Weddings
June 18th, 2004, Lynn Overend and Evan McIlmoyle in Ballyscullion
Parish Church
July 16th,
2004, Sarah Reilly and Robin Hudson in Ballyscullion Parish Church
July 28th, 2004, Andrew Overend and Kelly Moore in Maghera
Parish Church
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June 18th, 2004,Neville
Mawhinney and Laverne Black at Orritor Presbyterian Church, Cookctown
September 4th, 2004, Alison Overend and Dom
Greyer in Eskdale Parish church, Cumbria
February 5th, 2005,Denise
Overend and Alistair Arrell in Ballyscullion Parish Church |
Deaths
We extend our sympathies to all
those who have been bereaved since our last issue.
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Canon Reilly’s Retirement
function
Thursday, 20th January, 2005
Many parishioners attended the retirement
party which took place in the Primary School.
Jackson Frew was Master of ceremonies and
introduced an array of musical and literary talent from the Parish.
These included the Church Choir, Bellaghy Accordian Band, Sarah and
Robin Crockett, Laura Davidson, Jackson Frew, Donna Fullerton, Darren
Frew, Liam Bradley, Robert Overend and Richard Frew. We were
entertained with singing, poems, piano, flute, tin whistle, guitar,
bodran, Keyboard and lowland pipes.
Bob Overend spoke on behalf of the parish and expressed gratitude for
Canon Reilly’s 23 years of service in Bellaghy.
Gifts of a Coal Port Lady, flowers, a Tyrone crystal clock and a
watercolour of the Rectory were presented to Cynthia. Fred received a
framed copy of Richard Frew’s poem, a water colour painting of the
church (both paintings were by Mrs. R. Mulholland) and a wallet and
sum of money.
Canon Reilly, in reply, thanked the parish for their kindness and
looked forward to hanging the pictures in their home in Portstewart.
The evening concluded with a beautiful supper provided and served by
Mrs. Edith Blair and her team.
The select vestry, on behalf of the parish, wish to thank all those
artists who contributed to the evening, also the principal of Bellaghy
Primary and the Education Board for the use of the school, Mrs.
Margaret Johnston for her care-taking services, Mrs. Edith Blair and
her team, Bellaghy Masonic Lodge for the provision of some chairs and
all those who worked together and made the evening such a success.
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Here
are some of the more recent events attended by the members of the
Mothers’ Union.
March 14th
2005. They travelled to Maghera for a joint meeting
March 15th
They travelled to Tobermore for a talk entitled’ From goat to
garment’!
March 16th
They travelled to Castledawson for a cookery demonstration by the
Dairy Council for Northern Ireland.
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The
Church in the 21st Century
Rejesus is a UK
evangelistic website for people to explore Jesus, his followers and
what Christian faith means today. It is regarded as the 'best of the
web' by the BBC and the National Grid for Learning. Rejesus is a
charity whose members include many of the Christian denominations and
agencies.
Thousands of
people, who have little or no contact with church, want to know about
Jesus and the Christian faith because of a British web site and
postcards.
Around 1000 people
a day visited the evangelistic website www.rejesus.co.uk in 2004 and
it's estimated that at least 200 of these were 'enquirers' who are
seeking to explore and discover Christian faith for themselves.
"Rejesus has a
variety of creative content to suit different people and is accessible
evangelism because it invites people to look, discover and experience
in their own time, place and speed," said the Ven Robert Freeman,
chairman of rejesus.co.uk.
The website offers
follow-up help from the Christian Enquiry Agency (CEA), which received
record enquiries in 2004 exceeding 5000. Many of these came through
outreach initiatives such as the 'Why' response postcards placed in
cinemas during the showing of 'The Passion of the Christ' film and
'Life Issues' postcards tackling stress, forgiveness and love.
The cards have a
freepost response to CEA and an invitation to look at related content
on rejesus.co.uk.
CEA director Jeff
Bonser said, "We're thrilled with the response, especially as many of
those who contact us are men aged under 40 who have little or no link
with church."
The Agency also
offers prayer, details of local Alpha courses and contact with a local
Christian. "Hundreds of people took advantage of this last year and
it's great to receive stories of new found faith in Jesus and church
involvement," added Jeff.
