KILTERNAN KLIPS Building Community, Strengthening Worship, Growing in Service the Quarterly Newsletter of Kilternan Parish, Co

KILTERNAN KLIPS Building community, strengthening worship, growing in service The quarterly newsletter of Kilternan Parish, Co. Dublin

The Rector on ... Community, consolation and transformation

few years ago a good friend community to develop for people of gave me a book by local Irish ‘We will be reminded all ages. Aauthor, playwright and But community and newspaper columnist John Waters that our faith is always consolation are not enough without called Beyond consolation: how we transformation. Consolation and became too ‘clever’ for God and our primarily other- community without transformation own good. Waters describes himself serving. We will note become self-serving, and, sadly, our as a lapsed agnostic. In modern churches have been all too self- Ireland, he argues, our turn away that our faith is serving throughout history. That we from religion has left a cultural personal but never are comfortable and feel good in emptiness and has taken away the ourselves is never enough. tools that enable us to face some of private.’ Transformation takes two the challenges of life. Religion offers shapes. First, there is personal us the provision of hope, transformation. When we construction of meaning, belief in argue that it turns faith into a experience God, something an absolute and in living beyond ‘crutch’ that shields us from the happens to us. God loves us as we death, and the foundation for harsh realities of life, but a crutch are, that is true, but He loves us too behaving ethically. Take religion isn’t a bad thing, especially for much to let us stay as we are. If our away and you’d better have a plan those who recognise that they have religious habits are not changing us, to put something in its place! difficulty walking. then we need to review our religious The book is interesting, but I The second is community, and habits. In Kilternan I would like to think it lacks something. It community is important. We live in see us deepen our life of prayer and emphasises two of the central ideas a world where people are becoming our love of Scripture. I would like to of faith. The first is ‘consolation’— increasingly isolated. We need see us deepen our conversations that is, the idea that faith is good places where we gather and learn to about God. The theme this Easter is for us because it gives us comfort in know one another at a deeper level. ‘Experience Easter’. My prayer for the face of struggle and even death. We hope that our new parish centre us is that God will transform us as Consolation is important. Critics will be a gathering ground for we experience the Risen Christ. But the second shape is the transformation of the world. The Christian faith demands that we fight for social change and speak up against injustice wherever we see it. In this edition of Klips we will speak of Direct Provision, of climate justice and of the Eighth Amendment. We will be reminded that our faith is always primarily other-serving. We will note that our faith is personal but never private. May God give us grace to live lives of community, consolation and transformation. Rev. Rob Clements The Christian faith demands that we fight for social change and speak up against injustice.

Spring 2018 1 | Kilternan Klips | CHURCH SERVICES Communion Service at 8:30 unless noted otherwise; 10:30 services as below.

March 11 All-Age Service: Mothering Sunday—let’s pamper our mothers by celebrating them as part of our church service March 18 Holy Communion with a reflection on the legacy of St Patrick March 25 All-Age Palm Sunday See Holy Week services for times and dates. Contents April 1 Easter day April 8 Service of the Word Parish Notice Board 3 April 15 Holy Communion: this is a special service for those who Tea and history 8 were confirmed on Saturday 14th, as it will likely be the first time they have received communion in their home The Eighth Amendment debate 9 church ‘We’re working on a building...’ 10 April 22 All-Age Worship with baptism April 29 Holy Communion using the liturgy from the Anglican Family and youth ministry 12 Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia Community and wider church 14 May 6 Morning Prayer with Sunday Club Young people speaking 16 May 13 All-Age Worship with baptism May 20 Holy Communion: Pentecost Sunday; everyone is Cranmer’s Corner 17 invited to wear red Review 18 May 27 All-Age Holy Communion June 3 Morning Prayer with Sunday Club Hymn Choice 19 June 10 Holy Communion Musings 19 June 17 All-Age Father’s Day Service; this is the day to make sure that dad makes it to church, as we celebrate fatherhood and what it means for us to be men of faith June 24 Valedictory Service ,JMUFSOBO1BSJTI BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTHENING WORSHIP GROWING IN SERVICE CONTACT LIST Volume 24 Number 1 Rev. Rob Clements (Rector), [email protected], March 2018 tel. 01-295 5603 Editorial: Rob Clements and Annemarie McCleane (Parish Support Worker), Annemarie McCleane [email protected], tel. 01-295 2643 Carol Barry (Parish Reader), [email protected], Design: Wordwell Ltd Distribution: Daphne Athey tel. 087 636 1530 Production: Nick Maxwell Kevin O’Sullivan (Organist), [email protected] Copy-editing: Emer Condit Printed by: Ross Print, Greystones

Published by: Kilternan Church of Ireland Parish, Kilternan, Dublin 18. PARISH TEAM The Reverend Rob Clements Rector Carol Barry Parish Reader Rector: Rev. Rob Clements Kevin O’Sullivan Organist Contact: Una MacConville Church Warden Phone: 01-295-5603 (H); Ann Walsh Glebe Warden 01-295-2643 (O); Irwin Johnston Church Warden Email: [email protected]; Bruce Fitzsimons Glebe Warden www.kilternan.dublin.anglican.org Jonathan Holt Secretary of the Vestry Harry Simpson Treasurer

2 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 PARISH NOTICE BOARD

REGISTER Condolences Patricia McCluskey died peacefully at St Vincent’s University Hospital on 1 February. Beloved wife of the late John and loving mother of Suzanne, David and Simon, she will be sadly missed by her family and by her friends here in Kilternan.

