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✽ Hay and Stardust - Rev Mike Smith ✽ Welcome back Rev Jacky Hale ✽ Rev Michael Williams ✽ Thoughts for Prayer ✽ Hubbub ✽ Kirkbymoorside Dreams and Visions ✽ Around the Circuit news ✽ Winter notices

Hay and StardustI got my title from a resource book of the Iona Community (where else!) which covers the period from Christmas to Candlemas. This edition of The Bridge covers an even longer period, starting as it does in Advent, and going on into Lent. I would like to suggest to you that, not just at Christmas but throughout the year, we need to live with both Hay and Stardust.Hay can conjure up that nativity tableau we are all so familiar with of the little baby Jesus soundly sleeping in a manger on a bed of hay, whilst his parents, many shepherds, wise men (and women?) not to mention various farmyard animals, look on in wonder. Of course it’s a stylised scene, it would have never happened quite like that. For one thing little baby Jesus would never have slept that soundly with all the comings and goings! But it’s our picture of an important event that still has a lot to say to us in 2014, or even 2015 if you don’t get round to reading this until the new year.The hay speaks to me of the earthiness of the situation. Hay is what we use to bed down animals and anyone who has ever been anywhere near a stable or a barn, with animals in it, cannot have failed to have noticed the aroma. Jesus did not enter our world as a figure in a nativity tableau or as a cute and clean baby on a Christmas card but as baby doing all those human things that little babies do.For me the incarnation speaks of a God who is with us in all the Dirt, Mess and Danger (another Iona title!) of this world we live in. He is not some sort of cosmic firefighter

Cover photo: Footbridges over Thornton Beck

parked on a nearby star just waiting for a 999 call when we are in some sort of trouble. He is here with us now in all the messy reality of the world we live in. So the Christmas story is about the realities of the world as it was and as it still is. It talks to us of power and poverty, of unmarried mothers, refugees and displaced families. It talks of the here and now; I wonder if the baby Jesus and his parents turned up at Heathrow would they ever get through immigration?But there is more to this story, for the Stardust reminds us that our world and our lives are sprinkled with the stardust which is the love of God. A love which is always active in so many ways. We see that stardust in countless ways, from small selfless acts of love to the way folks respond to worldwide appeals for humanitarian aid. That stardust also reminds us that things don’t have to be like they are, both for this planet and for so many of its inhabitants. We sometimes think we are very sophisticated and that we know how things will go in the future. Well we don’t, our horizons are very limited, things do change, and indeed things are changing. The stardust is always at work, both inside and outside the church, and it always will be.We live in the reality of the hay but we also have the promise of the stardust!I hope that you all have a peaceful and blessed Christmas and that we can all look forward to following Jesus in the New Year, wherever he might lead us. Mike Smith

We welcome back our superintendent minister Rev Jacky Hale

I came across the following daily reflection (shown on the next pages)from Nick Fawcett a few weeks ago, and thought it worth sharing with all of you as we consider the shape of the circuit over the coming months.

Dear Friends,Thank you all so much for all your prayerful support during my sick leave.It meant a lot to Frank and me to know so many people were praying, as well as offering practical support and care. I started back to work on a phased return a few weeks ago,and look forward to catching up with you over the coming weeks and months. With kind regards, Jacky

Ponder: ‘Any volunteers?’ he asked, and immediately we all looked away, united in our attempt to avoid his eye. We’d plenty to do already, and none of us relished the prospect of yet more work or added responsibility. ‘Let someone else do it,’ we thought. ‘Let someone else share the load – not me’.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we: sitting in a meeting where a request is made for help and shrinking back into our chairs, hoping desperately that someone else will put themselves forward and get us off the hook? We rack our brains for credible excuses, just in case we should be put on the spot. ‘I haven’t time’. ‘I’m not up to it’. ‘I wouldn’t know where to start’. ‘I’d like to, but …’

All that is a far cry from Isaiah’s response to God’s call to service – a call to which, though it would clearly be demanding and costly, he responded immediately and unequivocally: Here I am; send me. If God had a job for him, that was all he needed to know. However great the scale of the challenge, however limited his resources, God would equip him to do what was asked of him. And so, of course, he did, Isaiah going on to become surely the greatest of all the Old Testament

prophets, his words being remembered and loved to this day. That’s not to suggest we should say yes to every appeal for help, take on every job going and never contemplate saying no. There are jobs we’re cut out for and jobs we aren’t; responsi-bilities that are right for us and others that are wrong; and we must carefully and prayerfully, in consultation with others, work out which is which. But when we know, deep in our heart of hearts, that God is calling us to service, in whatever sphere it may be, will we, instead of looking the other way and making excuses, be ready to pick up the gauntlet and say yes?

