![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.douglas.cork.anglican.org\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/img_5481b2bde47ce.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2018Love Life, Live Advent \u2013 Make Room for the Manger\u2019<\/strong> <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Follow us on Twitter!<\/strong><\/span> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n This is the title of a booklet written by Dr. Paula Gooder and her<\/strong>
\n husband Rev. Peter Babington, who happens to be a descendent of<\/strong>
\n the former Dean of St. Fin Barre\u2019s of the same name. As the introduction<\/strong>
\n to the book states, \u2018December can pass in a haze of busyness.<\/strong>
\n There is so much to do to prepare for Christmas that, if we are not careful,<\/strong>
\n we can arrive at 25 December with many jobs done only to discover that we are<\/strong>
\n not ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus.\u2019 This book suggests a very simple action<\/strong>
\n or activity each day which will help you to prepare properly for Christmas.<\/strong>
\n These are designed not to add to the pressure but you to help make time for what<\/strong>
\n is really important. It also has a thought or prayer for each Sunday in Advent. A<\/strong>
\n copy of this booklet is being given free to each family who are on our Sunday<\/strong>
\n School attendance lists so it can be used an a resource in the home. A limited<\/strong>
\n number of copies will also be available in the churches for parishioners to take.<\/strong>
\n Hopefully this resource, which is a simple and practical guide to keeping Advent,<\/strong>
\n will be helpful to many in the parish.<\/strong>
\n Parishioners are also reminded that Holy Communion is celebrated every<\/strong>
\n Wednesday throughout Advent in St. Luke\u2019s Church at 11.00am. We hope that<\/strong>
\n people will make an effort to attend this service each week as part of their devotional<\/strong>
\n preparations at this busy time of the year.<\/strong>
\n Monday 8 December is the 150th anniversary of the death of George Boole, professor<\/strong>
\n of mathematics, at what was then Queen\u2019s College Cork. To mark the<\/strong>
\n occasion, a special service of Choral Evensong will be held in St. Michael\u2019s<\/strong>
\n Church, Blackrock at 6pm. A memorial plaque to Boole in the church, as well as<\/strong>
\n his headstone in the adjoining churchyard, have been sympathetically restored<\/strong>
\n by UCC in tribute to one of their most famous members of staff.<\/strong>
\n The service will be sung by the Clerks Choral under their director Ian Sexton.<\/strong>
\n The preacher at this service will be Dr. Mark Hocknull, who is Canon Chancellor<\/strong>
\n of Lincoln Cathedral and also teaches at the University of Lincoln. Canon<\/strong>
\n Hocknull holds doctorates in both science and religious studies and has a deep<\/strong>
\n interest in the interactions between science and religious belief. His link with<\/strong>
\n Lincoln is particularly appropriate as Boole grew up there and spent his early<\/strong>
\n career in the city. A memorial window to George Boole can be seen in the cathedral<\/strong>
\n there today.<\/strong>
\n We in this parish are delighted to be hosting this service on behalf of UCC. A<\/strong>
\n number of distinguished guests and academics have been invited to attend.<\/strong>
\n However parishioners are also welcome. All we ask is that you give your name<\/strong>
\n to one of the clergy a week in advance so that we can confirm that there still is<\/strong>
\n space for you. The service is a significant part of a year of celebrations to mark<\/strong>
\n to 200th anniversary of Boole\u2019s birth.<\/strong>
\n I end by taking this opportunity to wish you all a very holy Advent and happy\u00a0Christmas.<\/strong>
\nYours in Christ,<\/strong>
\nAdrian<\/strong><\/p>\nParish Contacts<\/span><\/strong>
\n Ven. Adrian Wilkinson Tel: 4891539. E-mail: amwilkinson@eircom.net<\/strong>
\n (day off Monday)<\/strong>
\n Rev. Sarah Marry Tel: 4358226. E-mail:sarah_marry@hotmail.com<\/strong>
\n (day off Saturday)<\/strong>
\n Rev. Hazel Minion Tel: 4361924. E-mail: hminion22@hotmail.com<\/strong>
\n (contact if above unavailable)<\/strong>
