Oct. 2007

 

 

 

 

 

Where would we be without St. Paul’s and the Barnabas Rooms?  The village of Walton has benefitted from the provision of worship and the whole parish has benefitted from the provision of excellent facilities, with the rebuilding of the church in 1967 and the addition of the Barnabas Rooms in 2002.

Anglican worship in Walton began in 1857 when through the generosity of Miss Pilkington and Mr. E. Simpson, a corner of the National School, (see cover photograph)) which stood on the site of the recently vacated Junior School, was equipped as a place of worship on Sunday.

When I was a curate in Yateley, one of our congregations worshipped in the local secondary school, and we planted another congregation in a local junior school, thinking we were being very pioneering and innovative!   As you can see planting a church in a school is nothing new, and the church flourished until 1898 when the ‘tin tabernacle’ was erected on the site of the present church (see cover photograph).  This church was aptly named after the Apostle Paul, since it has always been a Mission church, a church with a heart for mission in the village and for mission overseas.  And that missionary outlook still continues today as the church hosts many church and community groups with a generous spirit of hospitality and care.

For many years, the church has welcomed Parents and Toddlers to the Boogie Woogie Tots, which continues to flourish.  More recently, on Tuesdays after school, we have run a Children’s Church, for primary school children, mainly from the village (see cover photograph).   And every year we hold our important Alpha Course, because the Barnabas Rooms are so suitable for eating together, teaching and discussing ideas in small groups.

Honorable mention should also go to the Walton Mothers’ Union, ably led for many years by Rose Lee, which this year celebrated its 100th Anniversary.

As well as these church run groups, we also let the rooms to community groups and currently the rooms are used for Aerobics, Pilates, Beavers, Baby Signing, a Child Minding Group, Birthday and Baptism Parties and many one-off bookings.

If I was to characterise the church of St. Paul’s it would be as a welcoming Church.  The warmth of the people of St. Paul’s is wonderful, and their welcome is legendary.  It comes from hearts which are open to the Spirit of Jesus Christ that calls us to welcome the stranger in our midst.

The welcome and the worship of St. Paul’s is sustained by many people but in particular I want to pay tribute to the selfless devotion of Mavis Rowley and Eileen Calkeld, (see cover photograph) who not only prepare Sunday worship but attend to the pastoral care of the congregation and the running of many of the groups.  They are admirably helped in this by Teddy Foster and Rose Jaworski amongst others.  And then there is the wonderful work of Carole Goodwin in beautifying the church with her flower displays, Bill Ritchie and David Goodwin in attending to the practicalities of looking after the church, and Alan Cottrell in acting as a superb caretaker.  Last but not least, the inspiring preaching and leading of John Manners is much appreciated.  These saints help keep alive the tradition of making the church beautiful and welcoming in its worship on Sunday and its witness throughout the week.  Their secret is persevering prayer, which is carried on personally and also regularly on a Wednesday morning at 9 am.

As we celebrate 150 years of Anglican worship in Walton it’s also important to remember our common mission which we share with our Methodist brothers and sisters, to make known the truth of Jesus Christ to the people of Walton and to make his life-saving presence felt in the hearts of all whom we meet.

Every year we have a Thanksgiving Sunday, when we invite members of the church to renew their giving to God in the light of the vision of the church, the needs of people and the increased costs of running all our facilities.

This year we are having a whole Thanksgiving Month so that  we hope everyone in all of our congregations, will have an opportunity to see a presentation about the life of the church and be given an opportunity to give in response to what they hear presented and preached.

When we have heard about the needs, and listened to God, then all that remains is to complete a Promise Card in one of our worship services. This can then be offered to God in the context of worship.

Please bear with us if you see the presentation more than once, because it is vital that everyone has a chance to see it, and please be seeking God’s guidance and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, as we are promised that ‘God will meet all our needs in Christ Jesus’, as a church, as individuals and as families.

If you’re new to the church, the important thing is to begin to give regularly in proportion to what you earn, through our envelope scheme, or a standing order.   If you want to work out what that proportion should be simply ask God.   He’s sure to know what’s best for you.

If you’ve been attending church for a while, then let me encourage you to review your giving in the light of some new factors.

In the last year our new commitment to paying our staff a fair wage is costing us an extra £1,000 per month.

In addition the increasing use of our renewed buildings, and the increased cost of gas and electricity has pushed up our fuel bills dramatically.

But there’s another more important reason why we give to God.   We believe in the vision of a church that makes an impact on people’s lives, that meets more and more people’s needs, that sees more and more people coming to faith, that breathes more and more hope into people’s lives.

To do this we need more staff to encourage and support more volunteers, to develop more God-given ministries to make the most of more opportunities.