Ask yourself: Is God calling you to some task or service? Have you turned down appeals that you know you should have accepted? What excuses did you come up with?

I heard the Lord’s voice saying, ‘Whom can I send? Who will go for me?’I answered, ‘Here I am; send me!’

Pray: Almighty God, you called Abram to leave his homeland and venture out in faith, following where you would lead. You called Moses to confront Pharaoh and lead your people out of Egypt. You called David to take on the might of Goliath. You called Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and numerous other prophets to speak your word, even though it led to them being rejected and persecuted. Through Jesus you called Peter, James, John and the rest of the apostles to leave their livelihoods and follow. You called Zacchaeus to turn from his old way of life and embrace the new. And you have gone on calling people day after day, year

The Action for Children Committeemeets 3 times a year in Malton Hub to plan fundraising events. So far this year we have raised £2,011.44 since the first of April.

We very much appreciated the help given by members of Thornton Dale Chapel who helped

to organise the fish and chip supper after our sponsored walk to Dal-by Forest. The money raised by this walk amounted to £1,073.00. Last year we were given refreshments by Pickering Chapel during our walk which was also very much appreciated.

If anyone from the wider circuit would be interested in joining the committee they would be very welcome. The Rev.Tanya Short would give more details. Joyce Skelton

after year, summoning them to faith, service and witness. You call me in turn, to particular tasks that suit my particular gifts. Help me to hear when you challenge comes, and gladly to respond. Amen.

Remember: The following day Jesus decided to visit Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me’. John 1:43

Close: Teach me, Lord, when to leave things with you, when to leave them with others, and when to take them on myself. Give me wisdom to know the difference, and to respond accordingly. Amen.

Extracted from Daily Prayer 2, Nick Fawcett published by Kevin Mayhew

Action for Children has been working in partnership with the Methodist Church for 145 years to give society’s most vulnerable and neglected children and young people the support they need.

Rev Michael Williams The Circuit extends a warm welcome to Mike and his wife Moira who have come back home to live in Norton after many years travelling around the UK.

In his earliest New Testament correspondence between 51 and 53 AD the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians gives a kind of summary of his itinerancy as a way of justifying his credentials. Gal 1:13 (RSV) For you have heard of my former life.Gal 1:22 (RSV) And I was still not known by sight to the churches of Christ in Judea;

I guess I was not known to The Methodist Churches in Norton before now, despite having been a Methodist Minister for 27 years.I grew up in Norton and spent the first 23 years of my life here. During that time I guess I was hardly known by sight to the Methodist Church in Norton although in my teens I did attend the Sunday night at 8 pm at Saville Street occasionally.I was baptised as an infant at St. Peter’s in Langton Road, Norton. As a small child I attended their Sunday School. They had a Saturday morning group called ‘The King’s Messengers’ which was run faithfully for just half a dozen kids by Miss Leng. She used to talk to us about the bible, about missionary work, about Christianity etc. and... she also used to sell us oranges !I sang in St. Peter’s church choir as a chorister until my voice broke and somewhere I have a copy of the Parish Psalter presented

to me in 1956. It was great being in the choir, we got paid! It was something like two shillings four times a year!I can remember that God was very real to me even before I joined the church choir, I guess I just had the simple faith of a child and if asked when did I first think or believe I had a calling to ministry it was then. I must have been about 7.

Norton Boys School had a choir back then and Jim Thorpe taught us all to sing and we performed a concert every year with the songs of Gilbert and Sullivan. It’s thanks in part to him that I’ve enjoyed singing all my life.After my voice broke I left the choir and stopped going to church briefly but when I was 13 years old I started attending The Salvation Army in Wood Street Norton. Under the guidance of some very spiritual people, their officers and in particular Maggie Watkinson ‘ aunti Maggie ’ I made a conscious and very real decision to be an active Christian. It was March 3rd 1963 in the Sunday School. That day changed the course of my whole life. I was a Junior Candidate for the ministry from the age of 14.I was busily involved in all of the

life of The Salvation Army, played cornet in the band, bible study, Sunday School teacher, taking publications to all of the pubs in Malton and Norton every Friday and Saturday evening.

