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Vol 11.2 Feb - Mar 2008
Cross Talk
From the Vicar …. Dear Friends, Someone once said that there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet, and so I deliberately start this letter, “Dear Friends,” and think that perhaps now is a good time to tell you all a little bit about myself. I was brought up in Newtownabbey and went to England at the age of 18 to study for a degree in Agriculture, specialising in Animal Science. To cut a long story short, I finished my degree and worked as a Health Care Assistant in a nursing home before journeying to the Theological College in Dublin to train for ordained ministry. I finished my training there in 2003 and then moved to Hartford in Connecticut, USA, and trained and worked as a hospital chaplain for about 18 months. I moved back to Northern Ireland in September 2004 and was ordained deacon, working as Assistant Chaplain in both the Royal Group of Hospitals and Belfast City Hospital. I was ordained priest in June 2005 and have worked as the Church of Ireland Chaplain in Belfast City Hospital since then. I have moved to Templepatrick and Donegore with my three and a half year old cat Libby. Now you all know a little bit about me I’m looking forward to getting to know a little bit about you!! I wish to thank all those people who worked so hard to make the Institution service on Thursday 3rd January, and the supper after it, the success it was. You all know who you are, from the people who worked hard behind the scenes to those who had a part in the service. It was such a special night for me, one I shall always remember, not least because of the snow!! So thank you. I’d like to reiterate one of the points I made in the little speech, if you could call it that, which I made at the supper and that is about my title.
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As I said that night in jest if you call me Revd Bell, or I ask you to call me Revd Bell, then one of us is in trouble, but I really would rather you called me Jennifer, or Revd Jennifer if you wish to be a little more formal. The bishop mentioned at the supper that he hoped I would be having a day off each week. To that end I would like to let you know that I plan to take Saturday as my day off. That is not to say that I will not be available on a Saturday in cases of emergency, but I would like to have time to rest and recharge my batteries each week, and feel that this is appropriate. As I also said on the night of my institution, I am excited about the opportunities in the United Parishes of Templepatrick and Donegore and I firmly believe that God will give us a vision for this place, and equip us to further his kingdom. I am excited about the links we have with both St Mary’s Parish, Dalmahoy in Edinburgh and the parish of Västervik in Linkoping in Sweden, and look forward to exploring a link between ourselves and the newest diocese linked with the Diocese of Connor, that of Yei in Southern Sudan. New to the parish as I am, I am trying to catch up with those who are ill. If someone you know is ill either at home or in hospital will you please let me know. Also, if someone you know goes into hospital I would appreciate it if you would let me know. From previous experience of working in a hospital setting I know that it is not always easy for the chaplain to see everyone who is admitted to hospital, and people do slip through the system unobserved. If you can let me know it will stop the situation where someone is admitted to hospital and discharged before I know that they are there. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a somewhat belated Happy New Year. Many blessings, Jennifer +
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Lenten Series This year the theme for the talks will be ‘I Believe’ based on the Apostles’ Creed. Services are on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in:- All Saints, Antrim - Ash Wednesday 6th Feb St Jude’s, Muckamore - 13th Feb St Saviours, Connor - 20th Feb Ballyscullion, Randalstown - 27th Feb St John’s, Ballyclare - 5th March Kilbride, Doagh - 12th March I hope you’ll take the opportunity to visit your neighbouring churches in the Deanery this Lent and support them in this way. Lent in the Parish Matins will be said daily, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in St Patrick’s from Monday 11th February at 9.30am during Lent. This is a brief service lasting about 10 minutes. Wednesdays - 10am Holy Communion as usual and all are welcome. Marriage Preparation - February 2008 Antrim Parish Hall 7.30pm - 9.00pm with a tea/coffee break and runs on consecutive Tuesday evenings for 4 weeks. 5th - Introduction to Christian Marriage - Spencer Gilchrist 12th - Relationships & Health - Dr S. McBride & Dr B.Forde 19th - Finance - Steve Laird 26th - Conflict - Christian Guidelines A small fee is levied for each married couple in order to offset costs.
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St Patrick’s Church – Cleaning Rota
U R G E N T help is required on the cleaning rota.
We would be interested in hearing from anyone who would be willing, or two to three people who could work together for one month in the year,
cleaning once a week.
