YORSAY JULY

THIS IS A COPY TEXT VERSION DOWNLOAD THE ORIGINAL WITH GRAPHICS FROM THE DISTRICT WEB SITE http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/news.php?id=165
[DUE TO PUBLISHING ANOMALIES SOME TEXT MAY NOT FOLLOW LOGICALLY]

JULY 2009

Dear Friends

Welcome to the July Edition of YORSAY.
Let me have news from your Churches
and Circuits; Just a reminder that is up
to you!! Make sure you send me your
details in good time so that others can
plan what and where to visit. Also I
would be grateful for early advanced
notice of events in August and Septem-
ber so that I can advertise them in good
time

As some of you may have seen I have
been tagging all the Methodist
Churches in the District. One thing I
have noticed with a few exceptions is
that existing church websites do not
have location details on the website.
Fine if you know the venue but think of
any visitors to the area !!!!!

As this edition goes out to you The
Methodist Conference is meeting in
Wolverhampton [see pages 8/9] Our
Prayers and good wishes go with our
delegates and also with out Ordinand
Rachel Wood

This is an experimental A5 version of
Yorsay please let me know if you prefer
the A5 or A4 versions.

Yorsay is not only meant for those who re-
ceive it via their e mail address it is hoped
that at least one person in each church will
copy it and make it available to All members
of the congregation via notice boards or
through church newsletters.





Skipper at the Helm

As promised last month
some Photos taken during
Stephen‘s Sabbatical whilst
at sea.

As Stephen did not get
back into harness so to
speak until late in June it is
unfair to have a report from
him re his Sabbatical until a
future date.


Wetherby Methodist
Church

would be very inter-
ested to hear from any-
one who has some light
weight folding tables
which are surplus to
requirements.

We are looking to pur-
chase about 20.

Contact Heather Shipman

Heather.shipman@lineone.net

Malton Circuit.
Norton Bethel Methodist Church

Anniversary Weekend
Friday 3rd July 7.30pm. Speaker Rev Brian Fitzpatrick
from Scarborough.
Supper at the close.
Sunday 5th July 10.45am Family Worship

led by Linda & Ruth Stannard.
6.00pm Evening Worship led by Mrs Janet Lakin.

Lottie Day‘s Parachute
Jump had to be postponed
due to adverse weather
conditions—She has not
yet had a new date for the
jump but hopefully it will
be soon.



Page 3

CLERGY MOVEMENT

It is coming to the time in the year when we have movement of staff in /out and within
the District We say farewell and thanks to Sue Sowden [Malton] and Shirlyn Toppin [Hull
West] and we Welcome Geoffrey Floyd to Malton and Sally Coleman to Snaith and Selby.
Janet Whelan is moving within the District to Hull West from Bridlington.

A Weekend with Barry Kissell and team

July 10 -12th St Columba’s Church

(Corner of Laburnum Ave and Holderness Rd) Hull

East Hull Celebration

8.00pm Friday 10th July

“Mission and Ministry in the Presence and Power of God”

Worship led by the St Aidan’s Worship Group

10.00-4.00pm Saturday 11th July

10.00-12.00 Barry will give teaching on equipping God’s people for ministry,
based on Ephesians 4.

2.00-4.00pm: Team members plan to lead workshops covering worship, minis-
try, caring and prophecy.

Coffee and tea available. Please bring your own sandwiches.

Sunday 12th July:

Ministry in churches



Rev Barry Kissell is on the leadership team at St Mary’s Bryanston Square, Lon-
don and is bringing with him team members from his church. He is well known
as a founder-member of New Wine, together with Bishop David Pytches. He is
much loved for his biblical teaching, courage in ministry and sense of humour.
He is married with seven children.





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GLOBAL PRAYER EVENT BEVERLEY MINSTER

PHOTOS © DAVID HILL & ANDY
LINDLEY HOPE 08 HULL





John Oman Conference

Sponsored by the Hope Trust and the Queen‘s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Bir-
mingham

Main Organiser: Revd Dr Adam Hood Administrator: Dr Karen Durant

2009 sees the 70th anniversary of the death of Professor John Oman. To mark the occasion there is to
be conference on his life and ideas. Oman, born in Orkney and alumni of Edinburgh, was a minister of
the United Presbyterian Church and subsequently of the Presbyterian Church of England. After parish
work in Paisley and Alnwick he was appointed Professor of Theology at Westminster College, Cam-
bridge. He was also Principal of the College and Moderator of the English General Assembly. Oman was
a creative theologian and philosopher of religion; his two best known books are Grace and Personality,
in which he teaches that God is personal and always treats us as persons, and The Natural and Super-
natural, in which he argues that all people have a felt awareness of God that prompts faith. Whilst
Oman is not well known today, he was judged at the time of his death as =amongst the most original,
independent, and impressive theologians of his generation and of his country‘. The anniversary con-
ference is to be held at Westminster College, Cambridge from 15th – 17th Sept 09 and will feature
local and international speakers, including Professors Stephen Bevans, George Newlands, Alan Sell and
David Thompson. Topics will include Oman‘s Christology, the intellectual and cultural context of his
work, his response to Darwinism, and the importance of his work for contemporary missiology.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Return this form to: Rev Dr Adam Hood, The Queen‘s Foundation, Somerset Rd,

Birmingham, B15 2QH, UK

15th -17th September 2009 Westminster College, Cambridge, UK

Title & Name

Address


Email

Telephone(s)

Please indicate below whether you require full board or day attendance:

Charges Full Board£95 Day Attendance with Lunch & Dinner £23 Registration £10

Note dietary requirements: Note mobility requirements:

Applications must include a cheque for £10 as a non-refundable deposit made payable to ‘Westminster College’. The remain-
ing fees payable can be paid during the conference. The last date for the receipt of applications is 14th August 2009.
Queries to: ah@queens.ac.uk

















The District Web Site on its
Circuits Page http://
www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/circuits.php is now
carrying a Google © map of
the District with the loca-
tion as near as possible of
all the Churches and Chap-
els. If the location tagged
on the map is way out then
please contact me sending
me the precise or detailed
description of the location
so that I can amend the tag.
[ The vast majority of these
tags have been created us-
ing Ordnance Survey map-
ping ]

New Worship Leaders Course.

The trust has been concerned for some time that the
Worship Leaders Course has become very dated and so
has acted to publish a new one. .Leading Contemporary
Worship. is now available as a Leader‘s
Handbook and a CDrom of PowerPoint
slides, OHP slides and handouts as PDF
files.

The course assumes that worship lead-
ers will be given more responsibility in the preparation
and leadership of worship and so is geared up to pre-
pare worship leaders thoroughly to do this. It includes
sections on using music, preparing a .time of worship.,
using a data projector, encouraging the .spiritual gifts.
and leading worship when children are present. It has
been road tested in a circuit and members of the trust
have also been given an opportunity to explore and
comment about it. In total it has 8 teaching sessions
and 7 reflection sessions.

It can also be used as a refresher course for worship
leaders and local preachers. The leader‘s handbook is
available separately and could be used individually by
those on the course and also those just interested in
the topic.

There are more details and you can purchase a copy at:
http://www.familyfriendlychurches.org.uk/WL.htm



Residential Multimedia Courses

These are 3 day courses held at Willersley Castle in
Derbyshire. They cover from the basics of PowerPoint
through to advanced tech-
niques in multimedia. The cost is
£300 (including full board ac-
commodation), Ministers
should be able to use their
CDIM budget to pay for this –
contact your District CDIM per-
son.



