Dear Friends, NOVEMBER 2008

th
Our Diocesan Synod met on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday
15th October in Taney Parish Centre. It is the single-most
important meeting of the year for the United Dioceses of
Dublin and Glendalough. It opened with a well-attended
Eucharist in Christ Church Taney. The Archdeacon of
Glendalough and Rector of Greystones opened the Synod
with prayers and a reading from Holy Scripture. This was
particularly poignant as he retires at the end of the year.
We wish him well as he prepares for retirement. Canon
Ricky Rountree was announced as his replacement taking
effect from next year. Again we wish Ricky God’s blessing
in this new role. Archbishop Neill then addressed the
Synods in his Presidential address. It was a very wide
speech and I wish to speak about two specific areas on
which he touched, one, education and two, the wider
Anglican Communion.
In recent months we have seen a definite shift away from
support of smaller Church-run Schools in favour of larger
16 and 32 teacher Schools under the patronage of the
VEC. The Roman Catholic Church has indeed been most
outspoken in the media on this subject and it is now time
for the Church of Ireland’s voice to be heard. Our society
as we know has been educated by Church-controlled
Schools who have mostly been under the patronage of
Roman Catholic and Anglican bishops. This shift away
from support for such Schools will leave such Schools as
Greenlanes and Howth Road School in a very different and
dare I say it very difficult situation. A move away from the
present patronage system is a further secularisation and
pluralisation of our society in a time when people more
and more need faith and God in their ever-increasingly
stressed lives. The Church Schools abide under an ethos
statement which considers faith and education as two
inseparable aspects of the child’s life, and even more, one
that should be encouraged. It is incumbent that the
government rather than isolate and reduce the number of
Schools under Church patronage, increase their support of
such Schools.
The second issue touched on by the Archbishop was the
recent Lambeth Conference and in particular its dealing
with the issue of human sexuality and the problems which
came to the surface following the Consecration of Gene
Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire. The Bishop was
and is living in a single-sex union and continues to serve
as a Bishop in the Episcopal Church of the United States
of America. He himself was not present at the debates
though the subject was very clearly discussed. The
difference between this Conference and the previous one
was the tone of the debate. It was respectful of all sides
even if nearly 200 bishops were not present. Not all of
these were absent directly due to the debates, though
some clearly were. The fact that one African Primate went
as far as forbidding his bishops to attend was less than
helpful. The result is an ongoing debate between the
Provinces of the Anglican Communion with a view to
putting together an acceptable Covenant which will allow
agreement and more importantly direction on where the
Communion will go. This Covenant process will include an
analysis and interaction between Scripture, Tradition and
Reason, the very tenets of Anglicanism down the centuries.
Scripture and indeed its interpretation will be central to
this work. As we know each one of us interprets Scripture
to a greater or lesser extent. Two people will read it in two
very different ways. One will mould his life by its very
words and another will feel it has nothing to say to us on
this or that subject. But, through prayer and the guidance
of the Holy spirit it is hoped that this Covenant will be
God-inspired and represent the way forward for our
Church on this subject.
I urge each one of you to pray for the Archbishop who is
involved in this work and I ask you to pray especially for
our Schools as they face this new challenge.
Undoubtedly, you have all been touched by the recent
Budget. It is the most challenging Budget in 25 years
hitting many where it hurts. Each of us realises that taxes
are essential in any society though so also they should be
equitable. I wish to write on two aspects of this budget.
Firstly the 1 and 2% levy and secondly, the removal of the
Medical cards to over 70s through means-testing.
The levy imposed on all workers (1% up to 100,000 and
2% above that) hits the poorest in our society the hardest.
Much has been said and reported in the media on this levy
but from a Christian perspective we are called to speak
out on behalf of the poor, for others will not. This levy hits
the very poorest in our society the most. 1% of 35000
hits one family much more than 2% on 300,000. This is
unacceptable in a modern society. Each one of us must
speak out against such an attack on the low-paid, whether
we see ourselves as part of that group or not. After much
pressure the government removed the very poorest from
the 1% levy though left all others to carry the burden.
As I travel around the Parish over the last week or so
since the Budget many older people were rightly worried
that they will loose their Medical Cards. This was to have
had a devastating effect on many elderly people in
Clontarf and elsewhere. There are many people who up to
a few years ago were in VHI and on receipt of their
Medical card cancelled their VHI or BUPA subscriptions. If
they wish to restart this membership there will be a lead-
in time leaving the most vulnerable in our society at the
most risk. This was utterly unacceptable and went against
everything we stand for as Christian people. Through
pressure by both TDs and voters, the Taoiseach has rolled
back much of the legislative plans thereby leaving most
over 70s with their medical cards. Again it shows the
power of public sentiment. I am truly delighted that the
government have come to their senses on this matter.
“Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will
give you rest.”
May God continue to bless you and your family.
Derek

