News from the Church of between the Humber and the Tees

December 2011

World Record for Carol Singing?

On the 18th December 2011 at 7pm churches and individuals up and down the country will take part in an attempt to smash the current World Record for the largest number of people singing carols together across multiple locations.

This World Record attempt is being organised by ChurchAds, music lead the singing, provide Biblelands and Premier Christian the carols sheets which will be Radio. It’s a great opportunity to supplied by BibleLands, have invite people into your church nominated witnesses to confirm and get into the Guinness Book the attempt and send back some of Records! substantiating evidence. Full rules and guidelines can be found We need 15,000 people to join in here. for 15-mins of carolling, to include Silent Night, O Come All To find out how to get involved, Ye Faithful , O little Town of visit www.christmasstarts.com, Bethlehem, Away in a Manger and please tell the Diocesan and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Communications Officer, Eleanor But before we can get 15,000 Course, on 01904 699530 or people taking part we need [email protected]. churches to get involved. The attempt at the World Record is a great news story, and a In essence, all a church needs to wonderful way to share what do is commit to be open at that Christmas is all about. time, have musicians or recorded

1 Christmas starts with Christ

As millions of people rush to the shops to do their Christmas shopping, it is important to slow down and remember what Christmas is all about.

Maybe you have seen this year’s ChurchAds posters, which have been displayed at bus stops across the region? The image on the poster is a modern take on the well known nativity scene.

The shepherds are represented by a cycle courier and a plasterer. The Wise men are shown as three rather than buying expensive successful entrepreneurs and gifts. For my brothers and sisters, their gifts are iconic ‘treasures’ and myself, it was sheer bliss. of modern culture: a Swarovski crystal perfume bottle, a Faberge We all need to value the egg and a replica Damian Hirst importance of relationships – to diamond skull. enjoy listening and spending time with our loved ones. Whilst much of the scene is unfamiliar, one thing is Recently, I was privileged to unchanged. Jesus is the clear attend the National Christian focus. We should not forget that, Youth Work Awards which my behind all the trappings and Youth Trust sponsored. One of traditions, Christmas starts with the winners, Rebecca Hamer, the Christ. Youth Worker of the Year, explained the project where she Society’s increasing obsession works is a ‘listening and with consumerism has a harmful signposting’ service for affect on many, but arguably vulnerable young girls. none more than our young people. The project receives referrals from schools, GP Practises, When I was growing up we didn’t Sexual Health Nurses and girls have much money but we knew also come to the project that we were loved. Our parents themselves as they feel they have spent time with us reading stories nowhere else to go.

2 The teenagers coming to the Rather than looking at how project aren’t given advice, they things seem on the surface we are not told what to do. Rebecca need to look deep underneath. is simply trained to listen. We need to listen to each other and show love and compassion. The most precious thing that we Rebecca said: “Listening is about have is ourselves and each other. believing that young people have the ability and resources within Let me challenge you to see themselves to resolve their yourselves as God sees you – a situations. It isn’t always enough, wonderfully and fearfully created but there is a realization that person, made in the image and likeness of God, and redeemed in God loves them just as they are Christ. Let us be good news and a and more importantly that they joy to the world! have a choice”. Amen! Christmas starts with Christ. As a society, we put too much Hallelujah! emphasis on material worth. All +Sentamu Ebor this does is create a feeling of disaffection deep within us as we look at all the things we cannot afford. Christmas ChurchAds Campaign

If your church wants to take part in the ChurchAds ‘Christmas Starts with Christ’ advertising campaign referred to by Archbishop Sentamu, visit their website at www.churchads.net.

You can donate towards the national advertising campaign, buy advertising space in a bus stop near you, or simply download the posters for use in your own town or village.

ChurchAds research shows that 85% of people agree with the statement that "Christmas should be called Christmas because we are still a Christian country". But it also shows that only 12% of adults know the details of the Christmas story.

