The “Big Step Up” is an overnight event in Christ Church Cathedral to encourage those who are moving from primary to secondary school next year In their faith. There will be sung worship, food, and there will be plenty of time and space to pray, think, chat about whatever’s on your mind or just hang out. It takes place on 4th/5th May. The Booking fee is €20 and advance booking is required by 26th April through the parish clergy.
Parish News
Family Service
There are many different activities for children and youths on Sunday mornings. With this in mind, it has been decided to experiment with a new timing for our monthly family services. They will take place at 5pm, will last 30 to 40 minutes with some food afterwards. If you feel you could assist in organising these services, please talk with Rev Ken. The first such service is scheduled for Sunday 28th April.
Friendship Group
A friendship group has been formed 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 next get together will be for afternoon tea on Monday 15th April, in the Wicklow Methodist Hall. All welcome! Further information available from Linda Walsh: 086 8228378.
St Patrick’s Day Float
Congratulations to all who built and participated in the float in the St Patrick’s Day parade in Wicklow Town. They won a prize for the best fancy dress. Thanks are due to Edgard Hall for sponsoring the “greatest Showman” outfit which Dan Healy wore.
Learn from the youngsters’ strike over climate change
In 2018, a schoolgirl, Greta Thunberg, sat outside the Swedish parliament in protest at the lack of political will to tackle the problems of climate change. Her actions alone have ignited the now world-wide Fridays for Future, where school pupils go on strike to highlight the perilous plight of our planet. On 15th March thousands of Irish school pupils responded to the international call and joined the strike. Reportedly, more than 11,000 students marched to Dail Eireann, about 5,000 students in Cork and many, many more in a total of 37 rallies around the country, with countless other smaller gatherings. Remarkable numbers. As one student said, we have the technology but not the political will to solve the climate crisis. We should all applaud these brave (but also, importantly, peaceful) activists who have no vote and therefore cannot influence which politicians are elected, but nonetheless are making their concerns heard. Furthermore, their actions may prompt others to increase their awareness of the problems of climate change and to take personal actions to reduce their own environmental footprint.
Daffodil Day
The Coffee Morning in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Daffodil Day’ raised €733. Thanks to all who supplied food and supported the event.
Family Service
There are many different activities for children and youths on Sunday mornings. With this in mind, it has been decided to experiment with a new timing for our monthly family services. They will take place at 5pm, will last 30 to 40 minutes with some food afterwards. If you feel you could assist in organising these services, please talk with Rev Ken. The first such service is scheduled for Sunday 28th April.
Church Music
The next session of Church Music Dublin is planned for 23rd March in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, when Ian Keatley, cathedral director of music, will lead a workshop on Anglican chant. Organists, singers and members of congregations are welcome.
Rev Jack Kinkead has been appointed chairperson of Church Music Dublin by the Archbishop in succession to Archdeacon Ricky Rountree.
Daffodil Day
There will be a Coffee Morning in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Daffodil Day’, in The Hub on Friday 22nd March from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Offers of food gratefully accepted. Please come and support!
Mothers’ Union
The Mothers’ Union area service will be held in Arklow on Tuesday 12th March at 8pm. The speaker is Rev Kevin Conroy.