Sri Lanka Appeal by the Methodist Church in Britain

Donate at www.justgiving.com/mcfworldmission or send a cheque to The Fundraising Coordinator, The Fund for World
Mission, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR (quoting the reference SR59)

Last week, the Sri Lankan Government officially announced the end of the war which has ravaged the country for almost
30 years. After months of intensified fighting government troops took the last segment of land held by the Tamil Ti-
gers in the northeast of the country, and Tamil leadership has said the group will lay down its arms. The Methodist
Church has been working with Partner Churches in Sri Lanka for many years, and because of your
generosity in donating to the Fund for World Mission, many communities who have been affected by
the war and the 2004 tsunami have been given much-needed care, aid and support. This young
woman and the child in her arms have finally been able to join in celebrations at the local Methodist
church. She is one of the many people slowly being resettled in the area after living for more than
two years in refugee shelters, because her home was destroyed by the tsunami. Life is just begin-
ning for them: the surrounding farmland is land-mined and a local 5pm curfew is in place. The
church here is starting a nutrition feeding centre to help families. They hope to ensure that babies, ike the little girl in
the picture, will survive the first year of resettlement As the fighting in Sri Lanka has intensified over the last two
months, the Methodist Church in Britain has sent £35,000 to local churches to help them assist with the ever-growing
humanitarian crisis. This donation was only made possible because of your generosity in giving to the Fund for World
Mission. The Revd Ebenezer Joseph, President of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka, said, .The willingness of the Meth-
odist people in the UK really strengthens us. The demands are increasing as the number of refugees rises. Our needs
for the next six months may be something around Rs 20 million (£113,000) at least. .Please continue to pray specially
for the people who are caught in between. It‘s God grace alone that enables us to continue with what could be done
without just giving up.. Around 275,000 Sri Lankan citizens have been displaced from their villages and are facing
months -possibly years - of social upheaval and psychological trauma as they wait to see what lies in store for them
next.

Thanks to your giving, the Church is now able to send public health physician Jenny Bywaters to a Methodist hospital
in the far north of the country, to offer her expertise to the mental health services in the Jaffna region. Jenny will spend
six months as a mission partner working alongside the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka, assessing the needs of the trau-
matised population and helping mental health experts respond to the crisis. .The Sri Lankan people are in urgent
physical need. says Jenny, .but in the longer term, the psychological consequences will be enormous.. We are appealing
to you today to help alleviate the suffering of thousands of Sri Lankans by donating to the Fund for World Mission.
David Bennett, Fundraising Coordinator, said, .People‘s generous giving over the years has enabled the Methodist
Church to respond immediately to the crisis in Sri Lanka with support totalling£35,000..This, however, is just the start.
Donations are still needed to continue this vital work and we now want to send more financial support, alongside our
prayers, to help our Partner Church continue its relief and peace-building work.. The Revd Stephen Poxon, President of
Methodist Conference in Britain, wrote to Church leaders in Sri Lanka last week, with this reassurance:. We will con-
tinue to stand alongside you and seek to respond to your growing needs as we are able..We will continue to enfold and
care for all those Sri Lankan people among us in our churches across Britain..We will continue to cry with you in the
hope that one day we will be able to laugh and celebrate together.. Please help us to continue supporting Partner
Churches around the world by contributing to the Fund for World Mission. You can do this by sending a cheque to The
Fundraising Coordinator, The Fund for World Mission, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR
(quoting the reference SR59) or by making an online payment through

www.justgiving.com/mcfworldmission.

Received 26th May





Methodist Conference comes to Wolver-
hampton

The Methodist Conference will meet in Wolver-
hampton this July. The Conference is the governing body of the Methodist
Church and is also a festival of celebration, worship and friendship.

More than 300 representatives from across British Methodism will gather at the
Civic Hall from July 2 to 9, as well as hundreds of visitors. New Methodist minis-
ters will be ordained in a two-part ceremony and then at services across the
Midlands. The Conference will also celebrate new President, the Revd David
Gamble, and Vice-President, Dr Richard Vautrey, at the start of their year in of-
fice. The ceremonial swearing-in of President and Vice-President will open the
main Conference on the afternoon of July 4.

Debates on climate change, young people and leadership and ethical invest-
ment are on the Conference agenda.

The Methodist Media Service will run a full press office for the duration of Con-
ference. Journalists wishing to attend for some or all of Conference should con-
tact Anna Drew or Karen Burke. There will be two ISDN-equipped radio studios
for broadcast interviews throughout the week. Audio from the Conference ses-
sions will be streamed live in partnership with Premier Media Group
(www.premier.org.uk) and will later be available on the Methodist Web Radio
page (http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?
fuseaction=opentogod.webradio). A twitter feed and a daily blog update will
also be available. http://twitter.com/MethConference



Page 8

The Revd David Gamble, President of the Methodist Conference 2009-
10



David is currently the officer for legal and constitutional practice and
head of the Governance Support Cluster in the Connexional Team.

Born in Kent and educated there and subsequently in (but not at) Rugby,
he graduated in Law from Hull University in 1968. After teaching law
and related subjects for three years in Rochdale and Oldham, he trained
for the ministry at Wesley House, Cambridge before serving in two North

Revd David Gamble


Methodist Conference 2009-




constitutional practice and
Connexional Team.

(but not at) Rugby,
After teaching law
Oldham, he trained
serving in two North

Dr Richard Vautrey, Vice-President of the Methodist Confer-
ence 2009-10

Richard is a GP in Leeds and deputy chair of the British Medical
Association’s General Practitioner Committee. He was born in
Huddersfield then lived and went to school in Wakefield before
going to Manchester University to study medicine in 1983. He
was a junior doctor in hospitals in Manchester and Rochdale and
spent 18 months in Nigeria as a mission partner with Methodist
Church Nigeria. On returning to England he trained as a GP and became a principal
in his current practice in Leeds in 1994.

He represents local GPs through his work for Leeds Local Medical Committee and na-
tionally as an elected member of the BMA’s GP committee. Both roles often involve
speaking on behalf of GPs in the local and national media.

He has been a local preacher for 20 years and a member of a variety of Methodist com-
mittees and working groups.

He is married to Anne and they have two sons, Jonathan (13) and Matthew (11).

He enjoys gardening, travelling and when he can persuade the rest of the family, walk-
ing.

Dr Richard Vautrey, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference 2009-10
I

Yorkshire Methodist circuits, Tadcaster (1974-81) and then York South (1981-87).



n 1987 he became the children’s secretary at the Methodist Division of Education and
Youth (1987-95) and was the last general secretary of that Division (1995-96). This was
followed by seven years as secretary for family and personal relationships before becom-
ing the co-ordinating secretary for legal and constitutional practice in 2003.

David has been involved in a number of external charities and organisations, including
as vice-chair of the National Family and Parenting Institute (1999-2003) and chair of
Barnardo’s Council (1997-2002). He remains a vice-president of Barnardo’s. He is a pa-
tron of the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Sexuality and a consultant to the Cen-
tre for the Study of Theology and Health.

David is married to Liz and they have three adult children, Sam, Sophie and Joe
Amongst many other things, he enjoys reading; listening to and playing music (he’s an
assistant organist at Muswell Hill); watching, but not playing, rugby union.

9











David Bridge member of Westborough in the Scarborough Circuit has been awarded
MBE. In the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours List
His nomination came from Christian Aid Leeds Office (Steph Cooper) and was will-
ingly supported by Rev Mark Haynes Superintendent of the Scarborough Circuit and
Chair Scarborough Christian Aid Committee with the following citation:
"David has worked tirelessly for Christian Aid in Scarborough for around 30 years,
and has been the secretary of the Scarborough Christian Aid group since 1998, a role
that he takes very seriously, co-ordinating and organising fundraising events through-
out the year, not just during Christian Aid week, and there must be dozens of spon-
sored walks, golf days, concerts, cake stalls and coffee mornings he has organised, not
to mention more than a few snooker marathons! When David took over as Christian
Aid week organiser he wanted to increase the range of the Christian Aid week house
to house collection in the town and our records show that the Scarborough group
raised £5454 in 2000 and £15,592.81 in 2007! David also fulfils an unofficial pastoral
role among committee members and supporters and can sometimes be found visiting
the sick and encouraging the challenged. He also plays a full part in the life of Scar-
borough Methodist church, as secretary of the Business Committee, and in the roles of
greeter, visitor and reader.

