The Pointer April 2024

Area Dean

The Rev Myrtle Morrison

For emergencies only

028 4372 2439

The Magazine of the Church of Ireland Parishes of Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney in the Diocese of Down and Dromore

Clonallon and Warrenpoint Facebook

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On the evening of Saint Patrick’s Day we gathered as church communities throughout the Diocese of Down and Dromore to light beacons, we remembered that event on the Hill of Slane when Patrick defied the order of the High King.

Lord God, thank you that the flame lit by Patrick on the Hill of Slane ignited a fire of faith that burns still today. May the light of this beacon be to us a reminder of your call to witness to the gospel of Christ in this land.

Our prayer continues that each of us will carry the Light of Christ wherever we go so that all may be drawn to him, who is the way, the truth and the life.

Coincidentally this editorial is being written on 2nd April, Saint Bronach's Day, and also the anniversary of the death of John Paul II whose pontificate was 1978-2005.

In November 1986 John Paul II spoke to a gathering in Australia and this extract is from that address:

“We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery – the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. “We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!” We are not looking for a shallow joy but

rather a joy that comes from faith, that grows through unselfish love, that respects the “fundamental duty of love of neighbour, without which it would be unbecoming to speak of joy.” We realize that joy is demanding; it demands unselfishness; it demands a readiness to say with Mary: “Be it done unto me according to thy word.”

“We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!”

The hope of the empty tomb means we believe in a God who is able to do immeasurably more than we can know or believe possible. The Apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians gives us a powerful reminder of the one in whom we believe. Ephesians 1:17-20.

17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.

During these weeks of Easter may we know more and more the ‘immeasurable greatness of his power‘.

The frontal on the Holy Table in Warrenpoint is a reminder that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things.

Elizabeth Hanna

7th April

Lectors

Warrenpoint HC

Stephen Cooper

Elizabeth Hanna

14th April

21st April

28th April

Clonallon HC

Dorothy Major

Rene Murphy

Warrenpoint MP

Maurice McCabe

Hugh Tyrrell

Evelyn Greer

Clonallon MP

Chris Cooper

Stephen Cooper

Dorothy Major

Warrenpoint HC

5th May

Rene Murphy

Maurice McCabe

Kilbroney HC

Myrtle Kerr

Jonathan Heyhoe

Kilbroney Family Service

Anna Farnan

Thiago Catani

Kilbroney HC

William Graham

Shelagh Roberts

Kilbroney MP

Stewart Nash

April Feng

Alanah Donaldson

Kilbroney HC

Annie Hassen

Timothy Alexander

Working with Children

All adults who work with children in any capacity should be AccessNI checked. If you think this applies to you please have a word with our Area Dean.

The Select Vestries complete annual online safeguarding returns which report on our safeguarding compliance to the diocesan council.

Church Services

Suggestion for Morning Prayer

We pray for God’s grace.

Lord, receive our praise

All and hear our prayer.

Lord God, through your grace we are your people: through your Son you have redeemed us; in your Spirit you have made us your own.

We pray for … (the Church)

Make our hearts respond to your love. Lord, receive our praise

All and hear our prayer.

We pray for … (the world)

Make our lives bear witness to your glory in the world.

Lord, receive our praise

All and hear our prayer.

We pray for … (the sick and those in need)

Make our wills eager to obey, and our hands ready to heal.

Lord, receive our praise

All and hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for

Make our voices one with all your people in heaven and on earth.

All Amen. Church of England Liturgy

Lectionary Year B

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the way, the truth and the life:

let us not stray from you who are the way, nor distrust your promises who are the truth, nor rest in anything but you who are the life, for beyond you there is nothing to be desired neither in heaven nor in earth.

All Amen. from a prayer of Erasmus (1536)

Crafters on Wednesdays

Crafting (or chatting) in the Parish Room 11.00 am to 1.00 pm.

All levels of Crafters welcome.

Tea, coffee, a biscuit and craic are obligatory!

All are welcome

Tower Bells and Handbells on Thursdays

Tower bells 6.45 to 7.30 pm

Handbells 7.30 to 9.00 pm

Badminton

A Service of Wholeness and Healing

1st Sunday each month

7.00 pm in Kilbroney Parish Church

This service will follow the liturgy printed in the Book of Common Prayer pages 457 464. There will be an opportunity for the laying on of hands and anointing with oil for those who wish.

No questions will be asked, so you may come with your own requests, or on behalf of others, and your petitions

Please make this service widely known throughout the district as people from every tradition are very welcome

At 7.00 pm in Kilbroney Parish Church

Third Sunday

Ladies Bible Study

Next meeting in Warrenpoint Vestry

9th April 2024 at 10.45 am

Everyone Welcome

Sunday Explorers

11.30 am each Sunday

All young folk welcome!

Kilbroney Parish Room

A Night at the Movies

Congratulations and best wishes to Bethlehem Low one of the handbellers . Bethlehem and fellow-parishioner, David Beck, are to be married on 13th April.

The Kilbroney Handbellers were delighted to take part in this concert on 1st March in Saint Peter’s Centre, Warrenpoint. It was a most enjoyable evening for everyone.

Saints and Scholars

After singing in Saint Mary, Star of the Sea, the Rostrevor Children’s Choir, Cór na nÓg Caisleán Ruairí, had a quick lunch before joining in the Saint Patrick event in Kilbroney Parish Church. From there they then went to the GAA to sing again. They are very talented and clearly have a great deal of energy! Interesting talks on Saints Bronach and Patrick were given by Susan Farrell and John McCavitt.

Coming up Roses

A huge thank you to Mr Patsy Morgan and his trusty team of helpers, John and Liam, for their time in delivering, shovelling, bucketing up the steps and then spreading manure on Kilbroney Parish Church roses. Shelagh is very grateful for this help as she wasn’t looking forward to having to do it on her own!!!

