A Beautiful Harvest of Praise

We begin by congratulating our dear Rector of Tallaght, The Revd William Deverell who at this year’s Diocesan Discovery Harvest of Praise Service received special accolades for his love, support and dedicated pastoral ministry to members of The International Community. We bless God for his life and ask God to continue to bless him and indeed the entire lovely Parishioners of the Parish of Tallaght under his divine care.

This year’s “Harvest of Praise” took place in St. Brigid’s Parish Church in Castleknock, Dublin 15. The harvest witnessed a large crowd of people from different nationalities and living in different places in Dublin and greater Ireland. The sermon was preached by The Primate of Ireland and our own Archbishop, His Grace, The Most Revd Dr John Neill. His wife, Mrs. Betty Neill (Mama Dublin) was also present.



THE GOOD RECTOR BEING HONOURED AND APPRECIATED

In his sermon, Archbishop Neill taught that the key to life is found neither in possessions nor in lack of possessions but in awareness of our relationship with God. Some are rich and yet poor where God is, whereas others may be seen as poor but may be the richest before God. He exhorted all that God is always with his children in good or bad situations, whether they have or do not have and concluded that Christian giving is what goes on for better or for worse.

A praise band with very moving sonic Christian beats was on hand and people danced up to the front of the altar to give their offering. The new Ambassador of Nigeria to Dublin, Her Excellency, Dr Mrs. Kema Nonyerem Chikwe sang a very inspiring solo in her native tongue supported by some immigrants as well. There was an extensive dinner fellowship and reception in St. Brigid’s Parish hall after the service with a lot of varieties of tantalizing dishes and soft drinks and wines to choose from. The event was very highly commended and Thanks for the facilities in Tallaght Parish where all the planning took place on every first Sunday of the month. – Rev. Obinna Ulogwara.

Boys' Brigade

Our enrolment service will take place on Sunday 16th November at 11am. We look forward to seeing all parents and friends at the service and all are welcome to join us for refreshments afterwards in the parish centre.

A Battalion hike will take place on Saturday 8th November. Starting at Enniskerry. This hike is for Company Section members. Anchor boys meanwhile are off to the ever popular ENEG on Sat 15th November. Also coming up is a swimming gala in Balrothery Pool in December. Our scripture exams also take place in December, so all the boys are working hard at present to cover the course, with the help of the chaplain.

Whist

We held our October Drive on Monday 20th with a large crowd in attendance. Thanks to Boswell Huxley for his trojan work on the night.

Also to those who donate raffle prizes each month. They are greatly appreciated. Our next drive will be held on Monday 17th November in the small hall at 8.00pm. George Furney Hon. Sec.

Bowling Club

May we extend a warm welcome to our new members to the bowling club and hope they enjoy the season with us.

We wish all our teams good luck as they play their league matches. Many matches are planned to be played before Christmas, so a busy time is expected.

Our Christmas dinner is planned for Sat. 13th Dec at the Plaza Hotel. We hope all club members can attend as it has always been an enjoyable evening.

Table Tennis

The table tennis club re-opened in mid-September after the summer break and the club is delighted to have attracted some new members. There are usually up to 15 players playing on club nights but we are always looking for new members so if you would like to give table tennis a try... come along any Thursday evening at c 8pm and you will be very welcome.

For those ‘lapsed’ members, we miss you, and hope you can join us at some stage during the season.

All club members would like to wish Bobby Wilson and Harry Griffith speedy recoveries from their respective illnesses – we miss you in the club and are thinking of you both.

We have entered two teams into the United Churches Table Tennis League... the first team is in Div. 1 and comprises Anthony Iyere, Sharon Gibbons and David Gibbons and the second team comprises David Gould, Stuart Gould and Claire Burke and play in Div. 2.

Matches will be getting underway shortly following the recent fixture meeting. All players will be provided with fixtures list by the club secretary.

On Saturday 1st November the UCTTL is playing an interleague match in Rathdowney and David Gibbons and Andrew Seymour are two players from St. Maelruain’s they have been picked to play on the team to represent the UCTTL. Andrew Seymour, Hon. Secretary

Mothers' Union

A Group of us visited Glencree Visitor Centre and Armoury Café on Saturday morning 4th October. The various Mother’s Union Parish Groups have been asked to partake in a project this year. Our meeting on 10th November will be dedicated to deciding on St Maelruain’s project so get thinking! If you cannot attend our meeting and have any ideas please contact either Valerie Deverell ( or myself) – Miriam Gibney (Hon. Sec.)

