Issue Number 418 August 2015 from the Rector in Praise Of
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Issue Number 418 August 2015 From the Rector In praise of lukewarmness In his Budget speech last month, the Chancellor included proposals to consult about further deregulation of Sunday trading. For the past OUR MISSION twenty years or so Sunday trading in England and Wales has been A community seeking to live well with God, regulated by the Sunday Trading Act. Under this Act, larger retailers gathered around Jesus Christ in prayer and fellowship, are not allowed to open for more than six hours on Sundays (and are and committed to welcome, worship and witness. not allowed to open at all on Easter Day and Christmas Day). On the The Church Office whole this legislation has worked reasonably well. It offers a Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL thoughtful balance between the arguments of groups such as the 01756 710238 Lord’s Day Observance Society (now known as Day One Christian [email protected] Ministries), which believes that no trading should be allowed on The Rector Sundays, and the majority of the population for whom shopping on The Rectory, Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL Sundays is convenient, not least because of radical changes in working 01756 710326 patterns for many people and the consequent shifts in patterns of [email protected] Curate family life. However, it seems more likely than not that the proposed Jonathan Cain consultations will lead to an almost complete relaxation of the [email protected] existing restrictions on Sunday trading, a position endorsed by many 07495-151987 larger retailers who cite (among other things) the pressure of Website competition from online retailers as a reason for changing the law. www.boltonpriory.church The present legislation on Sunday trading is a positive example of what the New Testament scholar Gerd Theissen has approvingly SUNDAY described as ‘human lukewarmness’ – in other words a compromise 08.00 Holy Communion between those who want no Sunday trading, and those who want no 09.15 Liquid Family Worship First Sunday of month restrictions at all. Theissen argues that such ‘either/or’ positions are 10.30 Sung Eucharist all too common in human society, not least in a Christian context. His point is that life in our churches, and indeed in the wider culture, will 18.30 Evening Prayer (said) Summer months only work if we can discuss contentious issues (in his words), ‘quietly, 16.30 Evening Prayer (said) Winter months without being completely hot or completely cold’. Whether it is the WEDNESDAY debate about Sunday trading, or the Church of England’s continuing Shared Conversations about human sexuality, lukewarmness is our 10.00 Holy Communion best defence against either freezing or burning to death. The only thing Christians should not be lukewarm about is our faith in Jesus 18.45 Choir Practice Christ; and it is Christ’s law of love that must always be the measure All regular services are according to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), except of our human conversation. for the Family service, an informal service for young and old. With every good wish, WEDDINGS and BAPTISMS: By arrangement via the Church Office. RECTOR’S NOTES PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL - 25 JUNE 2015 Interim Acting Archdeacon The Rector opened the meeting with prayers, especially mentioning As I announced in church last month, the Bishop has appointed me those entering ordained ministry and in particular our prospective Interim Acting Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven, and formally li- curate Jonathan Cain, who by the time you read this will be the censed me on 29 July. Your prayers would be appreciated as I fulfil Reverend Jonathan Cain. Also included was the Venerable Paul Slater, this role for the next few months. Please pray as well for Bishop Archdeacon of Craven who is to be installed as Bishop of Richmond. James and the clergy and parishes of the archdeaconry in this period Whilst writing of people beginning new/additional ministry and in of transition. The interviews for a permanent successor for Paul Slater need of our prayers, our Rector, Simon has recently been appointed will take place in early September, and it is likely that the new arch- Chair of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), which for the deacon will take up his or her post by the end of 2015. uninitiated is ‘the body in the diocese for advice on the care and Lighting scheme development of church buildings and needs a person experienced at Work on our lighting scheme has been progressing quietly over the balancing conflicting views and reaching and taking responsibility for past few months. I am pleased to say that our designer, Bruce Kirk, decisions. The Chair must be in sympathy with the mission of the will be issuing tender documents in August to selected local contrac- Church of England and have awareness of the issues involved in tors. All being well, this will enable Bruce to produce a tender report balancing worship and mission with care and conservation.’ Do they in time for the September PCC. have the right man? Yes of course we think they have!! Do Welcoming Jonathan and family remember Simon in your prayers, it is a BIG job! Congratulations We were all delighted to welcome Jonathan Cain as our new curate Simon, we will pray mighty hard! last month, following a joyful ordination service in Ripon Cathedral. Andrew Hartley, as he continues his work within the deanery, has Jonathan, Rebecca and the boys have now moved to the house in Ben been elected as a representative to the new Diocesan Synod, Rhydding that has been bought by the diocese as the curatage for congratulations to Andrew! Bolton Abbey. Their new address will be: 6, Longcroft Road, Ben All those who spend time in the office will be pleased to hear it is to Rhydding, Ilkley, LS29 8SE. be refurbished with new cupboards, carpet and paintwork making it Jonathan may be contacted on his mobile: 07495 151987. an even brighter place to work in! The Mystery Play We all like to save on housekeeping so it is good to hear that Norman I know that I speak for many people in the parish and in the worship- Stubbs has managed to arrange a reduction of 11p a litre for the price ping community in offering congratulations and thanks to Jo Craven, of Calor Gas which we use for the heating, also securing this for 12 her cast of players, and all the backstage staff for the two magnificent months with the intention of a further reduction next year – I wonder performances of the Mystery Play on the first weekend of July. The if he would like to do all our household accounts! large crowds (including our Diocesan Bishop on the Sunday), helped Hopefully everyone is aware of the next Special Event- yes, the Fete, by the sunny weather, ensured that the Good News was seen and - Monday 31 August. The Carrs and the Hartleys are doing a great job heard by many. The performances were a wonderful culmination to with publicity under the watchful eye of Colin Crabtree. The many months of hard work. There are tentative plans to make this a marquees will be erected on Sunday 30 August at 16.00, so all extra biennial event: please look out for further announcements. hands will be welcome, as will large amounts of items for the stalls. The Welcome Team are as busy as ever with many varied school MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION, HELP REQUIRED! visits. Liz and Betty are standing down at the end of the summer after For the last twelve years, 'come wind, come weather’, Betty Nelmes many successful years of ‘running the show’, thankfully the search for has organised the distribution of the Parish Magazine. Betty has someone to take over the lead is now resolved. Our church architect, decided that at the end of the year, it is time to relinquish this task. Clive England, who re-designed the entrance to Sheffield Cathedral, We are immensely grateful to Betty for all her service, and now need having won several regional and national RIBA awards for that, has someone to replace her. now been shortlisted for the Stirling Architecture Prize. It is great to The job involves, 11 times a year, the following; know we are in such good hands. 1. Take 150 magazines (6 packets of 25) to Church and fill the box It was suggested that events, not specifically church events yet held in ready for the congregation to collect. church, should have someone to meet and greet them and give their 2. Sort the rest of the magazines into different amounts ready to support, for example showing where tables and any other equipment take to the neighbourhood distributors who will deliver them to required is kept. individual homes. We were given a very clear and informative report by James Laycock 3. Photocopy the address labels ready for the postal magazines, of the positive meeting held on ‘The Prior Moone Project’ - that is the put the magazines into envelopes, put on stamps, and post. In proposed extension creating much needed extra space. This was a April, reminders are sent out so that subscriptions can be meeting of representatives from all the groups, committees, and renewed; liaise with Margaret Cody for this. charities who would be involved in giving the necessary permissions 4. Refill the box in Church with spare magazines each month. for such a project. The Rector was encouraged by the general Betty would be very happy to liaise in the hand over period and welcome for the possibility of a modern development on such a initially aid any willing volunteer.