when everything seems to be changing, we ......chattering needles will resume on the 2nd & 4th...

September 2016

Welcome back!We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the beautiful autumn season!

www.groomsportparishchurch.org

HEBREWS 13:8

WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE CHANGING, WE CAN RELY ON

GOD'S CONSTANCY

Groomsport Parish Church

The Rector Revd Duncan Pollock 028 9146 4476

The Rector’s Warden Barry Greenaway 028 9146 7687

The People’s Warden Zandra Sloan 028 9145 7092

R Glebe Warden Walter Burke 028 9145 1768

P Glebe Warden Tony Anderson 07803 282200

Treasurer Wesley Quinn 028 9145 6472

Secretary to SV Heather Pentland 07834 771075

Gift Aid Secretary Ian Sloan 028 9145 7092

Youth Fellowship Craig Lutton 07816 853373

Sunday School Maggie Townsley & Helen Carter 07748 208649

Verger/Caretaker Susan Moore 028 9185 7509

Organist Stuart Tanner 028 9146 7052

Parish Office Elaine Lester 028 9127 131107791 569432

Parish Officials

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

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

For Hall problems, please contact: Walter (028 9145 1768) or Tony (07803 282200)

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

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

Rector’s Hour Rector’s Recess

Gwen did so much to establish the main hall in the mid-eighties. We only built upon their vision when the halls were recently refurbished. I am so pleased to announce that the Select Vestry have decided to name the big hall, “The Canon Tyney Hall”. I am delighted that Derrick’s ministry in Groomsport is being so properly marked and delighted, too, that Derrick has agreed to this token of our affection.

We have invited Derrick and Gwen to our Family Service on October 2nd, our service of Harvest Thanksgiving. After the service we will go down to the Parish Halls for the naming ceremony, and tea, coffee, tray bakes, buns. I hope it will be a wonderful Parish family affair, and as many as possible will be able to attend.

Well, as my son reminds me, the holidays are over and it’s back to work. Maybe; but in our case we should keep in mind those lovely words of George Herbert, “Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee...” Even on holidays the work of prayer and praise didn’t/doesn’t stop

Duncan

The sun shone, the weather was warm, and the Mediterranean sparkled under a sky of unbroken blue. Our summer holiday was wonderful and wonderfully relaxing.

I try to leave things behind when we embark on our annual summer holiday, but a number of thoughts broke through into my reverie this year. The one that really set me thinking was that my being able to get away at all is predicated on the understanding that there would be people to take my place. It really came home to me that we rely upon the “retired” clergy so much to take the place of those who want to get away on holiday, or, as we have been only too aware, when clergy in full time paid posts become too ill to carry on. Usually services are arranged months in advance. Sometimes, however, there is the occasional glitch and clergy are asked at short notice to fill in.

Of course, clergy never fully retire, (or so I’m told). Clergy are ordained for life; it is a vocation, a gift of God. So there is a pool of ordained men and women ready to fill the gaps when need arises. So thank you Jim and Doreen and Jim and Roy and Brian and Ken (and, yes, an especial thank you to our own dear Carol) for giving of yourselves so generously. Thank you for all that you have given to our Parish this summer.

Meditating upon “retired clergy” brought to mind Canon Derrick Tyney, my much loved predecessor. For some time now, the Select Vestry have been casting around for an appropriate title for our main Parish Hall. We have “The Maxwell Hall”, “The Avril Morley Room” and “the hall”. Derrick and


From the Rector

Reverend. Canon James Derrick TyneyRector of Groomsport 1975-2000


8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Parish Communion

6.00pm Compline


10.30am A Family Service *

6.00pm Evening Prayer (said) * Coffee after 10.30am service in Church Hall. All welcome! Hosted by Dorothy Anne Crawford, Valerie Boyd and Tom and Lisa Bell.


