and highly beneficial auction.

Mrs Isobel McCollam and her many helpers gave us an entertaining and testing evening while Catherine and Trevor Michael and friends worked tirelessly to provide a wonderful evening of music and refreshment.

Our sincere thanks go to them all as their hard work and commitment leaves less than £13 000 to be found.

In recent years we have run to events each summer. These have always proved popular so we hope you will join us again this year at Coleman's Garden Centre (Date to be confirmed) for our summer evening event and for a Treasure Hunt to be held at the end of August. Further details of these events will be advertised nearer the time. We hope you can join us.

Christopher Lundy (Chairperson)

.Gail & Emma

Ladies Fellowship

Members and friends enjoyed a visit to St Columb's Cathedral, Londonderry on Saturday 19th May. Afterwards an excellent high tea was provided by members of Circular Road Presbyterian Church, Castlerock.

This outing ended our programme for the year.

Our first meeting for 2001/2002 will be an opening service in St Patrick's Church on Tuesday 18th September at 8.00pm, followed by supper in the Church Rooms. New members will be very welcome to come along to any of our meetings through the year.

Wishing everyone a pleasant summer break.

Leah Lynas (Hon.Sec.)

6 Days in Sweden- May 2001

Ten members of the Parish - the Rector, myself and Jill, The McCollams (Jnr), The Sheldons, Mavis Coe, Yvonne Hutchinson and Brian McMeekin took part in the Parish trip to our sister parish of Vastervik, about 200 miles south of Stockholm.

Most of us spent two days in Stockholm first, which I personally feel is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. We were blessed with largely good weather, which enabled us to take in the sites and to enjoy the contrast between the old and new parts of the city. We then travelled down to Vastervik by coach/car and joined our host families who, without exception, looked after us most kindly and had arranged a full, yet relaxed, itinerary for us. The boat trip in the Archipelago on Saturday morning had to be abandoned due to the weather, but almost as soon as we had re-docked the sun appeared, ensuring an enjoyable tour of the town's museum. We then had a wonderful lunch at a lakeside restaurant followed by a walking tour of the town itself, led by the wife of a minister (in the Swedish Government, that is!).

Their most modern church (of four!) was the location for evensong which included a tremendous guitarist whom helped us to feel at home by playing a couple of 'Irish' pieces. Dinner, which was very well-supported, followed at the local golf club (sadly, my clubs were at home).

The main service on Sunday morning included the confirmation of around 40 youngsters, all dressed in white gowns and all of whom participated in playlets covering Christian charity and morality in real-life situations. We may not have understood many of the words but we got the message! The afternoon and evening were spent with our host families and we returned to Stockholm on the Monday morning via a magnificent cathedral and a Swedish crystal shop or two!

We have invited a party from their parish to visit us next year, probably in late Spring and I hope that you will join me in making them feel as welcome as they did us. My thanks go to all who joined us on the trip - I hope that others will have the chance in the future.

Stephen Laird
(Link Parish Representative)

Calendar of Services July - Sept 2001

Matins

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

First Reading
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

First Reading
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

First Reading
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Matins

RCL
Full texts
available

First Reading
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

First Reading
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

First Reading
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts
available

First Reading
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

All Age Worship

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Sirach 10 or Proverbs 25: 6-7
112
Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16
Luke 14: 1, 7-14

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

Amos 6: 1a, 4-7
146
1 Timothy 6: 6-19
Luke 16: 19-31

Communion Rota

From the Registers

HOLY BAPTISM
'He took them in his arms and blessed them'

13th May 2001, in St Patrick's, Templepatrick,
Hannah Frances,
daughter of Terry & June Moore

20th May 2001, in St Patrick's, Templepatrick,
Sarah Clare,
daughter of Stephen & Julia Fielding

24th June 2001, in St Patrick's, Templepatrick,
Sophie Jane,
daughter of David & Clare Clarke

SPCK Worldwide

Filling empty cups...

The elderly LandRover bumped over the pot-holed road, taking its cargo of sweating humanity to a service in the interior of Bangladesh. Dust rose and hung in the air, adding to the stifling conditions. Joyful singing emanating from the back tailed off as the vehicle lurched to a stop. We'd arrived.

As the hot and dishevelled passengers tumbled out, the large crowd of worshippers who had already arrived surrounded them. The priest, Saurabh Pholia, Dean of Rajshahi, was swept off to the little church and within minutes the service of Holy Communion was in full swing. During the sermon, given at length in Santali, the language of these tribal people, one could have heard a pin drop, so eagerly did they all hang on to his words.

