Churches Together in York
Newsletter - June 2005
Publicising these organisations and events does not imply endorsement of all they do.
Letter from The editor
Forthcoming events
Commemorates
Getting it Together
Animal Welfare
Ethnos
Ten days of prayer
Homelessness network
YOYO update
Family matters York
News of FUSE
News from local Groups and Churches
Tang Hall and Osbaldwick
CTSWY
CTSEY
Easter day at Copmanthorpe
Acomb Methodist Church
Churches Together in York Newsletter - Summer 2005
This newsletter looks back at some of the happenings within our City and forward to events coming up in the summer
There are so many things happening in York at the moment that it really is a time of encouragement for Christians in this City. Our AGM comes up on 30 June 2005. According to the new constitution, all nominations have to be with the Secretary 14 days before the Meeting, so please make sure, if you want to be part of us that I get the nominations on time. As usual, we will be meeting at the Friends Meeting House in Friargate and this year we have a presentation of the work of YO-YO, who are also featured on Page 6.
Also with this issue is a questionnaire, which we are asking all churches to complete whether or not they take part in the local Churches Together Area Group. The Groups have been set up for some time and we thought it would be good to see if they are still working as they were set up and to give churches the opportunity to consider roles and benefits and make changes accordingly …if they wish.
The articles we have included express the views of their authors and are not necessarily those of others within the churches of York. Hence we welcome any comment on articles that appear though we can only include those comments for which we have space. Our hope is that we can show how united we are in our faith as Christians in York, and be able to stand together even with our diversities.
We also encourage anyone who receives this newsletter to pass it on and if you have a church magazine, we welcome you to download the articles you wish to use from our website.
Once again we have enclosed an Ecumenical Prayer Paper with the mail shot. We hope this will be a means of praying for all out brethren within the city. We also hope the news contained in the following pages, will be used by readers to pray for the different activities that Jesus will be glorified, and more people in our City will come to know His love in their lives.
Finally, I had a telephone call from someone on our mailing list. She asked me to suggest that all churches who use the Thomson Directory to check that their entry is up to date. She spotted several that were not! We all have trouble in keeping our details updated and we certainly would welcome help on our website…any offers?
John Nicholson, Secretary
Forthcoming Events in and around York
When…
Where…
What…
See
7.30 on 14.6.05
Acomb Methodist Church
Bethlehem Today - A Palestian woman’s story
Page 9
7.30pm on 24.6.05
Spurriergate Centre
Ethnos
Page 3
3.00pm on 26.6.05
The Millennium Bridge
Praise by the Bridge run by SE & SW York Churches Together
Page 8
7.30pm on 27.6.05
Room PX001, Physics Dept. York University
The Jubilee Debt Cyclists visit to York
7.30pm on 30.6.05
Friends Meeting House
Churches Together AGM
Page 1
2.00pm on 10.7.05
York Minster & Imphal Barracks
National Day of Commemoration for the 60th Anniversary of the ending of World War 2
Below
3.00pm on 31.7.05
The Millennium Bridge
Praise by the Bridge run by SE & SW York Churches Together
Page 8
3.00pm on 28.8.05
The Millennium Bridge
Praise by the Bridge run by SE & SW York Churches Together
Page 8
7.30pm on 7.9.05
St Bede’s Pastoral Centre
“Getting it Together”
Theology for Pleasure - the start of a 3 term course.
Below
3.00pm on 25.9.05
The Millennium Bridge
Praise by the Bridge run by SE & SW York Churches Together
Page 8
2.00pm on 1.10.05
York Minster
An Ecumenical Service for Animal Welfare
Below
back to top
Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War 2
On 10 July 2005, there is a national day of commemoration for the Anniversary of the ending of the second world war. The City of York Council are holding a special service in York Minster, followed by a parade through the City Centre and then food and entertainment at Imphal Barracks. It is an all ticket affair and priority will be given to those who “kept the Nation running” between 3 September 1939 and 15 August 1945. For further information please contact Audra Fowler the Event Assistant of York City Council on 01904 553384.
Getting it Together
A three term course run by The Ecumenical Fellowship of Aelred of Rievaulx starts at St Bede’s Pastoral Centre in September. It sets about exploring the heart of the Christian faithand requires a commitment to participate in a weekly 2 hour session. The course is for anyone interested in exploring the range of Christian traditions, Christian unity and the Wholeness of creation. For further information please telephone Yvonne & Bob Murphy on 01347 811544
Animal Welfare
At York Minster on 1 October 2005 the Anglican Society for the welfare of animals with the Catholic Concern for Animals is holding a service at which the Bishop of Liverpool, the right Reverend James Jones will preach. For further information telephone 01252 843093
ethnos
‘A celebration of ethnic diversity and cultural expression’
‘Ethnos’ is a bi-monthly relational gathering at the Spurriergate Centre where different people groups have space to express their cultural identity through different mediums such as the arts, music or food. The first night will be the 24th of June starting at 7:30pm. Please bring a main meal from your own culture…….