- SUPER VALU KILLESTER –

Phone: 833 2968
New Store – Better Service
Open Longer Hours
7.00am – 12 midnight – Monday to Saturday
9.00am – 10.00pm Sunday
12th Dublin Company Boys’ Brigade
Anchor Boys
We are delighted to have 26 boys with us this session. It
is great to see so many boys interested. If there is anyone
willing to help us out on a Monday night from 6-7pm,
please contact me. We are all looking forward to the
Halloween Party. The costumes are always great. We will
have plenty of games and goodies to eat. We are looking
forward to our Annual Enrolment Service on Sunday 9th
November at 7pm in the Church. I would like to thank the
helpers: Breda Sargent, Olive Jackson, Susan Connolly,
Jenny Newell for helping out and to Damien Duggan for
teaching football skills and playing matches with the boys.
Without this Anchors wouldn’t happen.
H McCullagh

Junior Section
The new session has settled down. We have eleven boys –
we welcome Brian Keane and Conor Rutherdale to Junior
Section while we said farewell to James Taylor, Gareth
Doolan, Graham Blay, Matthew Dawkins, Hugh Grainger,
Jordan O’Brien and Ian Nugent who have all moved up to
Company Section. We also said farewell to Jamie Hickey
who was faced with the impossible choice between Boys’
Brigade and Football. We attended the Annual Founder’s
Day Service in St. Ann’s Church in Dawson Street. The
boys are now working hard at enjoying themselves with
badge work, preparation for the Scripture Test and a
variety of other activities. Our Annual Enrolment Service
will be on 9th November in the Parish Church at 7pm. We
look forward to seeing lots of family and friends at it.
M. Acheson

Company Section
Congratulations to our tag rugby team who retained the
title of Champions at Clondalkin RFC on Saturday 11th
October - Gareth, Craig, David, Matthew, Hugh and our
Junior Section representative Sam. It was a close
competition that went right down to the wire.
Practice for the Lewis Crosbie Drill Competition in January
is now underway and before then we will also be
competing in the National Competitions in badminton
(home), table tennis (home) and Masterteam (away in
Portadown). It is hoped that as many members as
possible will get to represent the Company across the
various competitions. On the home front our Monday
parade nights continue as usual, the Scripture course for
the year is underway and the floodlights on the astroturf
outside are proving very popular.
A Ayling

YOU ARE WARMLY INVITED TO

A CHEESE AND WINE EVENING HOSTED
BY THE NEEDS GROUP.

ON FRIDAY 21ST NOVEMBER AT 8 O’CLOCK

IN THE PARISH CENTRE.

