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KILTERNAN KLIPS Building community, strengthening worship, growing in service The quarterly newsletter of Kilternan Parish, Co. Dublin Vol. 26 No. 3 Kilternan Klips | Autumn 2020 www.kilternan.dublin.anglican.org

NOTICE BOARD WHAT’S ON FEATURES MINISTRY News and notices from Keep up with what is Articles and features of Youth, family and liturgy, around the parish happening in the parish interest to the church articles and more Autumn 2020.qxp_Layout 1 04/09/2020 16:02 Page 2

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The Rector on... Learning to live out our calling

As a rector, I found being shut out of common worship on Sundays a

Jenny Killgallon Jenny painful and disorientating experience. Leading worship is part of the rector’s identity and sense of calling, and I shared with many of you the void on a Sunday morning. Of course, the church has been very much open since March, even if the building was shut, but I nevertheless found it immensely moving to be able to pray the Lord’s Prayer with other voices. Contents One of the collects we prayed together during this time contained What’s on in Kilternan 4 these words: ‘Gracious Father, revive Your church in our day, and make her holy, strong and faithful, for Your glory’s sake in Jesus Christ our Notice Board 6 Lord’. Surely these words are more pressing now than they have ever Rethinking ministry 10 been, as we wrestle with the spiritual and practical impact of the Gathering Grounds reopens 11 coronavirus. Kilternan Parish emerges from lockdown 12 ‘We are going to have to make different Coping with change and and sometimes difficult decisions in uncertainty 14 this season, and we need to offer grace Community and wider Church 15 to one another as we readjust to life in Stories from lockdown 16 community again.’ Family and Youth ministry 19 As I have reflected on the days ahead, it strikes me that the church An honest story has two choices. The first choice is simply to sit still and wait for this from lockdown 20 season to blow over, hoping to return to the good old pre-Covid-19 days Cranmer’s Corner 21 (nostalgia sets in quickly). The second choice is to refuse to sit still. It’s Books 22 to recognise that something has changed and that, if the church is to Poetry 23 remain holy, strong and faithful, it has to respond to those changes. This will involve a process of reimagining church. In the light of social

Cover image: a young parishioner at the distancing, we will have to reimagine our church services, our youth Teddy Bear’s Picnic. and family ministries. We will need to reimagine pastoral care, faith formation and outreach. We will need to explore new ways of being together and growing in faith. As we reimagine, there are three commitments that should influence our thinking. Love — Our decision-making should be driven by our love Volume 26 Number 3 of Jesus and for our neighbour. Wisdom — We need to stay up to date September 2020

with the latest information, government guidance and scientific Editorial: Rob Clements and findings, but we will also need to seek God’s wisdom through prayer Annemarie McCleane and reflection on God’s word. Grace — We are going to have to make different and sometimes difficult decisions in this season, and we need Design: Wordwell Ltd to offer grace to one another as we readjust to life in community again. Production: Nick Maxwell As Christ’s disciples, we are learning to live out our calling to Copy-editing: Emer Condit worship, pray, encourage, witness and serve in creative ways that Printed by: Ross Print, Greystones minimise the risk of spreading the virus. As we move into the autumn, Published by: and provided that you feel safe to do so, I encourage you to find a way Kilternan Church of Ireland Parish, Kilternan, Dublin 18. to re-engage with us — maybe find a Sunday service that suits you, or maybe drop into the Gathering Grounds for a coffee and a chat. If you are nervous about doing so, we understand, but be assured that we are

Rector: Revd Rob Clements doing everything we can to ensure that necessary protocols are being Contact: adhered to. Phone: 01-295 2643 (O); We look forward to seeing you.

Mob: 087-149 6605 Blessings,

Email: [email protected]; Revd Rob Clements. www.kilternan.dublin.anglican.org

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CONTACT LIST WHAT’S ON IN KILTERNAN Revd Rob Clements (Rector), This is a tricky one! Usually the Parishioners are likely to have lots [email protected], ‘What’s on’ section is filled with ac- of questions. Let me have a go at tel. 087 149 6605 tivities for people of all ages. At answering some of them. Annemarie McCleane (Parish Administrator), this stage there are still questions [email protected], around what is safe and feasible. As Do we really have to wear face masks tel. 01-295 2643 things develop during the autumn, in church? Brian Hickey (Youth Ministry we will use our email network and At this time, the government has Coordinator), [email protected], Facebook to communicate changes not formally made mandatory the tel. 085 862 2893 and activities. wearing of face coverings at services Julie Clements (Gathering Grounds What we can affirm is an of worship. Nevertheless, the main Supervisor and Outreach Worker), emerging pattern of worship (more church leaders, including the [email protected], about that below) and the Church of Ireland primate, have tel. 087 203 9516 reopening of the Gathering formally recommended the use of Lynn Storey (Children and Family Ministry Grounds. face coverings at all services of wor- Coordinator), [email protected] Carol Barry (Parish Reader), ship. This has been agreed as good [email protected], NEW PATTERNS OF practice. Children under the age of tel. 087 636 1530 WORSHIP 13 are exempt from wearing masks. Kevin O’Sullivan (Organist), Our church building is small, and [email protected] as a result we must significantly re- Why is the early service at 9am and Safeguarding Panel Members: strict the number who can worship not 8:30am? Rob Clements, Jonny Holt, Kerrith Fisher in church. With two-metre social In order for this new pattern of distancing in place, we are limited worship to work, we need to spread

to 24 people at each service. Even if church attendance as evenly as pos-

PARISH TEAM sible. A slightly later starting time The Reverend Rob Clements that is reduced to one metre, we are Rector still unlikely to be able to accom- may encourage more people to at- modate more than 34. To facilitate tend the 9am service. Carol Barry as many people as possible return- Parish Reader ing to worship, we have had to de- Is it safe to have Holy Communion? Brian Hickey velop a new pattern of worship. There are interim guidelines from Youth and Children’s Ministry This will be reviewed regularly and the bishops of the Church of Ire- Kevin O’Sullivan amended if necessary. In the mean- land about how we may do so Organist time, we will continue to upload safely. More information below. Jackie Robinson regular Sunday services onto Church Warden YouTube. Can the congregation sing? Singing has been under a lot of Christian Kraeft scrutiny since a few choral events Glebe Warden • 9:00am: Said Holy Commun- ion in the church. were linked to super-spreader Fintan Keogh • 10:00am: Family-based wor- events. Several studies began imme- Church Warden ship in the Kilternan Centre. diately to determine how best to re- Bruce Fitzsimons We recognise that families with turn to singing safely. Preliminary Glebe Warden small children may have con- results are coming in, though it is David Webb cerns about how children man- likely that it will be some time be- Secretary of the Vestry age social distancing. We are fore any of the studies are fully completed and peer-reviewed. I Gary Colclough also mindful of the need to Treasurer safely facilitate prams and tod- can’t say when we will once again dlers. As a result, we are plan- be able to lift our voices up to the

ning to develop a more old favourites. What I can say is

informal experience of worship that, when we do, it will be with Pastoral Care in the centre. We would en- masks and the music will be gentle In this time of social distancing, clergy courage those with young chil- rather than loud. are not able to make home or hospital dren to access this service visits, but if you have an urgent pastoral rather than the 9am and 11am Can we have tea and coffee after need or would like a prayer, please con- services. The centre is bigger church? tact the rector by phone than the church and is a more Tea and coffee became a valued (tel. 087 149 6605). flexible space, and so will facili- time of fellowship after the 10:30 tate 35 people. service. For the foreseeable future • 11:00am: Traditional worship we must halt this activity. This can in the church. be reviewed as restrictions ease. 4 | Kilternan Klips | Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020.qxp_Layout 1 04/09/2020 16:02 Page 5