David is also a very strong campaigner for social justice and works incredibly hard to
get events and causes mentioned in the media. He has campaigned tirelessly on a per-
sonal level – going to London, Brighton, Edinburgh, etc on Christian aid campaigns –
and he is the local Campaigns Organiser and Lobbyist for the Scarborough area, en-
couraging others to get involved in campaigning activities and meeting with and writ-
ing to his local MP. He is also willing to speak on behalf of Christian Aid to different
audiences".







Congratulations also go to our former Chair of
District and Ex President Rev Dr Stuart Bur-
gess who was awarded a CBE in the Birthday
Honours list for Public and Voluntary Service.



LOOKING FOR ACTORS...
Riding Lights Theatre Company is seeking male and female actors for
their 2010 UK Roughshod tour. Roughshod is a professional touring
theatre company, created by Riding Lights in 1992, specifically to
perform in local churches and community venues with high quality,
highly mobile theatre. For over ten years Roughshod has taken its
brand of high energy theatre with a spiritual heart to all kinds of
places where live theatre is rare. From inner city Glasgow to the rural Forest of Dean, the
actors bring a repertoire of shows and workshops to schools, churches, prisons, bases of
the armed forces, the streets, town halls, cathedrals and arts centres.

Each summer a total of five actors and actresses (known familiarly as Shoddie‘s) are re-
cruited to spend seven months touring the country the following February to August.
Their performances reach an annual live audience of around 65,000 adults and children.
Acclaimed from Belfast to Brixton, Roughshod is renowned for creating powerful new
pieces of theatre allowing young people and the young at heart to come together to
chuckle and cheer, gasp and sigh and generally get things into a more eternal perspec-
tive.

Former =Shoddies‘ have gone on to work at many other levels in their performing careers
- Jamie Higgins toured with Roughshod in 2008 and has since had television acting roles
in The lt Crowd and Trial and Retribution as well as in an advert for Championship Man-
ager 7 and Luke Walton, a =Shoddie‘ from the very early Roughshod days, picked up a
number of awards at this year‘s Hollywood 168 Film Project with the short film
.Unscripted. in which the 2009 Roughshod company all performed.

Roughshod sustains the Riding Lights‘ vision of versatile community theatre taking
punchy performances almost anywhere - including places where theatre is rare and
Christian communication most difficult - often free of charge. If you would like to be-
come a =Shoddie‘ please contact Izzy Harris for an application pack on 01904 655317 or
email izzy@rltc.org. The closing date for applications is the 3rd July 2009 with auditions
taking place w/c 13 July with recalls on the 1st September.



Yorsay is sent on behalf of the York & Hull Methodist District by the Communications Office

Bob Lawe 27 Ryde Avenue Hull Hu5 1QA communications@yorkhullmethodist.org.uk or yhcommunications@msn.com

Please note that some of you may receive this and other mailings from a Karoo e mail address – Please do not reply or use this
address as it is for mail delivery only The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the official views of the
Methodist Church or of the York & Hull Methodist District and no inferred support for any of the items or organisations should
be taken as granted.

Yorsay Newsletter © 2009 York & Hull Methodist District – All rights reserved.

Download the Newsletter http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/SafeguardingnewsletterJun09.pdf

YORESAY JUNE

This is a Text version of the June YORSAY for full publisher version http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/news.php?id=165



Dear Friends
Welcome to the June Edi-
tion of YORSAY. Let me
have news from your
Churches and Circuits;
contact details as the foot
of the newsletter. Just a
reminder that is up to you!!
Make sure you send me
your details in good time
so that others can plan
what and where to visit. I
hope that you like redes-
ign of Yorsay it may
change as and when I have
master a new programme
Yorsay is not only meant
for those who receive it via
their e mail address it is
hoped that at least one
person in each church will
copy it and make it avail-
able to All members of the
congregation via notice
boards or through church
newsletters.

Reminder Stephen Bur-
gess is on Sabbatical till
21st June [inclusive] any
District matter to be re-
ferred to Richard Andrew
or District Admin Office,

I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :

Global Day of

MRDF
Burniston
Revamp
Walk with Me
Israel/Palestine
Prayer
Chairs Sabbatical

Effective Leader-

J u n e 2 0 0 9
Prayer Walk at Rievaulx Abbey
Saturday 20th June 2009
(Please note Change of date)
For Preachers, Worship Leaders and anyone else who is interested.
Led by: Rev. David Emison (Past chair of Cumbria District)
& Rosemary Wass (Past Vice-President of Conference)
Outline Programme:
9-30 a.m. Meet at Rievaulx Methodist Church, Ryedale.
10-30 a.m. At Rievaulx Abbey.
12 noon Bring & Share lunch at Rievaulx Village Hall.
Entrance fees to Abbey:
English Heritage members -free
Adults £5
Concessions £4-30 Group booking for 11 or more 15% discount.
If you hope to take part in the walk please contact: a-p-brown@freeuk.com
01439 770126.

Open Gardens in Wetherby

Sunday 7 June 2009
9 gardens open 1pm to 5 pm
Home made afternoon teas,
refreshments, plant stalls
Entry £3.00 in advance, £3.50 on the day.
Children free.
Entry brochures available from:
Goggies in Church Street; Wetherby Book Shop in Bank Street;
Castlegate Books, 13 Market Place Knaresborough;
Saturday Coffee Shop at Wetherby Methodist Church
2
3
4
5
6
9
10


http://www.positiveimpact.org.uk/

St Bede‟s Centre York
Programme pdf leaflet
from http://
www.stbedes.org.uk/
assets/files/
A4programmeSummer200
9.pdf

Global Day of Prayer
One Voice York and
Churches Together in
York are organising
York‟s involvement in the
Global
Day of Prayer and would
like to invite you to join in
too. On Pentecost Sunday
31 May hundreds of people
w il l gat her t o pra y on
York‟s City Walls, from
5.45pm to 6.00pm.
People of all ages,
denominations and tra-
ditions will pray for our
homes, families, commu-
nities, nation, and world.
Go to the section nearest

See http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/news.php?
id=189 to download booking form for Breakout

Clifton Methodist Church
Centenary celebrations Public debates Thursday 25th June at 7.30 pm
This house believes that the NHS provides the best compromise to be achieved
between cost and quality of care.
Chaired by Daphne Stead
Proposer Michael Proctor, Esq. Chief Executive York NHS Trust
Opposer Professor Ron Akehurst University of Sheffield
It is hoped that seconders for and against will be pupils of local schools
All welcome to make contributions (2 minutes max) and vote or just come to enjoy the debate
Admission free Tea and biscuits
www.cliftonmethodist.org.uk
your church or home, and
trumpets will announce
each 5 minute section of
prayer. From 6.30pm,
Dave Go dfrey and ba nd
will be play ing i n York
Minster, and at 7.15pm
the Prayer Walk begins in
the Minster. This walk
will have various prayer
stations and styles of
prayer, finishing with a
joint act of celebration.
For more information,
or to book your
church into the cele-
brations, visit
www.onevoiceyork.org.uk.

