On Sunday 26th, we also heard a report from the latest Dublin Monthly Meeting, and were again urged to attend whenever possible, as the range of topics which are discussed are regularly full of interest and variety.
The meeting listened to a report from the 'Eco Congregation Ireland' - something that we have covered earlier here.
The future of Edenderry Meeting House was also discussed. This old building - on an even more ancient site - now has few members. There is nothing new in that however, as throughout its long history there has never been a particularly large congregation. Various plans were discussed in order to keep the meeting house alive, including other Meetings taking it in turns to hold their own meetings there. Currently the meeting house is open for worship at 11.30 on the last Sunday of every month.
The Nominations Committee reported on new nominations to the Tea, Finance and to the Nominations Committee itself.
The death notice for Vernon Thomas Vincent Drapes was announced, and the birth notice for Lloyd Robert Simpson.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
This Week's Reading
Today we're able to show some art work and some written pieces made during sunday school on the theme of 'helping', the children talked about the topics that they had been studying at the end of the meeting. First of all we have the vivid and somewhat mysterious tree (above) and a piece about Elizabeth Fry...
...and er, I've forgotten what this goalkeeper(?) represents, saving maybe?!
..and the beginning of the story of Abraham:
Next week's Reading:
4th Query for Serious Consideration
Is your way of life in keeping with the teaching of Jesus? Do you watch against conformity to commonly-accepted standards, and against the love of ease and self-indulgence which hinders your spiritual growth and service for Christ?
Luke 18: 7-14; The Pharisee and the tax collector
Lk:18:7: And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8: I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
9: And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11: The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12: I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Lk:18:7: And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8: I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
9: And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11: The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12: I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Today we're able to show some art work and some written pieces made during sunday school on the theme of 'helping', the children talked about the topics that they had been studying at the end of the meeting. First of all we have the vivid and somewhat mysterious tree (above) and a piece about Elizabeth Fry......and er, I've forgotten what this goalkeeper(?) represents, saving maybe?!
..and the beginning of the story of Abraham:
4th Query for Serious Consideration
Is your way of life in keeping with the teaching of Jesus? Do you watch against conformity to commonly-accepted standards, and against the love of ease and self-indulgence which hinders your spiritual growth and service for Christ?
Friday, September 10, 2010
Celebrate and Care for the Earth this Creation Time!
A message from ECI - Eco Congregation Ireland:
Faith communities in Ireland are being urged to join with Christians throughout the globe during Creation Time in celebrating creation and considering how they care for the earth. The theme of this year's Creation Time, which falls on 1st September to 4th October, is "Creation Flourishing - A Time for Celebration and Care".
In the wake of BP's disastrous oil spill, Eco Congregation Ireland (ECI) hopes that people will take time to consider the impact of human activity on the environment as well as celebrating the beauty of the natural world and promoting sustainable lifestyles.
"Everytime we allow any species or habitat to become extinct through greed or carelessness, we remove something unique of God's self-revelation in Creation," says ECI chairperson, Catherine Brennan SSL.
We would ask you to share the following prayer with your meetings one Sunday during Creation Time. Also to consider practical initiatives you could undertake in your meetings e.g. planting fruit trees, organising a litter pick, teaching environmental awareness in Sunday School etc. (Earthcare for Friends published by Quaker Earthcare Witness is an excellent resource.)
Prayer:
All creation comes from you, O God, and you have invited us to be its stewards. Give us eyes to see Your handiwork in every creature, give us love for the whole of creation. The whole earth is full of Your glory, O God, help us to live compatibly with our environment. Show us creative ways to live simply and to conserve the earth's natural resources for future generations. For the gifts of light, life and love are yours, now and for ever and from age to age. Amen.
Eco Congregation Ireland is an inter-denominational project that encourages churches to adopt an eco approach to worship, lifestyle, community outreach and contact with the developing world. The Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian churches are involved as well as the Religious Society of Friends. It offers resources and practical suggestions for faith communities and indiviual Christians who wish to live out their vocation to care for God's Creation as part of their Christian faith. For further info see:
www.ecocongregationireland.org
Faith communities in Ireland are being urged to join with Christians throughout the globe during Creation Time in celebrating creation and considering how they care for the earth. The theme of this year's Creation Time, which falls on 1st September to 4th October, is "Creation Flourishing - A Time for Celebration and Care".
In the wake of BP's disastrous oil spill, Eco Congregation Ireland (ECI) hopes that people will take time to consider the impact of human activity on the environment as well as celebrating the beauty of the natural world and promoting sustainable lifestyles.
"Everytime we allow any species or habitat to become extinct through greed or carelessness, we remove something unique of God's self-revelation in Creation," says ECI chairperson, Catherine Brennan SSL.
We would ask you to share the following prayer with your meetings one Sunday during Creation Time. Also to consider practical initiatives you could undertake in your meetings e.g. planting fruit trees, organising a litter pick, teaching environmental awareness in Sunday School etc. (Earthcare for Friends published by Quaker Earthcare Witness is an excellent resource.)
Prayer:
All creation comes from you, O God, and you have invited us to be its stewards. Give us eyes to see Your handiwork in every creature, give us love for the whole of creation. The whole earth is full of Your glory, O God, help us to live compatibly with our environment. Show us creative ways to live simply and to conserve the earth's natural resources for future generations. For the gifts of light, life and love are yours, now and for ever and from age to age. Amen.
Eco Congregation Ireland is an inter-denominational project that encourages churches to adopt an eco approach to worship, lifestyle, community outreach and contact with the developing world. The Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian churches are involved as well as the Religious Society of Friends. It offers resources and practical suggestions for faith communities and indiviual Christians who wish to live out their vocation to care for God's Creation as part of their Christian faith. For further info see:
www.ecocongregationireland.org
Meeting for Worship 5.09.10
Today's Reading - the third query for serious consideration:
Do you gather together at Meetings for Worship in expectant waiting on God, prepared to share experiences and insights? Are these Meeting occasions, when, by the help of the Holy Spirit you are enabled unitedly to worship God? Are you open to the promptings of the Spirit, and sensitive to one another's needs, whether your response be in silent worship or through the spoken word?
Next Week's Reading:
Adrienne Rich: The Dream of a Common Language
Adrienne Rich is a present-day American poet, essayist and feminist - her poem can't be reproduced here for copyright reasons.
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