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Lisbellaw churches ablaze with colour' for Flower Festival

 

At the end of September, Lisbellaw Parish will explore the words and works of Jesus in its Flower Festival. Over the weekend of 28th-30th September, the church buildings in the parish will be ablaze with colour and growth displaying stories and themes from the Gospel of Mark.

The two places of worship, Lisbellaw Parish Church and Coolbuck Church, will be decorated with displays by Mr Timothy Elliott (in Lisbellaw) and the Erne Flower Club (in Coolbuck).

The Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Rev John McDowell, will open the Festival at a special service on the afternoon of Friday 28th, and the churches will remain open for viewing throughout the weekend, finishing with an epilogue service in Lisbellaw on Sunday evening. The Dean of Kilmore, the Very Rev Raymond Ferguson, will be the preacher at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Coolbuck on Sunday 30th.

Throughout the weekend, refreshments will be available in the Parish Centre, and groups are welcome to book with the parish for any special arrangements: (028) 6638 7556. All monies raised go to Parish Funds.

On Monday 1st October at 8.00 p.m., there will be a special concert featuring local artistes in Lisbellaw Parish Centre, at which floral exhibits will be auctioned. A special collection will also be taken in aid of Cancer Connect NI, Enniskillen to assist them in providing support and guidance to individuals who have been affected by cancer and their families/carers.

Canon Bryan Kerr, rector of Lisbellaw, explains that 2012 is a year of celebration for the parish. "This year we give thanks for the 150th anniversary of Coolbuck Church, and we also mark the 60th anniversary of Lisbellaw Mothers' Union. The Flower Festival is one way of commemorating these milestones. We want to assure everyone of the warmest of welcomes as they join us for this weekend.

"The theme of the festival is important also as Mark's gospel is the earliest written account of the life of Jesus, and during this weekend we will look at Jesus afresh through Mark's eyes. As we journey through the churches admiring the displays, I would encourage people to journey through the story of Jesus also."

The programme for the Flower Festival weekend is as follows:

Friday 28th September 3.00 p.m.
- 9.00 p.m. Lisbellaw Parish Church and Coolbuck Church open for viewing

3.30 p.m. Welcome and Opening Service in Lisbellaw
Address by The Rt. Rev. John McDowell, Bishop of Clogher

Saturday 29th 10.00 a.m.
- 7.00 p.m. Lisbellaw Parish Church and Coolbuck Church open for viewing

Sunday 30th 12.30 p.m.
- 5.00 p.m. Lisbellaw Parish Church and Coolbuck Church open for viewing

3.00 p.m. Coolbuck Harvest Thanksgiving
Preacher: Dean Raymond Ferguson

5.30 p.m. Epilogue Service in Lisbellaw

Contact: Rev Canon Bryan Kerr, The Rectory, Lisbellaw
Tel (028) 6638 7219
Email: rector@lisbellaw.net