If anyone is interested please contact Mrs I.McCollam. Thank you.
The United Parishes of Templepatrick and Donegore Diocese of Connor
www.templepatrick.connor.anglican.org
THE PARISH DIRECTORY WHO'S WHO AND WHO TO CONTACT
Rector The Rev Jennifer Bell BSc, AG/AN SCI, (HAUC), BTh
The Vicarage, 926 Antrim Road, Templepatrick, Co Antrim, BT39 0AT 028 94432300 E-mail: [email protected]
CHURCH OFFICE BEARERS
Rector's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's) Mr S Clendinning 14 Kilmakee Road, Templepatrick Tel:028 94432523 People's Churchwarden:(St.Patrick's) Mrs A Millar 35 Ballyclare Road, Templepatrick Tel:94432066 Rector's Churchwarden:(St.John's) Miss Y Hutchinson 74 Ballymena Road, Doagh Tel:93340613 People's Churchwarden:(St.John's) Mrs M Bell 2 Mossgrove Park, Newtownabbey Tel:90833300 Rector's Glebewarden:Mr D Mawhinney 26 Burnside Road, Dunadry Tel:94433208 People's Glebewarden: Mr M Cooke 44 Rathmore Road, Dunadry Tel:94433183 Supplemental Glebewarden: Mr S Clendinning Tel:94432523 Select Vestry: (meets 2nd Monday in month at 8pm) Mrs R.Barnes, Mrs M Bell, Mr H.Cinnamon, Mr S.Clendinning, Mr M.Cooke, Mrs Y.Hutchinson, Dr C.Lundy, Mr D.Mawhinney, Mr T.Michael, Mrs A.Millar, Mr S.McCollam, Mrs I.McCollam, Mr R.Montgomery, Mr P.McCausland, Mrs G.McCoy, Mr N.Shirley, Mr A.Walbridge, Mrs M.Walbridge. Honorary Secretary: Mrs M.Bell 2 Mossgrove Park,Newtownabbey Tel:90833300 Honorary Treasurer: Mr N.Shirley 23 Kingscourt,Templepatrick Tel:94432597 Honorary F.W.O. Recorder and Envelope Secretary: Mrs I.McCollam, 7 Lylehill Road Tel:94432734 Covenant & Gift Aid Secretary: Mr M Cooke 44 Rathmore Road, Dunadry Tel:94433183 Parish Diocesan Synodsmen: Mr E.Cinnamon, Mr J.Sheldon Diocesan Synodsmen: Mrs M.Bell, Mr R.Montgomery PARISH PANEL:- The Rector; Mrs M Bell; Mr S Clendinning; Mr M Cooke
Hall Secretary: Mrs I McCollam Tel:94432734 Sacristan: Mrs R Barnes Tel:94429923 Church of Ireland Gazette Secretary: Mrs M McConnell Tel:94432560 Bible Study Notes Secretary: Mrs D Lucas Tel:90825737 Christian Aid Secretary: Mrs L Lynas Tel:94433363 Magazine Editorial Team: The Rector; Mrs G McCoy; Mr A Walbridge Parish webmaster: Mr A Walbridge Tel:94432795 [email protected] Production: Mrs Gail McCoy Tel:94432782 [email protected] Coffee: rota organizer - Mrs A Millar Tel:94432066
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Parish organisations and their leaders:-
Choir: Practices on Thursdays at 8pm. St Patrick’s, Templepatrick Organist and Choirmistress: Mrs D Martin, 22 The Chase, Parkgate Tel:94433943 St John’s, Donegore Organist and Choirmistress: Mrs S Cotter Sunday Club: Co-ordinator:Mrs G McCoy Tel:94432782. Helpers: Miss C Lucas, Miss S McCollam, Miss C McCollam Creche: (Sundays) Mrs Judith Collister Tel:90825121, Mrs Julie-Ann Logan Tel:94439451 Youth Group: Mrs Valerie Brady Tel: 93324513 Youth Organisations Choir: Practices on Thursdays at 8.00pm Mrs D Martin 94433943 Rainbow Guides (4-7 years): Tuesday 2.15-3.15pm Linda Quinn Tel:94432124 Brownies (7-10 years): Wednesdays 6.00-7.30pm Mrs Elaine Lamont Tel:93341204 Mrs A Millar Tel:94439370 Guides (10-14 years): Wednesdays 7.30-9.00pm Karen Kelly Tel:94433131 Squirrels (4-6 years): Thursdays 4.00-5.00pm Mrs C Michael Tel:94433123 Beavers (6-8 years): Mondays 6.30-7.30pm Miss K Shirley Tel:94432597 Cub Scouts (8-10years): Tuesdays 6.45-8.00pm Mr Alan Martin Tel:94433943 Scouts:(10+ years):Tuesdays 8.00pm-9.30pm Mrs Kim Gleave Parents and Toddlers Group: Wednesdays 10.30am-12.00 noon Mrs Geraldine McIlroy Tel: 90838889 Adult Organisations Choir: Practices on Thursdays at 8pm. Mrs D Martin Tel:94433943 Indoor Bowling Club: Fridays 7.30pm Secretary: Mrs I McCollam Tel:94432734 Ladies Fellowship: 3rd Tuesday in the month 8pm. Secretary: Mrs D Young Tel:94432440 Parish Ramblers: meet occasionally
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Sunday Club – SCLUB4 A big welcome back to all the Children!