I’m sorry if, like Oliver, I have the temerity and the hunger to ask for more, but I believe that God wants his church to be more effective in channeling his outpoured love for the world.

Please join with me in redoubling your giving so that we can continue to grow as God intends us to grow.

    With all love and grace through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Over the last twelve years, as a church, we’ve invested £790,000 in renewing our buildings, so that we can reach more people with God’s love and hospitality.

But far more important than that is our investment in people.   Over the same period we have invested much more in the people who lead our church and it’s various ministries, the people who serve overseas, and people in the diocese who serve in parishes that do not have our resources.   Praise God for that priority of investing in people.

There is another investment we have been making over the last three years;  and that is in leadership development.   In 2005, seven of us went all the way to Surrey for the first Leadership Conference.   In 2006, ten of us went to Durham for the second, and this October twelve of us will be going to the third conference again in Durham.

The range of video recorded speakers is fascinating;  from Bill Hybels
to Jimmy Carter, Bono to Richard Curtis.   They include black as well as white church leaders who share their thoughts and inspire us to develop skills and ideas in the local church.

Leadership in every area of church life;  in worship, house groups, outreach projects, anniversary celebrations, is vital for our church life and all those who lead in any capacity value prayer and encouragement as they seek to do God’s will.

We’re always looking for those whom God is calling to develop leadership gifts, so do let us know if you feel called to lead in some area of the life of the church.

May we always acknowledge that we are under authority and that we draw our strength as disciples from the person who gave us the perfect example of leadership;  Jesus Christ.

 

At our Lent Course group we decided to support and Care and Provide Charity as our project, which helps the homeless in Wakefield and district.   They provide washing facilities, a change of clothing and a hot meal or a food pack.  They collect toiletries and clothing and household goods, as well as furniture which is taken into storage to furnish accommodation when this becomes available.   We promised to collect, on a regular basis, toiletries and clothing;  if you have any of these spare at home, please contact any of Rose Lee’s group, and we will see they get into the right hands.

Dear Everyone, I’m off on sabbatical for six months, from 6 October.   I’m going to the Othona community in Dorset, to work as part of the team welcoming people who come on retreat and for courses.  The community is founded on Christian principles and also welcomes good and positive teaching for all faiths.

PS    If anyone knows anyone who needs somewhere to live for six months,     I have two rooms available for rent in Walton.   Tel. 01924 259595.

Our daughter Rachel (35) flew to Lima, Peru on Sunday 30 September.   She has taken a career break from work and gone out to join the Scripture Union team in Lima for six months.   She will be working where she is needed - in schools, in administration, taking young people on camping and mission holidays, working with street children in the Scripture Union camps for them and in the earthquake areas.   She does speak good Spanish which obviously is a big help.   In the last few years Rachel has become a committed Christian and is now stepping out very much in faith from her secure life here;  she is excited and scared   We wondered if you would pray for her in your personal prayers from time to time during the next few months.

Last year was a rich time in the Parish for arts and outreach work.  Our Community Arts Group, The Flying Ducks, teamed up with African Connection to deliver a series of workshops to the Girl Guiding Organisation in Wakefield South.  Our focus was to raise awareness about life in an African village through dance, drumming and storytelling.   We worked with several African and British artists and the project culminated in an event for over 200 Rainbows, Brownies and Guides to celebrate Thinking Day.  Several members of our church help to lead the Girl Guiding Organisation, and it was a joy to link up with them in the project.   We also really enjoyed a drumming and dance workshop with Trefoil, for the retired Guiding leaders.  Particular thanks to Margot Cutt for her support.

The second major project The Flying Ducks was connecting communities which aimed to promote awareness and dialogue between different faith groups.   The Flying Ducks facilitated a project between Sandal Endowed School and Sandal Magna which included visits to the Agbrigg Road Mosque and St. Helen’s related arts activities.   We linked up with WMDC Equality and Diversity services to manage the project.  It was a wonderful sight to see Christian and Muslim children sitting together talking, playing and being creative.  Small steps to try and build links in our community.

We also worked with Sandal Magna parents and toddlers to create a shadow puppet show and drama depicting a Pakistan wedding celebration.   This was shared with Boogie Woogie Tots in Walton alongside a feast of traditional food for the English and Asian community.   Walton youngsters shared soup and dance  including The Grand Old Duke of York and Here we go round the Mulberry Bush.

Linking different groups and working through the arts, raising social awareness - all steps to help create a more cohesive community.

It's "box-emptying" time yet again and I am looking forward to having all of those lovely 5 pences etc. to count!  Believe me – they all add up!  Every single penny counts.

Many of you will remember Nancy and Norman Willox, who worshipped at our church before moving to Pickering some fifteen years ago.   Their youngest son, Peter, went into the ministry and recently became Vicar of Ben
Rydding.   We thought you might be interested in what follows.  

