Download - For how great is His goodness, and how great His beauty! · 6.00pm Holy Communion 8.30am Holy Communion 10.30am Morning Prayer 6.00pm Compline 8.30am Holy Communion 10.30am A Family

September 2018

www.groomsportparishchurch.org

For how great isHis goodness,and how great

His beauty!Zechariah 9:17

Groomsport Parish Church

The Rector Revd Duncan Pollock 028 9146 4476

The Rector’s Warden Helen Parkinson 028 9147 9984

The People’s Warden Hester Kelly 028 9146 3541

R Glebe Warden Billy McAnneney 07812 042833

P Glebe Warden Tony Anderson 07803 282200

Treasurer Wesley Quinn 028 9145 6472

Secretary to SV Heather Pentland 07834 771075

Gift Aid Secretary Ian Sloan 028 9145 7092

Sunday SchoolMaggie Townsley & Helen Carter

07748 208649

Verger/Caretaker Susan Moore 028 9185 7509

Organist Stuart Tanner 07411 178230

Parish Office Elaine Lester028 9127 131107791 569432

Parish Officials

Administrative enquiries please contact: Elaine 028 9127 1311 or [email protected]

Church Hall bookings please contact: David McKnight 028 9127 3130 or [email protected]

For Hall problems, please contact:William McAneney (07812 042833) or Tony (07803 282200)

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Please note that the Rector will be available in the Vestry office on Tuesdays from 6.00pm – 7.00pm, for short meetings to sign passports, driving licence documents etc., or to arrange a lengthier meeting for another time.

Whilst our Rector is always available to his congregation at all hours of every day, it is hoped that, where possible, the period between lunchtime Friday and Sunday Services may be void of contact so as to allow him family time, quiet reflection and preparation for the week ahead; emergency requirements and visits excepted.

Rector’s Hour Rector’s Recess

by St Paul as the “Body of Christ”. He goes further and explains that “we” are the Body of Christ: the congregation, the casual visitor, the occasional helper at church functions and events, the housebound with their ministry of prayer. We are the agents of God’s love, with other Christians, in this place and beyond. It is through us and our conduct and interaction with others that the truth of the Gospel will be realised.

What I want to understand, or rather explore, is how we can use this marvellous gift of a beautiful Church building as a tool in our ministry; and I mean “our” ministry. The six, nearly seven, month sojourn in the Canon Tyney Hall has shown me, and I hope you as well, that we are all in this enterprise together. As Paul writes, we all have different gifts to share, and I have been humbled by the way people have pulled together, using their gifts to make Sundays “work”. How do we build on that sense of commonality, that deepening sense of friendship and fellowship?

Our architect was given two over riding conditions as he set about considering the refurbishment of the Church building: the first was, don’t interfere with the essential feel of the place, that sense of holiness and the presence of God; secondly, whatever is done must last for at least fifty years. As we prepare to take back our Church building, God give us grace to ensure that our part in the ministry of the Gospel will still be as fit for purpose in fifty years as our sacred building.

Duncan

October 28th; October 28th, eight more weeks until we return to our Church. I know that many, like me, can’t wait to get back into the building. Our Church Hall has proved a more

than adequate substitute, but I suspect there will be few complaining about the pews as a form of seating once we return! The hall can be overly warm, something that you could never say about the Church. And it lacks “atmosphere”, that feeling of other-worldliness that our Church building has in spades. A sixth sense tells me that our Church building is a place that has been prayed in, and the walls of the building speak silently of the prayers of previous generations of Groomsport people. However well the Canon Tyney Hall has been adapted to our weekly worship, it lacks that essential feeling of “prayer”. It is a space that I find difficult to remain still in.

I talk about the “Church” building, rather than the Church. I have this summer tried to concentrate my thoughts and prayers on what the “Church” is. Clearly the building is vital to our prayer life, our worship and our ministry. If it isn’t, why would we be spending all this money on the place? The building shapes our prayers, it gives us a sense of God’s dignity and majesty, and it speaks of, hints at the beauty of heaven.