ALL ARE WELCOME, SO BRING A FRIEND

Clontarf Women’s Group

We meet in the Pavilion Room on Tuesday 4th November
at 8.15pm. Elaine Allen will be joining us for an evening of
wine tasting. If you haven’t attended before why not come
along. Cost €25.00 per person. Annual sub will also be
collected at meeting (€25.00).
Breda and Heather.
 Quality Gates
&
Railings
Driveway Gates – Steel Doors

Security Grills – Balustrades

Call Kevin

Mobile: 086 064 3781

Tel: 853 5594

Nichols Funeral Directors

ESTABLISHED 1814

COMPLETE & PROFESSIONAL

FUNERAL SERVICE

- MONUMENT SERVICE –
- FLORISTS -
- WEDDING CARS –
- 24 HOUR SERVICE –
- ADVANCED FUNERAL PLANNING –

29 – 31 LOMBARD STREET EAST,

DUBLIN 2

Enquiries welcome to Gus Nichols

Tel: 677 0665
Fax: 671 2461

Email: gus@nichols.ie
Clontarf Guides
Ladybirds, Brownies and Guides are now in full swing with
loads of activities, games and challenges each week. We
have all been collecting non perishable goods each week
as we are going to make hampers for the needy again this
year. The girls and their parents have been more than
generous in bringing some lovely items for those less
fortunate than we are. Rev. Sargent will distribute these
at Christmas. As usual the Brownies are looking forward
to our annual trip to the pantomime in the Gaiety Theatre
on November 30th with over 1000 Brownies attending
from all over the country. ( The guiders however look
forward with trepidation to the usual headaches etc after
listening to over 2 hours of screaming "Oh, no you
didn't"etc!!!)
M Watts.

Mothers’ Union
The opening Service was held on Thursday 9th. October in
the Parish Centre. It was nice to meet up again after the
summer break and have a chat over a cup of tea.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday 13th.
November at 3pm.
The North Dublin Area meeting will take place in Finglas
Parish on Tuesday 25th. November at 8pm. Looking
forward to seeing you there.
Iris Acheson.

Sunday Club
We are settling in nicely. Our new schedule is varied and between
singing and breakfast , following some bible stories on DVD and
doing some worksheets following them and this month we will be
doing some Art/Craft working towards a Jessie Tree this
Christmas. We would welcome anyone aged 4 or more to come
along and see if they would like to join us. We would love to meet
you and your child/children.
Parents – Please complete a consent form if you are leaving
your child in. A new one is needed each year. Thanks to those
who have already done so. Also remember the 30th November
and 7th December might be a little more messy than usual so
don’t have the best clothes on!
We hope to have an extra practice on Saturday 13th December
4.30pm (provisional date) in preparation of 14th in Church.
Please contact me if you have any queries.

November 2008
Date Church Service Schedule Any Comments
nd
2 Morning Prayer Sunday Breakfast &
Club Music/Song
9th * Parish Family Sunday Story Keeper & W/S
Communion Club
(*BB enrolment in
evening)
th
16 All Age Worship with In Church Song in Church
Baptism
rd
23 Parish Family Sunday Story Keeper & W/S
Communion with Club
Baptism
th
30 Service of the Word Sunday Art/Craft for Jessie
Club Tree

Duggan Jewellers Ltd

Gifts for all occasions

Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries,
Christenings, Birthdays, Engraving,
Quality Watch & Jewellery Repairs.

Contact: Damian Duggan

29 Annesley Bridge Rd.,
Fairview,
Dublin 3

Tel: 855 5564

Email: duggan_jewellers@eircom.net

MEMBER OF RETAIL JEWELLERS OF IRELAND

Tennis Club
With the advent of court lighting the Parish Tennis Club is
enjoying a new experience - playing tennis in winter. It
provides a great opportunity to get some exercise through
the winter months so anyone who would like to try their
hand at winter tennis should come along on Tuesday
nights from 7PM.
On Saturday 27th September the Tennis Club held it's
Final’s Day in the afternoon followed that evening by an
official re-opening of the club. Over 100 past and present
members attended including some members from 1935
the year the parish tennis club was founded. In true
Tennis Club fashion the re-opening was followed by great
food and dancing late into the night.

Elaine Allen (Ladies Captain), Helen Erskine (Founding

Member), the Rector and Nigel Darragh at the turning on
of the lights ceremony.

Coaching for Juniors is well underway on Saturday

mornings and we still have some vacancies for the current
coaching session. For further details pop down on any
Saturday morning.

