30th April 2006. Sandal Parish Magazine

 

 

 

 

Jess Bailey.  What a feast of fun, creativity, hospitality and worship! Let’s make the most of it by inviting whoever we know to come along and enjoy all or part of the weekend.  Several friends of ours have already received what they they thought was a ‘Willy Wonka’ golden ticket!  But we can offer them a tour of the bell tower rather than a chocolate factory.

This year, we are also having some displays and stalls showing the life of the church through the year.  So do keep the weekend free and enjoy a festival in all its joy and variety.

The resurrection of Jesus on Easter Day is the high point of rejoicing for Christians, but we tend to stop the celebrations too soon.

The season of Easter is a time for celebrating the presence of the risen Christ in everyday life.   After all, his appearances were in ordinary situations: on a journey, eating a meal, in a garden, at the work place and in a home.

Jesus visited people in their everyday world and brought joy, amazement and peace.   He can do the same to us today!

Just as Jesus spent 40 days with the Holy Spirit in the wilderness preparing for his ministry, so in the 40 days before he returned to his Father, he prepared the disciples for their ministry.   And then after a period of 10 days of prayerful waiting, the disciples were given the invigorating gift of the Holy Spirit to inspire and motivate their mission and compassion.   We too, as disciples of Jesus Christ, need the Holy Spirit to energize us in the mission of Jesus Christ which is summed up in our Mission Statement that

In these twelve words the compassion of Jesus, his mission and our growth as disciples are encapsulated.

Let’s be open to how God wants to use us, with all our various gifts, to help realise our vision for growth in the coming years.

This month is indeed a month of Celebration as we celebrate the Confirmation of 10 people of all ages and invite parishioners to come to our Festival Weekend on the theme of freedom.

Please be praying for all these events so that all we do can be underpinned by prayer.   And, on a practical note, please also pray for the redesign of the Parish Office and the period this summer when the Parish Office will have to be temporarily relocated.  May God guide us in all that we do in Jesus’ name with the help of the Holy Spirit.

With all our energies as a staff team going into Easter services, and with May being taken up with our Confirmation service and Festival Weekend, we realised we did not have sufficient time to analyse the responses and prepare teams for a June launch.

So far we have received 141 questionnaires and the pattern of services at St. Helen’s shows a very good distribution.  So far 40 people have committed themselves to 9.15, 44 to 10.45, with 41 who will alternate between the two times and 16 who remain undecided.  Of those who have made preliminary decisions, the distribution of commitments to particular services is as follows:

1st          40               63              102
2nd          60               44              104
3rd          40               54                94
4th          46               64              110

Bearing in mind that not everyone completed a questionnaire and some are still undecided, these numbers show that there is a good nucleus at every service, which will with prayer, and invitation, continue to grow as we develop the identity of each congregation.  We were also greatly encouraged by the willingness of people to serve in all the various areas of church life.   This information will help us enormously in our future planning.

Thank you also for taking the trouble to write your thoughts about inspiring services and how best to enhance our worship.

There isn’t enough space to go into great detail.  Suffice it to say that while some thought the new times inconvenient, most were willing to adapt and understood the need to make these changes, especially in the light of recent very large and crowded services.

Recently I visited Ilkley for a day out and was intrigued to find that all three churches in the centre, an evangelical one like ours, a United Reformed Church, and the high church which David Hope now pastors, had two main congregations in the morning, at either 9.00 and 10.30 or 9.15 and 10.45.   It is definitely something that many churches have decided to do, and I’m sure that it will not only enhance our worship provision in its range and quality, but also lead to further growth.

Thank you again for your support as we plan and pray for the growth of God’s Kingdom in this parish and beyond.

 

Many for different reasons.  The quiet ones/the lively ones!

Those with music of all sorts.  Those with thought provoking sermons - explaining or questioning faith.

Choral Evensong - beauty of the music.  Celebration Weekend services - joy!

Any service is inspiring.   It reminds us all why we go to church.

I have always enjoyed the peace and quiet of the 8.30 Holy Communion.   A good start to the day.   I appreciate that changes have to be made from time to time and I will try to fit in with the new order of services.

Sung Communion - I like the formal pattern and I enjoy the singing.

Choral Evensong - peaceful - prayers - lovely hymns - time for quietness.   All 10am Holy Communions - seeing families together - children going to groups and the welcome back into the service, going with mum and dad to the Communion rail to receive a blessing and watching Mum and Dad taking bread and wine.   Their faces are a picture.  See the choir walking down the aisle and listening to the wonderful singing and all their support during hymns.

Choral Evensong - very moving - especially the Passion Sunday Evensong. Memorial Service - this service fulfills a real need for the bereaved and is very supportive.

