| Bowling
Club
The Bowling Club re-opened on Friday 2nd September 2005, at 7.30 pm. With a good turn out of members, bowling until 10.30 pm, also on Monday evenings from 8.00 pm until 9.30 pm.
In September 20 members and friends enjoyed a four day bowling break to Westport, a favourite haunt of some members, this was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
On Saturday 5th November 2005, 30 members and friends attended a dinner and gala evening in Ballyclare Golf Club, this was our “Annual Outing”.
At the time of going to print we are looking forward to our first outing of the season to the Baker Stadium.
On Friday 16th December we will have our Christmas party night with a visit from ‘Santa’.
Finally – Happy New Year to everyone.
Isobel McCollam (Hon.
Sec.)
Communion Rota for St John's
| St John's |
| Dec. |
Mr & Mrs McCausland |
| Jan. |
Mr & Mrs Mehaffey |
Kitchen Fund / Parish
Hall
The Kitchen
fund account is now on going. All contributions would be most welcome.
Anyone wishing to
contribute please contact Isobel McCollam or the Hon Treasurer Norman
Shirley.
The fund now stands at £7,260.00 |
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:
The Parish Panel Members are:-
- The Rev. S A Fielding, Templepatrick
Mrs M Bell, Glengormley
Mr S Clendinning, Templepatrick
Mr M Cooke, Dunadry
The Christmas tree around the world
 The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianisation of the ancient pagan idea that the evergreen tree represents a celebration of the renewal of life. In Roman mosaics from what is today Tunisia, showing the mythic triumphant return from India of the Greek god of wine and male fertility, Dionysus (dubbed by some modern scholars as a life-death-rebirth deity), the god carries a tapering coniferous tree. Medieval legends, nevertheless, tended to concentrate more on the miraculous "flowering" of trees at Christmastime. A branch of flowering Glastonbury thorn is still sent annually for the Queen's Christmas table in the United Kingdom.
Taiwanese aboriginals, tutored by Christian missionaries, celebrate with trees (Cunninghamia lanceolata) outside their homes. Among early Germanic tribes the Yule tradition was celebrated by sacrificing male animals, and slaves, by suspending them on the branches of trees. According to Adam of Bremen, in Scandinavia the pagan kings sacrificed nine males of each species at the sacred groves every ninth year. According to one legend, Saint Boniface attempted to introduce the idea of trinity to the pagan tribes using the cone-shaped evergreen trees because of their triangular appearance.
The modern custom, however, cannot be shown to be descended from pagan tradition directly. Its origins can be traced to 16th century Germany: Ingeborg Weber-Keller (Marburg professor of European ethnology) identified as the earliest reference a Bremen guild chronicle of 1570 which reports how a small fir was decorated with apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper flowers, and erected in the guild-house, for the benefit of the guild members' children, who collected the dainties on Christmas day. Another early reference is from Basel, where the tailor apprentices carried around town a tree decorated with apples and cheese in 1597. During the 17th century, the custom entered family homes. One Strasbourg priest, Johann Konrad Dannerhauer, complains about the custom as distracting from the word of God. By the early 18th century, the custom had become common in towns of the upper Rhineland, but it had not yet spread to rural areas. Wax candles are attested from the late 18th century. The Christmas tree remained confined to the upper Rhineland for a relatively long time. It was regarded as a Protestant custom by the Catholic majority along the lower Rhine, and was spread there only by Prussian officials who were moved there in the wake of the Congress of Vienna in 1815. In the early 19th century, the custom became popular among the nobility and spread to royal courts as far as Russia. Princess Henrietta von Nassau-Weilburg introduced the Christmas tree to Vienna in 1816, and the custom spread across Austria in the following years. In France, the first Christmas tree was introduced in 1840 by the duchess of Orleans.
In Britain, the Christmas tree was introduced by King George III's German Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, but did not spread much beyond the royal family until the royal family Christmas centred round Prince Albert at Osborne House was illustrated in English magazines, and copied in the United States at Christmas 1850 (illustration, left). Such patriotic prints of the British royal family at Christmas celebrations helped popularise the Christmas tree in Britain and among the anglophile American upper class.
Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve (24 December), and then removed the day after twelfth night (i.e., 6 January); to have a tree up before or after these dates was even considered bad luck. Modern crass commercialisation of Christmas has however resulted in trees being put up much earlier; in shops often as early as late October (which every year attracts adverse comment from much of the shopping public). The most common tradition in U.S. homes is to put the tree up right after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) and to take it down right after the New Year. In more northern climates and into Canada, the tree (if not too dry) and other decorations are left up well into January. In Europe, private Christmas trees are not usually put up until at least the middle of December and are always taken down by the 6th of January.
Article from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree
No Room In The Inn?
A boy wanted to be Joseph in the Sunday School pageant. He was cast as the landlord and objected loudly, but to no avail. When the pageant was presented, Mary and Joseph knocked on the door and asked him if he had a room for them. The boy smiled and said, “Yes, sure. Lots of room. Come on in!”
|
|
 Junior
Sunday School
It has been a busy few months for the Children, especially in the run up to Christmas and the Christmas play. We have lots of new activities planned for the new year so make sure you don’t miss them!
