Monkstown Church of Ireland

Dear parishioners and friends,

The Dean’s Vicar:    Many have met Lindsay, her husband Doug, and greyhound Rooster, who came to make their home in the Schoolhouse apartment last year. Alas, they will be leaving us by 31 October for pastures new and we shall miss them. Lindsay finished in Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday 31 August but the Archbishop has given her a license to officiate in Monkstown until her move from Ireland. It will be great to have an assistant priest for a few weeks, and Lindsay will preach this Sunday and assist as required. We wish Lindsay and Doug well for all the future brings and thank them for being so much a part of our parish family during their time with us.

Bereavement:          We extend our deepest sympathy to Beryl Brady on the death of her son Derek and Ruth on the death of her brother. Derek died peacefully in hospital on Monday 1 September. Derek’s funeral took place in the church on Thursday 4 September, followed by burial in Powerscourt churchyard, Enniskerry.

Sunday Club:   Registration for the new season of Sunday Club will be held on Sunday 14 September in the Vestry Rooms of the Church during the 10:45 Church Service. All children are very welcome to come and join us on that day. Olwen & Lara

Culture Night:  Monkstown Parish Church will be open for visitors Friday 19 September from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.                   Please do come along and visit with friends and neighbours. We hope to have some music also during the evening. There will shortly be a volunteer sheet at the door of the church for you to sign if you are available to help welcome visitors on the night.

Art & Craft Exhibition:    Our annual art exhibition took place over the weekend of 29-31 August in the schoolhouse. The launch on Friday evening was a great occasion and our thanks to Sue McHugh for speaking so beautifully at it reflecting on the insight art gives us about the artist. The rector also thanked all who helped prepare for the event, the volunteers, florist, picture hangers, caterers, Liz for doing all the administration work, Chris for his help preparing the Schoolhouse, our friends in the National Maritime Museum and Roger Kirker and George Stevens for moving the display stands. Numbers visiting the exhibition were well up on previous years and Sunday afternoon was particularly busy.

Blessing of the Animals:          Our annual pet blessing service took place in Monkstown Church on Sunday 31 August. The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Blue Cross Animal Charity joined us and benefitted from the collection. Over 140 people attended, dozens of dogs of all shapes and sizes, and the most impeccably well-behaved cat who took the whole experience totally in her stride!

Village Harvest Festivities:      Congratulations to the Village Tidy District Committee who organised a splendid Autumn Village Day on Sunday 31 August. Large crowds enjoyed the complimentary food, live music, puppetry, book sale, raffle,  dog show and also our own art exhibition and pet blessing service.

Lunchtime Recitals:         A new series of Lunchtime Recitals will take place in Monkstown Parish Church on the Wednesdays in October from 1:10pm to 1:50pm. All are most welcome. There will be a basket for donations at the door and proceeds will be divided between the performers and church funds.

8 October David O’Shea (Organ)
15 October Hilary Dungan and Liezl-Maret Jacobs (Piano solo and duets)
22 October The Amos Trio – Fergus Conaghan, Shari McDaid, Melle Steringa (Oboe, Flute and Clarinet)
29 October Shira Brady (Contralto), Daire O’Shea (Piano), William Desmond (Violin) and Edel O’Donnell (Cello)

Buildings Beo:  You may remember that during the            Schoolhouse restoration project ‘New Departures Media’ was commissioned by TG4 to follow the restoration of six historic buildings, including Monkstown Schoolhouse. The series has now been completed and will be broadcast on TG4 from 18          September at 9:30pm. Monkstown Schoolhouse will have a complete programme to itself and feature in episode 5.

Schoolhouse Coffee Dock:      The coffee dock area in the schoolhouse is open throughout the summer on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:30 to 12.30 and you are warmly invited to drop in and have a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. It is also open on Wednesday and Sunday mornings after the 10:45 services. Pamela Friel would be delighted to hear from any parishioner or friend of the parish who would like to        volunteer, and she can be contacted on 087 6624514.

The Sick: We continue our prayers in the parish for all who are unwell and the recently bereaved. We also remember those who are in hospital currently and those who are recovering at home from serious illness. Our hearts go out to all who need our continued prayers and support, and we pray that you may have a real sense of the love that surrounds you.

On-line Banking: It would greatly assist our parish treasurer if you would please fill in the line describing what your donation is for and your name also. Sometimes donations are given online without any information provided and it is very difficult to work out who the donor is.

General Financial Support: Thank you for your continued financial support of the parish and for remembering that our work of ministry continues week after week. We appreciate your generous and supportive giving. There is a collection at every service in the church. Our Bank of Ireland bank details are: Account Name: Monkstown Parish Church Business      Current Account. Account no: 86014381. IBAN IE 17 BOFI 9011 8386 0143 81. If any of our envelope subscribers wish to talk to Ruth Carnegie, she may be contacted at 087 4339367.

With love and kind regards, Roy