Tenebrae

This very moving service was held on Good Friday evening. We heard again the entire Passion Narrative and gradually the church became darker and darker as the lights and, one by one, the candles, were extinguished. Liz sang “Were you there when they crucified my Lord” at the end when there was total darkness. A single white candle was returned to the Holy Table, a reminder of the hope of resurrection. Thank you to the wardens who controlled the lights, the readers, Karl, Philip and Mellissa and to the candle snuffers Daragh and Anna.

Downpatrick then Clonallon Kilbroney Warrenpoint

The Saint Patrick weekend celebration began with a service at Saul, then pilgrims walked to the Cathedral in Downpatrick where a huge congregation enjoyed fellowship, listened to the Right Rev Jill Duff, and then watched as Bishop David lit the first beacon. A packed lunch in the pews was served, well away from the wind and rain outside! A number of parishioners from our parishes were there and representatives were given torches and paraffin to be used on Sunday night. Beacons were lit at seven o’clock in front of all three church buildings and together we prayed for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit across this land.

The wood used on the Bishop’s beacon in Downpatrick came from the Kilbroney Centre in Rostrevor!

Ladies Guild

We had a very good meeting on the 29th February. It was so encouraging to have 14 ladies present, when we were delighted to have a very informative talk from Michelle Wilson of Crawford's Rock Seaweed Products Kilkeel, on the benefits of seaweed.

Dorothy welcomed everyone and especially Michelle. After some announcements, and sending continued good wishes to Joan. We are delighted to hear that she got home last Thursday. We also send love and best wishes to Elaine, and pray that you too will soon be out and about again. Dorothy then read a few verses from Leviticus 2 v 13 and also Mark 9 v 20 and gave a short prayer. The meeting was handed over to Michelle. Michelle shared that after 25 years in the Health & Social Care Sector, she embarked on a completely new path. She had a hobby of making soap from kelp.

Her husband's grandfather and ancestors foraged the coastal waters at Derryogue, Kilkeel. A product called 'shoulk' was gathered.

The 'shoulk' would have been brought home washed, boiled and eaten. Michelle recalled it would have been eaten with soda bread and butter. It was full of vitamins. The family were all healthy and lived long lives.

This led to Michelle going out and foraging seaweed and Crawford's Rock Seaweed Company being set up. The whole family are involved too. Crawford's Rock sits out on the Bay at Derryogue Harbour, Kilkeel.

Michelle showed us the different types of seaweed and explained what they were for. Michelle and her husband have won a lot of awards. Last year, for example, they won eight awards.

They have met the rich and famous the present Prime Minister and his wife at Number 10 Downing Street. These products have reached many parts of the world.

We had an opportunity to taste the various seasonings and even seaweed chocolate which was surprisingly nice. We all went home with a sample of something.

The Meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and a biscuit.

Our next Meeting is: THURSDAY 25th APRIL AT 7.00 PM. Our Speaker is David Charleton from Fields of Life

The May Meeting is: THURSDAY 30th MAY AT 7.00 PM and this will be our gardening slot with Joanna McCall of Ark Community Gardens.

Our outing is on THURSDAY 27th JUNE possibly to Hillsborough Castle & Gardens. We were to go there in 2020 but we were plunged into lockdown and restrictions with Covid and so it didn't happen. By the time you read this you will have received a message with the details.

Have a Blessed and Peaceful Easter season.

My friends call me "The Computer." Nothing to do with intelligence; I go to sleep if I am left unattended for fifteen minutes.

My Quilt

When I was a very small girl my Dad first took me to visit an elderly great Aunt of his who lived in a very remote part of County Fermanagh.

The farmhouse was a large Georgian, whitewashed house fronting on to minor road, with the busy farmyard and outbuildings at the back. The front door had a porch which housed many well fed and watered geraniums, and a red tiled floor, polished weekly, no doubt with red Cardinal or Mansion polish and seldom used except by visiting clergy, or unexpected visitors, or a special door to door salesman who was allowed in!

The big latched door from the yard at the back was split horizontally and could be used as a half door when the weather was warm.

Inside it opened on to a stone passage with pegs on the wall for hanging coats then on into the big wide warm kitchen with its big black range at one side and an open fireplace at the other end. The open fire had a crook hanging down the middle of it with a big black kettle which was always on the boil. There was a large wooden dresser at one side which held all the blue and white striped cups, mugs and plates for everyday use and near it was another dresser which had glass doors and held the good china used on Sundays, or for unexpected visitors, or visiting clergy! Beside the lace curtained window which looked out on to the yard there was a well-scrubbed rectangular table where at harvest or sowing time the workers sat for their lunch and in the middle of the room was a big long table, always covered by a white linen cloth where the family sat for their meals.

The open fire had a wicker box filled with cleanly cut logs. Beside it a gleaming brass coal scuttle filled with shiny black coal and two comfortable sofas nearby.

When Dad and I arrived he was greeted like the prodigal son while I stood back hoping no one would notice me! Needless to say after a minute or two I was being suffocated with hugs and kisses, too, too much for a small girl, and so the avalanche of tears would start.

I remember one cold day when we arrived Great Aunt Sarah was sitting in front of a big fire doing her usual colourful crocheting. Each of the crochet squares measured about two inches using wool of different colours. The sofas and big armchairs in the room had lots of her work covering them.

When my Dad had admired her newest work she said that she would do a special one for the child and about five years later when he was visiting again, she gave him ‘MY QUILT’.

