Carrickfergus, N Ireland

RECTOR’S LETTER

Dear Friends
One of the things that I count a real privilege is the opportunity to welcome folk to our beautiful church building. It is always good to see a new face - whether a former parishioner home for a visit at Christmas, someone who has just moved to the town, or perhaps has lived here for a while but for one reason or another has decided to come along and worship with us at St. Nicholas’. I hope that each person who comes across our doorstep knows that they are welcome and feels that there is a place for them in our parish family.

It can be the case though, that in a large church like ours it is difficult for the clergy to speak to everyone and I am glad that there are many regular worshippers who will speak to a ‘new face‘ and make them feel welcome. It is vital for the life of the church that we extend that welcome in Jesus’ name to all who come seeking Him.

Welcome is only the first step though, and another vital part of the commission Jesus gave his church is to introduce people to himself and teach them the truth about life as God intended. We obviously do that through our worship and our preaching and teaching in the parish, but a Sunday service doesn’t really give the time and opportunity to ask questions or to explore the thoughts that we may be having as individuals.

Can I commend Explore to you as a great opportunity to meet with other parishioners to think about God’s Word together?

As I write to you this month, we are planning a new opportunity for parishioners to meet together for Christian fellowship and to learn together from God’s word. Our “Small Groups” will be meeting in parishioners homes around the town to give us the chance to encourage one another in living lives that honour God. Do consider the possibility of coming along to be a part of one of the groups. If you’d like to join a group or just know more about them at this stage, please feel free to speak to me or to Peter, Kathleen or Brian. We’d be glad to help you.

With love in Jesus,
George

New Year Greetings from the Heaneys

We give thanks to God that
• We have survived our first year!
• Amazon delivers to Tanzania!
• We continue to be encouraged and humbled by generous prayerful partners and friends.
• In the second half of the year Sam’s health has been much better.
• For a successful and joyous first ever SJUT graduation.
• For enjoyable students who are, on the whole, a pleasure to teach.

We ask for prayer

• Resources are a huge problem. Continue to pray that individuals and institutions would donate resources (money, books, e-books, journals, laptops, furniture).

• Pray for the development of the Institute for Transformative Philosophy. The proposed Institute would be responsible for defining and delivering the Christian ethos of SJUT. If adopted it would mean that all students would do a three year compulsory course covering issues such as “Living a meaningful life”, “Faith and culture”, and “Ethics and moral decision making”.

• Living in Dodoma continues to come with psychological, economic, cross-cultural, and spiritual challenges. Pray that we would know God’s peace and identify strategies for respite during term and not just in the holidays.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, fellowship, and friendship.
May God richly bless you in 2011.
Love from Robert, Sharon, and Sam.

Emails: robert.s.heaney@gmail.com  s.e.heaney@gmail.com 
Websites: www.rssheaney.wordpress.com  www.sjut.ac.tz 
Facebook Group: “TZ News” - This is a closed group. Send the Heaneys a request to join.


The theme of our January meeting was "Mind, Body and Soul". We were joined by June Gordon and Carol Lambe who led us through an evening of armchair aerobics together with bible readings and reflections. This was a very enjoyable evening and a good start to the new year as it helped us to focus both on our physical fitness and on our spiritual lives as well.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 8 February when our guest speaker will be Alan Greer from the Simon Community, a charity for the homeless. Please come along to hear about the vital work that is being done to help the homeless in Northern Ireland in these difficult times of economic recession.
Valerie Leighton, Honorary Secretary

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

Emmanuel, in charge of Children's Ministry in Tabora Diocese Tanzania, has had an exhausting time recently and is under considerable pressure to keep the children's clubs and youth meetings going.

This is in no small part due to his energy and enthusiasm for this work and the blessing he has received from God in getting the clubs and meetings established.

Do please continue to pray for Emmanuel, that he will have stamina and good health and foresight in keeping this important work going.  He relies on volunteers to open their homes, basic as they are, for somewhere the children can meet regularly.  Pray that the right people will offer their homes, and themselves, to assist Emmanuel and to be godly witnesses and teachers to the children.

