Yorsay April 2011

Text Version of the Monthly Magazine Yorsay -full version on http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/index.php?cid=75&pid=23


Welcome to the April Edition
of Yorsay.


APRIL 2011

YORSAY April 2011
From the Chair’s Desk
Well – I am well and truly hooked on reading the Bible! You may be
reassured to hear that, or wonder why I start with such a statement.
Regular readers of YORSAY will know about the commitment made by
a number of us to read the whole Bible during 2011 – the 400th
Anniversary of the King James Bible.
Since last month, we have completed Leviticus and we are well into
Numbers. In the New Testament, we have completed Mark and we are
now reading Luke‟s Gospel. Psalms and Proverbs continue to
accompany each day‟s readings. It is an addictive business, and I do
hope that many more people will catch the habit as it is never too late to
join in. I have even found myself enjoying dipping into my commentary
on Leviticus and Numbers as I read the Bible.
And during Lent in particular, I have decided to do some other reading. I
have started with Roy Hattersley‟s biography of John Wesley – A Brand
from the Burning. In some ways it is a “warts and all” account of
Wesley‟s life and influence, but I have been gripped by the story. For
many of us, our Christian discipleship is lived out within the Methodist
tradition, and John Wesley is of course a crucial figure in our history.
Throughout the British Methodist Church, discipleship is a major theme
for us. During 2011 – this year of the Bible – we are grounded in
Scriptural Discipleship. I do believe that we need to rediscover our
roots. As Methodist Christians that means grounding our faith in
Scripture, as well as in the Wesleyan tradition which continues to
nurture us and resource our Christian journey.
I hope you will capture something of the excitement of this Year of the
Bible, and that Lent is providing for you an opportunity to deepen your
own faith.