Well, my quilt has been my lifelong friend. It has been to boarding school and various hospital stays, it has comforted me when tears tripped me at various stages of my life, through births and deaths, sadness and happiness. It has kept sick children warm and comfortable, covered the summer seat and draped over

Thursday, 21st March, was a special day for Kilbroney Integrated Primary School as it marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of integrated status. Photographs and corridor displays reminded visitors of the long history of the school with Mr Thomas Roberts pictured at the opening in September 1969. Parents, members past and present of the Board of Governors, and invited guests were treated to a wonderful afternoon tea and concert. One of the speakers was Dr Mary McAleese. Entertainment was provided by the Rostrevor Childrens Choir, the school’s own signing choir and school choir, solo instrumentalists, the handbell team, poetry readings, plus Scottish and Irish dancers. The original clip from “School Around the Corner” was shown and two members of staff, who were pupils on that show, then recreated it with some pupils who are in school now. It was a most memorable occasion, and we wish Mrs Porter and KIPS every blessing as they move into the next twenty-five years! Elizabeth Hanna

Evening Services in Kilbroney Reasons to trust God

First Sunday of the month at seven o’clock.

Third Sunday of the month at seven o’clock.

God knows you by name. Isaiah 43:1

God will fight for you. Exodus 14:14

God thinks about you. Psalm 139:17

God has plans for you. Jeremiah 29:11

God is your refuge. Psalm 62:6-8

God is always with you. Matthew 28:20

March Family Service in Kilbroney

Family Services usually have something a little bit different and are shorter than the regular services of Holy Communion or Morning Prayer.

In March we were pleased to have a guest violinist, Andrea Blain, working with Liz. It was also Charles’ debut as one of the handbell ringers. We thought about how missionaries from Ireland passed on the Light of Christ to Scotland and across Europe and we illustrated that with candles being lit one from the other.

In the breaking of the bread our eyes were opened, we knew him then. The Lord was with us In Emmaus, there was no doubt. he was alive and with us,

the scriptures made sense. What a difference! But thinking back to that journey –to the grief that overwhelmed us, the discussions, disagreements and debilitating disappointment –

a different opening of the eyes, we never were alone.

Before the word and bread, because of the word and bread he was there, he is here, always, walking with us.

Kilbroney Centre Interns

Since September, we (Jani, Rachel, Shannon) have been living and working at the Kilbroney Centre as interns.

Hello, my name is Shannon, I’m from Templepatrick and I’m an intern at the Kilbroney Centre because I love it here and wanted to spend a year serving God and learning new skills. I first came to the centre in 2017 when Rachel brought me along to attend camp. Although I had grown up with some knowledge of Jesus, this was the first time I really met God and came to know him in my life. I have just finished university, where I studied Earth Sciences, and I have no idea where God will lead me next year after this internship.

Hi I’m Jani. I am 22 years old and I am from Lisburn. I attended the Kilbroney Centre for the first time in 2021 for a young peoples’ leadership weekend. I had so much fun and returned in 2022 and 2023 to be a leader at Kilbroney summer camps. After graduating from university, I knew my next step was to do the Kilbroney internship after hearing Jan talk about it at camp. Now I am here, and I love being able to welcome people to Kilbroney with the same warmth that I received the first time I came. This year has been a real learning experience and it’s great to be able to serve people as Jesus did and to bring God’s love to the people who stay here.

Hello, my name is Rachel, I’m from Ballyclare. I studied Environmental Science at university and I am an intern this year as I want to spend time focusing more on God and serving him. I love the centre and have been going to camps there since 2016, I have benefited immensely from the ministry there and so it feels like a great privilege to work there this year. I have learnt so much already from how to lay a table the ‘right’ way, to how to drill, to how to do CPR.

the Centre’s ministry such as housekeeping duties, including cleaning, laundry, kitchen work, and also basic site maintenance.

Before Christmas we were busy revamping a bedroom corridor. We filled holes and then repainted the walls and ceilings. We measured, cut, sanded, and nailed wooden panels to the walls.

We also spent a lovely week repairing chairs. We learned to sew by darning holes in the cushion covers of the chairs; and to drill by adding supporting wood to chair legs.

We are also involved in hosting and welcoming our guests, introductory meetings with groups and running the nightline and campfires, along with other on–site activities.

The Kilbroney Centre, is a Christian residential centre offering outdoor activities for groups staying. Interns are expected to help with a variety of duties to support

This year we have been working towards qualifications we can use at the centre. So far, we have achieved our Outdoor First Aid, Level 2 Food Safety and Archery Instructor qualifications.

We are currently working towards our Climbing Wall Instructor qualification, with our assessments hopefully coming up in June. We have been learning different knots, how to lead climb, how to run climbing lessons and how to belay each other.

We have been learning to canoe, to complete our Paddlesports Instructor awards too, which we will hopefully use at the Kilbroney Summer camps this year!

Whist we are busy doing all these things we are also learning so much about Jesus. We love having our weekly Bible studies with a different speaker invited each week. From September to December, we studied the book of Acts and now we are reading through the Gospel of Luke.

We were able to attend the Down and Dromore Diocese clergy conference in January, where Rico Tice spoke on evangelism. We learned lots and met many interesting people from across the Diocese.

During this year, we have had the privilege of attending Kilbroney Parish on Sunday mornings. These services have been a peaceful time out of our busy week and it has been wonderful to be welcomed by, and meet, members of the church (that is, when we didn’t have to rush off early to serve lunch for a group in the centre)!

As we are about to enter our busy season with back to back groups and primary schools, please keep praying for this ministry and the groups which come here!

Are you Okay, Pet?

Having had a bad fall when I was living on my own and feeling a bit low I was allocated a place in a local residential home for respite before a package could be arranged for me to live at home with daily help.

I duly arrived at the home by ambulance. Staff and helpers were so friendly, kind and helpful. They were no time getting me settled in and making me feel welcome and special! As there was time before the evening meal was due I thought I’d go walkabout with the help of my Zimmer frame, just a short walk and to get the lay out of the place.

