APRIL YORSAY

Text version of Yorsay full pdf version is downloadable from www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk



Welcome to the April Edition
of Yorsay. I apologise that it
is later than normal but this
is due to the visit of David
Gamble to the District

We are in the run up to Local
and a General Election and
you will find an article in
these pages from the
Churches Regional Com-
mision on holding Election
meetings—I have available a
list of questions including
sources for information for
candidates . If you would like
a copy then just e mail me
and I will forward it on to
you.


APRIL 2010

With the President’s Visit in full swing there has not been an oppor-
tunity for Stephen to write a message for this edition
I take a copy of a recent entry from David & Richards Presidential-
Blog http://www.methodist-presandvp.blogspot.com/

Lambeth Palace on a bright spring afternoon makes a pretty impressive
venue for a meeting. As you arrive and leave you can't help but be aware
of the Palace of Westminster on the other side of the Thames.

Each year a meeting is held betweeen the President and Vice-President of the
Methodist Conference and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. This year's
meeting took place in Lambeth Palace. We were made most welcome and had the
chance to discuss many things relating to both our churches and to the wider Angli-
can and Methodist communions around the world.

(Pictured are:
Canon Jonathan Goodall, Vice-President Richard Vautrey, the Bishop of Guildford,
The Archbishop of York, Mr William Fittall, the President of the Conference, Canon
Dr Paul Avis, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Secretary of the Conference Martyn
Atkins, Assistant Secretary Ken Howcroft.)

A VERY HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL



The Vice President of the Methodist Conference
The President and Vice President of the Methodist Conference - Revd David Gamble and Dr Richard Vautrey - blog their year of office,
which started on 4 July 2009 at the annual Conference. Read about the places they visit, the people they meet and the issues that con-
cern them.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Sutton on Hull

This weekend I’ve gone from coast to coast, and the snow seems to have followed me. Today I made the
slow and careful journey along a snow-covered M62 to Sutton on Hull, in the York and Hull District, to
share in the 150th anniversary service of the building currently used by Sutton Methodists. There have
though been Methodists worshiping in Sutton for over 200 years.

It was worth the journey as I was given a wonderfully warm greeting and it was good to be able to cele-
brate together not just what has happened over the last 150 years, but also what God might have in
store in the years to come.

Following the service I shared in a faith lunch and was given the honour of cutting the anniversary cake. I then
headed to the bean bags on the stage where “Hot Chocolate” can usually be found meeting when they leave the
morning service. They are a group of 11 to 16 year olds and today they were also joined by the younger church
group “Milkshake”. We shared in hot chocolate and a wide ranging chat together. As the stage can be a drafty
place they presented me with a fleece blanket, which I thought might be useful for my journey home!

Local minister Rev Keith Borwick then took me to nearby Bran-
sholme, one of the largest council estates in the country and with
some of the highest levels of deprivation. We visited the small Meth-
odist Church on the estate which was full with a buzz of activity that
comes with Messy Church. We also met with Hull (East) Circuit super-
intendent Rev John Stanton. The church building has been subjected
to repeated vandalism, but the small but faithful congregation contin-
ues to meet weekly and the building is also well used by the local
community during the week. However they have recently started
Messy Church during the week, following the successful example at nearby Sutton, and they have attracted quite a number of new fami-
lies who wouldn’t otherwise come along to the Sunday service.

For one week only they’d kindly moved to a Sunday so I could join in. The session was lead by Children and Family Worker Julia Gaines,
and she was supported by her fiancé Matt who is also a lay worker but in neighbouring Hull (West) Cir-
cuit. They’d met at one of the annual Methodist Lay Workers conferences.
The theme for today was the prodigal son, and pigs formed the centre of the craft activities. This was
followed by an entertaining interpretation of the gospel story and then baked potatoes all-round. I have
picked up from quite a number of churches now about how successful Messy Church can be, and Bran-
sholme was no exception.

Posted by Richard Vautrey on the President & Vice President Blog site http://methodist-presandvp.blogspot.com/
Chair’s Coffee Morning

The Next Coffee Morning is on Saturday 17th April 10 am at
the Chair’s Manse 28 The Green Acomb York.


Haxby and Wigginton Scarecrow Festival 2010

The 4th Haxby and Wigginton Scarecrow Festival will be held on Saturday 1st May, Sunday 2nd May and Monday 3rd May 2010.
Trails (£2 per trail) will be available to purchase between 10.30 am and 4.30 pm on each of these days at Haxby and Wigginton
Methodist Church. There will be refreshments and light lunches served in the Methodist Church Hall until 6pm each day, and other
refreshment stops will be located on some of the trails. There will also be craft and children’s activities taking place throughout
the day.
To register to make a scarecrow and include it on one of our trails (closing date 31 March 2010), or for more information about
the event, please contact Rob or Steph Cooper on haxbyscarecrows@hotmail.com or 01904 761605, or complete our online regis-
tration form at: www.haxbyandwiggintonmethodistchurch.org.uk
All proceeds from the festival will be split between the DEC Haiti Appeal, Christian Aid and local community projects.
We’ll look forward to seeing you!