I met Moira at The Salvation Army just after I was 17 and just before she was 16. Six years later, married with two children we packed our bags, I resigned my job as a draughtsman at Ward Brothers and pretty much ‘penniless’ we followed our calling and left Norton for London to train as Officers in The William Booth Memorial Training College in Denmark Hill.

In July 1975 in The Royal Albert Hall we were ordained/ commissioned as Officers and our itinerant joint ministry began.Cutting a very long story short we were very itinerant, everybody was back then and moving every two years was the norm. I could relate stories and anecdotes until the cows come home but Ann said ‘ short’ pen portrait so I must resist. We moved to Dorking, South Croydon, Jarrow, Consett, Portadown (Northern Ireland) and Burnley.

At that juncture in 1987 we left The Salvation Army and I transferred my ministry to The Methodist Church.. ( yes .. you can do that). One Sunday I was Commanding Officer, Captain, in charge of the work of The Salva-tion Army in Burnley and the very next Sunday I was a probationer

minister with full pastoral charge of 3 Methodist Churches in Birmingham. In that same week in a space of 3 days we hadnew home, new Ministry, new baby. We stayed in Birmingham for 11 years in Circuit ministry and hospital chaplaincy and then moved to Otley & Aireborough Circuit in The Leeds District for 5 years. From there we moved to Chislehurst Circuit in Kent where I was superintendent minister for a further 5 years. We then moved back to the West Midlands for me to be superintendent of the newly merged Vale of Stour Methodist Circuit for 6 years bringing me within a whisker of retirement age.

We came here in July, back home, to retire as tenants in a house owned by The Methodist Ministers’ Housing Society.

By the time you are reading this I will be 65 and drawing my old age pension and asking how did the 40+ years unbroken full-time ministry pass so quickly? We have 5 children and 8 grandchildren and having been so itinerant they are scattered to the four winds.

We have deliberately taken a rest since moving here: a sortof much needed sabbatical. We’re looking forward to meeting new people and catching up with many people we already know from years back. So... Happy Christmas everybody, see you around... Mike

7th December 2014PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LORD!

FOCUS FOR PRAYERIsaiah 40: 1-11 - Bulldozers at work!

Nowadays, clearing the land for road building inevitably involves bulldozers. So I wonder what needs to be bulldozed out of your life and mine to make way for our Lord to come in... Self indulgent habits? Resentments? A refusal to forgive someone? Selfish ambitions? Trying to do too much? Or...?

I wonder what we could do in our neighbourhood to open up the way so that more people this Christmas will worship the baby who is our Lord Jesus.

It’s time to decide what we’re going to do this Advent about both of these.

❆ Thoughts For Prayer ❆ from Ann Ibbotson

14th DecemberLISTEN TO THE GOOD NEWS

Isaiah61: 1-4, 8-11 Listen carefully!

If you’ve ever watched “One Man and His Dog” or seen a shepherd and his dog working in the fields you’ll know that their success depends largely upon how well the dog listens to his master’s shouts and whistles.

Anyone really listening to God’s message proclaimed by Isaiah about the good news for the poor, the broken-hearted, captives and prisoners, must have got really excited about what God was going to do - excited enough to get involved. Later, Jesus used thesewords in his “policy state-ment” at the beginning of his ministry, and he commissions us to continue his work today.

May each of us listen intently to that Good News, decide prayerfully on one thing we can do this Advent to further that work - and do it!

© Turvey Abbey

BEGIN AGAIN!In Advent we begin again the story of Jesus and the human world. It’s an opportunity for us to begin again our own story of “Jesus and me”.

21st DecemberLEARN TO SAY “THY WILL BE DONE”.

FOCUS FOR PRAYERLuke1:26-38The Annunciation

Mary didn’t actually get much choice about having the baby, but her response of “ May it happen to me as you have said” is regarded as an ideal act of submissions to God. she wasn’t fatalistic or resentful but co-operated fully with what God was doing.

