Killiskey

Please consider renewing or beginning your financial commitment to Killiskey Parish by way of Planned Giving. By doing this you can maximise the amount of money received by the Parish and greatly assist the Parish to meet its financial commitments. Planned Giving is making a pledge to donate an amount of money regularly over the course of the year whether weekly, monthly, quarterly or by a single donation. Under the tax regulations, the Parish, as a registered charity, can obtain a tax refund from the government for recorded donations from tax payers (PAYE and Self-Assessment) who contribute a minimum of €250 in the tax year. This is the equivalent of €4.81 per week. The parish can claim a further approx. 45% of the amount donated from the government. Cash donations on the plate, while very gratefully received, are not eligible for a tax refund. If you are contributing more than €250 over the course of the year through this method, you might like to consider Planned Giving.

Planned Giving can be done in any one of the following ways:

*The envelope system enables parishioners to donate regular cash amounts which can be recorded for tax refund purposes. Envelopes can be obtained from the churchwardens.

*By setting up a standing order with your bank for a minimum donation of €5 per week (or monthly or quarterly equivalent).

*A donation or donations totalling at least €250 can be made directly to the Parish Treasurer, Scott Golden, Malvern House, The Glebe, Wicklow Town.

In current circumstances, it is not possible to hold an Easter General Vestry. The existing Select Vestry, including churchwardens and glebewardens, will remain in place. As soon as circumstances permit, the General Vestry meeting will be held and a new Select Vestry elected.

The Church Review was published online in April and will be in May. Lesley Rue will organise to send these out by email. If you don’t have email, please let her know (087-2810478) and she will organise a printed copy to be delivered to your home.

Revd Jack and our area youth worker, Stephen Byford, are continuing to keep in touch with Youth in national and secondary schools via Zoom. If you would like further information please contact Jack.

All but the last session, plus a refresher, for this year’s Confirmation Group was completed before the lockdown. However, the confirmation service which was due to take place on 4th April had to be postponed

The friendship group which operates within the joint parishes has been suspended during the current emergency.

Covid19 has had dramatic effects on all our lives. We currently live in a world of divides: healthy vs sick; working vs not working leading to those with no spare time vs those with time on their hands; apartment dwellers vs those with gardens; those with desperate financial worries vs those still being paid. No matter which bracket we are in, we all need to mind our mental health. The numbers of people walking and enjoying fresh air have soared. The importance of family has been thrown into sharp focus, with frantic attempts to bring far-flung loved ones home; family members are now spending more time together than they normally ever do, often reverting to pastimes of a bygone age (colouring books, jigsaw puzzles, board games, walking). Maybe we can learn to live a less materialistic life? Meanwhile mobile phones and social media are playing a crucial role in connecting people. Now is a good time for people at home to grow vegetables (even in pots indoors) and take solace from nature as they have the time to appreciate the joys spring can bring us. A slower life style may reboot our souls.

 

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. Psalm 29:10

God, our God,
King over all, including this chaos.
You are always enthroned on high; You are always king.
You alone are sovereign over this world you have made.
In a time when we groan with uncertainty,
when we are overwhelmed by the invisible flood of pandemic and panic,
Be king.
Be king over nations, and governments.
Be king over sickness and death.
Be king over communities and families.
Be king over me.
Be king over the floods around me and the floods in me.
For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Esther Simpson, Down & Dromore Diocesan Reader