Hopefully refreshed and looking forward to the next few months, which will be rather busy, as we look forward to Lent, Mothering Sunday and Easter.
We are currently counting the monies received from our Advent appeal, which this year is going to Kindfund, read Daphne and Catherine’s latest update in this issue of the magazine. Look out for the next edition of the magazine, when we will publish the total amount collected.
If anyone has not yet returned their jars, could we ask you to do so as soon as possible please, to any of the Sunday Club leaders.
May we take this opportunity of thanking everyone who contributed to this very worthwhile cause. Gail
*****
United Parishes of Templepatrick & Donegore
Select Vestry
presents
G l a r r y f o r d Y F C
in
“Honey Pot”
in the Parish Hall, on Saturday 9th February 2008 at 8.15 pm Doors open 7.30 pm
Tickets - £7.00
LADIES FELLOWSHIP Our November meeting took the form of a talk from Mrs Ruth Kaoma who is an overseas nurse working and living in Ballyclare. Ruth told us what is was like in Zambia after the death of her husband when his family took away her possessions and took control of her life. She came to Ballyclare to hopefully make a better life for herself and her young family, most people have been very kind and helpful, but sadly she has been the target of racial abuse in her own home. It is sad to hear how a very talented nurse who is giving a lot to our community is being treated in a local town. December saw us at St Anne's Cathedral for a very enjoyable evening of Christmas music, this was followed by a lovely supper in the Templeton Hotel. Look what you are missing Ladies if you do not join us! In January we helped to cater at the Institution of our new Rector, we wish the Rev Jennifer welcome and hope she will be happy in our Parishes. Sunday, 17 February - Bishop’s Appeal - Soup and Cheese Lenten Lunch As always, offers of help with the catering would be much appreciated and volunteers are invited to contact Ruth Barnes or a member of the committee. The lunch takes place in the Parish Hall following the Eucharist Service. It’s one of the few opportunities in the year which gives you the chance to meet with other parishioners outside the church building over an informal meal. Friday, 7 March - Women’s World Day of Prayer In 2nd Donegore Presbyterian Church at 8.00 pm. Our meetings are usually held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Minor hall and any new members would be most welcome. Doreen Young (Hon Secretary) Tel 94432440 Mother Teresa
CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY 2008 - MARCH 2008 Sunday before Lent 3.2.08 8.30am Holy Communion; 11.30am All Age Worship Old Testament Exodus 24:12-18 Psalm 2 Epistle 2 Peter 1:16-21 Gospel Matthew 17:1-9 Ash Wednesday 6.2.08 10am Holy Communion 7.30pm Rural Deanery Lenten Service – All Saints, Antrim Old Testament Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Psalm 51:1-17 Epistle 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 First Sunday of Lent 10.2.08 10am Parish Eucharist; 11.30am Matins Old Testament Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Psalm 32 Epistle Romans 5:12-19 Gospel Matthew 4:1-11 Second Sunday of Lent 17.2.08 8.30am Holy Communion; 11.30am Parish Eucharist - Lenten Lunch in Parish Hall following service in aid of the Bishops’ Appeal Old Testament Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 Epistle Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 Gospel John 3:1-17 Third Sunday of Lent 24.2.08 10am Matins; 11.30am Matins Old Testament Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 Epistle Romans 5:1-11 Gospel John 4:5-42 Fourth Sunday of Lent Mothering Sunday 2.3.08 8.30am Holy Communion; 11.30am All Age Worship Old Testament Samuel 1:20-28; Psalm 34:11-20 Epistle Colossians 3:12-17 Gospel Luke 2:33-35