If there are any parents of our Sunday School children, either morning or afternoon Sunday School, who would like to assist Emmanuel through our Smartie tube appeal, please speak to either myself or Heather and we can explain how it works.  Emmanuel values the support he receives from St Nicholas’ Sunday Schools.  It is vital that we keep it going.
Thank you
Lynn Rodgers
Sunday School Superintendent

Praying for the Sick

Whenever someone we know is ill or in trouble we are so grateful that we have doctors, nurses, etc to treat their condition.

Healing was also part of Jesus’ earthly ministry and through the Holy Spirit and our prayers this ministry continues today. In St Nicholas’ we have been part of that ministry for many years.

We remember, by name, those who have asked for prayer at many of our church services - the Holy Communion services on Sunday at 9.30 am and Wednesday at 10 am, also on the 3rd Sunday evening of the month, where there is also the opportunity for the ministry of laying on of hands.

As well as this public ministry a band of 20-30 people (intercessors) pray daily  for 3-4 people by name, that they may know God’s healing.

It is really wonderful that people ask for prayer for their friends and family who are ill – but sometimes people are not so good about keeping us informed as to the progress of the patient – and many people get well again – and yet still remain on our lists.

This has 2 results – the list becomes very long – but also we are not able to thank God for his healing touch – for the answers to our prayers!

In order to deal with this problem and to focus our prayers we have decided to make some changes to the organisation of our prayer lists.

Names of people who are ill should be given to Maureen McAuley, Stella Neill, Sally Johnston or one of the clergy as normal.

They will then be prayed for at the services mentioned above and by intercessors.  At the end of the month they will come off the church list, but their name will remain on the intercessors’ list for a further 2 months. If the person continues to need prayer their name can be resubmitted again and we will gladly continue to pray for them.

It would be great, however, if we could be updated on progress, as many folk will be well within 3 months!

This is a vital part of our ministry in St Nicholas’. Thank you for assisting us to pray meaningfully for those in need.

POINTS TO PONDER

When we have given God all that we have and are, we have simply given him his own.                                          William Plumer

Temptations are everywhere, and so is the grace of God.            Anon

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.  Corrie ten Boom

Prayer Diary – February 2011

1st February – Tuesday
The Select Vestry meets this evening.  Pray for the members of Select Vestry and for God’s guidance in discussions and decision-making.

2nd February – Wednesday
In January reporters returned to Haiti to report on reconstruction one year on from the earthquake.  Many expressed people’s frustration at the slow pace of recovery.  In Australia and Sri Lanka severe flooding led to loss of life as well as property.  In Brazil many died following landslides.  Bring to God those suffering following natural disasters and those in government and relief agencies working in the affected areas.

3rd February – Thursday
Pray for the ‘Explore’ Bible Study Group.

4th February – Friday
Erin Davison leaves today for her trip to Malawi.  Pray for Erin and the whole school party, for their safety, and that they and those they meet would gain much from their visit.

5th February – Saturday
Pray for this morning’s ‘Re:Ignite’ Conference in Carnmoney Presbyterian Church, organised by Tearfund and launching the ‘One Voice’ Campaign.

6th February – Sunday
Pray for today’s services, for those attending church and for those who will join in our worship through CD recordings.  Pray for those who record services, prepare or distribute CDs to the housebound.

7th February – Monday
Pray for the sick and for those who care for them.  Give thanks for the skill of doctors, nurses and therapists, and for those working toward new treatments and cures.

8th February – Tuesday
This evening’s Women’s Fellowship will learn more of the work of the Simon Community.  Pray for the ladies of the group, for this evening’s guest, for homeless people and those currently threatened with homelessness.  Finally pray for the work of the Simon Community.
9th February – Wednesday
Pray for the officers, helpers and boys in the Anchor Boys, Junior and Company Sections of our Boys Brigade.  Pray for the support, help and encouragement of parents and friends for the Company.

