People on the move News from the Church of 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, between the the Benefice of Scarborough, St Luke, to Rise and Swine and Assistant Curate of Humber and be additionally Rural Dean of the Benefice of Brandesburton and Leven Scarborough for a period of five years. with Catwick, has resigned with effect the Tees from 29th February 2012. Canon The Revd Geoffrey John Peters, previously Simmons will also resign from the office December 2011 licensed as SSM Assistant Curate of the of Rural Dean of North Holderness with Benefice of , St Clement with St effect from 31st December 2011. Mary, Bishophill, on a time limited World Record for Carol Singing? 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 On the 18th December 2011 at Cuthbert, , is retiring with 7pm churches and individuals up Captain Neil Walpole has been effect from 31st December 2011. and down the country will take appointed as Church Army Evangelist as part in an attempt to smash the a part of the Edge Project in the Benefice The Revd Dr Quentin Wilson, Part time of , St James. The Revd Sharon Priest in Charge of the Benefice of current World Record for the Whittington has been appointed part- Malton (Old), Assistant Curate of the largest number of people singing time Chaplain to St Leonard’s Hospice, Benefice of Malton (New), and Assistant carols together across multiple York. Curate of the Benefice of Weaverthorpe locations. with Helperthorpe, Luttons Ambo and The Revd Peter Benjamin (Ben) Kirby Grindalythe with Wharram is This World Record attempt is Archibald, Assistant Curate of the retiring with effect from 5th February being organised by ChurchAds, music lead the singing, provide Benefice of Middlesbrough, All Saints, 2012. Biblelands and Premier Christian the carols sheets which will be has resigned to be Priest in Charge of the Radio. It’s a great opportunity to supplied by BibleLands, have Benefice of St Mary with St John, The Archbishop has granted Permission invite people into your church Kettering, in the Diocese of to Officiate to the following: nominated witnesses to confirm and get into the Guinness Book Peterborough. The Revd Peter Joseph Nelson the attempt and send back some of Records! The Revd Ronald Eric Smith substantiating evidence. Full The Revd James Benjamin (Ben) rules and guidelines can be found We need 15,000 people to join in Nicholson, NSM Assistant Curate of the here. Benefice of and of the Benefice for 15-mins of carolling, to of Upper , has resigned. 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 Diocese of York News December 2011 and please tell the Diocesan and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Editor: Eleanor Course, Diocesan Communications Officer, Diocesan House, Communications Officer, Eleanor Aviator Court, Clifton Moor, York YO30 4WJ. Tel 01904 699530, Email But before we can get 15,000 Course, on 01904 699530 or [email protected] people taking part we need [email protected]. churches to get involved. Deadline to include items in the Jan/Feb issue is Mon 28 November 2011. The attempt at the World Record The Diocese of York News may be copied for use in Parish Magazines etc, and is a great news story, and a may be downloaded as a pdf file from www.dioceseofyork.org.uk. In essence, all a church needs to wonderful way to share what Contact Eleanor Course as above to receive an e-mailed download link for each do is commit to be open at that Christmas is all about. new issue. time, have musicians or recorded

12 1 Christmas starts with Christ 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 As millions of people rush to the Contact 01723 859270 or Church, will be holding an evening shops to do their Christmas [email protected]. of DVD's to celebrate "A Year at St. Oswald's 2010-2011. The DVDs will shopping, it is important to slow Weds 7 Dec -The Spirituality of show a record of the events and down and remember what Stanley Spencer, University of Hull, special services held in the Christmas is all about. 