Enjoy modern worship and participation.   The last service I hope is the most inspirational.  

Julie’s sermon about three weeks ago on evangelism

The New Year’s Day service which was beautiful in its simplicity.

Enjoyed the service led by Youth Worship Group.   Also the one where The Spring work was commissioned.

The interactive services and those we have been given time to worship and also time to pray quietly and think.

Morning and Family Praise where worship is modern.  The music lively.  I feel really energized spiritually.  However I also like to receive communion.

The services with visuals.

The Holy Communion I feel at one with God.  All services are great.

SHYP Service January 2005 - top class integration of the churches Youth Work into regular Sunday Worship.   Celebration/Room Opening May 2005 - excellent, well planned and coherent service.   Ecumenical Service January 2006 - very good sermon by Methodist minister.

The Christingle - really felt God’s presence and love.

I always find the sermons thought provoking and inspirational.  Also the prayers.

Family Praise and also contemplative Communion Services especially where personal stories/testimonies etc. included so feel more involved even if only in congregation.

Morning Praise - I like the songs, the balance of prayers and worship.

Many - I appreciate the way all services are so well themed.

Midnight Mass - the atmosphere was very calming.

Loved the overhead images for prayer today.

All services are fantastic but Morning Praise and Family Service because of the talent and originality of the music and content.  I love taking Communion.  It’s great to have the youngsters involved in the service however - Tehilla etc.

Good Friday on the Castle.

4th Sunday Worship - it seems to be a more sensitive and reflective service where there is time to listen to God.  Also the visual/sensory services as this enhances my worship and understanding of God’s rich creation.

Christmas - varied expression of worship.  4th Sunday Communion - as involved and  inspiring.  Felt connected with God.   Lent,  Ash Wednesday - again  felt connection with God.   Enjoyed all services because of the sense of community.

Some of the Family Services recently have been terrific.

Children specifically seem to enjoy song worship and baptism, because it is visually inspirational.   I find theme based sermons very practical eg. the series on the parish’s new vision last year.

Christingle for atmosphere, emotion and togetherness.

Week 3 service led by the young people in which we floated prayers on the water.  My young godson who doesn’t normally come to church was with me.   His friends parents had recently split up.   Lewis wrote a prayer for his friend which I found very moving.  I find all the services inspiring.

 

Just to reassure people on a number of points:  we will still be having joint services on 5th Sundays and special events such as Confirmation.

We will also be continuing with our 11.30am wednesday morning Communion Services.

The Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt. Rev’d. Stephen Platten and the Bishop of Pontefract, the Rt. Rev’d. Tony Robinson have issued a call to local people in West Yorkshire to go out and use their vote in the forthcoming Council Elections on Thursday 4th May.

The Bishop of Wakefield said “We are proud of our democracy in the United Kingdom. It is important that people use their vote especially when the British National Party whose policies are trying to cause disharmony in our communities are standing in many areas. We do not want to give them any opportunity to gain seats and influence.”

Recently the BNP have claimed the support of an organisation called the ‘Christian Council of Britain”. They have attempted to justify some of their policies from a group claiming to be speaking for Christians in Britain.

The Bishop of Pontefract said “We distance the mainstream churches from the self named ‘Christian Council of Britain’ and its unacceptable interpretations of biblical texts to support BNP policies.

During the trial of Nick Griffin in Leeds, members of the “Christian Council of Britain” – a BNP organisation – supported Griffin with placards and Christian symbols. They were singing, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…” Inderjit Bhogal, Director of the Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum approached these supporters and asked them, “Where do I fit into your vision of Britain?” “You don’t!” was their reply. He also asked them, “How many of you go to church?” They confirmed that none of them did.

Inderjit says, “We need to make racial and religious hatred utterly disrespectful. People of all faiths need to stand together at this time, work together to build relationships of respect and trust and not allow those who convey hatred to divide and separate us. Let us work towards a Britain where we all belong equally.”

In recent years the BNP has tried to present itself as a "respectable" alternative to the mainstream parties, yet its manifesto is openly based on racism. For example, if elected, BNP Councillors are committed to removing halal and kosher food from school dinner menus. The BNP justifies this proposed victimisation of Muslim and Jewish children by saying it is opposed to animal cruelty. The BNP is also committed to introducing quota systems on the issuing of licences to private hire firms and off-licences. This would deprive thousands of Asian people in Yorkshire of their livelihoods. The BNP's declared policy is "an immediate halt to all non-white immigration" and "the voluntary re-settlement" of non-whites to "their lands of native origin." BNP Nick Griffin has described the Holocaust as the "holohoax," denying the deaths of millions of Jewish people in Nazi gas chambers.