But, of course, the Church is more than just a building, however beautiful and special that building might be. The Church is defined

From the Rector



8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Service of the Word

6.00pm Evening Prayer (sung)


10.30am Morning Prayer

6.00pm Holy Communion


10.30am Morning Prayer

6.00pm Compline


10.30am A Family Service a new school year*


* Coffee after 10.30am service in Church Hall. All welcome! Hosts Dorothy Anne Crawford, Bert Smith, Norma Parsley & Jenny Craythorne.


10.30am Parish Communion

6.00pm Compline

Sunday 16 September– Trinity 16Welcome Team: Walter and Mae BurkeReader: Bert Smith

Sunday 23 September – Trinity 17Welcome Team: Trevor and Jenny CraythorneReader: Marian Cinnamond

Sunday 30 September – Trinity 18 Welcome Team: Tony and Eleanor AndersonReader: Wesley Quinn

Sunday 2 September – Trinity 14 Welcome Team: David and Dorothy McKnightReader: Valerie Boyd

Sunday 9 September – Trinity 15 Welcome Team: Barry and Caroline GreenawayReader: Peter Osborough

Note:The Office of Compline is said every Tuesday at 7.30pm

Holy Communion is celebrated every Thursday at 11.00am

Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Wednesday of the month at 10.30am in the Chapel at Mt Stewart House.

Please note the

Church Hall is

open every day

for private praye

r

and meditation.

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Church Services Summer

7.30pm Compline



10.30am A Family Service for Harvest (with Holy Baptism)*


* Coffee after 10.30am service in Church Hall. All welcome! Hosts tbc.

10.30am Holy Communion, The Chapel Mt Stewart

Tuesdays

Thursdays

The Rector is in the Parish Office each Tuesday evening before Comploine (6pm – 7pm) for a chat, general enquiries and the sign-ing and endorsement of passports and other applications.

Sunday 7 October – Harvest ThanksgivingWelcome Team: Kate Murray and Pauline HarrisonReader: Joan Haddick

Occasional ServicesWednesday 5 September

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Holy Matrimony

Births, Deaths, Baptisms Marriages & Announcements Holy Rest

Ashleigh is the grand-daughter of Ian Jones, who was a longstanding member of our Parish until his passing earlier this year. Simon and Ashleigh live in the family home on The Brae. We wish them God’s blessing on their life together.

Simon Hanley and Ashleigh Dawson


After so much work to the Church Building it is right that we thank God for His providence and the blessings of our Church. On Advent Sunday, a year after the Church’s 175th anniversary service, we will be welcoming many friends and guests to Church for a service of re-dedication led by our Bishop, The Right Reverend Harold Miller.

After the service there will be a reception and light buffet lunch and it is hoped that as many parishioners as possible will join with our guests at this family event. To help with the planning, tickets for the lunch (free) will be available from 30 September and there is a proforma for ticket applications in this month’s “Contact”

Groomsport Parish Church Community Annual Shopping Trip to Newbridge Silver Outlet and Kildare Village Outlet - Saturday 2 February 2019

This event is designed for parishioners, villagers, family and friends and seats are allocated on a first come first served basis.

The bus has been booked with McAvoys (toilet on board) and the annual shopping trip will take place on Saturday 2 February 2018.

Further details later in the year

Heather Pentland

Advent Sunday – 2 December 2018The Re-Dedication of Groomsport Parish Church

Advance Notice

Walking for Softies

Well , Walking for Softies will soon be starting their programme of walks for the Autumn.

The first walk is along Strangford Dyke in Newtownards, starting at the floodgates.

Parking will be at Cloud Nine at the airport. Ken Boyd will be leading this walk as we shall be away.

Everyone is very welcome to join the walk. The most strenuous exercise will be the chatting along the way! If you wish to take part, please let Ken know as he will be ordering the scones!