3 1811-2011 and beyond… October 14th saw a major grandeur of the Abbey. national marking of the Church school bicentenary in a service at At 6am on the day of the service Westminster Abbey. Andrew we boarded the London train and Crisp, assistant headteacher at began a wonderful adventure that Manor CE School in , all of us will long remember. describes how he and his students Vivid moments included the look came to be involved. on the students’ faces as they saw the interior of the Abbey, their “Back in the middle of June, a teacher’s fears that the vast call came through to my school distances of the central knave asking if we’d like to be involved and lantern would unnerve them, in an important event at the joy on the faces of the Westminster Abbey on October hundreds of young people who 14th: A service of thanksgiving to took part, the talent of the choir celebrate the Bicentenary of the as well as the young dancers and National Society. ‘Of course the utter relief when ‘The Road to we’d love to be involved’ said the Emmaus’ was travelled smoothly head teacher, before promptly and well received. passing all responsibility to me! A wonderful event which was a A piece of original drama privilege and a joy to be involved inspired by St Luke’s account of in.” seeing the resurrected Jesus on ‘The Road to Emmaus’ was the request. The more I read the story, the more I grew concerned. There is such simplicity in the events: Three men travelling; two suddenly become aware they are in the presence of the risen Lord and rush back to tell others in Jerusalem. The only answer seemed to be to trust in the power of the text and show the action very plainly. Three Year 10 narrators to read the story and three Year 11 actors to recreate the journey, two removing masks to symbolise the moment of enlightenment.

Rehearsals progressed smoothly within school but none of us could picture the scale and Tickton School’s banner, which was carried at the service. 4 The Year of the Environment our land holdings and offset some of the carbon emissions that we generate as a church.

Highlights of the Year of the Environment have included the bird box sent to every church and church school, the Lent Course, the Big Environment Celebration in in May, and the art exhibition which toured churches throughout the Diocese. Also in the diocese there have been a number of local events organised within deaneries.

We hope that the initiatives and projects from this year will have inspired and equipped you to make changes in your lives and in the life of your church, to care for our world, God's creation. Thank you to all who have taken Archbishop Sentamu plants a Virginian part. Maple at Palace to mark Graham Andrews, Archbishop’s the Year of the Environment Advisor for the Environment In 2011, we have been focussing on the Environment, and we're ending the year with a legacy for the future.

Through December and January we're planting 400 trees on diocesan glebe land. These trees will increase the biodiversity of

Fellowship of Clergy Wives

There is a Fellowship of Clergy Wives Retreat from Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 March 2012 at Wydale Hall, with Guest Speaker Bridget Plass.

The Retreat will cost £122 (before subsidy). Please send £15 deposit (cheque payable to “Clergy Wives Fellowship”) to secure a place to: Mrs Diana Pearce, Sutherland Bridge, Cropton, YO18 8EU or call 01751 417420. Please book before the end of December 2011.

5 Over Silton to Santiago de Compostella

"The heat was a surprise. I had deliberately chosen a September start to avoid Spain’s summer heat. What happens to the best-laid plans of mice and men? And pilgrims? Humming “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” helped, as did the realisation that, since I was always walking due west, I only needed sunblock on one side.

"All the pilgrim refuges (albergues) were clean and mostly well maintained, although I took a long time to get used to mixed bunks Joanne Aston, Churchwarden of St (triple decker bunks in Viana), not Mary’s Church, Over Silton, near to mention mixed bathrooms. One Northallerton, walked to Santiago de learned to be grateful for lower Compostela, in northern Spain, to bunks and graceful for upper ones. raise money for her church. Here's One also learned the Spanish for her account of her pilgrimage. bedbugs (cinchas) and fleas (polgos), as well as the workings of the "The Camino Frances is just one of unofficial drug exchange (“I have the pilgrim routes in France, Spain immodium, who has and Portugal that lead to the antihistamine?”). Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, venerated as the burial "I met many lovely people from all place of the Apostle James. More over the world, including Spain. We than 100,000 pilgrims complete the encouraged each other when the route each year, more in a Holy Year path seemed hottest or highest. I when St James’ day falls on a Sunday. thought of them all as I finally reached Santiago, as well as everyone "When I climbed the steps of the at home who had encouraged and Cathedral on 20 October, the start of supported me. my pilgrimage 490 miles earlier seemed a lifetime away. Five weeks "I have now raised more than 60% earlier, at St Jean Pied de Port in of my £5000 target towards the next France, I took two days to climb over phase of repairs at St Mary’s, Over the Pyrenees into Spain, at Silton. If you would like to Roncesvalles. contribute, please do so via www.justgiving.com/joanne-aston."

