From this coming Monday, morning prayer will be held at 9.30am at St John’s Church, Minskip rather than online. This is a short simple service to help get us in the right frame of mind for the week ahead. Do pop along any week you would like.
You are invited to a Spring Parish Quiet Day from 10am to 3.30pm at Holy Rood House, Thirsk on Saturday 22nd April.
The Quiet Day will include full use of their library, art room, beautiful garden and chapel – and with wonderful food! Anyone from our United Parish can attend. Please contact Rev Karen to find out more or to express interest in making a booking.
This year we will be once again running our Parish lent course with our Methodist friends. The course will run on Wednesday afternoons 2.30 – 4pm, beginning on 1st March. Classes will be held at The Vicarage on Church Lane and will be based on the Leeds Diocese “Rhythm of Life” Course.
The theme of the course is “Journeying with Jesus through Lent: What does it mean to be a disciple in the world today?” and it will focus on lenten themes, combined with some key issues, including Poverty, Racism and the Environment. Sessions will provide an opportunity to engage with the Rhythm of Life areas for deepening commitment: that is, praying, encouraging, sharing, reflecting, celebrating, resting and creating. The course is open to all, and Rev Karen and Rev Ian look forward to welcoming you.
Do come and join us at our Make Time for Mindfulness sessions at St James’ Church on the first Thursday of each month, between 2pm and 3pm, for some time without phones, emails or chores. Peace and quiet, colouring and creating, and acceptance and support. Free tea and coffee available.
Note: There won’t be a session on Maundy Thursday, 6th April. So, the next one will be on Thursday 4th May!
On Thursdays during term-time we have a “Make Time for Music” preschool group at St James’ Church. This runs from 9.30am – 10am and tea and coffee is served following this (anyone can come in for a drink, not just parents from the group).
New this Year! Second Sunday of each month at 4pm, outside St Mary’s Church, Lower Dunsforth.
Forest Church is a meeting which takes place outside to worship God, and which takes account of the seasons and the outside space. It meets outside at all times of year (so you need to dress appropriately) and aims to help people connect with God as the creator and carer of the natural world. Forest Church helps us to connect with God by reminding us of our own interconnectedness with the whole of creation including one another.
Forest Church will include singing and simple prayers and readings and will last around half an hour in the winter months. It will also include practical activities – looking, listening, making and engaging.
Forest Church might appeal if you:
• Sometimes feel that you feel closer to God on a walk or in the garden than you do in a Church building.
• Sometimes find you don’t relate or that you “switch off” in a traditional Church service.
• Are young (or any age!) and don’t like sitting still, but feel more comfortable doing something. Forest Church is suitable for everyone from babies upwards, as it is possible to wander around while taking part and it is very interactive.
• Relate strongly to environmental concerns.
• Would like to engage in something spiritual in a less structured setting.