|
PICKERING PARISH CHURCH |
|
Dear Friends, I write this anticipating the Flower Festival, but conscious that you will be reading it after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has finished its ten day period. So in anticipation, thank you for help you’ve given – baking, stewarding, donating, publicising, visiting or whatever – towards this Festival. I’m hoping it’s successful in terms of the numbers of people who come through the doors of this wonderful church, and I hope that it will have marked a good start towards the enormous task of fundraising to improve the lighting in this historic building. It’s surprising to me how many people assume that, because we are the Church of England, our church buildings (and ministry) are, somehow, paid for by government. Not so, and the job of maintaining this nearly-1000 year old building, with wall paintings internationally recognised as of such great historic and artistic importance, falls wholly on the shoulders of those of us who worship here. It is a hard and expensive task, and I’m grateful to all who help maintain the Parish Church to such a consistently high standard, despite finite resources. It’s good, too, to recognise that we have a large Sunday congregation, and to rejoice in all that goes on here, much of it often taken for granted. For that reason there are a number of services and events coming up that I hope you will take note of, and come along, for I am certain you will enjoy. On Saturday 24th September there is an Autumn Fayre. This is held in the Memorial Hall from 9.30am-12noon. It’s a good way of supporting your parish church, and coming away with a bargain. Sunday 25th September is nationally becoming known as ‘Back to Church Sunday’, and this year Pickering Parish Church will be doing just that. We hope that if you used to come to church, but haven’t been in years, or perhaps have never been to a church service, you might use this as an opportunity to see what goes on. So that day there will be a Family Communion service at 10am, and at 6pm one of the joys of the Church of England: Choral Evensong. On Thursday 20th October, there is to be an Open Evening in church. This is an opportunity to look at the many groups, clubs and organisations that help make Pickering Church what it is. Even if you think you know the church well, I am certain that you will find something of interest. The Open Evening is from 7pm to 9pm. The Monday following, 24th October, is the Vicar’s Annual Gift Day. I will be sitting, this year, in church, so you are invited to bring your gift before the altar. And also to stay for a cup of tea or coffee. Friday 28th October is ‘Messy Church Day’, 10.30 – 3.00 when activities and a service are put on specially for children aged 5-9. Places will be limited, so for details, please phone 470252 or email: gail.radka@creative-partners.com In term time we have a Sunday School and a youth group. They are both held in the Parish Hall. Sunday school ages 3-10 Sunday Morning 9.45 - 11.15; Youth Group ages 10-18 Sunday evening 7-8.30pm. Again, please phone 470252 or email: gail.radka@creative-partners.com All Souls’ time is the traditional time when the dead are remembered, often by name, and so there will be a special service in the parish Church at 6pm on Sunday 30th October. On Remembrance Sunday, 13th November, there will be the traditional Act of Remembrance at 2pm in church, followed by a procession for a further Act of Remembrance at the Memorial Hall. A solemn occasion, and one that never fails to move, we recall now not only those who died for our freedoms in wars past, but increasingly bring to mind those of our own generation killed in action in conflicts now. A Confirmation Service for the whole Northern Ryedale Deanery is to take place on Sunday 20th November in Pickering Parish Church and, on Advent Sunday 27th November, at a special service at 10am, we will be saying farewell to my colleague, the Reverend Dr Lynn Grove, who has been Curate (and now Associate Priest) of Pickering for these past seven years. Lynn is to become parish priest of parishes in Upper Ryedale. We wish her and John well in their move. And then it’s into the great round of Advent and Christmas services, concerts and events. More on that on our website www.pickeringchurch.com , and in the next edition of the Pickering Beacon.
Fr
Antony Pritchett, Parish Priest,
|