6 Do you believe in coincidence?

We first visited Langa, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town, in 2005 when our guide was a young man called Thembalakhe Batwa. He was wearing a T-shirt with “St. Cyprian’s Church Health Run” written across it and it transpired that he had visited York in 2003. “I sang in the Minster and spoke with the Archbishop”, he told us proudly. He showed us the best of Langa and the worst and the worst was very bad indeed, particularly in the shanty town. We are all aware of poverty in our own country, especially at this present time but here was poverty on a level we had never seen before with no welfare state to ease the pain.

Over the next few weeks we discussed with our friends at home benefice mission for the past six what we could do to help. St. years. Money is raised in a variety of Cyprian’s seemed a good place to ways and we are able to send about start. £1,500 annually. Five to six hundred meals are provided each week. We Some months later we were finally were told that without our help the put in touch with Zandile kitchen would close. St. Cyprian’s Mcutshenga, a lay minister at St gives what it can but with Cyprian’s church and so the unemployment running at 80% in Middleton Benefice set about raising Langa the parishioners are very funds. First of all we bought them a impoverished and local charities are computer to help with their parish overwhelmed by requests for help. So work. What next? Zandile explained we, in the Middleton benefice, simply about their Phathisanani community have to keep things going. outreach programme. Health is their chosen project and since hunger is Looking back on that day in 2005 we related to poor health they run a often think ”What if?” What if we soup kitchen twice a week but it was hadn’t met Thembalakhe, what if he difficult to fund. Could we help? hadn’t been wearing that T-shirt? Do you believe in coincidence? The Langa soup kitchen has been our Ann and Adrian Bishop

7 The Revd Margaret Cundiff RIP The Revd Margaret Joan Cundiff, who died on 8 October aged 79, had been a member of St James’ Church, Selby for 41 years, though her ministry as parish worker, then deaconess, deacon and priest, extended throughout her adopted Yorkshire and beyond. As a broadcaster on Radio 2, BBC and independent local radio stations, and the British Forces Broadcasting Service her upbeat ‘thoughts’ were appreciated by millions. “I’m not religious” said one, “but I always listen to Margaret because she speaks out of ordinary experience and I can understand what she says.” parish and ministry, Margaret Regular articles in local newspapers Cundiff, in her own inimitable way and fourteen books, of which four and style, at once both homely and were written for the Bible Reading lofty, probes beneath the tragic and Fellowship, drew on incidents in the comic and the very ordinary to everyday life, with wit and honesty to discern the deeper things of the reveal the presence of the down-to- Spirit.' earth God of the Bible in whom Margaret passionately believed. The Born at Minehead in Somerset to first chapter of LIVING BY THE parents who were in service, BOOK which explores the Sermon Margaret moved North with them in on the Mount is headed “Sit Down her early teens. Never a docile child, and Listen!” (See Matthew, 5.1) and she would question authority when is presented as a no-nonsense she disagreed with it. Leaving school challenge to discipleship. at 14, she qualified as an assistant cook, which she hated. Later she In his Foreword to NORTHERN trained at St Michael’s College, LIGHTS, Archbishop David Hope Oxford and was appointed parish wrote: 'Whether it be from the worker at a church in the Midlands pulpit of Westminster Abbey where the Vicar said “we needed addressing Brownies, on a housing someone and you were cheaper than estate in Doncaster, conducting a a curate”. She felt she was too young retreat for ordinands at Ampleforth and inexperienced for parish work Abbey or in the setting of her own and became a personnel officer in

