December Yorsay

This is a word only version for the full version in either pdf or Doc go to http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/news.php?id=165



Welcome to the December
Edition of Yorsay.
FOLLOWING ON FROM LAST
MONTHS REQUEST FOR DE-
TAILS OF EVENTS AND SER-
VICES ARE YOUR CHURCH’S
CHRISTMAS EVENTS AND
SERVICES ON THE DISTRICT
WEB SITE ???? http://
www.yorkhullmethodist.org.u
k/news.php?id=206
IF NOT THEN LET ME HAVE
THEM STRIAGHT AWAY I
would rather have them more
than once than not at all.

May I wish all our readers not
only in the District but from
all over the Country and
Europe a Very Happy Christ-
mas..
Items for the January Yorsay
to be with me before 20th
December Please and I will try
to get the edition out before
Christmas as the Communica-
tions Office will be officially
closed 23rd Dec to 5th Janu-
ary


DECEMBER 2009
From the Chair’s Desk
―And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a
father’s only son, full of grace and truth.John 1:14 (NRSV)‖

I have just finished writing a week of Bible studies for A Word in Time – the daily reflections on
the Methodist Church website (www.methodistchurch.org.uk) which link in with the readings that
are set out for each day in the Methodist Prayer Handbook, Each Returning Day. This year, my
week begins on Sunday 10th January, and the theme is The Anointed King. Sunday is the day
when we remember the Baptism of Christ, and the rest of week draws readings from the First
Book of Samuel.
I found myself captivated once again whilst reading those stories – especially passages relating
to Samuel’s family background; his birth and dedication to God; his sense of call during a night
in the Temple; the account of a devastating battle between the Philistines and the Israelites; the
people wanting a king like other nations had; and Samuel anointing Saul as King. It is a
breathtaking story which continues through a vast swathe of history. It is about politics, fighting,
infidelity, and human frailty of the greatest. It is also about God’s interaction with God’s people,
despite their behaviour and disobedience.

It was a grubby period of human history – but perhaps not that different from our own. It was
certainly not that different from 2000 years ago when God interacted uniquely with the human
race through the birth of Jesus Christ. This December, once again, we celebrate that God so
loved the world that he sent his only Son to live among human beings. The Word became flesh
and lived among us...
There are varied translations of that verse: lived among us, dwelt among us, made his home
among us, even tabernacle among us. A lovely translation, and even a truer one, could be that:
The Word became flesh and pitched his tent among us…

Whatever version catches your attention, or captures the meaning best for you, we approach our
own celebration of Christmas amazed and humbled that despite, or because of, our human
condition, God pitched his tent among us, and remains involved in this world. He is alongside all
the pain and nastiness – and in all the wonder and glory.
Thanks be to God for the wondrous gift of His Son, and to him be the glory now and for ever.

Every blessing throughout this Advent season and at Christmas.
Stephen Burgess
(Chair of District)
PS If you want a very brief lesson in New Testament Greek, then the word which is
translated variously above is εσκηνωσεν – one of my favourite Greek words. It resonates with
the Israelites setting up tents or booths or tabernacles, when they were journeying in the
wilderness. It talks to me of God throwing in his lot with us in a humble way, and journeying
with me – even me – and with you. Amen.


P a g e 2
EVANGELISM - Filey Methodists pelted with skate wings!
From The Filey Circuit

In 1806 a few Methodists in Filey, Yorkshire, attempted to preach in the
streets but were pelted with dried skate wings, one of the major exports of
the fishing industry there. In 1823 the Primitive Methodists Society in nearby
Bridlington almost gave up on Filey, knowing of its reputation for 'swearing,
gambling, drunkenness, cock-fighting, fishing on Sunday and other heinous
crimes'. John Oxtoby asked for a final opportunity to convert the people of Filey and thanks to him, according to
Canon Cooper of Filey, the town was 'turned upside down'. The fishermen of Filey became staunch Primitive Meth-
odists and started going out around the north of England, spreading the gospel in song, and this was the start of
the Filey Fishermen's Choir.

Today, the Choir is still going strong and is based at Filey Methodist Church but visits churches and chapels of any
denomination throughout the district and beyond. The Choir can take the whole service, and has its own organist.
The Choir sing old hymns, many with the sea as the theme, and most are introduced by members, perhaps relating
the theme to their own lives or maybe with a personal testimony.

The Choir members are no longer fishermen, although it does have some who are retired, but they consider them-
selves as fishers of men. Because the Choir is something different, perhaps unique, it can attract people who do not
worship regularly, if at all. The Choir has made several recordings which helps in furthering its ministry.

Maybe a visit from the Filey Fishermen's Choir would provide a great opportunity to invite friends and neighbours to
your church.