10th February – Thursday
‘Revival 11’ takes place at the Waterfront Hall this evening.  Pray for all those attending, for Speaker RT Kendall and Worship Leader Robin Mark.  Pray for our parishioners travelling to this event and for opportunities for evangelism within the community in Carrickfergus.

11th February – Friday
Another cold winter means many people are now worried about paying fuel bills.  Frozen and burst pipes, especially over Christmas and the New Year have added to problems for many.  Pray for those affected by our extreme weather conditions in recent months.

12th February – Saturday
The Walking Group meets this morning in Glenarm.  Pray for Peter and Harry and all the other members of the group as they enjoy this time of relaxed fellowship together.

13th February – Sunday
Give thanks for those who teach here in St Nicholas’.  Pray for George our Rector, for Peter, Kathleen and Brian.  Pray for Sunday Schools and Bible Class teachers, and for leaders of Youth and Fellowship Groups.

14th February – Monday
Pray for the church in Tabora.  Pray for Emmanuel and those who work with him in Youth Ministry.

15th February – Tuesday
Unrest in Tunisia, attacks in Egypt, and tensions in Iraq, Sudan, Lebanon and Israel have once again brought the Middle East to our attention.  Pray for the region and for the work carried on by MECO.

16th February – Wednesday
Pray for the Widows’ Group meeting this evening.

17th February – Thursday
Small Fellowship Groups will begin meeting within the next few weeks.  Pray for these new groups and give thanks for those parishioners who will open their homes to host the groups.

18th February – Friday
Pray and give thanks for Catherine Wallace and her work in the Church Office; the friendly voice on the end of the telephone, supporting our clergy and, this week, preparing for next month’s issue of Parish News.

19th February – Saturday
Pray for Robert and Sharon Heaney and their son Sam in Tanzania.  Pray for Crosslinks and all those involved in its mission overseas.  Pray for its work here in Northern Ireland, especially for the organisation of this year’s summer camps for children and young people.

20th February – Sunday
This evening’s Holy Communion service includes Prayers for Healing.  Pray for our Healing Ministry and its future here in St Nicholas’.  Pray for Stella Neill and Maureen McAuley, for Intercessors and for the new Prayer Chains.

21st February – Monday
Pray for our Church of Ireland.  Pray for those in positions of leadership.  Pray for those currently studying for Christian Ministry, especially those preparing for ordination this year.  Pray for Bishop of Connor Alan Abernethy that he would soon be returned to fullness of health.

22nd February – Tuesday
This is the Girl Guides’ ‘Thinking Day’.  Pray for our Guides meeting this evening; for our Brownies and Rainbows; for everyone involved in Guiding throughout the world.  Pray for this evening’s ‘Encounter’ Prayer Group meeting.

23rd February – Wednesday
Pray for Organist Alison Irwin, her Understudy Angie and the members of the Choir as they meet for practice this evening.  Give thanks for their contribution to our worship each Sunday.

24th February – Thursday
Pray for Parish News distributors and for the team of volunteers who assemble the magazine each month ready for distribution.

25th February – Friday
The ‘Busy Bees’ Parent and Toddler Group continue to meet in the church halls on Friday mornings.  Pray for parents and children and for those who help prepare the hall for the group each week. Pray for our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

26th February – Saturday
Pray for the recently bereaved.  Pray that they would know our Lord’s presence in their lives and this time of loss and draw comfort from His assured hope of eternal life for His people.

27th February – Sunday
Pray for the young people taking part in this evening’s Youth Church.  Pray also for this morning’s family service.  Give thanks for the opportunity to meet together informally after morning worship, and for those who make and serve tea, coffee, juice and biscuits each week.

28th February – Monday
Pray for Mark and Ali Gill our CMS Ireland Link Missionaries in Dadeldhura, Nepal.  Pray for CMS Ireland and for those currently introducing its 2011 Project ‘Living Stones’ to parish groups.