Phone 028 91465103.

If you don’t wish to walk, you are welcome to join us for the coffee afterwards. Just let Ken know so he can make a reservation at the cafe.

The list of planned walks is given below.

Walks for the new Season

22 Sept - Strangford Dyke by car

27 Oct - Antrim Castle by car

24 Nov - Lagan Towpath by car

26 Jan - Belmont Park by car

23 Feb - Botanic Gardens by train

23 March - Belvoir Park by car

27 April - Coastal Path - exact part tbc by car

25 May - Queen’s Island Heritage Trail by car

Ian and Zandra 028 91457092

Announcements


TAI CHI

We hope our members and their families have had a relaxing and enjoyable summer and we look forward to seeing you again on Monday 17 September at 8 pm.

‘Second Bloom - Handbags from Gladrags’ is the title of our September meeting Sharon and Eleanor who create unusual handbags made from pre-loved clothing and household textiles will give us a demonstration of their unusual craft. Lots of samples will be on display. Although there is absolutely no obligation, the bags will be for sale if anyone should wish to purchase one and get a bit of Christmas shopping out of the way. Prices range from £6 for purses and totes to a maximum of £20 for adult bags.

If you are not a member of MU, please feel free to give it a go. You don’t have to be a mother to be a member, and indeed men are also welcome.

We look forward to seeing you and if you have not yet made an appearance at our MU, you will be more than welcome.

Mae

Tai Chi classes will be starting up again in the Autumn.

It is hoped to have 2 classes, A Beginners class on Tuesday mornings

Many thanks for all those who have given and continue to give to the magazine we are so very grateful.DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE MAGAZINE IS 17TH OF EACH MONTH. THANK [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected] or via any of the Parish Officials.

Tara Brown

Magazine Sponsorship

at 10 15am. The first class will begin on Tuesday 25 September.

There will also be an Improvers class at 3pm on Wednesday afternoons. The first class will begin on 3 October.

It is a great way to relax, stimulate the brain, improve balance and have a bit of “craic” at the same time. Wear comfortable clothing and either trainers or comfortable well fitting shoes.

Why don’t you come and give it a go?

Phone Janet Wilson 028 91077948 or 07703 360385

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Vestry Notes August 2018Kate Murray, Susan McNair and Eppie Bates have been working on a commemorative banner that will be presented to the Church at the Service of Rededication. Vestry members were delighted with the photographs of the banner showing work to date. At the service of Rededication, it is proposed that a long streamer be made of the hand prints of all those attending, and Kate, Susan and Eppie are working on the necessary requirements for this part of the project.

All has gone smoothly with the new Rectory tenants. The Rector thanked all those who took part in the painting work party. A new garage door was authorised for the Rectory.

The Bishop has given consent for the repositioning of the organ in the Church. Coat hooks outside the Canon Tyney Hall have been removed temporarily for Health and Safety reasons.

Barry will contact Phoenix Gas to check if a broken drain has been repaired.

The Architect will arrange for the contractors to place a pew in the

church so that the Vestry can decide about the most appropriate siting of the family area.

It has been agreed that the building of a ramp and a store at the back of the Church will go ahead in the New Year.

The Day of Prayer being led by the Bishop, is being organised by Faith and will take place on Tuesday 4 September. It will begin in the Church around 10.00am and finish around 3.30pm at Mountstewart.

All is on course for the Church to be returned to us on Friday 12 October. The plan is to hold our first service on Sunday 28 October.

The Rededication Service will take place on Advent Sunday, 2 December and will be followed by a Buffet Lunch for Parishioners and local dignitaries. Tickets are free but anyone wishing to attend, must apply for tickets to facilitate catering arrangements.

The Rector continues to work on implementing requirements for GDPR.