VISION
To create a community based gathering of multi-ethnic and British peoples in order to celebrate and honour cultural diversity and unity.
MISSION
Through bi-monthly gatherings in a neutral setting.
Gatherings will revolve around a banqueting table full of food from all over the world contributed by all that attend.
The evening would be relationally based, primarily, involving opportunities for anyone to bring their own music, dance, art and stories.
ethnos
Thayer Definition:
1) a multitude of people, associated or living together
1a) a company, troop, swarm
2) a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus
2a) the human family
3) a tribe, nation, people group
(eth·nic) adj.
Of or relating to a sizable group of people sharing a common and distinctive racial, national, religious, linguistic, or cultural heritage.
Being a member of a particular ethnic group, especially belonging to a national group by heritage or culture but residing outside its national boundaries: ethnic Hungarians living in northern Serbia .
It is intended to be a low level evangelistic event for people from all over the world based in York. It will be a safe environment for Christian internationals to bring some of their non Christian friends where the nations are celebrated and cultural uniqueness is honoured.
It would be much appreciated if you could promote this to those in your congregations who might benefit from it.
For more information contact Clare on 07977 576991 or email ethnos@ywamyork.com
Ten Days of Prayer followed by a Fire Festival in York Minster
In the build up to the Global Day of Prayer on 15th May, 24 hour prayer started in York on Friday May 6th at noon. Clifton Parish Church donated the prayer room, which was decorated by the YWAM team as a modern 24/7 room.
Individual churches managed a day each in the prayer room. Individuals, couples and groups booked the room around the clock and Christians of all traditions prayed in the way in which they were comfortable in the fabulous surroundings of the prayer room.
As each person’s hour expired they prayed with the next person and ‘handed-over’ the room. On the ‘wailing wall’ were prayer requests written in a simple but moving style.
On the art wall, pictures and drawings were expressing the creativity of those who came to the room. Also verses of scripture and songs or poems were written all over the walls as people shared revelations and encouragements.
The mixture of soft carpets, bean bags and chairs gave every one an option of position when praying – but there was enough room to walk around too.
Comments like “next time we do this I am booking two hours” were common and “that hour just flew past” was also heard a number of times.
The prayer room closed on Sunday 15th in time for the Fire Festival at York Minster when hundreds of Christians came together to pray and celebrate Pentecost.
Soon after 7.30pm people started to gather in York Minster, and at 8pm we started with a song lead by David Casswell Vicar of Clifton Parish and co-chair of One Voice. Then Graham Hutchinson of The Elim Pentecostal Church and the other co-chair of One Voice lead the next 30 minutes as we prayed for our city.
Prayer took place individually and in different groups as Christians who didn't know each other joined together in prayer to God. In the next section, John Davies, Vicar of Huntington Parish, lead 30 minutes of prayer for our nation. Included in this section was a time for quiet prayer as well as 'Acts 4' praying where we all raised our voices together.
The final section was lead by Stephen Redman of the Ark Church and we prayed for breakthroughs into countries ‘closed to the gospel’, prayed for world leaders and the success of the ‘make poverty history’ initiative.
A final push of prayer was made for Iraq, Israel and Palestine - three geographical areas that dominated Bible times and who also dominate the news today.
Over 450 people came to pray from many different churches in the city. During the gathering two young people found Jesus as Saviour for the first time. Who said prayer meetings weren’t seeker friendly?
We gathered together on the steps of the Minster whilst burning torches were lit. Then we marched to the fountain in the centre of the city, lit the remaining torches and precessed out of the four gates of the city.
At each gate a crowd gathered around three torch bearers as we prayed at these strategic places on the walls of York. As we walked through the city we gave out full colour postcards explaining what the Fire Festival was about – they were well received by the public.
The feedback has been tremendous! Much rejoicing that young people found Jesus and that the average age of the praying congregation was low. Seeing Christians from a great number of churches altogether praying in one place is a huge step forward.
It was also said that seeing two Anglican Vicars, a Pentecostal and an independent minister all working together as brothers was an inspiration. Someone said to Stephen Redman “you ministers actually looked like you all got on well together”. His reply was “that is because we do!”
For an event organised at relatively short notice with no publicity other than word of mouth, this was a huge success – and now we start to plan for next year!
Copied from the “The Ark” website. For further details and photographs please visit www.the-ark.net
Introducing ‘The York Churches Homelessness Network.
This group has been around for some time, but has recently changed its name from ‘Forum’ to ‘Network’ to avoid any confusion with the Homelessness Forum already set up by the City of York Council.