P a g e 3

Looking for ways to make your mark?
Are you looking for ways to make a difference to the world's poorest communities? Do you want to find out
how you can empower people to escape the poverty trap?
Come to an MRDF Make Your Mark Conference and be inspired to take simple actions on crucial development
issues. The event will give you the tools and information you need to do something extraordinary for some of
the world's most vulnerable people. Conferences will be held across the UK.
The events will include: two workshops on key global development topics*-updates and first-hand accounts of
MRDF's life-changing work -ideas for individual and group action -preview of MRDF's 2009 Harvest
pack. *Workshops will be facilitated by development experts from Fairtrade Foundation, Stop Climate Chaos,
Jubilee Debt Campaign or Trade Justice Movement.
There is a £5 registration fee – MRDF Coordinators get in FREE. The events will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm
and lunch will be provided. They will be held at the following locations:
York Acomb Methodist Church 13 June 2009
Reserve your place now call us on 020 7467 5132 or download the registration form (Word Doc 75KB)

This year we have developed a host of resources (attached) to help Christians and churches to get involved. Available for free
download from the CiP website (www.christiansinparliament.org.uk), they include: CHURCH PRAYER GUIDE (pdf) An overview of
how to include prayer for politics and government as part of your regular church service POSTER/FLYER (pdf) For distributing
and printing to publicise the week of prayer
INFORMATION RESOURCES (pdf) Web links to help you to get hold of the information that you need to pray effectively local politicians, issues and lots
more CONTINUOUS PRAYER EVENT GUIDE (pdf) Advise on how to run 24 hour or week-long prayer events 7 DAY PERSONAL PRAYER GUIDE
(pdf) Guiding scriptures and prayer points for every day of the Week of Prayer 60 MINUTE PRAYER MEETING PLAN (pdf) Basic information about how to
run an hour long prayer meeting for politics and government

P a g e 4


Almost 12 months after
closure for redevelopment,
Burniston Methodist
Church is now open for
business and hopefully
some of you will be able to
come to our Open Day
from 10am to 3pm on 30th
May and have a look
round. Those of you who
are not able to come will be
most welcome at any of
our services in the coming
weeks and months. A Cir-
cuit Service will be held
here at 6.30pm on Sunday
14th June, which will be
the official opening service
with the Chairman of the
District and the Mayor of
Scarborough in attendance.
During our exile we have
been made very welcome
at Burniston & Cloughton
Village Hall and at Scalby
Methodist Church, and on
one occasion at St.Hilda's
at Ravenscar, and have
enjoyed great times of wor-
ship and fellowship there.
As viewers of the TV pro-
gramme Grand Designs will
appreciate, building pro-
jects rarely run totally
smoothly and to time. We
have not been immune
from the odd problem or
too to be resolved – notably
in our case the linking of
the roof with the complex


glazing of the frontage -
but we are absolutely de-
lighted with the finished
result. All credit is due to
our skilled team of contrac-
tors working under main
contractor F A Stockill &
Son Builders Ltd of Snain-
ton, Scarborough.
Our development project
kicked off with a Gift Day
in May 2000 and has been
completed 9 years later and
will be virtually paid for at
the time we open, 130 years
after the opening of the
original building. We have
been through times of test-
ing with issues concerning
a right of way across our
land and planning delays,
but have remained faithful
to our task. We trust we
have continued the vision
of our forefathers and now
have premises capable of
continuing to serve our
growing membership and
the purposes of the Gospel
in Burniston for many
years to come – to the glory
of God.
Our new Coffee Shop will
be open from 3rd June,
initially on Wednesdays,
Thursdays and Saturday
from 10.00am to 3.00pm
serving drinks, snacks and
lunches and we will be
pleased to consider book-


ings for Away Days and teas in
our 140 seat multi purpose hall,
which is fitted with a full audio
visual setup. Booking enquiries
should be made to Jean Hanson
on (01723) 870261 and catering
enquiries to Shirley Broddle
(01723) 372822.
For more information, check
out our website
www.burnistonchurch.org.uk
Ken Marsden, Chair, Develop-
ment Steering Group
e-mail:
ken.marsden@hotmail.com

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks..
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen
Burniston Methodist Church—a new beginning
Do you think political correctness has gone too far ? I am sure it has Written by a 15 yr. old
School Kid in Ohio :The Pledge of Allegiance & The Lords Prayer Are not allowed in USA Schools anymore
Because the word 'God' is mentioned... NEW School prayer :
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offence; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,


Who is my neighbour? We live our lives so often, largely
invisible to those around us who are equally isolated. No
group suffers more from this isolation than people with
learning disabilities. And if we can’t see them how can we
love them? One way of seeing someone, is to share a journey
with them.
We would like to invite you to ‘walk with me’ on July 1st and
start changing the world one step at a time.
York is to be an official „stage stop‟ on July 1st 2009 in a series of
nationwide sponsored walks to make known the aspirations of 1.5
million „invisible‟ people in society – those with learning needs.
Prospects, a national charity for people with learning disabilities,
launched its series of sponsored walks covering 1,000 miles on
Wednesday 4 March in London. Charity worker Tony Phelps-Jones is
being joined in his 20-mile-a-day marathon by people whom the
charity supports, their friends and family and others who wish to raise
the profile of those whom society often overlooks.
The leg that covers the Diocese of York starts at Newcastle on Sunday
28th June and will take in Whitby, Scarborough, Beverley and
York. You can join in by walking part of the way - even for just a
mile. Bring someone with you - your dog, your neighbour or someone
you know with learning disabilities. You could sponsor walkers who
have learning disabilities, or come and support the walkers - meet us at
the key points and cheer us on! - or come and along to the evening
celebrations.
Monday 29th June, Whitby to Scarborough (21 miles) along the old
railway line, commencing 8.00 and ending approx 4.00. There are
several points along the way at which walkers can join during the day.
For details contact David Grassam Tel 01723 367393, e-mail
grassam@mac.com. At 7.30 in the evening there will be a celebration at
Ebenezer Baptist Church, Columbus Ravine, Scarborough.
Tuesday 30th June, Pocklington to Beverley (20 miles) along the
Chalkland, Wolds and Hudson Ways. Picnic at Kiplingcoats, 12.45, and
again several points where walkers can join the route. For details
contact Barrie Dennison Tel 01964 500270, e-mail
barrie@thedennisons.karoo.co.uk. At 7.30 in the evening there will be a
celebration at Millers Day Centre, Mill Lane, Beverley.
Wednesday 1st July from Pocklington to Wheldrake (10 miles along the
Pocklington Canal), from Bishopthorpe (Brunswick Organic Nursery)
(4 miles along the riverside) to York Minster with further joining
opportunities at the Millenium Bridge (2 miles) and St George's Field
carpark (1 mile), coming through the city to finish at 4.45pm at York
Minster for an official welcome. At 5.00pm there will be a talk and
celebration at the Spurriergate Centre, York.
How can you take part?
Walk with us - even for a mile - the Millenium Bridge to
York Spurriergate is on fully accessible pathways
Bring someone with you - your dog, your neighbour or
someone you know with learning disabilities
Sponsor walkers who have learning disabilities
Come and support the walkers - meet us at the key points
and cheer us on!
Come and celebrate at Spurriergate Centre at 5-6.30pm. If
you are involved professionally or voluntarily with
people with learning disabilities please contact us for
full details. If you are interested to hear of this work,
please come to, but give Carole a ring for an invite.

P a g e 5

In The Father’s Hand Affiliated to Causeway Prospects
– Prospects for People with learning
Disabilities www.prospects.org.uk

Timetable (times approx - see website for updated details
www.prospects.org.uk/walkwithme )
1.00pm Brunswick Organic Nursery at 1.00pm where
Tony joins the workers for lunch.
3.00pm Walk reaches Millenium Bridge
4.00

ifh.meikle@ntlworld.com
Tony Phelps-Jones said: “This walk aims to make visible people
who are often invisible in our society today. Each day I aim to
cover 20 miles and will be joined by people who have learning
needs. We hope MPs, education leaders, journalists, church
leaders, businessmen and women and many others will join us
for a day and as we walk along together, they will catch some-
thing of the aspirations of these people, as well as learning
something of their needs and what needs to change for this
huge group of people to be able to play a full role in our com-
munity life. It‟s really about changing the world one step at a
time, and from the interest already shown across the country,
we look forward to hundreds of people taking part.”
“I‟m delighted to be finishing the this „leg‟ of the walks in York
as we have had a Prospects/Causeway group in the area for
nearly two years and in some ways, they are the pioneers in
helping other churches in the area consider how they can fully
integrate people with learning needs into their churches and
communities.”
For full details of the 10 x 100 mile walks entitled „Walk With
Me‟, visit www.prospects.org.uk/walkwithme or call 0118
9516976.
then through city
4.45 arrive at the Minster for an official welcome.
5.00 Talk and celebration at Spurriergate.
The Lord Mayor and Civic party are joining us to walk - why
don’t you?
Further details from Walk York Co-ordinator - Carole Meikle,
245 Beckfield Lane, Acomb, YORK, YO26 5PG
Tel 01904 793 609
Archway under bridge at St George‟s Field
mobile 07834166226

P a g e 6

World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

Joint actions for a just peace convened by the
World Council of Churches
4-10 June 2009

A week in which to take action for
a just peace in the Holy Land

York City FC dons Archbishop colours
for the FA Trophy Final

York City football club ditched their red strips when they played Stevenage in the FA Trophy
Final on 9th May. Instead they played in 'archiepiscopal purple' - in honour of their biggest fan
the Archbishop of York. John Sentamu says he's thrilled with the gesture .After the game the
shirts are to be auctioned in aid of the Archbishop's Youth Trust.

