Parish News

Bishop David has appointed the Reverend Elliot Swattridge as Priest–in–charge of the Parish of Groomsport. Elliot is currently Associate Minister of the large parish of Emmanuel, Croydon, prior to which he served a curacy in the Diocese of Hereford. He is married to Nomi. Groomsport Parish Church extends a very warm welcome to Elliot and his wife, Nomi.

 

The Church of Ireland is committed to ensuring all children and vulnerable adults are protected from harm, whether physical or mental. Our new Safeguarding panel members were appointed in 2022 by the select Vestry, and details of names and contact details are displayed on the notice boards in Church and our halls. The diocesan trainers have now trained panel members and Access NI is current. Every three years, an Evidence-based audit is undertaken by the Development Officer with panel members and the Rector present. Our Audit was completed on 7th February 2023 and was passed with only three points to be rectified by the end of April. Alongside Safeguarding is also safety. All groups meeting in our halls are required to produce a risk assessment, evidence of insurance and also carry out a fire drill once a year. Any incidents, however small or seemingly insignificant, must be reported to the Safeguarding Panel, where it will be dealt with in confidence.

Our beautiful Church, have a look around, click on any areas you would like to see. 
Letter From The Bishop

3 September 2021
Dear Friends,

Recently a friend expressed something that I too have been sensing. His words were these: “What the Holy Spirit is putting on my heart is that we need to move into a new season of renewal”.

We are living in days when society around us desperately needs a Church and a people whose love for Jesus, whose influence in society and whose truth, power and integrity bring hope and comfort, life and healing into weary homes and communities.

As a Church we need to rediscover the presence of God and his power to change lives. We want to see the Church renewed to transform individuals and society with the life of Christ and the good news of forgiveness, peace, healing and joy that is given to those who would submit to Jesus.

Any season of renewal is always given to us by God. It is God’s gift and God’s doing for, as it says in John 3:8, ‘The wind blows where it wills, and we cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.’ Nevertheless, if we are to move into a new season of renewal there are responsibilities and challenges that rest with all of us.

Firstly, every historic move of God and every season of renewal in the life of the Church has been preceded by the people of God pursuing him through prayer. To encourage a fresh approach towards prayer in our local parishes three diocesan prayer events have been planned for this autumn. The first of these is an Agape Meal in Down Cathedral on St Matthews Day, 21st September at 7:30pm. The evening will be very simple and safe in its format as we enjoy some food, pray together, and conclude with Holy Communion.

Two further prayer events will follow, and details can be found on the diocesan website.

Secondly, every season of renewal in the Church that has lasting significance involves a rediscovery of biblical truth, a fresh commitment to preaching and teaching the scriptures and a new love for studying the bible. To that end I will be asking every church to promote a bible reading plan for 2022 that enables all of us to read a portion of the bible every day. Watch out for details of this in the coming weeks.

Thirdly, every significant season of renewal in the history of the Church has seen an increase in signs and wonders following the preaching of God’s word. Renewal gives way to miraculous works of God with demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power at work in people’s lives, especially in bringing them to repentance and faith in Christ.

Fourthly, every season of renewal among God’s people is accompanied and often preceded by an increase in faith and in generosity. It has struck me that we must step more and more into a lifestyle of faith and generosity, and I would like to suggest some ways in which we might do this.

Emerging out of Covid-19 our government has pledged to give all of us a £100 gift voucher. Rather than this being absorbed into our weekly shopping, may I encourage you to spend it in a local business that has been adversely affected by the pandemic. Please also consider making a matching donation of £100 to a local charity of your choice.

Secondly, please take some time to review how much you give to your local church and consider increasing it.

And finally, please consider enabling our diocese of Down and Dromore to plant new congregations by taking out a standing order for our Diocesan Church Planting Fund. Alternatively, you might like to help us revitalise and reenergise parish ministry as needs arise by taking out a standing order for our Diocesan Rejuvenation Fund. The appropriate forms may be downloaded from the diocesan website.

Together, let’s step up in generosity and step out in faith together, believing and crying out for a new season of renewal. Let’s join as one across our diocese to pray, to be strengthened by God’s word and to be expectant for signs and wonders as God the Holy Spirit brings new life to his Church.

I love a prayer that’s found in the Book of Common Prayer that I recall being used a lot when I was much younger.

‘Holy Spirit, come in power and bring new life to your church, renew us in love and service and enable us to be faithful to our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

Amen.’

Yours and His,

+David.

 

Due to an isolated case of coronavirus, as a precaution, Groomsport Parish Church will be closed until Wednesday 18th August.
Please do not turn up to Church today or Sunday. The Parish Office is also closed to visitors until this date, however, you can contact us by email office@groomsportparishchurch.org or by telephone 028 9127 1311.
 
Please, if you are at all concerned about coronavirus refer to the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
or if you need to book a test
https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. Home lateral-flow tests are also available for free from https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.
 

Free Will Offering

Sadly, as you will all now know, our Sunday services are changed from their usual format.
Should you be unable to attend Church regularly or feel you would like to switch to Standing Order for your Free Will Giving,  contact us and we can send you the appropriate information. Standing orders are easily set up if you have online banking, or can fill the form in and post it to your bank.

Thank you in advance. 

 You can contact the Church office at office@groomsportparishchurch.org alternatively you use the contact form on this website, or you can private message our Facebook page which is linked at the bottom of this page.