OCTOBER YORSAY

THIS IS A TEXT ONLY VERSION TO SEE THE FULL VERSION DOWNLOAD IN EITHER DOC OR PDF FROM http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/news.php?id=165


Welcome to the
October Edition
of Yorsay.
I must apologise
if a story or infor-
mation you were
expecting to be
in this edition
has not been
published. This is
because as I was
backing up the
files the Hard
disc’s on my
computer
crashed and all
the information
was destroyed. I
have been able to
find some of the
articles as they
had been backed
up on line but
some I am afraid
have been lost.


OCTOBER 2009

From the Chair’s Desk
Is it really stationing time again? I suppose I too might well have asked that question at one time – until,
that is, I became immersed in one of the most mysterious but highly important aspects of our life within
God’s Methodist Church. We probably all know that Methodist Ministers move in August – much to the
delight of removals firms, no doubt. But the process starts well before that.
Ministers, both Presbyters and Deacons, will start to consider whether they might move appointments at
least fifteen months before it actually happens. In May each year, Kate Woolley (our District Lay
Representative for Stationing) and I brief ministers and circuit stewards about the whole process – looking
ahead to the following year. We explain what happens when a minister and circuit are considering whether
an appointment should be extended, or whether it is right for a change. A consultation is organised within
the local churches, the circuit and any other areas in which the minister is involved; the Circuit Invitation
Committee considers the responses and discerns whether to recommend an extension to the minister’s
appointment; the Circuit Stewards meet with the minister; a decision is made whether to take a
recommendation for an extension to the September Circuit Meeting, when a vote is taken.
To say that it is a tense time for both ministers and circuit stewards would be an understatement – and all
those concerned need, and I hope are supported by, the prayers of all those involved. But we trust that it is
a process of discerning God’s will for a circuit, for a minister, and for the wider church.
When a minister is going to move the following summer, then a chain of events is put in motion. Deacons
consult with the Methodist Diaconal Order, through whom their stationing is undertaken. Presbyters meet
with Kate Woolley and me as they prepare their personal profile; similarly, circuit stewards meet with us to
prepare the circuit’s profile of the appointment to be filled; and both profiles are submitted to Stationing
Administration at Methodist Church House. And then we wait for the publication of the books – one book
with ministers’ profiles, and one with circuit appointment profiles.
The tense time continues! Presbyters study the circuit profiles in order to identify those appointments to
which they feel God might be calling them; circuit stewards similarly seek to identify ministers with
appropriate gifts and experience. And then I head for the meetings of the Stationing Matching Group -
residential meetings of all Chairs of District plus some others. In a carefully organised process, we seek to
match ministers to appointments, starting with superintendents and then other circuit presbyters. Presbyters
visit the appointment in order for them, and the Circuit Invitation Committee, to discern whether the match
should be confirmed. Sometimes we have to go back to the matching group for a another attempt, but in
our deliberations we trust that all factors can be carefully and prayerfully considered so that the best
possible match between minister and circuit is achieved – bearing in mind always the needs of the whole
Methodist Connexion, not just our own district or circuit.
At the final session of the annual Methodist Conference, by a standing vote the stations of the ministers for
the ensuing year are confirmed, and in early September new ministers are formally welcomed into their new
appointments, but already the next year’s process is underway – so it’s not a case of it being stationing time
again, it always is!
Please do pray for those ministers, and those close to them, who will be looking to new appointments; for
those with responsibilities in the circuits who are seeking new ordained colleagues; and for all of us who
striving to discern what matches will best serve God’s Church.
Every blessing
Stephen
PS If you would like to know more about the Stationing Process, then do consult The Constitutional
Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church and The Connexional Good Practice Guide for all involved
in Stationing – or on second thoughts, chat with Kate or with me!


P a g e 2


CAFOD and Christian Aid are holding an event in York to
draw attention
to the issue of climate justice as part of the run-up to
the UN talks on
climate change in Copenhagen. We are looking to make
a WAVE of peaceful
protest around York Minster from 10.30am on Saturday
24 October. Details
are on the attached poster.