People had left their doors open so the “Good evening, nice to see you” was comforting to hear and being a new face people were interested to know where l had come from. In fact I was propositioned twice by good looking elderly gentlemen, really making my day!!

It wasn’t long before I was part of the afternoon chat group in the very comfortable lounge before we were called for our evening meal which was always delicious home cooked food, all over and cleared up before 5.00 pm. The staff worked so hard to make us all welcome and had time to have wee chats with anyone who was quietly sitting on their own or who perhaps had a hearing difficulty.

In spite of my doubting that I would find the days long the time simply flew. So please, if you have to go for respite into a home don’t worry, you’ll really enjoy it!

New fangled with my new limited mobility, out of the wheelchair and totally in charge of my own Zimmer! Oh the freedom of walking into the dining room unaided and stopping to have a wee word with those folk already seated, accepting their praise and warnings about speeding, telling me that the staff here have as much authority as the speed cops!

Mind you, learning to drive a Zimmer doesn’t come that easy either. There are road (corridor) rules to obey too, although they don’t give you a certificate at the end I feel a bit of recognition wouldn’t go amiss. If you’re around, or already seated, please move to one side and give those who want to pass a smile!

A farmer walks into a hardware store and asks for a chainsaw that can cut down six trees in one hour. The salesman recommends the top of the line model. The farmer is suitably impressed, and buys it. The next day he brings it back, complaining that it would only cut down one tree and it took ALL DAY! The salesman takes the chainsaw, starts it up to see what's wrong, and the farmer says, “What's that noise?”

would never happen she must have thought. It all seemed impossible to her, so she wouldn't agree.

Mordecai wasn't going to let go!! He sent Esther a reply reminding her of three important facts.

• In verse 13 he pointed out to her that just because she was a palace resident didn't mean she wouldn't be killed along with everyone else.

• In verse 14 he told her that keeping quiet about it wouldn't benefit her either.

• He emphasized that her being in the palace was no accident. She had come to the royal position "for such a time as this". If God brought her to the throne (as he did), then he had a purpose in mind … the purpose was plain … she was in a position to intercede for her people.

It is hard to believe we are now five years old. We were only one year when we were plunged into lockdown and restrictions. However, we kept in touch through the pages of the Pointer and the Lord kept us until we were able to meet again. The Lord has blessed us and he has been present at all our meetings. We give him the glory and can truly say “To God be the glory, great things he has done”.

We continue our whistlestop journey through Esther and today we are in Chapters 4 and 5. Now we are in the midst of the storm. The death warrants have been sent out and there is deep distress amongst the Jews.

When Mordecai heard of what had been done, we are told in Verse 1 of Chapter 4, that he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes to show his distress. He went out in to the streets wailing loudly, as did all the Jewish people.

When Esther heard of Mordecai being in deep distress she became distressed too. She had no idea what had happened. She sent him some clothes because he wouldn't be allowed to enter through the King's Gate. She sent her servant to go to Mordecai and find out what was so terribly wrong.

Mordecai told the servant everything including the amount of money that wicked Haman was prepared to pay to the Royal Treasury for the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai also gave the servant a copy of the death warrant that had been sent out to the Jews. He told the servant to ask Esther to plead with the King to help them.

Naturally Esther was afraid. She couldn't just approach the King without an invitation. If she were to go in, she could be killed. She knew only too well what he was capable of. She knew what happened to Vashti he dismissed her on the spot because she did not do what the King wanted. It had been 30 days since Esther had seen the King. No, it was too much of a risk.

The only exception would be if the King held out the golden scepter to her indicating his favour to her. That

God always has a purpose when he puts his child in some strange or unfamiliar place.

God had placed both Mordecai and Esther in prime positions. Mordecai at the King's Gate and Esther, Queen in the palace.

Romans 8 v 31 assures us - If God is for us, who can be against us.

So what would Esther do? She sought God for guidance. In verse 16 we read that she asked Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Susa and fast for three days, and she would get her maids together and they would fast as well. With fasting there is prayer. So she said after those three days I will go to the King, "If I perish, I perish", in other words she was saying I'll do God's will whatever the cost. Such courage. She was prepared to risk her life for her people.

What a statement "If I perish, I perish". Do you remember the statement Ruth made to Naomi, her mother-in-law. "I will go where you go; I will lodge where you lodge; your people will be my people and your God my God".

It is such a blessing to have people pray for you; to have someone pray with you is an even bigger blessing but to have a group of people praying with you takes it to a higher level.

Prayer is the power house

Prayer changes things

Prayer is so important

Much prayer much blessing

Some prayer some blessing

No prayer no blessing

In the musical 'Aspects of Love' one of the songs is 'Love changes everything'

For the Christian - PRAYER CHANGES EVERYTHNG.

The three days have passed and we now enter Chapter 5. On the third day Esther got herself ready and made her way to the courtyard and stood opposite to the entrance of the King's hall. The King was sitting on his throne.

Wow! what an answer to prayer. The King saw her and was pleased with her. What did he do? Well verse 2 of chapter 5 tells us that -

• he held out his golden sceptre giving her permission to come into his presence.

• he asked Esther what she wanted but before Esther could answer, he immediately offered her half of his kingdom.

What a change of heart the King had!! Prayer was changing him. God was at work.

What an opportunity for Esther to speak to the King of what was happening, but God intervened:

• it wasn't just the right place in the Royal Hall and only the King and her,

• it wasn't just the right time either.

Perhaps we can get a clue in Verse 4 of Chapter 5. Esther wanted Haman, and only Haman, to be present when she told the King. So she invited the King and Haman to a banquet, a special meal that she had already prepared. Notice she had already prepared the meal. God was directing. Well, anything for a party and the King sent for Haman!

