Grapevine February 2006 - Magazine for The Parish of Sandal Magna, Wakefield UK

The first words that Jesus utters in John’s Gospel are “What are you seeking?” and “Come and see.” The question is followed by an invitation. The question addresses our basic need to find God in the person of Jesus, and the invitation is the beginning of discovery that can last a lifetime. In our society there are more and more people asking questions about the meaning of life, and many people are actively seeking for someone who can provide answers that satisfy the thirst of their souls.

So what are we to do about it? Do we keep what we have heard to ourselves or do we share it with others? A good example is what happens next. Andrew goes and finds his brother Simon and brings him to meet with Jesus. And then Philip finds his friend Nathaniel, and echoes Jesus’ words by saying “Come and see.” In Chapter 4 of John’s Gospel, Jesus invites a stranger, a Samaritan woman, to drink the water of eternal life. She begins by mocking Him and then when He shows how much He knows about her life, she takes Him seriously and goes off to invite others to meet with this amazing prophet.

“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’ John 4: 28-29.

Andrew, Philip and the Samaritan Woman respond to Jesus’ invitation by inviting respectively a brother, friend and neighbours to come and see for themselves. The pattern and the message is clear. We who have met with Jesus are meant to invite others to meet with Him; to come and see for themselves who He is. That’s pretty much it. We don’t have to convert them, only invite them. Jesus does the really hard bit of changing people’s hearts.

Later on in John Chapter 7, He proclaims in a loud voice to all who were gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” Jesus never stops issuing His invitation. Sometimes He will appeal directly to people through a God-incidence, or a gentle nudge of His spirit. Often He will appeal to people through us. But there’s the question. Are we listening to His prompting? And are we obedient to His wishes?

This year is a great opportunity for us to give those invitations to relations, friends or neighbours. Let’s make the most of every opportunity that arises. And don’t be afraid of people saying no to begin with. If we persevere we often find the appropriate event to invite them to. A year of invitation enables us to work towards fulfilling the first and third parts of our Mission Statement that the lost are found and the lonely are enfolded. We have everything in place now to make people feel warmly welcomed, and we have a wonderful programme, with great variety, creativity and interest. So let’s make the most of every opportunity and make this a Year of Invitation to remember.

In His welcoming Grace, Rupert

House Groups

Thank you to all the house groups for taking the time to reply to the questionnaire. I hope the house group profiles and article by Judith Parkin serve as an encouragement to anyone who has not yet joined a house group to speak to Rupert about the group most suitable for them. Even if you cannot attend a group every week and can only manage a loose association with a group, I have found having a network of prayer and support vital, especially during difficult periods of life. Bob Bailey

Friendships that have grown with the years

Hugh Channer was a curate here at St. Helen’s for two years. Prior to moving south, it was his wife who started our house group in 1979. For years we have gathered together on Tuesdays at each other’s homes every two weeks, but every week during Lent - 10.30am to midday with coffee/tea and biscuits at the start and conversation which never fails to keep our spirits and spirituality topped up for the days ahead. In the late 70s and early 80s most of us were young mums with under-school age children and their joy was being taken along to play with new friends and sharing their toys. Each child’s toys were different. The children have now grown up and flown the nest with, we hope lovely memories! Perhaps our hair colour and the shape of our outline has altered slightly with the years, but the constant is the bond of true Christian love that has grown and matured and never ceased over the years between. We are 12/14 ladies who call ourselves the ‘Tuesday House Group’. The material/books we study have changed over the years. At the moment we are using books from ‘York Courses’ PO Box 343, York. YO19 5YB. These are designed for groups or individuals, and there is a wide range of topics all of which gives us plenty of food for thought, prayer, quietness and sometimes laughter. We have established amongst ourselves a network of support and care. There is always a shoulder to lean on and offers of practical help and always someone on the end of the ‘phone. We are rich indeed! God works with us all. Judith Parkin