We also need up to 50 event stewards to help us mar-
shal people
effectively on the day.

Would you be so kind as to publicise the event through-
out Methodist Circuits in the area inviting people to
attend and to help with stewarding.
If people require any further details they can contact me
either by emailing dcross@cafod.org.uk or on the tele-
phone number below.
Many thanks in anticipation of your support.

Best wishes

David

David Cross
CAFOD Diocesan Manager
Diocese of Middlesbrough
54 Blossom Street
York
YO24 1AP

Tel: 01904 671 767
Fax: 01904 658 054


VITRUVIAN TRIATHALON

You may recall from last months
Yorsay that Rev Rory Dalgleish was
“ducking out” of Synod to take part
in the Vitruvian Triathalon around
Rutland Water. The race is Half-
Ironman distance, and comprises a 1.2
mile swim, 53mile cycle and 13 mile run.
He is fundraising for Amnesty Interna-
tional again after raising a tidy sum last
year doing a 97 mile non-stop canoe
race around the Cheshire Ring Canals,
and has a fundraising page at
www.justgiving.com/
rorysepicadventures which can be
used online, or you can contact Rory
directly (01904 414398) to arrange a
contribution in person or by cheque if
you would like to do so. Any donations
would be welcome in the direction of a
very good cause.
[Photos (c) Vitruvian and Show Rory in the Race]


P a g e 3

Wedding Fayre –
Cottingham Methodist
October 3rd 10am-3pm.
Cottingham Methodist is taking a leaf out of Market Weighton’s
book and has organised a Wedding Fayre to be held at our church
on Saturday the 3rd of October from 10am- 3pm.
There will be two catwalk shows, one at midday and the second at
2pm, literally down the aisle, with dresses from Jacqueline’s
Gown’s and menswear from Len Beck tailors, and hair by Dizzy’s.
This is a Cottingham centric event, and all of the suppliers are ei-
ther local, or within a stones throw of the village. We have two
types of limo’s, cake makers, photographers, venues, stationers,
lingerie, florists – you name it we have it, including the minister! .


STRIPS of wallpaper discovered in a 300-year-old house are providing valuable clues as to how it once looked.
The discovery was made earlier in the year on parts of the walls at Epworth's historic Old
Rectory, home to John and Charles Wesley who founded the modern Methodist movement.
A section of wallpaper was found under a raised floor during refurbishment work - possibly
dating to the late 18th century - and another strip was located in a cavity underneath the
garret stairs.
This second section has proved harder to date but it bears a strong resemblance to early
18th century wallpaper on display in London's Victoria and Albert Museum.
Rev Claire Potter, Old Rectory development manager and curator, explained professional
views were being sought to see if the paper dates back to when the Wesley family lived at
the house.
She added: "As we work on the refurbishment we will be investigating ways of recreating
the wallpaper in order for the Rectory once again to have the 'paper chamber' mentioned in
the family's letters."
The potential historic discovery comes at an exciting time for the venue as plans move ahead for a new visitors' cen-
tre, shop and cafe, all coinciding with the Old Rectory's 300th anniversary this year.
And ongoing refurbishment is aimed at remodelling the house as closely as possible to its 18th century roots.
"Here in this house, the roots of Methodism were planted," added Rev Potter. "There is much in the story of the re-
markable Wesley family to inspire the churches, historians and pilgrims of today."
The Grade One-listed building relies on volunteers and those who help out in a variety of roles and all training is pro-
vided by existing staff.
Friends of the Old Rectory also receive free entry, a newsletter and event information in exchange for an annual sub-
scription. For more information contact 01427 872268. [(c) Epworth Bells August 2009]


In response to the increasing demand from our church-based supporters for more worship resources, we've added a new
"harvest" pack to the worship materials on our website. You'll find it at www.traidcraft.org.uk/churchresources along with
an accompanying PowerPoint presentation.
Look out for new Advent resources next month and, to help celebrate your church's commitment to fair trade, a new set of
worship materials for next year's Fair Trade Fortnight (22 Feb - 7 March) will be available in November.
I hope you find the new materials useful - and thank you for your continuing support.
Peter Collins
Church Relations Manager

T +44 (0)191 497 6465 (Direct)
T +44 (0)191 491 0591

www.traidcraft.co.uk

Traidcraft, Kingsway, Gateshead, NE11 0NE, UK

Time to start wrapping, packing and sending!
It’s that time of year again. Empty shoeboxes are starting to pile up. Volunteers are on the lookout for great
deals. The season for Operation Christmas Child 2009 has begun.