Every blessing
Stephen Burgess
District Chair

'Nobody is treading water by BARRY WEETMAN
[From Methodist Recorder 3rd March 2011
"POTENTIALLY huge strides forward" for the Anglican-Methodist Covenant relationship are likely to be outlined within the next 18
months and the Methodist Church will be expected to take them very seriously, says the General Secretary of the Church, the R ev Dr
Martyn Atkins.
Dr Atkins, who is now half-way through the five-year appointment that includes being Secretary of the Conference, has assured the
Methodist Recorder that "nobody is treading water" in terms of formal ecumenical progress. He said he was optimistic about progress,
although some people thought talks on relationships with other Churches were dragging on.
"There are some serious questions we are asking the Church of England that they are taking seriously. There are serious questions Anglicans
are asking of the Methodist Church that we must take seriously, possibly more seriously than we have done to date," said Dr Atkins.
Relationship
He continued: "I find that, in the next year to 18 months, the joint implementation committee of that Covenant relationship will be bringing
to us potentially huge strides forward and we will be asked again how seriously we are committed to this relationship. The Methodist
Church and the Church of England will again have to reassess or reassert it, or how you do otherwise with it."
In line with "Our Priorities" the General Secretary's personal commitment is to a Methodist future that lay in partnership with others
wherever possible.
He said: "We should never want to see the end of the Methodist movement. There are people who believe every time you make a statement
like this you somehow have a death wish for Methodism.
"I have no death wish for Methodism but I do not have an isolationist view that my job, or the calling of God of the Methodis t people, is
somehow to be empire-building here as distinct from what God is doing in the Christian constituency and broader society generally."
Giving his views on big questions surrounding the outward agenda, "the big agenda" of the Methodist Church, the General Secretary said it
was very much linked to recognising the Church was a "small part of a thing called the Body of Christ" as it existed in the UK as one
faith among many rather than as a Christian monopoly.
The contemporary hugely diverse and rich culture presented all sorts of opportunities and challenges, he suggested.
Witness
According to Dr Atkins, how to articulate and bear witness to God's goodness and love in Christ within that context - together with inviting
people to share the perspective the Christian Gospel brought to life - was the "big thing" for the Methodist Church, every Methodist
disciple, local congregation, District officer and the Connexional Team.
He explained: "We do this in very subtle and clear ways . There is a clear secularist agenda as well as a clear and clearly-spoken humanist
agenda. I do not dissent from the right of those things. It is in that context, as from the Early Church to this day, God asks us to be good
disciples.
"For the Methodist Church, that has always involved not just an interior piety for us, but also as a body politic in Connexion. It has always
caused us to be involved rather than not - with all the communities, with our society, with the big issues of the day and to bear testimony
honourably in that as to what it means to be Christian."
Asked whether, as Methodists, we are getting any better at this and whether it relates to signs the Methodist Church could be a growing
denomination, the General Secretary said we were getting better in the sense of understanding our culture. He referred to statements on
behalf of the Church to the Gambling Commission as an indication of this.
"For a long time we acted as a Church, as did other Christian groupings and people, as if our present time was like a previous time that could
loosely be described in sociological and missional terms as the Christendom context," he remarked.
Dr Aktins continued: "This means the Church is allowed to be outspoken and expects people to listen to it, can shout and expect people to
