Vicar’s Letter
It’s a pleasure this month for me to make way for an introductory letter from Scott Lunn, who on June 28th will be ordained Deacon in the Church of England in Wakefield cathedral, before joining us as a part time Curate - Rev Tom Ringland
Scott Lunn:
…What a strange but wonderful task this is: to write a short self-introduction to the communities of The Penhill Benefice. I have the privilege of joining your worshipping community at the end of June. Whilst there are different aspects and reasons for looking forward to this, the primary blessing is in joining the church communities in Wensleydale that from generation to generation have offered a welcome and common call to the love of God in Christ Jesus. When our Church is under strain, as it is just now, we are reminded of the value of the on-going presence of the church in the dale; it is a value I do not take for granted.
Twenty-five years ago, I was given a welcome at the church in Richmond. Two years ago, I was welcomed afresh at Middleham (as an ordinand on placement, and member of the worshipping community). There is enormous value in the welcome being offered to me by The Penhill Benefice, not least because of the hard work, sacrifices and love that have ensured the churches’ continuity through the generations. That work, love, and commitment continues afresh today. I do not underestimate the value of people simply turning up Sunday-by-Sunday, when we are able, as even if this is all that we do it is an essential encouragement to others.
I also come to join you as a curate. This too, as I write this, seems strange and wonderful as my ordination, in Wakefield, is not until the end of June. Whilst each believer’s story is unique my new identity as ‘curate’ will have some notable characteristics: I will be SSM (self-supporting minister), as is Penny; I will part time with half my life committed to church work and half my life continuing as a mathematics teacher at Richmond School and Sixth Form (those of you with longer memories may remember me working at The Wensleydale School and Sixth Form); I am 53 years old, which is very much at the older end of those being ordained this summer.
Some of you may have met my lovely wife Gillian; originally from Gourock but now finishing her third year of curacy at Leyburn and Bellerby. We have three grown up children: Helen (previous Alastair) who begins an organ apprenticeship at Chelmsford Cathedral in September, James studying Mathematics at Sheffield, and Andrew finishing his studies at Richmond School before heading off to London with his trombone. And we have Benji, our dog, who is an eleven-year-old Springador. (Above: Scott and Gillian)
As someone who loves to sing and play the piano, I am looking forward to hearing more of the concerts held in the benefice. And it is very possible we have passed each other when I have been out-and-about on my bicycle in the beauty that we share in both Wensleydale and Swaledale.
There’s much more I could add but suffice to express my sense of excitement and privilege at the prospect of getting out-and-about in the benefice and hearing your stories and perspectives!
We worship Christ who is the Suffering Servant and so alongside the beauty around and within we acknowledge the deep challenges we face in life’s seasons. My prayer is to serve and support whilst having the wisdom to know when I am in need of help from others. Alongside my ministry as a Reader (LLM) since 2000 a distinctive aspect of my ministry is working alongside our Church’s Survivor Engagement team as well as some of the work of our National Safeguarding Team (NST). It is a busy time.
I was asked, recently, by our Diocesan Director of Vocations how I imagined my role as a curate within the Penhill Benefice. “I don’t know”, was my honest answer. We don’t write the script. We can and do, however, dedicate ourselves to God in worship, love and hard work. Our prayer is that in journeying together, committing ourselves to each other, and sharing stories, we will always be following the guidance of our living God. There will be both blessing and challenges but through all our loving and living and learning together we grow deeper in the knowledge that ……
“in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39.
Click here for the April-May 2025 edition of Penhill Beacon
Our church buildings are usually open:
Preston under Scar and Wensley - Daily
Aysgarth - daily
Castle Bolton - daily
Redmire - Daily
West Witton - daily
Preparation Of A New Church Electoral Roll for 2025
Every six years each parish is required to compile a new electoral roll and 2025 is the year that a new one will be prepared.