The purpose of the Network is to bring together those churches, Christian charities and agencies, (both local and national), which are engaged with issues of poverty, housing, and homelessness.
Our meetings are wide ranging, covering constantly changing and new Government initiatives which affect our strategies in York, listening to each other as we report on our activities and concerns, and sharing information on individual cases or issues which have come to our attention.
We also are the group who have arranged the Homelessness Sunday Service for the past two years. At the moment, we have agreed to appoint a Chaplain to Homeless people, who will chair our meetings and help the network develop its partnership with the other agencies at work in the city, with whom we already have a good and fruitful relationship.
It should be more widely reported that the Churches in the City of York, together with the Salvation Army Prevention and Resettlement team, Carecent, Arc Light, the Catholic Housing Advisory Services (moved to 54 Blossom Street,) and the many volunteers who work for those agencies and provide overnight accommodation for youngsters via Nightstop, are doing essential and vital work. By their actions they bring light to those who inhabit a world which is mostly bleak and dark. Their presence brings hope to those who are often in despair. This is ‘living the Gospel’.
Carecent and Arc Light, are always glad to receive enquiries from those who would like to know more about volunteering.
Remember also that your church or individuals can make donations to support this work amongst those who are homeless, and that makes more sense than dropping a pound into someone’s hat as they sit on the streets of the city, begging.
For more information about the Network, or any of the agencies involved, contact
Chaplain to Homeless People,
12 Muncastergate, York YO 31 9 LA. Tel: 01 904 427 035
YOYO UPDATE .
The team continue to be kept very busy.Recently Kim Crawford and a group of volunteers have been involved with creative assemblies and lessons in a good number of Primary Schools on themes such as Easter and Pentecost. This term the whole team will be running "Moving On" sessions for year six pupils in preparation for their move to secondary education.
There has also been a major focus on a new "Open the Book" programme, which seeks to equip volunteers from churches to lead weekly assemblies in their local primary schools. Through the scheme children will hear 30 key stories from the Bible to give them an overview of the Christian faith. Many schools are responding most encouragingly to this initiative. We would be glad to give further information to any church leaders or potential volunteers - just contactKim;at the office on 786771.
Tim, Dan & Sammi have been working regularly in 7 Secondary schools , both taking lessons and assemblies and running lunchtime "Rock Solid" clubs enabling young people to have somewhere for recreation, to "chill out", have fun, and learn more about God. We have also been working with the Christian Unions in Manor and Archbishop Holgate's schools. Overtone - the band - has given performances in schools and churches, and at city-wide events. There has been encouraging feed-back from young people who have valued the support that these activities seek to give them
Over the past two years there have been very encouraging new appointments of Christian youth and childrens' workers in the York area, and this network is growing in unity through CTiY's One Voice. We believe that there are exciting opportunities for us to work alongside one another, and one initiative will be the launch planned for July 1st of "Fuse ", a "nightclub" style of venue run by Christians for anyone between 12 and 18.
We give thanks to God, and to all the churches and personal supporters across the City who pray for us and give the funding (of around £75,000) needed to sustain YOYO's continuing service and witness.
F a m i l y M a t t e r s Y o r k
Churches & the Community working together to improve the quality of family life
FMY is building confidence in relationships through offering resources and training at key stages in people’s lives.
We are thrilled to have received a further grant from the DfES of £51,000 for 2005 – 2006. By March 2006 we will have received government funding for 5 years and 3 months : an amazing answer to prayer! But, we are unlikely to receive any more funding from this source, and we will need to look largely to the Christian community in York and area for substantial funding to sustain our work
All that we do – relationship work with couples, parenting, and money management sessions and courses - is expanding in an exciting way. The “Baby Shock” sessions for first-time parents are much appreciated, and the first Connect 2 course for couples who have been married for a short time has also been well received. We are now training some support couples to help couples in crisis who need sustained help over a period of time to resolve serious problems in their relationships. Two such couples came our way after we were featured in the Trevor McDonald programme on BBC2 on 15 April.
Recently Lynden Askew has been involved in some prison work in Leeds, and other opportunities are emerging in a prison in Doncaster. (We have previously worked in Askham Grange (Women’s) prison at Askham Richard). This is part of a wider programme in prisons in various areas of the country, which is opening up in an amazing way.
We have secured a further contract for 2005 – 2006 with The Children’s Trust for parenting work in primary and secondary schools, which is keeping Marian Moore very busy. She is also helping to train facilitators to achieve accreditation in parenting work, which is a substantial commitment over the next year or so. Both Marian and Lynden have continued to provide sessions for the “Bite Size” programme, and Mel Griggs is also providing some in May and June, to learn how to manage money effectively.
On 26 June we will be celebrating our fifth birthday, and we have so much for which to thank God over that time!
