Encouraging A Growing Faith These are exciting times at St Edward‟s and ideas are springing up all over the place about how to develop our faith and life. Chris Elliott and Mark Russell-Smith recently shared some ideas with the Preaching Team about possible ways of developing our under- standing of faith and the Bible in particular. The Basic Idea “As we believe the Bible to be normative for Christian life in general, we hope to devise ways of enabling Scripture to address, critique and keep the life of St Edwards refreshed. Because we live in an ever-changing culture and society, Christians need regular exposure to the Biblical texts in a variety of ways, where the Scriptures are in „conversation‟ with us as individuals and Church.” How Do We Achieve This? There are lots of possibilities. Here are a few suggestions. Please feel free to add others. Whether they see the light of day depends on whether enough people come forward to lead and to take part. We‟ll put up a big poster in the porch, in March, where you can sign up to register your inter- est – or let me know directly, or via Alison in the parish office. Short Courses For example, 5 Saturday mornings in the Autumn; 5 Sunday tea-times/ evenings or lunchtimes in the Spring. Basic or in-depth Bible teaching; looking at themes and issues; ethics/ politics/work/mission – you suggest whatever! And some perhaps linked to look at a Sermon Series in more depth. Starter Groups - To ask any questions under the sun. 2 Book Groups/Film Groups and/or discussing talks downloaded from favourite preachers on the internet. These could be at any time of the day; in homes or church; occasional or regular. Perhaps a group could meet before or after Friday lunches? Small Groups – meeting as at present; using their own choice of mate- rial, such as York Courses (which require no previous Bible knowl- edge). Planning This would require a leadership team to oversee it and plan some parts of it well ahead, so you can decide what, if anything, is for you in all of this. We also would like to be aware of other similar opportunities available elsewhere in the vicinity. Last Word to Chris and Mark “In presenting this for consideration, nowhere do we envisage a sterile exercise, devoid of heart-felt engagement with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. When people gather to study the Word of God, there should be a liveli- ness of encounter naturally issuing in worship, fellowship, prayer and action. Studying the Bible together in depth enables those so engaged to know God better and live more rounded human lives.” Martin 3 FROM OUR ARCHIVES III. The mysterious burial plot We walk past it so often, but take very little notice – if we do give it a passing glance, it is often accompanied by a brief moment of puzzlement, or disbelief. Why on earth should there be a solitary grave between the War Memorial and the Community Hall? And who would choose to be bur- ied there? More to the point: how did they ever get permission? Looking more closely, there is an inscription at the base of the cross on the side facing the path, which records a Matthew Alexander Eason Wil- kinson, born in 1813, deceased 1878. On looking at the inscription on the other side, we find reference to Louisa Laetitia Wilkinson, (1823-1889). No obvious clues there then. More intriguing still are the two small grave- stones lying flat in the plot, adjacent to the me- morial cross. No inscriptions are visible on these now, but because they are all in this unique plot, we might think they are all members of the same family, possibly all dying in the 19th century, after the demolition of the old church which stood on the War Memorial site (after St Edward‟s was built in 1847-9) and before the Hall was erected (1905). As there was no cemetery in Dringhouses prior to 1927, burials had to be in York Ceme- tery or adjacent parishes such as Bishop- thorpe. So how did this particular family come to be buried here? There had been ear- lier burials in the old church of St Helen: members of the Barlow family who had been Lords of the Manor, responsible for the build- ing of the old church. Some of their memorial stones can still be seen inside the present church. Perhaps this is our first clue? 5 It was in 1851 that the manor had passed to the Wilkinson family by mar- riage: The Barlow heiress, Frances (who had St Edward‟s built in memory of her first husband) had been a widow for four years before marrying the eminent Manchester physician Matthew Alexander Eason Wilkinson and, according to the law of the time, the estate passed to him. A newspaper report in the York Herald on 3rd August 1878 solves the mystery. It records the funeral of Dr Eason Wilkinson, “the distinguished Manchester physician” who was “interred in a vault where his first wife was buried in 1852”. Frances had died only a few months after their mar- riage and one of the flat stones is her memorial. Dr Wilkinson later mar- ried Louisa Laetitia Walker, who would survive him by another eleven years. Their first son, Roger, sadly died in 1859 when he was only two years old, the other flat stone being his memorial. There is also an in- triguing stained glass reference to this little boy in one of our nave win- dows. Perhaps you might be able to find it? The very detailed newspaper report of Dr Wilkinson‟s funeral tells us that although he had continued to live in Manchester, he had owned considerable property in this area and was highly respected. In fact, eight Dringhouses tenants carried the pol- ished oak coffin with brass furnishings to the grave, and “a goodly company of villag- ers” were there to witness the event. This grave plot thus links the early patrons of the church (the Barlows) with the later manorial family (the Wilkinsons) and its location between the old church and the new one is therefore most appropriate. Dorothy Reed Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a pioneer of the hospice care movement, said „People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.‟ 6 Prayers for those affected by flooding Taken from the Church of England Website We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are in any way afflicted or distressed, in mind, body or situation; we especially remember those enduring the flooding and its aftermath. Comfort and relieve them in their need, give them patience in their sufferings and hardships, and please bring good out of all their afflictions. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen. God of all goodness and love, in whom we can trust in every time of need: be close to all who live in fear and distress at this time of flooding in our land. We pray for wisdom and strength for all who seek to help, and that through this emergency, people and communities may be drawn more closely together in service to one another; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [Adapted from a Prayer by Christian Aid] 7 8 The Parish Church of St Bartholomew As I sit in the warmth and watch John shovel snow from our paths, I thought I would write about our little hide- away in the Dales. The village of West Witton (Population 300) is our chill-out escape. A wonderful small village set deep in the Dales. We are looking out onto Pennhill Beacons, which is now covered in snow, a glorious sight this sunny winter morning. Spending time here, we have been warmly welcomed into the church community. This Parish Church is dedicated to St Bartholomew. The original church was of Saxon origin and its existence is recorded in the Domsday Book (1086). When restoring the church in 1875 a Saxon cross was found in the chancel walls, which is now preserved in the ves- try wall. It is thought to have belonged to Bishop Cedd who died in 644 AD. The early Saxon church was followed on the same site by a Norman church around 1100 AD of which only the tower and north wall remain. Restoration and building in 1836 gives us now this pleasant quiet place of worship. As we walk into the Church, there is a very small font inside by the main door, thus reminding us that as well as entering into the church building we enter into the church family by our baptism. The lectern with its open bible has a wrought iron candlestick and candle which when lit, signifies to us „Jesus is the light of the World‟. The east window is described as having a Tractarian influence, (we had to look that one up!) but it does display many Saints and symbols of the Christian faith. As the Saints‟ names are in Latin we cannot tell you who they are! On display in the church are two bells of great antiquity. With the ex- ception of the tenor bell at Bedale church, these are the only pre- reformation bells in the district. 9 The Lady Vicar, Sue Whitehead who has recently retired after many years of looking after our spiritual needs along with six other churches in the Dales is a very busy mobile lady.