While they were there the King asked Esther again what she wanted and promised to give her what she asked. Again, Esther held back. She invited the King and Haman back next day for another banquet (or as we would say another "feed") and then she would be ready to answer the King's question.

Changed days!! Before this the King wouldn't have tolerated with having to wait. He probably would have thrown a tantrum, but prayer was changing him, he was becoming patient.

Well, Haman thought he was the 'big fella'. Verse 9 we read "he went out that day happy and in high spirits"

and in verses 11 and 12 he boasted about himself; how the King had honoured him above all the other officials; and that he was the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the King to the banquet.

There was just one thing that was annoying Haman. Earlier that day when he was leaving the Palace he saw Mordecai at the King's Gate. Mordecai still refused to bow to him and in verse 9 Haman was filled with rage. He told his wife and friends and they advised him to prepare the gallows for Mordecai and in the morning go and ask the King's permission to have Mordecai hanged. Then he could enjoy the banquet later.

So Haman had the gallows build and everything was ready - or so he thought. No doubt he would sleep well, but God was in the shadows keeping watch over his own.

Proverbs 5 v 21-23

For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord and he examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him, the chords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline led astray by his own folly.

Our next Bible Study will be on TUESDAY 9th APRIL AT 10.45 AM

IN THE VESTRY WARRENPOINT CHURCH

All ladies are welcome to come along

Looking forward to seeing you all Love, God Bless and stay safe and have a Blessed and Peaceful Easter

Dorothy Major XX

Easter in Warrenpoint Church

The diminutive arachnid

The conduit did ascend; Precipitation earthward Propelled our little friend.

The local star emerged, Evaporation ensued; And the diminutive arachnid Its course once more pursued.

Life is short. If you can't laugh at yourself, call me and I will.

Two friends were camping. One went for a walk and limped back into camp, bruised and bleeding. "What happened?" asked the other camper. "I was chased by a black snake!" "Why did you run?? A black snake isn't poisonous." "If he can make you jump off a twenty-foot embankment, he doesn't need to be."

Second Sunday in Lent

Readings: Genesis 17:1-7,15,16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38.

Theme:

The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right.

Theme verses: (from Romans 4: 23-25):

‘Therefore, Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him as righteousness. Now the words, ‘It was reckoned to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus from the dead, who was handed over to death.’

There are four key concepts in these verses from Romans 4: faith, belief, righteousness and sacrifice, and four key references: to God, Abraham, Jesus and us.

I would like to give you my thoughts on some of these before looking at the gospel passage for today.

First, there are differences between faith and belief, even though they are often used interchangeably.

Belief is an acceptance that something exists, or is true about a concept or an idea, or a fact, and often without any evidence or proof. Belief does not necessarily involve trust in something.

Faith leads to a strong trust or confidence in God, or a doctrine, or a religious system. It involves commitment and devotion that goes beyond evidence, and is rooted in a spiritual conviction rather than a proof.

So, when we read about Abraham’s faith, we can see he believed in something despite the lack of evidence or even common sense or the natural way of things, that he, at 100 years old, and Sarah at 90, would have a son, though I do remember taking a horse to be shod by a local blacksmith near Portsalon in Co. Donegal. He was 92 and had a squad of young children playing in the causey outside the forge – all his own, he said. I saw his wife. She looked to be in her forties, so that says more about her than about him.

I think the same goes for Sarah, Abraham’s wife. It couldn’t have been an easy birth.

Abraham believed God when God promised that he would be the father of many nations and more wonderfully, Sarah, in her barrenness, would be the mother of many nations.

Saint Paul says, in Romans 4:20,21, that Abraham’s faith increased because he was fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised, and this brings in the next of the four concepts – righteousness. For this faith of Abraham was reckoned by God to be the seal of friendship and reconciliation - being right with God.

“Righteousness will be reckoned to those who believe in God who raised Jesus from the dead”, says Saint Paul in Romans 4:24.

Like Abraham, if we, Christians, believe in the saving work of Jesus on the cross, and the power of his resurrection, we will be considered righteous (verse 25).

This is righteousness: it is having faith in God and God’s ability to fulfil God’s promises. It is about God’s integrity and our own; Believing, having faith in the belief, a strong trust and confidence, commitment and devotion that goes beyond evidence – a spiritual conviction - God-me; me-God. One. There is no self about it.

There is a very funny cartoon in your magazine, The Pointer, that refers to a pig and chicken walking by a church where a gala charity event was taking place. The pig suggested to the chicken that they make a contribution. “Great idea!” the chicken cried. “Let’s offer them ham and eggs!” “Not so fast; that’s alright for you,” said the pig, “For you, that’s a contribution. For me it’s a total commitment.”

And there’s the difference. Faith requires commitment.

It is about having faith in God because God is faithful to us.

Our faith can break down. When bad things happen to good people, we frail human beings are confused and troubled.

It happened to me. After my dear wife, Beryl, died from an inoperable tumour in her brain, at age 71. All the prayers of many people came to nothing. I was rector in Dromara and Garvaghy at the time, and the dear, kindly folk of the parishes supported me in every way they could. I shouted at God from the back door of the rectory every morning, I was so angry. God, do you even exist? The back door of the rectory looked out over the fields to Slieve Croob so no one could hear me howling, only God, and he wasn’t answering. I had lost faith and so, after a few months when I knew it was hypocritical to continue preaching and trying to pastor people when I was burnt out, at 75, I retired for the second time. The strange thing was, I still believed in God and Jesus Christ as I had since childhood, but I had lost all faith in prayer and a God who is all-powerful, performs miracles and changes the world. At the very least, I had enough faith to shout at God and not some other deity. I continued to worship, found comfort in the psalms where I encountered others who shouted at God, “where are you?” If it was faith, it was a childhood faith that brought me through. I came to accept that a tumour is also

God’s creation, though in Beryl’s case, malignant, and that we, in the midst of life are in death, as is all creation. The faith I have received from God, tells me death is not the end.