7.30pm. A lecture by Professor Keith community of Flamborough over the Tester (Professor of Sociology, year. Maybe you have seen this year’s University of Hull) in the Graduate ChurchAds posters, which have School, University of Hull. Keith Tues 13 Dec - A Christmas Open Day been displayed at bus stops across Tester will draw on insights from at Wydale Hall. Come and spend a the region? The image on the contemporary sociological literature day at Wydale where a three course poster is a modern take on the to explore Spencer’s sacramentalizing Christmas lunch and mince pie with well known nativity scene. of the material world. Contact afternoon drinks will be provided. [email protected] or 01482 Contact 01723 859270 or 466548. [email protected]. The shepherds are represented by a cycle courier and a plasterer. Sat 10 Dec - 'Follow the Star to Fri 16 – Mon 19 Dec - Pre-Christmas The Wise men are shown as three rather than buying expensive Bethlehem' at St Paul's, Holgate, Retreat at Wydale Hall. Contact successful entrepreneurs and gifts. For my brothers and sisters, 2pm to 4pm. In the Father's Hand 01723 859270 or [email protected]. their gifts are iconic ‘treasures’ and myself, it was sheer bliss. in partnership with Prospects: Access of modern culture: a Swarovski to Life, invite you to join them at St Fri 23 – Thurs 27 Dec - Christmas crystal perfume bottle, a Faberge Paul's Church in Holgate for an House Party at Holy Rood House. We all need to value the egg and a replica Damian Hirst afternoon of drama, fun, chat, Holy Rood House is a retreat and importance of relationships – to diamond skull. refreshment.... and Jesus! For more therapeutic centre situated in the enjoy listening and spending time details contact Heather Priest on market town of , North with our loved ones. Whilst much of the scene is 07788123538. . The centre offers a friendly welcome, home-cooked unfamiliar, one thing is Recently, I was privileged to Sat 10 Dec - The Stamford Bridge festive food, poetry and music, unchanged. Jesus is the clear attend the National Christian Singers perform 'Sing Noel', Sutton chapel and quiet rooms as well as focus. We should not forget that, Youth Work Awards which my upon Derwent, 7.30pm. An evening mini-bus outings. Contact 01845 behind all the trappings and Youth Trust sponsored. One of of Advent and Christmas music and 522580 or traditions, Christmas starts with the winners, Rebecca Hamer, the readings and mulled wine and mince [email protected]. Christ. pies. Tickets at 01904 608524 or Youth Worker of the Year, [email protected]. 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. Organist available none more than our young people. The project receives referrals John Bostock is offering his services as apermanent Organist or from schools, GP Practises, Organist/Director of Music, within a 5 to 10 mile radius of York. He can When I was growing up we didn’t Sexual Health Nurses and girls offer the Church his skills and knowledge and only asks for help towards his have much money but we knew also come to the project petrol costs. You can contact John on 01904 337913 or 07730 074007. that we were loved. Our parents themselves as they feel they have spent time with us reading stories nowhere else to go.

2 11 What’s On The teenagers coming to the Rather than looking at how project aren’t given advice, they things seem on the surface we Dec - Christmas Tree festival at St Sat 3 Dec - Brass & Voices at are not told what to do. Rebecca need to look deep underneath. Peter's, Wawne. The festival begins Bridlington Priory, 7pm. A concert is simply trained to listen. We need to listen to each other and show love and compassion. with an open evening on the 1st (5- by the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery The most precious thing that we 8pm), there's a Sing Out for Marie Brass Band and the Bridlington Rebecca said: “Listening is about have is ourselves and each other. Curie Carols round the Tree event on Priory Choir. believing that young people have 9th December at 6pm, and joining in the ability and resources within Let me challenge you to see the Guinness World Record Attempt Sat 3 Dec - JS Bach: Christmas themselves to resolve their yourselves as God sees you – a for carol singing (7-7.15pm on 18th Oratorio, York Minster, 7.30pm. situations. It isn’t always enough, wonderfully and fearfully created December: our service begins at 6.30. York Musical Society Chorus & but there is a realization that person, made in the image and likeness of God, and redeemed in Orchestra, Conductor: Robert Sharpe God loves them just as they are Christ. Let us be good news and a Thurs 1 Dec - Diocesan Clergy Day, with Grace Davidson, Andrew Radley, and more importantly that they joy to the world! York Minster, from 10am. Nicholas Mulroy & Jimmy Holliday. have a choice”. Amen! A complete performance of Bach's Christmas starts with Christ. Fri 2 – Sat 10 Dec - Community uplifting and magnificent 'Christmas As a society, we put too much Hallelujah! Christmas Exhibition, St. Mary's Oratorio' to be sung in German. emphasis on material worth. All +Sentamu Ebor this does is create a feeling of Church, Thirsk. The eighth Tickets from 0844 939 0015 or disaffection deep within us as we Community Christmas Exhibition [email protected]. look at all the things we cannot featuring all manner of decorated afford. 