As well as Judith’s group and the five groups profiled there are two more groups which meet regularly:
Rose Lee’s Friday 2.00pm Brooklands Road, Walton
Mavis Rowley’s Thursday 7.30pm Thornhill Croft, Walton

House Group Profiles

Who are your HG Leaders?		Sarah Exley, Jesus Garcia & Helen Gill
When?	Fortnightly Wednesday	Where?	Marriott Grove, Sandal
How many meet?	About 18 - ‘new’ Alpha people	Age Range?	Late 20s-late 60s
Describe a typical meeting
7.30pm. Arrive and ‘catch up’ on everyone’s news. Meeting starts at 8pm with prayer. Sarah (or someone else she nominates) launches the meeting, which then breaks into discussion groups before gathering together to share our findings. We always end with a prayer session.
Describe a typical meeting
We study a section of the Bible, following questions provided in a course book, eg. Life Builder Bible Study.
What makes your group special?
Warm, loving fellowship; discussing our faith and exploring ideas together; praying together and supporting one another; deepening our faith
What difference do you think attending a HG makes to your life?
It creates a network of Christian friends so that church is no longer a 1/7 experience, and enables us to share a journey of faith in a safe and loving environment.

Who are your HG Leaders?		Richard & Angela Hughes
When?	Weekly Wednesday	Where?	Shawfold Cottage, Sandal
How many meet?	Approx 20	Age Range?	18-45 yrs
What Subjects did you cover last Autumn?
Prayer
Describe a typical meeting
Tea, cake & chat! Followed by worship (10-15 mins). A time in Bible Study - openly questioning and sharing ideas and thoughts. Finishing with prayer.
What makes your group special?
Firstly the people!! Providing a space which allows honesty and openness. Great friendships have developed. I think people like the cakes!!
What difference do you think attending a HG makes to your life?
A place of support and learning and a ‘safe space’ to question and discuss our Christian lives.

Who are your HG Leaders?		Bob & Rosemary Coursey
When?	Fortnightly Friday	Where?	Greenside Walton
How many meet?	9	Age Range?	60-80 yrs
What subjects did you cover last Autumn?
John’s Gospel
Describe a typical meeting
We study a section of the Bible, following questions provided in a course book, eg. Life Builder Bible Study.
What makes your group special?
We particularly value the ecumenical nature of our group which, for us, is an ongoing expression of efforts to achieve Christian Unity
What difference do you think attending a HG makes to your life?
Attendance at a group enriches our lives through the unique opportunity it provides to study scripture together, making and cementing friendships in the process.

Who are your HG Leaders?		Paul Dodd and John Manners
When?	Thursday Evening	Where?	Walton
How many meet?	10	Age Range?	35-70
What Subjects did you cover last Autumn?
Old Testament: Kings
Describe a typical meeting
Tea, 8pm Prayers, Study, Prayers, 9.40pm Fellowship
What makes your group special?
The genuine support and fellowship. Ability and trust to share openly. Strong Bible teaching: mix of Old and New Testaments.
What difference do you think attending a HG makes to your life?
Reaffirms that God’s church is the people

Who are your HG Leaders?		Vivien Buckley
When?	Thursday Evening	Where?	Various Houses
How many meet?	10 (ladies)	Age Range?	30+
What Subjects did you cover last Autumn?
Submission in community studies following fairly closely the church mission statement
Describe a typical meeting
Refreshments, worship, bible study, prayer
What makes your group special?
The people, diversity, inclusivity, supporting each other informal, flexible, friendly
What difference do you think attending a HG makes to your life?
It developes our community + spiritual awareness. We feel like a “bite size” piece of the church community.

Preaching & Teaching Programme

We will be following some of the early episodes in John’s Gospel at the beginning of this year, before launching out to explore in greater depth all nine of the Fruit of the Spirit, over a period of time from 19 March to 16 July. In our Family Services we will be looking at three key parables, The Lost Sheep, The Sower and the Good Samaritan.

