Vicar’s Letter by Rev Tom Ringland
As I write to you, we are heading towards the darkest time of the year. On December 21st the night will be more than twice as long as the day, with just seven hours and 29 minutes between sunrise and sunset in Wensleydale.
Darkness can be threatening, and it’s always encouraging to think of the days lengthening with the coming of the new year!
But we use the darkness as a curtain to display an ever-increasing range of Christmas lights in this season – decorating windows, house fronts and even gardens with illuminations that cheer us and raise our spirits as our eyes are drawn to them - in contrast to the dark.
Some of our villages are once again lighting a new window each day in December, as they become living Advent calendars. Look out for numbered windows in West Witton, Thoralby or Carperby!
There’s a strange saying in the midst of that wonderfully mysterious opening chapter of St John’s Gospel. It’s a passage we often read or listen to in our Christmas services. John writes in Chapter 1 verse 5, ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’.
In the older Bibles this reads, ‘And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not’.
Light disperses darkness – whereas darkness cannot subdue – or grasp the light.
There can be many reasons why we feel the world is a dark place – and not just literally because of the winter. Our lives might be filled with trouble and challenge; the news might be ever more threatening – but the celebration of Christmas, even more than being merely a time of parties and of forgetting of troubles is a time when we celebrate that Light which shines in – and overcomes the darkness.
We celebrate a message of angels … a star in the heavens … the birth of the world’s Saviour … a sign of God’s presence.
The darkness may still be present, but just as our eyes are drawn to Christmas lights, so if we pay attention to the heart of the Christmas good news, we shall find that the darkness is lessened and hope Is awakened.
During this dark month of December, on clear nights you will see a bright light in the sky, apart from the moon.
Earth and Jupiter are both on the same side of the sun, and are in alignment, so the planet appears especially bright. Perhaps it will be a reminder of the star that led the Magi – and like our decorations serve to remind us of the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world!
The contemporary hymn writer and worship leader Graham Kendrick has written:-
Like a candle flame
Flickering small in our darkness
Uncreated light
Shines through infant eyes …
May the God who comes to us in Christ, banish the darkness and embrace us with his light and life this Christmas and beyond!
Happy Christmas, everyone!
Click here for the December 2024 -January 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
West Burton Chapel Final Services: While West Burton chapel's final service will actually be on Christmas Eve, (8pm Holy Communion) there will be a Service of Thanksgiving and Recollections on Sunday 22nd December at 2.30 p.m. and all are welcome to share in memories and in thankfulness for past blessings.
Church Afternoon Tea
Wednesday January 15th, 2 - 4pm Wednesday at Redmire Village Hall
Church Coffee Morning
10.30am -12 noon Wednesday 1st January at Redmire Village Hall.
Advent lights
As Christmas lights glow in the midst of the dark of the year, look out for numbered Advent windows appearing in Carperby, Thoralby and West Witton during December.
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. Begins again in the New Year.
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.