School News

On Monday 6th October Dublin Fire Brigade visited the school to speak to the children in 3rd and 4th class about Fire Safety. Then on Thursday 9th October 3rd and 4th class, with their teacher Ms. Annette Boles, went on a field-trip to Glendalough, they were very lucky with the weather thankfully. So they had a busy week.

The whole school will be participating in a music day with Mr. Peter Kearney on Tuesday 25th October. There will be a Concert in the School Hall at the end of the day. We had Peter here before and it was a fantastic day so everyone is very enthusiastic about the performance.

Mrs. Edel Beckett is taking the children in Junior and Senior Infants to the Playbarn in Blessington, on Thursday 23rd October. At least that is indoors in case it’s raining!

Ms. Amanda Lawlor only stayed with us doing the cleaning and caretaking for the month of September. One of her children became ill and she found it difficult to juggle everything. We are delighted that one of our Parents recommended Ms. Teresa Mulvaney to us and it is working out well.

The children in 6th class are organising a Halloween Party for the school on Friday 24th October.

Once again this year we will be involved with two charities at this time of the year. The Samaritan’s Purse, Christmas Child Appeal where the children bring in shoe-boxes with gifts in them will be done over the mid-term break and The ReadaThon, raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis, started on 16th October and continues for a month.

Joanne from Dublin Bus will be paying a visit to the school on Tuesday 4th November to give a chat on safety etc. Our Home /School /Community Liaison Co-ordinator (HSCL) has organised a Cookery course for the parents, starting on Tuesday 4th November. Ms. Ann Barrett will be giving the course, well done Ann!

Baptism

On Sunday 12th October Andrea, daughter of Joel and Sumithira Raja, was baptised. We welcome Andrea into her Christian family and pray for her and her family.

Wedding

Maria McEvoy and Robert Cox were married in St. Maelruain's on Saturday 18th October. We wish Maria and Robert all of God’s blessings in their future life together.

Harvest

We were delighted to welcome Rev. Andrew Mc Croskery of St. Bartholomew’s, as our preacher at our harvest service on 17th October. He challenged us to think of those that produce our food.

The church looked beautiful and I would like to thank those who helped decorate and those who donated fruit, veg, flowers and greenery. A special thank you to those who helped for the first time, you were much appreciated. Thanks you also goes to the ladies who provided the tea after the service.

At our children’s harvest and Girl’s Brigade enrolment service Rev Avril Bennett preached. She divided an apple among the congregation but kept the most for herself therefore demonstration how God provides enough food for the world but how we in western society manage to consume the majority of food produced.

Thanks to the Girl’s Brigade for providing refreshments after the service.
- William.

Church 21

On Saturday 1st November I attended a conference in the Isaac’s Hotel, beside Busaras, on the subject of ‘Church 21’. Church 21 was devised by the Church of Ireland. This initiative is on it’s ‘second time around’. It is a two year process where 2 parishes from each dioceses get the opportunity to evaluate themselves. Applications need to be with the Archbishop by Friday 14th November to be considered.

What does it involve? Three people along with the Rector, one under 50 years of age and one under 30 years of age, both genders would go along to a team day on 14th February. There is also an opportunity for a parish audit day where parishioners could come along and make suggestions.

The following survey was handed out to help decide if we have need for Church 21 in our parish. If anybody is interested or would like more information please contact me as soon as possible on 086 803 0293. – The Rector

Ten signs of a healthy Church

How would you evaluate your own congregation on a scale of 0 – 5?

0 = weak 5 = exceptional

1. A healthy church energises faith
2. A healthy church has an outward looking focus
3. A healthy church seeks to find out what God wants
4. A healthy church is willing to face the cost of growth and change
5. A healthy church has an enabling leadership
6. A healthy church has a participative laity
7. A healthy church is a loving community
8. A healthy church sees discipleship as a life-long journey of faith
9. A healthy church practises what it preaches
10. A healthy church does a few things – well

Our two strongest areas are: …………………………………………………………………….
Our two weakest areas are: …………………………………………………………………….

Potholer

Sean Gilmore, a potholer, who had connections with the parish as a child, asked permission recently if he could explore under the vestry (at the base of the tower) to see if he could find any tunnels that are rumoured to exist under the church from the middle ages. Don’t hold your breath! All that he could uncover was the boiler for the old heating system in the church. Although the walls had been blocked up in modern block, probably in the fifties or sixties, so who knows what lies beyond!

Christmas Sing Along 2008

The Christmas sing along takes place on Friday 28th November in the Main Hall. It always proves to be a great social night so come along and get into the festive spirit! Santa will be visiting for the Children and there will be a gift stall, raffle, tea, coffee, wine and mince pies.