On the way back to town Saurabh said to a visitor from SPCK Worldwide, "Sometimes I feel I have nothing left to give my people. How can an empty jug fill someone else's cup? I have no books to help me prepare my sermons. "

Although Saurabh was fortunate enough to study theology in Calcutta and in Britain, he was unable to purchase many books for his own personal library. For people like him, who earn the equivalent of £50 a month, it is difficult enough to support one's family, never mind purchase books.

SPCK Worldwide is doing Its best to ensure that there are fewer Saurablis' in future. Through its seed-corn grants, prayer and hymnbooks In the vernacular are being produced, ordinands are given essential textbooks to help with their studies and future ministry, and many other Christian literature projects are being supported. However, we need the support of parishes and individuals to ensure that people like Saurabh have something to give their people, to help them 'to fill the cups of others'.

For more information please write to us at:
SPCK Worldwide, Holy Trinity Church,
Marylebone Road, London NWI 4DU

Or telephone us on: 020 7643 0345
Or e-mail us at: spckww@spek.org.uk

The Internet - Parish Web Pages
www.templepatrick.connor.anglican.org

The server that hosts our Parish site has only crashed once since the last Magazine. Nobody's fault, it just happens from time to time. The more you use computers the more you become used to their crashing. If it happens on your own machine don't panic; just recover the files from the backup you recently made! Of course you intended to, and for the next few weeks will meticulously create backups on a regular basis. It is similar as having been stopped for speeding; for the next short while you ensure that you do everything that you should.

But now is the time for some of us to be thinking of holidays and journeys to distant unknown places. However why go unprepared. The tourist board of most countries has a website where you will be able to find out about the country you are travelling to. Just try typing tourist board in your search engine.You may even be able to find the exact town and see what facilities exist and what events are happening during your stay. Did you know that a tour of local flora left from the Library every Thursday at 9.30am? Did you forget to bring your dancing shoes because you didn't realise that the village had a dance every Friday?

You may even be able to find your hotel and see if you need to take that hairdryer or is there one in every room?

And what about injections? Which are recommended for the part of the world you are travelling to and how much in advance of your trip do you need to have them? http://www.inspectorsonline.co.uk/Vaccinations.htm

The currency rate would be useful and you can always print out a little table to help you realise what things are really costing.
http://www.xe.net/ucc/
http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet

Of course it would help to know a few phrases in the native tongue. So why not learn some essential ones from the Web? http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/languages/index.shtml The links above will start your search for answers to some of the above. It would of course be sensible to do most of the above before booking a destination, as sensible as making backups before that crash.

Alan Walbridge
alan@walbridge.co.uk

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:-

The Rev. S A Fielding, Templepatrick
Mrs M Bell, Glengormley
Mr S Clendinning, Templepatrick
Mr M Cooke, Dunadry

An annual seminar about Safeguarding Trust will take place in the autumn. Details will follow to leaders.

CHURCH OFFICE BEARERS

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

People's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's) Mrs D Lucas, Nutts Corner

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 R Barnes, Dunadry

People's Glebewarden: Mr S Clendinning,Templepatrick

Select Vestry: Mrs R.Barnes, Mrs M Bell, Mr H Cinnamon, Mrs M Coe, Mr M Cooke, Mr J Jones, Mr S Laird,
Mr C Lundy, Mr D Mawhinney, Mr T Michael, Mr S McCollam, Mrs I McCollam, Mr B McMeekin, 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

Covenant Secretary: Mrs P. MacKean, Loughanmore

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

DONEGORE RESTORATION COMMITTEE:

Secretary: Mr M. Cooke

Parish Organisations and their Leaders:-

Choir Practices on Thursdays at 8pm.

Organist and Choirmistress Mrs M.Irvine, The Rectory, Killead

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

Crèche (Sundays) D.Martin, W.Brolly

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 L Lynas

Youth Organisations

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 A Tinsley

Cub Scouts (8-10years): Tuesdays 6.45-7.45pm
Mr P Lawther

Scouts (10+ years): Tuesdays 7.45-9pm
Mr A Cunningham & Mr T Finn

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

Sacristan: Mrs R Barnes

Hall Secretary: Mrs I McCollam

C of I Gazette Secretary: Mrs M McConnell

Christian Aid Secretary: Mrs L Lynas

CAN YOU FIND SIXTEEN BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ?

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible (merely by fluke). It kept people looking so hard for the facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not Capitalised. But now the truth finally struck home to the numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really difficult ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them. There will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are sixteen names of the Bible hidden in this paragraph. One preacher found fifteen books in twenty minutes - but it took him three weeks to find the sixteenth one.