• Ensure that your hands are erations. For the present, however, If I have small children, can I attend sanitised, using the sanitiser we have no choice but to avoid at 9am or 11am? provided or your own. sharing it. We are not going to say no to this, • Do not bring a prayer-book. but the purpose of the 10am service The words of the service will be The following guidelines have been is to cater specifically to the needs on screen. offered: of young families. We would • There will be a greeter there to • Instead of shaking hands with strongly encourage young children seat you. Please sit where you neighbours at the Peace, a sign to attend the 10am service at this are seated. I know that this of reconciliation can be time. isn’t the Anglican way, that conveyed in a different form, people tend to like to sit where such as bringing together the Will the church be cleaned between they normally sit. However, in palms of one’s hands and the 9am and 11am service? order to manage the required bowing to the other with eye Pews that are used at the 9am serv- cleaning of seats and social dis- contact and a smile. ice will be unused at the 11am serv- tancing, there will be a system • Communion other than for the ice to ensure that there is no in place for you to be seated presiding minister should be in cross-contamination. All touch and we will have to fill up the one kind only. Ordinary bread points will also be cleaned with an- church accordingly. may be used. Both elements, tiseptic wipes between services. • Don’t bottleneck! It will be namely bread and wine, are lovely to see familiar faces consecrated, but only the What about Messy Church, Sunday again, but we ask people not to presiding minister drinks from Night at the Gathering Grounds and converse in areas that will re- the chalice. the midweek Communion service? strict the movement of others. • For the time being, it is We will review the viability of each • The greeter will take a record of preferable that only the of these over time in response to who is in attendance for con- presiding minister handles the demand and changing legislation. tact tracing. All records will be vessels and administers the Messy Church in particular poses destroyed after three weeks. sacrament. Presiding ministers challenges, and for now we would should cleanse their hands encourage Messy Church regulars INTERIM GUIDELINES thoroughly with an alcohol- to make a home in the 10am serv- RELATING TO HOLY based sanitiser repeatedly ice. COMMUNION during the liturgy.

The production of the following • During the administration of PROTOCOLS FOR guidelines concerning the adminis- the sacrament, the priest WORSHIP tration of Holy Communion during should not touch anyone. Please do not attend church if you or a the present pandemic reflects a • The distribution is best carried member of your household is experi- great deal of painstaking discussion out with communicants encing, or recovering from, symptoms on the part of the bishops. approaching in a single line, of Covid-19. We should note that this The bishops are aware that the standing with an appropriate is an early stage in our return to wor- continuing absence of Communion distance between them. ship. If you have health concerns, in both kinds (bread and wine) for • People should not kneel there are no prizes for returning to lay people attending public wor- together at the communion worship before you feel safe and ready. ship will be a source of sadness for rail. very many. The Eucharist is the • The wearing of masks and face If you plan on attending, and in ac- central act of Christian worship coverings presents major issues. cordance with our diocesan proto- and is absolutely essential to all One of the key aspects of cols, you will be asked to: that we are. effective mask use is that, once • Wear a face covering. We ac- Nevertheless, the celebration of put on, the mask is not cept that not everyone is com- Holy Communion presents obvious removed for eating. Contact fortable with a face covering. challenges. It is inevitable that, for between hands and face should Nevertheless, for your own some time yet, recipients will re- be avoided until the mask is well-being and for the well- ceive in one kind only, namely the removed for disposal or being and assurance of vulne- bread. We affirm that it is of course laundering. So how can mask- rable people who may be in the intention to restore commun- wearers possibly receive attendance, we would ask that ion for all recipients in both kinds communion in the midst of an you comply, particularly at this when it becomes safe to do so, and act of worship? Members of the early stage. If you do not have we would not wish a degree of congregation wearing masks a mask, we will have some nervousness surrounding the com- may need to be facilitated by available. Of course, this will be mon cup to develop. It has to be re- the placing of the sacrament in reviewed in accordance with membered that the common cup their hands immediately before government advice. has been used safely for many gen- the Dismissal and inviting

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NOTICE BOARD them to pause and consume REGISTER Online Donations: We now have reverently what they have Christian burial a mechanism online for financial been given as soon as they are It is with great sadness that we donations on the parish website. outside the church. Given that mourn the death of Daphne Athey. It’s designed primarily for ‘one-off’ there will be an absence of Daphne was a faithful servant of contributions, and all donations are sociability outside the church this parish for many years, beloved most welcome as we seek to fund after the service, this may be a by us all. I’ve heard story after story the work of the parish. If you are feasible solution, but the issue about Daphne’s positive impact on planning to contribute regularly, of mask-wearing and the so many people here in Kilternan the most effective way to do so Eucharist remains a significant and beyond. Funerals during the continues to be through standing challenge. time of Covid-19 are particularly order. difficult. I have no doubt that ONLINE MINISTRY under different circumstances the Keeping in touch: You might like Reflecting on ‘online worship’ church and centre would have been to follow Kilternan parish on our Last month I decided to count the full as we remembered Daphne and social networks for more instant number of people who have been gave thanks for her life. We information about what is going on involved in one of the online ser- remember her children Caroline, in the parish. You can follow us at vices. In total, 125 people con- Janet, Trevor and Alan and her https://www.facebook.com/ tributed to a service, through the sister Hazel at this time. KilternanParishChurch. You might choirs, readings, praying etc. All note that the Gathering Grounds ages were involved, from grandpar- Weddings has a busy Facebook presence also. ents to schoolchildren. This There was great celebration in the doesn’t include the number of parish when Geoffrey Willis and children who contributed art etc., Caroline Healey announced their EASTER VESTRY nor does it include duplication engagement, and it is my honour The Easter Vestry was cancelled whereby maybe someone in the to marry them on 5 September. owing to Covid-19; it was choir or junior choir also read or Geoffrey and Caroline met at Table rescheduled for 1 September and prayed. We would never have had Tennis, and I think they take the held as part of a service of worship. that level of participation in our title for the first marriage that I offer my thanks to last year’s normal church services! began in the Kilternan Centre. We Select Vestry and I look forward to Of course, I’m mindful that on- wish them God’s blessing. working with the new Select Vestry. line services are not accessible to The rector’s report is printed in this everyone. That being said, I know edition of Klips. of some people with mobility is- KILTERNAN There have been some changes sues who find it hard to access SUPPORTING YOU in Select Vestry office-holders. church. Some of those welcomed DURING COVID-19 Gary Colclough has replaced the online service, as did some Harry Simpson as parish treasurer. If you or someone you know is in who have to work on Sundays, Harry has served the parish financial need owing to the current such as a number of nurses in the faithfully and with great expertise, crisis, you can confidentially reach parish. and he leaves a great set of out to Revd Rob Clements at We hope to maintain an online transparent accounts and healthy [email protected]. If you presence as we go forward. This financial practices consistent with have a need for food, errands, may include the recording and charity legislation and good connection or some prayer posting of live events, but we will governance. We thank him deeply resources, please let the rector also be recording a shortened ver- for all his work, and we look know. sion of Sunday worship. This is not forward to working with Gary in

intended to replace the blessing of this area.

church worship. David Webb has replaced Carol SUPPORTING Barry as parish secretary. Carol Wednesday Zoom prayer KILTERNAN DURING stood in temporarily last year when meeting: 8:00pm — The Zoom COVID-19 Jonathan Holt stood down as Through all of this we are prayer meeting was a lovely way secretary. We are grateful for her continuing the mission and for people to connect during the work and faithful notes, and we ministry of Kilternan. If you are lock-down, and I would look forward to working with able, please support Kilternan recommend that it continues at David. through donation and regular least until Christmas. The contact We are delighted that Fintan giving. You can find out more details for the service go out every Keogh has agreed to replace Gary about standing orders in the Tuesday on the parish email. Colclough as people’s finance section of the website or churchwarden. He will be serving contact Annemarie. alongside Jackie Robinson.

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NOTICE BOARD OUTDOOR SERVICE AND BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS Eventually we had a Sunday warm enough for an outdoor service, and what a day it was! The sun shone as we gathered outside the Gathering Grounds. After the service we had a prayer for children starting school. It was lovely to see some of our families returning to worship.

