In recent months, a choir has been re-established. The hymns of each Sunday’s Principal Service will be practiced in the church from 10.30am. If you would like to join the choir, please let Tim Hicks know.
Confirmation
An information evening concerning confirmation classes will be held on 26th November in East Glendalough School at 7.30pm. It is mainly geared for pupils in secondary schools. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please let Revd Jack or Revd Ken know.
Eco Tips — The Joy of Christmas Memories
A walk along supermarket aisles leaves no one in any doubt that Christmas is approaching. Shelves groan under the weight of sweets, chocolates, alcohol (all those lovely treats that are just that, treats, if consumed in the correct proportions!), but also a plethora of decorations, Christmas themed cushions, crockery, everything it seems, all there to lure customers to buy more than they need or can afford. Time was (still is for some) that decorations were stored in a box in the loft and then lovingly unpacked in the days or weeks coming up to Christmas, each item evoking beloved memories before being hung on the tree or placed around the house. For sure, replace those broken tree lights or buy occasional baubles, but maybe this year think before purchasing vast amounts that are not really needed. Ditto for Christmas presents. Children can be totally overwhelmed by piles of gifts, often the packaging being preferred. One could buy fewer, maybe better quality, presents for family and friends or go for experiences or gifts that will last all year round (e.g. annual subscriptions). Christmas should primarily celebrate the birth of Christ, but is also (partly) about giving, but not about wanton waste or debt. So, enjoy the festivities, remember others, reduce your waste / mind the environment.
The Hub
Christmas gifts and cards are now available from The Hub. The shop is currently open most mornings Monday to Saturday. Lesley Rue would be interested in hearing from any new potential volunteers.
On Thursday mornings from 10.30am LET’S CRAFT! meets in The Hub
The Friendship Group Christmas lunch
There is a friendship group within the joint parishes, for people who are retired, and for those who aren’t able to get out to meet people as regularly as they would like. The Friendship Group Christmas lunch will take place on 9th December at 12.30pm in the Wicklow Methodist Hall. If you would like to attend, please contact Linda Walsh: 086 8228378.
Safeguarding Trust
Those who act as the Safeguarding Trust Panel for the joint parishes are: Revd Jack Kinkead, Allyson Minion, Daphne Smith, Stuart Daunt-Smith and the Revd Ken Rue. Recently an audit of our procedures and record-keeping was undertaken by the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Olive Good. Generally matters are in good shape. Ideas for improvement were received.
Church Review
Thanks are due to Lesley Rue who organises the distribution of the Church Review. If you would like your name to be added to the list of recipients in 2020, please let Lesley know. She is currently collecting the annual 2020 subscriptions of €40
Eco Tips — Environmental concern in 1970s and 2010s
Environmental concern is not new, as seen by the poem below, which was written by a teenager in the mid 1970’s, at a time when few would have listened to that message and even fewer heeded it. What is new now is both the gravity and the urgency of the problem. On the plus side, there are social media platforms for present day teenagers such as Greta Thunberg to publicise the problem (thereby increasing awareness), scientific knowledge to prove (to politicians and others in power) that the problems are real and also the technology to confront many of the climate change issues facing humanity. It should be possible to pen another poem “The Future World” with a happier content.
The Present World (1975) Each day huge cities spring up anew, and cars group together to join a long queue. Is it in this fashion that we must lose all we’ve inherited? – And now, unable to choose In which direction we wish to progress, we face a grim future, no more, no less. Because, if we look around us with care, we can see that the world is beyond full repair.
The trees are all felled, the grass torn away, and new concrete blocks take their place every day. Large factories continue being built – and soon they pour out their chemical filth. Meanwhile, the air becomes a thick fog, of industrial smoke, care fumes – in fact, smog. Is it not possible to help at all, to reduce our pollution and bring about its downfall?
Unity Gospel Choir
Neville Cox has announced his intention to step down as sole leader of the Unity Gospel Choir at the end of the year. He hopes to continue in a different capacity. At the morning service on Sunday 24th November there will be an opportunity to hear the choir sing.
Friendship Group – November
The next get together will be for afternoon tea on Monday 18th November at 3pm in the Wicklow Methodist Hall. All welcome! Further information available from Linda Walsh: 086 8228378. She is organising a Christmas lunch on 9th December at 12.30pm, if interested.