Fifth Sunday of Lent 9.3.08 10am Parish Eucharist; 11.30am Matins Old Testament Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 Epistle Romans 8:6-11 Gospel John 11:1-45 Saturday Patronal Festival 15.3.08 10am Patronal Festival Eucharist, followed by walk and picnic lunch Old Testament Tobit 13:1b-7 Psalm 145:1-13 Epistle 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 Gospel John 4:31-38 Liturgy of the Palms Sixth Sunday in Lent (Passion / Palm Sunday) 16.3.08 8.30am Holy Communion; 11.30am Parish Eucharist and Liturgy of the Palms and Passion Liturgy of the Palms Gospel Matthew 21:1-11 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Liturgy of the Passion Old Testament Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Epistle Philippians 2:5-11 Gospel Matthew 27:11-54
HOLY WEEK Monday of Holy Week 17.3.08 10.00am Holy Communion Old Testament Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 36:5-11 Epistle Hebrews 9:11-15 Gospel John 12:1-11 Tuesday of Holy Week 18.3.08 10.00am Holy Communion Old Testament Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 71:1-14 Epistle I Corinthians 1:18-31 Gospel John 12:20-36 Pto
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Wednesday of Holy Week 19.3.08 10.00am Holy Communion Old Testament Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 70 Epistle Hebrews 12:1-3 Gospel John 13:21-32 Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) 20.3.08 7.30pm Holy Eucharist to mark the Institution of the Lord’s Supper with Washing of the feet & Stripping of the Altar in imitation of events of the Passion. Old Testament Exod 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Epistle 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Gospel John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Good Friday 21.3.08 2pm-3pm The Last Hour. St Patrick’s is open for prayer & meditation. 7.30pm An Evening Service for Good Friday Old Testament Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Psalm 22 Epistle Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9 Gospel John 18:1-19:42 Easter Day 23.3.08 10am Holy Eucharist & 11.30am Holy Eucharist Old Testament Jeremiah 31:1-6Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Epistle Acts 10:34-43 Gospel John 20:1-18 2nd Sunday of Easter 30.3.08 11.30am United Parish Eucharist 1st Reading Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Psalm 16 Epistle I Peter 1:3-9 Gospel John 20:19-31
Services on Sundays at 10.00am are in St John’s, Donegore and at 8.30am and 11.30am in St Patrick’s, Templepatrick.
Matins is said in St Patrick's every Mon, Tue, Thurs, and Fri each week during Lent, at 9.30am, beginning Monday 11th February and finishing on Friday 14th March.
Specialists in Small Business Accounts Audit and Accountancy Book Keeping Personal Taxation VAT Returns Self-Assessment Wages & PAYE
T V Michael BA FSCA MBIM ACIM AIPA
4 Knightswood, Templepatrick, Co Antrim, BT39 0AX
Tel/Fax: Templepatrick (028) 9443 3123 e-mail: [email protected]
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A c c o u n t a n t s
Safeguarding Trust
In accordance with the recommendations in ‘Safeguarding Trust - The Church of Ireland Code of Good Practice for Ministry with Children’, a Parish Panel has been appointed (operating since June 1998) to implement some of the responsibilities identified in the Code. The Panels responsibilities include: - interviewing persons willing to serve as workers in the parish - advising workers on their responsibilities in respect of the Code - advising the Select Vestry in respect of its responsibilities - being an immediate contact point for workers when a suspicion, complaint or allegation of child abuse is made about a worker or on parish premises in accord with the procedures set out in these guidelines. The Parish Panel Members are:- The Rev Jennifer Bell, 926 Antrim Road, Templepatrick Tel:028 94432300 Mrs M Bell, 2 Mossgrove Park, Glengormley Tel:028 90833300 Mr S Clendinning, 14 Kilmakee Road, Templepatrick Tel:028 94432523 Mr M Cooke, 44 Rathmore Road, Dunadry Tel:028 94433183
______________________
Notes for next issue of the Parish Magazine are due on:-
Wednesday 12 March 2008
Contributions from all parish organisations would be very welcome.