There is evil in the world, and we’re seeing this every day, more and more. However, we have the belief that God is all-powerful and that good will overcome evil. We are called to live our faith wisely and boldly in this knowledge. Our faith should be a blessing to others, as Abraham’s faith has been a blessing to the world since ancient times.

The Christian life is not a paved road to wealth and ease. It often involves hard work, persecution, deprivation and deep suffering.

We know this for we experience it frequently. Peter would have known this as a fisherman.

Jesus and the disciples had just had a discussion about who Jesus was, after he had restored sight to the blind man and fed four thousand people with five loaves and a few small fish.

Naturally, Peter recognised how special Jesus was and when asked, said, ‘You are the Christ!’ Peter would have envisaged an easy road ahead, being with the Messiah who could do anything he chose, be anything. He wanted Christ to be king, not a suffering servant.

So, Peter took Jesus aside to give him a piece of his mind, but Jesus rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me Satan! You don’t know the half of it; you don’t know the things of God, only the things of men!”

He explained. “The Son of Man must suffer and be killed and rise again after three days.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it.

Then to the crowd he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driving seat. I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it! Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? If any of you is embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendour of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.” (from ‘The Message’ by Eugene Peterson).

Then he drove it home by saying, “This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you who are standing here are going to see it happening, see the kingdom of God arrive in full force.” (The Message)

Six days later, three of them did see it. Peter, James

and John went up a high mountain with Jesus. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. He was accompanied by Elijah and Moses and they talked together with Jesus. The three disciples were stunned. A radiant light in the form of a cloud covered them and a voice said, ‘This is my Son, marked by my love –listen to him! On the way down Jesus swore them to secrecy.

This gospel story is so beautiful yet filled with shortcomings, misunderstandings, doubts, bad news, good news, heaven and hell, death and darkness, life and light. It is full of mystery, and I believe that is how it should be for us – faith is believing in things unseen, things mysterious.

Remember, that faith, as I said, involves commitment and devotion that goes beyond evidence, and is rooted in a spiritual conviction rather than a proof.

It is the conviction that God is with us that gets us through many deep troubles. Clergy often hear it said by people who have suffered and are recuperating, “I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t had my faith.”

I don’t mean to be a pessimist, but I think we’re living in a world where those troubles seem to be multiplying day on day, year on year: threats of war, rumours of food and water shortages owing to climate change, vast movements of people fleeing from danger zones, Artificial Intelligence surpassing Human intelligence, a breakdown in trust when it is difficult to discern truth from falsehood and a serious breakdown in mental health through the negative effects of social media and drugs.

Faith will be needed more than ever, and common sense with a good deal more self-discipline and resilience. It’s the one and probably the only good thing that wars bring to nations. We are driven back into faith in a power beyond ourselves.

People of God, here, in this church, you have the power, you have the power, God’s power to overcome. ‘He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.’ Cor. 1:17

Psalm 46 says, ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord the Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.’

Saint Bronach’s Tower, Kilbroney

Kilbroney Church bells are rung by real people! Every time the bells are heard across the village, there are people up in the ‘bell ringing chamber’ actually pulling the ropes.

Ringers do not have to be musical or good at maths, just well-coordinated and with a sense of rhythm.

To ring a bell, you do not need to be immensely fit and strong. It’s all about technique. The bells rotate on ball bearings so only the friction has to be overcome. It’s a hobby you can begin in your early teens and continue well into your eighties or even nineties!

The main purpose is to ring before Sunday service. All ringers must be prepared and able to attend practice on Thursday evenings at 6.30 pm and to ring on a Sunday morning. For training, a weekly practice is essential.

The six bells are housed in the belfry three levels above the church porch. They were cast and installed in 1880 by John Taylor & Co Founders, Loughborough, England. The lightest bell is called the ‘Treble’, and it weighs 32st (208Kg).

Bell 2 is 39st (254Kg).

Bell 3 is equal in weight to an average sized bull, 48st (307kg).

Bell 4 is similar weight to a giant grizzly bear, 57st (362Kg).

Bell 5 is like the weight of a a grand concert piano, 73st (464Kg).

The largest bell is called the ‘Tenor’, and its equal in weight to a small mini car, 102st (650Kg).

Thee are six ringing bells in the belfry, and that means that there are six ringers pulling on ropes two levels below in the ringing chamber.

The Tower Captain is the person in charge of the tower and the ringers.

The Steeple Master is responsible for the maintenance of the bells, the ropes and all working parts ensuring that bells and fixtures are in safe working order.

Recollections and reminisces of a Tower Captain. Ken Roberts

You don’t immediately become a tower captain, first you have to be a competent ringer.

I learnt like so many at the age of 11 years, I was taught by the Ringing Master, Aubrey Wylie who taught all beginners in Kilbroney tower at that time. Aubrey's family were all excellent ringers, his wife René, twin sons, John and Joe, and Joe’s wife Veronica. They nearly had a full team of six ringers!

The Rector, the Rev. Malcolm Graham was an enthusiastic ringer and attended every practice and rang for as long on a Sunday morning as his other duties permitted. It was enormous fun and we competed for the Cunningham and Murphy cups, visiting other towers and very different bells at times.

St Bronach’s won the Northern District Championship (Cunningham Cup, which had been presented by two St. Bronach’s ringers - the Cunningham brothers) in 1954, 1956 and 1963, and the all-Ireland championship (the Murphy Cup) in 1954. We hope to enter a team next year.

Then university and medical school took me to Edinburgh where I qualified in 1976 and began a career in medicine that kept me in Scotland for 42 years. I still rang every time I was home for a visit until 2002 when the bells fell silent due to lack of ringers for 12 years.