                Judith Parkin, Judy Hull & Pat Wood

Peter writes:

I was born and grew up in Wakefield.   I went to the local church with my family and much of my early faith developed in the church Pathfinder Club.   It was there that I finally took Jesus as my own Saviour at the age of 16 in the dining room of our curate’s house - interestingly it was John Sentamu who led me through the prayer of commitment.   During my time at Sunderland Poly, where I studied for a combined Science Degree (Computer Science and Economics), I started to feel a deepening call from God to some kind of ministry and urged on by an atheist friend of mine, I talked to the minister of the local Methodist church which I attended.   It wasn’t until after I had graduated and I was working for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau that I had a profound sense of God speaking to me urging me to try the door for ordained ministry.   After a longer talk with my vicar and with Richard Hare, then Bishop of Pontefract, I went forward to a selection conference and was accepted to train.   The following September I started a three year course at St. John’s College, Durham.

It was in Durham that I met Keely.   She was finishing a music degree and continued on to do an MA and then an M. Mus in Music Composition.   We married in Durham shortly after my ordination and we moved into our first house in Bradley, Huddersfield where I did a three year curacy.   We then moved to St. Mark’s church, Utley for another curacy and then moved onto Eldwick where I was team vicar for nearly seven years.   Most recently I have been in Ambleside, Cumbria, where I have been Chaplain to St. Martin’s College and Assistant Priest in the Parish.

Keely and I have four children:  Daniel (13), Adam (7), Rebecca (5) and Jacob (3).  

The Parish Office will be closed for half term week 22 Oct - 26 Oct and reopen on Tuesday 30 October.

Some of the gravestones in the lawned plot at the far end of the churchyard have become unsafe and have been laid flat for the safety of visitors and our hard working churchyard team.  The memorials (listed below), require safe fixing into the ground.  If any of the memorials belong to you or your family, please make arrangements for their repair.  Oxley Memorials have offered a discount for work on any of the memorials listed below.  They can be contacted on 01924 372921.

PS. Thank you to those families who have already contacted us and made arrangements.

Sabina Wife of Walter Dick - Died 1st July, 1960
? Thompson - Died l977
Norah Blanch daughter of Gustavis and Sarah Crossley -Died 14th July, 1986
Arthur Morton - Died 27th November, 1969 and
Ethel Morton - Died 8th December, 1982
Helena Bailey Died 24th February, 1974
John Gordon Chadwick - Died 27th August, 1972 and
Edith Janet Chadwick - Died 5th May, 1980
Elsie Maud Adams - Died 1st October, 1973
Alice Maude Allott - Died 24th December, 1975 and
Charles Richard Allott - Died 5th May, 1986
Ryan, son of Maxine and Jack Kellett - Died 11 April 1975
Gladys Dale - Died 23rd February, 1969 and
Mary Agnes Harrison - Died 12th January, 1972
James Henry Hudson - Died 25th December, 1962 and
Bertha Hudson - Died 29th January, 1993

There is now a fair trade stall in Wakefield indoor market, run by Flo from the Baptist church every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9am - 4.30pm.  There is a wide selection of items available includin food, toys, clothes, gifts, jewellery and musical instruments.

23rd Walton Beaver Scouts need leaders to help run with our section.   Experience not necessary as training will be provided.   Come in and join in the fun at St. Paul’s on Monday’s 6-7pm.  Contact Kim on 01924 781875

Do you ever feel rushed off your feet?
Do you want to pray but can’t find the time?
Do you want to escape the ‘phone, mobile, P.C. or T.V?
Do you long for a quiet time to soothe your soul?

Then maybe Slow Space is for you.

Every Sunday from 6-7pm. in St. Helen’s (except on 7 October, 4 November, 2 December when there is Choral Evensong)

Slow Space is a simple name for a quiet time of prayer and praise to provide some breathing space for our souls.   It’s maybe a good place to go if you can’t get to the Morning Service.  It will also provide a space for some prayer for any concerns you might have.  So do come along and give it a go if you feel in need of replenishment and peace.

On Sunday 21st October at 4pm we will be holding our bi-annual Memorial Service at St. Helen’s Church.   This is a service where anyone who has recently lost a loved one is invited to light a candle in their memory, which is then placed on the altar.  The service is one of thanksgiving and many find it to be a comforting way in which to let go and hand over their loved one to our Heavenly Father.

Where the funeral has taken place recently at St. Helen’s the relatives will be contacted by a member of our Bereavement Visiting Team to see if they would like to be part of this special service.  You will also be very welcome to take part if you have someone whose funeral was conducted elsewhere.   Please contact the church office so that a candle can be prepared for them.