E-mail contact: - Christine Imeson mailto:Christine@bcimeson.freeserve.co.uk
Phone contact: 01723 513809
Website: http://www.thefileyfishermenschoir.co.uk
[From the Buzz 76 Magazine]

OPEN AREA

For several years there had been a feeling that the
Sanctuary area of Bricknell Avenue Methodist Church in
the Hull West Circuit needed a revamp. It was just over
50 years old and as the buildings were part of the first
―new‖ church buildings to be constructed in Hull after
the second World War they were beginning to look a
little tired. Plans were made and Finance sought and in
February the Church building closed.
Harvest seemed a good time to reopen the building
and in October the New Area was rededicated— The
communion Rail is removable the Pulpit and Choir stalls
have gone and a new and revamped multimedia control
has been installed.

P a g e 3

RIDING LIGHTS THEATRE COMPANY
Riding Lights Christmas show 'On Christmas Night'
at All Saints Church Hall, Hessle
Saturday 19th December at 2.00pm.
Prices are £5 adult, £4 concessions, £3 children,
£12 family ticket for 2 adults + 2 children, £20 for group of 8 children.
Tickets can be obtained from Barry Baxter 01482 645398.

WHO VISITS US ??
I am sometimes asked as to the effectiveness of the District Web site and its outreach. Apart from the regular visitors
from the District Churches the Web site and Yorsay are used by Methodist Church House to keep up to date with
what is going on in the District and for your information I have compiled a list of the places outside of the District
that regularly access the web site or download information. The Following list was compiles over a 3 day period at the
end of October [25th-28th] this year.

Benfleet [Essex] Kranj [Slovenia] Tucson [Arizona] London, Rotherham, Consett , Nottingham, Montreal [Canada],
Leeds, Wigan, Vancouver [Canada], Chatham , Mountain View [California] , Congleton, Knaresborough, Farnham ,
Dagenham, Chelmsford, Leicester, Tirana [Albania], Real [Philippines] Swaddlingcote, Houghton le Spring, France,
Manchester, Cole, Doncaster, Leesburg [Virginia], Cambridge, Worksop, Brazil, Bolton, Birkhamsted, Warrington, Shef-
field, Worcester, Durham, Swindon, Spennymoor, Wokingham, Haywood, Bombay [India], Louth [Ireland], Delmanhorst
[Germany], Nelson [New Zealand] Cirebon [Indonesia] ,and the Cote D’Ivorie.
As you can see quite a wide outreach and most of them are using the News pages, The Circuit Pages and the accom-
modation pages. With surprisingly a large number also looking at our Synod pages.
Yorsay itself is sent to just over 400 e mail recipients per month but is downloaded from the web site over 600 times
per month [mainly in pdf but some doc ].It goes not only to the Churches in the District but to the Major Media out-
lets including the BBC and Local Press.
Use the Facilities you have for outreach—you never know who you might touch.
Also where you aware that if you want to keep up to date with News Releases and informa-
tion from Methodist Church House then sign up to our PAT Newsletter service via the
Home page on the District web site or use the following http://
www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/newsletter/newsletter.php

Hull Methodist Central Hall are pleased to announce the latest addition to their fam-
ily.

A Christian Bookshop has opened in the former bank premises on King Edward
Street in Hull. The book shop which is open every Wednesday to Saturday 10am to
4pm.

The Co-ordinator Brenda Arnold says" This is an exciting sequence of events that can
only be of God which started in July 2008". The shop contains a selection of second-
hand titles as well as stock from the Methodist Publishing House.

Come along and tell your fellow Methodist!
For more information http://www.hullmethcenthall.net/booksn'bibles


THE METHODIST CHURCH
E

30 October 2009

Getting the best for Local Preachers

First phase of major consultation begins

The Methodist Church is carrying out a major review of training and support for local preachers throughout Great
Britain.

This week, questionnaires and discussion documents have been sent to all circuit local preachers' secretaries and
circuit superintendents inviting them to facilitate a review of continuing development programmes for Britain's
10,000 local preachers.

Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, said; "Local preachers are essential to the life and
ministry of the Church. As a team, we are committed to listening to local preachers about their needs and concerns
so that we can offer them better support and training, helping them to live out their calling to the full."

The first phase of the consultation will ask local preachers about what kind of continuing development programmes
they would find most helpful. Each local preachers' meeting has been asked to encourage all local preachers present
to complete a questionnaire about existing and future continuing development provision. Each meeting is also being
asked to discuss what the major challenges are for local preachers today and how they can best be supported in
their ministry. Documentation to support the consultation is available online at www.methodist.org.uk/
lpconsultation.