The BNP is making direct attempts to win over Christians. It has established a "front" organisation, the “Christian Council of Britain”. Supporters during Nick Griffin’s trial brandished placards stating "Defending Christian Values." One wore a clerical dog collar, though he refused to say which church he represented. In response to the activities of the Christian Council of Britain, Anthea Cox, Methodist Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social justice, said, “I am outraged that the BNP and its allies are using Christianity to further their agenda of segregation and division. We are deeply concerned that some people are now appropriating Christian language and symbols for policies that are the very opposite of Christian values.”

 

Marriage Course

We are having to postpone the Marriage Course, as Sally and Rupert have to attend to the needs of Sally’s father who is unwell.

Your prayers for Gray would be much appreciated.

 

The Conservation department of West Yorkshire Archive Service are seeking to recruit a technician to work one day a week mainly repairing registry volumes.  An interest in binding and good manual dexterity are essential.  The successful applicant will receive training on the job.  For more information please speak to Jess on 253450.

‘Will you love the you you hide if I but call your name’

Saturday 3 June 2006 10am to 4pm at The College of the Resurrection, Stocks Bank Road, Mirfield, led by Canon Peter Vannozzi.   Bookings for the day should be made to Mrs. Anita Raggett at Church House, 1 South Parade, Wakefield. WF1 1LP.   Please send a cheque for £7 made payable to Wakefield Diocesan Board of Finance.

Organised by ‘Care for the Family ‘. Saturday 13 May 10.30am-3.30pm at Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Leeds.

On the 650th anniversary of the Chantry Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin, Wakefield Bridge the Chapel will be open from 11am to 3pm on 29th May, 28th August and 10th September.

Around 2% of people in the UK have a learning disability..

For more info contact Jane Shields on 01924 377921.

Saturday 13 May 2006 at 7pm at St. Wilfrid’s Catholic High School, Cutsyke Road, Featherstone. WF7 6BD.

Featuring Ben Mallinder (Saxophone)  and Anthony Thompson (trumpet) in aid of the GRACE project (Ghana Responsive Action Christian Education) on    Tickets £6 (£4 concessions £18 family ticket) available from Derek Baxter, Flat 25, Ing House, Ings Road, Kinsley. WF9 5EP.   (Please enclose an SAE)   Tel. 07779182748.

Run by Ibrahim from Sierra Leone. All enthusiastic dancers and drummers are welcome.  No experience needed, just enthusiasm.  Tel: 01924 259595 for more details.  Young people must be accompanied by parent.

 

Dear Fellow Greenbelters. Can't quite believe that it is that time of year again, but Anna and I are once again responsible for gathering the clan together for annual Greenbelt trip from St Helens Parish.  Can you please let me know either in church or email if you would like tickets reserving and I will add your names to the list.  Rough prices are

Individual            £ 70.00
Adult Concession        £ 48.00
Family Ticket - covering 2 A/2C or 2A/2Youth or 2A/ 1 Youth/1 Child
                £ 185.00
Child Ticket            £ 35.00
Youth Ticket            £ 38.00

 As normal we do get one free ticket per 10 purchased - so the bigger the initial order the more discount we can apply.  Go on you now you want to

It’s fun and easy - learn baby signing the best way.  Courses starting at the Barnabas Room,  St. Paul’s, Walton every Wednesday from May 3rd. Phone Judi on 01226 79410 for more details.

Is your 5-7 year old daughter bored on a Thursday & looking for some excitement?  Then perhaps Rainbows girl guiding is just what she is looking for?  Your daughter will experience all kinds of adventures including games, craft making, singing and a whole host of other activities.  Why not see for yourself!!  Meetings are held every Thursday 5.30 - 6.30pm at Sandal Methodist Church.  For further details contact 01924 781225

The lecture this year is to be given on Wednesday 16 May at 7.30pm. at Sandal Methodist Church.   The lecturer will be the Revd. Dr. Frances Young recently retired Professor of Theology at Birmingham University.  Her subject will be “Mary, Mother of God, an Ecumenical Journey”.  As usual tickets will be issued free to all who ask for them in advance.   If you want to go please contact Margaret Morgan on 01924 219867 before 30 April.  Tickets are helpful but not obligatory.

Tone your body and mind with Pilates exercise classes. Suitable for all ages and abilities. Beginner classes are every Tuesday from 5.30pm and Thursday from 7.30pm, held at The Barnabas Room, St. Paul’s, The Balk, Walton.  Call Gill Carr on 253768 for more details.

April 30	8.30am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	11am	Joint Parish Communion