Parish Organisations
Adult Choir
Music in Whitechurch is provided by three elements: the organist and the adult church choir. Our organist, John Dexter, is in charge of the church choir which boasts a full complement of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. We meet approximately every second Sunday for rehearsal at 9.30am and regularly sing anthems, canticles and Eucharist music. Occasionally we are accompanied by instruments and occasionally we are led in song by the Youth Worker. Always we have fun, but we take the responsibility of offering our very best for the Lord seriously.
For more information contact Gillian Butler on butlergillian@hotmail.com
Alpha
Since 2002 there have been two Alpha Courses each year in the Parish. They began in the ‘School Hall’ and moved to The Stables in 2014. The Alpha Course encourages a basic understanding of your Christian Faith.
In 2023 Alpha moved online. If you would like to oin the next Online Express Alpha Course, please email revmheaney@gmail.com forinformation.
Badminton
Whitechurch Parish Badminton Club
We are a small group of ladies and occasionally one gentleman who enjoy social badminton every Wednesday evening from 8.00pm to 10.00pm in the Old Schools Hall.
We play from September to May and enjoy the chat just as much as the exercise. We do not play league matches and we are of mixed ability, therefore any standard of player would be very welcome.
If anyone, male or female and over 18 would like to join us, please contact me on 086 3647746.
Sylvia Simpson
Bible Reading Together
Bible Reading has always been a part of the parish life. There are three groups meeting, 2 evening and 1 morning, for about an hour. If you would like to join a group, email revmheaney@gmail.com for information. Also – if you would like information on Bible Reading Notes, contact rhodanneheaney@gmail.com
Bowls
Indoor Bowls – We play in three leagues and two cup competitions, against other parishes. We organise internal competitions and friendly matches. We also have regular club nights, when not doing any of the above!
Bowls is normally played in a very sociable and friendly manner
We meet on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm during the season September to April.
Club Captain: Peter Osman.
Club Secretary: Janet Sutton.
For further information, please contact Peter Osman 087 2254463.
Brownies
Whitechurch Brownies caters for girls between 7 and 10 years of age.
We meet every Thursday evening (term time) from 6.30 p.m. to 7.45 p.m. in The Stables, Whitechurch Road.
Our unit is very active with plenty of outdoor activities, adventures and overnight trips.
We are always interested in what the girls want to achieve throughout their time with us and every year we write a Brownies bucket list and do our best to complete it.
Brownies give the girls an opportunity to become independent, confident,develop life skills and make new friends. All this is done in a fun, safe and non judgmental way, we help the girls develop to their fullest potential. So if earning badges, having unforgettable adventures and making new friends is something your daughter would like to do, then give Brownies a try.
All queries please to Hazel Furlong whitechurchbrownies@gmail.com
Cubs
68th Whitechurch Cubs range from 9-11 years of age and we have a mix of both boys and girls. It’s held in the Whitechurch Parish Hall every Wednesday from 6.40- 8pm and we have all sorts of fun and adventures every week! We learn important scouting skills which range from learning about the country code and looking after the environment, learning how to light fires, cooking, first aid, pitching tents, knots, pioneering, hiking and orienteering!
Cub Scouts: Glen Vince. glenvince2010@gmail.com.
Coffee Stop
Coffee available 1pm – 2pm on Fridays in the Old Schools. All welcome to join us – Returning in September
Please contact the Parish Office on 01-4934972
Guides
Whitechurch Guides welcomes 10-14 year old girls from Brownies units and also girls who haven’t been involved in Guiding. Currently Guides have a waiting list but please get in touch and we will let you know as places become available – Whitechurch.guides@gmail.com.
If you would like information about how to volunteer as a leader or unit helper please let us know.
We meet on Tuesday evenings in the Old School Hall and often do activities and camps up in Larch Hill or other nearby amenities. Most years we plan an indoor weekend stay at the Guide Cottage in Enniskerry and a weekend away in another hostel or camping.
We also go on trips abroad and the Isle of Man 2022 was our post Covid trip and with London 2023, we have many more happy and exhausted memories.
Healer Prayer Union
We have 14 intercessors on our list at present, and, on average, we pray for 35 – 40 people every day, as individuals.
As a group, we meet immediately after 10.30 Church Service on the second Sunday of every month, except July and August, with a short Service and praying for the people on our list.
If anyone would like to become an intercessor, or would like to know more about the work of the Healer Prayer Union, please get in touch with the Secretary, Hazel Crawford on (01) 4946918.
Ladies Breakfast
These began in 2018 in the Old Schools and now in 2023, we have relocated to Grange Golf Club and where we have held another very successful Breakfast.
Ladybirds
If there is anyone with girls between the ages of 5 – 7 looking to join Whitechurch Ladybird Guides, we would love to hear from you. For further information please contact Naomi Mulligan 087-2496456.
Men’s Breakfast
Since 2009, we have self-catered a ‘full cooked’ Breakfast twice yearly in the Old Schools. We have had a guest speaker on each occasion. Now in 2023, we have relocated to Grange Golf Club and where we have held another very successful Breakfast.
Mothers Union
Mothers Union is a worldwide organization of the Anglican Communion where Christians can serve Christ in their own community through prayer, financial support and actively working at grass root level in programmes that meet local needs.
Whitechurch Mothers Union meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the following months (Jan- May & Sept-Dec)- with guest speakers and lovely suppers!
Annual Subscription €35.00
Contact: mothersunionwhitechurch@gmail.com
Our Programme for 2024
Thurs 4th January – A morning outingto the Lavery Exhibition in the National Gallery at 11.00 am.
Tuesday 8th January – Birdwatch Ireland Jonathon Taylor tells us about our wonderful feathered friends. 8.00 pm
Tuesday 13th February – Ada Lawson our Diocesan President visits – have your questions ready. 8.00 pm
Saturday 2nd March – All Ireland Big Hymn Sing – St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny . 2.00 pm
Tuesday 12th March – The Canadian Rockies – get whisked away with a talk and slide show by Reg Richards.
Sunday 24th March – Famine Lunch after Church in aid of M.U. Overseas.
Tuesday 9th April – League of Health – Valerie Williams will give us a happy and healthy work out to music 8.00 pm
Sunday Club
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6
The Whitechurch Sunday Club takes place in the Old Schools Hall which is located within the church grounds, with children leaving to attend during the 10.30am service. We warmly welcome all children who are attending Primary School.
Full attendance and leader details are maintained each week in order to comply with the Church of Ireland’s approved guidelines in relation to Childcare.
We take collection from the children each week. This is to help develop the life practice of offering a gift in the Church’s public worship. The monies collected are given to worthy causes.
Our aim is to inspire a love for God and His word in the hearts, minds and souls of our children.
For further information please contact Janine Jamieson on (086) 3175900 or by email to janinejamieson@gmail.com
Youth Group
Whitechurch Youth Group welcomes all 5th and 6th Class pupils as well as Secondary School Pupils on selected Friday nights. The 5th and 6th Class group takes place from 6.30-7.30 p.m. and the Secondary School Group takes place straight after, until 8.30 p.m. If you come to Youth Group, you can expect games, team-building activities, discussion circles, and songs in which we connect lyrics with important messages. Everyone is welcome, please come along! Zoe