Speaking of the Church's duty to nurture and uphold the ministry of local preachers, Revd Dr Mark Wakelin, Secre-
tary for Internal Relationships, said; "Sitting in a pew I want the person leading to know that they are not simply
there to fill a plan appointment, but because God has called them, that the Church recognises this and had tried to
equip and support that call. I have been most helped when a preacher exudes a sense of their worth and value as
God's messenger."

A second consultation phase in spring 2010 will specifically consider Faith and Worship, the local preachers' training
course.

METHODIST CONFERENCE
2011.
The Venue for the 2011 Conference has been decided
as the newly refurbished Southport Conference Centre.
Conference was previously in Southport in 1999.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful
lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a
ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all
that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine
with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think
people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that Amer-
ica is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to w orship God
as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities
came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's
intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this hap-
pen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is
deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to
get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing
and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered,
her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not
read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped
and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking
about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them
to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers
say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start
sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely
through cyber space, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or
what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad
shape the world is in.


Youth Worker
Hull (East) Methodist Circuit
A vacancy has arisen in the Hull East Circuit for a Circuit Youth Worker.
This applicant, with experience of working with teenagers, will make connections with all young people from each
Church in the Circuit. They will effectively lead the new monthly Circuit Youth Fellowship and look to draw older
young people into leadership roles within it.
Building on the work of MaXlife, the ecumenical / secular young people charity situated in the region of the Circuit
the youth worker will develop Christian groups for discussion and fellowship. They will also follow up links with sec-
ondary schools in the area. The person should be able to work with small and larger groups making all teenagers feel
they belong to the Circuit.
Salary Circuit Youth Worker £6140 per annum 16 hours per week Three Year Initial Contract
For more information and recruitment pack contact:
Mr Bruce Taylor Circuit Administrator
c/o Kingston Wesley Church 882 Holderness Road
HULL HU9 3LP
email bt@methodisthulleast.org.uk and Tuesdays only 01482 788728 Mobile 07723 433945 (inc text)
Closing date for applications - Noon 30 November 2009 Interviews to be held 13 January 2010


OLD RECTORY EVENTS
Epworth Old Rectory Craft Fair
Epworth Old Rectory will host a Craft Fair on Saturday 5th December from 10am-3pm in the Rectory. There will be a
variety of stalls with crafts from local craft makers, including hand crafted furniture, glasswork, homemade cards and
stationary, jewellery, paintings, and plants. Live music will be played and refreshments (including mince pies and
punch) will be available. Admission is free of cost. For further information contact Epworth Old Rectory at 01427
872268 or ado@epwortholdrectory.org.uk

Doncaster Waites Concert at Wesley Memorial Church in Epworth
The Doncaster Waites are a local band that plays early
17th century music using a large selection of period
instruments. They will perform in concert at Wesley
Memorial Church in Epworth on Saturday 5th December
at 7.30pm. Refreshments will be served during the
intermission. Tickets cost just £5 per person and can
be booked by calling 01427 872268 or emailing
ado@epwortholdrectory.org.uk Information about their
music can be found at: www.doncasterwaites.co.uk
This concert is in support of Epworth Old Rectory, a
registered charity of the Methodist Church.

Candlelit Tours

Epworth Old Rectory's popular Candlelit Tours are back! We will
be offering the Candlelit Tours every Friday and Saturday at 7pm
during the months of , February 2010, and March 2010. Since
the Tours sold out last February, it is necessary to book tickets in
advance. Tickets cost £5. If you would like to book a ticket(s)
please ring the Rectory at 01427 872268 or email
ado@epwortholdrectory.org.uk

Put a little Christmas in your pocket

The Methodist Church is hoping to spread a little festive cheer with the latest edition to their
hugely popular In Your Pocket booklet series.
Christmas in Your Pocket offers readers an inspiring collection of images, Bible verses, prayers
and reflections on the Christmas season. It draws together contributions from authors as di-
verse as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Benjamin Franklin and Bob Hope.
Joy Fisher, Series Editor, said; "This is a pocket-sized reminder that Christmas starts with Christ and finds its home in
us. Christmas is for everyone - it's a time of miracles, hope, expectation, excitement and the most precious gift that
anyone can receive."
Christmas in Your Pocket is ideal for personal or group reflection, but churches are also encouraged to share the
Christmas spirit with their communities by giving the booklets away.
The whole range of In Your Pocket booklets (also including Prayer in Your Pocket and Hope in Your Pocket), are avail-
able from Methodist Publishing at £5 for 50 copies. They can be purchased online here: http://tinyurl.com/yen2zce/.