stop, whereas nowadays we know the Christian voice has become more marginalised.
"It takes its place among several other voices and the Church has taken a long while to get used to it This does not mean out -and-out
rejection, but it does mean it has to use its voice and understand its position vis-a-vis society in different and more subtle ways. We are now
getting better at working out what a Christian prophetic voice might be."
The annual count of Church members is now replaced by "statistics for mission" and the General Secretary likes the idea that fewer people
are "beating themselves up" about numbers in the Church when currently there are lots of people belonging to Methodist churches who are
not historically Methodist.
Buildings were included in the phenomena associated with church growth and the General Secretary said the stock of church buildings
continued to shrink. The present number, about 5,500, should continue to shrink because of the Methodist constituency and the challenges
of its mission.
Discernment
Dr Atkins observed: "That is not to say I know which ones should go and how they should go. That is for the discernment of Methodists
where they are."
However, he is currently General Secretary of a Church where membership is "much more bottoming out than it has been for the last
30-40 years". Alongside this ; statistic there are many people who regularly worship with Methodist groups as committed Christian
disciples who were not Methodist members.
Reflecting on this, Dr Atkins said: "We are currently trying to reimage and recast membership as something that is appropriate, apt, exciting
and relevant for people living within a Methodist Christian grouping.
"Empirical and anecdotal evidence suggests to us that when we get all the things right - our involvement in new forms of church, in
Fresh Expressions and in pioneering ministry, in very important things like making our premises better, making worship more awesome in a
sense of deep and mysterious and godly - Methodism is becoming numerically stronger in a number of places. It is undoubtedly becoming
deeper and more effective in its discipleship in a whole host of places."
Evidence
The General Secretary said he was not given to "empty spin" Different pictures of Methodism could be gained depending on which three or
30 case studies were looked at; to those who feared Methodism was "dead in the water" this was not his perception or evidence. He is a great
believer in natural ecumenism and community cohesion projects.
Everywhere, there are increasing signs of living, deepening and healthy discipleship \dth churches engaging in mission in every District and
circuit. There are equally communities that seem to be declining, ageing, tired and dying away, he noted.
However, as the Coalition Government talked so much about the "Big Society" Dr Atkins stated that he was very proud of the am ount of
"voluntaryism and voluntaryness" represented in Methodist disciples up and down the country, which meant the Church "punched well
beyond our weight"
Furthermore, he believes that, like the Government, the Church is only just beginning to discover what the phrase "Big Societ y" means as it
takes place during a time of huge national debt and international recession affecting people in different ways. Whatever else it seemed to be,
the Coalition Government seemed to be saying: "We want to be smaller and we want to be less prescriptive about what happens in various
places. Therefore we are devolving responsibility to various places."
The big question for churches came in assessing the priorities and how best they should use the available resources, Dr Atkins suggested.
Methodism, because of its very engagement with society, had developed partnerships with local charities and councils part-funding projects
up and down the land. Next year or the year after, the question would be "What do we do about this or that project?"
Commenting further on this, Dr Atkins said: "My own feeling is that, as a Church, we cannot yet be in a position to be openly critical of the
'Big Society,' as if we suspect every motive of it. Neither can we be fully embracing of it because we do not know every motive and effect of
it.