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 Christmas ChurchAds Campaign Sunday. Admission is free. The Ven an evening of music and readings for Paul Ferguson, Archdeacon of Advent and Christmas in the Chapel If your church wants to take part in Cleveland, is giving an Organ Recital of the Bar Convent in Blossom the ChurchAds ‘Christmas Starts at 12.15 to 12.45 on the Monday. Street, York. Tickets from 01904 with Christ’ advertising campaign 643238 or reception@bar- referred to by Archbishop Sentamu, Fri 2 – Sun 4 Dec - 'Hymns for convent.org.uk. visit their website at Healing' Weekend at Holy Rood www.churchads.net. 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 You can donate towards the national and creative workshops exploring Earswick Folk Hall, 7.30pm. Join the advertising campaign, buy areas in relation to theology, health York City Gospel Choir for a special advertising space in a bus stop near and hymnody taking place over the celebration of Christmas with you, or simply download the posters weekend. Contact 01845 522580 or outstanding and uplifting for use in your own town or village. [email protected]. performances featuring top soloists, the ever popular YCGC Kids, and ChurchAds research shows that 85% Sat 3 – Sun 4 Dec - Christmas Tree sing-a-long to favourite Christmas of people agree with the statement Festival at St. Michael's Church, songs and carols. Contact 07739 that "Christmas should be called Bempton. 987280 or Christmas because we are still a [email protected]. Christian country". But it also shows that only 12% of adults know the details of the Christmas story.

10 3 1811-2011 and beyond… the textile industry, where she was to Christians to recognise their high meet her husband, Peter. They calling. October 14th saw a major grandeur of the Abbey. celebrated their golden wedding national marking of the Church anniversary in 2010. Margaret had been suffering from a school bicentenary in a service at At 6am on the day of the service form of leukaemia for two years, Westminster Abbey. Andrew we boarded the train and An experience of renewal years later which forced her to slow down, but Crisp, assistant headteacher at began a wonderful adventure that prompted Margaret to return to full- not stop. When her body reacted Manor CE School in York, all of us will long remember. time ministry. She describes this in badly to a radical chemotherapy describes how he and his students Vivid moments included the look CALLED TO BE ME, which is a treatment and she was rushed into came to be involved. on the students’ faces as they saw highly entertaining account of her intensive care, she asked for a pen so the interior of the Abbey, their “Back in the middle of June, a teacher’s fears that the vast experiences as a woman in a male- that she could record the experience call came through to my school distances of the central knave dominated church. During a service for an article later on. Not long asking if we’d like to be involved and lantern would unnerve them, of Holy Communion she felt drawn before she died she was anointed by in an important event at the joy on the faces of the to ‘be filled with the Spirit’ and the Archbishop of York. Westminster Abbey on October hundreds of young people who found herself saying ‘yes’. From then 14th: A service of thanksgiving to took part, the talent of the choir her calling was sealed. She was never The former President of the celebrate the Bicentenary of the as well as the young dancers and disturbed by those who opposed the Northern Province of the Mothers’ National Society. ‘Of course the utter relief when ‘The Road to ordination of women, but rather Union, Canon Stella Vernon, we’d love to be involved’ said the Emmaus’ was travelled smoothly determined to work alongside them provided a fitting epitaph for head teacher, before promptly and well received. in the service of their common Lord. Margaret, describing her as a passing all responsibility to me! “communications officer for the A wonderful event which was a A piece of original drama privilege and a joy to be involved In addition to her extensive pastoral Gospel”. inspired by St Luke’s account of in.” and priestly ministry in the parish, seeing the resurrected Jesus on Margaret was a Bishops’ Selector for Margaret is survived by her husband ‘The Road to Emmaus’ was the candidates for ordination training, Peter and their children Julian, who request. The more I read the Broadcasting Officer for the Diocese is a legal adviser and a national story, the more I grew concerned. York and Anglican Adviser to authority and writer on carp fishing, There is such simplicity in the Yorkshire Television. As a member of and Alison, who