Dear Beloved Community,

I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1–2

Lent is a season of truth telling. We tell ourselves what the world shies away from saying, that we are but dust and that we need grace. Grace is the lens through which we view the cross. Grace reminds us that no matter how self-important we may feel, we are broken, and we are not able to save ourselves. That’s what it means to have a ‘contrite heart’. Its an acknowledgement of our own fragility and our need for God.

It’s not cause for pessimism, but it’s the beginning of freedom. We free ourselves from the myth of perfectionism and the illusion that we can do it ourselves. It’s an invitation to reach out to a loving father who embraces us as we are and not as we think we should be.

Lord God Almighty, we thank you for giving us your grace and constant help. In your grace we can be joyful, praising and honoring you. You are our father. You never forsake us. May your name be praised above and in the whole world so that all people may acknowledge you and receive what they need from you. Amen.

Blessings

Rev Rob

Service for Sunday 3rd March.

  • 8:30am:  Holy Communion.
  • 9:45am: Sunday Morning in the Gathering Grounds.
  • 11:00am: Morning Prayer.

Sunday Sermons Available online – If you missed Sunday’s sermon, you can access it here – https://kilternanparish.ie/talks/.

The best way to keep in touch with what is happening is on the website. Details here:

Easter Vestry 11th March 2024.

Please note that our annual Easter Vestry is on the 11th March at 8pm. This is an opportunity to look back at some of the accomplishments of the year past and to look at some of our goals for the year ahead.

Notes for this Week

World Day of Prayer

We are delighted to hold the Women’s World Day of Prayer in our church on Friday, 1 March at  7:30pm

The program was written by a group of ecumenical Christian Palestinian women in response to the passage from Ephesians 4:1-7. We reflected collectively on this theme from the context of our suffering as Palestinian Christian women. We hope to inspire other women around the world to bear with one another in love during troubled times.

We would love a good turn out from the parish community, so I hope you will come along!

Midweek Communion

There is a service of Holy Communion this Tuesday at 11:45am in the Meeting Room. All welcome.

Taizé Prayer Service on Tuesdays

During the season of lent there will be a short service of prayer with Taizé song from the choir using that ancient order of Compline.  It is in the church every Tuesday at 7:30pm.

The (unanswered) Prayer Course

The third session is this Sunday 3rd March at 7.30pm. There will be music from the band and discussion. All are welcome so do come along and you can find all the dates for Sunday Nights here:  https://kilternanparish.ie/whats-on/. There are five sessions designed to help small groups explore the hardest and most personal questions we all ask about prayer.  If you missed the first that is no problem. Each session has its own theme. Join us for some tea, coffee and talk as we explore this great topic.

Lent in a Bag – Pause, Pray & Reflect

During our All2gether Worship yesterday we launched ‘Lent in A Bag’ for both ‘Adults and Teens’ and ‘Families & Children’.  “Lent in a Bag” equips you with symbols of the season of Lent, to help you have prayer or conversation at home. For your own devotion, use the symbols to reflect on as you make your way through the season of Lent. It’s a simple idea suitable for anyone to use alone, as a weekly devotion or with others. It comes with a short booklet of how to use the bag. There are still some bags available in the Gathering Grounds. The ‘Adult & Teens’ Booklet is also available. You will find them on the shelves above the high tables just outside the Meeting Room. For further information text Lynn 087 695 7061 or send her an email cfm@kilternanparish.ie

Play Café Gets OWT!

Wow, we were blown away by the number who joined us last week – 41 families in total for a time of child-led, open-ended play, and an opportunity for the grown-ups to have a catch-up. We are fully booked for this week. We always run a cancellation list as we always have last minute spaces become available, so contact Lynn should you wish to join the list.  Our Gruffalo inspired play activities continue this week -Gruffalo Crumble, Owl Ice Cream, Scrambled Snake, Roasted Fox and lots more. The Gruffalo Café will be open for role play and for those little ones who enjoy movement in their play they can tip toe through the deep dark wood on our sensory walk, roll pine cones and build somewhere to hide from the Gruffalo.  Soft play and loose parts area on the mat is suitable for babies and older siblings. Use or lemon and myrtle scented homemade playdough to make your own Gruffalo before enjoying our popular story and singing time. For more information contact Lynn 087 695 7061.

‘Plates for Palestine’ – Play Café’ Supports Shine a Light Campaign

Our Hand Painted Ceramic Plates is an annual fundraiser, to mark Mother’s Day or another a precious memory, while raising money for a chosen charity. These will be available to have made, again this week during Play Café.

We will be supporting ‘Shine A Light Campaign’. For those who would like to have a ceramic paint made of their child/ren’s hand or footprint, we ask that you make a suggested donation of €10.  For more information contact Lynn 087 695 7061

Bumps & Babes

Every Wednesday morning the couches in the Gathering Grounds are reserved for our ‘Bumps & Babes’ group from 10am -11.30am. A group for parents, and parents to be. An informal, friendly meet-up to enjoy a cuppa in company, relax, chat and meet others in the community. So, if you’re expecting or have a baby from newborn to pre-walking, we invite you to come alone or bring a friend. It’s an opportunity to get out of the house with your little ones and enjoy some adult conversation. There’s no need to book! For more information contact Julie gatheringgrouns@kilternanparish.ie or Lynn

Kitchen Table Project Update

The Kitchen Table Project supports family centred faith formation. We are in Week 7 since launching the initiative in the parish, encouraging and inspiring families. nurture and grow faith at home in the everyday. Each week we send an email to those signed up, with a simple idea to use during the week with your family. If you think this is something you are interested in, or the time now feels right for your family to join in, you can get in touch with Rob or Lynn, and we’ll get you signed up. Let’s pass on a vibrant faith to the next generation.

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