I am appealing for donation to the raffle, new items (perhaps unwanted gifts?) for the gift stall, bottles of wine, mince pies AND MOST OF ALL, YOUR ATTENDANCE on the night!

Ronnie Scott c/o tallaghtparish@ireland.com

Volunteering at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

The Cathedral is seeking to expand it’s group of volunteers to welcome and guide some of the 300,000 visitors to the cathedral every year. If you have a morning or afternoon free in the week and would like to volunteer or for more information please contact David Miller at dmmillar@eircom.net .

Poetry Reading

St. Murrin’s Writing Group are holding a poetry reading in the church on Wed 3rd December at 7.30pm.There will be a reception hosted by South Dublin County Council in the small hall following the readings.

Noticeboard 07/11/2008

St. Maelruain’s Church of Ireland, Tallaght Village http://www.stmaelruains.ie/
Rector: Rev. William Deverell – 086 80 30 239
Shared Curate Rev Obinna Ulogwara – 495 8710 Auxiliary Priest Rev A. Bennett – 628 2353

Sunday 9th November 2008
Confirmation and Holy Communion

Sun 9th November 2008, 3rd Sun before Advent
8.30am Holy Communion I Thess 4: 13-18, Pg. 1188; Matt 25: 1-13, Pg. 994

10.45am Act of Remembrance

11.00am Confirmation Service. The candidates are Sarah McAllister and Megan McKim confirmed by Archbishop John Neil, Dublin.

3.30pm Miscarriage Association Service of Remembrance, Donore Ave.

Tues 11th
7.00pm 'Bullying in the workplace and home', Seminar in Dunboyne Castle Hotel, €10. For more info phone 838 8888.

Fri 14th
3.00pm Reflections on Irish Church leaders' visit to Palestine, Trinity Chapel.

Sat 15th
10.00am Church's Ministry of Healing course on prayer ministry, by Rev. Sue Waterson in St. Mary's, Donnybrook.

Sun 16th, 2nd Sun before Advent
8.30am Holy Communion I Thess 5: 1-11, Pg. 1188; Matt 25: 14-30, Pg. 994.

11.00am Boys' Brigade Enrolment Service.

Mon 17th
8.00pm Whist Drive in the small hall.

8.00am Safeguarding children, training for Sunday School teachers and youth organisation leaders in St. Andrew's, Lucan.

Tues 18th
2.45pm Caring for the elderly, at home or nursing home? Rev. Alistair Graham (HSE) & Archdeacon David Pierpont, Cowper care: Taney.

7.45pm Music Group practice in the Church. Singers and musicians welcome.

Sun 23rd, Sun before Advent
8.30am Holy Communion. Ephesians 1: 15-23, Pg 1173. Matt 25: 31-46, Pg 995.
11.00 am Family Service.

3.30pm 175th Anniversary of the Oxford Movement, Christchurch Cathedral.

Mon 24th
8.00pm Safeguarding children, training for Sunday School teachers and youth organisation leaders in St. Philip and St. James, Cross Ave., Booterstown.

Fri 28th
7.00pm 'CHRISTMAS SING ALONG' IN THE PARISH CENTRE. Come along and get into the festive spirit. Gift stall, raffle and refreshments.

Parents: T.V video showing Christian cartoons in vestry should your younger children require. Parents may continue to listen to the service on the vestry loudspeaker.

CRECHE

There is a Creche available for babies and children up to four in the kitchen of the Parish Centre. No Creche on Family Sunday. Children may be left off after 10.45am. For more info, click here.

CROSSROADS

ARE YOU IN YOUR 20s 30s OR ABOVE? ..ARE YOU BORED?
AT A LOOSE END? AT A DEAD END? AT A CROSS ROAD?
WISH TO SEE NEW FACES AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS? CHECK THIS OUT

Crossroads is based in Dublin, a club for young Church of Ireland people. We have membership of approximately 70 people ranging in age form 25-40 with a mixed 50:50 male: female split.

The club plans a variety of activities each month including weekends away, go Karting, hill walking, horse/greyhound racing, bowling, pitch and putt, visiting historic buildings, theatre nights, musical nights, BBQs and social night out in Dublin and surrounding counties. We have a regular event where we meet on the last Thursday night of each month in the bar of Buswell's Hotel.

Committee members:
David Thomas 085 727 2019,
Doreen Reidy: 086 087 4990,
Mary Daly 087 223 0103,
Sean McCabe 087 944 5722,
Steven McGarry 087 764 7868,
Hazel Williams 087 636 3101,
Robin Cole 086 370 2838

crossroadsireland@eircom.net