VISITING OTHER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT
Do you arrange coach parties from your Church to visit other areas within the District ?
Do you search around for places to eat or have a cup of tea ?

We may have the answer look on the Accommodation page of the District web site
http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/accom.php
Where not only are there Hotels Cottages and Holiday Flats but Churches offering teas etc for Coach parties

Why not try them out


Civil Partnerships could soon be held in church buildings as Peers in the House of Lords voted in favour of chang-
ing the Equality Bill .
The decision will allow, but not compel, religious organisations to host the occasions.
Peers voted by a majority of 74 in favour of the amendment and it will now move to the House of Commons for approval.
Gay rights campaigners welcomed the news as a step forward in the recognition of same-sex partnerships and equality, but the
vote has been met with criticism from some Church groups.
Don Horrocks, Head of Public Affairs for the Evangelical Alliance, this is not good news:
"We are definitely concerned about this. We are concerned because this is going back on the clear legislation that was passed just
a few years ago to keep secular and religious ceremonies separate."
However The Quakers have been campaigning for a change in the law since last year. Spokesperson Gillian Ashmore has this mes-
sage for all those opposed to the amendments:
"Why shouldn't those who are committing to such an important long-term relationship be able to do so in a way that is most mean-
ingful for them?
"There was interesting reference in the House of Lords last night to the importance of marriage and commitment and people hav-
ing serious relationships with each other. And that is as important for same-sex couples as opposite sex."
The Bishop of Bradford Rt Revd David James took part in the debate in the Lords last night. He's opposed to the changes and says
practicalities will be a problem:
"I as a minister in the Church of England can only take services in a C of E building according to the rights and practices of the
Church of England.
"To have registrars coming in doing civil services of partnership registrations in a place of worship cuts across that completely, but
it's also trying to cut across the distinction there is between civil partnerships and marriages."
He added that within human rights legislation marriage is something that is distinct and is not a civil partnership.
Civil partnerships were legalised in England and Wales by the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

PS An additional source of information has come to light that the Anglican Church is warning it’s clergy that they could be open to
legal proceedings if they refuse to hold a Civil Ceremony in their Churches on the Grounds of Discrimination—I will try to keep on
top of this and forward any further information as it comes to hand.

A MEL GIBSON Film

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
Released for the first time on BLU-RAY on 22 March

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST is a triumphant and uncompromising filmmaking achievement from Mel Gibson
that features stunning cinematography and an inspired performance by James Caviezel as Jesus Christ. is joined by
Monica Bellucci as Magdalen.
Released as both a two-disc special edition Blu-ray or DVD Definitive Edition set, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
is beautifully shot with amazing colours making this visual masterpiece picture perfect on blu -ray and gives the
viewer a more intense experience than ever before. The film picked up 17 awards including the People’s Choice
Award for Favourite Movie Drama and thirteen further nominations including three for the Academy Awards®. A box
office phenomenon and equally controversial, the film’s Aramaic, Latin and Hebrew dialogue makes it the highest
grossing non-English language film in history.
This profound story of courage and sacrifice depicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus Christ (Caviezel). The
film begins in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus has gone to pray after sitting the Last Supper where he must
resist the temptations of Satan. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot, Jesus is then arrested and taken within the city walls of Jerusa-
lem where leaders of the Pharisees confront him with accusations of blasphemy and his trial results in a condemnation
to death by crucifixion. This feast for the eyes two-disc set is loaded with special features including; two versions of the
film, the original theatrical version and a version edited for graphic depictions, making of featurette, deleted
scenes, audio commentaries and enhanced viewing material plus much more. Would You like to win a
copy [BLUE RAY ONLY ] courtesy of Premier PR and Icon Home Entertainment Releases Then answer
the following question
What was the date of the original release of the film ”The Passion of The Christ”
Answers to bob_lawe@hotmail.com
[The winner will be the first correct answer received by my time code on my e mails – The prize is only as
offered and is only on BLUE RAY and is courtesy of Premier Public Relations and Icon Home Entertainment
No alternative prize is available and the judge’s decision is final. All participating in this competition agree by
default to abide by these rules.]