10.30am A family Service for harvest *

6.00pm Evening Prayer for Harvest, when we ill be joined by our friends from Groomsport Presbyterian Church

* Coffee after 10.30am service in Church Hall. All welcome! Hosted by Jenny Craythorne, Hester Kelly, Andrea Johnston and Betty McKinney


10.30am Service of the Word with Holy Baptism

6.00pm Evening Prayer (sung)


10.30am Morning Prayer

6.00pm Holy Communion

Sunday 11th September - Trinity 16Welcome Team: Craig and Lindsay LuttonReader: Peter Osborough

Sunday 2nd October - Harvest ThanksgivingWelcome Team: Ken and Valerie BoydReader: Heather Pentland

Sunday 4th September - Trinity 15 Welcome Team: Walter and Mae BurkeReader: Barry Greenaway

Sunday 18th September - Trinity 17Welcome Team: TeamBilly and Carol HamiltonReader: Elaine Lester

Sunday 25th September - Trinity 18Welcome Team: TeamBilly and Carol HamiltonReader: Wesley QuinnNote:

Compline is said at 7.30 each Tuesday

Please note the

Church is open

every day for

private prayer an

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meditation.

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Church Services June


Holy BaptismSarah Anna Townley

17th July 2016 - Sarah, the daughter of James and Nikki, is the first grandchild of Tony and Eleanor Anderson.

Births, Deaths, Baptisms, Marriages & Announcements

Holy Rest

Holy Matrimony

Elsie Todd

Kieran and Alison

Kevin and Charlotte

19th August - Our hearts go out to Elsie’s husband John, and her children Heather, Pamela and John. Elsie, late of Thornleigh Gardens, was buried from Gray’s funeral parlour.

May those who have died, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

16th July - Kieran Gilmore and Alison Gordon

Kieran and Alison are the directors and driving force behind Bangor’s Open House Festival.

1st August - Kevin Milne and Charlotte Shane

After the awful year they have experienced, it was wonderful to have Charlotte and Kevin and their families in Church for this wonderful occasion. Charlotte is the granddaughter of Norma Diffley and has been a faithful member of our Church all her life.

Announcements

A very successful coffee morning was had on Saturday 20th August when £842.16 was raised for Guide Dogs NI. More news of Helen and Rigsby next month. Thanks to everyone who supported us.

Due to popular demand, the bus has been booked for a further shopping trip to Kildare on the first Saturday of February 2017. Further details to follow

Heather Pentland

Coffee morning for Guide Dogs NI

Kildare Shopping Trip


For a number of years now we have supported Church Missionary Society Ireland (CMSI) through our “smarties” tube appeal. We give you a tube of “smarties”, you devour the contents, then slowly fill the empty tube with 20p pieces. A full tube of 20ps comes to over £13. It’s been wonderfully successful, and I would love us to continue supporting CMSI in this way. There is a snag, however.

We are allowed to claim gift-aid back on general, anonymous cash donations, up to a total of £5000 per annum. The “smarties” tube appeal takes us over that limit. I know that the notion of gift-aid causes some, some difficulties; however, if you are already gift-aiding, it would help if you put your “envelope” number on the tube when you hand it in, or leave a written note with the Wardens. This might seem a bit of a nuisance, but for every £1 given, the government will return to us 25p. If you are a tax payer and would like more information on gift-aid, do speak with the Wardens or Ian Sloan, our gift-aid secretary

And don’t forget to collect stamps! CMSI will take our donations of used stamps and sell them on to raise much needed cash for their work, worldwide. There is a box in the Church porch for your donations of used stamps.

Duncan

Next year will be an exciting, but busy year, for all of us in the congregation and beyond. It is hoped we can bring together a team of people to share ideas and become involved in the planning and running the many varied events leading up to our 175th Anniversary Year.

If you feel you can help in any way please come along to a meeting in the Avril Morley room on Tuesday 11th October at 8.15 pm

Kate Murray

The annual house to house collection for the Mission to Seafarers will take place in Groomsport, 5 – 10 September.

We regularly pray for the ships at anchor of our shore. This collection is an extension of that ministry. If you could help in this collection, do let the Rector or the Wardens know. It should take no more than an hour or two of your time between these dates.