For details of how
churches can use Rejesus and CEA in their outreach work, see
www.rejesus.co.uk and www.christianity.org.uk.
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Why Not?
Tune in to United Christian
Broadcasting, UCB E,Europe,on AM 549, 24/7
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Mark’s Gospel
Mark, the son of Mary, whose home in Jerusalem became a place of rest
for Jesus and his 12 apostles, is considered the traditional author of
the second gospel. He is also usually identified as the young man,
described in Mark 14.51, who followed Christ after his arrest and then
escaped capture by leaving his clothes behind.
Papias, in 130, said that in later years Mark became Peter's
interpreter. If so, then this close friendship would have been how
Mark gathered so much information about Jesus' life. Peter referred to
him affectionately as his 'son'.
Mark was also a companion to Paul on his journeys. When Paul was held
captive at Rome, Mark was with him, helping him.
Mark's Gospel, most likely written in Italy, perhaps in Rome, is the
earliest account we have of the life of Jesus.
Early in the 9th century Mark's body was brought to Venice, whose
patron he became, and there it has remained to this day. The symbol of
Mark as an evangelist, the lion, is much in evidence at Venice.
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Stop snoring – please!
National Stop
Snoring Week for 2005 is to be held 18 - 23 April. If that seems an
odd awareness 'week' to hold, it is because snoring is actually a
widespread and sometimes serious problem for people.
What makes that
ghastly sound, anyway? Snoring is made by vibrations of the soft
palate and other tissues of the mouth, nose and throat (upper airway).
It is caused by a partial blockage of the upper airway.
Who
snores? When we are awake we have sufficient muscle tone to keep the
airway open. When asleep we lose this muscle tone and the airway
narrows. This reduction of breathing space is not a problem for most
of us but for some it is the precondition for snoring. Snorers may
have an additional feature, which is an obstruction of some kind
somewhere between the Adam's-apple and the tip of the nose. This
blockage can be swollen tissue, congestion or a deformity.
Snoring Facts
41.5% of the UK
adult population snore.
There are
approximately 15 million snorers in the UK.
Snoring affects 30
million people in the UK.
There are 10.4
million males and 4.5 million females who snore
The ratio of male to
female snorers is 2.3:1
Figures from a
recent survey found men are louder snorers than women.
58% of snorers are
between 50-59 years of age
For more information
and help with problem snoring, please visit:
www.britishsnoring.co.uk
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The Growing
Church in the Acts of the Apostles
Samaria
The
martyrdom of Stephen prompted the next stage of growth
in the early church beyond Jerusalem. Believers were scattered
throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1), just as Jesus had
promised (1:8). For the first time the Christian church was
planted in non-Jewish soil. Significantly, the Samaritans had
a good deal in common with the Jews, including knowledge
of the Old Testament. Therefore, they could relate to Philip's
preaching of Jesus as the Messiah.
Our
'Samaria' mission will be to those who share a common culture and
understanding with us. This includes those on the fringe of our
church, or who have stopped attending church. According to current
figures, fringe attenders (approx. 10% of the population) attend
church 1-3 times in a two-month period. However, a further 20% have
left church for some reason, but are open to return if suitably
contacted and invited. In what ways could we reach out to such people?
What key
principles emerge from the mission to Samaria?
Spiritual
gifts
When the
people saw the miraculous signs that Philip did, they all paid close
attention to what he had to say (8:6). If we're prepared to exercise
God's gifts (e.g. prophecy, healing, deliverance,hospitality,
care), we too will find people who are open to the gospel.
Welcome
The church
leaders in Jerusalem came to lay hands on the new Samaritan believers,
and they received the Holy Spirit. This was no 'second blessing', but
recognition of the need for costly reconciliation between groups that
had been divided for centuries. As churches we need to welcome back
and integrate those who have left, by establishing entry points into
the life of the church, and effective welcome ministry on a Sunday.
There was
great joy in the city (8)! Are we good news for our neighbourhood?
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Visit to the re-hallowing of St. Thomas’ Church- Rathlin
Six members from
St. Tida’s set out on Saturday 3rd July, 2004 in response
to a private invitation to join with the small church of Ireland
congregation on Rathlin Island for the re-hallowing of their little
church beside the harbour.