"What we can do - and what I would urge local Methodist Christians to do - is consider the ministries in which they are involved, work out
how many projects will already be challenged and what is the godly and possible response."
Congregation
He also urged people never to underestimate what a local congregation or community might do and the partnerships churches might make in
times of extreme difficulty.
On a domestic level, the Methodist Church at present has a renewed emphasis on discipleship - an area in which Dr Atkins has played a key
role. The "Discipleship" initiative within the Church is still in its infancy, he said. He was careful to say it was not an initiative of "Martyn
Atkins"
The General Secretary regards the initiative as having arisen out of "Holiness and Risk Gathering" and contributions from hug e numbers of
sources. People were concerned that Methodists should honour their tradition, have a better narrative about themselves and should want to
remain connected and engaged while finding contemporary ways of being the best disciples of Jesus Christ, both individually a nd as a
movement.
To some, the word "disciple" may have appeared old-fashioned and it could be that new ways of articulating what it means will have to be
found; nevertheless, its pedigree within Christianity and the Methodist movement was a recognisable starting point.
Dr Atkins said: "I have unashamedly been a champion of this discipleship initiative by saying I think Methodism, at its best and in its heart,
understands itself as being a discipleship movement, by which I mean a missional movement within the whole Christian Church of disciples.
"This is a big agenda. It is not at all a narrow thing. It allows Methodists to find their place, both in terms of their own piety and their
belonging in societies called churches alongside other churches, and manages to capture the outward urge that is in Methodism."
Dr Atkins related this to the international dimension of Methodism and to events in Britain revealing evidence that the Holy Spirit was still
breathing through this community of people called Methodists. It was an act of faithlessness where and whenever this went unr ecognised.
Initiative
The General Secretary sees the "Discipleship" initiative as an agenda to bring Christians back to a place of openness to God, discernment of
God, the challenge and the call of God, whatever time or place this was happening. It was more than he could have hoped for if the booklet on
discipleship, which he has written, is helping the many people who, feedback suggested, are using it in house groups and in courses.
The Connexion and Connexional Team now have to assess, from the kinds of messages given out, what resources and tools would b e most
useful as people pursued discipleship.
"I think the agenda of 'discipleship' and the agenda of the Connexional Team since 2008 has been about a constant discourse with the Church,
through the Conference and through listening, through me going on the road, through the Methodist Council," said Dr Atkins, responding
to a question about "Our Priorities'!
He believes this was basically sharing together a narrative "that says 'If we can't do everything, what do we do? If we can't be everything, then
what don't we be? If we try to be everything to everybody, then who are we?' I would much sooner put our real efforts into three, four or five
things the rest of the Church discerns as needing to be resourced than do 64 things of which none make any real difference."
Two-and-half years on from taking on the role of General Secretary, Dr Atkins says it was "a great gift and providential" being President of the
Conference in the preceding year.
He has since found that a greater overview of the Conexion and its different layers means the General Secretary usually picks up the
discontent of Methodism before its good news stories
He found greater expectations and greater constitutional clarity about the job with its management commitment associated with the
Conexional Team and the life of the Connexion.
Dr Atkins was then asked how he felt about being thought of as "the man at the top!
He responded: "This may really sound pious, but I recite it to myself because I really need to do so: I am a disciple of Christ, a servant of God
who was called into the Methodist ministry and stands sometimes in awe of what I finished up doing, when all I thought I was going to do was
to be pastor of a church.
"Where God calls God equips. This doesn't mean everybody is perfect, although it does mean you are given the resources to do these things. I
see myself as a person under the responsibility of the Conference, charged with various responsibilities on behalf of our Church as we try to
discern what God is saving to us and as we follow and release this. "
Authority
Line-management authority is part of the General Secretary's task and in some cases the buck stops with him. In the Church's collegiate style
of leadership, he constantly takes soundings from District Chairs and talks to Connexional Team staff.
He recognises that both himself and the Connexional Team have a curious role in being expected to lead and resource as well as listen and
respond.
"In the Connexional Team and in my own ministry, that is what we try to do. So I do not like the notion of 'top', but neither am I somehow
falsely suggesting we are all in the gutter and somebody kicks us about. It is not like that either," he remarked.
Requirements
Never once as General Secretary has he felt the requirements of the Methodist Church being in conflict with what he perceived to be the
requirements of God: "I am not the kind of person who has a kind of dualism, of saying the Church set out to do this although I really want to
do that.
"As with all of us, there are things where there is slight discrepancy. I have never ever in two-and-a-half years had to stand up and say there
was something I profoundly disagreed with."
Recalling an outstanding event of the last 12 months, Dr Atkins said he welcomed the visit to the UK of Pope Benedict, was grateful for it and
pleased that it had such a beneficial effect in conveying what it meant to be a Christian community
in a society like ours.
In his view, the Papal visit helped convey the sense of mystery and purpose: what it meant to
believe in God in a society where lots of people did not believe and many who would like to
believe. He commented: "The Pope, because of his very standing in world leadership and world
faith terms, was able to bring that centre-stage to the minds and places where I and others could
not. We ride on this because in that sense it is a shared agenda."
When asked how he envisaged the Church 10 years hence, the General Secretary responded by
saying: "Some of the best things will be in what is yet only a twinkle in God's eye."
While stating he was wary of answering such a question, Dr Atkins said: "I want to see a
Methodism that has demonstrably been shaped in its spirit and in its structures by what it has
genuinely perceived God has asked it to be and become. So I am looking for a Church that is
obedient to what it discerns. I think of a key phrase in Scripture: 'It seemed good to us and to the
Holy Spirit"'
Brave
He continued: "I want a Church that is brave enough to genuinely ask the questions of what it
means to be a missional, discipleship movement
in Britain in the 21st century, cherishing the past but not dogged by it. I want a Church open to the
challenges of the future with the DNA of fervency, vibrancy, passion, commitment, self-giving, self
-sacrifice and engagement."
As the Church was currently emerging, some of it would have survived and some of it would not,
but the General Secretary observed: "I don't believe the Church will disappear because I just do not
believe the superficial rhetoric of somewhat nai've GCSE-level statistics that says: 'If by 2043 there
will be no Methodists left, will the last one at home put the lights out!"
© Methodist Recorder 2011