In addition we will have special services including -

         12 March    Vision & Thanksgiving Sunday
        14 May    Confirmation at St. Helen’s
        21 May    United Festival Service

House Groups will be meeting weekly throughout Lent and many will follow a Wakefield Diocesan Course entitled Everyday God, bringing God into our everyday lives. This is an opportunity to invite people to join your group, or if you want to join a group, to ask me which one would be best for you. As we can see from the preceding descriptions of house group life, they provide a valuable way of growing together in our faith and friendship. So do join in one and see what it’s like.

Our other two courses are The Marriage Course beginning on the 8th May and The Alpha Course beginning with an Alpha Supper on 27 September and running until 6 December.

We are also planning to hold a Back to Church Sunday on the 10th September following the successful initiative in the Diocese last year. This will be a great opportunity to invite people back to church who may have drifted away recently or some time ago.

There is so much to look forward to which is aimed at fulfilling the central part of our Mission Statement that the found grow. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians: God gives us his grace and his gifts: “so that the Body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.”

Last year in the Network Course we looked at the great variety of gifts which God makes available. This Spring we will be looking at the fruit of the Spirit which are signs of our becoming mature in Christ. May God bless us as we go on learning together.

Yours in His continuing growth, Rupert

Who are you? - Rupert Martin

Your Age	48
Where were you born?	West Germany
Occupation?	Vicar
Are you single etc.?	Married to Sally
Children?	Sam, Tom and Hannah
Pets?	Three cats: Cloud, Tulip & Aurora
Where do you live?	The Vicarage
Do you believe in God?	Yes!
Religion?	Christian
Where do you go on holiday?	France, Italy, Northumberland, The Lakes
What newspaper do you read?	The Times
Favourite books?	The Brothers Karamazov, Don Quixote, Four Quartets, Three Men in a Boat, The Tale of the Squirrel Nutkin
Favourite music?	Handel, Schubert, Coldplay, Buddy Holly, Youssou n ‘Dour
Favourite TV programmes?	North and South, Pride and Prejudice, Horizon, Father Ted
Favourite films?	Touching the Void, The Shawshank Redemption, Citizen Kane, The Blues Brothers
Favourite Personality?	Nelson Mandela for his dignity, grace and forgiveness
Most liked food & drink?	Kedgeree, créme brulée, red wine and ginger beer
What do you like most about church?	God’s gift of creativity and people’s lives being changed
If you ruled the world for a day what would you change?	The climate
If you could meet anyone from the past or now, who would it be and why?	My Grandfather on my mother’s side, who was a keen sportsman, who died before I was born
What moment in your life are you most proud of?	Playing Cricket at Lords
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you?	Scoring a duck at Lords

News

Fair Trade - Ackworth

To St. Helen’s Church, Sandal

Thank you once again for your custom. In the year 2005 we again increased our sales with Outsales now contributing around 70% of all our business. This percentage is increasing year on year, not because of a fall in shop sales, but because we have added to the number of outsale customers. So, you can see how much we do rely on you to spread the word of Fair Trading. Last year saw us source several new products from a new supplier Suma. Many of these products proved very popular - especially the increased variety of chocolate! - and we are now ordering from them on a regular basis. Suma are constantly expanding their Fair Trade range. They produce a new catalogue every two months and there are always new products and special offers. That means there will often be something new to try and tempting reductions.

The sale of cards at Christmas has again seen an increase from last year and both the Craft Kit and jewellery have been a great success. We will have an increased number of craft goods available during the year and expect another great range next Christmas.

Those of you who did not borrow the jewellery in 2005 might consider doing so this year. It makes the basis for an enjoyable social evening. The display is available on loan and orders can be placed from it. The items on display are not for sale but available for people to see before they buy rather than relying on a catalogue picture. If you are holding an event at which such a display could be used, please give us the date and we will reserve the Jewellery Kit for you. Or you might use it with your monthly Outsale during or near to Fair Trade Fortnight to add that extra dimension. The current kit is available until the summer and there should then be a new one from September.

