Message from Revd Liz Hassall This is a very different letter from the one I was expecting to write. Normally in the Easter Village Link edition, I would be asking you all to come and join us at our Easter services. This year, I am inviting you to celebrate the season of Easter at home. On the 17th March, it was announced that public worship in the Church of England would be suspended until further notice. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are very clear that this doesn’t mean the Church has closed, but rather that we are changing our focus. Here is an extract from their letter: “Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day. We may not be able to pray with people in the ways that we are used to, but we can certainly pray for people. And we can certainly offer practical care and support. Please do carry on supporting the local foodbank and buy extra provisions for it” Each village is approaching the need for practical help differently. By now you should have heard from your local village about what support is available. As the Church, we are working closely with the parish councils and other community groups to coordinate support. If you do not yet know what help is available, please contact me and I will pass your details to the relevant village organisation. As so many of our villagers are in self-isolation, perhaps one of the most important things will be keeping in touch with each other. Elsewhere in the magazine you will find details of Phone a Friend – a way of keeping in touch. If you are in self-isolation, and would like to help others please sign up for this. Our church buildings will not be used for public services, but those that are usually open during the day will remain open for private prayer. I will be delivering prayer leaflets to each church which you are welcome to take away and use at home. For those who have access to the internet, there is a new website bylandchurches.net which I will be updating regularly with worship resources, prayers and maybe even a sermon. It is in blog format, so you can also leave non-urgent messages and prayer requests in the comments section. If you aren’t sure how, read the “where to start” section. 2 If you do not have access to the internet and would like regular news from the Church, please let me know. I hope to be able to send paper-based news and resources to those who can’t access the internet. Even though life will be very different for many of us in the coming weeks, being in isolation at home opens up opportunities for us to help others in different ways. I look forward to hearing how you are rising to the challenge, whether that is through prayer, passing on information or listening and befriending those around you. As we approach Easter, I pray that you may know truly the love that God has for the world and discover the joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life. A prayer Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your name’s sake. Amen. Public services are currently suspended but the life and work of the Church continues. Find us online at bylandchurches.net or phone Revd Liz on 01347 822809 or 07388 510984 for prayer and pastoral support. Church buildings remain open for private prayer. Readings for April can be found on page 13 Readings for Holy Week can be found on pages 14-15 3 Until further notice all Annual Parochial and District Church Meetings are cancelled From the registers Our Church registers mark some of the most significant times in people’s lives. Each of these services involves an extended network of family and friends and is one of the ways that the Church connects with people outside our usual congregations. Please keep all these people, and their families, in your prayers. The wedding of Alice Denny & Stephen Wombwell took place on Saturday 14th March at Crayke. The funeral of Alan Metcalfe took place on Tuesday 17th March at Coxwold. Phone a Friend Stuck indoors? Missing your regular chats over the garden fence? There are many people in the same situation. Sign up to Phone a Friend and your local village coordinator will get in touch to see how you can help others. Contact [email protected] or 01347 822809 or 07388 510894 All the events and activities listed in April’s Village Link were correct at the time of going to print but as the Coronavirus situation and advice is changing on a daily basis, you are advised to check before you try to attend, in case anything has been cancelled or postponed. Important message to all contributors: The deadline for articles for April’s Village Link is the 15th April Please send them to [email protected] Thank You. To advertise in the Village Link email: [email protected] 4 St Michael’s, Coxwold We urgently need a new treasurer and someone to help with the secretarial work. The church is a much valued asset in the community but is currently experiencing real difficulties as there is a shortage of people able to help run it. We would love to hear from you if you feel that you could help us. Please contact Chris Stratton (church warden) tel 01347 868854 or Revd Liz Hassall 01347 822809 if you would like more information The Fauconberg Inn Coxwold Tel 01347 868214 intends to remain open unless the government forbids it. Their recently opened shop is stocked with grocery, fresh fruit, vegetables and household goods. It is also offering a new take-away meal service with orders and payment taken by phone, and optional free delivery. Ask at the pub to see the shop which is by their rear car park. Coxwold Cyclists Sunday on 10th May we are hosting once again the Cyclists teas on Sunday 10th May in the village hall. We would greatly welcome any donations of sandwiches and cakes which can be dropped off at the village hall on that morning. If you are able to volunteer any time on the day to help with serving cups of tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes, please contact Jean on 01347 868356. Coxwold Open Gardens June 14th. If you would like to open your garden on this day or help in any other way, please contact Jean on 01347 868356. 5 Coxwold Village Hall The following groups should continue next month, but please call the contact beforehand to check. St. George’s Day Dinner: Saturday 25th April – this has now been cancelled. The following groups are suspended until further notice: Art Group Bridge Club Weekly Craft group: every Wednesday 2-4pm. Bring along any projects you have on the go or start a new project with us! Contact Anne 01347 868719 Anandini Yoga: every Thursday 6.00 - 7.00pm - Booking Essential. Please contact Verity 07821 588117 or visit www.anandiniyoga.co.uk Monthly Coffee Morning: 1st Wed of the month 10.30 - 11.30am – 1st April - Contact Anne 868719 Soup & Sandwich Lunch: 3rd Wed of the month 12.00 - 1pm – 15th April Contact Anne 868 719 If you are having to self-isolate on 15th April, we can arrange to bring lunch to you – please call Anne to let her know. Upcoming events: Coxwold Village Market, Saturday 25th April 10am-1pm With produce ranging from fresh veg, meats and sweets to plants, candles and crafts (and lots more!), our local market offers a great range of stalls to browse. Visit www.coxwoldvillagemarket.com for more info. 2020 Market dates for your diary: 30th May, 27th June, 25th July, 29th August, 26th September, 31st October, 28th November & 20th December 6 Coxwold Free entry to Shandy Hall gardens in April The gardens at Shandy Hall open to the public in May but the Wild Garden (the old quarry) is often attractive from earlier in the year. Chris and Patrick would like to invite local readers of this newsletter to visit the Wild Garden in March and April. If you would like to come there would be no charge, but please call at the house to make yourself known. Telephone 01347 868465 if you would like further information. The Laurence Sterne Trust at Shandy Hall Coxwold Tennis Club Competitive and social tennis all year round Affordable membership All ages and abilities welcome Come down to the courts any Friday from 6.30pm and maybe try out our new ball machine or contact Sharon on 07464973987 email [email protected] for more information. Wass Wass Chair Exercise Class is held on Wednesday mornings 10:15 -11:10 am. Our age range is now under 50 to 90! Alison, our instructor, is excellent at giving us a wide range of activities where everyone can work at their own level of fitness. She is also knowledgeable about any physical and mobility issues that we may have. Come along and improve your co-ordination, balance and muscle tone, all vital as we get older. £5 a session is a small fee for laughter and social contact.