ROTAS The various rotas of the church are managed by the following people: Cleaning rota: Nikki Cox (087 6868693) The women’s craft night in the rectory. Flower rota: Sarah Tilson (086 8542967) do that might be helpful? The Prayers on the Move We are thankful for the work that I’m putting a provisional date campaign has been funded by a they put into this. They are out there of Tuesday 24 April at number of individuals and frequently looking for additional 8:00pm. Put it in your diary. If for churches, in particular St Patrick’s help. If you could assist in one of any reason that date changes, I’ll Cathedral, the Methodist Church in these areas, please let them know! send out an email and announce it Ireland, the Archdiocese of Dublin, in the church service. the Carmelite Order and the WOMEN’S CRAFT Society of Jesus. It includes NIGHTS PRAYERS ON THE MOVE advertising panels, displaying three The women’s craft night (see different prayers, in 144 DART picture above right) continues to go carriages, 150 buses and twenty from strength to strength, drawing poster sites in rail stations for a in a mix of women of all ages with whole month; a booklet containing varying degrees of interest in craft 31 simple prayers aimed at but with a strong commitment to commuters of any faith background fellowship and friendship. Since which can be downloaded as a free our last Klips they have met to e-book or ordered on-line; an app make Christmas decorations and containing the 31 prayers in audio, Valentine cards. prayer alerts to remind users to We meet on 20 April, 18 May pray and help them to get into the and 15 June. Call Julie on 087 habit of regular prayer; and a 2039516 for more information. website, www.prayersonthemove .com, Twitter feed and Facebook WHAT ABOUT THE MEN? page. I’m very aware of the success of the The SPCK found that 42% of women’s craft nights, and of various An exciting new ecumenical the UK population say that they women’s groups that have emerged campaign, Prayers on the Move, pray but that only 10% have a daily because of Messy Church, amongst which encourages everyone to give habit of prayer. Thinking about other things. It has made me think: prayer a go, has been running in how time-pressed many people— what about the men of the parish? Dublin, February–March 2018. especially commuters—are, and Rather than just come up with Prayers on the Move is aimed how stressful and even unpleasant something and hope for the best, at travellers, especially stressed commuting can be, the SPCK I’m sending out a call to men of all commuters. Advertising posters on devised a prayer app which ages in the parish to join me for a public transport and the prayer app commuters can use on the go to drink in the Golden Ball and think aim to make it easier for people to help them get into a habit of daily of a few projects or initiatives that pray while on the move. The SPCK prayer. This app is like a prayer we could develop together. What (Society for Promoting Christian guide in your pocket, designed to are the issues that face men today? Knowledge) has already successfully be an unobtrusive invitation into What are the issues facing dads that tried out Prayers on the Move in something more. The Prayers on don’t get attention? What sorts of London, Newcastle and the Move app is available to things could a parish community Birmingham. download for free on both Apple

3 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 NOTICE BOARD HOLY WEEK SERVICES IN KILTERNAN PARISH The theme this year is ‘Experience Easter’, with a reflection on six stations. Experience Easter is a journey through Holy Week to Easter and beyond. I’ve linked each day with a Bible text for those who might choose to use it for their own devotions.

Palm Sunday, 8:30am and 10:30am: Hopes and Dreams— A selection of the Junior and Senior Choirs at Christmas. the story of Palm Sunday (Lk. 19: 28–44). An all-age reflection. We and Android devices. Just search up in Geoffrey Willis’s, and even gather outside the church with your relevant App Store! had a surprise Skype with David palm branches and process in. Why not download this on and Isabel. your phone and take some time, If you are at all interested in Tuesday 27 March, 8:00pm: even in the midst of your busy day, joining the Parish Choir, please Jesus washes His disciples’ feet to pray? contact Kevin. We meet weekly on (John 13: 1–20). Tuesdays (7:15pm during Lent/8pm outside Lent). CHOIR NEWS Wednesday 28 March, 8:00pm: After a busy and successful A Service of Healing and Christmas, the church choirs are KILTERNAN ON TV Wholeness. We will be joined in now back in full swing. On 11 March (Mothering Sunday, this service by our friends from We’re very busy working on of all days!) we were invited to lead Rathmichael Parish. music for Lent and Holy Week, but a service on RTÉ 1. This is always a more importantly we’re preparing great privilege, with an audience of Maundy Thursday, 8:00pm: for a televised Easter Sunday tens of thousands. This was a Remember Me (Matt. 26: 17–30). Service. It’s extremely exciting, as it particularly important one, as it Maundy Thursday marks the will be the first time on TV for was a service to be broadcast on beginning of the Great Three many of our younger choristers. Easter Sunday. Days of Easter. It is a Fortunately, now that it is I admit that it felt quite Communion Service and is Lent, there is even more strange to be planning an Easter traditionally followed by the opportunity to experience our Sunday service early in March. Stripping of the Sanctuary in wonderful choirs besides watching Nonetheless, we decided to lead the preparation for Good Friday. the TV service on RTÉ player. The service as an All-Age Holy Parish Choir is leading the music in Communion service, with Good Friday Morning, our weekly Compline Service at contributions from the Junior and 10:00am: The Garden of 7:30pm every Tuesday this Lent. Senior Choirs. Gethsemane (Matt. 26: 36–56). We’re also preparing a wonderful We were mindful that the selection of Anthems for the audience for such services varies Good Friday Evening, 8:00pm: Tuesday to Friday evening services widely. Some of those who tune in Sharing our sorrows (Mark 15: of Holy Week. have little connection with any 21–41). This service traditionally As mentioned, we had a very denomination and spend Sunday involves periods of prolonged successful Christmas in and out of morning at home. Some will tune silence and the processing of the the church. The Parish Choir took in almost by accident and stick cross. part in a concert in Glencullen, around to see what is going on, and helping to raise 2,180 for the therefore an element of what we do € Easter Sunday Society of St Vincent de Paul. is evangelistic. Some will be regular 6:00am: ‘Sunrise Service’ at the Victoria Johnston sang a truly viewers unable to get to church Lead Mines Chimney. wonderful ‘O Holy Night’ with the themselves, and therefore another 8:30am and 10:30am: The choir at Christmas Midnight element will be familiarity for those Resurrection: the Empty Tomb Eucharist. seeking comfort and spiritual (John 20: 1–18). And, as anyone who knows nourishment. The 10:30 service will be the Parish Choir knows, they’re a The theme of the service was followed by an Easter egg hunt group of friends who love a bit of ‘When the impossible happened!’ in the rectory grounds (weather fun, so we had a wonderful dinner We hope to have you in Kilternan permitting!).