TRAVEL TO SYNOD Disruption ???

Please Note that at present there are long term road works on the A614 with Boothferry Bridge being closed to all traffic
and Diversions in operation. The work is due to take 10 weeks and the weekend of Synod is the last weekend that the
closure is supposed to be taking place. Also the A19 at Selby Toll Bridge is closed until 22nd May 2011. Please use the
BBC travel unit [ Humberside or York ] to obtain the latest details.

News Release

15 March 2011

Church responds to cries for help in Japan
•Methodist Church launches appeal following earthquake
The Methodist Church‟s World Mission Fund has launched an appeal on behalf of its partner church in
Japan following the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that struck on Friday (March 11).
Reports from the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) reveal that the 8.9 magnitude earthquake,
which has left more than 10,000 people missing, has damaged at least 36 churches in the affected
Sendai region.
Teruki Takada, a representative for the UCCJ, reported that the UCCJ established a relief planning
team on March 12. The team arrived in Sendai on March 13 and visited the sites of the local churches
in the area.
Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, said: “It is not possible to comprehend
the scale of this disaster. Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters there. Our Mission Partners in
Japan are safe and well, but they are worried about people they know in the north and on the coast. I
have assured my colleagues at UCCJ that Methodists in Britain and Ireland are praying for them and
that we will respond to their financial appeal.”
Revd Makoto Kato, the Executive Secretary for Ecumenical Ministries at UCCJ, said:
“We truly appreciate your deep concern and encouraging prayer following the gigantic earthquake
which we have never ever experienced before. Churches in Tokyo are okay, but we are still not able
to get contact with people in Sendai where the earthquake hit most severely. Please keep on praying
for us”.
People can donate to the World Mission Fund appeal via the Methodist Church Just Giving page or by
sending a cheque payable to the World Mission Fund to Steve Pearce, World Church Relationships,
at Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR. Postal donations should be
labelled „Japan Appeal‟. If you are a UK taxpayer, you can Gift Aid your donation, which allows us to
reclaim the tax you have already paid. Just include a completed Gift Aid form with your donation.

DO YOU HAVE ANY UNWANTED CHRISTIAN BOOKS OR BIBLES?
Before you send your unwanted books to a charity shop or to the Church Fayre
THINK - BOOK AID
Book Aid is a charity that collects and distributes Christian books and Bibles to Christian organisations throughout the world where
people cannot afford such books themselves. More than one million Bibles and books are being sent every year to Africa, Asia and
the Caribbean. These areas are experiencing tremendous church growth but are being starved of the basic spiritual food that we take
for granted in the UK - Christian Bibles and literature. There is a real Book Famine in these areas and we could do so much to help.
Look around your house or your Church. Are there books you don't need, books you don't use or books you simply want to get rid of?
If so, to arrange a convenient collection arrangement, pick up the phone and contact:
Tony Service on (01757) 707530
Alternatively, Tony will be at the May 2011 Synod in Goole and would be pleased to accept any Bibles and Christian books you may
wish to donate to Book Aid.
If you want to know more about Book Aid, or how you can help financially, Tony will be able to provide further information. Prayer for
the work of Book Aid is always valued.


P a g e 6

NO PAIN NO GAIN

A Circuit Minister in the Pickering Circuit, Revd Peter Cross discovered the truth of the old adage that there is no gain wit hout pain
recently when he agreed to help raise money for a charity trip to Mexico by some young people from the Church. He agreed that if they
could raise £100 in sponsorship then he would submit to having his chest hair removed by waxing. The target was easily reache d and
eventually Peter Raised £175 for the cause.

The three young people from Pickering will be travelling to Mexico in a few weeks time, with the organisation "Urban Saints" (formerly
Crusaders) as part of a national scheme to build houses for one of the 800,000 homeless families who lack a basic secure plac e to
live in that country. The cost of the trip is well over £1,000 each, but they have now raised the entire amount through their own hard
work and generous support from members of the church both present and past.

The waxing took place at a coffee morning on 5th March. Before it Peter was heard to say. "Most of my sponsors are women who
readily agreed and gave me a sort of look that suggested they knew something I didn't. But it can't hurt that much can it?" A fterwards
he was unavailable for comment but was later seen in the local chemist buying large tubes of soothing cream.

For more information on the House building Project visit http://www.facebook.com/l/97a85Dd5nRgQtt52zGLDNoCVF3g/
www.urbansaints.org and click the "Rebuild" button or alternatively http://www.facebook.com/l/97a85Hq9PiUyCifEY_dfQfi3Qug/
www.amor.org


P a g e 7

NEWS RELEASE
Bigger Conversations
Time to dust off your Bible for 2011‟s Big Read

People across Great Britain are getting ready to take a fresh look at the Gospel of Matthew during Lent with the Big Read.

The Big Read is part of the Big Bible project, an online digital community that promotes regular Bible reading and engagement
with contemporary culture. After the success of last year‟s Big Read, which was based in the North East, this year‟s project is
bigger and better as it aims for a wider outreach.