SYNOD
Minutes of the April Synod are available via the Synod Pages of the District web site as
a download. Also on the site are the Audio files of the day plus presentations [subject to
copyright restrictions] http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/synod.php
Living God, today we pray for all the people in Palestine Israel, that they
may discover the courage and humility to build peace together. We pray
for those with power and influence, that they will seek a just path of rec-
onciliation. We pray for those who are in dire need today, that their hu-
man rights to food and shelter and medical care will be urgently met. We
pray for international aid agencies as they work to bring hope to devas-
tated communities. We pray for all those in the land who have suffered
over the years of struggle: for those who are grieving for their lost loved
ones; for those whose lives have been changed forever because of injuries,
mental and physical; and for those who bear the lasting scars of being
displaced and dispossessed. Living God, their pain is so great today. Bring
your healing, bring your peace, to Palestine Israel. For our Muslim brothers
and sisters in Palestine Israel this day, we pray Assalamu Alaikum. For our
Jewish brothers and sisters in Palestine Israel this day, we pray Shalom
Aleichem. For our Christian brothers and sisters, the Living Stones, in
Palestine Israel, this day, we pray The Peace of Christ,

P a g e 7
Swine Flu
Swine Flu
If any member of Clergy , Deacon’s Church Administrators etc responsible for Services and Pastoral Visits have
not received the Methodist Church Version of the recommendations of the Government advice leaflet for Faith
Communities re the possible Swine Flu epi[pan]demic. Then send me an e mail yhcommunica-
tions@msn.com and I will let you have a copy.

Parachute Jump
Hello!!
On the 20th June I have foolishly (given my dislike of heights) agreed to jump
out of a plane for a charity tandem skydive, to raise money for the British Red
Cross.
It really is a great cause, and if you are able to sponsor me that would be
great, just let me know, or follow the link www.justgiving.com/daylottie and
sponsor me online. Thanks
Lottie Day (Lay Worker Pickering Circuit) daylottie@aol.com

P a g e 8


Chaplaincy

Do you think this may be for you?

We are looking for people who could be Safeguarding chaplains.
The job is about providing support for Module A trainers and
those affected by Safeguarding Issues. There will be lots of sup-
port offered to those undertaking this role.
If you think you might be interested, come to a taster day
at
Pocklington Church
6 July 2009 10.00 - 2.30
Lunch included
--------------------------------------------------
----------------
I would like to attend the Chaplaincy taster day on 6 July
Name………………
Circuit……………………………………
Email…………
Phone………………………………………
Address……………………
………….
Special requirements………………………………

Please return to the District Office, 28 The Green, Acomb, York, YO26 5LR
admin@yorkhullmethodist.org.uk
……………………….
……………………….……
……………………………….…..
………………………………...
………………….


Youth Development Worker
The Lower Wensleydale Youth Project
Salary £18,807 - £21,450 plus pension contributions

A committed Christian, suitably qualified with relevant experience,
is required for a new full-time role to develop youth and Chil-
dren’s work on behalf of the Anglican and Methodist churches in
rural Lower Wensleydale.

For details contact
Brendan Giblin 01969 622276
email annereadshaw@btinternet.com

Chair on Sabbatical ?

Photo Courtesy of Stephen Burgess.

Sorry couldn’t resist putting in this picture—hopefully next month we will have a report from
Stephen and I can add further Photos which I can assure you show him working.

P a g e 9

‘The dry valley becomes a place of springs’ Psalm 84 v6
EFFECTIVE PRESENCE: STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION
A Day Conference to reflect on real stories of
Effective Christian Presence.
Wednesday 8th July
At St Mary’s Church, Bramall Lane, Sheffield.
9.15 Registration and refreshments
10.00 Welcome: Tony Parry, chair of CRC
10:10 A local story of transformation
10:30 Effective Leadership: Liz Carnelley
11:15 Refreshment
11:45 Christian Distinctiveness: Jon Kuhrt

Keynote Speakers:
Nick Holtam – Vicar of St Martin in the Fields
St Martin in the Fields has had a £36 million makeover, has a café, works with the homeless, has concerts, and a Chinese con-
gregation. "Historically this church pushes the boundaries - making a stand which is, I think, primarily about social justice.
And that has got something to do with the Kingdom of God." He smiles, then adds, cheerfully, "I don't think Jesus was seen as
the easiest of people." (Guardian, 24th December 2004) Nick has written “A Room with a view” (SPCK 2008) about St Martin‟s.
Jon Kuhrt – Director of Community Mission
Before joining Livability in 2002, almost all of his work experience was with homeless people, mainly through managing hos-
tels in central London. He has long been interested in how Christians can impact their communities to help support the vul-
nerable. Churches are crucial to their local areas and can do a huge amount to bring hope when they express their faith in
Jesus Christ practically in serving and learning from their local communities.
Liz Carnelley – Chief Executive of CRC
Liz was ordained in 1990 and has been at CRC since 2002. Liz is a co-author of the Effective Christian Presence and Enterprise
report, following the three year research and active-learning project with Faithworks, in which there is a focus on leadership.
Have we got the right leaders in the churches? Do we have the right support for them? What challenges face them? She has
also been looking at leadership from the perspective of voluntary organisations in a programme sponsored by Barclays Bank
and NCVO.
Copy of above and booking form from http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/crc.php?id=23
Cost £30.00/£10.00 (unwaged)
Please book by Monday 22nd June 2009 if possible. Confirmation details will be sent to you (inc map).
Yorsay is sent on behalf of the York & Hull Methodist District by the Communications Office
Bob Lawe 27 Ryde Avenue Hull Hu5 1QA communications@yorkhullmethodist.org.uk or yhcommunications@msn.com
Please note that some of you may receive this and other mailings from a Karoo e mail address – Please do not
reply or use this address as it is for mail delivery only The views expressed in this newsletter are not
necessarily the official views of the Methodist Church or of the York & Hull Methodist District and no
inferred support for any of the items or organisations should be taken as granted.
Yorsay Newsletter © 2009 York & Hull Methodist District – All rights reserved.
12:45 Worship
13:00 Lunch and Marketplace
14:00 A second local story of transformation
14:15 „A Room with a View‟ – Nick Holtam
15:15
Closing Prayers

SPRING SYNOD NEWSLETTER

THE METHODIST CHURCH



York and Hull District

Newsletter following

Synod on 25 April 2009

Hosted by the Ripon Circuit

From
Heather Shipman
3 Templar Gardens
Wetherby
West Yorkshire
LS22 7TG
synodsec@yorkhullmethodist.org.uk



Full Synod Minutes are available on the District Website (Synod pages)


www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk
(If you have any problem at all in accessing information in this way please don't hesitate to contact either Siân Henderson or myself for a paper copy)

Dear Friends

Synod began with worship led by the Ripon Circuit. We were invited to participate in meditations, and the thought provoking and prayerful worship set the scene for the business session of the morning. Synod was welcomed by Revd Graham Sturdy. This Spring Synod was chaired by Revd Richard Andrew, Deputy Chair of the District as the Revd Stephen Burgess was on sabbatical.