Sat 28 Nov –Carol Concert—Trinity Methodist Hull East Riding of Yorkshire Band and Endsleigh Holy Child Primary Choir
Fri 4 Dec– An Angels Delight—Saltmine Theatre Co– Milton Rooms Malton
Sat 5 Dec - York City Gospel Choir - A Joyful Celebration. A celebration of Christmas with the York City Gospel Choir.
Sing-a-long to favourite carols and hear a special gospel performance of "Hallelujah" from Handel's soulful Messiah!
Manor C E School, Millfield Lane, York, 7.30pm. Tickets from www.ycgc.org.uk.
Sat 5 Dec-Hot Gospel Choir—Willerby Methodist 7.30pm
Sat 5 Dec - Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at York Minster. York Musical Society will be performing this thrillingly festive work
in York Minster on Saturday 5th December at 7.30pm. Tickets (£7 – £18 with concessions) are available from York Min-
ster Box Office: 0844 939 0015; www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org
Sat 5 Dec - East Riding County Choir at Beverley Minster. East Riding County Choir will be performing Handel's Messiah
at 7.00 pm on Saturday 5th December at Beverley Minster. Tickets available from Beverley Tourist Information Centre
tel: 01482 391672 or at the door from 6.15 pm. For more information visit www.eastridingcountychoir.co.uk
Sat 5 Dec - In the Father’s Hand, St Paul's Church, Holgate, York, 2-4pm. A service to enable people with learning dis-
abilities to participate with others in exploring what God means to them. Full details on www.stpaulsyork.org.uk
Sat 5 Dec - Brass Band Concert at Bridlington Priory. For more information, visit http://www.bridlingtonpriory.co.uk/
Sat 5 Dec –Evening of Seasonal Music at Swanland Methodist –Ferriby ladies Choir & Christ Church Youth Band 7.30pm
Tues 8 Dec - A Christmas Celebration, Selby Abbey. Selby Communities and District Industrial Mission presents 'A Christmas Celebration',
with carols, readings and music with The Grimethorpe Colliery Band in Selby Abbey on Tuesday 8th December 2009 at 7.30pm Tickets
from: Selby Abbey shop; Abbey Travel, 3 New Lane, Selby; Scadim Office, Community House, Portholme Road, Selby.
Tues 8 Dec– Christmas Concert –Skidby & Little Weighton Meth—7.30pm Priory Park Singers
Fri 11 Dec - East Riding County Choir at St Peter's, Hutton Cranswick. The East Riding County Choir will be performing at St Peter's, Hutton
Cranswick, on Friday 11th December at 7:30pm. Tickets cost £5. For more details contact Revd Ruth Hind on 01377 270402 or ruth-
hind@tiscali.co.uk.
Fri 11 Dec - 'Messiah' at Bridlington Priory, with Bridlington Choral Society. For more information, visit http://www.bridlingtonpriory.co.uk/
Sunday 13th December Westborough Methodist Church Scarborough 2.00pm Scarborough Concert Band and
Gladstone Road School Choir- Music for Christmas
Sun 13th December Filey Methodist Church 3.00pm Filey Festival Singers 'Journey of Hope'
Mon 14 Dec - Fairburn Singers Christmas Concert at St Wilfrid’s Church in Monk Fryston. The Fairburn Singers will be presenting a festive
evening with all that is familiar from the Christmas Season, beginning at 7.30pm.
Fri 18th December Filey Methodist Church 7.00pm Filey Fishermans' Choir Carol Concert
Sat 19 Dec—Abbey Belles Concert—Snaith Methodist 7.30pm
Sat 19 Dec– On Christmas Night– Riding Lights Theatre Co—All Saints Church Hall Hessle 2.00pm [Tickets £5 adult £3 Children]-see
advert
Sat 19 Dec-Concert with York Railway Institute Band & Pocklington Choir 7.00pm Pocklington Methodist Church
Mon 21 Dec– Riding Lights Theatre Co—Nawon Memorial Hall [awaiting details]



Christmas Story Teller
This Christmas, an Aussie chap called Andy Wright who is a Biblical Storyteller will be visiting Hull East Circuit on the
weekend before Christmas. He will be taking part in the morning service at Bilton Grange on December 20th and in the
evening Carols by Candlelight at Kingston Wesley, then on the evening of Monday 21st , the Open Door Fellowship at
Bilton Grange. If you have never come across this form of devotion before, it will really open your ears to the story
you know only too well. Do come along on the Monday evening, a full house would be really great – there is no charge
though we will take an offering towards expenses.

ADVENT CALENDAR

Courtesy of our Friends at Damaris Media and Walden Media we
have an automated Advent Calendar on the District Web
Site .http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/news.php
This will run from 1st December to 24th and at present is show-
ing an extract and interview re the film Advertised above
―Nativity‖

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 offi-
cial 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.