The group had
chartered a fast boat out of Ballycastle and after a thrilling seven
mile trip on a choppy sea, arrived on Rathlin some 25 minutes later.
The weather, although forecast to be wet, was fine and dry. Being
early, the Bellaghy members strolled around past the old seaweed kiln
to view the dozens of basking seals which inhabit the shore in these
parts.
At noon the little
church of St. Thomas was packed for the service which was conducted by
the Bishop of Connor assisted by several visiting clergy, including
one all the way from Sweden. Apparently Swedish vikings had regularly
pillaged this church, eventually burning it down during a raid in 1038
AD! It has been rebuilt more than once but only now has electricity,
double glazing and heating been added for the first time. It has been
beautifully finished and is well placed to be the centre of Christian
worship for at least another century.
After having tea
and scones at a local house, the St. Tida’s party took a look at some
local building work and paid a visit to see the local Primary School
which presently has the grand total of 4 pupils! Older children have
to board on the mainland during the week to attend various Secondary
schools.
The return trip was
equally as exciting as the outward journey. Everyone agreed that
another visit would have to be organised for Bellaghy Parish to view
the many other delights of this famous off-shore island.
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Cutting Down Trees!
After many meetings
and discussions those branches of the Rectory trees, which were
overhanging the road, have been removed, thanks mainly to the work of
Wesley Davidson and Jackson Frew.
If you want to log
on (do you get it!) to photographs of the event,
click here
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Agricultural
Christian Fellowship
With the
farming year now underway,
did you
know that the Agricultural Christian
Fellowship (ACF) is open to all Christians
from all
branches of agriculture, horticulture
and
related activities?
ACF
helps its members to help one another and to promote evangelism in the
countryside. It was instrumental is the foundation of Farm Crisis
Network, which helps farmers and farming families in trouble. The ACF
has local groups in some areas of the country and is seeking to
develop more in other areas.
ACF
publishes a bulletin twice a year with news and articles of interest
to members. From time to time, through the Agriculture and Theology
Project (ATP) it produces particular publications about issues in
farming. For more info: 0116 255 1700 or email
acf@uccf.org.uk Visit the
website www.agriculturalchristianfellowship.org.uk
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Fill this
space by making a contribution to your
Church
Magazine
Contributions
can be hand written, on floppy disc
or e-mailed.
See either
Lorna Crockett, Sandra Overend or
Victor
Overend.
Your Magazine
needs YOU! |
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Good
likeness
Some
children were asked: “What do you think of Jesus?”
“Jesus,”
said one little boy, “is the best photograph God ever had taken.”
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Sunday School
The Sunday
School meets every Sunday at 10.30 in the Church. Mrs. Yvonne
Davidson and
Mrs. Helen
McQuillan teach the classes which recommence after Easter on April
10th.
If you
have a child who would like to start Sunday School contact Yvonne on
79386810
Chocolate – food of the
gods!
Over the
Easter period many of us will over indulge in
Chocolate.
This short passage reminds us of the pros
and cons of
chocolate. ENJOY!
Did you know
that the botanical name for the cocoa bean is
Theobroma –
which means 'food of the gods'?
Millions of us
obviously think chocolate is special –
half a million
tons of it are consumed in Britain each year alone.
Certainly many
of us find that chocolate makes us feel better. Some scientists
believe that this is due to the chemicals it contains. These
trigger the release of endorphins similar to those we naturally
produce when we fall in love.
But
nutritionists warn against using chocolate as a pick-me-up,
especially in the evening. Chocolate eaten before bed-time can
cause blood glucose levels to plummet during the night, which will
disrupt your sleep. Chocolate eaten in quantity every day can lead
to mood and energy swings, weight gain and poor immunity. If you
have mad cravings for it, you could have a problem with blood
sugar, or a deficiency in magnesium, copper, zinc or iron.
But occasional
consumption of cocoa can provide medical benefits. Chocolate
containing 60 per cent or more cocoa solids is rich in essential
trace elements and nutrients such as iron, calcium and potassium,
and many vitamins. Cocoa is also the highest natural source of
magnesium.