The electoral roll is the list of a church's membership. All members are eligible to attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). Everyone (both current members and new), who wishes to be on the roll need to fill out an application form. To request a form or for further information please contact one of the Parish Electoral Roll Officers: Margaret Ferguson for Aysgarth; Jayne Foster for Bolton cum Redmire; Hilary Grisewood for Preston with Wensley; and Cherie Miles for West Witton. Or contact Tom, Penny or Christine.
Church Afternoon Tea:
2-4pm, Wednesday May 21st, Redmire Village Hall
Prayer Fellowship
The Prayer Fellowship usually meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm at Aysgarth Institute to pray together for the benefice, the wider church, local, national and international issues, and for personal concerns and each other. We begin with a Bible Reflection and short discussion. Next meeting: Tuesday May 27th
Swaledale Festival Service:
10 am Sunday May 25th , Holy Trinity, Wensley.
The service will include music from Handel and Fauré by organist Richard Selwyn Sharpe, vocal soloists and trumpeter.
Prayer and Praise Live - 7pm on fourth Sunday in the month at Chantry Hall, Bedale.
May 23rd
June 27th
Looking forward to praising God together!
For more information contact Linda Collingwood -
Wensleydale Filling Station: 7pm, Friday May 9th Speaker: Jonny Hirst from Kay Street Baptist,
For further info about the Filling Station contact 07714 204024.
The Very Narrow Bridge of Life:
Stories Through the Church Year by Revd Peter Jenner
This is a book about finding joy in a world that sometimes seems difficult to navigate. Through a collection of engaging stories, which were originally delivered as sermons, Peter invites us to reflect on our own faith journey and encourages us to be ‘fully part of the adventure of life…appreciative of God’s creation, of human interaction and delighting in what is and ought to be.’ Peter died shortly after retiring, and during his final months the book was edited by Louise Redshaw who lives in Carperby. Profits from the sale of the book will be shared between St Andrew’s Church, Aysgarth, and the Stuart Warren Foundation which supports a PhD student from the South African Region to study Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. Copies are available for £10 from:
Christian Aid
This charity will be supported by Penhill Benefice throughout Lent via the Christian Aid envelopes and the Lent Soup lunches (see below). Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. You can find more about their work on page 8 of the February-March edition of the Penhill Beacon or at www.christianaid.org.uk
A total of £257.50 inc. Gift Aid was raised for Christian Aid at the Benefice Service on March 9th at St Andrew’s. Thank you to all who contributed.
A total of £432 was raised for Médecins Sans Frontières valiant work in Gaza at the Food for Thought Evening on March.18th.
Aysgarth Gift Day
The total donated for St. Andrew’s Gift Weekend was £3,365. The PCC thanks all who contributed.
Christmas Services - Charities
A total amount of £476.65 was collected for The Salvation Army from Thoralby, Thornton Rust and Aysgarth services.
Preston under Scar raised £200 for The Children’s Society.
Redmire Christmas Services raised £500 for St. George’s Crypt.
West Witton Carol Service raised £154.70 for The Children’s Society and £186 from the Crib Service for The Bungokho Rural Development Centre.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the charities.
Castle Bolton Print For Sale
If you would like to buy a print of St. Oswald’s Church at Castle Bolton priced at £20 which are mounted and cellophane wrapped please contact the office (01969 663097) for further information.
Aysgarth church -
The following are now available online -
War Memorials and Graves at Aysgarth church
The printed illustrated guide to War Memorials and Graves in the churchyard is available in Aysgarth church.
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.
The line is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044. Callers will hear a special greeting from the Archbishop before being able to choose from a range of options, including hymns, prayers, reflections and advice on COVID-19. Please let your family and friends, who are not on internet, know about this. More information click here
Hear To Help
Just 'B' is offering emotional wellbeing support to people in the Harrogate District, Hambleton and Richmondshire, with its Hear to Help phoneline, available to anyone who may need help with such issues as grief, low mood, isolation, anxiety or isolation. The line is manned by trained staff and volunteers and is available seven days a week, 8am-8pm. For more information see Hear to Help.