Dear Parishioners,

As I sit (not for long I'm sure!) and write this we are in the second last week of the church's year. The church year begins on Advent Sunday 1st December and this will be marked at our services with the lighting of the Advent wreath and with an annual Advent Carol Service at 7.30p.m featuring special music and lessons around advent themes.

The last Sunday of the church's year used to be called 'stir up' Sunday because of the beautiful collect of the day which goes:
"Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people;
that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

It is a call of course to wake up, to prepare for the coming of Jesus, for change, to get ready. Symbolically we prepare for the coming of Christ on Christmas Day by getting ready domestically to celebrate and many 'things' have to be done by then - it's a time of busyness. But we all know that the season speaks to us at a more fundamental level, that it calls for our personal response and preparation for the coming of Jesus. A Jesus who is not just a memory of the past but a present reality, and who is the ground of our being as God. Christmas is about the birth of Christ in us today and everyday. We sing during Advent:
"Prepare we in our hearts a home where such a mighty guest may come."

Yours sincerely, with warmest Christmas greetings. May we have a joyous, blessed and peaceful Christmas together at our Churches in the Parish.

Yours sincerely,
Stephen Fielding

The magazine starts a new volume with this issue. After a decision to produce it five times a year instead of the usual four it makes sense to start a new volume at the start of the church's year with the December.

T'Ed

Bowling Club
Once again the Bowling Club has started the new season with a good turn out of members, bowling on a Friday evening from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm and Monday evening from 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm.

In September 23 members and friends enjoyed a 5-day break to Westport, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

We are now looking forward to our first visit of the season to the Baker Stadium.

On December 10th, 40 members and friends will have a meal in the Templeton Hotel, afterwards travel by coach to the Waterfront for a nights entertainment by Charlie Landsborough.

Once again we would welcome new members to come along and join the fun and games.

Isobel McCollam (Hon. Sec.)

St. John's Restoration News

I begin this season's notes with the sad news in October of the death of Mr Rodney Coleman. Since the inception of the Restoration Appeal, Mr Coleman generously supported our efforts. On numerous occasions, not only were we offered the use of Coleman's Nursery as a venue for functions, but notification of the events was mailed to Nursery customers, with 'Colemans' sponsoring many ballot prizes. The Parish is greatly indebted to Mr Coleman and we extend our deepest sympathy to the Coleman family circle.

Since the last edition of the Magazine, the £8,000 deficit has been reduced to £7,000, thanks mainly to the tremendous response to the Harvest Appeal.

As for next year, consideration is being given to the staging of a Summer Fete in June. The Fete is still at an early stage of planning, but we would hope it will be a day for everyone to come along and enjoy. If you have any suggestions or ideas for the Fete, or are able to offer any help, please contact any member of the Select Vestry.

A merry Christmas and happy and peaceful New Year to you all.

Christopher Lundy (Chairman)

Communion Rota

Choir Notes

Weekly choir practices recommenced in September just in time for the harvest festivals in Donegore and Templepatrick. Both went well, under the expert directions of our hardworking organist and choir mistress, Mrs Mildred Irvine.

We are always pleased to do special services at Donegore, where Mrs Mackean continues valiantly to lead the singing on her own since Mrs Dawkins left for the quieter lanes of the English South.

Sadly, England has now also claimed young Milo, Pat's grandson, who was a very welcome boy soprano and proud wearer of the smallest cassock and surplice in the choir wardrobe. These now hang forlornly in the choir room waiting to be claimed by some of the many children in the parish. Being a fun-loving bunch, we had a party for Milo and presented him with the Tolkien video, which had just been newly issued that week.

With Remembrance Day over we start preparing for Christmas, and hope that Neil will be able to take time off from choral duties at St Andrews to lend us much needed support for the carol services.

Weekly live performances by a four-part choir are now even more rare than when I last wrote Choir Notes. We hear of more and more parishes resorting to unison and 'piped' music. We know there is lots of musical talent within this parish and new members would be welcomed. No one is required to sing solo unless he or she wishes to do so! The choir practises weekly during school terms on Thursday evenings from 8.00 to 9.00 pm.

