Church Services suspended until further notice . Rev D Latimer will continue to provide a ‘thought for the week’ on Inishowen 4 facebook page. It can also be accessed via the link on the Church Website.

Email from David Latimer

Friends, a short while ago the Irish Government announced renewed Level 5 restrictions, placing the country in lockdown until at least January 12.

According to these restrictions Mass & Religious Services will move online after Christmas Day. The Inishowen 4 Group of churches will therefore close with immediate effect. No worship will take place in any of the 4 churches until further notice.

Furthermore, given the ROI post-Christmas ban on inter-county travel together with stricter measures in place in NI, it is very unlikely the installation service, scheduled for Tuesday 5^th January, will now take place.

If, as seems likely, Mr Poots will not be installed next month there will be a longer period to prepare the manse for his arrival. Aware that staying safe and keeping well are a top priority for us all leads me to recommend leaving manse cleaning etc until the current restrictions are eased.

Until the Installation date I will provide A Thought for the Week on the ‘Inishowen 4’ Facebook Page.

Do please keep me informed of all pastoral concerns and kindly share the content of this email with members of your respective congregations.

With all good wishes.

David.

A warm welcome to Rev Drew Abernethy who is conducting the service today.

Service next Sunday will be conducted by Rev Derek McKelvey

Christmas Day: There will be no service on Christmas Day this year.

Maintenance of grounds:

Annual contributions are now due. Please place your contribution in an envelope and mark ‘maintenance of grounds’ and place on collection plate.

Inishowen Community Christmas Dinner 2020 (organised by The Exchange Buncrana) will be providing Christmas dinner  FREE to individuals who are on their own, having to isolate or are facing a difficult Christmas this year.  Dinners will be delivered to the individual at their home on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. There are a number of ways that you can help.

• Provide a donation that will go towards buying desserts for the Christmas dinner or providing packaging for food or a small gift. Donations can also be sent to The Exchange, Castle Avenue, Buncrana (cheques made out to Exchange Inishowen), and mark Inishowen Christmas Dinner or donate through website www.exchangeinishowen.ie

• Contribute by providing your own individual desserts, such as a trifle, Christmas pudding etc.
• Volunteer to drop off dinners with individuals in our local area and it is assumed that this would take about an hour of your time.  

More information telephone Ruth on 087 7955401 or email exchangeinishowen@gmail.com

A warm welcome to Rev Stanley Irwin who is conducting the service today.

Service next Sunday will be conducted by Rev Drew Abernethy

United session meeting scheduled for this Wednesday (16^th Dec) at Greenbank Hall at 8pm

Maintenance of grounds: Annual contributions are now due. Please place your contribution in an envelope and mark ‘maintenance of grounds’ and place on collection plate.

Inishowen Community Christmas Dinner 2020.

We have been asked if we would like to be involved or support this event.

Inishowen Community Christmas dinner 2020 (organised by The Exchange Buncrana) will be providing Christmas dinner  FREE to individuals who are on their own, having to isolate or are facing a difficult Christmas this year.  Dinners will be delivered to the individual at their home on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. There are a number of ways that you can help.

• provide a donation that will go towards buying desserts for the Christmas dinner or providing packaging for food or a small gift. Donations can also be sent to The Exchange, Castle Avenue, Buncrana (cheques made out to Exchange Inishowen), clearly marked with what you’d like to support or donate through website www.exchangeinishowen.ie

• contribute by providing your own individual desserts, such as a trifle, Christmas pudding etc.
• volunteer to drop off dinners with individuals in our local area and it is assumed that this would take about an hour of your time.  

More information at exchangeinishowen@gmail.com

A warm welcome to Rev Stanley Irwin who is conducting the service today.

Service next Sunday will be conducted by Rev Drew Abernethy

United session meeting scheduled for this Wednesday (16^th Dec) at Greenbank Hall at 8pm

Maintenance of grounds:

Annual contribution of maintenance of grounds are now due. Please place your contribution in an envelope and mark ‘maintenance of grounds’ and place on collection plate.

Update: A reduced Presbytery Commission will meet on Tuesday 12^th January 2021 @ 7.30pm in Ebrington Presbyterian Church  to ordain Philip Poots and install him as Minister of ‘The Inishowen 4.’ Philip will also be inducted to his work with the Home Mission. This service will be live streamed on Youtube for the congregations of Carndonagh, Malin, Greenbank, Moville, Hillhall & Newmills to watch. The service will remain, for a period, on social media to permit ‘catch up’ viewing.

Sunday Services: As Donegal has moved into level 4 covid restrictions Sunday Services will not resume until after 10th November.

Message from Rev David Latimer. Delighted to announce that Philip Poots has accepted the Call to become the next minister of Carndonagh, Greenbank, Malin & Moville. The vacany commission will explore as to how and when can proceed to Ordination, Installation & Induction.

