Dear parishioners and friends,

Our April family service takes place this morning (Sunday 28 April) at 10:45 and at this service we will celebrate the baptism of Alexander Sebastian Forsyth. We warmly welcome his parents Rob and Caoimhe and his Godparents Linda and David and the extended family to Monkstown Church this morning. There will be refreshments available at the back of the church following the service. Please do join us.

New Organist:           We are delighted to welcome Ms Natalie Box, our new organist, who joins us for the first time this Sunday morning. We hope and trust she will be very happy with us in the years ahead. Please do welcome her warmly and introduce yourself to her!

Monkstown Tidy District:  Our annual Bring and Buy sale will take place on Saturday 27 April starting at 10:00 in the Knox Hall, Monkstown. This sale will feature plants, cakes, bottles, books, toys, good as new items. We especially welcome contributions of plants and cakes. This is a great time to take cuttings and pot up surplus plants from your garden.  We will also have information on biodiversity and environmental awareness. Proceeds will be used to support our work keeping Monkstown clean, green and beautiful.

Memorial Recital:            A special memorial recital in memory of our late organist Raymond Russell will take place on Saturday 15 June at 4:00pm in the church, organised by Church Music Dublin. The event is open to all ACCM students and the choir of Monkstown Parish Church. It will include a welcome by the rector, various organ pieces played by the students of the ACCM, the presentation of certificates by Phyllis Whyte, Raymond’s sister, and possibly an anthem. The details are still under discussion, but the choir members may like to keep the date free.

Bishops’ Appeal:     Bishops’ Appeal donations may be placed in a Bishops’ Appeal envelope and placed on the collection plate or in the basket at the door. Please use one of the envelopes for this appeal. The appeal will continue through the season of Easter until Sunday 12 May. The Bishops’ Appeal funds are sent to the diocesan office and allocations from the fund are made to relief agencies and charities around the world for humanitarian purposes.

Easter Tree:  You will notice a specially decorated Easter Tree in church. As part of our Easter celebrations, you might like to write the name of a sick relative or friend, a loved one living abroad, the name of a departed loved, or a special thanksgiving note on one the cards by the tree and attach it to a branch. Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection, new life and new hope and is a lovely way to remember our loved ones or a blessing sought or received.

 The Sick:  We continue our prayers in the parish for all who are unwell and the recently bereaved. We also remember those who are in hospital currently and those who are recovering at home from serious illness. Our hearts go out to all who are in need of our continued prayers and support, and we pray that you may have a real sense of the love that surrounds you.

On-line Banking: It would greatly assist our parish treasurer if you would please fill in the line describing what your donation is for and your name also. Sometimes donations are given online without any information provided and it is very difficult to work out who the donor is.

Cabinet of Curiosities: The glass cabinet at the back of the church contains antique and collectable items and we are selling these in aid of the schoolhouse restoration fund. New items are added as they are donated to us, so please keep an eye out, as the stock changes frequently. Please ask one of the churchwardens or Liz if you would like access to the cabinet. Money from the sale of items should be placed in the wooden schoolhouse donation box.

Schoolhouse Restoration:    Parishioners, friends and well-wishers may like to contribute to the fundraising appeal for the Schoolhouse restoration. Our bank details are as follows: Account Name: Monkstown Parish Church Business Current Account. Account no:   86014381. IBAN  IE 17 BOFI 9011 8386 0143 81. You may prefer to send a cheque, made payable to ‘Monkstown Parish Church’ and send it to Winton Lodge, 62 Monkstown Road, Monkstown, Co Dublin. Please indicate that your donation is for the Schoolhouse Restoration Fund.

General Financial Support: Thank you for your continued financial support of the parish and for remembering that our work of ministry continues week after week and year after year. We appreciate your generous and supportive giving. There is a collection at every service in the church. Donations to parish funds may also be posted by cheque made payable to ‘Monkstown Parish Church’ to me here at Winton Lodge if you do not have access to online banking. Our Bank of Ireland bank details are: Account Name: Monkstown Parish Church Business Current Account. Account no: 86014381. IBAN IE 17 BOFI 9011 8386 0143 81. If any of our envelope subscribers wish to talk to Ruth Carnegie, she may be contacted at 087 4339367. We now have a direct payment button on the parish website for those who would like to utilize this facility

With love and prayers  Roy