October 2024 Newsletter

The October edition of the Parish newsletter.

Table of Contents

Rector’s Address

This is the time of year when we celebrate Harvest and ‘celebrate’ is not only what we do – but what we should do. Why?

One of the great attractions at an Agricultural Show is the opportunity to showcase the best and the finest—whether it be four-legged or the produce of the earth. If we bring the finest and best to a Show, isn’t it ever more fitting that we should bring the finest and best to offer to our Creator God?

Harvest Festivals, hymn singing, and the produce of the land seem to naturally go together. As the ever-popular hymn “O Lord my God” proclaims: “When I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand has made.”

For some reason, we tend to shy away from having live animals, birds, and creatures of the seas, rivers, and lakes in our churches for Harvest! The displays of fruit, vegetables, and flowers represent the finest of the year’s harvest. But of course, they do much more than this—they represent the toil, sweat, and tears that have gone into growing and producing such fine produce. At a commercial level, An Bord Bia and others promote the excellence of what is produced in the Agri sector in this country, with the emphasis being on quality and traceability.

Jesus said to his disciples (Matthew 9:37-38): “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

The bringing and displaying of the fruit of the earth is important, but even more important is the number of God’s children throughout the world that need care, food, and genuine love. This Harvest Festival Season, we will be making a donation to an overseas charity from the church collections to assist in bringing relief to those who hunger and thirst and long for shelter. We are also seeking donations of non-perishable food items at each Harvest Festival Service for the work of St. Vincent de Paul.

Wishing one and all a Harvest Season filled with thanksgiving for the beauty and the bounty of the earth. We look forward to seeing you at one or more of our Harvest Festival Services as detailed in this newsletter.

Niall
Rev’d Niall Stratford

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October Church Services

Please note the dates for the parish Harvest Festivals. It is a wonderful tradition to invite family, relations, friends, and neighbors to these celebrations.

Sunday Club is on the first, second, and fourth Sunday of October. The Family Service is on the third Sunday in Cloughleagh.

October Services

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November Church Services 2024

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Harvest Festivals

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Baptism Photos

image Alistair Jude Draper with his parents Jeffrey and Ciara at his Baptism.

image Hollie Elizabeth Evelyn Eager with her parents Thomas and Fiona and big brothers, Joshua, Noah and Jesse.

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Candlelight Walk

The Candlelight Walk is back, and will take place on Sunday the 27th of October at 6pm in Russborough. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to this great event!

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MONSTER Quiz Night

These notes are being prepared in advance of the Parish Quiz Night on Saturday 28 September. Accordingly, we are not in a position to report on this event. However, we can say that there has been a wonderful response, and all is in hand for a truly enjoyable evening. A full report on this event will follow in next month’s Newsletter.

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Children’s Ministry

It is most exciting to witness the enthusiasm of our young children in attending and participating in Sunday Club and the Family Service. We are most grateful to the Sunday Club Leaders for their time in preparing and delivering the various activities at each Sunday Club Service.

At the time of preparation of this Newsletter, preparations are advanced regarding the Start of the School Year Service for Blessington No. 1 School on Friday 27 September 2024.

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