Rector's Letters
Please find below an archive of the Rector's Letters from this and previous months.
« Return to previous page.- 11/04/09 19:05
APRIL
Dear Friends,
From small acorns grow mighty oaks. Fifty years ago Bertha Marsh planted a small seed which was to grow and become a significant part of Parish life. In the old church hall and school, around a dozen children, including two boys, began the first season the 22nd Company of the Girls’ Brigade. Since those small beginnings, hundreds of girls have passed through the ranks of the Company.
On the first week-end in April, the 22nd Company will hold their annual display, an anniversary reunion dinner and a church service to mark the half-century. Bertha Marsh, the Company President, and Sandra Chapple, her daughter and present Captain, will lead the celebrations. Between them they have captained the company for some 45 years which is a remarkable achievement. We give thanks to God for the dedication of officers, leaders and the girls who have made the company what it is. We look forward to the next fifty years as the Company seeks to live up to the motto To Seek, Serve and Follow Christ.
Yours sincerely,
Ferran
The Rector Writes for the Annual Report
Dear Friends and Parishioners,
2008 saw a sea of change in global economics which impacted everyday life. In Kill, too, change was afoot. After many years as Parish Secretary Noel Hughes retired and was succeeded, initially by Hazel Lacey, then by Bert Van Embden. In April we said farewell to Stephen McElhinney and his family on his appointment to Dungannon. In May I found myself in hospital with an appendicitis problem, a first for me, and was off duty for some time. In early summer the family moved out of the Rectory which was completely renovated. We returned home in November. In June Hilary McBain completed her first year as Principal of Kill School. In September we welcomed Wendy Kingston as Children’s Worker and Cathy Lewis as an intern, working with children and young people. In October Tim Silk was appointed to the Parish as Associate Rector. In November there was a new venture with St. Brigid’s, Cabinteely, a joint trip to the Holy Land. In all of these changes the work and witness of the Parish continued apace. Sunday worship continued to develop around the three-fold congregations meeting at 8.30 a.m., 10.00 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. Blair, David, Derek, Mark and Ian helped enormously in the delivery of services, especially in the absence of clergy. Alan and the Choir, Helen and the Music Group adorned worship with their praise. In the same way a whole series of people, Welcomers, Bell-Ringers, Readers, Prayers, Crèche Helpers, Catering folk and Flower Arrangers contributed to the rich experience of Sunday worship. Our Church Wardens, Michael Lynn and Bruce Johnson oversaw Sunday worship and did a great job.
Years of investment in working with children and young people continued to pay dividends, with growing numbers of twenty and thirty-somes, particularly at the 10.00 a.m. service. Ian Horner lead the children’s and youth work by example, ably assisted by Wendy and Cathy and teams of enthusiastic leaders and helpers. Sunday club , Max Pack, Gravity, Origin, Morph, Shake Rattle and Hum and Family Films all flourished. The Girls’ Brigade Company, captained by Sandra Chapple and her team also had a notable year. As always this work among children and young people is done under the ‘Safeguarding Trust’ programme, which ensures that leaders and participants are kept safe and secure in the love of God.
In the adult sphere, the role of Growing Groups cannot be understated. Up to eight of these groups were active in the year and thanks to goes to leaders and hosts in this vital ministry. Once again the Select Vestry managed the affairs of the Parish in an exemplary manner. The additional work load of the Rectory Project was superbly managed by Norman Smyth and his team. John Riseley’s work as Treasurer has been outstanding, ably assisted by Mark Groves in Stewardship, Alan Hunt in Parish Development and Alan Jeffers in the Rectory Project. Thanks is also due to the Counting teams who administer Sunday collections. In the area of giving, we thank God for the generosity of people who provide adequate resources for the Parish. We welcomed Jenny Scholtz as Vestry Secretary; her work was of the highest standard. Ronnie Hay and Peter Rooke’s roles as Glebe Wardens culminated in the Rectory renovation which should stand the Parish for decades to come.
Another recently restored building, the Parish Centre, was working at full tilt in 2008, hosting Parish, community, diocesan and national events. The Hall Committee, under Olive Combe’s direction, did a first class job. Peter Rooke’s work as Parish Administrator contributed in maintaining high standards of appearance and health safety. William Morrissey’s cleaning work, too, was much in evidence. Thanks is due to the Scott family for arranging the church frontals and banners, to the church linen cleaners, brass cleaners, towel cleaners, all working together to maintain high standards of hospitality and presentation. Thanks is also due to Bert, settling into the busy rush of the Office.
In 2008 there was one wedding, Rachal and Donagh, four Baptisms and ten young people were confirmed. Sadly we lost a number of our valued members: Hilary Dalton, Mabel Hanna, David Moir, Rene O’Neill, Jackie Parkes, Joyce Scott and Gladys Weir. All of these deaths brought loss. We thank God for their lives and continue to support their families.
Evangelism and Mission were high on the 2008 agenda. A mission trip of young people with the Leprosy Mission to India, Prison Ministries to Russia, the plight of the Church in Chains, our partnership with CMSI in Yei, Sudan, the role of the Langham Partnership and the education work of Fields of Life and Oasis in Africa, all were encouraged and featured throughout the year. Locally, an Alpha Course in the Rehabilitation Hospital and a Christianity Explored Course in the Parish Centre attracted people to explore the contours of the Christian faith.
Communications are vital in a Parish like Kill. The weekly Announcement Sheets produced by Bert, the monthly Newsletter edited by James Darling, produced by his team and distributed by the delivery team, the ever improving Website, mastered by Stuart Scott, all lubricated the wheels of communication, with the work of the Communications Team pushing the boundaries of communications forward. Ernie Webb’s oversight of the Diocesan Review and Blair Halliday’s distribution of the Church of Ireland Gazette link us to the wider church. To Stanley and Richard who regularly monitor sight and sound on Sundays and to the team who transcribe lyrics and liturgy for display on Sunday, thanks is due.
In a year of change it is important to acknowledge our reliance on the unchanging God, who invites us to love and serve him, through his Son Jesus Christ, who is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8),
Yours In Christ,
Ferran