RETHINKING FAITH FORMATION Tea and Theology This short series in the rector’s study proved to be a popular event with many parishioners. Before the summer break we had eight sessions on YouTube. This September we will pick up where training for ministry. Find out a bit September in Christchurch we left off with a session on The more about him and what an Cathedral. Church, The Spirit, The Trinity and intern deacon is below. The Final Victory of God. The first of What has it been like for you these, The Church, was uploaded on Hello, Alistair, and welcome. during the shutdown? What the parish YouTube channel on 11 Some of us got to meet you have you been doing? Have you September. when you were here on a college learned anything about placement, but for those who yourself, your faith? Faith pods didn’t, tell us a bit about I’m sure like most of us, I found One of my targets in 2020 is to yourself. those first few months of develop how we as a parish grow in Hi, everyone. I am Alistair, married lockdown very challenging. Cecilia faith. In Kilternan we have grown to Cecilia, and we live in Dún had to work each day, as she in numbers in recent years, which Laoghaire. I have been a manages a Circle K Petrol Station. is encouraging, but I’m drawn to parishioner of St Matthias’s At home I was trying to complete the call in Matthew 28:19 to make Church, Killiney/Ballybrack, all my my studies through online lectures disciples of all nations, not just to life, and over the last ten years I and Zoom seminars and to write increase church attendance. became actively involved in assignments. Toby’s schoolwork This ambition was affected by ministry and leadership within our had to be completed, and we have Covid-19 but, embracing the new church family. During that time I also had two adult children at reality of small groups and the new have served as churchwarden, home. Richard, who works for language of pods, it is my intent to glebewarden, Select Vestry member Dell, had to work from home, and develop a number of smaller faith and synod representative, both Chloe was also completing college pods later in the year. More on this parish and diocesan. My journey to work online. Between domestic later in the year. ordained ministry began after chores and ensuring that we got attending an Alpha Course and my out for regular exercise, it was a rector asking me to lead a session particularly difficult time. HARVEST 2020 on a Hermeneutics Course. I did, however, enjoy the This harvest will be like no harvest Following that, I served as a silence outside, hearing the birds we have had before. Before making Sunday Club leader and then and the regular periods of solitude any plans, we will need to assess together with a team from St M’s while taking exercise. The peace the nature of restrictions. we established and ran Messy certainly made it easier to come Church for five years. During this closer to God. time I spent two years training as a I certainly missed being part of INTERVIEW WITH diocesan reader and continued to the college community and the joy ALISTAIR DOYLE discern my call to ordained of communal worship, but the We are delighted to welcome ministry. I have just completed two lockdown did afford me the Alistair Doyle as our intern deacon years as an ordinand in the Church opportunity to be more for one year. Alistair is with us four of Ireland Theological Institute and intentional about praying for days a week whilst he finishes his will be ordained as a deacon on 20 individuals of my parish who were

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NOTICE BOARD each other when we are under pressure, pray for our friends and relationships as we move away from our church family in St Matthias’s, and pray for Toby as he starts his secondary education in the High School.

MUSIC NOTES: RETHINKING MUSIC A new outlook This September will see a ‘New Normal’. Choirs will be heard but not seen. Owing to the limited space, we don’t have room for choir and congregation. Hymns and other songs will be played through the system. Fortunately, it will be our choirs who will be pre- recorded.

Who’s making the music? We’ve now got two services to Alistair and Cecilia Doyle. cover. The Parish Choir will sing in need of God’s help. the Church of Ireland can learn weekly at our 11am service in the The greatest gift of the time of from Messy Church to improve All- church. pause we all experienced was to Age Worship. observe God’s love in action, to see The Junior Choir will sing the acts of kindness and generosity What are your passions in fortnightly at our 10am service in as the people of God truly loved ministry? the Parish Centre. their neighbour as themselves. I The gathering of God’s people in took heart from this; it confirmed communal praise and worship is The new Youth Music Group will that ‘God’s got this’, He is in my greatest joy. I love helping make music for the alternate control. people to learn about Jesus; I Sundays at 10am service. suppose quite simply you could say You will be joining us as a sharing the good news. We’re looking for joiners deacon in September. What Check out ‘What’s On’ for details does it mean to be a deacon What will you be doing in on joining us for music in the intern? Kilternan over the next year? parish. You can contact the Music Primarily the role of the deacon is Many exciting things, I am sure, as Director, Kevin, at to serve and support the people of we reimagine how we can be [email protected] for God. Practically, the purpose of the church in this season, how we as a further details. internship year is to provide a focal Christian community connect with point in making the connection God and with one another. I hope Blessings & events between learning and practice and we can find ways to be more visible Since lockdown the choirs have to complete academic studies for in and connect to the local had to meet online. If you followed the MTh. degree programme. community. I am really looking our online services, you saw how forward to learning from the entire busy we were. We were blessed to How are your studies going? As ministry team, who all have great part of your diaconal year with gifts and experience. us you are going to be writing a thesis. What topic have you How can we support you and chosen? your family? My studies are going fine. I am not Please pray for us. The deacon year a natural-born academic, but I do is in fact less than ten months and find all the work interesting. The there is a lot of learning and dissertation that I will complete academic work to be accomplished. this year is to be a study on what Pray for us to have patience with

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NOTICE BOARD get involved with a massive virtual choir involving churches across the island. The Irish Blessing has had over one million views and you may spot a few familiar faces. We were thrilled to publish our own local version, which you can check out on our channel.

Youth Music Group This new group is for teens and youths, anyone aged between 12 and 24. You can join if you just enjoy singing, or play any instrument from guitar to keys, drums, violin, trumpet — anything. We’ll meet once a week, provisionally on The Senior Choir practising and recording two hymns for Geoffrey and Caroline’s wedding, outdoors and socially distanced. Tuesdays at 7–8pm (TBC), to rehearse and record songs to be played fortnightly at the 10am Sunday service.

NEW BOOKSHELVES Two new bookshelves kindly donated by Phyllis Keeley in memory of her brother Bill Keeley have now appeared in the Gathering Grounds. I’m sure you’ll agree that they look lovely. With current restrictions, we are not allowed to stock them with books yet, but we hope eventually to have them stocked with books that can be purchased.

TOWER WORK The Junior Choir practising and recording with Kevin. COMPLETED The work on the church tower has now been completed, and so far, so good! This August was wet and there was no evidence of water ingress. A big thank-you to churchwarden Bruce Fitzsimons, who took the lead on this project, and to everyone who contributed financially. So far, €14,491 has been raised for the Church Tower Appeal.

We welcome advertisements promoting events and appropriate activities in Kilternan Klips. Contact Annemarie McCleane (Parish Administrator), [email protected], tel. 01-295 2643 for more details. Bookshelves kindly donated by Phyllis Keeley in memory of her brother Bill Keeley.

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FEATURE RETHINKING MINISTRY: EASTER VESTRY ADDRESS The Rector’s address to the rearranged Easter Vestry, which was held over from Spring. It is reproduced here in full, as many were not able to attend.