Duncan

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Magazine SponsorshipSmarties, Gift Aid and Stamps!

Mission to Seamen Events 2017

Many thanks for all those who have given and continue to give to the magazine we are so very grateful.

If you would like to make a donation to the magazine please contact Jenny Craythorne on 07748580541. If you would like to contribute an article, letter or announcement, all of which are very welcome, please send it to [email protected] or [email protected] or via any of the Parish Officials.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE MAGAZINE IS 17TH OF EACH MONTH. THANK YOU

Please note that the editorial committee reserves the right to reject or delay an article in the interests of balance or duplication of material. Furthermore we may need on occasion to request the author to make changes if the content exceeds the space available.

Many thanks

Tara Brown


Evergreens

The Evergreens will recommence on Thursday 8 September at 2.00pm in Groomsport Parish Church Hall. Anyone over 50, male or female, come along, share a cup of tea and a biscuit and find out what is happening over the winter months.

Valerie Boyd

Chattering Needles will resume on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of the Month from 7.30 to 9.30. This is a craft group whose interests include knitting, crochet, cross stitch card making etc. If you want to learn come along. £2 includes supper.

For more info please contact me.

Jenny Craythorne

The cookery club will start again on Wednesday 21 September at the earlier time of 7.30pm this will give more time to cook and of course have a chat and sample the latest recipe..

Heather Magill

Question...

What is the connection between HM Revenue and Customs and Groomsport Parish Church?

Answer... Gift Aid.Many of you already contribute to our Parish under the Gift Aid scheme. However there are a few who give regularly, but haven’t signed up to the scheme. Now is your chance to consider doing so.

Gift Aid is simple to operate and is very effective. It enables us to claim from HMRC, 25p for every £ you give to the Parish, as Gift Aid. Earlier this year the Parish received over £13,000 from the Taxman in this way. It is therefore a vital and significant source of income for our Parish.

Do you want to help and sign up to the Gift Aid scheme? To do so you must first be a Tax Payer. After that you only need to complete a simple form which I can provide. I will do the rest.

So please, give this some thought. I’ll be happy to answer any questions.

Ian SloanGift Aid SecretaryTel. 9145 7092

Larry Graham presenting funds to Colin Crozier and Pearl Brown June 2016.Larry Graham from Groomsport Inn Golf Society presents the Evergreens with the proceeds of a raffle held by the Golf Society.The total raised was £100.The Evergreens wish to thank the society for this most generous gift .

Colin Crozier

Chattering Needles

Cookery Club

Help from the Taxman?


July Vestry NotesThe Select Vestry had raised some questions with Land and Property Services about the Parish Halls and rates. A holding letter has been received.It was agreed that in future, rather than the hall administrator having full responsibility, annual bookings for our halls should be authorised by the Select Vestry each July. One off bookings will be sanctioned by the Rector and the Church Wardens as they are received. David McKnight will continue to be in charge of administration. William McAneney has volunteered to liaise with David to ensure appropriate risk assessments are carried out and John Hand has taken charge of the content of hall booking forms.

Duncan has had several positive responses to helping with the chalice. John Hand has volunteered to join the Safeguarding Trust panel.Walter was congratulated on how well the hall looks after all the power-washing. The hot water boiler in the kitchen is to be repaired.The Sub-Committee continues to make good progress in planning and communication about the church refurbishment. It is planned to have a special lunch and a presentation to the Parish on Sunday 6 November.There was no meeting in August. Next Vestry meeting will be on Monday 12 September

Walking for Softies(But don’t be misled by the title)

Walking for Softies will recommence on Saturday 1 October at 10.00am. Meet at the lower Bangor Museum car park. Refreshments will be taken at Cafe Cure at the Museum.

Ken Boyd

Just before sending this report to print two documents have re-emerged which are of very special significance to the Parish. They are the original manuscript License to Conduct Services, dated 1842 and signed by the then Lord Bishop of the united dioceses of Down, Connor and Dromore, Richard Mant (1776-1848), together with a copy of the Deed of Consecration dated 2nd April 1850. These documents provide corroborating evidence for the process by which the Groomsport Church building came into being. Richard Mant was appointed Lord Bishop in the same year

that Groomsport Church was founded, 1842. The Archive also now contains the original License to Perform Marriages and two pre-Contact parish magazines.

