NEWSLETTER February 2013
St Andrews Parish Church Aysgarth / Dates For Your Diary / Prayer List
The Benefice Peace And Justice Group
Incorporating the parishes of Aysgarth, Bolton-cum-Redmire,
Preston with Wensley, Thornton Rust, & West Witton
Vicar: Revd. Canon Sue Whitehouse, The Vicarage, Carperby. Tel: 663235
Curate: Revd. Penny Yeadon, Dale Cottage, Aysgarth. Tel: 663505
Dear Friends,
Many years ago when I was teaching I went into my then church one Saturday morning to collect something. I was horrified to find the building a hive of activity as I realised that I had forgotten about the annual spring clean. The Vicar was making coffee for the workers and asked if I would like a cup. I said that I didn’t qualify because I hadn’t done any cleaning. He replied that the coffee was like God’s love – it was a free gift which could not be earned!
We live in a society where everything (and everyone) is judged by visible output and measurable efficiency. This, I think, is the collective result of how we assess ourselves as individuals. We transfer expectations that we have about ourselves on to other people and this can then lead to an intolerance of anything less than perfect – as we see it. “Achievement” and “Success” become the orders of the day and in our striving to attain them we can become soul-less as individuals, communities and organisations.
This month we embark on the season of Lent in the Church’s calendar. If we are not careful these weeks can also become a time when we drive ourselves to achieve – testing our willpower to “give up” some luxury or “take on” some extra activity. And, perhaps also taking a critical sideways glance at how other people seem to be getting on.
But at the heart of our Lenten journey is God and His love for each of us. The difficulty we face is not in endeavouring to be superhuman but in letting go of ourselves in order to receive His forgiveness and welcome without any effort on our part. It is not easy to change our mind-set to accept God’s love when we have done nothing to deserve it.
However, if we can throw off our pride and our perceived need to be self-sufficient, God’s Spirit has room to burn in our lives both individually and corporately. This is something that is not visible or measurable in itself and it is difficult to calculate or quantify. But its results are evident and tangible inthe warmth of the soul at the centre of our lives and activities within our different groups.
When I was training as a teacher we were told that the best way to assess a school was to sit in the vestibule and watch and listen as the different members of that community interacted with each other. Its ethos would soon be evident in the sum of individual encounters – warm, supportive, respectful – or otherwise. By encouraging ourselves this Lent to relax into God’s love we too can contribute to the heart of church and community and show His welcome and care – even if it is simply in the form of offering an unearned cup of coffee!
With God’s love and blessing,
Sue
MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST
Saturday February 2nd 8.30am
Sycamore Hall, Bainbridge Speaker: Rev David Ineson.
Further details from Ian Ferguson Tel: 650685
St. Andrew’s Church: DROP IN FOR COFFEE
Tuesday 5th February 10am– 12 noon
Fernlea, Thoralby. £1 to include coffee/tea and biscuits.
Proceeds will be divided between the church and a charity of the host’s choice
BIBLE STUDY
Tuesday 5th February 2pm Gordon Lodge, Redmire
‘Bible Characters – Anna & Simeon (Luke 2: 21-40)
Followed by Afternoon Tea. All are welcome
Bolton-cum-Redmire PCC‘s CHURCH COFFEE CLUB
Wednesday 6th February 10:30am to 12 noon
Dale View, CastleBolton(623012)
WEDNESDAY CLUB
Afternoon Tea
13th & 27th February Redmire Village Hall 2:00p.m.
The Wednesday Club is organised byBolton-cum-RedmireParish and is part of the church’s fellowship and outreach.
We often have a theme or a prayer, especially at the ‘Christian Festivals’.
PRAYER FELLOWSHIP
Monday 25th February 7.30pm
The Vicarage, Carperby
The Following was Raised For Charity Over The Christmas Period –
Bolton-cum-Redmire -£339.50 toSt. George’s Crypt
Aysgarth – £700.02 for ‘Caring for Life’.
Preston –£170 West Witton £96.10 both to The Children’s Society.
CHILDREN’S SOCIETY BOXES
Thank you to all who contributed very generously from Aysgarth Parish.
A total of £237 was raised.
