Killiskey

Stephanie McDonald died on 15th August 2021. She was Principal of Nun’s Cross National School for over twenty years and played a prominent role on the Select Vestry of the parish. In Nun’s Cross church and in her family home parish of Lorum, Co Carlow she will be remembered in the prayers on Sunday 14th August 2022.

The church will be open during Heritage Week. Patricia Butler plans to give a tour each day at 3pm and a YouTube video based on her book “Nun’s Cross Church and its Treasures” will be available to view. The dates are Saturday, August 13th and Sunday, 14th August also the following weekend August 20th and August 21st.  If at all possible, we would be grateful for help from 10.30 a.m.- 5 p.m. each Saturday and on Sundays from 2.30 – 5 p.m. If you are available to help with this venture, please let Patricia know.

The Table Tennis club meets in East Glendalough School on Thursdays from 7.30pm—9pm.

A parish barbecue is being planned for Sunday 11th September and will take place after the end of the morning service in the grounds of the school. Further details will follow.

A recent report confirmed that not only is Ireland failing to achieve its targeted rate of carbon emission reduction but, worse still, emissions have increased. The spotlight is currently on farming as it emits more than any other single industry. The demand to reduce the herd size is not necessarily as easy as it sounds. For years, farmers were incentivised to intensify their farming efforts and, with the demise of quotas, to increase herd size. Such a policy cannot be undone overnight. Progress is being made in certain quarters: for example, in trials Prof Gilliland from UCD has achieved a 26% reduction in carbon output from cattle by planting herbs and clover instead of using artificial fertiliser. The animals thrive, reach market weight sooner and produce less methane. The increase in the cost of fertilisers has caused some farmers to reduce their rate of application, without a decrease in productivity. The aim now must be to find a way to reduce farming’s overall carbon output countrywide, whilst also maintaining farmers’ livelihoods. The technology exists, now the will and the correct advice and incentives are required. Meanwhile, everyone else can strive to reduce their own carbon footprint. The rate of climate change is accelerating, we need to halt it.

 

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.

Please pray for:

 

*The Lambeth Conference. It is an international meeting of Anglican bishops which a number of Church of Ireland bishops are attending. It lasts from 26th July until 8th August. The conference theme is ‘God’s Church for God’s World – walking, listening and witnessing together.’ The conference will explore what it means for the Anglican Communion to be responsive to the needs of a 21st Century world.

 

*The witness of our church and church members in our local community.

 

*A wise choice in the UK of their new Prime Minister.

 

*Children commencing national and secondary schools.

 

*Awareness and conscious examination of our lifestyles and their environmental impact.

 

*All involved in care ministries, including hospital staff and social workers.

We need more help with cleaning and arranging flowers for the church and with organising tea/coffee for the end of services. We are very grateful to those who help the church in these ways but would like to spread these tasks more widely. Rotas are posted on the church notice board in the porch and beside the font.  Please sign up if you can!

Nun’s Cross National School re-opens on Wednesday 31st August.

A retiring collection will be organised in support of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) at the back of Nun’s Cross church on 14th and 21st August. Please try and support this worthy cause.