This month I am featuring another of the registers recovered from the RCB Library in Dublin: The Groomsport Parish Church Baptismal Register 1876-1950. Amongst the family names listed the following are repeated quite often: Parfitt, Orr, Majourey, Waterson, Strain, Beattie, Mawhinney, Aird, Major, Cuthbert, Angus, Conroy, Niblock, Kingan and Crozier to mention but a few. Amongst the fathers’ occupations we find

Archive report September 2016


Fisherman, Brigadier General, Clerk in Holy Orders and Carpenter amongst many others.

Parishioners are most welcome to view these baptismal and marriage registers. Just get in touch with me.

There are no illustrations in this edition. I plan to produce a number in a later report.

I am grateful to those parishioners who

have sent me their discoveries during the summer. These will be featured in later

editions. Please keep searching. Anything you might find is precious

Barry GreenawayGroomsport Parish Church Archivist12 Ballymacormick [email protected]

Question – When’s the next Parish Quiz? This is one question you won’t be asked at any quiz. But the answer is simple. Friday 7 October at 7.30pm is the date. The place? The Parish Halls. The programme? Same as before, great craic, a touch of mayhem, Team and Spot prizes, some mad questions, light refreshments. In short a guaranteed evening of fun and enjoyment. So note you diary now if you don’t want to miss out. Come with friends or by yourself. We’ll make up tables of Teams.

Final question. Will anyone be able to defeat the Rector’s Team? Answers on the night!

PS. We will be very glad to receive any kind donations of prizes. Let the Wardens know.

Ian Sloan

Saturday 3rd December 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.

It is hard to believe that the actual Fair is only 3 months away. I am delighted to hear that over the Summer you have been making Jam (some for the first time) and Chutneys and others have been working hard at craft items. I have been leaning on friends to bake their favourite biscuits and cakes no doubt it will cost me a coffee or two but worth it.

The Planning Committee are having a meeting on 22nd September and I will keep you updated on how everything is progressing and what additional help will

be needed, in the next issue of Contact.

I know what busy lives we all lead and the effort it takes just to do a bit extra, so many thanks.

If you have any queries please contact me.

Carol Hamilton -

Tel No: 07855810621(M) 02891884046Our next Book Fair will take place on Saturday 19th November 10am - 12 noon. More information to follow next month.

QUIZ NIGHT!

Book Fair

Forthcoming EventsChristmas Fair


Hall Usage - SeptemberSunday

Every Sunday 10.30amSunday School Contact: Maggie Townsley and Helen CarterMaggie’s Mob. 07748 208649

Monday

Every Monday 7.00pm

Choir PracticeChoir practice in the church every Monday evening at 7pm. We are looking for new members, so please join us and have some fun and fellowship. Everyone welcome.Contact: Stuart Tanner Tel. 028 9146 7052

1st Monday of the month 7.30pm Select Vestry Meeting

Contact: Heather Pentland Mob. 07834 771075

2nd & 4th Mondaysof the month 7.30pm

Chattering NeedlesChattering Needles will resume on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of the Month from 7.30 to 9.30. This is a craft group whose interests include knitting, crochet, cross stitch card making etc. If you want to learn come along. £2 includes supper.For more info please contact me.Jenny 07748580541

Every Monday 7.30pm Badminton Club Contact: Ian Sloan Tel. 028 9145 7092

3rd Monday of the month 8.00pm

Mothers Union (Maxwell Hall)Resumes 19th SeptemberContact: Elaine Lester Mob. 07791 569432

Tuesday

2nd Tuesday of the month 8.00pm

Groomsport & District Gardening ClubContact: Yvonne McilmailTel: 02891 469420 E. [email protected]