Rotas
St Patrick’s
Intercessor Rota for Parish Eucharist
February A CookeMarch W Brolly
Communion Rota
February Younger ParishionersMarch Mr T & Mrs C Michael
Cleaning Rota
February A Cooke, O Erskine, B Perris March C Michael, G McCoy, W Brolly
Flower Rota
February 3rd Vacant, 10th, 17th & 24th Lent March 2 , 9 , 16 L nt, 23 & Easter nd th th e rd 30th
St John’s
Communion Rota
February Mr & Mrs Mehaffey March Mr & Mrs Lundy
Kindfund We would like to thank all those who gave so generously to the ‘Kindfund’ Charity. It was very encouraging and much appreciated. A total of £455 was presented to Pamela and Ken Dobbin, they were delighted. They will be returning to Kenya on 17 January 2008 to resume their work with the orphans of Northern Kenya. Please remember them in your prayers as they travel and work at this difficult time in Kenya. For the latest information see – www.kindfund.com Daphne & Catherine Lucas
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We are looking for contributions from Parishioners for inclusion in future editions of the Magazine.
If you have anything which you think may be of interest to others, please could we ask that you give it to the
Churchwardens, Alan Walbridge or Gail McCoy.
The next date for contributions is
Wednesday 12 March 2008
Gardening Tips / Cookery Corner We would like Parishioners to contribute to these new sections in future
editions of the magazine! Please forward any contributions to the Churchwardens, Alan Walbridge or Gail McCoy. Don’t be shy !!
St Patrick’s & St John’s Bowling Club The Bowling Club continues to meet on Friday evening from 7.30 pm
until 10.30 pm. Monday night is practice night from 8.00 pm until 9.30 pm.
Since our last magazine we have had our Christmas party night, which was very well supported. The winner on the evening received a turkey with lots of other prize winners. We had a visit from our ‘resident’ Santa, who had a gift for everyone there.
We are looking forward to our second visit of the season to the Baker Stadium and also to the Rock bowling club, both dates to be arranged.
We would encourage new members to come along and join in the fun and fellowship, even if you have never bowled before. Come along and try a Monday night! Isobel McCollam (Hon Secretary) Douglas Horton
O r g a n i s i n g y o u r W e d d i n g
Weddings are very special occasions in the life of any family and in the
life of the church. When considering getting married please check possible dates with the Rector before confirming arrangements.
It is expected that couples will make a regular commitment to the life of the church in preparation for marriage.
An annual Rural Deanery marriage preparation course takes place every year in February which ‘intending’ couples are asked to attend.
From the Registers ………
HOLY BAPTISM
“He took them in his arms and blessed them”
St Patrick’s, Templepatrick
21st October 2007, Helen, daughter of Stephen James & Pauline Menagh 21 Broadacres, Templepatrick
CHRISTIAN BURIAL
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord”
17th November 2007, Lord Cooke, 29 Islandreagh Road, Dunadry
22nd November 2007, Violet Davison, 24 Broadacres, Templepatrick
Kitchen Fund - Parish Hall
The Kitchen fund account is now on going. All contributions would be most welcome.
Anyone wishing to contribute please contact Isobel McCollam
or the Hon Treasurer Norman Shirley.