After the success of last years Advent project, we decided to run a similar one for this year called “Little Donkey”, which is a very worthwhile cause. So what is the project about? - Everyday, hundreds of little donkeys, in India and Pakistan, struggle to transport load after heavy load of bricks without rest, shade or water. Many of the donkeys are so malnourished their ribs are clearly visible, covered in sores, limping on cracked and infected hooves and suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration. Without their donkeys the owners would be poverty-stricken as they are paid by the weight of bricks delivered, so it is very tempting to overload them. The Brooke is committed to preventing the suffering of donkeys like these. They build shade shelters and water troughs and provide comfortable saddles. Their vets work tirelessly all year, giving free treatment to sick animals and helping their owners to care for them better. However, for every life saved, another donkey gives up the struggle to survive. Brooke desperately need regular support to help meet the ongoing cost of caring for these loyal creatures.
We would ask the children to return their collection boxes on Sunday 15 January 2006.
A big thank you to the Mums and Dads for their help, assistance and support with the Christmas play, it is much appreciated.
May we take this opportunity of wishing the Children and their Families
a Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.
Some useful dates for your diary:-
- 4 Dec - All Age Worship, Christmas Play & Collection of Gifts
- 11 Dec - Confirmation with the Bishop
We would encourage all children to try to attend this service.
There will be Christmas Activities for the younger children in the church rooms at the normal time of Sunday school.
- 18 Dec - No Sunday School
Lessons & Carols for Christmas - 7.30 pm.
- 25 Dec- Christmas morning service 11.30 am
- 1 Jan- No Sunday School
- 8 Jan- All Age Worship and Christingle Service
- 15 Jan 2006 - Sunday School Resumes
Return "Little Donkey" collection boxes
Gail
Ladies Fellowship
The new season’s programme commenced with a service of Holy Communion in St Patrick’s Church, followed by supper and Business meeting in the Church Rooms on Tuesday, 20 September.
On Thursday, 13 October, The Old Ballyclarians’ Association Choir and accompanying artistes, including our own Adam Martin on the bagpipes, entertained an audience of between 140-150 to a most enjoyable evening of song and instrumental music. Thank you to all who supported this fund raising event.
The November meeting was a demonstration of crafting skills (hand made cards and other items) by Mrs Sheena Mairs. She showed how easy it can be to prepare your own cards and gift ties for Christmas.
As this short update is prepared, the December activity is still being planned and members will hear more about this at the next meeting.
As always new members and visitors will be given a warm welcome. We usually meet in the Minor Hall, third Tuesday of each month from September through to April.
Ann Kerr (Hon.Sec.)
Rotas for St. Patrick's
 Intercessor
Rota for Parish Eucharist
| St
Patrick's |
| Dec. |
P MacKean |
| Jan. |
The Rector |
Communion
Rota
| St
Patrick's |
| Dec. |
Church Wardens |
| Jan. |
Mr J & Mrs
M Templeton |
Cleaning
Rota
| St Patrick's |
| Dec. |
B McMeekin, J Jones, J Sheldon, H Sheldon |
| Jan. |
A Cinnamon, H Cinnamon,
V Brady |
Flower
Rota
| St Patrick's |
| Dec.
4 |
F Blackbourne |
| 11 |
M McConnell |
| 18 |
Ladies Fellowship |
| 25 |
Ladies
Fellowship |
| Jan.
1 |
I
McCollam |
| 8 |
I
McCollam |
| 15 |
D
Gaffney |
22 |
M McConnell |
29 |
S White |
St Patrick’s Church – Cleaning Rota
We are looking for male/female Church members to add to our cleaning rota in St Patrick’s church.
This commitment is only 4 hours in any given month in the year.
Anyone who can give this commitment, please contact the Rector or Isobel McCollam. |
Organising your wedding 
Weddings are very special occasions in the life of any family and in the life of the church. When considering getting married please check possible dates with the Rector before confirming arrangements.
It is expected that couples will make a regular commitment to the life of the church in preparation for marriage.
An annual Rural Deanery marriage preparation course takes place every year in February which 'intending' couples area asked to attend.
Edinburgh – Connor Diocesan Link
Templepatrick & Donegore with Dalmahoy Parish, Edinburgh
The exploratory process towards forming a link with a parish in the diocese of Edinburgh is progressing in its early stages and in order to make a more informed choice as to the suitability of twinning with Dalmahoy a small delegation i.e. the Edinburgh Link Committee comprising of the Rector, Miss A Kerr, Mrs N Clendinning, and Mr R Barnes will be reciprocating the visit of our Scottish friends to us at Harvest time, with a trip on 1st February, St Brigid’s day to Dalmahoy parish.
Irrespective of the outcome we feel we have already learned from our encounters and have been mutually enriched through these. Our contacts with the good folk of Dalmahoy thus far have been very promising and we are hopeful of a fruitful visit in February.
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Captain Charles Adair
 Several plaques inside the porch at St. John’s Church remind us of the Adair family, who were main benefactors of the church since they came to Loughanmore in 1665 until the 1920’s.