To be honest, most of us pray, in thought if not in words, “Thy will be changed” rather than “Thy will be done”. We think that our ways, our wishes for the future, must be better than God’s. We like them better anyway! What arrogance!

Let’s learn this Advent, to co-operate with what God knows is best, instead of resisting what we know he wants us to do.

© Turvey Abbey

CHRISTMAS 2014PONDER THE MYSTERY!

FOCUS FOR PRAYERJohn 1:1-14Incarnation

The Christmas stories have a lot to say to us about Jesus, but don’t forget the mystery and wonder of that first chapter in John’s Gospel.

“The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us.”

“Our God, contracted to a span,Incomprehensibly made man.” (Charles Wesley)

“Incomprehensibly” is probably the key word. As we ponder the mystery of Incarnation, God becoming human, we must admit that we do not understand. Only wonder and worship are appropriate.

Spend some time quietly reflecting on what Incarnation means to you.

EPIPHANY

SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND!

FOCUS FOR PRAYERMatthew 2: 1-12The Wise Man

What strikes me about the story of the Magi, is the energy and perseverance they put into their search for the new-born king. They studied their books of stars, they travelled long distances, they asked for advice where they expected to find the baby - and they found him.

Often we hear people talking as if God isn’t present in his world - perhaps we’ve even said it ourselves - but have they, we, searched with the same energy and determination as the Magi?

“Seek and you shall find!” said Jesus.

© Turvey Abbey

KEEP GOING!11th January 2015LOOK AMONG ORDINARY PEOPLE

FOCUS FOR PRAYERMark 1: 4-11The Baptism of Jesus

Jesus did not go round with a halo bouncing above his head!He seems to have been ordinary as far as his appearance went; and he mixed with ordinary people, ordinary sinners like us. At his baptism he identified himself with the religious movement under John the Baptist, as one of those who looked earnestly for the coming of God’s Kingdom.

We’ll find him today too among ordinary people, identifying himself with all those who seek to establish God’s Kingdom of love in deed and word.

That’s where we need to be too!

18th JanuaryTELL OTHERS!

FOCUS FOR PRAYERJohn 1: 43-51“Come and See!”

If a friend shares his or her satisfaction with Product X and recommends it to you, you’ll probably try it at least once. That’s what Philip did when he “discovered” Jesus: he was so thrilled he went and told Nathaniel, who then “went to see”.

So why do we hesitate to share our faith with others? Perhaps we’re not as thrilled as Philip was, or we don’t think it matters if others don’t know about Jesus, or perhaps we’re just plain scared of what others will think and say about us...

Surely we’re not going to keep such wonderful news to ourselves?

© Turvey Abbey

25th JanuaryFOLLOW ME!

FOCUS FOR PRAYERMark 1: 14-20The First Disciples

In the past, preachers preaching from this passage often used to remind their congregations of the children’s game, “Follow my Leader”.

In some ways I don’t find this picture at all helpful as the idea of only seeing Jesus’ back puts me off for a start, and in my experience of the game, the leader usually made it difficult. However, in other ways the picutre is inspiring: it is, after all, Jesus we’re following, he doesn’t expect us to do anything he doesn’t do, and if we follow closely we can learn to do it too.

Think about where and how Jesus wants you to follow him today - keep close and you’ll get it right!

1st FebruaryDISCOVERING JESUS - TODAY

READ: Mark 1:21-28 Power over evil spirits.

CONSIDER: The first eight chapters of Mark’s Gospel tell a succession of stories in which the observers notice amazing things about Jesus, and reach a wonderful climax in chapter eight when Peter proclaims, “You are the Messiah!”

Today, we discover that Jesus has power over the evil spirits that were believed, throughout the Ancient World, to endanger the well-being, health and even the life of every person. Only God was believed to have power over them - but here Jesus has it.

Many of us, in 2015, living in a completely different culture, find it difficult to translate this discovery into meaningful terms. How about, “Jesus has authority over all that is evil, all the malign influences that seem to hold our world in their grip”?

PRAY: for those who

are fighting, in

practical ways, the

spirits of greed, fear,

hatred, and revenge

that are responsible for

the deaths and misery

of millions in today’s

world. God’s spirit of

love at work is more

powerful even than

these.

8th FebruaryDISCOVERING JESUS - TODAY

READ: Mark 1:29-39 Power over sickness.