This year, Samaritan's Purse has pulled together great new resources for schools, churches and workplaces,
packed with ideas on how to encourage people to get involved. So whether you’re wanting to tie Operation
Christmas child into your school curriculum, reach out as a church to your local community, or get your col-
leagues at work to start saving shoeboxes, we have great ideas to help you along.
Our prayer for 2009 is that even more children from disadvantaged backgrounds will experience the love of Je-
sus as they receive shoeboxes bursting with joy. Our hope is that in this time of financial crisis, churches in the
UK will reach out to their communities through Operation Christmas Child so that people from all walks of
life can experience the power of a simple gift.
Here are just a few easy ways you can be part of this Christmas miracle:
1) Order your FREE resources and get your group involved
2) Join our Operation Christmas Child fan page on Facebook and share your shoebox stories, pictures and videos
3) Volunteer to help out in a warehouse, drive a delivery van or present at a local school.

VISIT THE DISTRICT MANSE
A reminder to you all of the Chair's Coffee Mornings which
are in aid of Methodist Homes this year, but also just an
opportunity to visit the District Manse and Office.
Saturday 10th October is particularly, but not exclusively,
for those of you in Ryedale, Pickering, Malton, Ripon and
Thirsk & Northallerton Circuits.
We still have no idea what will happen if everyone arrives
at the same time, but we'll face that if it happens!
There will be a Bring & Buy table, including any
reasonably new paperbacks.


Stephen

Arrivals & coffee
Worship
Introductions
Lunch
Worship
Ointment and bandages: an outline of Luke’s Gospel
Coffee break
Sight for sore eyes: the parables in Luke’s Gospel
Words of life and health: preaching Luke’s Gospel
Pause
Good voice: Christmas and Luke’s Gospel

ANCIENT MEDICINE FOR MODERN ILLS:
PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF LUKE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
POCKLINGTON METHODIST CHURCH, NORTH YORKS – SAT 28 NOV 09
LED BY REVD JOHN PROCTOR
Year C of the Lectionary, the year of Luke, will start this Advent. Most Sunday services in the coming twelve months
will feature a reading from this gospel.
0930
1000
1015

1020
1110

1130

1230

1315
1410
1420

1515
1530 Tea & dispersals
____________________
The day will include speaking from the front by John Proctor, and group work, with a chance to talk together over the
scriptures and the task of preaching. Please bring a Bible, and come expecting to learn from the gospel and from one
another.
We hope to achieve the following:
- to acquaint ourselves afresh with the shape and substance of Luke’s Gospel
- to reflect on how to preach in the coming year, when Luke informs the lectionary
- to see how parables preach and how they can be preached, and to appreciate afresh their blend of direct challenge
and open-ended question
- to look at Luke’s perspective on the incarnation, and at our task as preachers this coming Christmas
------
John Proctor was born near Stirling in 1952 and grew up in England. He trained for the ministry at Glasgow University,
and served a Church of Scotland parish in Glasgow from 1981 to 1986. Then he came south again, to work for the
United Reformed Church, teaching New Testament at Westminster College, Cambridge. Here he works with theologi-
cal students from many Christian traditions, and travels regularly to lead study or training events around the church.
John is married to Elaine, with an adult daughter and son. Away from work, he bird-watches, follows cricket and sup-
ports Cambridge City in the Southern Football League.


