Vicar’s Letter by Rev Canon Penny Yeadon
Autumn – full of colour, seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness, and gathering swallows twitter in the skies, two lines from John Keats’s Poem
- ‘Ode to Autumn’. Although global warming means that the seasons
are not as predictable as in the past, still a season where nature shows her full glory.
The church at this time of year also prepares for a season of thankfulness and remembrance.
Thankfulness as the harvest is gathered in and our churches are full of glorious produce and floral displays showing the abundance of God’s generosity. A time to reflect and give thanks to God, and a time, perhaps,
to repent for our lack of care for the world that he has given, for our selfishness in not sharing the earth’s bounty fairly and our failure to protect resources for others; But nevertheless a time of thanksgiving and doing what we can to share the resources that God provides for us.
There are many, both locally and in the wider world, that are unable to afford to feed themselves or their families, so if we are able it is a time also to share with others, whether that is donating what we can to a local foodbank, or giving financially, what we can, to the one of the many charities that support the welfare of others, even if it is only a small amount, all gifts are gratefully received.
Then we move to remembrance; All Saints Day, where we remember men and women in whose lives the Church as a whole has seen the grace of God powerfully at work. It is a time to reflect and give thanks for that grace, and for the wonderful ends to which it shapes human life. Our Benefice Service of Commemoration and thanksgiving on Sunday 3rd November at 3pm at St. Andrew’s, Aysgarth, allows us also to reflect and give thanks in a more local and intimate way. It allows us to remember with thanksgiving before God those whom we have known more directly; those who gave us life, who nurtured us in faith and are yet separated from us by death.
Another day for both church and community to remember those who lost their lives in both World Wars and more recent conflicts such as Afghanistan, the Ukraine, the Middle East and the Sudan, is that of Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday this year on Sunday the 10th November.
One thing that these seasons, of both nature and remembrance have in common is a time for reflection, time to stop, take stock and to give thanks to God for all that He gives us in providing both for our physical needs and for providing friends and families who support us with their love, kindness and generosity through all life’s journeys. And a time to remember that ‘the Steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is his faithfulness.’ Lamentations 3.22,23
I hope to see you and your family over the next few weeks at one of our services.
click here for the October-November issue 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
Has Wensleydale Got Talent: 6.30pm on Saturday 12th October at Holy Trinity Church, Wensley. This event
is to help raise money for cushions on pews in the church.
Prayer Fellowship
The Prayer Fellowship usually meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm 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. The next meeting is on Tuesday 22nd October.
Church Afternoon Tea: 2-4pm, on Wednesday 16th October at Redmire Village Hall.
Churchyard Maintenance Day: 10am Saturday 19th October at St. Bartholomew’s
Church, West Witton: If anyone would like to come along to help please bring
along your own secateurs, trowel, kneeler, garden gloves and garden rubbish
bag! Coffee and biscuits will be provided. Lunch at the fox at 12.00 for those
who would like to.
Wensleydale Filling Station: 7pm, Friday 11th October, Thornborough Hall,
Leyburn. Speaker: Brian Wilson. Brian has helped to train around 160
students for church leadership across the Yorkshire region.
For this year's programme for the Filling Station see:
http://thefillingstation.org.uk/station/wensleydale/
Contact: 07714 204024
Prayer and Praise at Bedale - The next Prayer and Praise is on Friday October 25th at Chantry Hall at 7pm.
Memorial Service for all who are bereaved at 3pm on Sunday 3rd November at St. Andrew’s, Aysgarth
Whether you are remembering someone who died recently or many years ago, you are warmly encouraged to come and participate. We each light a candle to their memory and place our hope in the Light of Christ.
Refreshments will be available after the service.
The Art, Craft and Coffee Day raised £900 for Mary's Meals through the efforts of Preston under Scar, Wensley, our benefice, and St Peter and Paul's parish at Leyburn. Many thanks to all who helped, sold, bought and ate cake!
Christian Aid
There will be a separate plate in churches for donations to Christian Aid's appeal for aid for the civilian population of Gaza. Christian Aid have partners on the ground in Gaza and are exploring possibilities of supporting Israeli civilians also.
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.
War Memorial at Aysgarth church: The refurbished War Memorial at Aysgarth church was dedicated on November 11. Click here for an illustrated report.
Supporting biodiversity: St. Mary’s Church, Redmire has recently undertaken the Roche ECO Survey with a view to improving the biodiversity of the Churchyard. As part of the action plan we are seeking sponsorship of bird boxes, wild flower seeds, particularly butterfly habitat plants, and bird feeding stations.
Should anyone be interested in supporting this initiative please contact Denise Houghton, tel. 622625 or 07800658083. Email:
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.