The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, preached at St Bartholomew’s, West Witton on Sunday 27th July on his final visit to a parish in the Leeds Diocese before he retires.
At the united service for the churches in Penhill Benefice he analysed more deeply the Lord’s Prayer after telling the large congregation: ‘In my life prayer has too often been what I have to say to God rather than listening to what God has to say to me. Because prayer is, in the end, the reshaping of our minds by exposure to God, so that we begin to see God, the world and us through His eyes.’
Revd Tom Ringland, vicar of Penhill Benefice, said: ‘He encouraged us to stress the word “your” wherever it occurs in the Lord’s Prayer.’
Bishop Nick and his wife, Linda, spent time with members of the congregation after the service while enjoying the refreshments provided in the village hall. He became the first Bishop of Leeds in 2014 and will retire on November 30 2025.
Above: L-R Revd Tom Ringland, Rt Revd Nick Baines, and Revd Scott Lunn
Vicar's Letter: Revd Tom Ringland
Dear everyone,
At school, I’m afraid, I had little time for history.
I couldn't see the point of learning about the past. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the older I've become, the more I've become genuinely interested in where we have come from and what we can learn from the wisdom of previous generations.
Of course, our Christian history in the Dale is truly ancient. Saint Oswald’s church in Castle Bolton is older than the castle, being built in the early 1300s. Saint Mary's church in Redmire is older still, and there is evidence of the Saxons building churches here in the 8th and 9th centuries as revealed, for example, by the stone cross stolen from Aysgarth in 1996; the carved cross inserted in the wall at Saint Bartholomew’s, West Witton and archaeological finds in Wensley churchyard.
These put our own few decades here into some context even if our families have been here for generations. Think of all the years that people have grown up, lived, talked and learned from each other, watching the seasons progress year to year, walking the same paths and looking at the same hills that we do today!
This year the Christian Church worldwide marks an even older anniversary. Today we still affirm our faith at every communion service using the words of “The Creed”... a word taken from the Latin “Credo”, meaning I believe. Strictly it is called the Nicene Creed, as there are two others also authorised in the prayer book.
It was formulated at an ecumenical (universal) Council called by the Emperor Constantine, and which met in Nicea in western Turkey in the year 325... meaning this year is the 1700th anniversary!
The Nicene Creed is still an excellent summary of the Christian faith. In just 226 words it declares our belief in God, and in Jesus – who, as true God was always with the Father, and by his descent, his life, death, resurrection and ascension enables us to have a restored relationship with God (salvation). We believe Jesus is returning in judgment at the close of the age, that he has sent the Holy Spirit, established his church, given us Baptism as a sign of our forgiveness and a hope in resurrection. Wow – that takes some digestion!
Because there is quite a lot of ‘meat’ there, the Church of England has produced some materials for small groups to use and chat through – and I shall be offering such an opportunity for a few weeks in October into November. The precise time and day will depend on who is interested, so get in touch to know more – and keep an eye on the weekly pew sheet … there are always some left at the back of church following the Sunday service.
The wisdom of the ancients, meeting together all those years ago, have left us a piece of work which still defines our faith and inspires our worship 1,700 years after it was commissioned!
Click here for the October to November issue of the Penhill Beacon.
Churches Open:
Preston under Scar and Wensley - Daily
Aysgarth - daily
Castle Bolton - daily
Redmire - Daily
West Witton - daily
Rev Scott Lunn is now curate in Penhill Benefice. For his own introduction and photos click here
Wensleydale Filling Station: 7pm on 10th October at Thornborough Hall, Leyburn. The speaker, Michael Hepper, was the vicar of Leyburn and Bellerby and Rural Dean for several years. After retirement he moved to Northumberland onto what became an equestrian centre run by his son, and he became a part time ‘pizza chef’ – something he’d always wanted to do. Micheal was involved with Wensleydale Filling Station right from the start in 2013, as it evolved from a United Service which had been running for 22 years. His guidance and support were invaluable as it was with King’s Club where he was part of the leadership team.
The speaker on Friday 14th November is Matt Hirst from the Lake District.
For further information contact: 07714 204024
Church Afternoon Tea : 2-4pm, Redmire Village Hall, Wednesday 15th October and Wednesday 19th November
‘A Quiet Day’ at the Jonas Centre: 10am-4pm Thursday 16th October. Cost £30 per person includes resources, refreshments and a light lunch. ‘Let the important overwhelm the urgent’ Come and enjoy our beautiful site, with no responsibilities or expectations other than to receive. To book and for further details contact: Mandy Oliver, 07591 639933/ 01969 624900.
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. The next meeting is on Tuesday 28th October.
Prayer and Praise Live! 7pm, Friday 24th Oct - Rev Simon Moor and Rev Lee Finnegan
Friday 28th Nov - Rev Stasi Tregartha.
Everyone welcome! For more information email
Mary's Meals - foreign currency and old money can be donated to the charity Mary's Meals.
Toy Fair: 11am–3pm, Saturday 1st November, Carperby Village Institute.
A St. Andrew’s Fund Raiser. Grandparents & parents all welcome to have a coffee/tea, savouries, cake & swap toys for Christmas. Helpers would be appreciated for baking or serving. Thank you. Liz Piper 01969 663747.
Memorial Service at All Souls’ tide:
Sunday 2nd November at 3.00 p.m. St Andrew’s Church, Aysgarth
All Souls’ is also called The ‘Commemoration of the Faithful Departed’.
Once again we are inviting everyone to this service. Whether you are remembering someone who died recently or many years ago, you are warmly encouraged to come and participate. Within the service we each light a candle to their memory and place our hope in the Light of Christ. Please send names to Christine at the office
Remembrance Services
There will be Remembrance Services at 10.45am on Sunday 9th November at St Andrew's, Aysgarth: St Mary's, Redmire; and Holy Trinity, Wensley. All Remembrance Services will pause for the Silence at 11.00 a.m.
St Andrew’s Gift Day
St Andrew’s Day and Patronal Festival is Sunday 30th November. The annual letter and associated envelopes will be distributed to houses in the parish around the middle of November.
Benefice Advent Reflections
7.30pm, Aysgarth Institute; Tuesdays 25th November, 2nd, 9th and 16th December .
Contact Tom or Christine for further details.
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:
Bungokho Rural Development Centre - At the Benefice Service at St Bartholomew’s Church on 12th September £220 was raised for the Bungokho Rural Development Centre. Thank you to all who contributed.
Christian Aid: At the Benefice Service at St Andrew’s, on 9th March with The Rt Revd and Rt. Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, The Bishop of London a total of £257.50 was raised for Christian Aid.
The Lent Lunches raised a total of £1,125.04 for Christian Aid Lent Appeal with their work towards a world without poverty. In addition, the Food for Thought evenings raised £432 for Medecins sans Frontieres (Gaza) and £248 for Parkinsons (UK).
Thank you to everyone who took part and contributed in any way.
Aysgarth Gift Day
The total donated for St. Andrew’s Gift Weekend was £3,365. The PCC thanks all who contributed.
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.