CONSIDER: Now Mark tells us about Jesus’ power to heal the sick, specifically Peter’s mother-in-law and those brought by their friends and families to be healed.

But this passage tells us more than that. It tells us where Jesus’ power and resources came from - his time alone with God in prayer.

We also see the “correct” response to the work of Jesus in our lives - to serve, just as Peter’s mother-in-law waited on Jesus and his friends as soon as she was healed. But beware! - We are not “saved to serve”, blessed just so we will serve him. God does not deal in spiritual blackmail - he blesses us because he loves us. Though, of course, our natural response to his love will be to serve him.

PRAY: Thank God for the

times when you have

felt particularly blessed

by him. Remember, too,

that if Jesus needed

to set apart time to be

with God, we neglect to

do so at our peril!

© Turvey Abbey

15th February - Sunday before LentA LENTEN PILGRIMAGE - WHERE ARE WE GOING?

READ: Mark 9: 2-9

A medieval pilgim travelled, often over very long distances and for long periods of time, to the shrine he wanted to visit. Ideally, the geographical journey was the outward sign of an inner journey to a place of enlightenment, of insight, of a closer experience of God.

In this sense, Lent can be a time of pilgrimage for us, travelling towards a richer vision of Christ’s glory, as we consider his journey to the Cross and beyond.

So, today, the Sunday before Lent, we glimpse our destination - the glory of Jesus to be revealed at Easter - through the eyes of Peter, James and John, in their glimpse of that glory when he was transfigured before them on the mountain top.

PRAY:

Read again slowly,

and ponder the verses

that describe the

disciples’ experience.

Try to enter into their

feelings and allow

yourself to be excited

at the prospect of

glimpsing Christ’s

glory as you travel

towards Easter.

© Turvey Abbey

22nd February - first sunday in LentA LENTEN PILGRIMAGE - HIGHS AND LOWS

READ: Mark 1: 9-15

There are three distinct stages in Mark’s account of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry:

1. Baptism: a very special religious experience.2. Temptation: a time of spiritual struggle and heart-searching.3. And finally, the beginning of his ministry.

Religious experience followed by spiritual struggle before Jesus began his work.

It’s a pattern that is sometimes seen in the lives of ordinary Christians. A religious high followed by a time of deep soul-searching (sometimes experienced as a struggle with forces of evil). Together they prepare the Christian for some particular task.

However, God deals with each one of us as individuals; he doesn’t have a “one size fits all” formula! But we can all be sure that there will be highs and lows, times of seemingly plain sailing and times of struggle. And God will be with us in both!

PRAY: Thank God for the

highs on your Christian journey - and for the lows when,

as Christians, we grow in faith and understanding.

Hubbub News for the Young People of our circuit

hub-bub /’hub,bub/ a noisy busy situation

❆ ❆

In August this year, I travelled to Rwanda with a group of 8 other young

people/leaders from North York-shire, where we would be work-ing with the charity RwandaChild for an amazing 10 days. After some confusion with our flights, we arrived in Kigali, our luggage joining us five days later. Most of our work was visiting families of children sponsored through the charity, taking gifts of food and goats, hearing their stories and praying with them. It was truly incredible to spend time with such a calm, dignified people who have come so far since the atrocities of 1994. I loved every minute of my time in the land of 1,000 hills (an accurate name,

Slingsby Friday ClubAfter 40 fabulous years of Adventure Club we felt it was time to make some changes. Following a summer of prayer and pondering we decided that this year we meet on the first Friday of the month from 5-6.30pm. Louise went into local Primary schools to advertise. Interest was sparked when she mentioned ‘tea would be served’!

I can assure you), which I believe to be the most beautiful place on earth. The highlight of our trip, for me, had to be meeting the child we sponsor as a family and getting the opportunity to see where she and her family live and pray with them. For more infor-mation about the trip and the charities involved, contact me or go to these websites: http://www.rwandachild.com/

http://rolltherock.org.uk/Chloe Scaling, Pickering

So Slingsby Friday Club started with a bang on 3rd October with 21 children, from Hovingham, Slingsby & Amotherby schools enjoyed a tea of hot dogs, salad and cake.

