On Sunday 1 August we assembled for an uplifting outdoor service of worship. The service took place on the lawn of St Philip’s Church. We gave thanks for the wonder of creation. Canon Gyles’ sermon brought to light the profound consequences of climate change for one particular family in Ethiopia.…
We were delighted to welcome Philip Daly to our services one Sunday during the summer to speak about the Ranelagh Community Response, a community volunteer group set up in response to Covid-19. Members of the Confirmation Group and Garden Gang helped out in the spring and summer by growing flowers…
In light of World Bee Day on 20 May 2021, I thought I would write about ways that we can help reduce the decline in Ireland’s bees and other pollinators. I’ve recently pledged my (small) garden for pollinators, by taking these really simple steps: Reduce Frequency of Cutting Your LawnThe…
Many thanks to the children of SPNS for the wonderful Easter posters on the railings of Sandford Church. The following is a message received from a passer-by “I walked to Ranelagh today and the beautiful decorations adorning the railings at Sandford Church gave me such a boost. I’m still smiling.…
One can only laugh: Last week I was visiting a classroom to speak to the children. I was on auto pilot and actually entered the room. One of many ‘bright little buttons’ observed that I was in the room. I smiled and said that I was feeling particularly brave that…
Owing to the cancellation of our planned Hymnathon in summer 2020, and the continual restrictions on singing, a rather different sort of Hymnathon will take place on Friday 11 June, during which I plan to play through the entire Church Hymnal on the organ of St Philip’s Church, beginning at…
This year’s Summer Music series will take place entirely online, with recitals released every second Friday on the Music at Sandford and St Philip’s YouTube channel. This year we will have our very own Anne-Marie O’Farrell performing a solo harp recital, as well as young Feis Ceoil winner Evan Lawrence…
Although congregational and choral singing is still not permitted in church, and live concerts are not yet permitted in our church buildings, the long-awaited return of live music comes closer each day with the continual increase in vaccination numbers. I remain optimistic about restarting our parish music groups this autumn,…
The last time that we walked and talked was at the beginning of December 2020 which is almost 6 months ago. At last we can safely meet outdoors in groups of less than 15! So let’s go for it. Begin to live again. So here is the plan: Tuesday 1st…
Thanks to everyone who submitted recipes for the Sandford Parish Cookbook. The Cookbook Committee (Chris Boyd, Linda Evans, Barbara Power-Smith, Rob Tilson, Gillian Wynne and the Rector) are busily collating, editing, proof-reading etc. in order to get the book to the printers. It is planned that the cookbook will be…