June
2020
FROM THE RECTOR
Since our last Newsletter we continue with ‘Lockdown’
in hope and prayer that it will improve the number of people affected and break
the cycle of the Corona virus pandemic in Ireland but there is light at the end
of the tunnel and all being well, Churches will open their doors again on 20th
July with services starting 26th July unless we are advised
otherwise. We plan on resuming with our 8.30am Holy Communion service without
hymns. At this service we normally had less than fifteen people so we don’t
anticipate that social distancing will be a problem, this service is quiet and
meditative. As our 11.00am services resume I expect there will be some
reluctance for parishioners to congregate.
We plan on having every third pew in
use with two meters dividing non household members.
If numbers require we can
use our porch and vestry which are wired for sound and we also have the option
of using our halls where we can broadcast the service live. We will use sheets
instead of hymn books and prayer books. So, plans are in place for keeping
everyone safe while still being able to come together as a parish community. As
guide lines recommend facemasks should be worn while congregating indoors.
Please see photos highlighting social distancing in Church. When people are exiting
we envisage opening both doors at entrance of church and will encourage people
to leave the building quickly and have a chat outside in the open air. Regarding
Holy Communion, I will wear a mask for the consecration and distribute in the
aisle and I would quite understand if people want to receive spiritually.
Measuring Stick to show distance from Rector
You can still ‘attend church’ virtually with all
services broadcast live on Facebook or can be viewed via our parish website www.stmaelruains.ie if you are not
on Facebook. Over 25 services are available to be viewed. We are continuing
with our bible study on Tuesday evenings on Zoom. Zoom has also come in handy
as a way of holding our Deanery (our local surrounding parishes) meetings twice
a month. It is good to have the opportunity to meet with colleagues and compare
notes and also to discuss our strategies for reopening the church doors to our
parishioners as mentioned on 26th July.
Since the Corona virus pandemic has come upon us we have realised
how useful props have become in trying to relay the message at Sunday services,
we have been using props since we started putting our services on line but
unfortunately discovered, quite by accident, that there is a slight time delay as
the services go on line so our props, which we show at the start of the
services had been missed by viewers until we discovered about this delay. On
Saturday 9th May for our Taize service and again at Sunday service
the next day, we used a dolls house that had been donated for the Summer Sale
last year but had failed to sell to demonstrate the theme of ‘Many Mansions’.
It’s a lovely old dolls house over three floors, fully furnished 2 x 1 x 2 ½ ft
high to make it a special addition to a child’s room, any offers?? Please
contact the rector on 086 803 0239 if interested.
The following Sunday 17th May the reading was about the
unknown God and idols, we may not worship false
gods nowadays in the form of images but in today’s culture perhaps money, power, celebrity, mobile phones
and what car you drive are the modern day idols. I hope this period of staying
at home during the pandemic has given people time to reflect on the meaning of
life to realise what our real needs are.
On Wednesday 20th May Zoom proved it value yet again, I
was asked by Tosin (nee Kuti) and Malik Sanusi to perform a naming ceremony for
their new baby Zaya Oluwatobiloba Oluwaseun Oluwafinidaraire as is the
tradition in Nigerian culture, needless to say Tosin was reticent for me to
visit their home with current restrictions so I suggested we use their family
Zoom which meant that we could be joined by their family in both London and
Nigeria. The sound had a bit of an echo so I hope they caught the baby’s names
or at least my interpretation of them! I’m sure Tosin’s Mum and Dad, Olu and
Abosede Kuti were delighted to be able to join with family for the naming of
their granddaughter.
On Sunday 24th May was Ascension Sunday and Lionel used
an ‘up arrow light’ as a prop, it was very effective, as I write these notes we
are looking forward to Pentecost.
Finances
As mentioned in our last Newsletter our Parish struggles from year
to year to survive financially and the impact of the current situation is
unthinkable so we again to appeal to parishioners to continue with their
regular parish giving. You may contribute by cheque (made payable to Tallaght
Parish Church) or on online banking. To obtain the parish bank details please
contact the parish office on 462 6006. If you decide to give online please be
sure to reference your name so that your contribution is traceable. We realise
that the consequences for many parishioners of this pandemic have had enormous
repercussions for their finances and we realise that tough times are ahead for
many but for those who have been relatively unaffected financially you
continued support to the parish is vital for the viability of our Church. I
thank you on behalf of the Select Vestry for any contribution you can make.
In closing, I’d like to ask people to
continue pray for all those around the world affected by Covid19 and that we
can slowly and safely return to life as normal as possible. Our thoughts and
prayers are with those who have lost loved ones and for those who remain unwell.
God Bless, William
FUNERAL
Sadly the funeral and burial of Ruth Farrell took place in glorious sunshine
in St. Maelruain's Graveyard on Thursday 14th May. We extend our deepest
condolences to her children Wendy, Hilary and Roy and to her extended family
and friends. Ruth was one of our oldest and faithful parishioners and will be
sadly missed. Many will remember that she was our Sunday School superintendent
for many years and helped run the Mother’s and Toddlers group. Her funeral took
place outside and some parishioners had a chance to say goodbye from a distance
in the graveyard.
