www.mullavilly.armagh.anglican.

org

www.mullavilly2010.org September 2010

Welco me The Church is a legacy of the hope and vision

of our ancestors. Originally, the townlands
were under the care of Kilmore Parish Church,
which also encompassed Richhill and the
ministry through 4 centuries of caring for the
needy, encouraging one another in faith, and
teaching the Good News of Jesus, the Son of
God.
Dobbin. However, as populations changed and

W elcome to this new colour glossy edition

of Mullavilly News to mark the
Bicentennary of the Consecration of Mullavilly
developed, it was felt that the time was right
to plant a new church at Mullavilly to serve the
townlands of Mullahead, Brackagh,
This autumn, take time to think of what this
Church means to you. Recall the events, joyful
and sorrowful, which you have attended here,
Parish Church. As this edition will be more Unshinagh, Ballyknock, Ballylisk, Tamnavelton and take the opportunity to drop in, to join in
widely distributed, regular readers will forgive (with the village of Laurelvale), Cordrain, worship or wander prayerfully around the
me for repeating what they may already Tamnamore, Lisaveague, Cornascriebe and, of graveyard. May you find the touch of God
know! course, Mullavilly itself. The faithfulness of upon you as you do.
families has meant that this particular With every prayerful blessing,
The earliest records of a church at Mullavilly Christian community has continued in its Brian
date back to 1736. However, the building and
land were not formally handed over to the
Church of Ireland until 1809. Thus the
consecration was carried out by the Bishop in
Mullavilly Parish Church
1810. This meant that the building and
surrounding land was set aside specifically for
use for holy things—things that glorified God. Bicentenary Celebration
of the Consecration of our Church
Over the years, the building has hosted many
occasions that have meant so much to families
in our community. Parents have brought their
children to be baptised, couples have come to
be married and families have gathered to lay
to rest the remains of their loved ones. Every
Sunday, people have come together to
worship and have found blessing and peace.
The Word of God has been proclaimed by His
faithful servants. Prayers have been offered
and answered. Individuals have found solace
in the quietness of the building and have
sought the presence of God in times of need.
The building with its tower, has been a solid
assurance to the community that here, there
is a place where there may find security,
peace and comfort. The Church stands at the
main entrance to the Mullavilly/Laurelvale
community as a symbol of God’s grace and
love to all—a reminder of our hope of eternal
life in the future and of the love of God in the
present.
 Mullavilly News | September 2010

WHAT WE ARE DOING TO

CELEBRATE 200 YEARS OF WORSHIP?
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10th
Service of Thanksgiving
Restoring the Clock
A warm invitation is extended to everyone in
the community to attend this service and to
give thanks for the many things that the
church has meant to each of us. If you have a
family link to the graveyard; if you were
married here or were baptised here, then this
is an opportunity for you to return. Invitations
have been sent to all who are members of the
Church and to those that we have been able
to contact but there are many more that we
do not know of. Please come along and join
with us in our celebration.

Publication of a Parish History

Brett Hannam and his team of researchers
have been ploughing through the archives to
produce the story of Mullavilly Parish. Did you
know that there is a link between the clock
and the arrest of Wolfe Tone or that the rector
once had to have a police escort to get into
the church? Beggars in the parish were given
official recognition of their status when the
churchwardens gave them a badge (one of
which is in the Ulster Museum) and foundlings
were sent to Dublin .Details of the launch will
available later.
2011 Calendar
Using images of the Church over the years and
from events in 2010, we hope to produce a
calendar for 2011 which you can send to
friends of keep yourself.
Bicentenary Thanksgiving Appeal
Envelopes have been distributed which can be
used to make your contribution to the ongoing
development of the Parish. If you include your
name and address, and you are a UK tax-
payer, then the Government will add to your
gift the amount that you have already paid in
tax. If you are in the higher tax bracket, then
you can also adjust your threshold upwards for
the value of your gift. Even if you do not
receive one of the printed envelopes, any
envelope will do! Thank-you for your support.
ilder
Chris the Clock Bu
The clock has only been with us in Mullavilly
since 1949, when it was moved from a
church in Co Louth. However, it hasn’t been
telling the time or striking for a number of
Guest Preachers
We have already welcomed a number of
visiting preachers this year. Patrick Rooke, the
Dean of Armagh, will be our guest at the
Bicentenary celebration and the Archbiship will
visit on the following weekend, September
19th. The Revd Geoffrey Wilson, rector of
Shankill, Lurgan, will visit on October 24th.
Thanksgiving Decoration
The Thanksgiving weekend replaces the usual
Harvest Thanksgiving in October. Therefore we
will decorate the church appropriately with
flowers and vegetables in keeping with 1810.
Please leave all your donations in the church
porch on Thursday 9th or early Friday. Lots of
hedgerow and seasonal local fruit and
vegetables would be very welcome.
Decorating will take place on Friday so lots of
help will be required.
years. Hopefully, by September, this will be
rectified. You will see a restored clock face
telling the right time and you will hear an
hourly strike. The bullet holes seen in the
picture will still remain.
Mothers’ Union meetings resume on Tuesday
28th September as we join together with
branches from the Rural deanery for a service
in Ballymore parish Church.
Thereafter, our meetings are on the 3rd
Tuesday of each month. New members will be
made most welcome.
What’s Happening in September
As usual, most of the groups and organisations
return from their summer break during
September. Not all the starting dates have
been finalised at the time of going to print,
but here are a few of the details and contacts.
 Mullavilly News | September 2010