When Shelagh and I returned in 2014, we had the bells checked over and serviced to be fit to ring safely. Joe Wylie was the only one left that was still fit and interested to ring the bells. When his health deteriorated he requested that the Select Vestry appoint me as ringing master. I didn't feel competent enough to be that but I became Tower Captain in charge of the bells.

Shelagh and I trained about 17 people to become competent ringers including Paddy Jameson the son of Canon Jameson, who is now Steeple Master and also works jointly with me in training new ringers. We now have a band of 9 competent ringers and two who have had to stop temporarily due to physical injuries. We have two new ringers who are excellent and we have an enthusiastic and dedicated band.

Shelagh remembers; ‘My Dad walking my brothers and I up to church early on a Sunday morning, to give mum some Sunday morning peace and quiet.

Us four kids, watched the bell ringers in action Aubrey Wylie, Dad, Geoff Henley, Robert Linden, Rene, John and Joe Wylie, ‘ringing rounds’ and ‘calling changes’, which changed the pattern within the ring of the six bells. One by one we all began tower bell ringing at the age of 11, it was partly to keep me out of mischief and Dad thought it would be good for me even though I was the only girl! It was. In later years my younger brother Steven also followed suit. We were definitely a bell ringing family as my niece Lilly and great-nephew James are following in the family tradition.

I left ringing aged 18 and was very surprised, amazed even, that I hadn’t forgotten the art when Ken and I returned to ringing in 2014 many, many years later!!! Although a little rusty, it really didn’t take long to get back into it. Bell ringing has so many positive health values; it’s good for your central core, your sight, your hearing, your memory, concentration, team building, bingo wings (yes!), and making new friends! It’s a real buzz when ‘a ring’ goes well there’s just nothing like it!

Steeple Master, Paddy Jameson remembers; ‘Having moved to Rostrevor in 1979, imagine the excitement of rushing out of Henry's into the square at midnight

on New Year’s eve amongst a small group of new friends, faces flushed with youth and perhaps a little alcohol, to hear the bells ringing in the New Year! That overpowering sound on a still night was the perfect way to experience the new year, friends hugging, laughing and crying in equal measure, without the false bonhomie of crowded venues.

Those precious memories stayed with me while I sailed the seven seas for 40 years, and when the tower reopened after the bells had been silent for years - I knew I wanted to be part of it and help create that evocative sound for the village.

Thanks to Ken and Shelagh for making it happen.’

Siobhan Hourican remembers; I was attending a Church Luncheon and Shelagh and I got talking about Bell ringing. She invited me to come and try and this was the start of learning a most enjoyable skill.

Under the guidance of Ken and Shelagh I learnt the skills of Campanology. I have enjoyed this immensely and also the warm welcome extended by those in the Church, all the wonderful new friends I have made.

Regrettably, due to a shoulder injury, caused by other pastimes I have had to refrain from ringing. I still keep up to date with all the 'goings on', and miss the fantastic times I had for what must be nine years.

I would like to think maybe God willing, I will ring again. Hoping the tower will continue to produce great tones, courtesy of the great people on the end of the ropes.

Stewart Nash remembers; Aubrey Wylie taught me to ring bells for the millennium. There were so many ringers we queued on the stairs and rang in rotation.

Tim Alexander remembers ’Wild Bells’ Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: No it wasn't in the least bit like that - nothing romantic about it. I was not vocationally "Summoned by Bells" and anyway it was summer. A friend suggested I join the tower as a way of getting to know people. I also thought that the exercise might help ease a sore shoulder and neck.

Let me admit I was not a 'natural' ringer. For one thing I was dubious about the notion of capsizing into motion a large piece of metal suspended directly over my head. There is something of Charlie Cairoli about it but with formless fears rather than a bucket of whitewash. The bell rope appears to offer inadequate control of what you are about to let loose - a bit like taking a rhino for a walk on a lead. I also found that each time I learned to do 'X' tolerably I would be asked to do 'X+1' and then it would all go pear-shaped again.

When in danger or in doubt

Wave your arms and run about. That was me on many an evening. Many an evening I reduced Paddy Jameson to speechless frustration due to my inability to master some skill or other. But the old hands were supportive and encouraging and little by little I progressed, as everyone does. You start to control the bell rather than the other way round. Tunnel vision focused on your own rope slowly gives way to a wide angle view of the ringing chamber. As Americans might say, you can chime and chew gum at the same time.

Then some evening the uncertain rhythm’s and clashing bells are replaced by crisp, clean rounds and a perfectly coordinated finish. You are part of a team. This feels good - and not just in the tower. Most musicians practise in private but bellringers must make their mistakes public. All the better then when it comes together.

There is always a next step. There are forms of ringing ('methods') that are like advanced maths compared with our school arithmetic. If you hear mad jangling from the tower some evening we may have decided to start that journey. For now though plain rounds and called changes done well are thrilling enough.

Ah those wild bells. Now I hear them.

Paul Cole remembers; The bells were always part of the village. As a very young boy flying about on my bike, I was allowed stay out until the bells stopped ringing on practice night.

So when Ken and another were putting up the sign for the church renovation some years ago, it happened to be a real stormy day. I asked if they needed a little help.

Ken gladly said yes. So after the sign was secured, Ken talked about the bells and tower and asked me if I would be interested in learning to ring a bell. I thought it over, and then decided to turn up the following Thursday evening, thinking it was only a matter of pulling on a rope, but got the shock of my life when I soon learned there was a bit more to this bell ringing!

But as I stuck with it, old memories came back of New Year’s on the square when the crowd came out of Fearon’s pub to dance around the Christmas tree, centred then, right in front of our house. And to my great joy and the people of the village, the bells are still rung out for New Year’s Eve as they do throughout the year.