Earlier in the year I attended a clergy We will need to rethink our family ministry and youth conference led by Bishop Stephen church services. This will demand ministry. We will need to rethink Cottrell, now the newly installed creativity and flexibility, and we how we deliver pastoral care, Archbishop of York. Archbishop will have to embrace a new norm perhaps moving to a neighbourly Stephen is a brilliant communicator. that small is beautiful. We will strategy rather than a clerical He spoke about five words in the need to change how we worship model. We will need to rethink Church of England ordinal that are and when we worship. In order to how we administer our buildings used to describe the office and work balance the demands for worship and how we manage our finances. of a priest: servant, shepherd, and the requirements of safety, we This all sounds a bit messenger, sentinel and steward. are going to move to three services overwhelming, but we will move In all his time training and on a Sunday. Two will be in the slowly and thoughtfully as we seek preparing clergy, he said, very few church and one in the centre. The to discern God’s will. In that I am saw their primary calling as service in the centre will be more blessed to have the support of the ‘sentinel’, though perhaps ironically, informal and young families will staff team, who never stopped he suggested, it’s the one the church be encouraged to attend it. ministering and caring, even in the is most calling out for. midst of the lockdown, and of the ‘Sentinel’ is an old military term many willing parishioners who for a guard or a soldier who keeps My mantra this simply checked in with neighbours watch, cognisant of threats, at the year is going to be and upheld the parish in prayer. gate of the city. As a sentinel, the ‘rethinking In the book of Acts there are clergy person occupies a strategic ministry’. As a two moments when the church vantage point, looking attentively at experiences significant growth. both God and the world. The clergy result of Covid-19, One is at Pentecost, when the person as sentinel reflects on what the church has had Spirit comes and huge numbers are he or she sees all around him/her, to rethink how it added to the church. The other, what is changing in our society, oddly, is in Acts chapter 8. It what is happening in our culture, does ministry and begins: ‘That day a severe what are the needs in the world and mission. We have persecution began against the in the church, what is God doing realised that it is church in Jerusalem, and all except and what might Scripture teach us. the apostles were scattered As we enter uncharted territory as a not simply a throughout the countryside of consequence of Covid-19, the matter of biding Judea and Samaria.’ This was seen church is crying out for sentinels. our time till we as a moment of catastrophe for the My mantra this year is going to can get back to the church, a weakening of its base and be ‘rethinking ministry’. As a result means of support, but what of Covid-19, the church has had to good old ways as it happened was that faithful rethink how it does ministry and was before. believers started proclaiming the mission. We have realised that it is good news where they were, and not simply a matter of biding our thereby the church started to time till we can get back to the good We will need to rethink music, spread. old ways as it was before. Of course, and Kevin is exploring good Some people will see the there is mourning in that, especially practice so that our choirs and shutdown as a nail in the coffin of in a church like Kilternan, which music groups can continue. We the church. I don’t. Let’s keep our had been in a period of growth, both will need to rethink faith eyes open. Let’s see what God is in worship and in the Gathering formation, and we are looking at doing. And let’s reimagine Grounds. It’s appropriate that we developing a number of smaller ministry! lament that, but it is more pressing ‘faith pods’, smaller cells perhaps that we move forward together. lay-led. We will need to rethink

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GATHERING GROUNDS EXCITED TO BE OPEN AGAIN We are excited to open! Of course, owing to Covid-19 there have been lots of changes in how the Gathering Grounds is managed and run, but it is still the same place, offering people good coffee and a listening ear. Until we get used to new practices, we will have to hold off on Tuesday soup and Thursday lunches, but give us time and we will find creative ways of doing this. Looking forward to seeing you all.

Baking bread During one of the online services I baked bread. I linked the process of baking bread to that of prayer. It was a fun process coming up with the similarities; using specific ingredients and following a recipe can remind us that Jesus taught us how to pray. We have that guide that we can use, though we know that our thoughts are always tapped into God’s presence and that we are heard, always. Once we have our happen to miss a day or two, the good recipes to share or tips and ingredients together, we must take starter deflates and goes flat and tricks in the kitchen — I would love time to knead the dough, prove the runny. I think this is how our souls to hear from all of you because I dough and bake it. There is no respond to the word of God. We know you all have at least one! shortcut to these steps if you want were created to be filled with God’s Recipes can be for breakfast, lunch, to make a good loaf of bread. To word and nothing else can take its dinner, dessert, baked goods, family pray for our world, our community, place. I know what it feels like when pleasers, one-pots, quick and easy, our leaders, those we love and I am out of routine and not healthy, comfort foods, or time- ourselves takes time. Intentional regularly reading the Bible, and life worthy dinners. Tips and tricks time. And like with any good or bad usually feels deflated, less productive would be wonderful to share too! If habit, the more you do it, the more and more difficult. I also know what you have several recipes/tips & it takes hold in your life. it feels like when I am in the habit tricks, please share several! It will be Shortly after I made the bread of feeding myself daily with God’s your contributions that will make prayer video, I ran out of yeast! So, word, and it always feels good. this a success. This will be sold at like many others, I was forced to ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in Christmastime as a fund-raiser in research sourdough. In the your hearts, since as members of the parish and community. beginning it felt overwhelming. one body you were called to peace. I need all contributions to this There were so many different And be thankful. Let the message of project by the end of September. approaches to this process and lots Christ dwell among you richly as Thank you so much in advance! of steps; what seemed to be a huge you teach and admonish one amount of time (and flour) was to another with all wisdom through DLR grant be devoted to this effort. I finally psalms, hymns, and songs from the We were pleased to be awarded a picked a process and started. Spirit, singing to God with gratitude community grant of €1,000 from Following the process initially in your hearts. And whatever you Dún Laoghaire County Council for required me to check and recheck do, whether in word or deed, do it the reopening costs of the Gathering the steps on my phone, but all in the name of the Lord Jesus, Grounds. This recognised the eventually it became as natural as giving thanks to God the Father impact of the Gathering Grounds making a cup of coffee in the through him’ (Colossians 3: 15–17). on members of the local morning. Now I feel like I know my community. The aim of the sourdough starter that sits on top of Covid-19 cookbook Gathering Grounds is that it runs as the kitchen hood. When I feed it, I One of our projects in the Gathering a self-sustaining social and spiritual can see it grow; it looks healthy, it Grounds this term is to put together enterprise, and it was certainly on swells with energy and happiness, a recipe book/cookbook! I know that the way to delivering that until it and it produces yummy bread. If I everyone in this community has was forced to close.

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KILTERNAN PARISH EMER

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ERGES FROM LOCKDOWN

Clockwise from top left: Our church in splendid isolation during lockdown; The Gathering Grounds as it reopened ‘with a grateful heart’; The outdoor service; The bags of hope from the Zoom Kids’ Club; Preparing and serving safely; Lockdown bread (otherwise known as sourdough) by Clara Richardson.

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FEATURE COPING WITH CHANGE AND UNCERTAINTY Some faith-filled ideas for families when facing new or emotionally demanding times and transitions (Part 1) By Lynn Storey

A time for everything is a time for every matter in life. fort and our shelter. Psalm 46.1: Verse 11 reminds us that ‘He has ‘God is our mighty fortress, al- There is a time for everything, made everything beautiful in its ways ready to help in times of and a season for every activity under time’. Each activity is for the right trouble.’ Psalm 18.2: ‘The LORD the heavens: time, bringing about God’s pur- is my rock, my fortress and my • a time to be born and a time to poses. Nonetheless, both adults and deliverer; my God is my rock, in die, children alike will be finding all this whom I take shelter.’ • a time to plant and a time to change and uncertainty difficult to uproot, cope with. Through all this, one In the car: Going for a drive or • a time to kill and a time to heal, thing we do know is that God hasn’t while dropping and collecting chil- • a time to tear down and a time changed and that we are called to dren from activities or friends’ to build, enjoy life in the present with Him. houses can be the perfect opportu- • a time to weep and a time to However, we still need to think of nity to have a chat without eye con- laugh, the uncomfortable feelings, worry or tact. Some children find face-to-face • a time to mourn and a time to anxiety that all these changes have sharing quite intense and off- dance, brought to our lives. I hope that putting. Your child might respond • a time to scatter stones and a some of the tips and strategies will better when you are looking else- time to gather them, be of help to families over the com- where while you talk. I’ve had some • a time to embrace and a time to ing weeks and months as you jour- of the best chats in the car over the refrain from embracing, ney through this season. years with both my children. • a time to search and a time to Sharing stories: What scared you give up, Tips to encourage talking as a child? Were there things that • a time to keep and a time to Fort-building: There’s a science to worried you? What or who made throw away, this. Kids constructing their own you feel better? Children love to • a time to tear and a time to spaces, feeling enclosed and safe, hear your stories of when you were mend, feeling a freedom, as the space is dif- their age and to know that they’re • a time to be silent and a time to ferent from the one full of rules and not alone in their feelings when speak, norms outside. A ‘home from home’ they are afraid or uncertain. • a time to love and a time to where children feel safe physically Routines: Establishing daily rou- hate, and emotionally. Forts can be partic- tines helps children feel safe and se- • a time for war and a time for ularly therapeutic for the anxious or cure. Why not introduce the Faith 5 peace. worried child. Forts also help to nur- evening/bedtime routine, when the —Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 ture parent–child connections, but whole family each (1) share their there is one rule—the child must be ‘Highs & Lows’ (you could use the We have certainly had a lot of in charge; parents and guardians can visual of your thumb and call it change these last few months. only help to build or enter by invita- ‘Thumbs Up & Thumbs Down’), (2) Change in normal times is difficult tion only. You might ask permission read a Bible story together, (3) chat for many of us, bringing discomfort, to enter (maybe bearing the gift of a about the story and (4) finish with a worry and anxiety. The passage torch or a snack!). Once inside, there prayer or blessing. above is a familiar one to us all— is opportunity to enter the child’s most of us will not only have heard play, chat and listen without outside Tips to encourage listening this passage a lot but will have read distractions. Often, when our children come to and even sung it. As we navigate If you normally do a reflection us with a worry, concern or prob- this unprecedented time of uncer- or a family Bible study, perhaps in- lem, our immediate response is to tainty and transition, and begin to corporate the fort-building into the jump in and problem-solve for return to some of the activities that Bible study, as it reminds us of God them, or to tell them that there’s no we maybe took for granted, the pas- and the safety of being hidden in need to worry. However, fixing the sage is a good reminder now that ev- Him. We can remind ourselves that problem or dismissing their feelings erything has a season and that there God is our strength, our refuge, our may not be what they actually need.