The Bar Convent Trust would like to invite you to join them for an evening of sacred and secular mu-
sic to help raise funds for the Jubilee 400 Heritage Project. The project is aiming to raise £500,000 to
renovate and reinvigorate the Bar Convent Museum by 2011 and you can find out more http://
www.bar-convent.org.uk/index.htm

present
AN EASTER CONCERT
in the
Bar Convent Chapel
on
Saturday 27th March 7.30PM


The choir will perform a variety of music to celebrate Easter with sacred to more secular works in the beautiful
surroundings of the Bar Convent Chapel.
Tickets are £12 including a glass of wine and savouries
This is a fundraising event on behalf of
the Jubilee 400 Heritage Project.
To book your tickets, or for more information, please contact Lynn Gale on 01904
643238 email: reception@bar-convent.org.uk
Registered charity number 294320
General and Local elections: many churches and churches together groups are arranging hustings. For information
about how to do this, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have prepared material to help churches and Chris-
tians in general to prepare for a General Election, when it is called. It is at www.churcheselection.org.uk Here you can
find: Faith in Politics, a 16-page guide to some of the key policy areas likely to be debated in the run up to polling
day. Planning a hustings meeting is CTBI’s advice to local church based groups who are thinking about organising a
community hustings. This builds on the experience of Churches Together groups planning and running events like
this at General Elections for more than 30 years. Hustings meetings do not need to invite all the candidates – see be-
low. TPractical resources including organising an election forum can be found at.www.makethecrosscount.com
Extremist parties: the CRC have just published their BNP briefing paper, updated for this year’s election. See the CRC
website. This provides resources, information and ideas for churches where extremist candidates are operating or
standing, with information about the Yorkshire and Humber context. The Methodist Church website has a section on
Countering Political Extremism .The Church of England have recently published a Guidance Note on Countering Far-
Right Political Parties, Extremist Groups and Racist Politics. The Electoral Commission advises hustings organisers
who are organising an event open to the public or who are thinking about not inviting all the candidates to contact
them as soon as possible to make sure that the proper rules are followed. Contact information is available here.

Christian Guild restructure plan
CHRISTIAN hotel and holiday company Christian Guild has announced plans for a major restructure that includes the clo-
sure
and sale of some of its assets.
As part of these plans, the Derbyshire-based firm has already shut down one of its hotels - Moorlands Hotel in Whitby,
North Yorkshire.
The hotel, which had been part of the Christian Guild group for more than half a century, was closed early March
and will now be sold for £475,000.
Chairman Martin Ellis commented: "After careful consideration and discussion, the board of directors unanimously
agreed to the sale of Moorlands ... We have notified all staff directly affected by this decision and we will be working
with them to explore options available to each individual.
"We will also be contacting those customers who have already booked to stay at Moorlands and we will be offering them
alternative accommodation at one of our other hotels or a full refund."
Moorlands Hotel, Whitby, is being sold in the restructure.
Christian Guild's restructure scheme also means that surplus land at Treloyhan Manor Hotel in Cornwall and Derwent House,
a building within the grounds of Willersley Castle in Derbyshire, will also be sold, subject to planning approval.
Mr Ellis said that the move was part of the company's strategy to help to expand the business in the future.
The money generated from these sales will be used to raise further finance to reinvest in the company's remaining
hotels and to improve guest facilities.
There will be an opportunity to celebrate Moorlands Hotel at a service of thanksgiving, due to be held at the hotel
on March 26 at 11 am.
[Article from The Methodist Recorder 18th March 2010]
Methodist Heritage Handbook launched
The new full-colour Methodist Heritage Handbook is now available.
It gives details of over 100 different historic houses, monuments, chapels and other
places of interest in England, Scotland and Wales that have shaped the story and iden-
tity of the people called Methodists. Discover how Methodism grew into a worldwide
Christian Church. Find out how Methodism has influenced the nation’s spiritual, social
and industrial development since the 18th century, and how it speaks with relevance to
today’s world.
Launched officially at the Best of Britain & Ireland show (19-20 March 2010 at Olympia,
London), you can also obtain your copy of the handbook free of charge by emailing Jo
Hibbard. Use it to visit historic Methodist places in Britain, either by yourself or by organising a trip for your church or
circuit.
FACTS TRIVIA
As most of you will have seen on the District web site there is in the left hand column on most pages a graphic that
says where Visitors to the web site come from. This Graphic has been on the site now in its present form for 1 year
and in that time we have been visited by people from 108 countries throughout the world. In the week 14th to 20th
March we had visitors from 14 different countries and several from the same country. The outreach of the web is dra-
matic.


Friday
7th
May
7:30pm
ADMISSION
£10 inc
refreshments




With
Mart Rodger
Manchester Jazz
Wetherby Methodist Church Hall
Proceeds for the Reaching Out Development Fund


For Tickets Phone:
01937 573167


(Like a Beetle drive but you draw a bunny instead)

Tuesday 30th March 2010
6.30pm—8.30pmTrinity Methodist
Church Hull
£1 including refreshments
Organised by 24th Hull Boys’ Brigade to raise money for
the young people to go to camp


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 © 2010 York & Hull Methodist District – All
rights reserved.