8 the textile industry, where she was to Christians to recognise their high meet her husband, Peter. They calling. celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2010. Margaret had been suffering from a form of leukaemia for two years, An experience of renewal years later which forced her to slow down, but prompted Margaret to return to full- not stop. When her body reacted time ministry. She describes this in badly to a radical chemotherapy CALLED TO BE ME, which is a treatment and she was rushed into highly entertaining account of her intensive care, she asked for a pen so experiences as a woman in a male- that she could record the experience dominated church. During a service for an article later on. Not long of Holy Communion she felt drawn before she died she was anointed by to ‘be filled with the Spirit’ and the Archbishop of York. found herself saying ‘yes’. From then her calling was sealed. She was never The former President of the disturbed by those who opposed the Northern Province of the Mothers’ ordination of women, but rather Union, Canon Stella Vernon, determined to work alongside them provided a fitting epitaph for in the service of their common Lord. Margaret, describing her as a “communications officer for the In addition to her extensive pastoral Gospel”. and priestly ministry in the parish, Margaret was a Bishops’ Selector for Margaret is survived by her husband candidates for ordination training, Peter and their children Julian, who Broadcasting Officer for the Diocese is a legal adviser and a national York and Anglican Adviser to authority and writer on carp fishing, Yorkshire Television. As a member of and Alison, who is on the staff of the the General Synod she served on the Archbishop of York. Church of England Committee for Communications. She would amuse The Ven John Barton the staff at Church House by wafting the latest perfume under their noses, This obituary originally appeared in having dropped in en route to the the Church Times. Peter, Julian and cosmetics Department of the Army Alison would like to thanks everyone & Navy Stores to try out a sample. who sent them cards, letters and expressions of sympathy. As Chaplain to the York diocesan Mothers’ Union, Margaret’s visits throughout the diocese were eagerly anticipated. She was a stirring preacher, full of personal anecdotes, which encouraged ordinary

9 What’s On Dec - Christmas Tree festival at St Sat 3 Dec - Brass & Voices at Peter's, Wawne. The festival begins Bridlington Priory, 7pm. A concert with an open evening on the 1st (5- by the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery 8pm), there's a Sing Out for Marie Brass Band and the Bridlington Curie Carols round the Tree event on Priory Choir. 9th December at 6pm, and joining in the Guinness World Record Attempt Sat 3 Dec - JS Bach: Christmas for carol singing (7-7.15pm on 18th Oratorio, York Minster, 7.30pm. December: our service begins at 6.30. York Musical Society Chorus & Orchestra, Conductor: Robert Sharpe Thurs 1 Dec - Diocesan Clergy Day, with Grace Davidson, Andrew Radley, York Minster, from 10am. Nicholas Mulroy & Jimmy Holliday. A complete performance of Bach's Fri 2 – Sat 10 Dec - Community uplifting and magnificent 'Christmas Christmas Exhibition, St. Mary's Oratorio' to be sung in German. Church, Thirsk. The eighth Tickets from 0844 939 0015 or Community Christmas Exhibition [email protected]. featuring all manner of decorated trees, flower arrangements and Sat 3 Dec - Advent Carols, Bar displays. It is open daily 10.00am to Convent, York, 7.30pm. The 4.00pm and 12.00noon to 4.00pm Stamford Bridge Singers will perform Sunday. Admission is free. The Ven an evening of music and readings for Paul Ferguson, Archdeacon of Advent and Christmas in the Chapel Cleveland, is giving an Organ Recital of the in Blossom at 12.15 to 12.45 on the Monday. Street, York. Tickets from 01904 643238 or reception@bar- Fri 2 – Sun 4 Dec - 'Hymns for convent.org.uk. Healing' Weekend at Holy Rood House. A weekend event on hymns Sat 3 Dec - Joyful Celebration 2011 – for healing. There will be seminars York City Gospel Choir at the New and creative workshops exploring Earswick Folk Hall, 7.30pm. Join the areas in relation to theology, health York City Gospel Choir for a special and hymnody taking place over the celebration of Christmas with weekend. Contact 01845 522580 or outstanding and uplifting [email protected]. performances featuring top soloists, the ever popular YCGC Kids, and Sat 3 – Sun 4 Dec - Christmas Tree sing-a-long to favourite Christmas Festival at St. Michael's Church, songs and carols. Contact 07739 Bempton. 987280 or [email protected].

10 Mon 5 Dec - A Quiet Day for Advent Sat 10 Dec - A Year at St. Oswald's, at Wydale Hall, led by Pat Wood. Flamborough, 7.30pm. St. Oswald's Contact 01723 859270 or Church, will be holding an evening [email protected]. of DVD's to celebrate "A Year at St. Oswald's 2010-2011. The DVDs will Weds 7 Dec -The Spirituality of show a record of the events and Stanley Spencer, University of Hull, special services held in the 7.30pm. A lecture by Professor Keith community of Flamborough over the Tester (Professor of Sociology, year. University of Hull) in the Graduate School, University of Hull. Keith Tues 13 Dec - A Christmas Open Day Tester will draw on insights from at Wydale Hall. Come and spend a contemporary sociological literature day at Wydale where a three course to explore Spencer’s sacramentalizing Christmas lunch and mince pie with of the material world. Contact afternoon drinks will be provided. [email protected] or 01482 Contact 01723 859270 or 466548. [email protected].