ENCOUNTER

Jesus said: “My house will be called a house of prayer.” Matthew 21:13

Next meeting Tuesday 22nd February 2011
7:30pm in the church

This will be the second in  our series on the Lord’s Prayer
“Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven”

For further information contact Peter Ferguson

Re:Ignite

Join Bishop Harold Miller, Hilary McClay, Andy Flannagan, Jim Nicholson MEP, 24/7 Prayer and Belfast Community Gospel choir at Tearfund’s Re:Ignite Conference as the One Voice campaign is launched to light up churches and individuals in prayer and action around the world as part of Tearfund’s Global Poverty Prayer Movement, 27th February – 6th March.

Saturday 5th February, Carnmoney Presbyterian Church
9.30 am—1 pm

Re:Ignite programme:
10am - 11.15am: BBC’s Mark Simpson interviews Bishop Harold Miller and Hilary McClay about their recent trips to Cambodia and Ethiopia. Worship led by Andy Flannagan.

11.30am - 12.30 pm: Re:Ignite workshops:
Re:Connect with Derek McKelvey and 24/7 prayer – ideas to help you and your church reconnect prayerfully with God and practically with your neighbour
Re:Act with 24/7 prayer –ideas to help young people reconnect prayerfully with God and practically with their neighbours
Re:Adjust with Peter Lynas – biblical insight and inspirational stories to help you actjustly in your workplace
Re:Visit – Tim Magowan with Jim Nicholson MEP - having recently met Tearfund staff and the President, Jim Nicholson will highlight stories of challenge and transformation from his recent visit to Haiti as part of an EU fact finding delegation
Re:Source with Andy Flannagan – equip your church to reach out locally and globally

12.30pm: Closing session with Belfast Community Gospel Choir

1pm: Lunch for those who have booked

You can reserve your place by emailing ir@tearfund.org  Please include your workshop choices and whether you’d like to stay for lunch. Tickets - £7.50 with lunch. £5 without lunch.

ST NICHOLAS’ SMALL GROUPS

- Why? In a big church small groups can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth.

- When & where? Roughly fortnightly, mainly on a Thursday evening, but we hope to offer at least one alternative night - in homes throughout the parish (3 groups to start with, but hoping they will multiply!)

- For who? Anyone in the St. Nicholas family who’d like to share in warm Christian fellowship and the chance to discuss God’s Word and how it impacts our lives as Christians today.

- How do I get involved? Let us know that you are interested now. We hope to be ‘up and running’ towards the end of February/ beginning of March.
LAUGHLINES
God’s army  Dewey was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the minister was standing at the door, as he always is, to shake hands. Suddenly he grabbed Dewey by the hand and pulled him aside. The minister said sternly “Dewey, you need to join the Army of the Lord!"
Dewey replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." The minister retorted: “Then how come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?" Dewey replied in a whisper: "Well, I'm in the secret service."

Not all free!  The nursery school teacher was teaching her class about living in a democracy. She said: "One of the things we should be happy about is that, in this country, we are all free." One little boy stood up in protest. “No,” he said indignantly. "I'm not free. I'm four."

Crèche Rota February 2011

6th    Annie Crawford, Catherine Wallace, Sharon Lutton, Rebecca Leighton
13th    Carol Moneypenney, Faye Hamilton, Heather Gingles, Ruth Nelson
20th     Ann Hodge, Alison Kane, Katrina Todd, Hester Gingles
27th     Sarah Nelson, Karen Bell, Deirdre Beck, Erin Davison

The Crèche is now meeting in the Choir Vestry.  Children can be left there from 10.50 am each Sunday.   It would be appreciated if those who kindly staff the Crèche would be there in good time.  If you can't be present on a Sunday listed, please arrange for another of the volunteers to cover for you. Thank you for your co-operation.

