Almost the End

 

Today is our last full day in Ireland. After spending the last 6 days on buses we are going to have a lazy day. A short walk down into Galway, shopping, taking in the sights and perhaps a meal or two, then we come back to the US tomorrow.

 

Over the last week we have seen many abbeys and castle towers, beautiful landscapes and rugged cliffs, peat bogs, and lots of sheep and cows. Through it all we’ve had lots of laughs, told many stories and have appreciated the food and the friendliness of the Irish people.

 

As we come to a close – a thought or two. I am struck by the history of Ireland especially the many struggles that formed this people and land. From the Vikings to the Anglo-Normans, to Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army, to the modern British Empire Ireland was under the thumb of those from outside. Even on gaining partial independence as the Irish Free State trouble continued with the Irish Civil War followed by the Anglo-Irish Economic War.

 

Only relatively recently in human history has Ireland emerged fully free and relatively prosperous. Given the history it is remarkable that the Irish are so welcoming and hospitable to outsiders.

 

Through it all the times of trouble there was one abiding factor – the strong backbone of faith. What a reminder for all – strength, and hope found in Christ.

 

Jeff Silvernail

Sunday In Ireland

Sunday in Ireland

Singing and playing at the Hilltop Pub

 

What a fun day! We started out with a wonderful service at St. John’s in Kill. All in all about 100 worshippers attended. I’m told that this is the most in recent memory except for perhaps a funeral. As folks were coming in I was doing my usual welcoming and one of the arrivals said, “Oh, are you from this parish?” And I thought my American accent would give me away.

 

I was privileged to be able to preach and as a warm up in the sermon I had the rector, Philip pick either a Yankees or a Red Sox hat. He couldn’t decide. Bishop Roy was there, he suggested in fashion of Solomon that Philip take both and wear them on alternate days. “Not allowed,” I said – since no one can be a fan of both. Philip chose the Yankee hat. Before the Yankee fans gloat too much, I gave him the information that the Yankees are known as the “Evil Empire”!

 

Later in the evening at the Hilltop Pub in Kildorrery, as we were listening to the Hilltop Hobos, a band that Don’s son often plays with, I was invited to come up and play during their break. So I had my debut playing the pub circuit in Ireland. Great memories!

 

Jeff Silvernail

Day 5 - Wrapping Up

Day 5 – Wrapping Up

 

The finished chancel

Yesterday we all had a delightful day in Dublin each doing different things so be sure to ask us about our adventures. But today it was back to work. In fact today was the big day trying to bring all of our projects to completion. I am happy to say that St. John’s sanctuary looks marvelous. In fact all day long neighbors who had heard about our progress were coming in to see the transformation. We even had had the local newspaper come and take our picture.

 

In the evening the local history society had a walking lecture for our benefit and it was followed by tea in the Roman Catholic Church’s parish house.

 

Tomorrow the women of the church put up the harvest decorations. (Sunday is Harvest Day, something similar to our Thanksgiving.) We will go to Kill in the morning, but the paint brushes and weed-wackers have been put away. We will do some final clean up and assist in the decorating.

 

One thing that several people noticed and commented on today. God called us and equipped our team with just the right mix of gifts and talent to accomplish what we were called to do. It is amazing to see God’s hand at work and a privilege to be able to serve.

 

Pastor Jeff Silvernail

 

A Realization - Day 4

Day 4 A Realization

 

We had a very productive day at St. John Kill. The main color in the chancel area of the sanctuary was finished and it looks fabulous. The brass is polished, the wood is cleaned and oiled. We refinished the front door and painted the iron railings at the entrance. Brush was cut and hauled away. And we had fun doing it!

 

Infrared Heaters

In the evening some of our group went to a Wednesday prayer and reflection service at St. David in Naas and some of us went to a tea hosted by the Garland’s at their beautiful home.

 

One thought for today. Where we are working, at St. John’s in Kill, there is no running water. There are no toilets. There is no central heating and certainly no central air. Parking is limited. There is no sound system. And if you want a cushion on you pew you better bring it yourself!

 

But there is the presence of God and the love and support of the congregation. For hundreds of years people have gathered under those seemingly harsh conditions for worship but they have come to experience God in their midst and to live out that loving presence as a congregation.

 

Pew cushion

And for that I say, “Thanks be to God.”

 

Pastor Jeff Silvernail

Day 3 Blog - Giftedness

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

 

Being able to do calligraphy means sometimes working in places
that are a bit out one's comfort zone!

Members of POP, it is with great joy that I write to you about the wonderful experiences we are having during this mission trip to Ireland to work on St John’s Church, Kill.

 

We came here to give the gift of helping restore an old village church. I didn’t know what specific gifts I could offer or what gifts the other members of the team could offer. I knew we could offer the love of Christ and hard work. But restore an old church? Apparently, I am really good at polishing old wood and brass along with Monica, Tina, Linda, Barbara, Diane, and Nancy. Pastor Jeff, Jim, Doug, and Barbara are excellent painters. Don is wonderful with a weed wacker in the rain and holding the ladder for safety. Jim loves to trim bushes and Tina has calligraphy skills- thank goodness. God has certainly blessed us with an abundance of gifts to share with our Ireland friends on this mission.

 

In return, several of our Ireland hosts have worked laboriously beside us sharing their skills. Many of them, though, have other things to attend to such as jobs, children, other volunteer work, or perhaps a health issue that prevents them working beside us. However, the gifts they have provided us is more than any of us could have ever expected. They have opened their homes to us, cooked for us, entertained us, did I mention cooked for us? There is breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, WOW is all I can say. They are certainly some of the most wonderful and gracious people I have ever met. You know it is not a  sense of duty that they are doing this for the Americans, but it is a true gift from God that they have offered us so much of themselves: their time, talents, and generosity and that they do so gladly, as we work gladly on their church.

 

Peace Be With You, Deacon Robin Domm

Connection - Ireland Day 2

                                                        CONNECTIONS

 

We’ve only been here two days and I already see connections. Many of the church members we’ve met have visited the States. One family had spent several years in Brooklyn while the father earned at Columbia.  Several folks had been to New York, although it was New York City and not upstate. There is a family from St. David’s with a  connection to a family from Oregon. The daughter, enjoys making cupcakes,  something she learned from a friend in the States.

Many people had ancestors who migrated from Ireland to America. In a twist, one woman’s great grandmother  came to America but went back to Ireland for a family gathering but never returned to the States.

 

As we paint and do clean up activities, we are making connections of a differ sort. Paint will fade and clean ups will have to be repeated. However it is my hope that the friendships we make during this mission trip will be long lasting. Wouldn’t it be nice if ten or twenty years from now, the people the Naas congregations think of us and talk about our visit? I’m quite sure our mission group will do the same.

 

Jim Greenfield

Written from Naas, Ireland

16 Sept 2013               

 

 

               

 

Greetings From Naas, Ireland

Greetings from Naas, Ireland 9/15/13

 

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus! Those are the words I usually say as I begin my sermon. Though I didn’t hear them said as Father Phillip began his sermon I could see the breadth and depth of the Body of Christ that crosses oceans, that speaks in different accents that worships in centuries dark old stone walled sanctuaries and in the abundant light of our modern sanctuary.

 

I could dwell on differences including the fact that I usually had to ask people to repeat themselves as I sorted out their accents, but the unity in Christ far out-weighed any differences. The one God was present in the gathering of God’s people, and in the hymns, and in the preached word, and in the coffee hour.

 

 

 

 

Please note the number of people jammed into the small space at the rear of the sanctuary following service - All sharing the fellowship of our God who unites us.

 

Thanks be to God!

Pastor Jeff