St Peter’s

May 2008

Welcome

Once again we are delighted to welcome our newest young member into the family of the Church, Zoe Anne, daughter of Sara and Thomas Kenny, who was baptised in St. Peter’s on 20th April.

Sunday 4th May was also a very special day when Danaē and Iokàsti Petsimensis, daughters of Petros and Susan, were baptised in St. Peter’s.

We hold Zoe, Danaē and Iokàsti and their families in our thoughts and prayers following these special days in their lives.

Condolences

Our condolences are extended to all who mourn the death of Irene, Lady Dillon, formerly of Rath House, Termonfeckin who was laid to rest in Termonfeckin Old Graveyard on Thursday 1st May.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
And let light perpetual shine upon her.

Congratulations

We offer our prayerful congratulations to Keith Marshall of Dunleer who has been accepted for training for the ordained ministry in the Church of Ireland.

This is an arduous journey which Keith and his wife Yvonne and family have embarked upon. They will continue to need our support in many and varied ways over the coming years. We pray that God will pour out blessings on them and strengthen them as Keith responds to this call of the Holy Spirit in his life.

Prayer Circle

The Kilsaran Union Prayer Circle will meet on Tuesday 13th May at 8.00 p.m. in the home of Joy Workman in Dunany. All are most welcome.

General (Easter) Vestry Meetings

The list of Office Bearers and Select Vestry members for Drogheda, Ardee and Kilsaran Unions of Parishes who were elected at the General Vestry meetings in April are published on the notice boards of the various churches.

We thank those who have given of their time in serving in the past year, and we will hold those who were re-elected and those who were newly elected in our prayers over their period of office

Select Vestry Meetings

There will be a meeting of the Select Vestry of Kilsaran Union of Parishes on Tuesday, 6th May, at 8.00 p.m. in the Old Schoolhouse, Castlebellingham.

There will be a meeting of the Select Vestry of Drogheda Union of Parishes on Wednesday, 7th May, at 8.00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Vestry, preceded by a meeting of the Parish Hall Committee at 7.30 p.m.

Summer Fairs 2008

The Kilsaran Union Annual Summer Fair will be held as usual on Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd June, in the grounds of Bellingham Castle.

The St. Peter’s Summer Fair will be held on Saturday 19th July (not 5th July as previously intimated) in St. Peter’s Close.

Please see the weekly service sheets for more information on both of these events over the coming weeks.

There will be a planning meeting for the Kilsaran Fair on Tuesday 6th May at approximately 8.30 p.m. in the Old Schoolhouse, Castlebellingham immediately following the Select Vestry meeting that evening.

General Synod

The General Synod of the Church of Ireland will be held in Galway from Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th May. Please remember in your prayers all those who will be involved, including the Rector.

Safeguarding Trust

The Church of Ireland’s Code of Good Practice for Ministry with Children, Safeguarding Trust, states that:

“It is the policy of the Church of Ireland to set standards for the welfare of all children sharing its ministry with a view to protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.”

All parishes are required to comply with the policies and practices outlined in the Code. This requires that the Incumbent and Select Vestry form a Parish Panel, trained to implement Safeguarding Trust within the parish.

One of the Panel’s main functions is to act as the designated body for receiving reports of suspected child abuse.

Should you have a concern, suspicion or allegation regarding child welfare in the area of ministry to children in this parish please report directly to an appropriate person * and contact a member of the Parish Panel, listed below, who may also report directly to an appropriate person if the matter is within the panel’s remit.

*appropriate person means an appropriate person as defined in the Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 - a designated officer of the HSE (normally the duty social worker) or a member of An Garda Síochána.

The duty social worker or the child care manager in the HSE Child and Family Services area are designated officers.

The members of the Parish Panel for Drogheda, Ardee and Kilsaran Unions of parishes are:

1. The Revd Michael Graham, Rector
2. Ms. Jennifer Shaw
3. Mr. Leonard Hatrick
4. Ms. Shirley Murray
5. Mr. Victor Whyte

The duty social worker or child care manager may be contacted at the local HSE Child and Family Services offices (local health office).

Address: Wilton House, Stapleton Place, Dundalk
Tel: 042 939 2200

The above information is displayed for future reference in all churches and buildings within the Unions of Parishes.

Thank you

The Rector and Janet would like to thank you all most sincerely for your prayers and kind thoughts following his accident and her operation recently.

A special thank you to the Revds Joyce Moore and Albert Hempenstall for carrying the liturgical and pastoral burden while the Rector was laid up.