The Revd Mary Jackman read the list of Local Preachers who had died during the past year and Synod stood in silence to remember them.

One of the responsibilities of this Synod is the agreement to the appointment of officers in the District and a list was brought to Synod. This list is on the website and if anyone feels there are any inaccuracies in it or would like to volunteer for any vacant posts, please let myself or Siân Henderson know.

Extension of period of office for Chair of District

Stephen could not decide whether it was advantageous or disadvantageous to be away from Synod when the recommendation that his term of office as Chair of the District be extended for a further 5 years to 2015. Synod were delighted to agree to the extension by a very large majority and steps were taken to let Stephen know of the decision immediately, even though he was mid-Atlantic with some young people taking part in the first leg of theTall Ships race to Tenerife.

Cessation of Worship

Synod agreed to the cessation of worship in the following churches:

Well in the Ripon Circuit
Perth Street in the Hull West Circuit
Hutton in the Driffield Circuit
Burstwick in the Hull East Circuit
Gillamoor in the Ryedale Circuit

From September 2009 Helperby will transfer from the Thirsk and Northallerton Circuit to the York North Circuit

Committee Reports
Synod received reports from the following committees:
District Policy Committee, Ministerial Synod, Finance, Safeguarding, District Appraisal, Property and the Manse Committee
Fuller details of these reports can be seen in the minutes but herewith a flavour of some of the issues involved:

District Policy Committee

Synod had sought to make itself as environmentally friendly as possible and had conducted an audit of mileage and time spent in travelling by members attending Synod. The Revd John Brown had produced a graph which showed the relationship between mileage, journey time and location It will no doubt influence the positioning of District meetings in the future.

Ministerial Synod

The Revd Keith Himsworth reported that our three first year Probationer Ministers, the Revds Susan Greenhart, Neville Simpson and Mike Poole would proceed to the second year of probation and the Revd Rachel Wood would go forward for ordination at Conference in 2009. Our best wishes for the future and congratulations Rachel.

Safeguarding

The Revd Alison Mcdonald reported that the publicised timetable for the introduction of Vetting and Barring had been delayed and encouraged churches to continue to ensure that all the required people were subject to CRB checks. Further information regarding courses and training would be circulated in the near future.

Appraisal

Colin Hogg reported that in the wake of the recent pilot schemes, and after debate at Methodist Council, the new system of Annual Development Review would not be introduced until further refinements had taken place. We are therefore encouraged to continue with our current system until 2011.

Property

Dr Nigel Hardwick drew our attention to the opportunity to go to a road show outlining the duties and responsibilities of Methodist Trustees. If you are interested in this please see your Superintendent Minister or contact Nigel as soon as possible as places are limited.

Finance

Our Finances are in good order. Thank you to both David Finch, our former Treasurer and to Ian Stockley our current District Treasurer

Manse Committee

The report on those Manses recently inspected showed that they were all in a good state of repair. Our thanks go to all those stewards who work so hard to maintain them locally as well as those who serve on the District Committee, particularly Geoffrey Beecroft who we thank for all his hard work

Memorial to Conference

Synod also agreed to send a Memorial to Conference encouraging the use of only the most up-to-date statistics when levying Connexional Charges on the Districts.

The focus of this Synod was a Mission Shaped Circuit and in the afternoon we heard 5 presentations from around the District of Good News stories. These were as follows:

Martyn Holman on the Aroma Coffee Shop in Haxby;
G.ro.W, a home grown approach to worship, preaching and teaching by Barrie Morley,
Reaching Men - outreach initiatives to men in the Church and community by David Richardson;
The employment of a Circuit Support Manager by Graham Sturdy and
'More than just a Church' - initiatives and opportunities in Market Weighton, by Sue Pegg

These presentations and an address from both the Revd Richard Andrew and Mrs Tricia Mitchell inspired Synod and many further Good News stories, alongside problems areas, were shared in small groups. Further information about these will appear on the website.

...and a reminder

This is only a brief summary of Synod business. The minutes of Synod are on the website. Your Circuit representatives and your Ministers are all members of Synod so will also be able to answer any queries you may have. Much of the business of Synod requires a follow up in the Circuit so please ensure that you have all the information you need. If there is anything further I can help with please don't hesitate to contact me.

Heather Shipman, Synod Secretary.

MAY YORSAY TEXT VERSION

THIS IS A TEXT VERSION THE FULL VERSION MAY BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE DISTRICT WEB SITE www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk


Welcome
Dear Friends
Welcome to the May Edition of YORSAY. I have sent this out before Synod as shortly there will be the Synod Newsletter to be sent out [ as well as the Web site round up including the power point presentations]. Let me have news from your Churches and Circuits; contact details as the foot of the newsletter. Just a reminder that is up to you!! To make sure you send me your details in good time so that others can plan what and where to visit. You may be receiving this e mail via a new e mail address yhcommunications@msn.com this is an additional address so please put it in your safe box

Yorsay is not only meant for those who receive it via their e mail address it is hoped that at least one person in each church will copy it and make it available to All members of the congregation via notice boards or through church newsletters.

Reminder Stephen Burgess is on Sabbatical from 22nd March to 21st June [inclusive] any District matter to be referred to Richard Andrew or District Admin Office, you can still use the chairs e mail address or use the contact addresses on. http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/whoswho.php
HELP REQUIRED
Elizabeth Clarke our Rural Life Officer is hoping to make a DVD of Rural work in the District, but she needs help. She requires someone with a Video Camera [preferably digital ] willing to take some footage .She also requires someone to help edit and create the DVD possibly using Windows Movie Maker or similar. The DVD needs to be ready for September Synod if Possible. This is a task that may suit a Video/ computer enthusiast or a Media Student looking for a project to work on. If you are interested or know someone who can help please contact Rev Elizabeth Clarke elizclark57@hotmail.com
CHANGE OF INFORMATION
Prayer Walk at Rievaulx Abbey
Saturday 20th June 2009 (Please note Change of date from April Yorsay)
For Preachers, Worship Leaders and anyone else who is interested.
Led by: Rev. David Emison (Past chair of Cumbria District)
& Rosemary Wass (Past Vice-President of Conference)
Outline Programme:
• 9-30 a.m. Meet at Rievaulx Methodist Church, Ryedale.
• 10-30 a.m. At Rievaulx Abbey.
• 12 noon Bring & Share lunch at Rievaulx Village Hall.
Entrance fees to Abbey:
• English Heritage members -free
• Adults £5
• Concessions £4-30
• Group Booking for 11 or more 15% discount.

If you hope to take part in the walk please contact: a-p-brown@freeuk.com 01439 770126.

Please pray for a fine Day!



Future of Food

Christian Aid in Northallerton are organising a panel discussion on the ‘Future of Food’ in Northallerton Methodist church on Tuesday 28th April at 7.30pm.

Speakers will include:
Edward Dennison (NFU)
Tony Howard (Lewis and Cooper)
Michael Watkiss (Sainsbury’s Northallerton)
Diane Green (Christian Aid co-ordinator)

Please come for a discussion on the politics of food – whether it is about buying locally, buying fair trade, the link between farming policy and the quality and price of food.