T h e F u n d n o w s t a n d s a t £ 1 4 , 8 9 8 . 2 7
Becoming a Registered Vestrymember Notice is hereby given that the Register of General Vestrymen is open for revision from Sunday 27th January until Sunday 10th February, 2008. Persons wishing to qualify as Registered Vestrymembers should complete the necessary form, available from a Churchwarden, and return it to the Churchwarden(s) NOT LATER THAN 10th February, 2008. Forms of Declaration may be had, upon request, from the Churchwardens. Persons already registered do not need to re-register. Please check the existing list of Registered Vestrymen in the church porch if you are in any doubt. Revision will be completed and the list closed by the Select Vestry at its meeting on Monday 11th February 2008 in the Minor Hall at 8.00pm. Signed: Jennifer Bell Rector
To qualify you must be: A member of the Church of Ireland Over 18 years old A parishioner or accustomed member - (and not on any other parish register of vestrymembers) A Subscriber to Church funds Registering your name on the Register of Vestrymembers entitles you to be elected to the Select Vestry and to a vote at the Easter AGM when, from among the members, the Select Vestry is elected for another year. Registering does not mean that you will automatically be a member of the Select Vestry, which meets monthly and whose terms of reference are furnishings, fabric and finance. Your presence at this meeting is valued and expresses your support for the Select Vestry’s work throughout the year.
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So what’s so special about Lent, anyway? COLEMAN’S GARDEN CENTRE
513
5.30pm 5.00pm
Lent begins on 1st March. It begins with Ash Wednesday, which always falls in the seventh week before Easter. Lent is widely observed by Cthe world as a time of fasting or meditation.
Why ‘Ash Wednesday’? What do ashes have to do with anythright back to the Old Testament custom of putting ashes on clothing as a symbol of repentance or remorse. (e.g. Esther 46.26). When the early Church began to observe Lent as a perfor Easter, repentance and remorse played a key part. Thereashes was adopted as a proper external sign of this inward aor repentance.
So the early Christians, especially during the Middle Ages, uLent to impose ashes on the heads of the clergy and the peopthese ashes come from the burning of the palm crosses that on Palm Sunday during the previous year’s Lent.
Some churches continue this theme of repentance by the sympurple clerical dress during Lent.
What about the custom of giving up things for Lent? In the ptime for fasting, because it is based on the period of 40 daysthe wilderness before the beginning of his public ministry infasted for 40 days, and so his followers were encouraged to dThe early Church recommended a fast of two or three days, bcentury, people were encouraged to fast for the full 40 days.
The precise nature of this ‘fasting’ varied. In general, the wesunderstood ‘fasting’ as a reduced intake of food, and eating fmeat. It encouraged Christians to spend time in devotional rattendance at church rather than fasting.
But what about the length of Lent? The numerically able reaworked out by now that the period between Ash Wednesday actually 46 days. So why not the 40 days that Jesus fasted?to early church tradition. In the early Church, every Sundaycelebration of the resurrection of Christ. So fasting was forbiSunday! So the period of 46 days thus consists of 40 days ofsix Sundays which fall between Ash Wednesday and Easter DFinally, just before Ash Wednesday, we have Shrove TuesdayTuesday. This custom comes from the many thousands of Chousewives down the centuries who cleared out their lardersbefore the fast of Lent. The simplest way of using up all theirmilk was to make pancakes. In some countries the day is knGras, and is marked by major carnivals, most famously in RBrazil.
*****
6 Old Ballyclare Road, Templepatrick For further information Tel: 028 9443 2
Garden Centre Opening Hours - Mon – Sat 9am – Sunday 1pm –
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sed the first day of le. Nowadays, were handed out
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tern church ish rather than eading or
der will have and Easter Day is Again, we go back was regarded as a dden on a fasting, plus the ay.
, or Pancake hristian immediately eggs, flour and own as Mardi io de Janeiro,
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The Internet www.templepatrick.connor.anglican.org Technology - New Year Blues Blue seems to be the colour to name things after. It was in the Parish Magazine for March 2002 that I mentioned Blue Tooth. This was a technology mostly unheard of at the time, but now part of a wireless life, especially with mobile phones.
There is a new blue in the market place, well about a year old, Blu-ray. A recent announcement makes it useful to know something about it.
Many of us can remember the battle that went on between two different ways of recording video onto tape; Betamax and VHS. Although it is usually accepted that Betamax was technically better, it was VHS that became the standard. One of the reasons that this happened was the material available on VHS. A similar thing is happening with Blu-ray; but what is Blu-ray?
Regular readers of these pages will have some idea about High Definition television, and it is becoming difficult to buy a new receiver that is not HD ready. However the television is used for more than just watching television, and few of us can receive HD transmissions such as those put out by Sky HD.