This year, Fairtrade Fortnight runs from 6th to 19th March. If you are interested in being involved you can find out more by ringing the Fairtrade Foundation on 020 744 7676, by writing to them at Suite 204, Baldwin’s Gardens, London EC1N 7RJ, or at fortnight@fairtrade.org.uk. Talk to us if you think we can help in a particular way.

Our Clothes Show, featuring the Traidcraft range of clothes and accessories from the Spring and Summer catalogue, has proved a great success for a few years now. If you have not come to one before, don’t miss out this year. A date has not yet been fixed but it will probably be on a Saturday evening in early April and certainly at Ackworth Methodist Church. Come and see the clothes modelled and place your orders over a relaxing cup of fairly traded tea or coffee.

The Craft Kit will again be available in the Autumn but why not come and view our range of goods on display at our Craft Fair and place early orders or purchase your Christmas presents. This will again be held at Ackworth Methodist Church on a Saturday around the middle of October. More details will be available nearer to the date.

We are very grateful to all who continue to help us both on a regular and on an occasional basis. It’s nice to have such commitment to the cause! As yet we have not built up enough of a team to open the shop more frequently but we would still like to do so. If you know of anyone who can help, please tell us. Also, if you could make our needs known to other churches, we would be very grateful.

Your Outsales total for 2005 was £929.44. Thank you very much.

John & Judith (01977 612263)

Thank You..

Barnado’s to St. Helen’s and St. Paul’s from Barnardo’s for the collection of children’s presents at Christmas time.

Fun Bridge Day for George - A big thank you to all who supported our Bridge Day on the 20 January held in the Barnabas Rooms. A particular thank you to Susan Parkin and Anne Rhymer for all their help in the kitchen. We raised £656 to go towards George’s fees for University.
Pam Payling, Pauline & Roger Parker & Margaret Walker

Children’s Society Boxes - The annual emptying of the boxes is again complete and it has been another bumper year. Our twenty two box holders have contributed a magnificent £455.75. Thank you all very much. Val English

Bishop of Wakefield’s Lent Appeal 2006

Following the success of last year’s initiative we are repeating the idea of a Lent Appeal. This year’s money will be split between the Mara Fund and an orphanage in Georgia known as Zemo Bodbe.

A small group from the Diocese, including the Archdeacon of Pontefract, two of the Sisters from Horbury and a number of lay people visited Zemo Bodbe last November. Around eighty children live there in appalling conditions. Their plight is only eased by the unstinting work of the Georgian Baptist Church who clothe the children. The group from Wakefield feel committed to transforming Zemo Bodbe and supporting the children there.

Unusually this year both charities supported by the Lent appeal are overseas. Next year we will return to a local charity in addition to the Mara Fund. We do hope that people will give as generously as they can so that we can put a substantial sum of money towards the annual Mara Support Fund and also for something to another good cause outside the immediate work of the Church of England. Cheques made payable to Wakefield Diocesan Board of Finance may be sent to Church House marked Lent Appeal.

Our Bells May Become Silent..

.. if no-one volunteers to learn to ring them and progress to Sunday ringing for the call to worship! In addition to giving a great deal of service to St. Helen’s, you could be helping keep alive a wonderful 400 year old tradition of change ringing in England. Our team is shrinking, and it is often difficult to raise enough ringers for the one per rope/bell needed, and we only manage to ring for weddings with the help of ringers from other towers. In spite of last year’s positive press coverage (and lots of visits during the celebration weekend) no-one showed further interest, although Kieran Moxham has since started learning, joining his dad, Clive, in the tower as a ringer instead of a watcher. I’m told that in the U.K. there are more than 40,000 bellringers (we only need a few more). They come from all walks of life, in all shapes and sizes, can be musical or non-musical, church-goers or non church-goers, aged from about 10 to 80+ (Sandal’s oldest in my memory was over 90). So come on, please give us a try, every team needs enough players whatever sport or activity they take part in and it is good exercise! Once you can ‘handle’ a bell there are lots of interesting developments to follow so you won’t get bored, and the company’s not bad either! Contact John & Margot Cutt, Tel. 255918

Web News

Website Success - The church website http://www.sandalmagna.com has gone from strength to strength with 200 people visiting the site each month. If you have any suggestions for our website please contact the Parish Office.