Good as all
this may be – most of us enjoy chocolate because of its high sugar
and caffeine content. Chocolate simply gives you an instant sugar
hit, providing a sudden burst in energy, unfortunately followed by
a slump and the desire for another sugar-fix.
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Just One Step
One
step won't get you very far –
You've got to keep on walking.
One
word won't tell folks who you are –
You've got to keep on talking.
One
foot won't make you very tall –
You've got to keep on growing.
One
trip to church won't tell you all –
You've got to keep on going!
Anon
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The Plight of The Farmer
by Mary E. McBride (contributed by Ivor Milligan)
Permission to print kindly granted by Mrs.
McBride
Only the
first section is provided here as it is 15 verses long!. If you
want to read it all see Ivor.
My Father, in Heaven, I’m
coming,
To seek Thee with all of my
heart,
For I’m just a poor farmer’s son,
Lord, ,
Who goes with his dad to the
Mart.
Some years ago now, Heavenly father,
The price of the cattle was
high,
But the market’s collapsed
altogether,
And that I can say is no
lie!
When my daddy he first started farming
Sure
the thing it was going so well,
He flourished so much in those days
Lord
And lived by neither clock nor by
bell.
Aye, he worked full six days in the
week,Lord
And oft on the Sabbath day too,
Too busy for church on the Sunday,
There was so much he just had to do!
The Bank people told my dear daddy,
He could borrow and borrow
away,
To help him get bigger and
better
And prepare for a much brighter
day.
He heeded the advice he was
given,
And borrowed the pounds, not a few,
And now we’re in debt to the neck,
Lord,
And to whom can I turn but to
you.
My mother was cautious as ever
She personally did not like debt,
Be careful what you owe to any
In case your bills can’t be met.
But daddy he looked at the neighbours,
And thought of all that they had-
The increase in land by the acre,
And modern machinery – not bad!
Yes, then he’d a family tothink
of,
And a son coming home to the farm,
He must plan and prepare for the
future,
And surely in that was no
harm.
But now my dear Father in
Heaven,
You see the great mess that we’re
in,
For the sheep and the pigs in the
pen,Lord,
Make so little you really can’t
win.
A heifer was sold in the mart Lord
On Monday last week, I am told,
And my heart does break when I tell you,
That for sixty-five pounds it was sold.
Yes, a pen full of pigs at the market
Made
only a few pounds on that day,
And some fine old sheep, past their best, Lord
Could hardly be given away.
The poem
suggests things aren’t going too well. If you want to find out how
everyone finished up then ask Ivor!
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Grass Cutting
Yes! It’s that time again.
Last year a hard-working band of Parishioners kept the Graveyard
grounds neat and tidy, spending many hours cutting and clearing away
grass. Hopefully this important task will also be well supported this
year.
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The Masters
If Bernhard Langer
has a favourite golf course it is probably the Augusta National, venue
of the US Masters.
The Masters is
unique among golf's majors in that
it is always played
at the same course, while the other majors use a
different course
each year.
The 2005 US Masters,
which takes place 7-10 April, will be Bernhard's 23rd Masters. His
achievement of making the cut [in professional golf only the top 60 or
so players qualify for the final two rounds of a four round tournament
and only they make money] 19 years in succession is only 4 short of
Gary Player's record.
He won the
tournament twice – in 1985 and 1993. He made a reference to God after
both wins but in a rather different way!
When the Masters is
over, the winner has to do a live TV interview in the Butler cabin.
The green jacket – the traditional winner's prize – is presented and
then the winner is asked a few questions. Bernhard was asked, 'Did you
look at the leader-board? Did you know what was going on in the
tournament?'
He replied, 'I was
trying not to look but I saw it for the first time at the ninth and I
thought, “Jesus Christ, I am playing well and I am four shots behind!”
When he got home, he
was amazed at the reaction and the letters he received from a lot of
people saying that he had offended them, and that he should think
twice before using the name of God so casually.
The 1993 Masters
finished on Easter Sunday. As usual Bernhard was taken into the Butler
cabin for the live TV interview. The first question he was asked was
how the first Masters win compared with the second. He answered, 'It's
a great honour to win the greatest tournament in the world, and
especially on Easter Sunday, the day my Lord was resurrected.'