TICKET APPLICATION FOR BUFFET LUNCH FOLLOWING REDEDICATION SERVICE AT 10.30AM SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER

NAME:

TELEPHONE:

I WISH TO APPLY FOR (STATE NUMBER OF ADULTS)

TICKETS FOR THE BUFFET LUNCH

I WISH TO APPLY FOR (STATE NUMBER OF CHILDREN)

TICKETS FOR THE BUFFET LUNCH

SIGNED: DATE:

PLEASE HAND TO THE RECTOR’S WARDEN OR THE PEOPLE’S WARDEN

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM SUNDAY 30th SEPTEMBER CLOSING DATE SUNDAY 4th OCTOBER


Groomsport Special

Friday 28th September at 7.30pm

Groomsport Parish Hall


Tickets are £10 which includes supper and entertainment. This will be a popular event so please purchase your ticket for this fun-filled evening as soon as possible.

Come along and hear how much three of our most popular married couples know (and think) about each other in this light-hearted quiz.

There will also be a music music by the ever popular Raven Micks

The event is hosted by Groomsport Parish Mothers’ Union and all proceeds will go to the Church Building Fund.

Tickets are on sale from 1 September and can be obtained from Valerie McWilliams, 07468 911027 or Betty McKinney, 07518948744


Saturday 8th December Doors open 1.30pmIt seems very strange to be reading about our Christmas Fair leading into the Summer holidays, but as we did last year, we are letting you know which stalls will need donations from you, the Parishioners. By letting you know now, you may hold onto something you might otherwise have given away. The Fair is the biggest annual fundraiser and yet again we want to match the success of the last two years.

In the last two years the Craft Stall demonstrated what a creative and generous group of Parishioners we have in our midst. From what I have heard, many of you are already beavering away again, but before you put in those many hours of hard work, please bear in mind that at such a Fair there is a limit to the amount we can charge per item.

Likewise, the Silver and White stall, went down a treat. Now that you know what it is all about, please think throughout the year about what you could contribute to this wonderful stall.

Listening to feedback from the last two years it has been decided not to have an Accessories stall – rather a Jewellery stall. Consequently we shall NOT be looking for scarves or handbags.

The feedback from the Chutneys and Jams was that while it was a success, there was a great demand for home-made fudge and homemade sweets, which we did not have - so please have a think about what

you could make this year.

As last year there will be Children’s Toys (in pristine condition only please.)

When we decided to have Unused gifts for the first time last year, none of us could have anticipated the success of this stall so it will be there again.

The Cake stall is always a great success, but it was felt donations had decreased a little last December, so please make a big effort to provide for it.

Tombola is another very successful stall, so keep saving things for it.

There will be three new stalls this year, but the one you need to know about at this stage is Adopt a Friend. For this we need to gather lots of smallish soft toys – animals, characters etc. but we need these in the months prior to the Fair, so if you have any we could use, would you please give them to Kate or myself or leave them with the Wardens.

If you are someone who has not been involved in helping at the Fair in previous years, please give me a call and we shall have no problem in finding a task for you.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact me 07834 771075 or [email protected]

Thanking you in anticipation

Heather Pentland


ALL proceeds from the above events will contribute to the Renovation Project.

The following are the Planned Events so far for 2019

Mr & Mrs Night

La Treeno Italiano musical night

Book Fair

Rededication Service

Christmas Fair

Kildare Shopping Trip

Ladies Breakfast

Pancake Party

SEP

28OCT

26NOV

03

DEC

02DEC

08

FEB

02

FEB

16MAR

05

Northern Ireland Charity Number: 103258

Planned Events 2018


Getting Crafty in Groomsport ParishThis Saturday past, Groomsport village held several events one of which was a craft fare in Groomsport Parish Church Hall. Groomsport Parish halls were set up with at least 20 stalls selling crafts of all descriptions. Wood work, hand painted glass, paintings, natural beauty products, jewellery and a few crafts which were new to me.

