Author: stmarys

23 November 2021

Dear friends from St Mary’s,

It seems sometimes like ages since I was in church with you all, and at other times as though things have just flown by. I see folk around the village from time to time, and hear via the weekly emails how things are going for you all, so I hope you don’t mind, but I thought you might like to hear a little of what life as an Ordinand has been like this past 15 months. I hadn’t thought I would be quite so busy as I have been, that’s for sure!

For my first year at St Hild, everything – lectures, worship, prayergroups, meetings, text books – you name it – was online. Covid restrictions meant that in that whole year, our college managed just one very much curtailed weekend together at the end of the summer term. Actually seeing people in real life was wonderful, if slightly overwhelming, and we ended the year feeling almost as though we had only just arrived, despite having spent numerous evenings and weekends learning together about Old Testament Studies or Doctrine. I have particularly loved the college’s focus on working at the margins of society – in as many ways as possible.

This year has been better in terms of meeting people in real life, and we have had several weekends together – including one recently where we were rudely awakened by a 6am fire alarm, that had the college standing in the snow in our pyjamas, whilst the Mirfield Brethren in their cloaks, gathered us into a rather spooky-looking circle to read the fire list. I have to admit to giggling when the reply to ‘Brother Crispin?’ came back as, ‘in his room’ – sounded as though he might well have been!

That first year saw me on placement at Ripon Cathedral, initially to focus not only on the cathedral’s relationship to rural parishes/needs and to see how a very different way of worshipping felt. I was keen to see how it felt to work with a large team in a church that has a strong civic presence. Again, Covid put paid to that plan and I found myself instead serving as chaplain in the cathedral, which stayed open for private prayer. I was also getting involved in planning and leading activities for schools and families instead. In the very darkest bits of lockdown, I found that my ‘church’ became the staff and teams working in the cathedral – the vergers, musicians, cleaners and volunteers who kept the building going. It was a time filled with profound and heart-rending conversations and also with mad opportunities – why not climb up to the roof or explore the underground areas of this crazy, ancient building. I think my time in Ripon could be summed up by the phrase “from the sublime to the ridiculous.” I have loved it and am so grateful for the experience.

As churches opened up, I was encouraged to play a part in the very formal aspects of cathedral worship. I won’t deny it is somewhat terrifying to be in charge of a smoking thurible (the name for the incense burner on a chain) when it sticks shut fast and refuses to open. I do quite like playing with fire, but I have to say I was very nervous of getting the precise choreography involved ‘wrong’ despite being absolutely convinced God really doesn’t mind.

I made a lot of friends in the year at Ripon as I finally became more
enmeshed in the congregation and the events and groups that began to open up again, allowing me to take part in so much of the work and worship. I will miss the humour and kindness of so many people now the placement has ended.

From Ripon’s vastness I am going somewhere much smaller with a very different demographic but a familiar face as I am off to St John the Evangelist in Bierley, where Paul Wheelhouse is vicar. I met the congregation this weekend, and hopefully there will be plenty to get
involved in and even more to learn and chances to grow.

I often find I am praying for St Mary’s and I do miss you all. Hopefully I will come and say hello one weekend and see for myself all the new things God is doing amongst you.

Love Lizzie x

Lent House Groups – coming in March

We are excited to let you know that we are going to be offering a Lent course this year.

We will be using “If you Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get out of the Boat!” by John Ortberg. This is a fascinating course and we’d love you to join in the journey this Lent.

A little insight from the course, “John Ortberg invites you to consider the incredible potential that awaits you outside your comfort zone. Out on the risky waters of faith, Jesus is waiting to meet you in ways that will change you forever, deepening your character and your trust in God!”

We are all called to push ourselves for God and to seek His purpose for our lives but we all too easily settle for comfort. If you feel like its time to explore your faith and calling in a new way and could do with a helping hand and encouragement from other Christians, then please do join us.

The course is accessible, encouraging and life changing.

Look out for more info coming up in the next few weeks at church, on the website, FB pages and in emails.

Becky Berry and Lis Merrick

Lent Lunches

The pandemic cut short our usual Lent Lunches in 2020 and last year we were not able to hold them at all. We are still aware of changing times as new variants appear, but we are planning 2 lunches in the hope we will be able to hold them. Provisionally we are offering Thursdays March 24th and March 31st 12 noon to 1.30pm at the Methodist Church.

This has meant a change in day because Fridays are no longer available. As before all donations will be given to Christian Aid. It has proved a wonderful way to meet others from across the village and we hope people will feel able to come.

Janet Squire, Christine Clark, Mary Wood, and the Christian Aid Committee

We start our update with a huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported the ‘virtual trek’ to the top of Mount Everest, a distance of 40 miles with an additional 5 to allow for the altitude! We raised over £1000 with some Gift Aid still to come in, so it has been a successful event in support of the Palliative Care project. WNDT donations will be specifically used so that poor patients (unable to pay for the cost of care) will receive the treatment and care that they need. We also thank everyone who supported our craft stall at the Christmas Market, where we had record takings (helped by our IT upgrade i.e. a card-reading payment machine!).

During 2021, despite the ongoing challenges of COVID, the new Palliative Care centre opened, and is a base for ongoing activities. These include giving practical help and support in a range of ways. Medical, therapy and nursing treatment can be given in the care centre. Vulnerable patients and their families have been given equipment and support to manage at home, including donations of food and other essential items.

As well as this practical support, the project also develops the idea of Palliative Care in Nepal in different ways. Throughout the country, in the government health care system, there are small district hospitals, and health posts, often quite remote. Patients are expected to pay for any treatment that they need, though some of the hospitals may have a charity fund. The health post is like a village clinic, and should have at least one qualified nurse, and assistant staff with some basic skills, as well as some medicines. Developing the skills of the staff in the district hospitals and
health posts, and giving them support and motivation is important for their
ongoing work. A Palliative Care Toolkit has been written to give information about palliative care for these staff, and a Nepali version is now being reviewed with health workers in Lamjung district, a mountainous area, as part of their training. The World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2021 was also celebrated.

Jane Schofield