Wednesday

Every Wednesday 9.30am You can with Ann Weigh in and TalkContact: Ann Parker Mob. 07854 787121

Every Wednesday 10.30am Keep Fit Exercise ClassContact: Ann Parker Mob. 07854 787121

Every Wednesday 2.00pmScrabbleContact: Elaine LesterMob. 07791 569432 E. [email protected]


Every Wednesday 5.30pm You can with Ann Weigh in and TalkContact: Ann Parker Mob. 07854 787121

Every Wednesday 6.30pm Keep Fit Exercise ClassContact: Ann Parker Mob. 07854 787121

Every Wednesday 7.00pm You can with Ann Weigh in and TalkContact: Ann Parker Mob. 07854 787121

Every Wednesday 7.30pm Bible Study (Avril Morley Room)

Every Wednesday 8.00pm Keep Fit Exercise ClassContact: Ann Parker Mob. 07854 787121

3rd Wednesday of the month 8.00pm

Cookery ClubThe cookery club will start again on Wednesday 21 September at the earlier time of 7.30pm this will give more time to cook and of course have a chat and sample the latest recipe.Contact: Heather Magill E. [email protected]

Thursday

Every Thursday 2.00pm

EvergreensFinished until September.Open to all over fifty year olds and new members always welcome. Contact: Pearl Brown Mob. 07551 992841

Every Thursday 7.30pm - Late

Chess ClubFinished until September.Contact: James O’Fee Tel. 028 9147 0232 E. [email protected]

Thursdays except 1st Thursday in the month 7.30pm

Youth FellowshipContact: Craig Lutton Mob. 07816 853373

Every Thursday 2.30pm7.30pm

Table Tennis ClubTable Tennis has finished for the summer and will resume on Thursday 25 August at 7.30 pm.This is a game for everyone whatever your age so please join us.Contact: John HandTel. 028 9146 8061 Mob. 07540 375785

Saturday

4th Saturday of the month 10.00am

Walking for SoftiesVenues vary. Meeting at 10.00am at chosen location.Contact: Ken BoydTel. 028 9146 5103


Book Stall for SeptemberAn article I read over the summer about the nation’s reading preference reflects very much on what I have observed in the balance of books coming into the shelves. Apparently 15% of us like to read Romance, 15% Classics, 25% Autobiography and a whopping 45% Thrillers. As I seldom read the latter I think, in deference to readers out there I should attempt to revue some. In this endeavour I would greatly appreciate some help. So, if you are one of those who love thrillers, why not share your passion in this column. I am not looking for a seriously academic analysis, or several paragraphs, simply a brief outline of the subject (without any “spoilers”!) and why you particularly liked, or disliked it.

An intriguing little book came in over the summer which will be of much interest to many parents I expect. Charles Dickens wrote these words for his own children and read this to them every Christmas. It was not published in his lifetime. In it Dickens

genius at story telling is clearly present. It is to be sure, somewhat sentimental at times, but that is an inevitable consequence of the time in which it was written but nevertheless it retells the story simply and well bringing out clearly the humanity and compassion in Christ’s life as an example to us all.

Frances Fyfield has been described as the best female crime writer in this country. Previously a criminal lawyer and later working for the Crown Prosecution Service she once said:-

“After a long diet of criminal law, including dangerous dogs, rape, mayhem and

much, much murder, the indigestion of pity and fury provoked me to write. I wanted to write romance, but the domestically macabre always got in the way.” This sentiment is clearly depicted in the novel “The Nature of the Beast”. The

domestically macabre is very present in this book. It fascinated and intruiged me, and, ultimately surprised me. The pretty and seemingly shallow Amy Petty disappears during a crash of a train in which she is a passenger. She is initially presumed dead and her absence causes grief, anxiety and, for the lawyer who discovers the truth, utter perplexity. I think many will enjoy this.