WHAT’S HAPPENING It was with deep sadness that we

gathered on June 29th for the burial of
Robert (Bobby) Jennett. Aged 93, Bobby

IN SEPTEMBER
As usual, most of the groups and organisations return from their summer break during
was a very regular worshipper until the
week before his death. He had been
treasurer of the Bowling Club and, as
Churchwarden, he was present at the
September. Not all the starting dates have been finalised at the time of going to print, opening of the original church hall in
but here are a few of the details and contacts. 1964. He will be missed and our
What? Who? sympathy is extended to his widow,
Betty, his children Robert and Caroline
Badminton An informal night with good fun and lots of banter! David Overend (Taylor) and their families.
All abilities are welcome but you must be Senior High 38841582
School/College age. There is no upper age limit!
On July 2nd, the funeral was held for
Bowls Both competitive and informal indoor bowling in a Jackie Wright James (Jimmy) Robb of Laurel Park.
supportive and friendly club. Starts Thursday 9th 38841441 Jimmy and his wife Edwina (nee Beattie)
Prayer Group Tea and coffee followed by a time of prayer. The Jean McClelland moved to Laurel Park from Killyman. We
atmosphere is informal. Starts Tuesday 7th 38840325 extend our sympathy to Edwina.
Boy’s Club For boys age 4-7. A very popular group which Wendy Hazley
focuses on games and craft 38841207
Rainbows Part of the guiding group for girls age 4-7 with games, Heather Harper
activities and badges. Starts Sept 20th. Please check in 38840221
advance in case there is a waiting list.
Brownies As above, for girls age 8-10 Jacqui McLoughlin
38339416
Guides As above for girls aged 11+ Reetha Flavelle
Mothers’ Union Presentations and talks of special interest to women Jean McClelland
of all ages . See special item. 3884 0325
Sunday School Bible Teaching and activities for children age 4-12 Heather Harper
Starts Sunday 19th 38840221 Bobby cutting his 90th Birthday cake
Youth Fellowship For teenagers 13+ involving discussion, Bible Study Brian Harper
Marriages
and fun. Starts Sunday 5th
August 5th: Diane Topley and David Robb
The Fridge Drop-In youth club for secondary school kids. Brian Harper
Awaiting sufficient volunteers 38840221 August 13th: Kathryn Kerr and Scott
Over 55 Club Exactly as it says on the tin! An afternoon for over 55s. Alan Neill Whitten
3884 0663
Baptism
Ramblin Rose Monthly Coffee morning 10:30-12:30 Amanda Stewart
Starts Thurs 16th 3884 01961 July 18th
Harry Simon Daniel, son of Simon and Lisa
Church Mice Fun for KS1 and Nursery children who attend
Rafferty and brother of Nathan
11am worship

Mullavilly Sunday School 19??. Rainbow girls hard at work 3 generations at the barbecue - Carolyn Mayes
Some faces haven't really changed! with her mum and daughters, Natalie and Fiona
BAPTISM ANNIVERSARIES:
Sept (includes July and August)
YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOR
Robert Harrison(1st); Adam Murphy (1st);
Olivia Forbes-Davis (1st); Mason Fletcher
EVER -JESUS IS THE SAME!
(1st); Will Shortt (1st)
Lucas Fry (2nd); Elijah Harper (2nd); DATE FLOWERS CHURCH 11am NOTES
Ellie Fletcher (3rd); Lacey Foster (3rd); MICE SCRIPTURE
Amy Segon (3rd) Sept 5th Shirley Jenkinson Tanya Jean McClelland 11am Holy
Lucy Gough (4th); Hannah Mardell (4th); Communion
Lucy Wright (4th)
Sept 12th HARVEST 11am Family
There are lots of unclaimed cards in the DECORATIONS Service
church porch. Please check if you think Sept 19th Pauline Jennett Carolyn Rosemary Neill Visit of Archbishop
yours might be there!
Sept 26th Gwen Kane Ann Herbie Pearson 7:00pm Holy
Communion
REGULAR WORSHIP
Oct 3rd Brenda King Pauline Elaine Bleakney
9:30am
Celebration of Holy Communion. This is a
quiet and devotional gathering of about
40 people, lasting about 45 minutes.

11:00am
1st & 3rd Sundays: A celebration of Holy
Communion with music and choir. Young the pulpit decorated
children may join the Church Mice group for Harvest in 2009.
during the sermon. Members of all This year, the Harvest
Christian denominations are welcome to Festival will be on the
receive Communion and children are also Bicentennial weekend,
welcome to come forward with their Sept 9th and 11th.
family for a blessing. We usually finish at
noon but no later than 12:15 and attract
about 130 people.
2nd Sunday: Family Service. This gathering
is very informal and relaxed. The address
is usually geared for the children. We aim
to finish at 11:45 to allow time for
refreshments in the Parish Centre. Usually
180-200 people attend. Colin Patterson,
Robert Jennett and
7:00pm Evening Prayer. About 20-30
Will McKee - Master
people attend this casual gathering and
Chefs, with Alan Neill
we conclude about 7:45.
and Herbie Pearson in
There is no dress code for any of our the background.
services. Parents with noisy children are
free to leave, wander and return if they CONTACTING THE CLERGY
feel uncomfortable. Toilets and baby-
Home 028 3884 0221 email mullavilly@btinternet.com
changing facilities are available. and
Mobile & Text 07989 743545 post 89 Mullavilly Road
newcomers will always be welcome. We
Office & Centre 028 3884 1918 Tandragee BT62 2LX
hope you will be a stranger only once!
Sam Black 028 3834 3267 Also on Facebook