November 2011

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PASSWORDS

THE MAGAZINE FOR ST MARY MAGDALENE PARISH

DONEGALL PASS

Rev Terence P Kerr B.D., M.Phil. � 028 9079 0977

Rev Stewart Heaney B.A., B.Ed., B.D., M.Phil. � 028 9446 1076

……www.wwwwwwww.st-marymagdalene.org.uk

Mankind must put an end to war, or war will

put an end to mankind.

John F Kennedy

AUTUMN

COLORFUL

COOL

FALL

FEAST

FRIEND

HAPPY

HARVEST

HOLIDAY

JACKET

LEAVES

NATIVEAMERICAN

NOVEMBER

NUTS

PILGRIM

RAKE

THANKFUL

THANKSGIVING

TURKEY

WINDY

November wordsearch

11 2

Flower Rota—-November NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES

Thursday Lunchtime ServicesThursday Lunchtime ServicesThursday Lunchtime Services

These continue to take place in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at 12.30 pm—followed by lunch in the Bistro.

The Church of Ireland “Safeguarding Trust” Policy operates in this church. Panel

Members are Rev Terence Kerr, Mr Cecil Dunwoody and Mrs Catherine Irving.

Notices to this effect have been placed in the church and halls.

Readers read the First Lesson of the Day—taken from the Pew Bible. Readers should confirm their reading with the Rector/Minister

Nov 6th ………… …………

The Lennon Family Mr & Mrs G Sheppard—in memory of Mrs A Henry [Pedestal]

Nov 13th ………… Remembrance Sunday

Nov 20th ………… Mr & Mrs B McMillan

Nov 27th ………… Mr & Mrs H Rodgers

The Rector has decided not to list clergy names in future

SERVICE

READER

(Morning Service only)

Nov 6th—3rd Sunday before Advent 11.00 am Holy Communion

6.30 pm Holy Communion

Kate Irving

Romans 13 –v– 8-end (Page 153)

Nov 13th—2nd Sunday before Advent 11.00 am Remembrance Sunday Morning Prayer

We welcome members of Royal Naval Association 6.30 pm No Evening Service

RNA members

Nov 20th—Sunday before Advent 11.00 am Holy Communion 6.30 pm Evening Prayer

Sam Brown Philippians 1 –v– 21-end

(Page 185)

Nov 27th—Advent Sunday 11.00 am Family Service 6.30 pm No Evening Service

Various

• Rev Adrian, his wife Janice and

family on their new venture

outreach

• Our clergy

Don’t forget to inform the Rector

of anyone who is in hospital or

unwell

• Annie

• Betty

• David M

• David

• Desmond

• Francis

• Leila

• Lily

• Martha

• Mary

• Mr Morrow

• Raymond

• Ronnie

• John

• Susan

Remember in Prayer:

A s w e prepare for the com ing of A dventA s w e prepare for the com ing of A dventA s w e prepare for the com ing of A dventA s w e prepare for the com ing of A dvent

H eavenly F ather, during A dvent, m ay w e rem em ber

the greatest gift ever given: Y our only Son, Jesus

Christ. F ill our hearts w ith joy day by day as w e think of

our Saviour putting aside H is heavenly glory and com ing

am ong us. A m en

Rev Stewart Heaney

It was with shock and regret that the Select Vestry learned of the Rector’s decision to inform the Rev Stewart Heaney that his services to the parishes of St Mary Magdalene and St Aidan’s would no longer be required. At this stage no further information regarding the situation has been made available.

10 3

for our younger readers ....

The Rector writes . . .

Nov 2011 �

Dear Parishioners

POEM - IN FLANDERS FIELD by John McCrea

It is thought that army doctor John McCrae began the draft for his famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ on the evening of the 2nd May, 1915 in the second week of fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres in WW I. It is believed that the death of his friend, Alexis Helmer, was the inspiration for McCrae's poem.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

What beautiful and moving words these are. It reminds us of the symbolism of the Poppy, the place of the Cross marking the graves of the many who gave the supreme sacrifice for our freedom. Please plan to attend our Remembrance Day Service on 13th November 2011 at 11.00am where yet again we will praise God for His wonderful victory over the powers of evil dictators.

Rev Terry

9 4

For your

diary

THOUGHT FOR

THE MONTH

Take risks—if you win

you will be happy. If you

lose you will be wise.

Anon

Ladies’ Guild Wed 9h Nov 7.45 pm Big Breakfast Sat 12th Nov 9 .00-12 noon Select Vestry Mon 14th Nov 7.30 pm

Antiques Fair Sat 19th Nov 12.30-4.00 pm Teas rota: Ann & Jean

Kesher Course (see page 8)

Snooker Club Tuesdays 7.00 pm

Midweek Thursdays 12.30 pm Services BB Thursdays 6.30 pm onwards

T he Harvest Dinner was an example of how teamwork can

achieve great results. Those helping thought that they

had not done very much, but from designing and printing the

tickets, helping with the shopping, to dressing the tables, peeling

potatoes and preparing vegetables, serving the meal and clearing

dishes and washing up, all working together made for a very

enjoyable meal.

The contribution from a few ladies of the New Lyric Opera

Company and our own John Usher ensured that the rest of the

evening was a huge success. The question – ‘when are you having

another one?’, is proof enough that everyone enjoyed a great

night’s fellowship and fun.

Raymond Moore

� The amazing sum of £530 was raised by the Harvest

Dinner. We all know that Raymond never looks for thanks, but

it would be very remiss not to express our gratitude for all the

work and effort he personally put into the marvellous event.

Harvest Church Collection

A total of £165 was collected in aid of the

Cancer Unit at the Belfast City Hospital.

Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Junk that junk mail...