Full details on the Club website - see

www.clontarftennis.com
 Alice Joy Flood
(1932-2007)

“Thy faithfulness is unto all generations”

Psalm 119: 90

Rather than commemorate our dear Joy’s first anniversary

in the public press, we feel she would have appreciated
mention in our Parish Matters.
She lived out her priorities – she loved the Lord dearly,
loved her church and was devoted to her family and
friends. Two siblings remain. From choice, Joy remained
single and lived a happy, fulfilled life. She was a loving,
loyal daughter, sister and relative. She delighted in her
nieces and nephew, having a unique bond with Karin
whom she regarded as ‘nearly a daughter’.
All mourn her passing, not least the writer, and we thank
God for every remembrance of her. She was known as
“joy by name and nature” and lived up to the title. Gifted
by God in many ways, she used her gifts. Private
Secretary and PA to two successive Chairmen of Cadburys.
We could never forget her sense of fun and her piano and
guitar-playing. Her generosity was remarkable.
Joy died suddenly in Fethard-on-Sea Co. Wexford (her
second home). Diagnosed with cancer 14 years earlier and
deemed to live only two months, she cast this care on the
Lord and He held her here for us for a long spell.
How humbled she would have been by the support and
love from her Parish into which she was born.
She attended Greenlanes National School before Rutland
High School. The Parish Church was her spiritual home.
We mourn still but not as those without hope.

“He is faithful that promised”.

Audrey Maharry.
Noel Flood.
Youth News
September came and it felt like I hit the ground running.
Klub has grown beyond our imaginations this year with a
max of 26 children joining. This is a vibrant group where
we learn action songs and doing crafts and baking! We
meet on a Wednesday afternoon at 4pm till 5pm.
Wired is also growing and we are completing a course
called Rock Solid where we learn about our faith and we
discuss how it effects our lives. We play games and sports
- Dodge Ball definitely being a favourite!! - Sunday
evenings.

Fused is our new confirmation group and we meet on a

Saturday evening and are doing Confirmation classes
every second Saturday. We do games on the other nights
and have more of a social night, playing games cooking
and just generally hanging out.
Connect is our oldest youth group and we are doing Rock
Solid with this group also but going into more depth with
the discussions etc. – Sunday nights.
All the youth groups are going from strength to strength,
but we are in need of helpers.
So please consider volunteering even just for a night
every couple of months would be helpful. Also keep all the
children in your prayers as they grow in their faith
together.
S Connolly

Whist Group
Parish Whist Drives will take place on the first Thursday of
every month – 6th Nov and 4th Dec at 7.30pm in the
Pavilion Room. Do come along and support this Parish
activity. Entrance 5 euros.
H. Hunter
 ST. GABRIELS PHARMACY
28 ST GABRIELS ROAD, CLONTARF
TEL/FAX: 833 8422

DERMOT WHOOLEY, MPSI

Vichy, RoC, IsaDora, Rimmel, NeoStrata,

Extensive range of Baby Products
Instant Passport Photos – Gift sets made to order
Complimentary Gift Wrapping

