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PICKERING PARISH CHURCH |
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Dear Friends, We’ve had a great Easter at the parish church, with a donkey causing much interest as it led the Palm Sunday procession, and an even more than usually packed church enjoying a wonderful Easter Day service. Services have been held to mark the many different ministries that make Pickering’s Parish Church what it is, and a special historical ‘re-enactment’ of how a church service might have been in 1611, to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James’ Bible. Looking ahead to some major services and events taking place at the church, the Ascension Day service, held at 7.30pm on Thursday 2nd June, marks the time when the resurrected Christ left his disciples, and Pentecost, (or WhitSunday), at 10am on Sunday 12th June, is when God’s Holy Spirit was given to his Church. Sunday 26th June at 10am is Pickering Church’s Patronal Festival, when we give thanks for the apostles Saints Peter and Paul, and for our parish church, which has stood here for almost a thousand years proclaiming the good news that is Jesus Christ in all ages. The church will be used for concerts and events during the Ryedale Festival, of course, but probably one of the most significant events that is going to take place here this year is a flower festival. More than a flower festival really. It’s going to be enormous, the flowers filling the great space that is Pickering Parish Church in a most dramatic way. The theme is ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, and the flower festival follows CS Lewis’s thrilling story round church. As well as local talent, there are arrangers involved from all over Yorkshire, six of them exhibitors at the world famous Chelsea Flower Show, and this Festival is really going to be something, not just for Pickering Church but for the whole town. I’ve already seen some of what is to happen and it’s going to be absolutely stunning: something which will not just delight, but thrill young and old alike, for there really is something to amaze everyone, and something for everyone. The dates? The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will start with a Preview Evening on Thursday 25th August, and is then open every day from 10am to 7pm until 4th September. Please, we do need your help. We’re hoping to attract thousands of people, and we’d love to have anyone who can volunteer to help for a couple of hours as guides; people who might help with refreshments; people who might be able to help set up some of the displays; people who might be able to help create some of the displays (for work has already started on painting things and preparing things). Derbyshire born and bred, I’m going to be creating a ‘well dressing’, so would be grateful for people who might be interested in trying their hand at that (though that can only be done in the week leading up to the Flower Festival). If you think you can help, or are interested in helping, or think you might be able to help in some way, even if you’re not sure what, do let me know. email (vicar@pickeringchurch.com ). And vitally, put those dates 25th August to 4th September, in your diary and come! You will be amazed and you will enjoy.
Fr Antony Pritchett,
Parish Priest.
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