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Ask them: What do you want from COMMUNITY AND WIDER CHURCH me? To take action, to give ad- vice, or simply to listen? Nine times out of ten, they just want us DUBLIN & to listen! GLENDALOUGH Reading books about worries to- SUPPORTS BEIRUT gether with your child can open up PARISH FOLLOWING opportunities to conversation and PORT EXPLOSION to listen to what’s on your child’s The United Dioceses of Dublin and mind. I would recommend reading Glendalough are supporting relief either of these two, which should be work in Beirut following the available in your local library or, if devastating explosion in the city on you would like to borrow either of 4 August (see photo, right). The them, contact Lynn. massive blast in the city’s port area The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia caused at least 180 deaths and Ironside or 6,000 injuries and left an estimated Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival. 300,000 people homeless (at the Some questions to ask your time of writing). child whilst reading together: Lebanon is part of the Diocese I wonder what the things that can of Jerusalem, which has been

worry you are? Shutterstock engaged in a partnership link with I wonder what does worry feel like Dublin and Glendalough for almost post clear photos and detailed in your body? five years. Dublin and Glendalough descriptions both on your profile I wonder is there anything I can do are sending €10,500 to All Saints’ and on any other groups and pages to help you when you are feeling Episcopal Church in Beirut via the you are connected with, and worried? Diocese of Jerusalem. Of this, encourage people to share quickly. You can go further with these €10,000 will support the work of — Create posters and flyers, and open-ended wondering ques- the Anglican parish while €500 will distribute these around your local tions: assist Armenian Church families in community. Check your insurance I wonder which of these worries you the city. policy; it might be able to cover can take to God? The money had been earmarked some of these costs. I wonder is God interested in our in the Diocesan Council for — Report the theft on as many worries? Mission budget for the missing-animal websites as you can I wonder what happens when you development and deepening of the and keep an eye out on social give your worries to God? inter-diocesan partnership. media and selling pages.

However, following the explosion In an instance where a lost Simple open-ended questions are the decision was made to give it animal is found, ensure that the best to allow your child to talk and directly to the parish in Beirut and rightful owner is being contacted you to listen. the Armenian Church community. before returning them. Other simple techniques that In Dublin and Glendalough we For more information on how show your child that you’re listen- pray with our sisters and brothers to keep your dog safe: ing include making eye contact, ask- in solidarity, in hope and in love. https://www.garda.ie/!6MPWQ3 ing them to expand on or explain

something they said, acknowledging

and validating the feelings or thoughts they express, and repeat- DOGS GOING CONGRATULATIONS! ing something back to them to MISSING CANON HORACE show that you have heard them. MCKINLEY Gardaí are appealing to the public In our next edition of Klips we’ll to take extra crime prevention It’s not every day that one of our think about some ways to deal with measures when it comes to caring neighbours gets to celebrate 50 big feelings, racing thoughts or anx- for your pet, particularly high-value years of ordained ministry. ious energy. breeds of dogs. Horace was ordained a deacon If you have any further ques- If a dog is stolen, it’s important in Christ Church Cathedral, tions or need to chat, please do get to act quickly: Dublin, by Archbishop Buchanan. in touch with Lynn. — Immediately report the theft to Having served his curacy in nearby Adapted from Tips for Parents of Gardaí. Taney Parish, Horace has Anxious Children and for Anxious Par- — Report the loss to your local ministered in Whitechurch for 44 ents by Lydia Monds and the authority, your vet and your dog’s years. Church of Ireland Children’s Min- microchip company. Well done, Horace, a role model istry Network. — Spread the word on social media: for us all!

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FEATURE STORIES FROM LOCKDOWN We put out a special call for people to share stories or things they had done during lockdown. Here’s what we got in reply.

‘A not-so-shaggy dog story’ by schooling took its toll on us Sunny the Dog towards the end. Anxiety and stress My name is ‘Sunny’ and five years levels were through the roof. ago I was found abandoned in We tried to keep ourselves as lights in the village and I saw a very County Wicklow. A rescue home in busy as we could and we have very young boy come to the pedestrian Arklow fixed me up and found me special memories of our Covid lights with his mother and hit the a home in glorious Foxrock, with journey, as follows: button with his elbow—amazing to my new Mum, Coo, who loved Andrew and I did PE with Joe see this! Just remember that whippets just like me. every morning at 9am before work children do forget quicker than we When Covid-19 arrived, I and home schooling started. It was do and bounce back more easily, for found myself in seventh heaven. amazing; that exercise kept us which we must be so grateful, and Coo was there for me every day, all feeling alive and got us ready for they need to be praised for this! day and night; we were in the day, and we never missed a Andrew kept me on the straight lockdown. What fun! She took me class. We were there for the whole and narrow when I had bad days for walks where I met children journey and are so grateful to Joe and I will be always grateful to him. who petted me and talked to me Wicks; we even got the T-shirts to and called me by name. I stood prove it ! very quietly beside Coo so as not Another help for us—especially ‘A family meal’ by Linda to frighten the smaller children. I for Andrew—was the Home School MacWilliam did not allow Coo to take me out Hub Programme on RTÉ at 11am Lockdown for us meant that the in the wet or when it was ever so each day. He thoroughly enjoyed highlight of the day was our family hot. this and well done to RTÉ, as it was meal. Grandad’s good ol’ deep fat In the house I made sure Coo a great success; I even learned a few fryer (which was always banned to took enough exercise, as I made bits along the way that I had the garage in its previous home!) her play musical chairs. When she forgotten! He loved doing his found a new home in our back was comfy on a chair, I demanded videos each day and sending them garden. Our family produced some she get up and make way for me. in to RTÉ for their Home School wonderful and delicious creations, Likewise, when my food ran out in Extra Programme, which including homemade chips and my dish I demanded more. immediately followed. He featured Tempura just about anything! Lots We looked after each other, quite a few times on the TV and of hillwalking needed the next day. which is as it should be, and now I was so delighted with himself. It miss her when she goes out, but kept him so focused each day. We she rushes home to be with me! both got emotional watching their ‘My discovery during lockdown’ very last episode. by Kate Cahill We had a family of blue tits My discovery during lockdown was: ‘A family in lockdown’ by nesting in our bird box in the 1. We need very few items. Helen Olliffe garden and they had four babies, 2. I found the most important Lockdown was very hard at the and we watched them all fly out thing was your family and friends. start for us all and will never be one by one when they were ready 3. Looking after your safety and forgotten! to leave the nest, which was very everyone else’s. Restricted to being indoors all exciting! 4. Kindness and generosity to as the time was especially hard on Adrian decided to put a floor in many as possible, helping your Andrew, who loves to get out and the attic and put Andrew’s model friends and neighbours. is a very sporty child. Trying to tell electric train set up in the attic— 5. Prayers and positive thoughts. your child that he can’t go to this is work still in progress but rugby, football, tennis or nearly finished! ‘Making bread’ by Clara swimming for the foreseeable It was very hard to get our head Richardson future and is not allowed out to around what was happening in the Even though it took a little while, I play was so hard. So indoors it was world, and even harder for our mastered the recipe for sourdough for many weeks, and working at children, but they do adapt to new bread during lockdown, (see photo the kitchen table and home ways. I was parked in my car at the centre spread).