Saint Bronach’s newest recruit; My name is Alan Davis, I’m 55 years old and here is my story as to how I became a bell ringer in Saint Bronach’s Bell Tower, Rostrevor.

I am originally a Newry person, and after marrying Rachel we started family life in Warrenpoint. We have two daughters Phoebe and Grace, and as Rachel is originally from Rostrevor it was always our intention to move the family to Rostrevor, which we did a few years back.

Rostrevor is blessed with the fantastic Kilbroney Forest Park and the beautiful Fairy Glen. This park is situated in the heart of the village and is an area where most parents would go for walks with family and pets. Rachel and I would walk the forest park most evenings and weekends and it was during these walks that I first heard the bells of the church. It got that we would time our walks to the Thursday night and Sunday morning choruses.

I couldn’t count how many times during these walks that I said to Rachel how lovely the bells sounded and queried whether they would “give me a wee go”.

In late November 2023, I was chatting with members of the Rostrevor Men’s Shed and the bells started tolling and I said to one of the shedders that I would love to have a go on them, he said no bother as he

knew the Tower Captain. We made our way to the Belfry where I was introduced to Ken and the other people who were in the tower.

From that night I was hooked! The sound of the bells in the village is fabulous but the sound from inside the tower is something totally different, when all six bells are ringing, and the tower is resonating there’s not a better feeling!

The following Sunday it was decided that Paddy, the Steeple Master, was to be my instructor so we arranged to arrive 15 mins earlier than everyone else so I could see how the bells were put up. New terminology like Tail and Sally, Sliders and Stays were added to my vocabulary and my apprenticeship in the belfry started in earnest. It is really difficult to describe the pleasure one can get from your first pull on the tail and the bell chimes.

Recent Certificate awarded. In March 2024 new ringer, Edward Duggan (age 15) receives his ‘Saint Bronach’s Bell Tower Certificate of Recognition’ from Tower Captain Ken Roberts and Steeple Master Paddy Jameson. Ed is now capable of ringing rounds and call changes with the team.

Written and compiled by Ken and Shelagh Roberts

Water Drops

Ronie and Maggie are back in Kajiado and have been working with the local communities to construct some new water tanks. As we go to print the work is nearing completion so these days are busy! Excavation of the tank base at Oloontona was completed quickly and the construction of the walls commenced. The second project at Oloilalei got underway as well.

It's not all about the materials and the work. Both of these projects have approximately two hundred families living within easy reach of the storage tanks - that's more than 1,200 people in each community who will benefit

from using this water, and their lives will be changed.. That's what it's all about.. So, we keep going.

Ronnie writes: There are good signs here of the rains about to start, and that is the best time to finish our two projects.. As soon as it rains, we should be ready to catch it and store it - so we are flat out on both tanks to make sure we are ready when the rain is ready.

Prayer

1 Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed; the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.

2 Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try, prayer the sublimest strains that reach the Majesty on high.

3 Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, the Christian's native air, his watchword at the gates of death: he enters heaven with prayer.

4 Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, returning from his ways; while angels in their songs rejoice, and cry, 'Behold, he prays!

5 The saints in prayer appear as one, in word and deed and mind; while with the Father and the Son sweet fellowship they find.

6 Nor prayer is made on earth alone: the Holy Spirit pleads, and Jesus on the eternal throne for sinners intercedes.

7 O Thou by whom we come to God, the Life, the Truth, the Way, the path of prayer thyself hast trod: Lord, teach us how to pray!

James Montgomery was born at Irvine, Ayrshire, 4th November 1771. In 1776 he went with his parents to the Moravian settlement at Gracehill, near Ballymena. Two years later he was sent to Fulbeck Moravian School, Yorkshire, with the plan that he would become a church minister. Sadly, his academic record was so poor that he abandoned the course.

He left Fulbeck in 1787, and entered a retail shop at Mirfield, near Wakefield. Soon tiring of that, he found a similar situation at Wath near Rotherham, but it was as unsuitable to his taste as the former.

A journey to London, with a hope of finding a publisher for his youthful poems, ended in failure; and in 1792, he was glad to leave Wath for Sheffield to join the American Mr. Gales, an auctioneer, bookseller, and printer of the Sheffield Register, a radical newspaper, as his assistant in 1794.

When Mr. Gales left England to avoid a political prosecution Montgomery took the Sheffield Register in hand, changed its name to the Sheffield Iris, and continued to edit it for 31 years.

During the next two years he was imprisoned twice; first for reprinting a song in commemoration of the Fall of the Bastille, and secondly for giving an account of a riot in Sheffield.

The editing of his paper, the composition and publication of his poems and hymns, the delivery of lectures on poetry in Sheffield and at the Royal Institute, London, and the earnest advocacy of Foreign Missions and the Bible Society in many parts of the country, gave great variety to his life.

He was fearless in his denunciation of the slave trade, child chimney-sweeps, and state lotteries. In 1809, he wrote an epic anti-slavery poem called 'The West Indies'. He also associated himself with the Wesleyan Methodists, particularly in their Sunday School work.

In 1835, through the agency of Sir Robert Peel, the then prime minister, he was given a royal pension of £200 a year. He died in his sleep at the Mount, Sheffield, on 30th April 1854, and was honoured with a public funeral. A statue was erected in his memory in the Sheffield General Cemetery.

Montgomery wrote 400 hymns and more than 100 are still in common use. As a writer of hymns, he ranks in popularity with Wesley, Watts, Doddridge, Newton and Cowper. His best hymns were written in his earlier years.

Perhaps his finest lyrics are "Angels from the realms of glory", "Hail to the Lord's Anointed" and "Songs of praise the angels sang". "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire", is an expanded definition of prayer of great beauty. The hymn asserts that words are not always required, and God knows that.

EH from various sources

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