OPENING HOURS
Mon – Fri: 9.00am – 6.30pm
Sat: 9.30am – 6pm

OPEN DURING LUNCH

FREE PARKING

Parish Centre Notes

Welcome back to all Parish Centre Users and
welcome to new users!
September marked the beginning of our second year of
operation and more importantly the restart of activities for
many organisations.
The last year has been extremely busy for the Parish
Centre Management Committee (PCMC) as we all continue
to learn about the operation of the Centre and its
associated challenges.
We had a very positive meeting with the centre users in
June at the Licence renewal meeting. We believe there
are lots of good things happening in and around the
Centre and thank you for your support with those. We
welcome new users Buzzy Bees Montessori (Laura
Murphy; Monday to Friday mornings), Tai Chi Chuan
(Ross Cousens; Tuesday evenings), and the Seafield
Singers (Alison Young; Thursday evenings). All our other
regulars have returned for another session, both parish
groups and external groups. There is a full list of activities
on the notice board in the Centre and these can also be
seen by going onto the Parish Website.
We are receiving more enquiries to book the Centre for
various activities, such as art exhibitions and workshops.
We were pleased that the contributions made by Parish
organisations were able to be kept at the same level as
the first year, although the charges for external groups
were increased. The cost of running the centre for the
year was matched by income generated. In the year 90%
of the income raised was generated from external groups.
A new feature this year is the installation of floodlights on
the all-weather surface. We can expect to see these
being used most evenings, for tennis and other sports.
We would welcome comments from users inside the
Centre if you find these affecting your use of the Centre.
Other new matters include the installation of small paving
setts in place of the white stones at the triangles outside
the new west door.
Unfortunately, while very attractive, the stones were too
high maintenance, too attractive to children and caused
malfunction in the front door (stones in the frame).
The lift in the centre is now operated by a keypad instead
of a key. This should make life a lot easier for all the
groups using the lift. A couple of flat screen televisions are
available for use.
One is positioned on the wall in the upstairs Pavilion Room
while the other is mobile, and can be moved to whatever
room its required. There is a Wii games console linked to
the mobile TV which is proving very popular with children
(and some leaders!!).
Finally the Stepping Stones Book of Record has now been
placed in a specially made cabinet on the wall of the
Meeting Room. You might like to view it during the coffee
after church on Sundays or anytime you’re in the centre
when someone is around to give you access to it.

Please support the Organisations using the Centre

by referring friends and contacts to them. If you
are aware of any matter that requires attention
please let the PCMC know.
B Maxwell (PCMC)
 CREDITOR & GENERAL
(Ireland) Limited

- Mortgage Brokers and Advisors

- Life assurance, Pensions and Investments
- General Insurance Specialists

PHONE: 853 2718

MOBILE: 087 286 8456
FAX: 833 3356

Regulated by the Financial Regulator as an Authorised Advisor

AND OUR ONLINE INSURANCE SITE

CLICK AND INSURE

Travel Insurance
Wedding Insurance

www.Clickandinsure.ie
Regulated by the Financial Regulator as a Multi-Agency Intermediary

For a Great Deal

On Car and Home Insurance

in the Clontarf Area
Drop into or call one of our local branches at:

Raheny – 831 1422

Wolfe Tone Street – 1890 28 28 20

Your very own local AXA person

is Mark Acheson

AXA
Be Life Confident

AXA Insurance Limited is regulated by the Financial Regulator

 PARISH REGISTER

Victoria, Jonathan, Colin and the Rector following

Jonathan McCullagh’s Baptism
Baptisms
Rory William Free and Jonathan Derek McCullagh were
baptised on 21st September and 28th September
respectively. May God bless them both in their lives of
faith.
On 26th October we look forward to the baptism of
Gemma Kate Louise Sargent, daughter of Andy and
Sandra. The following Sunday we baptise Naoise Watson
and Rachel Blake. Mina Dawson will also be welcomed into
God’s family on Sunday 23rd November. May God bless
each one as they begin their journeys of faith.

Weddings
The marriage of Michael Scully and Felicity Rowden
(daughter of our Organist, John) took place on Friday 26th
September in the Parish Church. It was a lovely day and
we wish them every blessing in their married life.

Interment of Ashes
On Friday 3rd October Bea Lynch’s ashes were placed in
our Columbarium. It was a lovely service with her children
and grandchildren leading the readings. Bea was a
wonderful quiet and friendly person with a warm and
loving way. May she and all God’s faithful people rest in
the presence of God for ever. Our prayers are with her
family in these days.
 SERVICES FOR NOVEMBER

2nd November All Saints’ Sunday

8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Service of the Word with
Holy Baptism

9th November Remembrance Sunday

8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Parish Family Communion
7.00pm BB Enrolment Service

16th November 2nd Sunday before Advent

8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am All-Age Worship with Holy
Baptism and Children’s
Address