A rather old (the price on the front is written as 5/- ) copy of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by, of course, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is now available. For those who have not read it I can heartily recommend it. The atmosphere created on

Dartmoor adds wonderfully to the terrible events there and whether you are a fan of Basil Rathbone, Benedict Cumberbatch or Jeremy Brett as the inimitable Sherlock Holmes why not create your own Sherlock? As one thoughtful little girl, since quoted by many others, said many years ago, “the pictures are better on the radio”. They are even better in your head whilst reading!

Happy reading,

Carol

The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Life of Our Lord

The Nature of the Beast


Peace is my reward for the past 2 hoursI have grown in faith and understanding

I hope I have become a better person as I resolveThank you Lord for saving my soul

Thank you Lord for making me whole

We pray for the victims of the bombings in Brussels – of course we do. But, dear Lord, how do we pray for those who plan, plot, execute their vile deeds? Give me a forgiving loving heart Lord, that my love may

defeat the evil of this world.

Like a mighty river flowingLike a flower in beauty growingFar beyond all human knowing

Is the perfect peace of God.What a joy to be able to sit and reflect upon one’s life and faith.

Lord I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed

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oomSome of the comments and prayers left in the visitors’ book:

Yesterday I came at tea-time and shortly afterwards to Compline. The two experiences complimented each other perfectly. I walked into church and saw many familiar faces and Duncan kneeling at the front and felt totally at ease with everyone. The sense of belonging together as brothers and sisters in Christ was overwhelming and deeply moving. Thank you Lord for the renewing, rewarding and fulfilling time.

Carol


Thoughts of a Blow In...summer events, the music and cultural offerings from the Open House Festival during August, swiftly followed by Aspects for those of a literary bent in September. We get so busy with our daily lives and caught up in everyday tasks that, it’s enlivening to know that things are happening in our wee area. Of course, it’s easier to take advantage of these happenings in the summertime when people are less busy, and are in more in holiday mode, especially if visiting.Talking of visits, I’m heading over to my friends in England very shortly. Jack (nearly 12 now; that seems to have gone in a flash!) is apparently taller than me and can’t wait to check that fact when I arrive! The Marvel Avenger sticker books are already in my case and I’d better get cracking with any baking. I won’t be allowed through the front door if there are no chocolate brownies!I’ll close with some nostalgic words by Dylan Thomas that describe the end of a summer years ago, in another seaside town.

Hope everyone has had a lovely summer and enjoyed any holidays away. But at home, it hasn’t been a bad summer – and it isn’t even over yet!There have been days where as we say, there’s been “four seasons in one day,” but if it hasn’t rained every day and it’s above single figures then we think we can’t complain. (I have mentioned this to Southern European friends who laugh in disbelief!)Talking of friends from afar, it has been lovely to see Bangor so busy with visitors from all over the world. Whether it’s people coming over for boat races, or visiting relatives, or using the many holiday apartments easily booked via the internet, it’s so nice that our beautiful area can be enjoyed by all. It’s not that we take our surroundings and being so close to the sea for granted, but seeing it through the eyes of visitors makes us appreciate it all the more.It’s also great that there has been so much entertainment on offer for both locals and visitors. All the council run

“Children all day capered or squealed by the glazed or bashing sea...

And mothers loudly warned their proud pink daughters or sons to put that jellyfish down...

I remember August Monday from the rising of the sun... to the husky hushing of the roundabout music...“

Cynthia


Sometime when you’re feeling important,Sometime when your ego’s in bloom,

Sometime when you take it for grantedYou’re the best qualified in the room.

Sometime when you feel that your leavingWould leave an unfillable hole

Just follow these simple instructionsAnd see how it humbles your soul.

Take a bucket and fill it with waterPlunge your hand in it up to the wrist

Take it out and the hole that’s remainingIs the measure of how you’ll be missed.

You can splash all around when you enterYou can stir up the water galore

But stop, and you’ll find that in no timeIt looks just the same as before.

The moral of this little storyIs to do just the best that you canBe proud of yourself but remember

There’s no indispensable man.

Saxon White Kessinger.

NO INDISPENSABLE MAN...

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www.groomsportparishchurch.org

when everything seems to be changing, we ......chattering needles will resume on the 2nd & 4th...

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