Are you tired of receiving

junk mail? Here’s an easy

way to stop it: sign up to a

u s e f u l w e b s i t e a t

www.StayPrivate.org. So far

more than 10,000 people

have done so – and thus

reduced the amount of

unwanted junk mail that

comes their way.

Consumer Focus Labs, the

online arm of watchdog

Consumer Focus, launched

the site to provide people

with an easy way of

registering with the Direct

Marketing Association’s

various preference services

for opting out of receiving

junk mail and sales calls.

Consumers can use the

webs i te to s ign up

simultaneously to the Mailing

Preference Service and the

Te lephone P re fe rence

Service, so they do not

receive unsolicited sales and

marketing telephone calls. ...I know he’s a great fan of ‘Strictly Come

Dancing’ - but I think this is taking it a bit too far.

8 5

Reminder:

The Kesher Course run by CMJ Ireland is ongoing during November & December in our Choir Room—Tuesday evenings @ 8.00—9.30 pm

8th & 22nd November, 13th December

Thanks to everyone who filled shoe

boxes with presents to this appeal.

These will be passed onto

Blythswood Care to be forwarded to

those in need. When you think of

all we receive at Christmas, it is

most humbling to know that our

simple gifts can bring such joy and

comfort to others.

Au revoir...Au revoir...

I am not exactly sure for how long I have

been part of the St Mary Magdalene family

(extremely short compared to many of you)

but I am sure I have felt the same feeling of warmth

that many of you have felt over the years. The

tranquility one encounters walking inside the building

on that busy city centre street makes one ponder on

the really valuable things in life. I have learned new

things about life in that part of the city, met new

traditions like Trafalgar Sunday, and the Big

Breakfast. Most of all, however, people stand out as

the most helpful experiences. People of courage and

determination, of commitment and hope are the real

markers on the land between Vernon and Lindsay

Streets and Ormeau and Dublin Roads. Thank you for

your welcome to my family and me. We have loved

being part of your family for a little while.

Keep looking at that shepherd in the window above

the communion table. He has never given up on his

call to pursue that lost sheep.

I began with “Au revoir” not because I am French but

because it means “until we meet again”. See you at

the carol service if not before. Adrian

Annual Gift Day

G ift day this year will be celebrated on Advent Sunday 27th November — the anniversary of our church. Gift Aid envelopes will be handed out on that day. The much needed money collected from this special event goes towards

maintaining and restoring our beautiful church.

Please do your best in giving to this special appeal. Remember, if you are a tax payer, please consider Gift Aiding your donation. This costs you nothing and the church can

gain additional funds. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Thank you—The Select Vestry

7 6

Ladies’ Guild

� Articles for the December magazine should be with

Kate Irving by Sunday 13th November 2011.

Rocky Mountain Centre

Weekend

T he company section boys

from the 1st Irish & 8th

Belfast headed off to the Rocky

Mountain Centre on Friday 21st

October for a weekend of

walking in the Mournes. On

Saturday morning it was walking

boots, hats and gloves at the

ready as we headed off to

conquer another mountain

peak. The weather was not in our

favour— as the summit was in

sight we had to abandon our

quest and head for shelter to

have lunch. After lunch we

walked on the lower parts of the

mountains as we made our way

back to the centre for a wash

before we hit the town for tea.

On the menu was pizza or KFC.

Back to centre for a movie &

FIFA 2012 on xbox and all of a

sudden it was Sunday morning

again with four hours sleep!

After breakfast we set off to

do another walk. Boys only this

time—a short walk only three

hours to Rostrevor. When we

picked the boys up they were

in great spirits but very wet. So

I t was great to welcome everyone

back after the summer b reak and our celebration of Holy

Communion was, as always, a very special way to mark another season. It was especially good to see members who have been ill over the last months and of course we continue to remember them in our

prayers.

This month we will be starting Christmas preparations. We look forward to welcoming back Bronagh from ‘All Fired Up Ceramics’. You will remember the fun we had a few years ago painting and decorating pottery ornaments and I’m sure our artistic talents will rise to the fore

once again!

The cost of this evening is £3.00 per person. If you have not already paid, can I remind you to bring it along together with your guild subscription of £7 to the November

meeting.

See you all then.

Joan Rodgers—President

Our Now Famous

“BIG BREAKFAST”

takes place on

Saturday 12th

November 9.00 am—12 noon

Please support us by coming along and having a superb breakfast!

Cost only £4.00 each

all proceeds to church funds

Here is a light-hearted rant at the

modern world of technology…Why, why,

why does every gizmo and gadget in

our modern, high speed world come

equipped with a digital display just so it

can give us the message 'Please wait'?!

Please Wait As the speed of life increases At an ever-growing rate; The Gremlin King unleashes

Machines that say ‘Please Wait….’ Your personal computer

Could be your own best mate, Except when you reboot it Because it says ‘Please Wait….’ You pay ever-steeper prices As you keep up to date With all the best devices

That only say ‘Please Wait…’ When rushing to the station, How often it’s your fate To gaze, in hot frustration,

At screens that say ‘Please Wait….’ Or printing for a meeting, While running slightly late,

You’ll always get this greeting – The printer says ‘Please Wait…’ Travelling is not much fun. But this may compensate – You can say, in many different

tongues ‘Attendez, s’il vous plait…..’

So when in future, off you float To reach the Heav’nly gate,

Will you find from dear St. P, a note –

‘Just nipped to lunch – Please Wait?’

By Nigel Beeton

back for a cuppa & change of

clothes. Headed home for a well

earned rest [me anyway]! My

thanks to Chris, Dave & Sam for

their hard work. Also the boys for

making it a GREAT weekend. William McMillan Captain