We used a Harvest theme and the story from Luke 12 of the man who made bigger barns. The children then made BIG barns from cardboard boxes and Playmobil. Competition was fierce with chocolate for the winning team at stake! The dramatized story was presented and we then had discussion about possessions, fairness and sharing both at local and national levels. After another game of packing suitcases the children watched the ‘shoebox’ appeal DVD for this year and finished with singing ‘Thank you Lord for...’ and a prayer.

They left in high spirits. It was a high energy, loud and hilarious session that made full

use of all the rooms and spaces in our building. We were assisted in the kitchen by Slingsby mums, Tamsin & Helen. The children were aged 4 - 11, and we had a good spread of ages, some who had never been to Adventure Club and some who were ‘graduates’ of the Toddler Group.

We hope to vary the format each month.

If anyone has a skill they would like to share with the children in a workshop style activity, or could offer kitchen help on a

rota, please do get in touch.

Louise, Rachel, Becky & Katie

Dreams & V is ionsA service of dedication and thanksgiving on Sunday 24th August marked the end of the building works and the beginning of the next chapter for the 202 year old Methodist chapel in Kirkbymoorside, celebrating the ‘Dreams and Visions’ which had been the starting point for changes to the buildings adjacent to the chapel – now turned into a reality!The Kirkbymoorside Brass Band played at the foot of the new entrance to welcome church-goers of all ages from babies to nonagenarians, the Town Mayor, Chris Dowie, holiday makers and other people from the town. The worship was joyful and hopeful, encouraging the congregation to

love and serve their community. Worship was followed by a delicious lunch and time for conversation and catching up with each other.

There were displays of the ‘Dreams and Visions’ of the various groups who use the chapel buildings and other churches in the town which

were set out around both the church and the improved rooms and facilities.

The Church building is open every Tuesday morning from 10.00am to 12 noon for Oasis – have a cup of coffee, a chat or simply some quiet in the Church. Please come to see the alterations which have been made.

Janet Brown

Kirkbymoorside Methodist Church now has a greater visual presence in the community and up to date facilities including a new kitchen, disabled toilet, new heating system, energy efficient lighting and a new open aspect and entrance

which bring it in to the 21st century, enable a betterwelcome and provide a more effective resource for mission. We are privileged to be stewards of this wonderful resource and pray that we may use it wisely and generously in carrying out the work of mission and in promoting the Gospel.Norma Davey

HovinghamWe are happily using our new kitchenette and can offer disabled toilet facilities. It was great to have Howard Petch at our Harvest Festival where we had a full chapel and the collection of £260 was donated to his favourite charity Compassion UK. A delicious supper was enjoyed after Daniel Horne had auctioned our gifts of produce to raise funds for the redecoration of the Chapel and the purchase of a new carpet all to be completed before the bicentenary celebrations on the weekend of 13th/14th June. We have an A board to let people know where we are situated in the village and over one day last week I welcomed 8 visitors who were walking round our village. Please come and visit us. Our members have been busy filling shoe boxes to give to the collection being received in the local school. Our local fellowship meets in members’ houses and recently Robin Jackson gave us a talk on the Romanticism ofJohn Wesley. We look forward to join in the ecumenical carol service to be held at the Worsley Arms at 6pm on Sunday 21st December. The united Covenant Service on 4th January will be held at Slingsby.

Sue Goodwill

Around the Circuit Around the Circuit

SlingsbySlingsby’s united Harvest Festival was on Sunday 28th September. Sadly Rev Jacky Hale was unable to take the service and our love and prayers are very much with Jacky and her family. Therefore, the service was arranged by us and friends from the Anglican Church.The theme of the service was ‘bread’. It was lovely coming into chapel to the lovely aroma of freshly baked bread, which was been baked in a bread maker.The Worship Group sang ‘I am the bread of life’ before leading the congregation in our Harvest celebration.We tasted different varieties of bread and saw some ‘miracles’ taking place thanks to our wonderful children whom enacted the story of Jesus feeding the 5000, the blind could see, the sick were healed and everyone had enough to eat!

There was plenty of humour in the service too. Karen’s monologue and a visit from ‘The Shy Spies’, (Stephen & Geoff), really did bring tears to your eyes!!Rachel reminded us of some words Jesus said: ‘I am the bread of life’.Afterwards about thirty of us enjoyed a buffet lunch in the school room. Our gifts went to Ryedale food bank and donations to tear fund.