\n Parish Office Tel: 4369578. E-mail:douglasofficecork@gmail.com<\/strong>
\n Parish Website www.douglas.cork.anglican.org<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n The parish is now on twitter. For those who want to be kept up to<\/strong>
\n date you can follow us @DouglasUnion<\/strong><\/p>\n Coping with Christmas<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Irish Hospice Foundation provides pastoral leaflets on a<\/strong>
\nvariety of subjects. A list of these can be found on their website<\/strong>
\nwww.bereaved.ie Recently I was send a copy of one called \u2018Coping<\/strong>
\nwith Christmas when you are bereaved\u2019. It was full of realistic, simple and<\/strong>
\npractical suggestions to help those who are dreading Christmas because<\/strong>
\nthey have experienced the death of a loved one within the past year. I<\/strong>
\nhave ordered extra copies of this leaflet which I will leave among other<\/strong>
\nthe other pastoral resources that are available free of charge at the back<\/strong>
\nof the churches. If you or someone you know would find this information<\/strong>
\nhelpful, please take a copy. A. Wilkinson<\/strong><\/h3>\n Home Communion at Christmas<\/strong><\/span>
\nChristmas is a time when we are particularly conscious of the housebound.<\/strong>
\nEach month Holy Communion is celebrated with a number<\/strong>
\nof parishioners in their homes or in nursing homes.<\/strong>
\nPlease inform us if you would like your name to be added to the list or if<\/strong>
\nyou have an elderly relative staying with you for Christmas who might not<\/strong>
\nbe able to get to church.<\/strong><\/h3>\nYou are invited to a\u00a0Christmas Coffee Morning\u00a0<\/span>at the Rectory on\u00a0Friday 19th December.<\/strong>
\n Just pop in anytime between 10.00am and 12.30pm.<\/strong>
\n All proceeds in aid of parish funds and the Simon Community<\/strong>
\n Some parking is available at the Rectory or at St. Luke\u2019s Church.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n
Bible Reading Notes<\/span><\/strong>
\n Bible Reading Notes are a very helpful way to read the Bible<\/strong>
\n regularly. They suggest a short reading for the day and then provide<\/strong>
\n a brief explanation or thought for life today based on this passage.<\/strong>
\n There are many different publications available, and some are especially<\/strong>
\n written for children or women. I\u00a0will order notes for any parishioners who would like to get them \u2013<\/strong>
\n please contact me and if you are not sure what you want, I will help<\/strong>
\n you choose. There are also Bibles and Bible notes available in UnBound<\/strong>
\n on Bridge Street. If you would like Bible Notes on the move then many<\/strong>
\n Bible notes are digitally available. Daily Bread notes are available as an<\/strong>
\n app for iPhone or iPad from the App Store. Other notes are available for<\/strong>
\n the kindle or as e-books. See www.scriptureunion.org.uk and find<\/strong>
\n e-books in the shop part of the site. Jacqui Wilkinson<\/strong><\/h3>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Confirmation 2015<\/span><\/strong>
\n The Rector is looking for expressions of interest from young<\/strong>
\n people in the parish who are considering taking this step in their Christian<\/strong>
\n faith. Already he has been approached by several candidates.<\/strong>
\n Please contact him as soon as possible if you would like your name to<\/strong>
\n be added to this list. A meeting for the parents and all the candidates<\/strong>
\n will be held on Wednesday 7th January at 8pm in the Canon Packham<\/strong>
\n Hall when the arrangements for classes will be outlined.<\/strong><\/h3>\nSunday School (Douglas)<\/span><\/strong>
\n Sunday School takes place during the service in St<\/strong>
\n Luke\u2019s on 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of the month<\/strong>
\n during term time. We leave church about fifteen<\/strong>
\n minutes into the service and the children are<\/strong>
\n collected from the hall after the service.<\/strong>
\n On one Sunday of each month we have our DVD Sunday watching a<\/strong>
\n DVD of Bible Stories along with enjoying popcorn and juice. On the<\/strong>
\n other Sundays we hear stories, play games, make crafts and complete<\/strong>
