The Parish of Upper Ryedale

PARISH NEWS

June 2008

Who’s Who

From the Rectory

Dear Friends,
As we prepare for our move, Ann and I would like to thank all parishioners for their kindness and support over the past three and a half years. We shall take many happy memories with us, and assure you of our continuing thoughts and prayers. An interregnum can be a testing time for a parish, but I know that church life will continue. Indeed, if people pull together, it can be a time, not just of survival, but of growth.
One of the comments which I often find in our visitors’ books is appreciation of the “Upper Ryedale Creed.” It is something which speaks to people, and resonates with something they have apprehended in this part of the country, and in our church buildings.

I look for
the Holy Spirit's fire
in the friendship of
little churches.

My predecessor, Andrew Shanks, wrote when he left this parish, of how he had found new meaning in Jesus’ words “where two or three are together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” We so often see these words as meaning “even when there are only two or three…” whereas the true meaning is nearer “particularly when there are only two or three..” I think one of the messages here is that small congregations are not failed big ones, they are, rather, gatherings where God can be known in true communion and friendship. That has been so for a thousand years in this parish. Long may it continue.

I affirm
the communion of saints
in redolent stillness
of ancient stone.

The root meaning of the word “church” is “gathering.” The church is the community of believers, and the place where they meet for worship is only a “church” in a secondary sense. However, this does not mean that our church buildings are unimportant. Far from it. They are sermons in stone, which speak to us of the eternal verities of the Christian faith. One of the marvellous things about our churches is that they are always open, and thus places where people – parishioners or visitors – can come and rest awhile, and perchance glimpse something of the world unseen. That has been happening for a thousand years. Long may it continue.

I aspire, in hope, to take to heart
historic wisdom.

The faith which finds expression in the Creed is something which we have not invented for ourselves. We received it from others, and are charged with passing on to generations yet to come. The light of Christ has burned for a thousand years in this parish. Long may it continue.
Yours in Christ.

David

P.S. You will know that my final service in Upper Ryedale is to be on Sunday 15th June, 11am at Old Byland Church. Do join us for a glass of wine, or some such, afterwards.
Our new address is to be “12, Craneswater Park, Norwood Green, Southall, Middlesex UB2 5RP.” I don’t know the phone number yet! But my mobile is 07929 371838.

Ordination
On Sunday, 29th June the Archbishop of York will be ordaining new deacons in the Minster at 10.00am. Among those being ordained will be Ben Nicholson. Ann Coleman will be preaching the sermon. If people would like to attend and support Ben and the other candidates, they are warmly invited to do so. Tickets are available from David Coleman, or from David Wilbourne at Helmsley.

David

Parish News

Interregnum Arrangements

During the Interregnum the Parish is under the overall care of the Rural Dean, Revd David Purdy of Kirkbymoorside, with your Churchwardens responsible for day to day matters. The familiar pattern of Sunday services has had to be changed to just one service, mostly Eucharist, each Sunday taken by a visiting priest. This means that the service at your Church will be on differing Sundays in each month.
The services until the end of October, including Harvest Festivals, have been arranged and the Newsletter will include the name of the Priest who will take each service. Any matters relating to services and the need for any baptisms, weddings or funerals should be referred to your Churchwarden in the first instance. PCC meetings and Parish life will continue!
The future of the Parish and our Priest are under discussion in the Diocese, but it is too early to say what options are under consideration and to even guess what the outcome might be.

PCC Meeting

The next PCC meeting will be an Ordinary meeting and is to be held on Monday, 7th July 2008 in Hawnby Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

Churchwarden’s Visitation

This year’s Visitation has reverted back to a local venue, at St Oswald’s, Sowerby with our Archdeacon, Paul Ferguson and, possibly, Bishop Robert, and will be on Monday, 9th June at 7.30pm.

Parish Fund Raising 2008

The Snowball Pledge running from May to October 2008.
The Snowballs have been handed out and the Snowball Pledge should now be up and running. To remind you, the idea behind this fund raising exercise is that it is like a chain. Ten people in each Church will have a special “snowball pledge” ball that they hand over to a friend, relative or colleague in exchange for an item or a service. From the money they receive £5 will go to the church. Their friend, relative or colleague will then do the same; meaning another £5 will go to the church and so on. The aim will be to negotiate 5 transactions for each ball – ie: 50 transactions per Church. Throughout the Parish this will add up to 250 transactions and hopefully make a total of £1250.
So what items or services could possibly raise as much or more than £5? The items could be produce, Arts and crafts or services, the possibilities are endless and the fundraising stretches over 5 months.
If they feel the chain is too complicated one person could sell the same ball 5 times without the need to pass it on. The idea is that we should attempt to raise some of the money from outside the Parish. For further information please contact Anne Lang or Hazel Wilkinson or your local fundraiser.

Roast Pork Fun Day

A Family Fun Day with Roast Pork lunch is being arranged for Sunday, 13th July at Dialstone Farm. More details in next month’s Newsletter, so make a note in your diary.

Bilsdale/ Chop Gate Joint Service

There will be a joint united service for the whole of the Parishes of Upper Ryedale and Chop Gate at St John’s Church on Sunday, 29th June at 6.00pm. It will also be St John’s Gift Day service – what better gift than ourselves. Please join us.

Christian Aid Week, May 11th-17th

A request from Honor for any Christian Aid envelopes to be handed in to churchwardens as soon as possible. And don’t forget Maggie Wood’s sponsorship.

A Wright Pair

A recital of popular classics featuring Nick Wright (violin) & Grace Huang (piano) on Saturday, 28th June in St Oswald’s Church, Sowerby. Tickets £8 in advance (£10 at the door); children f.o.c. from Hambleton Books or White Rose Books in Thirsk or by email tickets@sowerbymusic.org.uk Organised by Sowerby Music with all profits shared between St Oswald’s Church, Sowerby and St Michael’s Church, Cold Kirby . Donations on the evening are most welcome
Tickets for Nick & Grace's concert can also be arranged directly with Honor and Simon Wright. A phone call will suffice (01845 597464).

Future Dates for your Diary

Quiz Night

Friday, 29th August in Cold Kirby Village Hall - with fish and chip supper will return! Not to be missed - please book it into your diary now.

'Irish Evening' in Helmsley Town Hall at 7.30 on Friday, 19th September, with Irish food (stew etc.!) and a Ceilidh band from Ampleforth College. Tickets £12.50. Proceeds to Old Byland church.

What’s on and News

WI News

The Summer Outing to Markenfield Hall, Ripon, followed with tea at Newby Hall and gardens, will be on Tuesday, 3rd June. Details from Lucy Warrack- 01439 798 322
The following WI meeting will be a talk ‘To Scotland with Dorothy’ by Dorothy Garbutt on 2nd July at 7.15pm in the Village Hall Rievaulx.

Mobile Library Dates

Next dates for the Hawnby/Bilsdale route are Tuesdays, 17th June and 8th & 29th July. The Old Byland, Cold Kirby and Scawton route dates are Wednesdays, 4th & 25th June and 16th July.