Rejesus.co.uk is probably one of the most successful current UK evangelism initiatives. Up to 1600 people use the site daily. It’s well worth a visit.

Rota - The new rota has been issued. An on-line version is available at www.sandalmagna.com (scroll to the bottom of the home page).

A Brief History of Sandal by Peter Wood

Sandal had been part of Wakefield and Agbrigg as both are Viking names. Sometime well before 1066, Agbrigg began to lose its importance. It had held the burhgermots that were meetings of local families, the hundred germot and then the seyr-germot which was called by the Vikings, Wapentake. At Agbrigg, people from Osgoldcross, Staincross, Morley, Skyrack and Wakefield gathered very much like a county open meeting to discuss important affairs. In the South these gatherings were called Hundreds but Vikings had Wapentaks. In the Great Survey of 1086 it was found that “in Wackefeld with nine berwicks, Sandals” . The king held six carucates (720 acres) which would later become Sandal Magna or Great Sandal once the castle had been built. In the Parish of Sandal there were the townships of Sandal, Crigglestone, Walton and part of West Bretton. In the Sandal township were the hamlets of Milnthorpe (Millthorpe), Pledwick, Woodthorpe, Standbridge (Stonebridge), and Hill Top north of Newmiller Dam. The Crigglestone township contained the villages of Crigglestone, Chapelthorpe, Newmiller Dam excluding Hill Top, Dirtcar, Hall Green, Boyn Hill and Kettlethorpe. The church was in the centre of an early Sandal civilisation as the sandstone to the west gives way to clay so water, in wells, ponds and springs would be along the present Barnsley Road area. For many years the village would be governed by its vicar and church wardens. Through the centuries these men would be given support by the establishment of Pinder, Constable, Ale Tester and Surveyor of the Highways. To be continued next month..

Jam Jars

Does anyone require screw top jars for making jam? If so, please contact Betty Littlewood on 253121.

Events

An Invitation to Hear St. Mark’s Gospel

to a continuous reading from St. Mark’s Gospel on Tuesday
14th February at 7.30pm at the Church of Saint Peter & Paul, St. George’s Walk. All welcome.

Ash Wednesday & Prayer Vigil

On the 1st March we will be holding our Ash Wednesday service of Communion and Imposition of Ashes at 8pm at St. Paul’s, followed by prayers focused on various themes up until midnight. The prayer Vigil will continue until 8am on the Thursday morning in the Barnabas Rooms. We will then switch venues, with prayer continuing in the Waterton Chapel, St. Helen’s between 8am and 8pm on Thursday 2nd of March. Please feel encouraged to come and go, joining together in prayer as you are able through the night and day. This time of communion and prayer is a vital part of our church life as we build our year’s activities on a foundation of sacrificial prayer.

Marriage Course in 2006

Following the success of our first Marriage Course last summer in our new Emmaus Rooms, we will be holding a second course beginning on 8th May 2006 in St. Helen’s, and running for seven sessions until 10th July.
Wherever we are in our marriage, we can benefit from a course that gives each couple time together to share and enjoy each other’s company over a candlelit dinner. For further details please contact Rupert and Sally Martin, 255441.

Diary

Feb 5th	8.30am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10am	Family Service	St. Helen’s
	11am	Holy Communion	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Choral Evensong	St. Helen’s
6th	9am	Staff Meeting & Prayers	St. Paul’s
7th	9.30am	Toddle-In (toddler group)	St. Helen’s
	3.45pm	Childrens’ Church	St. Paul’s