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‘A quiet time to create’ by Marinet Brennan Covid, despite the heartache, worry and uncertainty that it brought, also brought a time of stillness, a time of quiet. A time to spend with family, to work on relationships, to create memories.

Mary White’s hats.

‘Hats aplenty’ by Mary White I brought four balls of yarn back from Melbourne, in readiness to make some hats during the summer. Didn’t realise that I’d more ‘spare’ time than usual! As I ran out, Wendy sent me some A time for creativity. I started this surplus balls (of red!) from her children’s novella at the end of stock in London. All put to good 2018 and during the time of use! shutdown had time to finally complete it. ‘A labour of love’ by Jane Newell My daughter Emily went to live in ‘A parent’s reflection’ by Neil Toronto last February; she had been Goolding planning this exciting new Looking back at the start of adventure for quite a while, and we lockdown, it didn’t really deeply thought of the new holiday plans affect me in a negative way. A we could make visiting her in her certain level of calmness fell over new abode. our house: no long commutes to I felt like making her something work; no rushing here and there; special for her birthday and knew no madness in the morning as that a hand-knit would not tick any everyone heads to work or school. boxes, so I decided on a quilt. I Jane Newell’s quilt. Honestly, it was quite pleasant: thought about the design and what walking the dogs up Three Rock colours I’d use, new fabric or old. I and Fernhill early every evening; had a lot of help from my sister been suspended. generally sunny out; rolling out of Katie, who cut the fabric for the Looking back, the time spent in bed just in time for a morning design I had in mind! Sewing the lockdown this year was bitter- work call; playing board games (a quilt was definitely a labour of love, sweet. We had the pleasure of game of Risk went on for three as it took a couple of months to having Charlie and Sophie home days …); Zoom calls of quizzes and make. I had great chats with our with us, we spent time together, ate games with family and friends; the sewing group while the work was in together and had long sunny walks. children getting to grips with progress. I spent my evenings sewing the remote learning — it had a sort of When the quilt was ready in birthday quilt for our lovely girl! ‘at home’ holiday feel about it. time for Emily’s birthday, I wrapped And here it is! It arrived a As time passed, a realisation it and set off to the post office, only month late, and she loves it! that we’re in this for the long haul to find that all post to Canada had brought a certain level of anxiety.

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This was happening here, at home, mask-making community was a not in some foreign country that lifeline for them; it gave a sense of you hear about on the news. purpose to their day, and new, Frustration set in as activities and lifetime friendships through holidays were cancelled (and WhatsApp groups and Facebook refunds chased), but I think that pages have been established, the biggest impact was on our through a shared commitment to children: not admitting it but helping where there is a need and actually missing school; missing supporting each other. their friends, sport etc. Having their To date, 95,000 masks have own mobile phones actually helped been donated by the them to stay connected during this Masks4AllIreland project to front- time. As we return to some sort of line workers and other groups normality with the return of working with vulnerable and schools and heading back to work, I disadvantaged adults in our hope that we don’t measure the community. This wouldn’t have success of handling the pandemic happened without the support of by how much we return to pre- Kilternan Parish and Reverend Rob, pandemic norms. We’ve done and the input of 10th Kilternan things differently during this Scouts, using the skills and time we period, some good, some bad, and I all dedicated to this project. We can hope that we incorporate the good Katie Holland, a leader of the mask- safely say that we saved a parts into our new post-lockdown making volunteers. considerable number of lives and norm. There are those who have of supported our front-line workers by course sadly lost loved ones, but all across the country to sewists enabling them to go to work safely. there are thousands facing long- across the 32 counties making A new sister project, the Mask term unemployment, which will masks. Masks were delivered and Makery, has been set up to sell have a devasting impact on their posted to the Hub and were then reusable cloth masks to the general families. As we see our country and donated to hospitals, nursing public, and the profits from this go world around us re-ordered, let’s homes and any front-line workers towards continuing to supply fabric hope that new imaginative ideas who were in need of masks to for the donation of masks, as and opportunities lessen the impact enable them to work safely. demand is still high. If you would on those who have taken the hit The need was great, and like to purchase a cloth mask to for us all during this period. demand for masks in the early days help to supply fabric to this project, of the pandemic was urgent, as please visit Making masks during many workers had no access to PPE www.themaskmakery.com. lockdown through their workplace. During March, one of our The 10th Kilternan Scouts also parishioners, Katie Holland, set up rose to the challenge and provided a group with two other sewists essential support to this 32-county from Northern Ireland, project in a number of ways: by Masks4AllIreland. This group, set building an order-processing up on Facebook, quickly became a website to allow front-line staff to group of over 700 sewists, all order masks from the project and working from home to produce and sewists local to them to offer and donate reusable cloth masks from a deliver masks as needed; by raising specific pattern designed by the almost €8,000 to provide fabric to team to provide the best possible the sewists making the masks; by mask for front-line workers who delivering fabric and masks daily all had no access to PPE at that time. around Dublin and Wicklow; and Her home very quickly filled up by using leaders’ contacts to secure with fabric, masks and cutting donations of fabric from Dunne’s, equipment, so the parish agreed to Penney’s and other suppliers. set up a Fabric and Mask Scouts took to their sewing Distribution Hub in Kilternan machines at home and made masks Parish Centre. A small team of and ties for the project. volunteers, led by Katie and Kerrith Many of the people sewing Fisher, was established and over these masks around the country Kerrith Fisher, a leader of the mask- 8,000 metres of fabric was washed, were cocooning and have said that making volunteers and new member of the Parish Safeguarding Trust Panel. ironed, cut, packed and distributed being in daily contact with the

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FAMILY AND YOUTH MINISTRY CHANGE IN PARISH PANEL At Kilternan we take the safeguard- ing of children and young people se- riously; we see it as central to our commitment to care. We follow the guidelines meticulously outlined by the Church of Ireland Safeguarding Trust policy. A big part of this is the parish panel. There are three members of the parish panel: the rector and two others appointed by the Select Vestry. The work of the panel is sup- ported by the parish administrator and the youth and children workers. The main areas of responsibility are oversight of all matters regarding safeguarding in the parish, the pro- motion of good practice in the re- cruitment, assessment, training, management and support of staff and volunteers, and responding to Play Café any safeguarding concerns. Jonathan Holt and the rector are people they work with more effec- with those families who could join on the panel. Jane Newell has de- tively. us for our weekly Play Café @ Home cided to stand down this year, and Zoom sessions. Thanks also to every- we thank her for all of her work in What should we expect from you if you one who sent photos and videos of this area. Her position will be filled drop in to one of our youth activities? your little ones enjoying our by Kerrith Fisher. I hope that all participants in the ac- recorded videos. We hope to con- Let’s take the chance to find out tivities I drop in to will see me as a tinue this hybrid presence for Play a bit more about Kerrith: friendly face who is a support to Café, reaching and supporting as

them in their role in the parish. many families in the community as Kerrith, tell us a bit about yourself. we can. I am a mom of three who have all We send a big high-5 to all attended KCOINS and a member of TO ALL OUR PLAY those who started preschool this the parish since 2009. I am involved CAFÉ FRIENDS month. We hope you are all settling with Messy Church and many of We are keen to reopen Play Café, in and having lots of fun. We reas- you would know me as a barista in welcome new members and see you sure you all of our prayers for you the Gathering Grounds. I really all again just as soon as we safely and your families under these enjoy the sense of community that can—we miss seeing all your lovely strange circumstances. is built through the parish and I am faces! When we reopen, like Looking forward to seeing every- grateful to be a part of it. everything else these days, there will one soon, and in the meantime