4 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 NOTICE BOARD on Easter Sunday, but do tune in to cake stand, purchase a plant for the RTÉ player afterwards to see the garden . . . service. As we can all see, the new It was a long day for all parish centre is coming along involved, and we are grateful to nicely but, sadly, it won’t be ready everyone who contributed. We for our fête and hence we will be hope that it was a fun experience. curtailed as regards space. Thankfully we have the full use of FOUNDER’S AND the school and school grounds THINKING DAY again this year. On 25 February a great gathering of If you have any ideas, Scouts, Guides, Beavers, Cubs and recommendations or suggestions, Ladybirds turned out at church for please don’t be shy: come and share the annual Thinking and Founder’s your thoughts with us. Day. Well done to everyone who Over the next few weeks we participated, and a big thank-you to will be sending out flyers asking for all the leaders, who do such a great help in different areas of the fête; job. please help where you can. We Women’s World Day of Prayer as badly need people to come and captured by Alice Pomstra-Elmint. FÊTE: 28 APRIL 2018 assist with the running of stalls. We cannot rely as always on the same and abroad. In Ireland the first people every year. Please contact service was held in 1934, and the parish office or the email services have taken place annually address below: ever since. The service is prepared [email protected] or by women from different countries [email protected]. each year, and in 1982 women In the meantime, keep your from Ireland, both North and fingers crossed for a dry and warm South, produced the service for day on 28 April 2018. worldwide use. Yours in fête organisation, The time of year is again upon us This year the service has been Olive Walker (086 220 0153). for planning the Kilternan Country prepared for us by the women of Fête—how quickly time flies! Suriname and they have chosen as Allocating a date for the fête EASTER VESTRY their theme ‘All God’s creation is The Parish Easter Vestry—its around all that happens in the Good’, confirming our AGM—will take place in the school parish and school has been a responsibility in caring for this hall on 17 April at 8:00pm. challenge, and hence we see the wonderful world we inhabit. We Refreshments will be served. fête this year moving to SATURDAY will be reminded of the The Easter Vestry is an 28 APRIL! relationship between God and opportunity for the parish at large With this earlier date, we creation, and between God and to hear something of the life of the envisage that we may lose some of humanity. parish—its mission and vision, as our dedicated team, so we need all We will join with an estimated well as a résumé of the past year. hands on deck and would ask you three million people in 5,000 These are exciting times within the to come forward and offer a few locations around the world to parish, as we slowly get ever closer hours before or on the day. It is celebrate this service, which has to commencement of the vital for the success of the fête that been translated into 95 languages development of a new parish hall we get the support and and 1,000 dialects. This will be a facility. involvement of the entire parish. day of prayer not simply for Looking forward to seeing you Funds generated from the fête assist women but for everyone who cares on Tuesday 17 April at the Easter both the school and the parish and about our world and those who live Vestry meeting. make up the shortfall which occurs. in it. Please remember that the fête For a number of years the is not only a day to raise funds but WOMEN’S WORLD DAY churches in our locality have also an opportunity for OF PRAYER hosted the Women’s World Day of parishioners, parents, family and The origins of the Women’s World Prayer, and this year we will have friends of the school and the wider Day of Prayer date back to the the pleasure of holding the service community of Kilternan, Sandyford nineteenth century, when Christian in Kilternan. Along with and further afield to come together women in the USA and Canada parishioners from our neighbouring and share a cup of tea, purchase an initiated a variety of cooperative parishes of Glencullen, Wayside, St item from the bric-a-brac stall, activities in support of women’s Mary’s and Balally, we join together bring home some treats from the involvement in mission, at home to celebrate the gifts of creation,

5 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 NOTICE BOARD with readings from Genesis. We COMMUNITY AGE- will also hear messages from seven DAFFODIL DAY FRIENDLY GRANT Surinamese women, representing COFFEE MORNING IN AWARD the cultural and ethnic diversity of In January 2018, Kilternan was AID OF THE IRISH Suriname, and have an opport- awarded a grant by Dún Laoghaire– CANCER SOCIETY unity for prayer and quiet Rathdown County Council to reflection focusing on John 15:5: provide services to older persons in the local area. I am the Vine, you are the In the new Kilternan Centre, it branches. is our ambition to offer regular Those who abide in Me and I in soup and cheese lunches for those them bear much fruit, who are of retirement age. On the Because apart from Me, you can one hand these are simply social do nothing. opportunities, but on the other they also provide a focal point for Our service was due to take place people to access information on Friday 23 March, on 1 March but was postponed local services and to hear because of the snow and freezing presentations on topics of interest. 9:30am–12:30pm conditions. A new date will be We foresee opportunities for older At 22 Glenbourne View, confirmed as soon as possible. citizens to engage in storytelling Leopardstown Valley, and possible musical events. D18. CONFIRMATION While the grant is primarily Confirmation is the rite by which for older people, the awarding body those who have been baptised seek is encouraging successful bodies to house, the lack of toilets (not to the blessing of the Holy Spirit for think intergenerationally, which we mention showers!) on site would be their growth as Christians. The may be able to do through our unacceptable to visiting teams. Our confirmation candidates first strong connections with the school. Ladies are doing well, winning three confirm the promises of their The grant will cover the costs of their four matches, with one left baptism. By making a public of coffee and tea pots and soup to play, and are currently in second affirmation of faith the candidates kettles, as well as covering some of place in their section. The Men, take responsibility for themselves the publicity and facility costs. however, have struggled, losing all as members of Christ’s Church. We hope to start this in four matches, but have some chance We are pleased to have nine September when the new Kilternan of winning their last match against candidates for confirmation this Centre formally opens, so pass the one of the weaker teams in their year. They have been working with word around! We have plenty of section. me in preparation. We have seven time to get organised, but if this is On a recent Saturday morning, sessions looking at the basics of the something you might like to help six willing members and one helpful Christian faith. We emphasise that with, please let us know. spouse gathered at the courts for a faith is caught not taught, so time different activity—the twice-yearly is spent on experiential learning. KILTERNAN PARISH clean-up. This involved cutting back This year we have had a pre- LAWN TENNIS CLUB the hedge along the school confirmation day organised by the With electrical power restored to the boundary and topping the section at diocese under the guidance of floodlights and the clubhouse, we the (now unused) practice wall, Susie Keegan, the new Dublin and have been able to keep our club beside the clubhouse. All cuttings Glendalough Diocesan Youth activities going, although the poor were cleared away and leaves and Ministry Development Officer. weather in recent weeks and the debris removed from around the The confirmation date is 14 lack of toilet facilities have not courts. We were fortunate to be April in Christ Church, Bray, and helped! School Tennis has resumed blessed with relatively mild and dry the following day they will receive also, when weather permits. We are weather on the day and much work communion in Kilternan. pleased to have received enquiries was done. We were also very grateful We, as a church, have a from a couple of potential new for refreshments provided by some responsibility to them as they members, in spite of our location in of the ladies. continue to grow in faith. We the middle of a building site. As always, we are ready to begin by holding them in prayer. We entered one Ladies’ and welcome new members, particularly So, in your personal devotions, one Men’s Team in the Dublin Lawn from the parish, but we also expect please remember Lily and Poppy Tennis Council Winter League, both to attract new members from the Reid, Brooke Brownell, Alex competing in Class 6. All our expanding population in our area. Gordon, Peter Walker, Harry matches have to be played ‘away’. Enquiries to: Mary White, Hon. Corrigan, Aaron Murphy, Matthew While we could provide the usual Secretary, KPLTC, 087 99877377, Darlington and Evan Fitzsimons. after-match refreshments in our Log [email protected].

6 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 NOTICE BOARD THE IRISH CANCER SOCIETY’S FREE TRANSPORT SERVICE The Irish Cancer Society operates a free transport service for patients attending hospital for chemotherapy treatment. Volunteer drivers pick the patient up at the door of their home, drop them at the hospital door and then after treatment, will pick them up and drop them home. Volunteer expenses are paid. Patients wishing to avail of this free service should contact their healthcare professional, visit the Society’s Fourth class all dressed up for Pyjama Day. website at irishcancer.ie or contact the Irish Cancer Society for more Jonathan Sharkey, Club Community information on 01 2310 522. Rugby Officer with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and Leinster Rugby. MEAL TRAIN Following this, the same classes Meal Train is a food ministry in accepted an invitation to take part in Kilternan parish. What does this an inter-school tag rugby blitz in De really mean? La Salle Palmerston on Wednesday 21 February from 10am to 12pm. A great day was had by all.

