I’m at it again. I’m going to change the times of our worship services, beginning in several weeks. I am doing this for two reasons…
Read MoreRector's Musings
Occasional musings of the Rector.
Coming to church
It will be delightful to see people tomorrow at worship in Adare. We will begin at 10.30, with Morning Prayer. A few notes about coming to church…
Read MoreReturning to church amid Covid-19
We are delighted that we shall probably be able to worship together in church from 5th July. Because of the amount of work involved in making a church ready for worship amid a continuing risk of infection from Covid-19, for the moment only one church in our group of parishes will open: St. Nicholas, Adare, at 10:30am on Sundays. Everyone from any of the parishes is invited! Even though we can worship in person again, it would be wrong to expect to be back to ‘normal’ immediately; as long as the risk of infection remains, we need to change some of our ways of doing things.
Read MoreAll services cancelled
Upon advice and direction from the Bishop, I have decided to cancel all worship services, including the ones that we had planned to have in Adare on 22 and 29 March. As the Bishop pointed out, we would have to clean all the surfaces regularly, and we would not really be able to maintain 'social distancing’ in the church. So I am sorry to say that the services are cancelled.
Read MoreNotice from 13 March about cancellations
On 12 March, An Taoiseach issued new regulations and guidelines with respect to the coronavirus, Covid-19. We are facing a new situation that is changing each day, and so we are adapting.
As pointed out by our Bishop, we must all follow the advice from the HSE, which can be found HERE. This guidance is updated daily.
I have decided, after speaking with wardens and Lay Readers, and after hearing advice from our Bishop, to cancel the worship services in Croom, Kilpeacon, and Kilmallock on 15 March and for at least the next two weeks (through 29 March). …
Read MoreCovid-19: Lent is happening to us
Below is the sermon from St. Nicholas Church, Adare, on Sunday, 15 March 2020, the Sunday following restrictions being imposed on public gatherings in Ireland because of Covid-19.
My husband, Kirk, and I have a saying, or a joke, about the season of Lent. It is that Lent happens to you whether you plan for it to or not. Even if you had not thought of giving up something, or taking on something for Lent, Lent will still happen to you.
Right now, Lent is happening to us all. The purpose of Lent is to reveal to us what it is that gets between us and God, what in our lives needs to change, especially in our relationships with God and each other. Lent is happening to us because of the Covid-19 virus. Its appearance in Europe pretty much coincided with the beginning of Lent on February 26…
Read MoreChange in Sunday service times
I have gradually come to realise that the Sunday service times we have among our four parishes do not work as well as perhaps they did at one time. Adare, being at 12.00, is too late for having a Sunday school, and people are often rushing home for Sunday dinner. The optimum time for church seems to be at 10.00 or 10.30, but even these times can be difficult for some.
I have been talking with the Lay Readers and with each of the Select Vestries about making some changes to the usual schedule. Beginning in November, we will make some changes…
Read MoreSecond Fridays
On the second Friday of each month, we will hold some special event, generally a social outing or a special worship service. These events are for the entire Group of parishes. It is a way to get together and also a way to have occasional worship services at times other than Sunday mornings.
Read MoreCongregational singing
Recently I read an article by Keith Getty about congregational singing. The article is called "Keith Getty on why what your congregation sings THIS SUNDAY matters."
Read MoreSeeking singers for Music Group
Seeking enthusiastic singers to join a new music group for the parishes: You do not need to be able to read music. And you can be from any parish.
Read MoreNew Year's Eve service
In recent weeks, I have heard a number of people that they cannot wait for 2014 to be over. It has been a hard year for them. It has made me decide to offer a New Year’s Eve service, as a way to set aside the old year and look ahead to the new. I
Read MoreFifth Sundays: The New Practice
Here is what I am going to try out: On the 5th Sundays, each church will have Morning Prayer... In the evening, we will have some kind of special service. It might be in one of the churches; it might be in the Rectory. It might include an activity and/or refreshments. It will be a way for us all to get together, in a different way than we do on Sunday mornings.
Read More