Mind The Gap Africa
For a number of years Jenny has been living and working in Zimbabwe. There is a lot of work to do as Jenny works with a lot of
the children in Zim. Mind the Gap Africa runs a Kids Club, looks after some abandoned babies and wants to run Children's
homes. The Aids virus is rife there and a lot of children are left without their parents. There is tremendous need there.
If any one wants to know more about the Jenny's work in Zimbabwe please email me mehadmin@vodafone.net
Thanks Bruce
Jenny Hensman, Youth for Christ, PO Box FM34, Famona, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Home 002639 242313 mobile 07930
366121 jennyhensman@gmail.com - June 2009
Hi everyone!
Hope all is well and if you feel you have missed out on an English summer come to Zimbabwe as it's now summer and the sun is
shining!
I finally have the permission from social welfare to bring Grace Joy to England and the last hurdle is to get her a visa. I have just
put in the application so would ask for your prayers that she will get one. If all goes well I'll be in the UK beginning of October for
about 7 weeks. It's not long enough to do everything that needs doing especially in terms of speaking at churches and groups and
seeing everyone so please bear with me and what and who I can't see on this visit will be done on the next one. Don't forget you
are always invited to visit me here!!
Leaving Mary and Thomas will be hard but I knew when I took them I'd have to leave them at times and thankfully I have a fantastic
support structure at home to look after them. Please pray for Thomas and Mary whilst I'm away from them.
Life in Zim. . .
It's been a tough few months as we're all had a horrible strain of flu that's in its 10th week now as well as being so busy in minis-
try. We've had several very sad situations where two of the babies we were trying to help have died.
One of which was little Angela, the 7 month daughter of Samkele. Samkele at 19 years old with no mum to care for her came to
stay with us for 4 weeks to be in a safe place to grieve. Thankfully she now has a job with Sister Maliki, the Matron of the baby
home who will be like a mum to her. Please pray for Samkele.
It's great when things fall into place and we have just been able to move Johannes, the young man who used to live at the orphan-
age, to 'The Windles' children's home. He is helping in the garden and with security in exchange for board and putting him through
college. He's a lovely lad and the kids are so pleased to have an older brother around. He is new in his faith so please pray for
Johannes.
Holiday club
The highlight of the past school holidays was the holiday club we ran for our kids and also some of the little ones from Youth for
Christ. On the Thursday we hired two bouncy castles as hardly any of the children had ever seen one let alone been on one. It's
hard when money is so tight to splash out on such an 'unnecessary' expense but to see the kids faces light up when it arrived and
the enjoyment they got it was worth every penny of the £30!
Rehoboth
We are praising the Lord for His wonderful provision of a very generous gift that has finally meant we can buy the house. It's been
on a rent to buy for some time and we've been seeking the Lord as we wanted the security for the children. I want to thank the
couple who have given this gift so much for investing this huge amount of money into these kids lives, and all the others that their
gift is already touching. Bless you both. Rehoboth now has child number 10 as one of the boys there was reunited with his
brother. He was living in terrible circumstances so Mark and Dorcus felt it right that they take him into the home.
What now. .
Having the three children is an absolute gift from God but it's also the biggest challenge I've ever faced in my life! Mary in particu-
lar is a very broken little girl and needs a lot of love and attention to help her see the healing that only God can bring. I know God
has brought all three of these little ones into my life so I must invest time and energy into their lives, especially over the next few
years. This leaves me with a few options: either Mind the Gap has to stay as it is and we do what we can or I need someone to
come and help in the leadership and development of the project.
As we don't have the money to employ someone my fleece is to pray that God would send a volunteer from outside of Zimbabwe
who has the experience in running a project and all that that entails. I would like someone to commit for a two year period and we
can offer plenty of challenges and frustration but also a great sense of making a real difference to vulnerable children's lives. So if
you are interested or know of someone who may be please let me know. Please join me in prayer for this as I believe Mind the
Gap has the potential to change many more lives, but we need the people with the necessary skills to help us do that effectively.
Thank you
I want to thank those who give to this ministry so much. We couldn't do what we do if people weren't being faithful in giving and I
have been so touched by the kindness and generosity I have experienced. It just proves to me how much God's heart is for these
vulnerable children.
If you want to help financially. . .Please Contact Bruce East Hull Circuit Administrator bt@methodisthulleast.org.uk


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.