Christmas Services online only – a message from the Rector
My Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that after much thought, prayer and consultation, and following this evening’s press briefing by the Chief Medical Officer, I have taken the very difficult decision to cancel the four services planned for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
I feel the risk to health and safety is just too great, not least to our churchwardens, or to myself who would be in contact with over two hundred people within the space of 20 hours. With the exponential growth rate of the virus now, and the strong recommendation to cancel all discretionary mixing, I honestly feel this is the most responsible and caring action to take.
I know many people will be disappointed,as I am myself, but I hope you understand and will engage with the online services which will be broadcast on Facebook and the website at 11pm on Christmas Eve and 10.30am on Christmas Day.
Stay safe, and may I wish you a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year.
Every blessing,
Lesley
UPDATE – Clontarf Parish Christmas Services bookings
At the moment, all our Christmas Services are fully booked except for Christmas Morning at 8.30 where there are currently 20 spaces left.
You can book a place here – please use a separate line for each person booking.
NB: If you have booked places at a service and your plans change, please email or text – 087 9091561 – the Rector to remove your names and free up the spaces. If you wish your names to go on a waiting list for a particular service, please contact the Rector.
All Christmas services will be live-streamed on our website and the 11pm and 10.30am services will be recorded and available to view later.
In addition, all Sunday services in the run up to Christmas will be Holy Communion so everyone should have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament if they wish.
Cocooners can arrange to receive Holy Communion at home before Christmas- contact the Rector.
Clontarf Parish Christmas Zoom Quiz
Our last Zoom Quiz of 2020 will be held on Saturday, 12th December, at 8pm.
It will be a Christmas Jumper Night with donations being sought for Focus Ireland – put the date in your diary and join the fun for a good cause.
If you don’t have a Christmas jumper, a hat or even some tinsel will do – anything that looks festive!
A great night’s family fun is guaranteed so let’s make this the biggest, best quiz yet.
(You don’t have to join the quiz to donate, and you don’t have to donate to join the quiz!)
Clontarf Parish Christmas Services bookings
NB Limited places left in all services except for Christmas Day @ 8.30 which has lots of availability.
As strange as it sounds, places will need to be booked for our four Christmas services this year: 3pm & 11pm on Christmas Eve and 8.30am & 10.30am on Christmas Day.
Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and we will put a waiting list in place if necessary. In order to do this, click the link to your preferred service time (below) and add in the names of your family members individually on separate lines.
If you have any trouble with this please contact the Rector directly. Please only book for one service, and if your plans change and you cannot avail of your place, please let me know in advance.
All services will be available to view on our website and later on Facebook, so no-one has to miss out.
Thank you for your cooperation in these extraordinary challenging times.
Clontarf Church open to worshippers but with COVID measures in place
We are delighted to be able to welcome worshipers back into the church on 6th December.
Our Covid Response Plan remains in place which means:
- A maximum of 50 people at any service – first come, first served.
- Masks, not visors, must be worn
- Do not sit in a pew marked with a yellow social distancing sign
- Sanitise your hands on entry and exit
- Keep a 2 metre distance from others as you enter, exit or queue for Communion
- Contact tracing forms to be completed for every attendee
Please do not come to church if you are unwell or have any symptoms of Covid 19.
Both the 8.30 and the 10.30 services will be available to watch live on our website through the webcam, or later on the recordings tab and on Facebook.
Online Quiet Day Saturday 21st November
An online ‘Quiet Day’ led by Rev’d Cecil Hyland on Saturday 21 November, 10.30 -12.30
Please register with the Rector at revlesleyrobinson@gmail.com.
A small number of copies of Rev’d Hyland’s book, Journeying in Faith, are still available from the Rector at the discounted price of €10.
#Clontarf Halloween Quiz Night on 31st October
At 7PM on Saturday 31st October – Note Change of time to accommodate watching the rugby!
Get ready for a great night’s fun with some spooky additions!
Fancy dress encouraged but optional – prize for best costumes!
Why not support hard-pressed local businesses by treating yourself to a take- away and your favourite tipple?
Let’s make this the biggest quiz yet!
Join us here on the night.
Meeting ID: 852 7263 3060
Give Up Yer Aul Clothes! #clontarf
Start clearing out those wardrobes.
Running for the month of October in aid of parish funds.
We are looking for clothes (men’s, ladies’, children’s) except pyjamas:
– socks in pairs;
– underwear;
– bras;
– shoes in pairs – Sports shoes, runners, rugby boots, etc. (Can be soiled, but not ripped);
– Hats, scarfs, belts, suits, jewellery, etc.
– Soft toys (no plastic parts please).
All items must be in good, wearable condition.
We cannot accept:
– Pillows or duvets;
– Ripped, damaged, wet, soiled, or mouldy clothes/shoes;
– Single or ripped shoes;
– Slippers or flip flops;
– Pyjamas; bed sheets; pillowcases; duvet covers; curtains; tablecloths, or towels.
Bags can be dropped into our Parish Centre on Seafield Road, Monday–Friday, 8am-2:30pm throughout October, or at other times by prior arrangement by calling 087 9091561. Many thanks for your support in these challenging times.
Prayers needed for Family Service on 27th September
Although we can’t welcome people to worship in person in our beautiful church at present, we can still certainly worship together thanks to the wonders of modern technology.
This Sunday (27th September), being the fourth Sunday of the month, will be a pre-recorded Family Service, and we are looking for children to write a prayer, record it in landscape mode and send it to the Rector via WhatsApp if possible to 087 9091561 by Thursday evening at the latest.
Please encourage your children to take part – their prayers are a blessing to us all.