He said later, “ In
saying those words, which went round the world on live television, I
hope I was able to make up for my shortcomings in 1985 by saying
something more positive. Having the opportunity of sharing with the
world my faith in Jesus Christ was, for me, a unique situation
“In 1985 when I said
'Jesus Christ', I didn't mean anything by it. I wasn't a Christian at
the time and I just said 'Jesus Christ' without thinking – it was just
an expression of surprise that everyone used. Don't forget too that
English isn't my first language and that in those days my English was
a lot worse than it is now. Now, as a Christian, I would see it as
being disrespectful to the name of God, but at that time without
thinking I just said it on national television”.
The contrast between
the two is striking. The difference came ironically a week after the
first Masters win when Bernhard went to a Bible Study on the golf
tour. As he recalls it was a life-changing day, “I was amazed to
realise that the only way to have eternal life was through Jesus
Christ – that He died for our sins. And that it was not through worthy
deeds or good behaviour that one received eternal life, because we can
never live up to God's standard. We will always fall short.
“Jesus Christ
stopped me in my tracks with his words, 'You must be reborn to enter
the kingdom of God.' Since that day in 1985, my faith has played a big
part in my life. It puts my priorities in a different order. Before I
became a Christian my priorities were all about me and doing well on
the golf course. Now my first priority is pleasing God, second is my
family and golf only third”.
By Stuart Weir of Christians in
Sport
www.christiansinsport.org.u
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Of all
the folktales that circulated in Europe in the centuries past none was
more widespread or popular than that surrounding Dr Faustus.
Supposedly a brilliant German alchemist, living in the early 16th
century, he began to delve into witchcraft and finally made a pact
with the Devil. For twenty-four years he would have everything he
wanted but at the end of that time the Devil would claim his soul.
The story was popularised in England by Christopher Marlowe in 1604,
in his Dr Faustus, and in Germany, two centuries later, in Johann
Goethe’s Faust.
The
Devil kept his promise and for twenty-four years Faust enjoyed fame,
knowledge and the satisfaction of every desire. But the years rolled
quickly by and Faustus was gripped with terrible foreboding as the end
drew near. On his last night he met a fearful death as the Devil
claimed his soul for damnation. The drama attracted an artist who
committed it to canvas. He depicted Faustus and the Devil playing
chess and he entitled it ‘Checkmated.’ The game is over and the Devil
has won. He gloats across the chess table at the doomed Faust whose
face is rigid with terror.
The
picture hung in a French gallery and many people came to see it. One
day a great
master
of the game came to view it. He gazed at it intently for hour after
hour. Suddenly the silence was broken by his cry, ‘It’s lie! The
game is not over! The king has another move!’ The chess master saw
what everyone else had missed. In the picture Faustus still has his
king. The king can yet bring victory out of seeming disaster.
On the
first Easter, the enemies of Jesus were jubilant. The chief priests,
the scribes and the Pharisees, had all conspired to put him to death.
How they hated Him! He had done mighty works. He had healed the
sick; he had cast out demons from the tormented; he had calmed the
storms and raised the dead. But they rejected Him, branded Him a
blasphemer and brought about his arrest, trial and execution.
The
Romans, thinking Him just another rabble-rousing nationalist, were
glad to see him dead. So the Jews and the Romans celebrated while the
body of Jesus lay on the cold slab in Joseph’s grave. They had
triumphed! He was gone! He was dead! He was buried! He would not
come back! His followers were scattered. He would soon be
forgotten. The brief story of Jesus of Nazareth had ended in the
tomb.
But
they were all wrong! wrong!! wrong!!! The game was not over! The
king had another move! The King of Heaven raised His Son Jesus from
death, to live forever in the power of an endless life. And
Christians have been celebrating that great event for two thousand
years! But there’s more! In all our lives, in every difficulty, in
every need, in every heartbreak, in all of life’s darkest hours – our
King is with us. And He always has another move!
by the
Revd Dr Herbert McGonigle, Senior Lecturer in Historical Theology &
Church History, Nazarene Theological College, Manchester.
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Thanks
Many thanks to all those who
contributed to this edition of the Church Magazine. It was good team
work and definitely a ’ HOLD THE FRONT PAGE’
edition!
Looking forward to the input for our next issue.
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