Helen Sheldon

Ladies Fellowship

The Ladies Fellowship commenced their new session with a service of Holy Communion followed by supper in the Church Rooms on Tuesday September 17.

We had our evening with ‘Traidcraft’ on Tuesday October 15 which proved to be very informative and enjoyable, even though our numbers were few for that evening.

Tuesday November 19 was the concert by Glengormley Methodist Youth Choir. We couldn’t help but be impressed by the talent and enthusiasm of these young people - a happy musical evening! Thank you to all who supported this venture.

Dates for your diary:-

All our welcome to join us for our January/ February meetings.

Susan White (Hon.Sec.)

St. Patrick's Rotas

Intercessor Rota for Parish Eucharist

Communion Rota

Cleaning Rota

Flower Rota

"Jesus is happy to come with us, as truth is happy to be spoken, as life to be lived, as light to be lit, as love is to be loved, as joy to be given, as peace to be spread."

Saint Francis of Assisi

News from the wider Anglican world ….

The Archbishop of Canterbury will have rich and varied ministry.

When the Most Revd Rowan Williams is enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday 27 February 2003, as the 104th archbishop in St Augustine's succession, he will have a rich and varied ministry unlike few bishops in the Anglican Communion.
Dr Williams will be bishop of the Canterbury diocese. In that position under a decision taken in 1978, he will delegate many of his duties to the suffragan Bishop of Dover, but he will remain bishop of the diocese of Canterbury with ultimate pastoral authority.

He will also become metropolitan for the Southern Province (the Northern Province is York). In this role he will confirm the elections of diocesan bishops and be the principal consecrator of every bishop in the Southern Province. He will chair the Crown Appointments Commission, which is responsible for submitting two names to the Prime Minister for any vacant diocesan bishopric in the Church of England, and he will preside at the meeting considering vacancies in his own province.
Overseas clergy must have permission from the Archbishop before they can be licensed to any appointment by a diocesan bishop in his province. The Archbishop of Canterbury, acting with the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates, also has certain responsibilities for deciding whether a particular overseas church is in communion with the Church of England.
The titles of the two Archbishops have been distinguished since the 14th century with the Archbishop of Canterbury known as "Primate of All England" and the Archbishop of York as "Primate of England".

As Primate of All England Dr Williams has the right of crowning the Kings and Queens of England. He will be responsible for the Coronation Service and he will administer the oaths as required under the Coronation Oaths Act of 1688.
By virtue of office, though not a peer, he will be a Lord of Parliament with a seat in the House of Lords.
He also will confer the Lambeth Degrees to persons of notable contribution to humanity.

Dr Williams will be the President of the Anglican Communion and as such he will be looked upon as the spiritual leader of more than 75 million Anglicans around the world. In that capacity he will visit the provinces of the Anglican Communion as a pastor, leader and ecumenical ambassador. His predecessor, Dr George Carey, visited some 90 countries and it is expected that Dr Williams will follow the same lead.

In the Anglican Communion the Archbishop will preside at the Anglican Consultative Council, established in 1968, the Lambeth Conference of Bishops every 10 years (first conference was called in 1867, the latest in 1998) and the Primates' Meeting which recently has been meeting annually. The Primates' Meeting brings together the leaders of autonomous Anglican churches around the world.

"Looking at Archbishop Rowan's enormous task and the importance of his mission and ministry, we must pray daily for him so he can be an effective instrument of God in the world today," said Canon Peterson.

[This release is based on information contained in "To Lead and to Serve", the report of the review of the See of Canterbury (2001) - see ACNS 2618]

Divine Healing Ministries is an interdenominational ministry, founded in 1992 to pray for the healing of individuals and of our land. Its director Brother David Jardine and deputy director Sister Margaret McStay. Prayer for healing is offered weekly at four different venues in Belfast:-

• St Anne's Cathedral on Mondays at 8 pm.
• St Finnian's Church, Cregagh on Tuesdays at 8 pm.
• St Peter's Cathedral, Falls Road, on Tuesdays (10.30 am - 12 noon)
• St George's High Street (near the Albert Clock) Holy Communion, prayer and the laying-on of hands and anointing with oil on Mondays at 1 pm.