This year the project takes full advantage of social media tools like Twitter and Facebook, as well as adding multimedia
resources available through the Big Bible blog, with a „blend‟ of physical and digital materials. The latest statistics show that the
website has more than doubled its visitors between November 2010 and February 2011*.
The Project is launching this year‟s Big Read with Tom Wright's Lent for Everyone: Matthew. As well as using the book, house
groups will be able to take advantage of free online study materials from a range of contributors, including week-by-week group
resources, videos and audio reflections, and a challenge to carry that learning through the week. The Big Bible website also
allows people to discuss the text with people all over the world, from a range of different perspectives.
Bex Lewis, Big Bible Project Manager: “People become really comfortable in their own house groups, staying in the same one
for years. The Big Read offers another layer of conversation in the online forums, where they can engage with others and
where thinking can be challenged.”
Revd Dr Peter Phillips, CODEC: “Researchers at Durham University have found that although three quarters of the population
own at least one Bible, only one fifth of people commit to reading it week by week. BigBible offers a great opportunity to dust
off your bible, share with your friends and neighbours and learn more about what God wants for your life.”


Methodist Heritage now Online
The Methodist Heritage Handbook is now online at www.methodistheritage.org.uk. There you can check out all our
heritage sites, events and news, as well as the Heritage blog.

SPRING DAY

YORK AND HULL DISTRICT
WOMEN’S NETWORK
SOON TO BE
METHODIST WOMEN in BRITAIN

at
Thornton-le-Dale Methodist
Church
on
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
Speakers: Rev. Brice and Mrs.
Judith Herbert.
Coffee from 10a.m. for 10.30 start.
Finish at 3p.m. approximately.
Green and Yellow Bring and Buy.
You will be very welcome!


FASHION SHOW
Introducing
CHERRYS COUNTRY CLOTHING
Of North Frodingham
Fashions for Ladies, Gents & Children (Joules – Aigle)

GET AHEAD HATS
Of Snainton
Jewellery – Handbags – Shoes

Friday 15th April – The Old Town Hall Driffield – at 7.00pm
Raffle
Tickets £5.00 – including a glass of wine or fruit juice
Tickets available in February from Joy Ewbank and Gill Hara
Telephone 01377 256450 or 252286
All proceeds to the Driffield Methodist Church Improvement Fund.

A SUMMER OF YORKSHIRE VOICES
PERFORMING AT SEAMER METHODIST CHAPEL
EASTGATE, SEAMER, Nr SCARBOROUGH
SAT 2nd APRIL – DALESMAN SINGERS
SAT 21st MAY – STEPHEN, PAUL & FRIENDS
SAT 18th JUNE – LEALHOLM LADIES CHOIR
SAT 23rd JULY – NEWTON MENS CHOIR
SAT 24th SEPT – DRIFFIELD MALE VOICE CHOIR
All at 7.30pm. Admission £5 which includes a bit of supper.