Audrey Foster

LeaveningMany thanks to all who came to the bacon butty day on 16 August. The amount raised on the day was £1075.00. This was split between 3 charities – Parkinsons, Myasthenia Gravis Association and the Anandashram Seva Trust in India. Thanks to all who supported and helped on the day.

Stephen and Karen Ward

Slingsby shoebox service with Hannah in front.

Harome Methodist Church are in desperate need of someone with book-keeping skills to look after the Church finances. To find out more please contact Rev. Jacky Hale,(tel 01439 770300) - or email: jacky@thehales.co.uk J.Ventress

RievaulxI would like to mention the course which Rievaulx are currently doing in our Bible Fellowship. Rievaulx is about half way through the course and we are really enjoying it and would recommend it to others - there may be other Churches around the Circuit who might be interested in using it. The award-winning Freedom In Christ Discipleship Course is a proven and effective way for churches to help Christians become fruitful disciples. It’s been used by around 200,000 people in the UK. You can present the teaching yourself using the Leader’s Guide which comes with a powerpoint presentation CD or you can use video presentations available on DVD presented by Steve Goss. There are Partici-pant’s Guides with notes for each session.” Churches can also get a free sampler DVD which gives a sample of a DVD session and details of all the course materials. You can download the Freedom In Christ logo and further information from their website www.ficm.org.uk. S.Foster

Thornton Dale

Photo of Chapel trip to the Dales with a farmhouse tea.

Friends recently held a “Tea Time Special” afternoon, (before the dark nights came), where we met for a time of relaxed worship and devotion with members sharing readings, poems and memories with some hymn singing. The afternoon ended with 14 friends sharing a faith tea much enjoyed by all those present. R.Rayner

John Wesley scarecrow on Thornton Chapel steps - entered in the village scarecrow competition

Helmsley

Come along onSaturday 13th Decemberfrom 10am -12 noon and join us for tea, coffee, juice, toasted teacakes and more ...

Lantern Workshop 10am-3pmSee a lantern being made, stay and make your own, help repair last years or take the materials away to make your own lantern at home.

Apologies from the editor for an error in the last issue of The Bridge when Alice Brown was mistakenly printed as Alice White.Alice Brown and Helmsley members would be pleased to hear from anyone with ideas for their 4th Sunday evening services as described in issue 9. ContactAlice Brown on 01439 770126 or e-mail p180brown@btinternet.com

Then on Sunday 21st December10.30am Christingles and Carols5.30pm lighting the lanterns in HelmsleyMarket placeProcession to Town Carol Service at the Methodist Church

Celebrate the second half of life, say Churches In today’s society, growing older is often seen as a reason for sadness or regret. But the Church of England and the Methodist Church have published a new resource which urges Christians to celebrate and affirm the ‘second half of life’. Through creative discussion material Seasons of My Soul offers people a chance to explore and share with one another key aspects of their lives and experiences. It focuses on eight themes for discussion; identity, memories, transition times, wisdom, roles and relationships, forgiveness and reconciliation, death and dying, and the celebration of life.

“As I approach retirement, I become ever more conscious of the importance of Christians having constructive conversations about this potentially creative stage of life,” said the Rt Revd John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford. “This invaluable resource could help turn the tide in enabling creative discussion about the second half of life – or, in my case, even the last third!”

“Often when we talk about the demographic of church attendance, we concern ourselves more with those who are not within our church communities than with celebrating and resourcing those who are,” added Doug Swanney, Connexional Secretary for the Methodist Church. “Seasons of My Soul is a creative way of redressing this balance. It offers us an opportunity to explore themes which can often be avoided but which, when unpacked, can lead to the most amazing possibilities for us all.”

The book can be purchased at the price of £8.99 (plus p&p) from Methodist Publishing online or by calling 0845 017 8220.

ChurchesTogether in Southern Ryedale are delighted to hear that not only the Ryedale Circuit but the York and Hull district of the Methodist Church is keen to support the initiative which will, among other aspects, ensure the Chaplaincy Everywhere training courses will be held again in 2015. They are open to all people who are in good standing with their church, regardless of denomination or geography.For more details contact Janice Clark on (01653) 691589, clark.janice@gmail.com

Andrew Pratt, a Methodist hymn writer wrote the following carol for us, and we plan to use it in the stables when we go carol singing. Peter Clark

Methodist Relief and Developmentbecame “All We Can” in April 2014.