\n worksheets based on the Bible readings for the Sunday.<\/strong>
\n The Sunday School will be involved in the carol service and the<\/strong>
\n parents and leaders will serve mulled wine and mince pies after the<\/strong>
\n service. All primary school children are welcome any week to Sunday<\/strong>
\n school and registration forms are available at the hall each Sunday.<\/strong>
\n We also have toys available for pre-school children who would like<\/strong>
\n to come out with their mum or dad to the hall during the service.<\/strong>
\n Thanks to our growing team of leaders and helpers \u2013 without their<\/strong>
\n commitment it would be impossible to keep Sunday School going as<\/strong>
\n frequently as we do.<\/strong>
\n If you are considering helping with Sunday School now or in the<\/strong>
\n future do please begin the process of completing the required Child<\/strong>
\n Protection and Garda Clearance procedures as the paperwork can<\/strong>
\ntake a number of months to complete.<\/strong>
\n Jacqui Wilkinson<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"img_545bdfb2c9514\"](\"http:\/\/www.douglas.cork.anglican.org\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_545bdfb2c9514.png\")
Bible studies on John’s Gospel<\/span><\/strong>
\n Wednesdays at 3.00 p.m. in Joan Miller’s home, Ballintemple,<\/strong>
\n on December 3rd; resuming on January 7th.<\/strong>
\n Thursdays in Carol Boylan’s home, Moneygourney, at 7.30 p. m.<\/strong>
\n on<\/strong>
\n December 4th; resuming on January 22nd.<\/strong>
\n Bible study Fellowship in Carol Boylan’s home on Wednesday 10th<\/strong>
\n December at 7.30 p.m.<\/strong>
\n Contact Florence 086 1604544 for further details.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Bishops\u2019 Appeal for overseas aid and development<\/span><\/strong>
\n In our pack to parishioners this Christmas, you will also find a Bishops\u2019<\/strong>
\n Appeal envelope as usual. This is your means to give a donation to the<\/strong>
\n Bishops\u2019 Appeal for overseas aid and development. You can read<\/strong>
\n more about the projects it supports by checking its website<\/strong>
\n www.bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org Please give as generously as<\/strong>
\n you can. The financial situation may be difficult here but this fund<\/strong>
\n supports people who have to rely on the generosity of others for their<\/strong>
\n most basic necessities because they are victims of conflict or natural<\/strong>
\n disasters. Bishops’ Appeal does not engage directly in development<\/strong>
\n work itself, but channels funds through agencies and partner churches<\/strong>
\n that are already in place in areas of need. It is particularly active in the<\/strong>
\n areas of health care, sustainable agriculture and education projects in<\/strong>
\n some of the world\u2019s poorest countries. Recently it has sent funds to<\/strong>
\n help fight the spread of the Ebola Virus in West Africa. Please support<\/strong>
\n this work by returning your envelope on the collection plate in church<\/strong>
\n or by putting it in a stamped envelope and addressing it to one of the<\/strong>
\n clergy or parish treasurers. We will see that it is included before the<\/strong>
\n end of the year. A. Wilkinson<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"img_5400a283d7a68\"](\"http:\/\/www.douglas.cork.anglican.org\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/img_5400a283d7a68.png\")
Book Club<\/span><\/strong>
\n The Parish Book Club continues to meet monthly in the<\/strong>
\n Rectory. We have about twelve members and began our fifth season<\/strong>
\n in September with coffee in the Maryborough House Hotel and lots<\/strong>
\n of chat about the books we had read over the long hot days of summer.<\/strong><\/h3>\nOur book for October was Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. This very long<\/strong>
\n book challenged those of us with Kindles as the percentages moved<\/strong>
\n very slowly to cover the more than 800 pages in the printed book.<\/strong>
\n In November we read our personal choice of book by the travel<\/strong>
\n writer Bill Bryson.<\/strong>
\n For December we are reading the brand new book \u2018We are all completely<\/strong>
\n beside ourselves\u2019 by Karen Joy Fowler.<\/strong>