This was my first craft fair and, to be honest, I was a little nervous. Anyone who knows me would be surprised at this confession, but I was genuinely worried.

I love my craft, crochet, and ergo, like the things I make, and there lies the worry - will others like it too. Will others like it enough to buy it?

Crafters are a special, remarkable bunch of people. It takes bravado optimism to stand up and sell things you have made. If there were a collective noun for “crafters” I think it would be passion – “a passion of crafters”.

I met a group of the most wonderful people all of the same mind-se who


Halls - Saturday, 18th August 2018love what they do with a passion and wish to share their joy with others. every stitch, cut, paints stroke, bead is carefully thought through and positioned with love and care. Hours of time and dedication are devoted to their particular love of their craft.

I met some crafters who regularly sell at such events. Sometimes they sell, sometimes they do not but undeterred they pack up to sell another day.

Luckily, on Saturday past, all the crafters sold and sold well, even me.

There was a steady parade of visitors through the halls, even when stall holders were packing up to leave.

Members of Groomsport Parish Church congregation organized and ran the event which raised over £1,100 on the day – a staggering amount towards the church refurbishment which in in full progress.

Groomsport Parish ChurchPage 18

Cregagh Presbyterian Choir

For the second year running, Cregagh Presbyterian Choir sang Evensong at Groomsport Parish in July. The service was held in the Tyney Hall this year while the Church is being refurbished. The entire service was a rare delight and an inspiration in these times when Choral Evensong is seldom heard outside a cathedral. We were much blessed to have Cregagh Choir with us and we greatly hope they will return next year.

Groomsport Parish Church Page 19

Canon Tyney Hall Sunday 8.30am Holy Communion

Canon Tyney Hall Sunday 10.30am Main Service

Canon Tyney Hal Sunday 6.00pm Evening Service

Canon Tyney Hal Tuesday 7.30pm Compline

Canon Tyney Hal Thursday 11.00am Holy Communion

Please contact William McAneney on 07812042833 if you can assist on any of the September dates on previous page. Thank You. William McAneney

Anonymous

SERVICES IN THE CHURCH HALL8 APRIL – 30 SEPTEMBER 2018

One song can spark a moment,One flower can wake a dream,

One tree can start a forest,One bird can herald spring,

One smile begins a friendship,One handclasp lifts a soul,

One star can guide a ship at sea,One vote can change a nation.One sunbeam lights a room,

One candle wipes out darkness,One laugh will lift sadness.

One step must start each journey,One word must start each prayer,One hope will raise our spirits,One touch can show you care,

One voice can speak with wisdom,One heart can know what’s true,One life can make the difference,

You see it’s up to you!

Sunday

Every Sunday 10.30amSunday School

Contact: Maggie Townsley &Helen Carter Mob. 07748 208649

Monday1st Monday of the month

7.30pmSelect Vestry Meeting

Contact: Heather Pentland Mob. 07834 771075

2nd & 4th Mondaysof the month

7.30pm

Chattering Needles

Chattering Needles is a craft group whose interests include knitting, crochet, cross stitch card making etc. If you want to learn come along. £2 includes supper.For more info please contact me.Jenny 07748580541

3rd Monday of the month

8.00pmMothers Union (Maxwell Hall)Contact: Mae Burke Mob. 07810 440492

Tuesday

2nd Tuesday of the month

8.00pm Groomsport & District Gardening Club

Contact: Yvonne McIlmailTel: 02891 469420 E. [email protected]

Every Tuesday 10.00am

Tai Chi for Health 10am - 11amContact: Janet WilsonTel: 028 91077948 Mob: 07703360385Class resumes in the Autumn

Wednesday

Every Wednesday 9.30am You can with Ann Motivation & Exercise class

Contact: Ann Parker Mob. 07854 787121

Every Wednesday 10.30am Keep Fit Exercise Class


Every Wednesday 2.00pmScrabble

Contact: Elaine LesterMob. 07791 569432 E. [email protected]