Be part of Britain’s longest-running fundraising week!
Thirteen million red envelopes, 300,000 volunteers, thousands of sponsorship events and 1,500 quizzes can only mean one thing – Christian Aid Week which this year takes place from 10 – 16 May.
Launched in 1957, Christian Aid Week is famous for the distinctive red envelope dropping through millions of letterboxes. Last year an amazing £14.7 million was raised to fund work with some of the world’s poorest communities. The money raised has helped people like 18-year-old Nadia Kabula in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
When her father died, Nadia’s family struggled desperately to make ends meet. But a tailoring course run by Christian Aid partner Humanité Nouvelle has allowed Nadia to imagine a brighter future – and she hopes one day to open her own business. Meanwhile, Nadia is giving others the chance of a fuller life by passing on her skills and her love of fashion to other young girls in her community. ‘They’ve given me education for life,’ said Nadia.‘Our supporters constantly amaze me, especially during Christian Aid Week,’ said Anne Phipps, Head of Church Marketing and Appeals, Christian Aid. ‘Whether collecting door–to-door, putting quiz teams together or doing 101 other exciting and amazing fundraising events, the commitment is phenomenal.‘At www.caweek.org we’re creating an online community of volunteers, supporters, activists and enthusiasts so please go online and add the details of whatever you are doing.’
Last year, Christian Aid introduced Quizaid in which people used their brain power to raise £185,000 while having fun at the same time. Quizzes are organised amongst friends, family, work colleagues or in the pub. This year the target is £225,000 and to get even more people involved, four new levels of questions have been introduced - Brainiacs, Average Joe’s, 11-18 year olds or under-10s. Packs with everything you need to organise a quiz can be downloaded from www.christianaid.org.uk/quizaid. The names of all quiz organisers will go into a draw for a year’s supply of chocolate courtesy of the fair trade company, Divine Chocolate. There will also be a separate draw for quiz participants.
Christian Aid also wants to hear the views of the people who go door to door collecting donations. A collectors’ survey is available online at www.caweek.org.
This year, in the face of the credit crunch, supporting Christian Aid and collecting the red envelopes is crucially important. The risk is that people will feel less able to give; yet because of the global recession the poor are more at risk and the need is greater.

St Bede’s Centre York Programme pdf leaflet from http://www.stbedes.org.uk/assets/files/A4programmeSummer2009.pdf

Global Day of Prayer
One Voice York and Churches Together in York are organising York’s involvement in the Global
Day of Prayer and would like to invite you to join in too.
On Pentecost Sunday 31 May hundreds of people will gather to pray on York’s City Walls, from
5.45pm to 6.00pm. People of all ages, denominations and traditions will pray for our
homes, families, communities, nation, and world. Go to the section nearest your church or home, and trumpets will announce each 5 minute section of prayer. From 6.30pm, Dave Godfrey and band will be playing in York Minster, and at 7.15pm the Prayer Walk begins in the Minster. This walk will have various prayer stations and styles of prayer, finishing with a joint act of celebration. For more information, or to book your church into the celebrations, visit www.onevoiceyork.org.uk.



See http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/news.php?id=189 to download booking form





Bikers’ Welcome – A Blessing and A Sending.

I think it was either in the Methodist Recorder or Momentum that an article appeared entitled ‘Church welcomes everyone – does that include bikers?’ As a biker myself, at least on a day off, it set me thinking and resulted in me joining the local branch of the CMA (Christian Motorcyclist Association) or ‘twig’ as we call the East Yorkshire contingent. At the start of the biking season, CMA members usually go to a church somewhere for a commissioning service - to be sent out as ‘gospel riders’ (very Wesleyan!) to wherever the God’s spirit leads them for the love of Christ (very Celtic!). That’s usually to ‘biker’ events and gatherings where CMA often set up a Holy Joe’s coffee bar, a helmet park and give away copies of the Biker Bible to all takers.
Half a dozen or so members and a very nice BMW ‘Long Way Round’ model, came into Bilton Grange Methodist Church, East Hull, recently for a commissioning service, a blessing and a ‘sending out in the name of Christ’. I was most heartened by the warm welcome offered by the good folk of the ‘Nestor Grove Chapel’, now part of the four year old Acorns Centre, who hosted the service and offered a faith lunch afterwards.
The thing that impressed me most was the fact that the CMA bikers are meeting others in an activity that they are all passionate about. Paula had once said to me “ ‘four wheels’ moves the body, but ‘two wheels’ moves the soul” and she was right. It’s not an easy thing to explain but that’s exactly it. Yes, it’s to do with adrenalin, yes, it’s to do with risk and being on the edge, yes, it’s about facing the unpredictable. I’m sure all these things would have been well known to John Wesley in his travels on horse back, though I doubt he’d have swapped his trusty steed for a BMW GS1100 – well not unless it had a ‘satnav’ with a Bible readings option.
For me, I can find space to pray in the midst of a motor bike ride and sometimes an absolute need to pray like the other Saturday night on the way home over Blakey Ridge in the North Yorkshire Moors, in the dark, through the cloud and rain with almost zero visibility. There is something of both the pioneer and pilgrim spirit kindred to motorcycling - maybe one day we’ll do the trip to Jerusalem, bearing flags of the nations for peace and reconciliation. Are you interested?
Meanwhile, it’s back to basics – please pray for all those who reach out to meet people for Christ, in whatever activity they are passionate about. Meet people at their passion and you’re half way there - Christ was after all, ‘passionate’ about all people.
Rev Paul Lucas (Hull East Circuit)



Unsung Heroes – the hunt is on

The Church of England has teamed up with Country Life magazine to hunt for an elusive species: the unsung hero! Rural churches and chapels are often the thriving hubs of their communities. Together, we are looking for the unsung volunteers - of any denomination - who keep them alive.

The competition – to be launched in the magazine’s Easter edition (8 April) – will be seeking the volunteers who keep rural churches, chapels and churchyards thriving and at the centre of their communities. The aim is to highlight the wide range of voluntary activities taking place in and around those buildings – from maintaining the fabric against all odds to developing and taking forward an imaginative community use of the building.

The Easter Country Life will include all the details of Unsung Heroes competition, an entry form and instructions on how to submit nominations. We hope that groups of church or chapel members might even get together to nominate or vote in their own special parish Hero.

In previous years, Country Life has run competitions about churches being used to serve the wider community. This year’s is quite different: it is about people - the volunteers who keep country churches alive. That might be the organist, the flower arranger, the cleaner, the person who keeps the churchyard under control. Their heroism might be linked to children's activities or anything else taking place in the building - but it isn't about projects so much as the heroes who run them.

The competition aims to highlight the wide range of voluntary activities taking place in and around churches and chapels and their churchyards, ranging from maintaining the historic fabric to developing or managing imaginative community initiatives. And all this in addition to being places of worship and vital oases of calm and reflection in a busy world.

Nominations are sought for volunteers who:
o have initiated and taken forward projects which support the church building directly such as fund-raising activities or rejuvenating the churchyard; or
o help keep the building open as a valuable community resource by organising events such as weekly community lunches or concerts inside the church; or
o manage the setting up of a community shop, farmers’ market or post office, again inside the church or its grounds.

As the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, says in a special Country Life article to launch the competition: “In our countryside, armies of unsung heroes are keeping the circulation going in the community’s body. They are organising community celebrations and simple local services like mothers and toddlers groups or drop-in centres. But they are increasingly stepping into the gaps that have opened up in rural society in the last ten years or so.”

For more information, see http://www.countrylife.co.uk/ and http://www.cofe.anglican.org/ , phone 020 7898 1621 or email mailto:louis.henderson@c-of-e.org.uk. All entries have to be in by the end of May.




York Faiths Survey

The 'York: City of Faiths' initiative was launched in March 2006 to demonstrate a commitment to working together between the local faith communities, learning institutions, City of York Council and several non-governmental organizations. In the last two years many celebratory, educational and spiritual events have been organized by the local faith communities: many York citizens have come to participate and discover more about the distinct and diverse religious identities of the peoples of York.
As part of the ‘York: City of Faiths' initiative a five year plan has been agreed for how the faith communities of York and their supporters can work together to help increase awareness of the religions represented among York citizens. One part of that plan is to undertake a faiths survey in York. The York Faiths Survey will be launched on 26 March 2009 and run for four months. Citizens of York and the city’s religious organizations will be invited to complete the online survey if they want to put on the record what activities they are involved with.
To take part in the York Faiths Survey use the http://www.york.gov.uk/consultation/default.aspx link .
The survey will be completed by the end of the summer. City of York Council will sponsor the publication of the results and then, in collaboration with the faith communities, begin to plan a public celebration of the diversity of religions present in the city. It has not been decided exactly what form such festivities would take, but it is anticipated that some significant event will take place in the city during 2010. Recent evidence suggests that York has one of the fastest growing levels of diversity in the country. This is something that has to be good for our city since it means that the City of York is proving itself to be welcoming to the diversity of visitors, tourists and business partners from across the UK including those who choose to settle here.
Venture FX

The Full leaflet can be downloaded from http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/news.php?id=189 This is a new pioneering venture by Rev Ian Bell



CHRISTIANS LEARNING ACROSS YORKSHIRE (CLAY)
______________

SPEAKING OUT? OFFERING A CHRISTIAN VOICE
IN THE PUBLIC ARENA
______________

Saturday 9th May 2009

9.30am to 3.15pm
______________

‘The intolerance towards Christians in the public sector is an affront – and a sign of the growing gap between the governing and the governed.’