Sat 10 Dec - 'Follow the Star to Fri 16 – Mon 19 Dec - Pre-Christmas Bethlehem' at St Paul's, Holgate, Retreat at Wydale Hall. Contact 2pm to 4pm. In the Father's Hand 01723 859270 or [email protected]. in partnership with Prospects: Access to Life, invite you to join them at St Fri 23 – Thurs 27 Dec - Christmas Paul's Church in Holgate for an House Party at Holy Rood House. afternoon of drama, fun, chat, Holy Rood House is a retreat and refreshment.... and Jesus! For more therapeutic centre situated in the details contact Heather Priest on market town of Thirsk, North 07788123538. Yorkshire. The centre offers a friendly welcome, home-cooked Sat 10 Dec - The Stamford Bridge festive food, poetry and music, Singers perform 'Sing Noel', Sutton chapel and quiet rooms as well as upon Derwent, 7.30pm. An evening mini-bus outings. Contact 01845 of Advent and Christmas music and 522580 or readings and mulled wine and mince [email protected]. pies. Tickets at 01904 608524 or [email protected].

Organist available

John Bostock is offering his services as apermanent Organist or Organist/Director of Music, within a 5 to 10 mile radius of York. He can offer the Church his skills and knowledge and only asks for help towards his petrol costs. You can contact John on 01904 337913 or 07730 074007.

11 People on the move

The Archbishop has appointed the Revd The Revd Canon Christopher John David Christopher Pynn, NSM Assistant Simmons, Priest in Charge of the Curate of the Benefice of Scalby and of Benefice of Skirlaugh with Long Riston, the Benefice of Scarborough, St Luke, to Rise and Swine and Assistant Curate of be additionally Rural Dean of the Benefice of Brandesburton and Leven Scarborough for a period of five years. with Catwick, has resigned with effect from 29th February 2012. Canon The Revd Geoffrey John Peters, previously Simmons will also resign from the office licensed as SSM Assistant Curate of the of Rural Dean of North Holderness with Benefice of York, St Clement with St effect from 31st December 2011. Mary, Bishophill, on a time limited license will be relicensed to the same The Revd Derek Stanley Watson, Vicar of Benefice as SSM Assistant Curate. the Benefice of St Martin of Tours with St Cuthbert, Middlesbrough, is retiring with Captain Neil Walpole has been effect from 31st December 2011. appointed as Church Army Evangelist as a part of the Edge Project in the Benefice The Revd Dr Quentin Wilson, Part time of Selby, St James. The Revd Sharon Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Whittington has been appointed part- Malton (Old), Assistant Curate of the time Chaplain to St Leonard’s Hospice, Benefice of Malton (New), and Assistant York. Curate of the Benefice of Weaverthorpe with Helperthorpe, Luttons Ambo and The Revd Peter Benjamin (Ben) Kirby Grindalythe with Wharram is Archibald, Assistant Curate of the retiring with effect from 5th February Benefice of Middlesbrough, All Saints, 2012. has resigned to be Priest in Charge of the Benefice of St Mary with St John, The Archbishop has granted Permission Kettering, in the Diocese of to Officiate to the following: Peterborough. The Revd Peter Joseph Nelson The Revd Ronald Eric Smith The Revd James Benjamin (Ben) Nicholson, NSM Assistant Curate of the Benefice of Helmsley and of the Benefice of Upper Ryedale, has resigned.

Diocese of York News December 2011 Editor: Eleanor Course, Diocesan Communications Officer, Diocesan House, Aviator Court, Clifton Moor, York YO30 4WJ. Tel 01904 699530, Email [email protected]

Deadline to include items in the Jan/Feb issue is Mon 28 November 2011. The Diocese of York News may be copied for use in Parish Magazines etc, and may be downloaded as a pdf file from www.dioceseofyork.org.uk. Contact Eleanor Course as above to receive an e-mailed download link for each new issue.

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