\n New members are always welcome. We all agree that the Book Club<\/strong>
\n encourages us to read books that we would not normally pick up as<\/strong>
\n well as old favourites. Jacqui Wilkinson.<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"img_54592c565f087\"](\"http:\/\/www.douglas.cork.anglican.org\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_54592c565f087.png\")
Sarah writes\u2026..<\/span><\/strong>
\n As I write the \u2018Art & Photography Exhibition\u2019 has just ended.<\/strong>
\n Many came along to browse or to buy as well as catch up with friends and<\/strong>
\n enjoy a cuppa. We are especially grateful to the organizing committee.<\/strong>
\n Glynnis Trinder who opened the exhibition was very<\/strong>
\n supportive of the parish providing a platform for artists especially<\/strong>
\n as recent years have not been easy for those in creative<\/strong>
\n industries.<\/strong>
\n Of course, none of us have been immune to the effects of the recession and<\/strong>
\n while there are thankfully signs of recovery, things are far from easy.<\/strong>
\n The ads on our tv screens seem to be completely removed from that reality as<\/strong>
\n they encourage a complete blow out Christmas. And while I agree that<\/strong>
\n Christmas is indeed cause for celebration, it\u2019s good to remember that the<\/strong>
\n story of Christ\u2019s birth did not feature glitz, glamour and excessive spending.<\/strong>
\n Of course, we all want a \u2018nice Christmas\u2019 and I hope to be sitting down to a<\/strong>
\n slightly more thought through meal than usual, but the essential ingredient is<\/strong>
\n the one thing missing from all those glossy ads. The reality that God loves us<\/strong>
\n so much that he sent his only Son is not a twee sentimental addition to a<\/strong>
\n secular holiday, but the very reason for it, the key ingredient without which<\/strong>
\n Christmas just cannot be Christmas. So although I think cranberry sauce is an<\/strong>
\n absolute essential for Christmas (as well as roasties, stuffing, brussel sprouts<\/strong>
\n and gravy for that matter\u2026.), in truth Christmas is Christmas no matter what<\/strong>
\n our present brings because Christ\u2019s coming transforms not just one day but<\/strong>
\n every day.<\/strong>
\n With every blessing for a happy and peaceful Christmas to you and yours.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n
Theological Student<\/span><\/strong>
\n Over the years, this parish has hosted theological<\/strong>
\n students who were studying at the Church of Ireland Theological College.<\/strong>
\n However for the first time we will be having a visitor from overseas. In January,<\/strong>
\n a theological student from Virginia Theological Seminary in the United<\/strong>
\n States, will be on placement with us in this parish. His name is Zachary<\/strong>
\n Harmon. While he will be staying part of the time with us in the Rectory, I was<\/strong>
\n hoping that some parishioners might like to host him for a meal during his<\/strong>
\n stay. I feel that it is important that he gets the opportunity to meet as many<\/strong>
\n people as possible and learn a little about the parish and the Church of Ireland.<\/strong>
\n He will be shadowing me on some pastoral visits and I will also be setting<\/strong>
\n up opportunities for him to experience. If you would be willing to host<\/strong>
\n him for a meal, please contact me and we will add your name to the rota.<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"img_545bdf3516594\"](\"http:\/\/www.douglas.cork.anglican.org\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_545bdf3516594.png\")
St Luke\u2019s National School<\/span><\/strong>
\n Our school got a huge \u201cMake Over\u201d during the Summer holidays.<\/strong>
\n The entire building was painted, some carpets were replaced, new<\/strong>
\n blinds and Soundfield systems were installed in the necessary classrooms and a<\/strong>
\n new infant play area called \u201cT\u00edr na n\u00d3g\u201d was added in the playground. Many<\/strong>
\n thanks to the Board of Management and all concerned for all their hard work<\/strong>
\n and<\/strong>
\n commitment in creating such a modern, learning environment for the pupils.<\/strong>
\n At this stage our 29 new Junior Infants are well settled into the school routines<\/strong>