is on the staff of the events: Three men travelling; two the General Synod she served on the Archbishop of York. suddenly become aware they are Church of England Committee for in the presence of the risen Lord Communications. She would amuse The Ven John Barton and rush back to tell others in the staff at Church House by wafting Jerusalem. The only answer seemed to be to trust in the the latest perfume under their noses, This obituary originally appeared in power of the text and show the having dropped in en route to the the Church Times. Peter, Julian and action very plainly. Three Year 10 cosmetics Department of the Army Alison would like to thanks everyone narrators to read the story and & Navy Stores to try out a sample. who sent them cards, letters and three Year 11 actors to recreate expressions of sympathy. the journey, two removing masks As Chaplain to the York diocesan to symbolise the moment of Mothers’ Union, Margaret’s visits enlightenment. throughout the diocese were eagerly anticipated. She was a stirring Rehearsals progressed smoothly preacher, full of personal anecdotes, within school but none of us which encouraged ordinary could picture the scale and Tickton School’s banner, which was carried at the service. 4 9 The Revd Margaret Cundiff RIP The Year of the Environment The Revd Margaret Joan Cundiff, our land holdings and offset who died on 8 October aged 79, had some of the carbon emissions that we generate as a church. been a member of St James’ Church, Selby for 41 years, though her Highlights of the Year of the ministry as parish worker, then Environment have included the deaconess, deacon and priest, bird box sent to every church and extended throughout her adopted church school, the Lent Course, Yorkshire and beyond. As a the Big Environment Celebration broadcaster on Radio 2, BBC and in York Minster in May, and the art exhibition which toured independent local radio stations, and churches throughout the Diocese. the British Forces Broadcasting Also in the diocese there have Service her upbeat ‘thoughts’ were been a number of local events appreciated by millions. “I’m not organised within deaneries. religious” said one, “but I always listen to Margaret because she speaks We hope that the initiatives and out of ordinary experience and I can projects from this year will have inspired and equipped you to understand what she says.” make changes in your lives and in parish and ministry, Margaret the life of your church, to care Regular articles in local newspapers Cundiff, in her own inimitable way for our world, God's creation. and fourteen books, of which four Thank you to all who have taken and style, at once both homely and Archbishop Sentamu plants a Virginian were written for the Bible Reading part. lofty, probes beneath the tragic and Maple at Bishopthorpe Palace to mark Fellowship, drew on incidents in Graham Andrews, Archbishop’s the comic and the very ordinary to the Year of the Environment everyday life, with wit and honesty to Advisor for the Environment discern the deeper things of the reveal the presence of the down-to- In 2011, we have been focussing Spirit.' earth God of the Bible in whom on the Environment, and we're Margaret passionately believed. The ending the year with a legacy for Born at Minehead in Somerset to the future. first chapter of LIVING BY THE parents who were in service, BOOK which explores the Sermon Margaret moved North with them in Through December and January on the Mount is headed “Sit Down her early teens. Never a docile child, we're planting 400 trees on and Listen!” (See Matthew, 5.1) and diocesan glebe land. These trees she would question authority when is presented as a no-nonsense will increase the biodiversity of 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 Fellowship of Clergy Wives trained at St Michael’s College, LIGHTS, Archbishop David Hope Oxford and was appointed parish wrote: 'Whether it be from the There is a Fellowship of Clergy Wives Retreat from Monday 12 to Wednesday worker at a church in the Midlands 14 March 2012 at Wydale Hall, with Guest Speaker Bridget Plass. pulpit of Westminster Abbey where the Vicar said “we needed addressing Brownies, on a housing someone and you were cheaper than The Retreat will cost £122 (before subsidy). Please send £15 deposit (cheque estate in Doncaster, conducting a a curate”. She felt she was too young payable to “Clergy Wives Fellowship”) to secure a place to: Mrs Diana Pearce, retreat for ordinands at Ampleforth and inexperienced for parish work Sutherland Bridge, Cropton, YO18 8EU or call 01751 417420. Please book Abbey or in the setting of her own and became a personnel officer in before the end of December 2011.