Many of us however watch DVDs; do these produce High Definition pictures on an HD ready TV? Unfortunately the answer is NO. To see the latest films in HD you will need a specially recorded DVD and a special player. Which brings us back to Betamax and VHS. Unfortunately there are yet again two standards Blu-ray and HD DVD, and they are not compatible.
A few days ago Warner Brothers announced their exclusive support of Blu-ray. Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox and Disney have earlier done the same. Of the big American distributors, only Paramount and Universal Pictures continue to release for HD DVD. It is rumoured that Paramount is poised to drop its support of HD DVD. If this happens then it would appear the end of the format war. But in the meantime if you want to see your favourite films it looks like you will have to go down the Blu-ray route. Of course all this will be irrelevant if we can download the movies rather than wait to buy them on next-generation DVDs. The next big chance to sell high-definition movie players won't be until next Christmas and by then we might not need them.
But why Blu-ray? The disc that you put in the player is read, not by a needle as many of us remember, but by a laser. At the moment the laser in your equipment produces a red beam of light. No prizes for guessing the colour used in Blu-ray devices. Blue light can produce a smaller spot of light and so the information can be packed onto the disc more densely. Thus a Blu-ray disc can hold over 5 times as much data as a conventional DVD. This translates to about 13 hours of standard video or more than two hours of high-definition video. There is also a double layer Blu-ray disc that nearly doubles these times.
You may be thinking that as usual the Americans are not too good when it comes to spelling; but everyday words cannot be trademarked, hence Blu rather than Blue.
The final result is not yet in as HD DVD will have cheaper players and discs, but Blu-ray certainly seems to be in a strong position. If you are fortunate enough to have a Sony Playstation 3 (PSP3) video games console, then it comes with a built in Blu-ray player.
Most of HD DVD's "momentum" so far has come from Microsoft. It is used in Microsoft's Xbox 360, but requires an extra external drive to do so. Wireless TV? Perhaps Santa has been good to you and that Flat-panel TV looks lovely on the wall - the cords hanging from it, less so. In this day of wireless communication in the home, be it your DECT phone (Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) or wireless router so that you can surf the web from anywhere in the house, why should you have to put wires into your TV?
It all really comes down to how much information has to be moved and how quickly it has to be done, distance also matters. Speech doesn’t require much information to be sent and even if words get distorted we can still make sense of the message, so wireless phones are easy. TV pictures are much harder to send. There is much more data to be sent in a very short time, and we have all seen pictures freeze when things go wrong.
Wireless streaming of HD video has been talked about for years. Last year Philips announced a kit consisting of two antennas for streaming video, saying it would be on sale in 2007. It hasn't been heard of since. However things seem to be about to change.
All of the major television manufacturers have announced new television sets with wireless HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). Although all are using proprietary standards, the benefit is the same: a reduction of cables and the freedom to put set-top boxes and HD players anywhere you like.
The heavyweight entry in the field is WirelessHD. This can beam HD audio and video from set-top boxes, DVD players and digital cameras to TV sets. The electronic chips required can be made small, and the intention is to have them built into devices, rather than be supplied in add-on adapters. Unlike other wireless TV solutions, WirelessHD won't need to compress the signal, which can result in a loss of quality.
WirelessHD has intentionally limited the range of the technology so that the technology can cover a whole room - even a large room, up to 10 metres - but not leak into the house next door. That also means the signal will not reach from the living room into other rooms in the same home.
LG Electronics plan to have sets that will use run-of-the-mill Wi-Fi, as used in your wireless router, as the wireless link with a 15 metre range. Wi-Fi is great for data networking, but less than ideal for streaming video requiring the most compression when used for HD video.
Hewlett-Packard Co already makes two models of Wi-Fi enabled HDTVs, but the wireless link only connects them to home PCs, not with set-top boxes or the rest of the entertainment centre. Of course with the good weather about to start again you might be much better off going for a nice walk than watching even more TV to justify the cost of all the hardware. They also say that the pictures are much better on the radio.