Some sleepy girls from 1st Class! Look at Myles O’Riordan!

When a friend is in need, They have promised to come back everyone asks ‘What can I do to and tell us all how they got on and help?’ The answer is always to we look forward to that. make a meal. When many friends make and deliver a meal, this is a Upcoming Tag Rugby Blitz meal train. Meal Train will provide Since just after Christmas, 4th, 5th meals for fellow parishioners in and 6th Class have been enjoying need (we all have times of need!). some tag rugby coaching with This could be following a birth or a bereavement, during convalescence after surgery or illness, or just to give someone a break. Meal Train is an international programme organised through a web-based platform. If you know of anyone who might find some food support helpful, please let Julie know, or A very proud, and rightly so, Myles contact the Parish Office. came to school with a cup with which he had been presented at his SCHOOL NOTES GAA club, Ballinteer St John’s. Well Pyjama Day: done, Myles, keep up the great work! Past pupils Jack, Anna and Megan would like to thank you for all of PASTORAL CARE your kindness and support during If you would like a pastoral visit at their recently held Pyjama Day any time, please contact the rector in aid of Habitat for Humanity— directly, or leave a message with the just over €530 was raised. church office. If you would like to On behalf of the school, I receive communion over Easter, would like to wish Jack, Anna and Participants in De La Salle Palmerston Rugby please let us know so that we can Megan a safe and successful trip. Blitz. make arrangements.

7 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 FEATURE TEA AND HISTORY

By Rob Clements

Left and above: parishioners examining the treasure trove of documents.

think the print is hard to read today, you would be amazed by how small it was then! You might also enjoy articles on ‘Sunday Clothes: A Pretty Blouse’; ‘The Lure of Drink’; ‘Summer Pastimes for Wounded Soldiers’; ‘A Country Love Story’; and ‘Letters to Men: On Creed and Conduct’. t the end of last year Anne turn of the 1900s. Indeed, a In future editions of Klips, we Walsh and I were doing a bit few of them contain rather might look at publishing some of of a clear-up when we found colourful exchanges! A those articles. a treasure trove of old Kilternan articles tucked away in a box at the • A delightful Kilternan back of a cupboard in the church. Christmas poem from Many of the documents go back to 1882 written by the Rev. the late 1800s, though most are Hughes. from the war years (including a wonderful collection from the • Early documents from the Great War and from the formation life of the school and old of the State). parish registers, with Eventually these things belong wonderful insights into in the Representative Church Body, how much the parish where they can be archived. has changed. Back in However, before they were 1920 the parish list had submitted to the RCB they were 50 households. Now it’s opened up for Kilternan folk to close to 300. look at. A healthy number of parishioners gathered over tea and • Old school attendance cake (thanks to Sarah Tilson and books. Some of our her team) and worked their way older parishioners were through all sorts of documents. able to look back and Some of them were quite check what their mundane—old receipts and bills. school attendance was But others were quite fantastic. like.

• Wonderful handwritten letters, It was lovely to read some of particularly from the Rev. the old parish magazines, some The cover of our parish magazine c. O’Morchoe as far back as the from over 100 years ago. If you 1909.

8 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 ’m hesitant, at best, as I begin to write this article, but as we go to Ithe polls in May to vote on the THE EIGHTH repeal of the Eighth Amendment, it is important that we feel that we can discuss contentious issues AMENDMENT about which many feel deeply. There is a great deal of concern about how the debate has DEBATE shaped up so far. There is a danger of entering into a type of cultural and religious trench warfare, or two archbishops below. How attitudes towards sexual habits? what one journalist referred to as should we respond? Thirdly, we might note that ‘the mother of all battles’. With all The first thing we might say is the Anglican way is to celebrate our the shouting, and the deficit of that we must respond with love diversity and the place of listening, there is a worry that a and grace. No good will come of conscience in decision-making. Of post-referendum Ireland will be a treating people as deplorable, of course, the wording of the deeply divided and wounded yelling over the fence at those who referendum is still emerging, but it Ireland. Anti-abortion activists will may see things differently from is likely that Church of Ireland accuse pro-choice people of being ourselves. We must prioritise Godly people will sit on different sides of ‘murderers’ in all but name, while listening and seek to build bridges, this debate. That is fine. In fact, it’s pro-choice people will accuse anti- not stoke fires. very Anglican. We recognise that abortion people of being Secondly, we might want to this debate is not black and white anti-the-mother and/or seek context. As the debate but filled with nuance. The Bible misogynistic. currently stands, we seem to have expresses a God-given dignity to I sit on the Church and plucked this issue out of the air life within the womb but does not Society Commission of the Church without looking at the context in define the beginning of life. of Ireland, where our conversation which it sits. Would it be helpful if Similarly, Christian tradition does has been dominated by how we as we could lead a debate on gender not have a consistent response to a Church should respond. The equality, on equal access to sexual this. bones of that discussion are health and support services? Would Revd Rob Clements captured in the statement by the it be of value to look at changing

Statement from the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, and the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland The tradition of the Church of Ireland would reject the pregnant woman within clearly defined an unrestricted access to abortion, while being boundaries and parameters. concerned to ensure provision for hopefully rare • We recognise the dilemma faced both by legislators circumstances and in a secure medical setting. Where and by medical, nursing and healthcare practitioners individuals draw such a line will inevitably differ. with regard to access to unrestricted abortion during Instances where the life of the woman is at serious the early months of pregnancy. However, unrestricted risk have long been regarded within Church of access to abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, Ireland teaching as situations where termination of a or indeed at any stage, is not an ethical position we pregnancy would be justifiable. For some, pregnancy can accept. after sexual crime or the medical certainty of fatal foetal abnormality might also be seen as • We would suggest that current legislation should be circumstances where abortion could be considered as strengthened to ensure that the needs of pregnant justified. In every situation, however, the church women facing difficult situations can be addressed seeks to offer pastoral care sensitive to the physical, quickly and comprehensively through improved mental and spiritual wellbeing of women and support services. This will require significant and families who find themselves in such difficult sustained investment in both medical and mental situations. health services. With respect to current proposals: • We acknowledge that too often in this debate the voice of women has not been heard. The church will • We favour a modification of the Article 40.3.3 in seek to continue to care for and pastorally stand such a way that allows for the Oireachtas to have alongside women, and their partners and families, legislative responsibility to address termination of who face immensely difficult situations and pregnancy, any rights of the unborn and the rights of dilemmas.

9 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 ‘WE’RE WORKING

Clockwise from top left: Preparing the old hall. A view from inside the main hall. On goes the roof. A view from the kitchen into the welcome area. Another view from the main hall.