For more information ring Margaret on 01723 863341 or Ron on
01723 355656

All proceeds to Chapel building fund

A WARM WELCOME TO ALL

March 2011

Welcome to the March 2011 edition of Singing the Faith News
'Pre-publication prices' offer extended
In light of the new publication date for the music edition (changing from June to September this year), I am pleased to confirm that
the „pre-publication prices' offer period has been extended to 31 December 2011. This offer applies to all four editions of the hymn
book ordered direct from Methodist Publishing. (Please note: The decision to extend the offer was made after the sampler
published, so this still shows 30 September as the deadline.)
Singing the Faith Plus
I am delighted to announce that Laurence Wareing has just been appointed as Editor for Singing the Faith Plus – our new online
resource that will launch alongside the printed collection. Laurence will be responsible for coordinating the content of this free
website. Laurence is a freelance writer and editor with a background in management and media production. He brings to this new
role a broad commitment to singing in worship that builds both on his involvement in worship both as an experienced musician
and as a Methodist Local Preacher.
Singing the Faith Plus will play a pivotal role in providing new and additional resources for those using the core, printed collection.
Although access to either the hymn book and/or the website will not be mutually dependent, Singing the Faith Plus will offer a
range of extra resources related to the core hymn collection. For example, it will signpost commended new material, contain
commissioned hymns responding to topical events and showcase new talent.
Until now, the main focus of work on the website has been the development of a search function. This will enable you to search
the contents of the printed collection using different categories eg age range, festivals and seasons and Methodist Church „special
Sundays‟. There will also be separate lectionary and scripture indexes, as well as week-by-week hymn and song suggestions. (If
you do not have easy access to the Internet, the printed music edition will contain a set of indexes.)
Further information on how you can get involved with the website will appear in a later edition of this newsletter.
Sampler events
Since the last edition of this newsletter, the sampler has published and orders subsequently despatched. We have received lots of
complimentary comments and continue to receive many orders. At present, there are over 11,000 copies in circulation!
Do let me know if you are using the sampler at a forthcoming event and you think the event could benefit from a little publicity. We
are going to create an events diary on www.singingthefaith.org.uk and we would be happy to publicise your event here.
Methodist Prayer Handbook - 'hymn of the day'
Some of you may have seen recently a letter in the Methodist Recorder referring to the Methodist Prayer Handbook. It asked
whether the „hymn for the day‟ will still be taken from Hymns & Psalms. The 2011-12 Handbook Run the Race will use references
from Hymns and Psalms, but the 2012-13 and subsequent editions will use Singing the Faith content for the „hymn of the day‟.

And finally...

I have had a sneak preview of what the final version of the music edition will look like. A „printer‟s dummy‟ was presented at a
recent production meeting. It looks wonderful! It is going to be photographed so that you, and the wider Church, can see it too.
We are moving ever closer to finalising the page extent and dimensions of the book. As soon as this has all been confirmed, you
will be the first to know.
Kind regards
Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR 020 7486 5501 (Help Desk)
Registered charity no. 1132208


Religious education is under threat in our secondary schools...
And we need your help to protect it!

GCSE Religious Education was excluded from the English Baccalaureate- a crucial new gold standard curriculum introduced
in secondary schools across England.

Despite the subject's popularity, academic rigour and ability to teach young people about other faiths and cultures- it is now
in danger of being marginalised.

To get involved please visit: www.reactcampaign.co.uk

FESTIVAL WORSHIP led by REV PETER KINDLEYSIDES
CELEBRATION WORSHIP with THE FESTIVAL SINGERS led by REV JOHN McCARTHY
MALCOLM HUGHES with some of our TALENTED YOUNGSTERS
CATHERINE SIGN (FLUTE) QUARTET & THE SEVEN SISTERS
FILEY SCHOOL ORCHESTRA, CHOIR & SOLOISTS
THE DOUG STEWART BAND
SCARBOROUGH CONCERT BAND sponsored by Mr. Ray Williams
FILEY HANDBELL RINGERS
MARTIN HEWITT (PIANO) & PHILIP MINDENHALL (VIOLIN)
CHANTICLEER SINGERS
DRIGHLINGTON BRASS BAND at the Bandstand (weather permitting)