SOUND DESK ROTA FEBRUARY 2011

        Morning                    Evening
6th        Jamie Davison                Steven Todd
13th        Glenn Nelson                 Lynn Rodgers
20th        Gillian Dalton                John Kane
27th        Johnny Hodge                Jonathan Nelson

Flowers in Church December 2010 (not in last magazine)

5th    Bobby Patterson—In memory of my wife Pat
19th    David McAtamney—In memory of my wife Denise

Flowers in Church January 2011 (not in last magazine)

2nd    Bertha Whiteside

Flowers in Church February 2011

6th    The Dalton Family
13th    Vacant
20th    Mae McKinney
27th    Ann & Roy McVeigh
If you would like to donate flowers for the Sanctuary please fill your name in against the appropriate space on the new Flower List in the main porch

Christian Burial

‘I am the Resurrection and the Life’

24th November 2010
Samuel Brown, 22 Milebush Park

25th November 2010
Margaret Kerr McFarlane Geddes, 2 Marlborough Close

3rd December 2010
Mary Elizabeth Hughes, 20 Milebush Crescent

7th December 2010
Jeanie (Jean) Eileen Haslett, Tamlaght PNH

23rd December 2010
Eileen McIlwrath, 88 Northlands

28th December 2010
James Knowles, 74 Davys Street

6th January 2011
David Moore, 8 Rosebrook Avenue

17th January 2011
Emma Haggan, 8 McKeens Avenue

CHRISTMAS FAYRE

I am pleased to be able to report that the final amount collected at the Christmas Fayre was £1,956. This money has been donated to church funds.

On behalf of the church may I thank everyone for their efforts by way of donations for the stalls, looking after the stalls on the day or by coming to the Fayre and spending their money.

This was an excellent amount and a great team effort. 
A big thank you to anyone who was involved in any way.            Jean Stewart

Date for your Diary!

Parish Walking Group

Saturday 12th February

Meet at 10.30 am
at Glenarm Car Park

(Carnlough Road end of Glenarm)
For further details contact Harry Kirk or Peter Ferguson

Services in February 2011

6th        9 30 am    Holy Communion
            11.00 am    Holy Communion—Stand Firm
            Isaiah 58 v 1-9a       
            Philippians 1 v 27-30   
            7.00 pm    Evening Prayer—Calming the Storm
            Matthew 8 v 23-27       

13th       9 30 am    Holy Communion
            11.00 am    Morning Prayer—Learning from Jesus
            Deuteronomy 30 v 15-20   
            Philippians 2 v 1-11       
            7.00 pm    Informal Service—Dealing with Demons
            Matthew 8 v 28-34

20th       9 30 am    Holy Communion
            11.00 am    Morning Prayer—Shining as stars
            Leviticus 19 v 9-18           
            Philippians 2 v 12-30       
            7.00 pm    Holy Communion & Prayers for Healing
            “Take up your bed . . . .”
            I Corinthians 3 v 16-23       
            Matthew 9 v 1-8           

27th       9 30 am    Holy Communion
            11.00 am    Family Service—The Burning Bush
            Exodus 3 v 1-8a
            7.00 pm    Youth Church—The Calling of Matthew
            Matthew 9 v 9-13           

Other Events in February

1st        7.30 pm    Select Vestry
8th       7.30 pm    Women’s Fellowship
12th     10.30 am    Parish Walking Group Outing   
16th     7.15 pm    Widows Group   
22nd    7.30 pm    Encounter Monthly Prayer Group in church

Do you have any photographs??

We are looking for photographs of things that happened in the church over the past 100 years.  These will be scanned and put on the church website in an online photo gallery where parishioners can look back and remember past events, times and people.

Anything church related - weddings, christenings, church
outings, BB, Guides Scouts, Barn Dances, Flower Festival etc. 

Please give/send your photographs to Paul Letters or leave them in the church office.  Don’t forget to supply your details so that your photos may be returned to you!

If any parishioner known to you is sick or in hospital, please contact the church office or the clergy so that they may be visited

Thank you