10 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 ON A BUILDING...’* TARGETS OF HAVING the centre up and running by Easter were possibly naive but, for those paying attention, the build has been making excellent progress. As I write this the roof timber is almost completed! Our expectation at this stage is that the builders will be finished by the end of May, giving us the summer to fit and furnish the centre and complete the landscaping work. Of course, having a building is one thing; having it full of services and activities for all the community is another. We are seeking to develop a creative list of programmes to start in September for people of all ages. We are exploring a possible café in the centre’s reception area that can be used by people of all ages. We are encouraging people to approach us with innovative ideas for programmes that can be offered that help us achieve our mission of building community, strengthening worship and growing in service.

* The wonderful Carter Family— old-time American Country and Gospel singers—recorded a great tune called: I'm a working on a building. It can be heard on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZEQgL85tpkU

11 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 FAMILY AND YOUTH MINISTRY with a special Messy Church. The colour of Pentecost is red, so we’ll fill the school with red and have all sorts of red crafts and foods as we think about the day that the Spirit came.

KILTERNAN SCOUTS

MESSY CHURCH Since our last edition of Klips we have had a Messy Advent and a Messy Lent. We continue to be thrilled with how many people are engaging with Messy Church, and with the large number of people who put time and effort into making it possible. What about the February has been a busy month for months ahead? all our sections as we prepare for Messy Easter: This Easter we Founder’s Day. What Baden-Powell aren’t going for a traditional Messy wanted most for all Scouts was for Church, but what we are going to them to be outside as much as do is build a Messy Church around possible, and we have done just the service on Easter Sunday. Come that. along to the school at 9:45am and Venture Scouts did a bivvy in we will have a short time of crafts, Fernhill gardens, sleeping in making some Easter streamers etc. hammocks overnight. They also that we can bring to church. After collected ten large bin bags for cans the service, everyone is invited for and bottles, helping to make tea and coffee. There won’t be a Fernhill a more enjoyable Messy Church meal, but we will experience for our local have an Easter egg hunt in the community. rectory grounds! The Scouts did an overnight in Messy Pentecost: May 20th is the Adirondack shelters in Larch Pentecost Sunday, so let’s celebrate

12 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 vetting. In the year ahead, we predict that there will be more changes, as we seek to ensure that our practices are held to all necessary standards. From 29 April 2016 it became a criminal offence, other than in certain limited circumstances, for an organisation to commence the exploring the intersection between engagement of an employee or life, community and faith. A volunteer without first obtaining a number of successful albums later, vetting disclosure from the Bureau the Rend Collective have been in respect of that person. selling out venues all over the Employees in post prior to 29 April world. 2016 are also required to be vetted On Sunday 20 May 2018 @ under the retrospective 7:00pm they will be playing in the requirements of section 21 of the Vetting Act. We are confident that Hill, sleeping outdoors on a chilly Olympia Theatre, Dublin. If there all of our volunteers have been February night and learning to put are some of our teenagers or young vetted or are in the process of being up tarps and hammocks on the adults who would like to go, please vetted. Saturday. It was cold but enjoyable. let me know ASAP and I’ll book This year our parish will The Scouts have had an tickets. Tickets are €20 (or just complete its fourth triennial intense few weeks, with each patrol under) and are selling out fast! Safeguarding Trust audit, due to working hard to brush up on their If you want to have a listen to take place by the end of June 2018. Navigation, Backwoods, Camping some of their most recent work, We will be looking at all of our files and Pioneering skills. As a reward you can find them on Vevo at to ensure that everything is up to for all their hard work they paid a https://www.vevo.com/artist/rend- date and training offered where visit to the Rink roller disco. collective. necessary. This is an area of our The Cubs managed two hikes ministry that we treat with the in February, in Crone and Djouce SAFEGUARDING TRUST utmost seriousness. We rely on the woods. They were particularly Children are a fundamental part of goodwill of people to attend muddy coming back from Djouce— our Church family and we embrace trainings as necessary and to more muck than Cub in many ‘Safeguarding Trust’ (the Church of complete all necessary paperwork. cases. Ireland’s child protection policy) as The Beavers were also out a way of creating and maintaining hiking and exploring Massey’s a safe environment where all our CHILDREN’S MINISTRY estate and the newly opened children are protected from any NETWORK AND SUNDAY Fernhill gardens. type of abuse and feel happy and SCHOOL SOCIETY WEB We had our annual Founder’s safe in exploring faith and sharing TRAININGS Day cake sale in the school on life as we learn to follow Jesus A number of on-line trainings are Sunday 25 February after the together. It is important that they about to appear on the Children’s Founder’s Day service where we understand how to raise any Ministry Network on the topics of remembered Baden-Powell and concerns they may have with All-Age Worship, Creative Prayer, thought about what scouting members in our community. Storytelling and ‘Make yourself at means to each of us. In following the policies and Home’ (Church and how we Yours in Scouting, practices of ‘Safeguarding Trust’ we welcome). This is a joint initiative 10th Kilternan Scout Troop. are ensuring that all of our by the Children’s Ministry Network members involved in children’s and the Sunday School Society for Ireland, and it is being funded by REND COLLECTIVE ministry are appointed and trained Rend Collective (formerly known as to operate within good-practice the Board of Education NI and the Rend Collective Experiment) are a frameworks and are protected from Sunday School Society. Christian experimental rock band unfounded allegations. The videos were shot on 21 originating from Bangor, Northern Our panel members February and will hopefully be Ireland. responsible for implementing posted soon as a resource for those An inherent desire for ‘Safeguarding Trust’ are: Rev. Rob involved in working with children something spiritually substantive in Clements, Minister in Charge, with come the summer. If you visit, you our increasingly artificial world is Jane Newell and Jonathan Holt. will see your rector try to give a what brought the movement of In recent years there have four-minute feature on how to friends together. United by a been improvements in this area, deliver All-Age Worship! common purpose, they began particularly with regard to Garda