Hall Usage - September


Every Wednesday 3pm-4pm

Tai Chi For Health

Contact: Janet WilsonTel: 028 91077948 Mob: 07703360385Class resumes in September

Every Wednesday 5.30pm You can with Ann Motivation & Exercise class


Every Wednesday 6.30pm Keep Fit Exercise Class


Every Wednesday 7.30pm Bible Study (Avril Morley Room)

3rd Wednesday of the month

7.30pmCookery Club

Contact: Heather Magill E. [email protected]

Every Thursday 2.00pm

Evergreens

Open to all over fifty year olds and new members always welcome. Contact: Valerie Boyd Mob. 02891465103

Every Thursday 2pm- 5pm

Groomsport Parish Art Class

Continues to meet on Thursday afternoons. All welcome. Further information Stuart Tanner: 07411178230 or Carol Barbosa: 02891456971

Every Thursday except 1st of the month

7.30pm

Table Tennis Club

This is a game for everyone whatever your age so please join us.Contact: John HandTel. 028 9146 8061 Mob. 07540 375785Saturday

4th Saturday of the month

10.00am

Walking for Softies

Venues vary. Meeting at 10.00am at chosen location.Contact: Ken BoydTel. 028 9146 5103


Book Stall for July & August

Beginning …

“So here I am, upside down in a woman. Arms patiently crossed, waiting, waiting and wondering who I’m in, what I’m in for.”

A curious, witty and unusual book, written

by a master in exquisite language, this is special read. The narrator of the story is an almost full term foetus who has remarkable understanding of the world he has not yet seen, through the constant podcasts that his mother listens to with “earbuds” when she cannot sleep. Our hero is in fact Hamlet in essence as he listens to his mother and her lover plan to murder the baby’s father, who is the brother of her lover. In between trying to follow the convoluted plots of his mother and ‘uncle’ he reflects on the world he is about to enter as he understands it. “I’ll inherit a condition of modernity (hygiene, holidays, anaesthetics….) and inhabit a privileged corner of the planet – well-fed, plague-free western Europe….I’ll inherit a less than United Kingdom ruled by an esteemed elderly queen, where a businessman-prince, famed for his good works….. waits restively for his crown. This will be my home, and it will do. I might have emerged in North Korea, where succession is also uncontested but freedom and food and wanting.”

I quote at length to give you a taste of this book, which I loved but recognise that it might not be to everyone’s taste.

I enjoy a good crime story every so often and this fits the bill nicely. An Inspector Wexford mystery, it switches well from his usual domestic preoccupations to the latest murder. Despite being written almost

twenty-five years ago, the plot deals with some very contemporary issues – to say more would be a spoiler! I will say nothing of the plot but the reader is unlikely to solve this in the first few chapters. For taking on a long train journey or holiday when

space is at a premium this short paper-back of a little over 200 pages fits the bill nicely, pocket or modest handbag sized as it is.

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry is a fascinating read. Set in the London of 1893 we meet the unusual Cora Seabourne, newly widowed with as much relief as sadness. We soon learn that Cora is an intelligent and modern young woman whose life was seriously constricted

by her cruel, domineering husband. She leaves London for the countryside with her young, strange son and a companion and becomes enthralled by a local legend of the Essex Serpent. This feeds into her very contemporary fascination with fossil remains. This is all set in a time when Darwinism was colliding with the church. When she meets and befriends a local minister, his faith comes up against her scientific approach, with no damage to their growing relationship. The story is peopled with believable and likeable characters, beautifully written and wonderfully exploring the life of those times when so much was changing. I simply loved this book; however I should add that when I persuaded my reading group to select this story, only a few of them admitted to enjoying it!