Extraordinary gifts from All We Can are practical presents that will help people in some of the world’s poorest communities to become all that they can.Make an extraordinary difference this Christmas.

All of the gifts – whether a water pump, carpentry training, a goat or a fruit tree – directly support

All We Can’s talented local partners to create positive, long-term change in poor communities. You can see and purchase the gifts, (priced from £9) online.

See www.allwecan.org.uk or call 020 7467 5132. To order catalogues, email info@allwecan.org.uk

Hang a bauble for vulnerable children this Christmas

Action for Children have partnered with HomeSense to raise vital funds for the most vulnerable children across the uk.Customers are able to buy a Christmas bauble for£1 on which they can write a festive message or their happiest childhood

Christmas memory before hanging it on a Christmas tree in each of their 33 stores.

We gather in this working place where horses come to rest, where lads and lasses clear the muck, in wonder have we guessed, that in a stable such as this, a baby once was born within the darkness of the nightbefore the coming dawn?

A couple who were far from homecame through the fading light.If then was now, imagine it! How would we see this sight? This common place we know so well was blessed by those who came, and working shepherds gathered there would never be the same.

And where we look on coloured silksand breath still mists the air,the smell of horses lingers onand trainers tease and share.Another scent once filled such space, another wisdom grew, that what had happened on that night was making all things new.

And is this night an echo of that time from long ago,when camel riding chieftains paused,brought colour to a show?Surprised by joy, what they once sensed, saw in a baby’s face, is something we still celebrate:God’s wonder, love and grace.

© Andrew Pratt andrewpratt48@gmail.com Tune: FOREST GREEN

Stable Carol Andrew Pratt

December Diary Dates

unless otherwise stated events take place in the Methodist Church of the named location

7th 7pm Kirkbymoorside Faith & Folk “follow the star”Light refreshments from 6.30pm

14th 6.15pm Newton upon Rawcliffe

Carol Service

16th 10.30 -11.30am

Thornton Dale Coffee and Carols with Rev Ruth and Robert

18th 6.30 Post Office Kirkbymoorside

Carol Singing along with KMS band followed by refreshments at the Chapel.

7.15pm Kirby Misperton Carols in the Village Hall led by Jill Simpson and Friends. Proceeds for Farming Community Network.

20th 10am - 4pm

Norton Bethel Christmas Festival display of Nativity sets, refreshments,children’s activities Come and Sing carols 3-4pm

10.30 -11am

Thornton Dale Carol Singing in Village centre

21st 10.30am Thornton Dale Christmas Songs of Praise led by Robert Rayner

21st 3.30pm Norton Bethel Family Carol Service

21st 6.30pm Rievaulx Carol Service

28th 6pm Norton Bethel Christmas Reflections

Advance Notice1-7 August 2015

Le Hayes,Swanwick

Methodist Summer Fellowshipfor more details see website:

www.methodistsummerfellowship.btck.co.uk

Sinnington People’s Guild7.15pm on Tuesdays (except Thursday 26.2.15)

December 2nd Advent Rev Ruth Duck

9th Lealholm Choir

16th The Christmas Story Rev Stephen Gamble

January 6th St Francis Rev Francis Hewitt

13th Reflections Musical group

20th Howard Croft - Mercury newspaper writer

27th Slides of Iceland Peter Mansfield

February 3rd Rev Dr Penny Worth

10th Yorkshire Air Ambulance Bob Smailes

17th Lent meditation Rev Tania Brosnan

26th Terrington Village Choir(collection for Yorkshire Air Ambulance)

Michael Harcus has made several albums to date and has been on the road since 1999 singing and leading worship all through the UK and will be coming to Rievaulx with his wife, Teenie, as part of their 2015 North East Tour.Rievaulx Methodist Church

WEDNESDAY 11th FEBRUARY

MIchAEl hARcUSCountry Gospel Singer/Songwriterfrom the Orkney Islands

“We had him at Rievaulx two years ago and he was really amazing - a great night!” Sheila Foster

The deadline for The Bridge Issue 11 will be February 1st 2015Please send articles notices with author’s name and chapel name.

Photos should include parental permision for any under 18s.thebridge.editors@live.co.uk

Tel:01751 476520www.ryedalemethodist.org.uk