This headline to an article written by the Archbishop of York appeared in the Daily Mail as recently as 13th February 2009. In ‘Speaking Out?’ Jonathan Draper and Al McFadyen will help us explore current pressures on public Christian witness, while encouraging us to seek ways of remaining in creative dialogue with today’s culture. This is not a day about public relations, but a day aimed at helping all who are concerned to think about how best to live effective Christian lives today.
______________
Non-refundable booking fee £10 – advance booking is essential. Please also note that the fee includes refreshments, but you should take your own lunch.


Venue: St Lawrence’s & St Paul’s Parish Church, Church Lane, Pudsey LS28

 0113 257 7843
 www.pudseyparish.org.uk


Leaders: Rev Canon Dr Jonathan Draper
(Canon Theologian of York Minster)

and

Dr Alistair McFadyen
(Senior Lecturer in Theology & Religious Studies at Leeds University & Special Constable with West Yorkshire Police Force)


Bookings: Revd Dr James F Coleman (from whom further details are available)

 0113 289 8490
 training.yorkshire@dial.pipex.com

Spot the Chair

As Stephen is on Sabbatical at present I take an item from the Recorder “Spot the Chair” Photos taken during a “relaxing“ evening at Conference




Photos by MRDF.
Looking for ways to make your mark?
Are you looking for ways to make a difference to the world's poorest communities? Do you want to find out how you can empower people to escape the poverty trap?
Come to an MRDF Make Your Mark Conference and be inspired to take simple actions on crucial development issues. The event will give you the tools and information you need to do something extraordinary for some of the world's most vulnerable people. Conferences will be held across the UK.
The events will include: two workshops on key global development topics*-updates and first-hand accounts of MRDF's life-changing work -ideas for individual and group action -preview of MRDF's 2009 Harvest pack. *Workshops will be facilitated by development experts from Fairtrade Foundation, Stop Climate Chaos, Jubilee Debt Campaign or Trade Justice Movement.
There is a £5 registration fee – MRDF Coordinators get in FREE. The events will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm and lunch will be provided. They will be held at the following locations:
York 13 June 2009
Reserve your place now call us on 020 7467 5132 or download the registration form (Word Doc 75KB)

Hello!!
On the 20th June I have foolishly (given my dislike of heights) agreed to jump out of a plane for a charity tandem skydive, to raise money for the British Red Cross.
It really is a great cause, and if you are able to sponsor me that would be great, just let me know, or follow the link www.justgiving.com/daylottie and sponsor me online.

Thanks
Lottie Day (Lay Worker Pickering Circuit) daylottie@aol.com



Pickering Methodist Circuit
ABACUS
First Aid and Safety Consultancy
"Calculate the Risks, Count the Benefits - Not the Costs"
Can you Cope ?
He's having a Heart Attack.- Will he stop breathing?
Would you know how to deal with this and other first aid incidents?
84% of the public would not know how to treat their family if they were choking - would you?
Appointed Persons First Aid Course Saturday 9th May 2009
Pickering Methodist Chapel, Potter Hill,
£37:50 per person (includes training manual and small first aid kit)
For Further Information Please Contact...
Rev Jane Cole on 01751 474421
Course Instructor -
Andrew Selby 01778 392590 07766 397740 andrew@abacusfirstaid.com www.abacusfirstaid.com






Booking Form

Course Name Appointed Persons First Aid Course
Course Date 9th May 2009
Course Venue Pickering Methodist Chapel

First Name ………………………………….. Surname ……………………………

Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………….. Postcode …………………………..
Telephone No ………………………………….. Mobile …………………………..
Email ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Previous First Aid Qualifications

Previous First Aid Certificate Expiry Date ………………………………….

Previous First Aid Experience
Profession ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Please list overleaf any particular subjects you would like to see covered on your course



WELCOME TO THE ……….
DROP ZONE


This brand-new, action-packed adventure series for BBC ONE will see eight
teams of all ages battle it out to escape from six very different Drop Zones
across the world.
To get to the next Drop Zone, each team will face a series of challenges inspired by
each stunning location and designed to test their skills and ingenuity to the max…..
Who would you take?
Family, friends or work mates – whoever you chose you’ll need to be sure they won’t
let you down. The only way to get out of the Drop Zone ahead of your rivals will be to
work together. If you stay in the race and get to the sixth and final Drop Zone, you’ll
be in with the chance of being crowned Drop Zone Champions…
What are we looking for?
We’re looking for teams of three from all walks of life. Are you friends who work
together - or maybe you know each other through your shared hobbies? Maybe
you’re three generations of the same family… What’s certain is that your team will
have a selection of skills, experience and a determination to win. There’s no knowing
what could give you the edge and get you out of the Drop Zone ahead of your
competitors.
Get in touch!
If you think your team has what it takes to take part in this exciting adventure series,
please email us for an application form at dropzone@bbc.co.uk
Filming will take place across a six week period in June and July 2009 so you will
need to be free during this time.
GOOD LUCK



For application form contact the District Communications Office




NEWS RELEASE

21 April 2009

Government criticised for gambling legislation change
Today Parliament agreed to double the amount of money that can be staked and won on the kind of fruit machines found in pubs and amusement arcades. This means that the prize limit on fruit machines will be higher than weekly benefit levels, at a time when many families will be struggling to make ends meet.
In response, an alliance of nine UK Christian organisations has issued the following statement:
"We are deeply disappointed, though not surprised, by the decision of Parliament to accept the Government's proposals to increase stakes and prizes for category C and D gaming machines. The Government had promised that no such increase would be made until a further gambling prevalence study had been published and has reneged on this promise. We do not know what effects this legislation will have on the levels of problem gambling or on the lives of those already addicted to slot machines, but we have always urged the Government to act with caution.

"We will continue to campaign for the protection of those vulnerable to the harmful effects of gambling and to call on the government to put people before profits. We particularly call on the Government
• to prohibit children from gambling and to research the effects of allowing them to do so. Britain remains the only developed country that allows children to play on fruit machines, and the substantial increase in prizes for children will add another hazard that should be evaluated;
• only to increase future stake and prize values in line with inflation, at no more than 3 yearly intervals;
• and to undertake research into the impact of these changes, with a promise to reverse the decision if this research demonstrates a likely increase in problem gambling."
The Methodist Church, The Church of England, The Salvation Army, The Church of Scotland, The Baptist Union of Great Britain, The United Reformed Church, Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs, the Evangelical Alliance and Care.
Toby Scott, Director of Communications and Campaigns for the Methodist Church added, "Although we are disappointed with this decision, we are extremely grateful for the level of support we have received and to all those who have added their voices to this campaign."

ENDS



Yorsay is sent on behalf of the York & Hull Methodist District by the Communications Office
Bob Lawe 27 Ryde Avenue Hull Hu5 1QA communications@yorkhullmethodist.org.uk
There is also now an additional e mail address yhcommunications@msn.com
Please note that some of you may receive this and other mailings from a Karoo e mail address – Please do not reply or use this address as it is for mail delivery only The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the official views of the Methodist Church or of the York & Hull Methodist District and no inferred support for any of the items or organisations should be taken as granted.
Yorsay Newsletter © 2009 York & Hull Methodist District – All rights reserved.