13 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 COMMUNITY AND WIDER CHURCH DIRECT PROVISION AND THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Gathering in the Golden Ball Unite your servants in the bond of unity. Come, Holy Spirit! The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from 18 to 25 January. The suggested theme, which was produced by Christians in the Caribbean, was ‘That all may be free’. There are 1.4 million Christians living in the Caribbean region, across a vast geographical spread of island and mainland territories. They represent a rich Lissywollen Direct Provision Centre for asylum-seekers in Athlone, Co. Westmeath. and diverse tapestry of ethnic, linguistic and religious traditions, It certainly worked, as the recommended that we, as a united with a complex variety of night turned towards things that body of churches, might write a governmental and constitutional we could do together. Reflecting on letter that would be sent to our arrangements. the scriptural passage from Exodus, local government representatives, The contemporary context is Mgr Dermot Lane drew our expressing our discomfort with this deeply marked by the history of the attention to the experiences of situation from a human and colonialism which stripped people those living in Direct Provision. Christian point of view. From a of their identity, dignity and human point of view, Direct freedom. During 500 years of the The Problem of Direct Provision: Provision colonial system, Scripture was used Moving from Faith to Action to justify the enslavement of the Direct Provision is surely one of the • violates basic human rights in indigenous people. In a dynamic travesties of our age. Many have relation to education and work; reversal, those same Scriptures observed that Direct Provision will • tramples on the dignity and became the inspiration and be seen by generations to come as respect due to every individual motivation for people to reclaim the Magdalene laundries of our regardless of race, sex or their liberty. Recognising the hand time. It was noted that: religion; of God in the ending of • denies freedom of movement enslavement, the Caribbean • Direct Provision is made up of to individuals. Christians offer Exodus 15, a song some 34 accommodation of triumph over oppression. centres around the country; From a Christian point of view, The Week of Prayer for • that these centres hold around Direct Provision Christian Unity has become a 4,500 people, of whom 1,600 stable feature of our church year are children; • negates the Christian but, as with all things, unless we • that asylum-seekers are not conviction that every human think progressively it can become allowed to work or to being is made in the image and rather stale. This year, we participate in third-level likeness of God; celebrated our Christian unity in education; • offends the great the back room of the Golden Ball. • that asylum-seekers are commandment of the love of Over 30 people from expected to live on €20.10 per God and the love of neighbour; Kilternan, Balally and St Mary’s, week; • ignores the belief that ‘as often including the rector of Kilternan, • that a number of asylum- as you did it to one of these My Mgr Dermot Lane and Fr Peter seekers have been in Direct least brethren, you did it to Byrne, gathered to pray. The reason Provision for up to eight years, Me’. for meeting in the pub was twofold: in the course of which some firstly, it provided a more informal have died and others have As concerned citizens of Ireland, as format for discussion; secondly, it committed suicide. people living in your constituency, provided a public witness to our and as committed Christians, we Christian unity. At the meeting, it was wish to request respectfully:

14 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 • an urgent review of Direct Provision that is in keeping THANK-YOU FROM 264,636 with the above human rights and Christian values; CHILDREN! • that, as our local nce again you have been representatives, you will bring incredibly generous and, as the contents of this letter to a result, last Christmas the attention of the Minister O 264,636 children in thirteen for Justice and An Taoiseach; countries received a gift-filled • that you will report back to us shoebox from Ireland! on progress in relation to this Your gifts have brought hope urgent matter in due course. into lives that looked hopeless, joy and laughter where there was only Mgr Dermot Lane has taken the sadness, and a tangible expression lead on this, with an ambition to of God’s love and interest in the send letters signed by the three marginalised and often forgotten churches. children of our world. One such child is Timor, a GRANT AVAILABLE FOR little boy whom I met a couple of TEFL TRAINING weeks ago in Belarus. He is five From 2018, the Bishop’s Appeal will years old and he lives with his be funding a limited number of mum, Veronica, and four sisters; people who wish to receive a TEFL the youngest is six months old and Timor and his shoebox. qualification so that they can the eldest is eight years old. Timor’s provide English-language classes to dad left the family a couple of his really bad cough, he sat there refugees, asylum-seekers and months ago. Timor’s granny, who is smiling from ear to ear all the time migrants living in Ireland. Each very ill, lives with them in a small we were there. He loved the sweets, person who avails of the grant will two-roomed house, and the family and the little mouth-organ and toy be asked to contribute one tenth of have to try and survive on her very cars! The shoeboxes brought some the cost themselves and will small pension. In Belarus children’s joy and hope to this little family. commit to volunteering some allowance is only paid until a child Once again, thank you for all hours with refugees once qualified. is three years old. Timor’s granny is your support. It’s a big team effort You can find out more from a diabetic and has really bad and together we can make a Bishop’s Appeal at bishopsappeal psoriasis. She hopes that she will difference! @ireland.anglican.org. live another two years to see her For further information see grandchildren grow up but, sadly, www.teamhope.ie. EARTH HOUR 2018 she cannot afford any medication. Carol Hennessey Around the globe, millions of Timor was super-excited to get National Christmas Shoebox people, businesses and landmarks his shoebox from Ireland! Despite Appeal Manager set aside an hour to host events, switch off their lights and make noise for climate change action. Over the years, Earth Hour participants have helped make amazing things happen. From changing laws to funding solar- powered homes, volunteers have made a real, positive impact on our planet. This year Earth Hour is at 8:30pm on 24 March 2018. Deirdre Lane is Ireland’s Earth Hour ambassador for the third year— [email protected]. Lots more information is available on the Earth Hour website.

Timor and his family in Belarus.

15 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 YOUNG PEOPLE SPEAKING

As Christians the subject of mental health is taboo and is POSITIVE seldom talked about; we are told to have faith in God and in ourselves, but in doing so we fail THINKING to confront the actual crisis and feelings. We need to name the stigma, as it is a health condition By Benita Murinda caused by physiological changes in the brain and can inflict mental turmoil when left untreated. The ‘shame’ of mental illness is carried by many in hen we think of someone fail to cope; they develop suicidal church; believing that their joy being wounded we thoughts and engage in self-harming and strength should be found in Winstinctively think of scars, activities. the Lord, they keep their bleeding and bruises—anything that In Philippians 4:8 the Bible diagnosis secret. As a church, we is reminiscent of physical pain—but instructs us in proper thinking: ‘And can help by showing them that unfortunately we forget that now, my friends, all that is true, all they are not alone and by being wounding can manifest itself that is noble, all that is just and pure, open to talking about it. We mentally and emotionally. all that is lovable and gracious, sometimes give mixed messages, To ask someone to describe whatever is excellent and caught between allowing our mental illness is asking for the mistakes to define us and moving impossible, as everyone reacts in on from the past. different ways. Some are more subtle; ‘Mental illness is like a In the past it was believed they are able to conceal the turmoil that talking openly about mental occurring in their head and silent virus with which illness encouraged self-harming, participate in everyday activities like we can be infected’ but research has shown that the nothing’s wrong. Others are much more positivity we spread the more overt, like a famous singer who likelier we are to combat this had a mental breakdown live on admirable—fill all your thoughts with stigma. Discussions destigmatise Facebook, crying ‘I’m all by myself these things’. This quote preaches the mental illness and self-harming. and there’s absolutely nobody in my power of positive thinking in our We may feel inclined to believe life except my doctor and my lives. Within our society we are quick that committing suicide is an act psychiatrist’. to brush the topic of mental illness of selfishness or of giving up on This sentiment of loneliness is under the carpet and to offer fixes in life, but we need to reform our one, sadly, that is shared by millions medical form, but we are slow to get minds and language to of people around the world. Mental to the bottom of the situation by acknowledge that the decision health is a major problem among talking openly and integrating the was born out of deep, persistent teenagers. Approximately one in five issue within our daily lives. I by no suffering. The very term ‘commit’ people suffer from depression alone, means believe that just reading a suggests criminal activity, when which would mean that out of a verse will alter the state of your in retrospect it is an act of despair. group of ten friends two of them mental health, but practising Facing and acknowledging would be suffering from depression. positivity as a society could help us this despair is hard, as humans Mental illness is like a silent go far. We are always working tend to want to avoid talking virus with which we can be infected, towards the end goal, which is about uncomfortable issues. This but it affects us in different ways. important, but we forget about the means that those suffering the Among teenagers this is a frightening endurance. most suffer in silence, when what issue. We live in a world where we There is an alarming rise in teen they need is the comfort of others connect digitally very rapidly, but suicide. Anecdotal evidence does around them. when it comes to connecting on an suggest that positive thinking has a Followers of Christ are told emotional level we seem to have strong impact on the problem. to step forward and not away taken many steps back. As teenagers Affirming faith and positive thinking from those who need us and from there is a lot expected from us, and is a good change, but it is not the end the acknowledgement of their much of this pressure has proven to of combating mental illness and teen existence, no matter what their have adverse and significant effects suicide. Despite the growing number struggles. on our mental health; these pressures of teenagers who have been include exams, bullying, family diagnosed with a mental health issue, Benita Murinda is a parishioner and a 5th year student at St Raphaela's Secondary situations etc. Understandably, many resources and support are still scarce. School, Stillorgan.

