13 Apr 2008 - Pew News

As many of you will have heard by now, last Sunday in church I announced my new appointment.After a lot of prayer and reflection, I have accepted the invitation of the Bishop of Newcastle to become the next Priest-in-Charge at St. Cuthbert's Church, Amble in Northumberland.I did not imagine that one of God's ideas for me might be to move north of Newcastle, but there we are - sometimes surprising things happen when you let God be in charge!

I don't have a date for my move yet, but I expect that my last Sunday in this group of parishes will be sometime in July.I know I am leaving you after just less than six years (it will be five years and eleven months when I go) but I know that I am leaving all three churches, in their vastly different ways, in much better heart than when I arrived, and I hope, far better equipped to face an interregnum and make decisions about your future as worshipping communities whose job it is to be faithful to God and to take the news of God's love and Christ's saving action to those who are in need of the message.

Diane

Would you like more encouragement and companionship in living the Christian life?
Then come along to the Home Group Open Evening at The Rectory on Wednesday 16th April at 8.00 pm.This is for everyone who is interested in finding out more about what a home group is.Refreshments will be served, so please let us know on 371353 if you are coming, so we can cater for all!

You are invited to the "Ladder" Service on Friday 25th April at 6.15 pm in St John’s. This service is being led by the children and young people of the various youth groups. The service will focus on Jesus’ Ascension and Jacob’s dream of a ladder between Earth and Heaven. Refreshments will be available after the service.

There will be an extra-ordinary meeting of the PCC of St John’s Church and the DCC of All Saints’ Church on Wednesday 7th May to prepare a response on the leaflet "The Way Ahead." The meeting will be in St John’s Church at 7.30 pm. Please come having read the leaflet carefully and prayerfully. If you are not able to attend and would like your opinions noted, please put them in writing and give them to a churchwarden. Alternatively let someone who will be attending know your thoughts so they can be brought to the attention of the meeting. Please note this important meeting in your dairies now.

A reminder to all who came to the first meeting - please make sure you have Monday 21st April in your diaries - come to the Rectory for 7.30pm

This year the whole group is invited to the annual Rogation service which will take place at 10.30 am on Sunday 18th May at Plaster Pitts Farm, Leppington.Please do come along and support this event for the blessing of the crops and prayers for a good harvest.By kind permission of Mrs. Robin Hildyard.

We are pleased to welcome Chris Whitaker as a new Churchwarden. After much thought and prayer, Michael Catterick has said that he will continue as Churchwarden for one more year. We thank Dorothy Dellow for all the hard work she has done and thank her for wishing to continue to be responsible for overseeing the building of our outside toilet.

This year the Parish Away day will be held at the Quiet Garden, Westfield Farm, Sheriff Hutton on Saturday 17th May.

This trip is open to all ages so why not come and join us to enjoy the peaceful surroundings in this one acre garden surrounded by fields where foxes, dragonflies, rabbits and deer are frequently seen. There is a barbeque area and a sheltered courtyard for picnics along with a labyrinth. If you wish to come, please add your name to the list at the back of the church.

We will be holding a very special service called Gospel Magic on Sunday 4th May at the 10.45 am service in Stamford Bridge. This service will include a presentation of some Gospel Magic by Monsieur and Madame Magique, alias Clive and Linda Billenness. They will perform several different tricks. We will also welcome Daniel Real as he is baptised during the service.

We are looking forward to our next day at St crux, hopefully a dry sunny day. If you have any Bric-a-Brac for us to sell it can be left at the back of the church or can be collected by phoning Ann Stevens (371667). As usual we are hoping for lots of delicious baking and, of course, willing helpers on the day. There is a list at the back of the church, please sign up if you are able to help in any way.

In a very kind gesture to help church finances, the professional photographer, James Rossdale, has arranged to be at All Saints for the whole of the day on Saturday 31st May. He will photograph your family, new born baby, Golden Wedding group, your dog, horse; it’s your choice entirely. The photographs can be taken either outside the church or inside (except for the horse!!) and will cost only £10.00 for an 8 x 6 print, which you will realise is a very ‘good offer’. All profits are to be kindly donated to church funds.

The day will be organised on an appointment basis, beginning at 10.00 am and finishing at 4.00 pm (roughly, depending upon demand). Do give James and Pamela and all of us at All Saints your support by contacting Pat on 01759 371278 or John on 01759 373424 to arrange your time.

Our meeting was poorly attended. However, nevertheless we enjoyed an afternoon with Ann Hind who talked of the origins and families of Sledmere Hall, also of the "Waggoner’s Reserve" which was started at the beginning of the Great War; local history which became army history. Ann also told of her own involvement and projects at the Hall over recent years.

Eight members took part in the Minster Lady Day service on 31st March. A beautiful event on a beautiful day. We had lunch out which made an enjoyable end to the day.