be some changes, but our aim is to keep in touch with updates on the Why do you think this area of safe- create a warm, welcoming space for Kilternan Parish Facebook page. guarding is so important? little ones and their parents, Children and young people are an minders or guardians, where essential and vibrant part of the everyone who chooses to join us CHALK PRAYER WALK church. It is key to involve them in feels safe. We also have plans to We are hoping to set up an outdoor a meaningful way—it strengthens introduce a ‘Bumps & Babes’ session Chalk Prayer Walk around the the bonds of our community. In for expectant parents and those church grounds for families in the order to achieve this, it is important with babies not yet on the move! parish and community (and those to offer a safe and secure environ- We are very conscious that this has young of heart!) to come and cre- ment for them to learn and grow. been a difficult time for all of you atively enjoy prayer. This will take Safeguarding is not just about the right now, and of how much you place over the course of a weekend children, however; it is also impor- have missed in the run-up to giving in September or October (date TBC tant for the adults in leadership birth and the months after. We are & weather permitting!). More infor- roles to adhere to the guidelines and excited to meet your new arrivals. mation through the parish weekly policies within Safeguarding Trust so We were delighted to connect email and Facebook page. that they can support the young

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AN HONEST STORY FROM LOCKDOWN By Brian Hickey

It was a Thursday. I’ll never forget it. ask me how I was doing it. Most of bang a drum, some play sport, some I began my day as I do most the time I had to fill myself with vent on social media and others Thursdays. I was up far too early for coffee and run about in my garden read books. I’m a bookworm. I find assembly. I arrived in shortly after to energise myself. If leading a it helps keep me sharp while sitting 8am so that I could check my youth group in person is tough, in cruise control. One book I always emails/messages and let the parents doing it from your own house is made sure I got into was the Bible. of my youth group know that we even more difficult. In person you Centring myself on God’s word is were meeting this week. I had can make people do what you have the most important thing to me. It everything planned; I just needed to planned, but if they suddenly helps me know God more and as a buy a few supplies for the madness. decided that they didn’t want to result love God more. If I can love Assembly came and went, and I engage over Zoom you were kind of God more, then I can love people a moved on to 6th class for my RE stuck. That was frustrating. Speaking lot more. That’s the simple message lesson. Once I had finished up my of frustration, I celebrated my I tell myself; it works for me but lesson, I got straight in my car and birthday in lockdown. Last year I mightn’t be for everyone else. I even left to go and pick up what I needed was surrounded by my church stopped reading my Bible and the for youth group. While I was family; I believe we had youth best way I can describe how I was shopping, the news dropped from group that evening, and they made feeling at this time was that I was our former Taoiseach about me a card. It filled my heart. Fast like breath on a mirror; I just felt government restrictions and a forward to this year and the best like I was completely fading away, lockdown of sorts—words that at present I got was being able to have forgetting the truths that I myself the time were completely alien to two teenagers whom I hadn’t seen try to teach younger people. me but which I have become so join me on a Zoom call to record a Even as I sit here and write this accustomed to hearing now. There prayer, but even just seeing their piece it hasn’t left. There is this was only one decision that could be faces gave me a lift. I never emptiness that has taken up made. Youth group had to be anticipated when I took this job residence in my soul. My sadness, cancelled until this virus subsided. here in Kilternan that my levels of my anxiety, my anger is at the door, The safety of those in my care has love and care towards a particular banging it down, trying to take my always been the most important group would be so large. There joy away. thing. wasn’t a day that I didn’t think It’s certainly not me holding it That was on 12 March. By the about the teenagers in this back. I would have caved in a long time this is read, it will have been community. time ago! Paul, when speaking to over six months since I met in If I am being honest, I can’t say the Romans, told them that person with that youth group. I that I prayed for them every day, nothing—NOTHING!—could have struggled deeply in this season. because I was carrying a lot of anger separate us from the love of God. A virus that thankfully I never got and frustration in my heart and Even when it feels like I am hanging but which was contracted by mind. I’m the sort of person who on by a thread, God is holding me hundreds of thousands of people needs to be kept active and close. Think of a child jumping into and claimed the lives of far too motivated, and having that a pool for a parent to catch them. In many left me shellshocked. The removed opens up the possibility of their mind all they see is the water symptoms that I contracted were a overthinking things. and the danger, but the mother or heavy load to hold: my value, in the When I did overthink, some of father is always going to catch them. work I do, zapped away and my the craziest scenarios were being It’s the exact same with God. I could purpose in not being able to do played out in my head, all centring let my fear, anxiety, anger and what I do. around my job and the young sadness in and let that dictate my We are blessed in our age of people I work with. Gentle whispers decisions, my actions or my life, or I technology that we are able to use pretending to be truth were telling can rely on God to keep my path the internet, so we could stay me that I am no good at my job, the straight, to go before me and walk connected. Zoom—an app I had youth were fed up with me, or alongside me, to rely not on my never heard of—became second they’ve moved on from me. It just strength but on Him. nature. I began running Zoom leaves a pit in your stomach, and No, I don’t feel too good in this groups for the junior youth and also quickly I’d find myself upset again. season; my mind has had a field day helped facilitate Kilternan Kids with It led to a complete abandonment during lockdown, and I still have the amazing Lynn. These were of my routine of self-care. Everyone negative thoughts, but I choose to tough to do. I actually had parents has their own thing they do: some stick with Him Who is faithful.

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CRANMER’S CORNER

name of Christ, and so remind the LECTIONARY whole Church that serving others is RAMBLINGS at the heart of all ministry’, and In November this year we will there is no similar parallel wording celebrate Christ the King Sunday, or or phrase at the ordination of what we sometimes call the Reign priests and bishops. of Christ. We will choose from While the deaconate has a three readings: Ezekiel 34:11–16, unique place within the threefold 20–24, Ephesians 1:15–23 and ministry, the norm remains in the Matthew 25:31–46. Church of Ireland that deacons are The celebration of Christ the expected to be ordained priest about King has had a resurgence in recent twelve months after their years, as the church has ordination. rediscovered the significance and So, what happens to a deacon at centrality of the idea of the ordination? Alistair will kneel Kingdom of God, or the Kingdom before the archbishop. He will be of Heaven. There are several told that in the Church of God theologians to thank for this, deacons serve in the name of perhaps most notably N.T. Wright. Christ, and that deacons are a Wright (pictured below) published a reminder to the whole Church that book called How God became King in serving others is at the heart of all which he explores ways in which ministry. Deacons wear their stole the Gospels are really a contrast over their left shoulder and across between God’s Kingdom and Collect (for those to be ordained): their chests, where it is tied. It calls Caesar’s kingdom—or, to think a Almighty God, the giver of all good to mind Jesus demonstrating service bit more generically, God’s gifts, by washing His disciples’ feet. Kingdom and the kingdom of this by Your Holy Spirit You have appointed He will be told that deacons world. This is something that various orders of ministry in the have a special responsibility to see became lost over time. While the Church: that those in need are cared for with creeds were ‘focused on Jesus being Look with mercy on Your servants now compassion and humility. God’, the ‘Gospels were all about called to be He will be told that deacons are God becoming king’. deacons and priests. to strengthen the faithful, to seek Maintain them in truth and renew out the careless and the indifferent, them in holiness, to minister to the sick, the needy that by word and good example they and those in trouble, to help the may faithfully serve You oppressed, and to promote unity, to the glory of Your name peace and love. and the benefit of Your Church, He will be authorised to baptise, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus preach and teach, to read the Christ. Amen. Gospel, to lead the people in prayer, and to assist in the administration We are delighted to have Alistair of Holy Communion. Doyle with us from September. One He will be reminded, too, to of the great joys is to be able to keep prayer at the heart of his celebrate his priesting, as Alistair ordained ministry. will be ordained as a deacon on The role of the deacon reminds Perhaps this helps us when we Sunday 20 September. Hopefully we us all of the centrality of service. look at Matthew 25:31–46. This is a will be able to stream the service While the ordinal is focused on the well-known passage. Jesus comes as live in Kilternan. particular ministries of bishops, King and gathers the nations before The Church of Ireland maintains priests and deacons, the Church of Him. He separates the people into the historic threefold ministry of Ireland believes that these are the sheep and the goats, not by bishops, priests (also called simply ministries, three amongst who is the most powerful or presbyters) and deacons. Its many. We affirm the idea of the winsome (kingdom of this world) ministers are ordained by bishops priesthood of all believers and we but according to how they have according to authorised forms of dismiss the idea of hierarchy within cared for the most vulnerable (the service which we call the ‘ordinal’, our ministries. We are all called to Kingdom of God). with prayer and the laying on of serve God. Any act of ordination The question we should ask hands. should encourage each of us to ourselves is, if Christ is not King in The ordinal says that ‘Deacons consider how God wishes us to our lives, then who or what is? in the Church of God serve in the serve.