23rd November Christ the King

8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Parish Family Communion
with Holy Baptism

30th November Advent Sunday

8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Service of the Word
for Advent
 Scripture Readings for November

2nd November All Saints’ Sunday

Revelation 7: 9-17
Psalm 34: 1-10
1 John 3: 1-3
Matthew 5: 1-12

9th November Remembrance Sunday

Amos 5: 18-24
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18
Matthew 25: 1-13

16th November 2nd Sunday before Advent

Zephaniah 1: 7, 12-18
Psalm 90: 1-12
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11
Matthew 25: 14-30

23rd November Christ the King

Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24
Psalm 95: 1-7
Ephesians 1: 15-23
Matthew 25: 31-46

30th November Advent Sunday

Isaiah 64: 1-9
Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18
1 Corinthians 1: 3-9
Mark 13: 24-37
 ROC
Insurance Consultants

---------------------------------

Construction House,
Canal Road,
Dublin 6

------------------------------------

Tel: 1850 213 030

Fax: 01 662 4781

Reflection
We learn something every day. In a daily reading, it was
amazing to learn that the dreaded locust cannot fly! He
can, however, jump 200 times his own height. He waits
for the wind, jumps and the wind carries him to his
destination. It brought to mind the eagle using the
thermals.

An analogy sprang to mind. We read in Scripture, John 15:

5, “without me you can do nothing”. The spiritual
connotations of this are very real.
The Holy Spirit, the Comforter and the Enabler is spoken
of in the Bible in terms of wind. Yes, much is done and
much achieved by human effort and much is valuable. But,
unless our aims are Spirit-inspired and Spirit-driven, all
effort is really ephemeral. Indeed, just as the desired
destination of a sailing-ship is reached depending on the
wind, so our destination, in God’s purpose, can only be
reached guide by the wind of the Holy Spirit.
The locust, by instinct, fulfilled his need – not our,
however salutary his method.
A. Maharry

YOUTH GROUPS

As you will notice there are

4 youth groups in the Parish now.
Klub (4-6 yr olds) – Wed 4-5
Wired (7-10 yr olds) – Sunday 6-7
Fused (11-14 yr olds) - Saturday 6-7.30
Connect 15+ - Sunday 7.30-9

It is increasingly difficult to man these groups,

considering the legal requirements for a ratio of
adults to children.

We are asking that you seriously consider helping

on Wednesday, Saturday or Sundays, even just
once a month.

You help with this would be much

appreciated.

Please contact Susan

Mobile: 086 377 7278
 PARISH GROUPS/CONTACTS

RECTOR:The Rev’d D.C.Sargent (833 1181)

clontarf@dublin.anglican.org

YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S PASTOR: Susan Connolly

(086 377 7278) susanconnolly04@yahoo.co.uk

GREENLANES NS: Principal:Ms.C.Atkin (833 1554)

YOUTH GROUPS: Susan Connolly (as above)

ANCHOR BOYS: Mrs.H.McCullagh (853 5594)

B.B.JUNIOR SECTION: Mr.M.Acheson (831 8645)
B.B.COMPANY SECTION: Mr A.Ayling (831 5234)

WOMEN’S GROUP: Mrs.B.Sargent (833 1181)

Mrs.H.McCullagh (853 5594)

BOWLING CLUB: Mrs. H. Erskine (833 8139)

BADMINTON CLUB: Mrs.P.Watts (832 6078)

JUNIOR BADMINTON: Mr.R.Watts (832 6078)

PARISH STUDY GROUP: The Rector (above)

FLOWER GUILD: Mrs.I.Acheson (833 8288)

Mrs B.Gallagher (833 8683)

LADYBIRDS: Ms. E. Richardson (087 322 4670)

BROWNIES: Mrs.P. / Ms.M.Watts (832 6078)
GUIDES: Ms. N. Flynn (086 379 3218)

MOTHERS UNION: Mrs.I.Acheson (833 8288)

SUNDAY CLUB: Mrs.J.Acheson (831 8645)