Swedish Link News

Following a recent visit by clergy and laypersons representing our link parish's diocese of Linkoping to meet with our people, it was agreed to continue the link for a further two years at a diocesan level. In anticipation of this agreement, we were invited to send a return party to Västerviik next Spring. As I write, it is unclear as to whether or not there will be enough support from within the parish to make a trip worthwhile.

I believe that we can continue to learn a great deal from others in the World-wide Anglican Communion and so, if interest in the Swedish Link is waning, perhaps we should consider an alternative. Please give it some thought and let me have your suggestions - my e-mail address is lairdfp@aol.com.

Steve Laird

Nthing can sepR8 uz frm Gds lv. Dth cant & lfe cant, angls cant & dmns cant. Worries 4 2day & 2mrO cant - evn da powZ of hll cant kp hz love away.
Rms 8:39-39

God,brilnt Lrd. evry1 nos ur name. nursin infnts gurgle bout u. todlers shout songs, drown out NME babble. i look@ur skies&marvel. ur name echoes rnd the wrld.
Ps8

j:.(
Jn11:35 ('Jesus wept')

Gd wife: who can find 1? AbleBabe,Can,Duz.Erly Fud Giver.Holy In2 Jah.Knits.Lamp Must Not Out.Purple Quilts. Rich. Spins. Talents. UnaVailable. Wise,Xtra Ys. Zealous.
Proverbs 31

All the above from a biblical text message competition run by Ship-of-Fools , the magazine of christian unrest. See www.ship-of-fools.com for more humour and fun.

Jo Jingles

For pre-school children

Winter/Spring Term
Term starts Thursday 9th Jan 2003
Mid Term Break Thursday 20th February 2003
Terms ends Thursday 10th April 2003

Classes will be held in the Minor Hall of Templepatrick Parish Hall, Old Coach Road
from 9:45am - 10.30am and 10:45am-11.30am

From the Registers

Holy Baptism
"He took them in his arms and blessed them."

St Patrick's
Stephanie Louise, daughter of Tony and Kathy Gordon, 13th October 2002.

St John's
Julia Aruna, daughter of Nicola and Arun Kumar, 25th August 2002.

Holy Matrimony
"What God has joined together let no-one put asunder."

St John's
Mark Knowles Bonar and Julie Helen McKinstry, Newtownabbey, 11th October 2002

Roger Michael Drumm and Linda Marie Downey, Antrim, 15th November 2002.

Rector

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

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. Clendenning, Templepatrick

People's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's)
Mrs M. Walbridge, 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 R Barnes, Dunadry

People's Glebewarden:
Mr S M Cooke, Dunadry

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

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

Parish Organisations and their Leaders:-

Choir Practices on Thursdays at 8pm.

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

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

Youth Organisations

Choir Practices on Thursdays at 8pm

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

Brownies (7-10 years): Wednesdays 6.00-7.30pm
Miss Elaine McConnaghie

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
Mrs C Michael

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

Scouts (10+ years): Contact Mrs C Michael (GSL)

Parents and Toddlers Group Wednesdays 10.30am-12pm Jayne Russell

Sacristan: Mrs R Barnes

Hall Secretary: Mrs I McCollam

CofI Gazette Secretary: Mrs M McConnell

DONEGORE RESTORATION COMMITTEE:

Secretary: Mr M. Cooke

Christian Aid Secretary Mrs L Lynas

Parish Webmaster Mr Alan Walbridge

Advent Carol Service

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Pre-ChristmasAll Age Worship &
Gift Service

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Parish Eucharist

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Matins

Service of Lessons & Carols for Christmas

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

Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3
148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:15-22 or Luke 2:22-40

RCL

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

Isaiah 60:1-6
72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

RCL
Full texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Part texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Part texts
available

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle
Gospel

RCL
Full texts available

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:-

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

Church Gates

Thanks to all who helped with the removal, refurbishing and replacement of the Church gates. The following excerpt has been brought to my attention.
It may be of some interest to you, as the same man, John Rowan, made our own Church gates. Look at the inscription on them next time you enter!