16 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 was ebbing away (Mark 15: THE COLLECTS CRANMER’S 34/Matt. 27: 46). OF THE DAY Reading Psalm 22 on Good As you gather for worship on CORNER Friday declares to us that Jesus Sunday, you encounter the Collect became God forsaken for us. He of the Day. What are these strange made that cry of abandonment so things called ‘collects’? How are that no child of God would ever you meant to pronounce this experience Godforsakenness. What word? is more, just like the speaker in A collect is simply a prayer Psalm 22, Jesus looked ahead to the intended to gather the intentions time when God would vindicate of the people and the focus of the innocent who suffer unjustly, worship in a succinct way. When I because God is in the business of am leading all-age worship I delivering those afflicted by the always use the collect of the day, evils of this world. but I tend to describe it as the Reading Psalm 16 on Holy ‘prayer set aside for today’ or the Saturday reminds us that Jesus went ‘special prayer for this Sunday’. to the place of the dead; He While many use the collects for participated fully in the experience their personal devotions, they are of death, and yet death could not very much public affairs. They try hold Him. Therefore we can be like to gather up the thoughts of the the psalmist and have complete congregation. Hence at the end of confidence that God’s faithfulness the collect we all say ‘Amen’. and goodness will follow us all the The collects were written by days of our life, He comforts us in Archbishop Cranmer, though no our final breath, and He receives us doubt he plagiarised wildly from a into life everlasting. wide range of source material. Psalm 2 is an enthronement Cranmer had been a Cambridge LECTIONARY Psalm, celebrating how God had scholar (he had held a lectureship RAMBLINGS installed His holy king in Zion. in Biblical studies) and a diplomat In this edition’s ramblings we Psalm 2:7, ‘You are my son; today I before being plucked by Henry VIII continue to look at the Psalms, have become your father’, was a to be archbishop. It fell to Cranmer particularly the great Easter Psalms. favourite text of New Testament to craft the book that we call the The following is based on an article authors for referring to Jesus’ Book of Common Prayer. I always written by Anglican biblical resurrection. Luke records Paul feel that Cranmer’s background as theologian Mike Bird of Ridley preaching a sermon in a synagogue a diplomat influenced his writing College, Melbourne. with the words: ‘We tell you the and the Anglican tradition that it As one reads through the New good news: What God promised shaped. Anglicanism is very much Testament, it becomes clear that our ancestors He has fulfilled for us, the via media that tries to see the authors detected in the Psalms their children, by raising up Jesus. things both ways. various patterns and images which As it is written in the second Psalm: CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 reminded them of Jesus, specifically “You are my son; today I have who He was and what He achieved become your father”’ (Acts 13: 32– in His death and resurrection. It is 33). Paul is saying that all of God’s hardly surprising, then, that the promises to Israel are made good in Old Testament texts most often the resurrection of Jesus. quoted in the New Testament are Reading Psalm 2 on Easter all Psalms. What about the Psalms Sunday announces to us that Jesus of Easter? is raised to reign. Through the First, Psalm 22 is the heartfelt resurrection, Jesus is installed as prayer of the innocent person who Lord over all things and He will feels that he/she suffers unjustly reign until all of His enemies are and is threatened from all sides. It subdued, the wicked, evil tyrants, opens with the words ‘My God, my and even death itself. God, why have you forsaken me?’, One of the delightful things which accentuate the sheer about Anglican worship is that it is desperation of the speaker who beautifully infused with the Psalms. feels alone and even abandoned by So, this Easter, I invite you read God. Jesus uttered these same Psalms 22, 16 and 2 and reflect on The original title-page of the Book of words on the cross just as His life the crucified, buried and risen Lord. Common Prayer.

17 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 CONTINUED ON FROM PAGE 17

All of the collects more or REVIEW less fit a pattern that was developed, and some would say THE GIFTS OF perfected, by Cranmer in the first Book of Common Prayer (1549). IMPERFECTION The form of collects is actually BRENE BROWN quite simple. Cranmer’s collects consist of five parts:

1. The address—a name of God. Reviewed by Julie Clements 2. The doctrine—a truth about God’s nature that is the basis for the prayer. 3. The petition—what is being asked for. The Gifts of Imperfection, written by never stops. 4. The aspiration—what good Dr Brene Brown, is subtitled Let go As I read this book, I find my result will come if the request of who you think you’re supposed to be response is similar to that provoked is granted. and embrace who you are: your guide by many books within the remit of 5. In Jesus’ name—this to a wholehearted life. The book is a psychology, and that is something remembers the mediatorial mixture of good old self-help and a to the effect of ‘Yes, that makes role of Jesus. presentation of qualitative research sense’. Brown’s writing is easy and by a leading researcher in courage, accessible, although repetitive at As an example, here is the Collect vulnerability and shame. times. She makes helpful points for the Fifth Sunday of Easter: Each day we face a and I think I’m going to remember bombardment of images and them all, but then the next page (1) Almighty God, (2) whom messages from society and the comes and she’s onto something truly to know is everlasting life: media telling us who, what and else. There’s enough in it that I (3) grant us so perfectly to know how we should be. We are led to want to read it again! your Son Jesus Christ to be the believe that it is possible to achieve This genre won’t be for way, the truth, and the life, (4) some semblance of perfection, or at everyone, but this book in the right that we may steadfastly follow least an improvement on our hands, at the right time, for the his steps in the way that leads to current existence. It is hard not to right person . . . might be a perfect eternal life; (5) through Jesus feel inadequate at times. To match! Christ your Son our Lord, who counteract this feeling of Brene Brown also has a very lives and reigns with you, in the inadequacy, we perform, please and good TED talk called ‘The Power of unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, perfect, knowing rightly that it is Vulnerability’—a non-committal forever and ever. Amen. not a sustainable response. good taster for the book. Brown shares what she’s Sometimes in worship we find learned from a decade of research that we rush our way through the on the power of wholehearted THE ARCHBISHOP collect. We shouldn’t. The collects living—a way of engaging with the OF CANTERBURY’S are a resource for personal and world from a place of worthiness. LENT BOOK 2018 In Say it to God, public reflection. They are packed ‘The greatest challenge for most of Luigi Gioia with poetry and theology and us is believing that we are worthy provides welcome turn our eyes towards now, right at this minute. encouragement to transformation. Worthiness doesn’t have all those who feel the need to prerequisites.’ Drawing on some freshen their practice of prayer. Pronunciation strong biblical principles, Brown Arranged in chapters suitable for Usually people emphasise the first takes the reader through ten daily reading over Lent, the book syllable: ‘COLL-ect’. This is guideposts engaging the mind, leads the reader into the different from the usual heart and spirit as she explores how theological aspects of prayer and pronunciation of the word we can choose wholehearted living how it relates to Christ, to the ‘collect’ in English as ‘coll-ECT’, and cultivate the courage, Holy Spirit and to the Church. as in ‘I’m going to collect the compassion and connection to This is done without using rent’. In truth, I don’t think wake up in the morning and think, complex concepts but simply Cranmer would mind how you ‘I am imperfect, and I am enough’. through scriptural quotations. pronounce it. Wholehearted living is not a one- time choice; it is a process that Published by Bloomsbury at £9.99.

18 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 The tune was also covered by HYMN CHOICE Edwin Hawkins Joan Baez, Glen Campbell, Elvis OH HAPPY DAY Presley, Johnny Mathis and Aretha Franklin among others. It has been said that the devil has all Oh Happy Day changed the the best tunes, but this was not the course of modern gospel music. case with Oh Happy Day, an Adding a throbbing beat and R&B- exuberant hymn to the spiritually influenced arrangement to the cleansing powers of Jesus. The song conven tional call-and-response became a hit in 1969, credited to the vocals of black church singing, Edwin Hawkins Singers, and reached Hawkins pushed other gospel artists No. 2 in the UK and No. 1 in France such as the Staple Singers in a more and Germany, as well as No. 4 on soulful direction and persuaded a the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It new generation of singers that quickly sold more than a million spiritual music could be inter - copies, and would eventually sell but what I find uplifting is the mingled with popular secular styles 7m internationally. Many people whole story of Edwin Hawkins and without losing its religious message. will remember it from the movie his only hit record. When he was criticised by Sister Act 2. When Edwin Hawkins gospel purists for sounding too com- What is not generally known is recorded Oh Happy Day in 1968 his mercial, he had a ready reply. ‘Some that the song was based (loosely) on sole ambition was to raise enough of it sounds very worldly’, he ac- a hymn written in the mid- money for his amateur singers to knowledged. ‘But if the lyrics speak eighteenth century by Phillip travel to a church choir competi- about the Lord, it's still gospel.’ Doddridge, but it was Edwin tion. Modest and devout, Hawkins Hawkins, who has died recently, Instead, the song became the never minded that Oh Happy Day who popularised it and turned it biggest crossover hit in the history was his only major pop hit and said into a global standard. The hymn of gospel music. that he was just content that his can be found in the Church Hymnal, Oh Happy Day eventually sold gospel song had touched people's as Oh happy day that fixed my choice more than seven million copies and lives. Until the end he took a delight (no. 591). It was originally used as a strongly influenced George in nurturing young singers to raise confirmation hymn but the Edwin Harrison, who credited the song as their voices in praise of the God he Hawkins version may be closer to a the inspiration for his chart-topping revered and, it seems, he was more mid-nineteenth-century American hit My Sweet Lord, and Paul Simon, interested in spreading the gospel tune. who channelled some of the song's than in being a big music star. Personally I cannot remember evangelical fervour into Bridge Over (Based on articles in the Times ever singing this hymn in church Troubled Water. and Companion to Church Hymnal.)

MUSINGS THE HEREAFTER THE PARABLE OF THE HALF-CROWNS I wonder, I wonder what the next world holds in store; It is said that a very important gentleman (whom for the Will it be full of wonders to last for evermore? purposes of this tale we will call Lord V.I.P.) lived in Shall we be allowed adventures to the earth below, Enniskerry a long time ago and went to church there. He To places never visited but where in life we longed to go? used to sit in a pew just in front of the pulpit. Would great penance be inflicted to earn one such a Now it came to pass that the rector there tended to tour? be a bit fond of his own voice and was very long- And even if one got to do, would it be a false allure? winded when it came to sermon time, the result being How would one travel there or find one’s own way back? that Lord V.I.P. was often late for lunch. He was reluctant Would there be lots of company and what about the to mention his displeasure to the rector, so came up with crack? a strategy. What about the senses, would all of these be gone? On arriving in church he would place eight half- I’ve ‘wred’ communication is by thought process, could crowns1 in a row on the book shelf of his pew (in full this all be wrong? view of the rector). After the first five minutes of the ser- Where is heaven anyway? Could it be o’er the sea mon had passed, he would start putting a half-crown Or over all the solid earth obscured from you and me? back in his pocket for every extra two minutes. As a re- If we are invisible, what about the clime? sult, without a word being said, the parish funds were Will we be unaffected or have a helluva time? kept intact and Lord V.I.P.’s lunch was never cold again. William D He could, of course, have come to Kilternan and he January 2018 would never had such a problem — then or now! J.W. 1 There were eight half-crowns in £1 Sterling.

19 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018 TAXI FOR HIRE

The Alice Leahy Trust extends a big thank-you to Fintan Keogh Kilternan Parish for toiletries and clothes received this year. Demand for the services of the Alice Leahy Trust 086 2685865 remains very high, with an average of 250 showers per month. All donations of unused toiletries for men (Local Taxi Service) and women are very welcome. A box for donations is located at the back of the church.

l Shower gel l Hair products l Perfume/after-shave l Deodorants (only aerosols) l Shaving cream/gel l Disposable razors l Sanitary products l Hair brushes and combs Warm clothes and sleeping bags are also welcome but arrangements need to be made for collection.

Tel. Una MacConville (086 8175530)

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20 | Kilternan Klips | Spring 2018