8 5 Over Silton to Santiago de Compostella Do you believe in coincidence?

"The heat was a surprise. I had We first visited Langa, a township on deliberately chosen a September start the outskirts of Cape Town, in 2005 to avoid Spain’s summer heat. What when our guide was a young man happens to the best-laid plans of called Thembalakhe Batwa. He was mice and men? And pilgrims? wearing a T-shirt with “St. Cyprian’s Humming “Mad Dogs and Church Health Run” written across Englishmen” helped, as did the it and it transpired that he had realisation that, since I was always visited York in 2003. “I sang in the walking due west, I only needed Minster and spoke with the sunblock on one side. Archbishop”, he told us proudly. He showed us the best of Langa and the "All the pilgrim refuges (albergues) worst and the worst was very bad were clean and mostly well indeed, particularly in the shanty maintained, although I took a long town. We are all aware of poverty in time to get used to mixed bunks our own country, especially at this Joanne Aston, Churchwarden of St (triple decker bunks in Viana), not present time but here was poverty on Mary’s Church, Over Silton, near to mention mixed bathrooms. One a level we had never seen before with , walked to Santiago de learned to be grateful for lower no welfare state to ease the pain. Compostela, in northern Spain, to bunks and graceful for upper ones. raise money for her church. Here's One also learned the Spanish for Over the next few weeks we her account of her pilgrimage. bedbugs (cinchas) and fleas (polgos), discussed with our friends at home benefice mission for the past six as well as the workings of the what we could do to help. St. years. Money is raised in a variety of "The Camino Frances is just one of unofficial drug exchange (“I have Cyprian’s seemed a good place to ways and we are able to send about the pilgrim routes in France, Spain immodium, who has start. £1,500 annually. Five to six hundred and Portugal that lead to the antihistamine?”). meals are provided each week. We Cathedral in Santiago de Some months later we were finally were told that without our help the Compostela, venerated as the burial "I met many lovely people from all put in touch with Zandile kitchen would close. St. Cyprian’s place of the Apostle James. More over the world, including Spain. We Mcutshenga, a lay minister at St gives what it can but with than 100,000 pilgrims complete the encouraged each other when the Cyprian’s church and so the unemployment running at 80% in route each year, more in a Holy Year path seemed hottest or highest. I Middleton Benefice set about raising Langa the parishioners are very when St James’ day falls on a Sunday. thought of them all as I finally funds. First of all we bought them a impoverished and local charities are reached Santiago, as well as everyone computer to help with their parish overwhelmed by requests for help. So "When I climbed the steps of the at home who had encouraged and work. What next? Zandile explained we, in the Middleton benefice, simply Cathedral on 20 October, the start of supported me. about their Phathisanani community have to keep things going. my pilgrimage 490 miles earlier outreach programme. Health is their seemed a lifetime away. Five weeks "I have now raised more than 60% chosen project and since hunger is Looking back on that day in 2005 we earlier, at St Jean Pied de Port in of my £5000 target towards the next related to poor health they run a often think ”What if?” What if we France, I took two days to climb over phase of repairs at St Mary’s, Over soup kitchen twice a week but it was hadn’t met Thembalakhe, what if he the Pyrenees into Spain, at Silton. If you would like to difficult to fund. Could we help? hadn’t been wearing that T-shirt? Roncesvalles. contribute, please do so via Do you believe in coincidence? www.justgiving.com/joanne-aston." The Langa soup kitchen has been our Ann and Adrian Bishop

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