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BOOKS

later I read it again. the Catholic chaplain in Glasgow On the back cover there were University, got into trouble with several paragraphs giving a flavour the archbishop over Protestants tak- of its contents. This is one of them: ing communion. Clashes of this ‘The author’s memories provide a sort upset him but didn’t change fascinating and absorbing account his determination to work with of one man’s view of the Catholic people of other Christian denomi- Church’s development in the twen- nations. tieth century: from belief that there Solo retreats brought him peace is no salvation outside the Roman and renewal. After one island re- Catholic Church to belief that there treat he writes: ‘At the end of eight is no salvation outside the world, days I felt as though all my senses for God is in, as well as beyond, all had been cleansed and as though I things.’ This certainly indicates that had discovered for the first time in Gerard Hughes’s views changed my life that God really is the God radically over time. of unconditional positive regard, He was born in 1924 and in present in all things, the God who 1942 entered the Jesuit noviciate. is always for us’ (page 138). God, Where Are You? was written Towards the end of the seventies when he was in his seventies. It’s he moved to St Beuno’s, a Jesuit his look back at his life as a Jesuit. house in Wales. His brief was to de- God, Where Are You? This is a ‘telling it as it is’ auto- velop it as a spirituality centre. It by Gerard W. Hughes. biography. Two of his sisters died was a success and retreats were of- ISBN 9780232522266. by suicide, his father suffered from fered to anyone who wanted to €16. depression and he himself had a come, be they Catholic, Protestant Reviewed by Alasdair Jackson brush with depression. On all of or agnostic. this he opens his heart. The theme running through The lockdown gave many solitary For me the book held two at- this autobiography is an emphasis hours to those of us who live alone tractions. One was to just enjoy his on a God of love rather than a con- and I spent a lot of those hours re- word pictures of what life was like centration on articles of belief. ‘The reading books collected over the for a Jesuit before Vatican Two and unity of the Church must be a years. One in particular held my at- the changes it then brought to that unity of the Spirit, which is not the tention. It was God, Where Are You? life. The second was to follow over unity of conformity. The Spirit of by Gerard W. Hughes. I’d bought it time how his views changed and God is a Spirit of truth, justice and in October 1997, the year it was how he dealt with difficulties and peace, a Spirit of unity which em- published. No memories from that doubts. braces all creation, God is always first read came back to me but the He was an early apologist for ec- greater than any Church, any reli- title made me curious, so 23 years umenism and in the late sixties, as gion’ (page 204).

terviews carried out between 2013 the chapter on ‘Stories of Land and and 2017, Deirdre Nuttall explores Landscape, Rural and Urban’ per- the experience of Protestantism in haps has most to offer, as it looks at Ireland in the twentieth century. the influence of plantations and As- The chapters in Different and the cendancy ownership in the shaping same—a folk history of the Protestants of the landscape, as well as at the of independent Ireland (Eastwood smaller landowners and farms and Books 2020, €25 hb, ISBN 978-1- more recent events such as the Land 9161375-6-1) each deal with differ- Commission and ongoing traditions ent ‘stories’, including ‘origins’, such as the importance of the an- ‘identity, loyalty and culture’ and nual harvest festivals. ‘feeling different and the same’. This is a fascinating book—inci- The book challenges assump- dentally published by the company tions and reveals aspects of identity owned by Nick Maxwell and Una Identity is an important aspect of all that are not normally shared outside MacConville—that puts the views of studies of the past, as much of what the community or which are taken individuals into historical context, we do, build, say and believe is for granted within it and therefore highlighting the complexity and based on it and expresses it. not normally deemed to require dis- importance of questions of identity In a fascinating new book based on cussion. in understanding both our past and responses to a questionnaire and in- As regards the material world, our present. Sharon Greene

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POETRY

MY SENSES All the while living under the awful Holidays rescinded and refunds By Alva Pigott pall sought, Of a catastrophic nuclear war Many disappointed, some Near perfectly pure air fills my outfall. overwrought. lungs Now by a coronavirus pandemic The lockdown made the elderly Heat from the hazy sun gives a beset, pause; glow on my skin With the elderly and ill especially They’d forgotten the joy that The smell of freshly cut grass fills upset. shopping was. the air ‘Wash your hands, avoid your face, No real safety until a vaccine is Wonderful green colours of faraway Know the signs, stay at your place’. found fields Social distancing recommended And people inoculated all around. Happy bees on their mission With a spacing of two metres One could feel end times were nigh buzzing in the air intended. And search for evidence in the sky. landing on dandelions At first like an animal caged in a Man has the wherewithal The dog stops to roll in the daisy- zoo, To provide the extinction of filled grass I walked back and forth with little practically all. No airplane sounds in the to do. One could be forgiven to think pollution-free blue sky Later feeling institutionalised from Our world is teetering on the brink. Only birds singing from every the lockdown bout, Just before this millennium dawned direction I feared the consequences of again Grave warnings of the end were A tiny ladybird lands on my hand getting out! spawned. — summer is coming Afflicted with a dubious fear, Life could easily be such a dread A total calmness is present; like I’d an unreal feeling my end could That the living would live to envy never before be near. the dead. A waiting feeling Businesses were closed to prevent Still, all is seldom doom and gloom; Birds form a perfect V shape above its spread, For optimism there is a little room. me as they head home The nation obsessed by a dying It is likely that whate’er the decline Then … dread. The sun will likely continue to The hum of a distant Luas brings Yet the nation needs to get back to shine. me back from my dream norm With fewer jet trails across the skies Now, a time for reflection, a first for For the economy to try and recover And less road traffic, the air everyone, its form. purifies. Lots of emotions, news in the air The caretaker Government not Holidays at home might be a every hour, staying aloof blessing our future, decisions to be made. For Government borrowings are to If jobs were done that needed One thing we know, we will all be go through the roof addressing. different after this. As it strives to battle this ongoing Be thankful that the weather was bane, good; Led by doctors and C.M.O. Dr Were it not, there’d be more over AFFLICTIONS Holohan. which to brood. By William D, May 2020 Intensive care facilities greatly In 1918 with the Spanish ’flu expanded, There were few radios and no TVs Droughts, rain, fire and floods Nursing staff together willingly to view. Threatening our abodes and our banded. This pandemic arose with Spring in livelihoods. Hospital Emergency departments, the air; Storms and hurricanes, wars, formerly overrun, Had it been Autumn it could be refugees Quickly transformed to almost no worse fare. Seeking safety from more tragedies. one. So, take a leaf from St Pio’s life, Volcanic outbursts polluting the air, Areas of close contact to be hurry: Earthquakes, tsunamis, fostering avoided, A dictum of his was ‘Pray, Hope fear. Fear of flying, air traffic grounded. and Don’t Worry’. Global warming, glaciers receding. Schools closed, children at home Polar icecaps melting, decreasing. Under a requirement not to roam. Decimation of forestry threatening Church services and burials totally wildlife, changed. Recessions, austerity harming Sporting / musical events cancelled/ human life, rearranged. 23 | Kilternan Klips | Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020.qxp_Layout 1 04/09/2020 16:02 Page 24

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