With the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar celebrated last month it seems appropriate to learn a little of the role of one of the family, Captain Charles Adair, at this battle.
The muster roll for HMS Victory shows she had a crew of 820 men commanded by Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy. There were 9 Commissioned Officers, 21 Midshipmen and 77 Non-commissioned Warrant and Petty Officers, the rest of the crew comprised of Able and Ordinary Seamen, Landsmen, supernumeries and 31 boys.
Also within this complement was a detachment of 146 Royal Marines from the Chatham Division, commanded by Captain Charles Adair.
The Royal Marines were a regiment of men trained to work alongside the Royal Navy. These men had their own officers and senior ratings and worked as a group within the ships company.
The marines would provide the ceremonial guard when required, stand sentry outside the Admiral or Captain's cabin and would provide guards for the ships powder magazines and spirit room.
They were a fighting force ashore and would be assisted by seamen from the ship. The Royal Marines and sailors were a close knit working force at sea and ashore in much the same way as we see them today.
Charles William Adair joined the Royal Marines as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1776. He was appointed to the Victory on her commissioning at Chatham in April 1803, in command of a detachment of 144 Royal Marines nearly all from the Chatham and Plymouth divisions. He was also at the same time Inspecting Officer for Recruiting in the Mediterranean.
The Adair family was a family of distinguished Royal Marine officers. Charles’ father was Colonel Benjamin Adair, Royal Marines and his uncle was Captain William Prowse, Royal Navy, who commanded the Sirius at Trafalgar.
As the Victory closed on the enemy line, Captain Hardy decided to take his ship past the rear of the Bucentaure. Some moments later, eight marines in close formation on the poop were killed by a double-headed shot, and Nelson ordered Adair to disperse the rest of his men round the ship under cover of the hammock settings, so that they should not suffer so much from being crowded together.
Shortly afterwards, Victory closed the French ship Redoubtable and that is when Charles Adair was killed. (Aged 29 at his death he received a Government grant of £161-0-0 and prize money of £65-11-0.)
With a small party of Marines, he was driving back the French boarders, and while he was standing on the poop of the gangway, a musket ball struck him in the back of the head and killed him. Thus it is possible that his own men killed him!
It is recorded that Nelson’s last words before being hit himself were, “There goes poor Adair, I may be next to follow him”. Since Charles Adair had joined Victory in 1803 Nelson would have known him well. |
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One account states that one of the Marine corporals, who had his arm shot off by a cannon ball, picked up Charles Adair’s sash, bound it round the stump, collected a party to board the ship and was the first on the enemy’s deck.
Although Charles was married he had no children that survived to adulthood. He did have a brother who became a General in the Marines and who fathered a dynasty of distinguished Royal Marine and Naval Officers. There are five family portraits that hang in the Royal Marine’s museum at Eastney, which also has a pistol belonging to Charles Adair. There was a great-grandson who fought at the Battle of Jutland and who died in the late ’80s. Perhaps the most infamous was a grandson who managed to run the new battleship, HMS Montagu, ashore on the island of Lundy in thick fog during radio trials in May 1906. The ship was a total loss, he was court martialled, but still retired an Admiral and subsequently became an MP!
Charles Adair is recorded in many different ways.
He appears in several famous paintings of the battle of Trafalgar. He appears in Thomas Davidson’s famous painting Nelson’s Last Signal at Trafalgar, standing on deck rather distantly with his arms folded. In fact he appears to be the only person in the picture who is not doing anything! Obviously later in the battle he got a bit busier, when Secretary Scott was struck down by cannon fire. With the help of another sailor, he removed the body from Nelson’s sight.
Another painting, The Fall of Nelson by Denis Dighton, gives an impression of the mortal wounding of Nelson on the upper deck of the Victory.
On the right, Nelson is portrayed at the moment he falls on his left side. A group of marines fire over the port gunwale towards the Franco-Spanish Santissima Trinidad, 140 guns, while a corporal and marine carry off one of the officers, possibly Captain Adair of the marines, who was killed.
A third painting, The Death of Nelson by Daniel Maclise, shows the enemy ship the Redoubtable tangled in the Victory’s rigging in the background of the painting. The figures and action converge in the shape of a St Andrew’s cross with Nelson at the centre, propped in the arms of his favourite, Captain Hardy. Other figures near Nelson include Dr Beattie, Lieutenant Ram, Captain Adair and Sergeant Secker.
But paintings are not the only form in which Captain Adair is remembered.
He appears in a children’s musical, Trafalgar, which, although it is a fictional story, is accurately based on the historical facts known about this famous sea battle. It is reported to make a lively and entertaining way to learn history.
Captain Adair is also in a book by Thomas Hardy, better known for works such as Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the d'Urbervilles. He wrote a gigantic panorama of the Napoleonic Wars, The Dynasts, which features Captain Adair.
Such was his standing that Charles Adair has also been cast as a 1:32 model, but there is no stock remaining.
So next time you are at St. John’s take some time to look about you in the porch. History is literally on the doorstep. |