A number of churches have asked us to give presentations about our work, and if you would like us to visit your church sometime, please let me know.
Robin Watson, Co-ordinator,
The Spurriergate Centre, Spurriergate, York YO1 9QR Tel 01904 – 639767
e-mail : familymattersyork@spurriergate,freeserve.co.uk
www.familymattersyork.org.uk
News of FUSE
The One Voice York Youth initiative, FUSE was launched at a meeting of 80 youth leaders and young people at Tang Hall Community Centre on 23rd May. These young people represented more than ten churches and it is hoped that many more will join in in future.
The first of a series of multimedia youth events is planned for Friday 1st July. The aim of this event is to provide a quality setting for Christians from the emerging generation to bring their friends to come into contact with the Gospel of Jesus.
How can you help? Our first requirement is sustained prayer support. Our second requirement is a venue that can accomodate 300+ young people. If you have any suggestions please ring Dave Monck on 01937
832594 or email yorkfuse@gmail.com
FUSE now has its own web page - www.yorkfuse.com
Frank Mason
Administrator - One Voice York
www.onevoiceyork.org.uk
News from Local Groups and Churches
Tang Hall and Osbaldwick Churches Together
The churches which are in partnership include: St.Thomas, Osbaldwick: St.James, Murton; Tang Hall Community Church: St.Aelred’s Church, Tang Hall, St.George’s Methodist Church; and St.Hilda’s,Tang Hall.
A group of around 10 people meet every Thursday morning for prayer, in a range of venues.
A successful Lent Course was arranged, held at St. Hilda’s Church over lunchtime, and attended by an average of 25 people per week over the 5 weeks.
A Good Friday lunchtime walk of witness was held, and around 40 people took part, walking to each of the churches in the Tang Hall area. Along the way, we stopped to hand out Easter bookmarks to those we encountered, both walking and motorists, and held prayer time at each of the churches.
Pentecost Praise was another joint venture, and around 70 people attended the evening. St.Aelred’s Music Group provided some stirring accompaniment, and there were contributions from all of the partnership churches.
Our next major event will be a Country harvest Celebration at Murton, planned for the Autumn.
The spirit of Unity is alive and well and we are encouraged by the support which church members give to our joint activities.
Paul Wordsworth
Churches Together in SW York
Throughout the summer, together with the South East Group of Churches, we are running our monthly praise services at the Millennium Bridge. This year we will meet on 26 June, 31 July, 28 August and finish on 25 September 2005. Please come and join us and share the good news with those who pass be and often stay and join in.
Churches Together in South East York
News of Activities
Our lent meetings were well attended, the overall theme was “Relationships” with three meetings covering Family relationships, relating to strangers and Our relationship with God. Each talk was in its own way informative and/or thought provoking, especially the one given by a lawyer working with asylum seekers.
The group provided some people to help handing out leaflets about the meaning of Good Friday, in Coppergate during the afternoon of Good Friday and all thought it had been a worthwhile activity.
We are also participating in Praise by the Bridge (the Millennium Bridge) with the South West Group. This is a monthly service during the summer months with members of the participating Churches giving a short introduction to the hymns.
The Committee also attended a service at St George’s Roman Catholic Church for the rededication of their pipe organ, which was recently restored.
Future Events
Our annual pilgrimage this year is on Sunday 19 June 2005 and a coach will be taking us to Osmotherly for the afternoon, leaving York after our morning services. If anyone is interested in joining us, please contact Jackie Beryl on 01904 653144, sa there may be a few spare tickets.
Jackie Beryl
Easter Day in Copmanthorpe
Members of the Methodist and Anglican Churches in Copmanthorpe joined together twice on Easter Day to celebrate the risen Christ.
An Open Air Celebration was held outside the village newsagent shop, when over 40 people attended a service of worship led by th Reverend Maurice Staton. Perhaps it was due to the introduction of British Summer Time on that morning, that there were few people visiting the shop that morning, but the Christians did praise the risen Lord as a witness to the community.
The two congregations then held a service of Holy Communion in the respective Churches.
In the evening the two churches met at St Giles Parish Church for an Easter Songs of Praise. Members of the two congregations had been invited beforehand to choose a favourite hymn and some were song at the service. The Christians of Copmanthorpe celebrated the risen Christ together.
Acomb Methodist Church
Bethlehem Today - A Palestinian Woman’s Story
Amal Nasser is a Christian physiotherapist at the Caritas Baby and Childrens’ Hospital in Bethlehem. She is a partner in the Bethlehem Tent of Nations Project, which is seeking to build bridges of peace and understanding in a tense and difficult situation. She will tell her story at Acomb Methodist Church on Tuesday 14th June, 7.30pm.
You are invited to attend what promises to be an evening of insights, with some joy along the way.