Yes, I looked twice at the name, and then

Nutshell by Ian McEwan

A Sleeping Life by Ruth Rendell

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

Holding by Graham Norton

thought that it couldn’t be the chat show host and broadcaster, but it is. This is his first novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is set in a remote Irish village in roughly the present time, but no doubt in a place where time has rather stood still, as Sergeant Patrick James Collins,

known as P J to all, observed “Duneen had somehow managed to slip through the World Wide Web. No 4G, no 3G, no signal.” When, in this quiet backwater, remains are found on an old farm, old sadness, rumours and mysteries surface and PJ finds himself rather busier than is customary in his world. The book is simultaneously touching, darkly funny and extremely sad - a really good read. As a reviewer in the Irish Times put it, “put all preconceptions aside”. The writing is sensitive and thoughtful, the


topics dealt with are part of the human condition and Graham Norton never resorts to sentimentality or superficiality but somehow seems to get under the skin of the distressed inhabitants of Duneen.

I hope you have enjoyed your summer reading. There are more new titles on the shelves. May I remind everyone that the books on the shelves are arranged in alphabetical order by author? If you are leaving books as a contribution and do not know where to place them, please leave them beside the shelves then I can put them away, I am usually there on Wednesday afternoon. Advanced notice, please put November 3rd in your diary for our Book Fair and coffee morning. Let’s make it the best ever!

Carol


Thoughts of a Blow In...with my elderly mum and she couldn’t believe that while she’s sitting sweltering, I’m reaching for an extra cardigan here and venturing out in a raincoat!

The family next door have been away on holiday, which has made things sadly quiet. However, I noticed them returning one evening, with mum and dad dashing up their front steps with suitcases and bags. My doorbell went, and I assumed it was one of them requesting a basic essential. But it was Leo, with a beaming smile, just announcing his return!

I also got a quick chat on the phone with my friends’ boys over in England. Jack, at nearly 14, may have a voice that’s breaking but he’s still happy to chat about Lego. Sam did very well in a cooking competition at the end of the term and his Wimbledon biscuits earned him second place!

I really enjoyed these words on Thoughts in a Garden by Andrew Marvell so I thought I would share them with you all.

Cynthia

Well, what a summer it has been. Hopefully, it isn’t over quite yet!

Those hot dry weeks in July and August really were glorious, even though we’re not used to it here. Even people out for a walk said they were struggling in the heat. So it must have been very difficult for anyone working through such unexpectedly warm conditions. The man who came to read my electricity meter one Saturday morning said that he usually finished his round by Friday teatime, but had to leave the last third until the following day as he was so drained pounding the pavements in those temperatures.

I think we were all relieved (especially farmers and keen gardeners) to get back to regular spells of rain by early August – and I never thought I’d say that! Although the dry spell has made us think a bit more about our water usage, as it’s usually a such plentiful given. One bonus of being back to normal is to see the lovely fountain in the Walled Garden in action again.

But over the water, the heat wave continues! I was chatting on the phone

“What wondrous life is this I lead! Ripe apples drop about my head; The luscious clusters of the vine

Upon my mouth do crush their wine; The nectarine and curious peach

Into my hands themselves do reach;


PrayerRoomHanging from the fishing net were several prayers for our church during

the refurbishment. These were written as we prepared to clear our church ready for the builders. As we prepare to return to the church it is important

to continue praying for the church and all of us who worship there.

Finally, a comment from our visitor’s book:-

CarolAmen

Dear Lord, with days left to go until the doors of our church are closed for refurbishment, we ask you to look down upon all who work there, that they may

know it is a special place. We especially ask you to be with Duncan as he leads us through the upheaval.

I pray that we love each other more and more during the church renovations.

Father, please be with the members of the Parish Church as they experience upheaval during worship. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Lord, bless our Church these next few months – both people and building.

Another Year!Yesterday is history

Tomorrow is the mystery.Thank you Father, for allowing meto enjoy another day in the Now!

On your beautiful planet.Thank you for teaching us to take

ONE DAY AT A TIME!

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www.groomsportparishchurch.org

Cover image courtesy of Groomsport Generations