Alan [email protected]
Saints of the Church
Brigid, Abbess of Kildare 1 February -- Festival
Brigid (also known as Bride) was born in the latter part of the fifth century, of humble origin just five miles from Kildare. She was to become first a nun in the monastery there and then its Abbess. She is believed to have been baptised by and the stories of her portray a woman of great compassion. She is even said to have been consecrated a bishop by Bishop Ibor, because of her resemblance to the Virgin Mary, but this may have been put abroad to support the claim of the primacy of the Abbey of Kildare. By her prayers and miracles, she is reputed to have strongly influenced the formation of the Church throughout Ireland, where she is, with St Patrick, the patron saint. She died in about the year 525.
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) 2 February -- Principal Feast -- Gold or White
This day marks the completion of forty days since the birth of Jesus, when Mary and Joseph took the child to the Temple in Jerusalem. The requirement in Levitical law was for Mary to be 'cleansed', the completion of her purification following the birth of a male child. Until that day, she could touch no holy thing nor enter the sanctuary. Yet on seeing the holy family, Simeon praised God and acclaimed the infant as 'the light to enlighten the nations' and the prophet Anna gave thanks and proclaimed him her Redeemer. The image of Christ as the Light has led to the celebration of light countering darkness, with candles often taking a central place in the observance.
George Herbert, Priest 27 February -- Lesser Festival -- Pastor -- White
Born in 1593 into the aristocratic Pembroke family, George Herbert went up to Cambridge in 1614, eventually becoming a fellow of Trinity College. At the age of twenty-five, he became Public Orator in the University and then a Member of Parliament, apparently destined for a life at court. To everyone's surprise, he decided to be ordained and, after spending a time with his friend Nicholas Ferrar at Little Gidding, he was made deacon in 1626. He married in 1629, was priested in 1630 and given the care of souls of the parish of Bemerton, near Salisbury, where he spent the rest of his short life. He wrote prolifically, his hymns still being popular throughout the English-speaking world. His treatise, The Country Parson, on the priestly life, and his poetry, especially The Temple, earned Herbert a leading place in English literature. He never neglected the care of the souls of Bemerton, however, and encouraged attendance at the weekday recitation of the daily office, calling to mind the words of his hymn, 'Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee'. He died on this day in 1633.
Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland 17 March -- Missionary -- Festival -- White
Patrick was born in Celtic Cornwall around the year 390 and was captured by Irish raiders when he was sixteen years old and taken to Ireland as a slave. After six years, he escaped and seems to have gone to the Continent. He eventually found his way back to his own
family, where his previously nominal Christian faith grew and matured. He returned to Gaul and was there trained as a priest and much influenced by the form of monasticism evolving under Martin of Tours. When he was in his early forties, he returned to Ireland as a bishop, and made his base at Armagh, which became the centre of his See. He evangelised the people of the land by walking all over the island, gently bringing men and women to a knowledge of Christ. Although he faced fierce opposition and possible persecution, he continued his missionary journeys. Despite being unsuccessful in his attempts to establish the diocesan system he had experienced in Gaul, his monastic foundations proved to be the infrastructure required to maintain the faith after his death, which occurred on this day in the year 460.
Joseph of Nazareth 19 March -- Festival -- White
In the gospel of Matthew, Joseph is depicted as a good man, a working carpenter, who trusted in God. He received God's messenger who shared with him God's will for him and for Mary, to whom he was engaged to be married. Luke's gospel describes how Joseph took the new-born child as if he were his own. He was with Mary when, on the fortieth day after the birth, Jesus was presented in the Temple, 'where every first-born male is designated as holy to the Lord'. The adoption of Jesus by Joseph also established Jesus in the descent of David, to accord with the prophecy that Israel's deliverer would be of the House and lineage of David.
The Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessèd Virgin Mary 25 March -- Principal Feast -- White or Gold
The story of the announcement of the coming of God made flesh in the person of his Son, Jesus the Christ, the Anointed One, is heard in today's proclamation of the good news from the gospel of Luke. The feast marks the conception of Christ in the womb of Mary and has been celebrated in the Church at least since the late fourth century. The perfect humanity and the complete divinity of Jesus is affirmed, following the controversies around those orthodox assertions, which themselves led to the acknowledgement of Mary as Theotokos, God-bearer, which in the West became translated as Mother of God. The celebration thus took on strong associations with the person of Mary, and became known in England as Lady Day. In recent years, the Church has re-affirmed the day as a Feast of our Lord, on which his virgin- mother has a unique place of honour and veneration.
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