Members of the team are always available to talk to anyone about their bereavement, either over the ‘phone or by visiting.   Please contact the church office on 01924 259966 if you feel we can be of help to you.

Harvest Evensong will take place at 6pm on Sunday 7 October, 2007.

Wakefield Concert Society presents The Galliard Ensemble Wind Quintet, performing a varied programme of pieces by Rossini, Haydn, Hindemith, Barber, Holst and Patterson at the Jubilee Hall, Wakefield Girls High School, Margaret Street, Wakefield on Saturday 13 October 2007 at 7.30pm.   Tickets £10/£8.50/£3 (full time students), under 16’s free with a paying adult.   For tickets contact 01924 276897 or 01924 378349 or available on the night.

 

The Women’s Fellowship are  holding a Coffee Morning on Saturday 13th October from 10am. until 12 noon in the Castle Inn, Barnsley Road, Sandal.   Tickets are £1 which includes coffee and biscuits.   There will be stalls for cakes, books, handmade cards and £1 parcel.   The proceeds  are in aid of Wakefield Riding for the Disabled Association, which takes place at Chapelthorpe.

Saturday 27th October. 10am - 12 noon.  Organised by Walton Mothers’ Union, to be held at The Barnabas Rooms, St. Paul’s Church,  The Balk, Walton.  Tickets 50p.  Please contact Margaret Short for more information, Tel. 250877

Meeting for Parish Link Representatives 20 October in St. John’s Church Hall, Rastrick at 10am until 3.30pm.  Programme will include:

Meet Arthur Mauya and Grace Enoch (Arthur’s assistant), Updating of the Links, Visit 2008, Open Session in afternoon, Sharing Faith,  Act of Worship with South Crossland Music Group.  Refreshments will be provided.   Donation welcome.

On Sunday 7 October at 2pm Wakefield Cathedral will be holding a concert with brass and voices - Crofton Silver Band and Skelmanthorpe Male Voice Choir.   Tickets are £7 (conc. £5) available from the Cathedral Bookshop or on the door, and will include interval refreshments.

A workshop with Dr. Janet Hodgson author of ‘The Faith We See’, exploring questions of faith through the use of images of Christ.   The event takes place on Saturday 13 October 2007 at the Mirfield Centre, 9.30am-1pm.   Coffee and cake will be provided.   Contact Rachael Salmon, The Mirfield Centre, College of the Resurrection, Stocksbank Road, Mirfield. WF14 0BW for more information.

The theme of this day is Listening and Optimism and personal reflection. This event takes place on Saturday 27 October 2007 10.30am-3.30pm and costs £10 including lunch.   The day will be led by Canon John Lees and will be held in The Mirfield Centre.   Contact details from Rachael Salmon (see above).

This is a day course, exploring the soul’s dilemmas, held at Foster Place Retreat House.   To book contact Dorothy Walker, 8 Kemp’s Way, Hepworth, Holmfirth.   Tel. 01484 680342.   (A deposit of £10 secures a place - the full cost for the day is £20.

Sept 30	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	No service at St. Helen’s
	11am	Joint service at St. Paul’s	St. Paul’s
Oct 1	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s
2	9.30am	Toddle-In (toddler group)	St. Helen’s
	3.45pm	Children’s Church	St. Paul’s
3	11.30am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	7pm	Bellringing Practice	St. Helen’s
4	9.15am	Boogie Woogie Tots	St. Paul’s
5/6	Willow Creek Leadership Conference in Durham
7	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	Family Praise	St. Helen’s
	11am	Holy Communion	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Choral Evensong	St. Helen’s
8	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s
	7.30pm	Women’s Fellowship	St. Helen’s
	7.30pm	Walton MU	St. Paul’s
9	9.30am	Toddle-In - (toddler group)	St. Helen’s
	3.45pm	Children’s Church	St. Paul’s
10	11.30pm	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	7pm	Bellringing Practice	St. Helen’s
	7.30pm	Alpha Supper	St. Paul’s
11	9.15am	Boogie Woogie Tots	St. Paul’s
14	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	Morning Praise	St. Helen’s
	11am	Morning Praise	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Evening Prayer	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Slow Space	St. Helen’s
15	9am	Staff Meeting	St. Paul’s
	2.30pm	Sandal MU	St. Helen’s
	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s
16	9.30am	Toddle-In (toddler group)	St. Helen’s
	3.45pm	Children’s Church	St. Paul’s
17	11.30am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	12noon	Alpha Daytime Course starts	St. Paul’s
	7pm	Bellringing Practice	St. Helen’s
	7.30pm	Alpha Evening Course starts	St. Paul’s
18	9.15am	Boogie Woogie Tots	St. Paul’s
21	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	Morning Praise	St. Helen’s
	11am