IN TOUCH – November 2020
The Occasional Newsletter
of
Drogheda, Ardee and Kilsaran Unions of Parishes
With Level 3 and then Level 5 restrictions, our churches on this side of the Border are closed. (In our Rural Deanery, Creggan, in South Armagh, remains open) Parish activities are on hold, Vestry meetings are either postponed or on Zoom.
Except for online, there are no upcoming services for November, all we can hope is that Christmas services can go ahead as usual. No, not as usual: how can we accommodate the large numbers for the carol services? And then there is the COVID commandment (recommendation, guideline): thou shalt not sing. We will worship God, but differently.
We are going to try an online nativity, within Safeguarding Trust guidelines and technological limitations. The purpose of it is to tell the story of The Fall, the Promise of Redemption, the Birth of the Redeemer. This is why we worship. We will use the voices of our children, the pictures that they have drawn and Ian M’s technological expertise.
We hope to have almost 50 children from our parish family each taking a tiny part. To tie it all together, we will need to revise our deadline and move it back to 15 November: anything received after that can’t be used. DV, the service will be online for 13 December.
There are changes that have little to do with COVID-19:
One is the retirement of the Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral. I have had the privilege of working with him for almost nine years. There are many people in this area who join me in thanking him for all he has done and in wishing him a happy, healthy and a busy retirement.
Another is the appointment of The Rev’d Captain Geoffrey Walmsley, Dundalk Group, as Rector of Milltown, (Diocese of Armagh). Geoffrey’s institution will be on 24th November. The Dundalk Group will be sad to see him go. We wish him and his family every blessing in their new ministry.
In our prayers, we will remember:
Our Church as we try to worship in new ways
The Dundalk Group as they begin the anxious time before a new rector is appointed
The people of the USA, as they vote for their next President
All who are anxious, lonely or ill at this time.
Our frontline workers, that modern army risking their lives so that others might be safe.
PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY
God of holiness, your glory is proclaimed in every age: as we rejoice in the faith of your saints, inspire us to follow their example with boldness and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rev’d Canon Joyce Moore
CONCERTS AT ST. PETER’S
Fri 13 November 2020 7:30PM
Fionnuala Moynihan piano, violin (TBC), Aoife Nic Athlaoich cello
Beethoven Piano Trio No. 7 in B-flat major (Op. 97) ‘Archduke’
As the entire country is on Level 5 Covid Restrictions there will be no audience attendance for this concert. Drogheda Classical Music have been permitted to present this event for online access only.
This concert will be streamed via Vimeo and available to watch from Saturday 14th November (€10) More information and link to watch is available from www.droghedaclassicalmusic.com
Thurs 10 December 2020 7:30PM
Gary Beecher piano, Gavan Ring tenor
An evening of opera, song and seasonal favourites
(Up to date details in December’s In Touch )
CONTRIBUTIONS TO IN TOUCH
If you have any contributions/noteworthy dates which you would like included in In Touch please email details to hazelspearman@icloud.com
Clergy
The Rev’d Iain Jamieson, Tel: (041) 9870073/ 083 8640133
The Rectory, Drogheda Email: i.jamieson@hotmail.com
The Rev’d Canon Joyce Moore Tel: (041) 6851327/087 7468866
Dunleer, Co. Louth Email: am.drogheda@armagh.anglican.org