Lunchtime Concerts 12.30 – 1.30 pm £3. Evening Concerts 7.30 pm £5.
Season Tickets £25 (Covering all Events during Festival Week) Patrons £30
01723 516568
LIGHT LUNCHES SERVED EACH DAY FROM 11.30 TO 12.30
FRIDAY 27TH MAY
7.30 PM CEILIDH with ‘THE HUNTMAN’S CHORUS’
SATURDAY 28th MAY
7.30 PM HULL MALE VOICE CHOIR (CENTENARY YEAR)
SUNDAY 29th MAY
10.30 AM
2.30 PM ‘SIMPLY BRASS’ sponsored by Filey Lions
6.00 PM
MONDAY 30th MAY
12.30 PM
7.30 PM
TUESDAY 31st MAY
12.30 PM
7.30 PM
WEDNESDAY 1st JUNE
12.30 PM FILEY FISHERMEN’S CHOIR
7.30 PM
THURSDAY 2nd JUNE
12.30 PM
7.30 PM ‘GOSPEL EVENING’ STEVE & JANICE SMITH and GUEST MICHELLE SMITH
FRIDAY 3rd JUNE
12.30 PM ‘WORDS & MUSIC’ GEOFF DRUETT (READINGS), DR. TIM RAYMOND (PIANO) & DAVID OWEN-LEWISS (BASS-
BARITONE)
7.30 PM
SATURDAY 4th JUNE
10 AM TO 12 NOON ‘COFFEE MORNING’ WITH DANCERS
7.30 PM
SUNDAY 5th JUNE
10.30 AM ‘TOP 10 HYMNS 2011’ led by Rev CHRIS KIRKMAN
2.30 PM
7.00 PM ‘LAST NIGHT of the FESTIVAL. (£6 including Flag) with DRIGHLINGTON BRASS BAND
Sponsored by Filey Town Council)
DANCING 4-ALL CLASSES led by Carole Gerada will take place each morning from 10.30 to 11.30 am Monday to Friday.

Fashion Show at Holy Trinity Church, Hull

More Th an Gold

As part of their planning towards the
Olympics in 2012, One Voice York
has invited Jon Burns, UK Director of
„More than Gold‟ to speak on how
churhes can use the Olympics as a
mission opportunity.

You are invited to attend his
presentation on Wednesday 27 April
at St. Columba‟s United Reformed
Church, York at 9.15am. Tickets
must be booked: contact Juliet
Wright on 07811 496602 or
wright.juliet@googlemail.com.

Holy Trinity Church, Hull, will host a
fashion show on 30th April as the
highlight of Hull's Fashion Week,
organised by Hull BID.

The Fashion Week runs from 25-30
April, is intended to promote local
fashion retailers and associated
businesses in the city and to boost
trade for the city‟s leisure sector.

The Revd Neal Barnes, Vicar of Holy
Trinity Church said, “We're
delighted to be hosting the Hull BID
fashion show. A fashion show is
about creativity and colour and
music and I think it's important that
the church celebrates local creativity
and supports the local economy.”


Since the 1996 Atlanta Games,
the
Christian community‟s
involvement
with the world‟s major
sporting
events has been under the
banner of
“More than Gold”, established in the
UK as a charitable trust in 2008 and
supported by all the main
denominations as well as over 60
Christian organisations and mission
agencies.
You can find out more at
www.morethangold.org.uk.

The Ryedale Christian Council are holding a one-day conference at Alban Roe House, Ampleforth Abbey, on 30th April 2011. The day
runs from 9.30am (arrival/coffee) with the conference commencing at 10.15a.m. finishing with a short ecumenical service at 3.45pm
followed by refreshments.
Our morning speaker will be the Rt. Rev & Rt. Hon. Lord John Habgood, former Archbishop of York, member of the Ethics
Committee, writer and well-known speaker on matters of science, ethics and spirituality. In the afternoon, Mrs Pauline Dodsworth will
make a power point presentation. She is a practising Marie Curie nurse and lecturer at the Leeds School of Nursing as well as being
involved with the Universities of East Anglia and Cardiff.
Both speakers will cover a variety of ethical matters, the emphasis of the day being on the sanctity of the whole of life, not just the birth
and death issues that are often brought to our attention. Following the presentations by each speaker, there will be group discussions
and an opportunity for sharing with the whole conference questions that may arise during discussion.
All are welcome to attend. The cost of the day will be £10 per person. Please bring a packed lunch, but all drinks/biscuits are provided.
For further details and booking form please visit www.ryedalechristiancouncil.org.uk and click on Conference 2011 or phone Mike Gray
01751 431338

Yorsay is sent on behalf of the York & Hull Methodist District by the Communications Office
Bob Lawe 27 Ryde Avenue Hull Hu5 1QA 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 © 2011 York & Hull Methodist District – All
rights reserved.
Publication deadline for next month Yorsay is 20th of the Month