2013 DIOCESAN RETREAT Fri 19th to Sun 21st July 2013
‘Reach Out For Me’ – Letting Movies Be An Answer To Prayer –
Exploring Film As A Resource For Our Spiritual Life
A quiet weekend with Revd Stephen Brown, a specialist in writing, broadcasting and teaching about the spiritual life through use of the moving image. Wydale Hall, Brompton-by-Sawdon,Scarborough. More details from
http://www.riponleeds.anglican.org/healing_task_group.html
or booking forms available from the diocesan office.
GODLY WAYS: Engaging With The Bible In The 21st Century
Fri 8th– Sun 10th March ElmRidgeMethodistChurch,Darlington,DL3 8DJ
CODEC and the Dales Biblical Literacy Project present: A weekend of Worship – Teaching – Workshops.
SPEAKERS: Revd. Professor David Wilkinson, Revd. Dr. Peter Phillips,
Revd. Ron Willoughby & Revd. David Wood
Booking Form: www.darlingtonmethodistdistrict.org.uk/events
Revd David Wood : david.wood4@btinternet.com or 01677 424486
CHRISTIANS TOGETHER IN THE DALES Thursday 14th March 2013
“God Cares For You” Exploring Ways of Giving and Receiving Care
With The Rev’d Vera Sinton Methodist Church Hall, Middleham, Leyburn From 9.30am (Registration & coffee to 2.30pm) Charge for the Day £5
(including coffee, tea & biscuits on arrival and at lunchtime)
Remember to bring your bible and a packed lunch
Contact: Paul and Helen Robson 01969 623775 Mob: 07857 800818
CHRISTIAN AID LENT LUNCHES 2013 The annual Mid Dale Lunches of soup, bread and cheese with tea or coffee will be served at the following venues on FRIDAYS between noon -1-30pm
Friday 15th Feb Redmire Village Hall 22nd Feb West Burton Village Hall
Fri 1st Mar Thornton Rust Vill. Institute 8th March Thoralby Village Hall 15th March Carperby Vill. Institute 22nd March at Aysgarth Vill. Institute.
There is no set charge for the food. Please give a donation to Christian Aid.
Evelyn Abraham 663 243.
ELECTORAL ROLL
This year everybody has to sign a new electoral form for their church. Forms can be obtained from the electoral roll officer for each church
Val Gladman – Aysgarth Anthony Day –Boltoncum Redmire
Penny Seckerson – Preston with Wensley Cherie Miles –West Witton
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES – 13TH FEBRUARY
9.15am the Vicarage, Carperby 7.00pmSt.Oswald’s Church, Castle Bolton
LENT COURSE
“Finding a Voice” is the title of this year’s Lent Course. It is based on the film “The King’s Speech”. We shall watch extracts from the film and consider them together with related Bible passages.
There will be four meetings on Wednesday evenings at the vicarage beginning at 7pm…….February 20th, March 6th, 13th, 20th….(We miss out February 27th when there is a Team Council meeting.)
Everyone is invited to come to all or any of the meetings as they fit in with your diaries! In Lent it is good to join with others to think about different aspects of our faith and our calling to be Christians. Sue and Penny.
PALM SUNDAY CONCERT AT ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH
The Alverton Singers, directed by Joan Foster, will present a programme of Easter music on Sunday 24th March in St. Andrew’s Church, Aysgarth, at 7.00pm.
The main work to be performed is “Stabat Mater” by Pergolesi. The soprano soloist will be Carole Lindsey, who is in the final year of a music degree in vocal studies atHuddersfieldUniversity. The mezzo soprano soloist is Emma Wardell, who is well known in this area for her fine solo performances, and the organist will be John Foster.
The concert will also include “Panis Angelicus” by Cesar Franck, “The Legend” by Tchaikowsky and “Cantique de JeanRacine” by Faure.
Tickets £7.00 including refreshments, available from Penhill Benefice Office tel: 01969 663097, Cecilia House Carperby tel: 01969 663368, or at the door. (16yrs and under – free.)
THE BENEFICE MISSION STATEMENT
The Penhill Benefice is committed to show the love of God and the saving grace of Jesus. We share together as the body of Christ, in prayer, worship, ministry and fellowship. In the power of the Holy Spirit we are called to mission and outreach and to be a support and comfort in the community.
The weekly services and other news can also be found at www.pipspatch.com. Also visit the dales.org.uk for extra info and electronic newsletter. If you would like further information about anything in this newsletter please contact Christine Gard C/o The Vicarage, Carperby, Leyburn DL8 4DQ. Tel: 663097or email penhill.benefice@tiscali.co.uk