Link below to thought for the week. Open in Chrome,

As Donegal has moves into level 3 Covid restrictions Sunday services will not take place until after 16th October,

Below is a link to some thoughts from the vacancy convenor for tomorrow,

A warm welcome to Rev David Latimer who is conducting the service today.

Service next Sunday will be conducted by Rev Derek Mc Kelvey

Meeting of session and committee today after the service.

Face Coverings in Church    The leaders of the four main Churches in Ireland have issued a joint statement.   “Following further recent consultations with public health authorities, we join with Christian church leaders all over this island in formally recommending and encouraging the use of face coverings at all services of worship, along with the ongoing maintenance of 2 metre physical distancing, from Sunday 30th August 2020, and earlier if practicable.”

Guidance for leaving the Hall following service

 Those who are seated towards the stage from the side door leave by the side door. Those who are seated from the side door towards the front door of hall leave via the front door. Continue to observe 2m social distancing as you make your way out of the building.

 Announcements are posted on Church’s website & facebook page (hillhead church) each weekend.  www.hillheadchurch.org

A warm welcome to Rev Stanley Irwin who is conducting our service today.

Service next Sunday will be conducted by Rev Derek Mc Kelvey

Thank you to Graeme Stewart for his kind donation of the pedal operated hand sanitiser. It is a very useful device to have available to us and we very much appreciate his generosity.

Face Coverings in Church

The leaders of the four main Churches in Ireland have issued a joint statement recommending and encouraging the wearing of face coverings at all services of worship, with respect for people who will be exempt as provided for in state public health guidance.

“Following further recent consultations with public health authorities, we join with Christian church leaders all over this island in formally recommending and encouraging the use of face coverings at all services of worship, along with the ongoing maintenance of 2 metre physical distancing, from Sunday 30th August 2020, and earlier if practicable.”

Instructions for leaving the Hall following service

Those who are seated towards the stage from the side door leave by the side door. Those who are seated from the side door towards the front door of hall leave via the front door. Continue to observe 2m social distancing as you make your way out.

Freewill offering contributions may be placed on plates as you enter or leave the hall or contributions can be made by bank transfer to the following account.  Please use your FWO number and initials as a way of identifying yourself on the statement.

 Reopening for Worship

As we reopen for worship we are guided by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland protocol (Stay Safe at Church) for reopening for worship. Mitigating risk and ensuring safety for all from Covaid 19 is paramount.

  Stay SAFE at Church. Give consideration to the following guidance.

 S   Stick to the rules.

Follow the advice for entering & leaving building

 A   Assess the risk:

Do not attend if you are displaying symptoms of Covaid 19 or have been in close contact with anyone displaying symptoms that may be Covaid 19. Take primary responsibility for your own health and wellbeing by carefully considering the level of risk involved in coming to church. Do not feel under any pressure to be present if you are uncomfortable with any aspect of attending.

 F   Foster good routines. Hand hygiene, social distancing, cough etiquette

 E       Encourage individual responsibility.  Hold yourself and others lovingly accountable for taking advice and instruction seriously and resist the temptation to become careless with compliance as the necessary practices become more familiar as week follows week

A warm welcome to Rev David Latimer who is conducting our service today.

Service next Sunday will be conducted by Rev Stanley Irwin

Thank you to John who coordinated the setting up of the hall for today’s service and thanks also to Sandra and Helen for their guidance with the seating and recording of attendees this morning.Thanks also to Graeme Stewart for his kind donation of the pedal operated hand sanitiser. It is a very useful device to have available to us and we very much appreciate his generosity.

 Reopening for Worship.  As we reopen for worship we are guided by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland protocol (Stay Safe at Church) for reopening for worship. Mitigating risk and ensuring safety for all from Covaid 19 is paramount.

 Stay SAFE at Church. Give consideration to the following guidance.

 S   Stick to the rules. Follow the advice for entering & leaving building

 A   Assess the risk: Do not attend if you are displaying symptoms of Covaid 19 or have been in close contact with anyone displaying symptoms that may be Covaid 19. Take primary responsibility for your own health and wellbeing by carefully considering the level of risk involved in coming to church. Do not feel under any pressure to be present if you are uncomfortable with any aspect of attending.

 F   Foster good routines. Hand hygiene, social distancing, cough etiquette

 E       Encourage individual responsibility.  Hold yourself and others lovingly accountable for taking advice and instruction seriously and resist the temptation to become careless with compliance as the necessary practices become more familiar as week follows week

Worship format. There will be some changes to worship format in that the offering will not be taken up during the service.  You may place your offering in the plates at the door or you may wish to make your FWO contribution by bank transfer. Details available from treasurer.

Singing.  It is possible that restriction will remain for some time on singing in worship as research suggests that singing can project water droplets far beyond the 2 metres required for social distancing.  Instrumental and recorded hymns permitted.

 Guidance for leaving the Hall following service .Those who are seated towards the stage from the side door leave by the side door. Those who are seated towards the front door of hall leave via the front door. Continue to observe 2m social distancing as you make your way out.