An entry taken from the "History of the Parish of Kilbride" by Rev R Cox.

Any reference to Doagh would be incomplete without some mention of its one time famous foundry, which was established by Mr John Rowan. This foundry was noted for the durability of its products as can be seen from the large number of field gates in the district. Probably the most notable local gates made in Mr Rowan's foundry are those at the entrance to Fisherwick House, to Mr Ivan McMeekin's house and to Ballyhamage House. Some of them are hand wrought and are certainly monuments in themselves. The heavy iron doors on the Stephenson Vault in Kilbride cemetery bear the words "Rowan Doagh, 1837". The first threshing mill was made in Doagh Foundry and more important still, the first local mechanically propelled road vehicle was designed by Rowan himself and made in the foundry.

"We have" says the 'Northern Whig' of the time "on several occasions directed public attention to the indefatigable labours of the Messrs Rowan of Doagh, who were engaged in manufacturing a steam coach on principles perfectly new and without their ever having seen a vehicle of the same description. For nearly five years have these ingenious and industrious mechanics laboured incessantly to complete their undertaking. It is most gratifying to add that they have at length completely succeeded".

The Mobile Internet - 3G
www.templepatrick.connor.anglican.org

Last magazine I pointed out the short comings of using existing mobile phone technology to access the web; but hinted that there is a better technology that Santa might need to know about - Third Generation.

3G Third Generation
In the old days, when all phones were fixed rather than mobile, making a call involved establishing a direct electrical connection between your handset and the one you were calling. Initially the connection was made through the operator and latter through electronic exchanges.

The same happens with existing mobiles, but instead of setting up a dedicated circuit, a small portion of the airwaves are reserved for your call. This is a not a good way of dividing up the available airwaves because it means that the spaces and pauses in speech get the same priority as the words. 3G networks change all this. Instead of reserving airspace each conversation is chopped up into packets, each one of which is labelled with a code denoting which dialogue it is from.

This radical change means 3G mobile networks can support lots more subscribers and let them download data much faster.

Using packets of information to carry voice and data also means that your phone is effectively always connected to the network. This means that SMS messages, e-mails, video clips, or whatever can be delivered any time, you don't have to dial-up to check mail. This will mean a huge change in the way that you pay for your phone. Mobile operators will have to stop charging on the basis of talk time and move to a model based on the packets you download or a single charge per month covering anything and everything you do. The move to 3G networks means you will be able to do many more things with your mobile phone. It could become a wallet holding train or cinema tickets, discount vouchers for shops or even a key to unlock your house.

The largest issue facing the rollout of 3G networks at present is cost. Most mobile phone companies had to pay huge government licence fees for the rights to use the radio frequencies necessary - this landed them with debts of billions of pounds. On top of this, the cost of upgrading their networks is likely to add billions more to the cost. Critics argue that these debts will either force mobile companies out of business, or that the high costs will be passed onto users and thus ensure that 3G never takes off. Others argue that the vast range of new and compelling applications enabled by 3G will open up entirely new revenue streams for the companies and will easily cover the initial costs.

Alan Walbridge

Birth of Christ

Across

1. The wise men followed a          that led them to Jesus
5. Human father of Jesus
7. There was no          at the inn fo Jesus
9. One of the gifts of the three wise men
11.Jesus could not stay at the          because it was full
12.And on earth         , goodwill toward men(Luke 2:14)

Down

1. Who were tending their flock by night
2. Who announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds
3. The wise men bowed down to Jesus to          him
4. Jesus was born in this town
6. "The           of peace", one of the titles of Jesus
8. Mother of Jesus
9. Jesus was born in a          
10. The shepherds were in the           when they saw an angel