THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Daniel – 20th March 2026Springtime Grace: Signs of New BeginningsI don’t know about you, but I am always so glad when I see the daffodils starting to appear. After the long stillness of winter, spring starts to arrive quietly but unmistakably. The days grow longer, the air softens, and across our gardens and open spaces in Copmanthorpe the bright yellow heads of daffodils begin to bloom and dance in the breeze. These small but vibrant flowers are often the first visible sign that the earth is waking again. After months of bare branches and grey skies, they stand as cheerful reminders that life is returning.For Christians, the changing of the seasons offers more than a shift in weather; it reflects a deeper spiritual truth. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that God is the author of renewal. Just as the earth emerges from the dormancy of winter, so too does God invite us into seasons of new beginnings.The Bible speaks of this rhythm of life in Ecclesiastes: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Winter has its purpose - times of rest, reflection, and waiting - but spring reveals that waiting is never the final chapter. God is always at work beneath the surface.The appearance of daffodils captures this hope beautifully. For much of the year their bulbs lie hidden underground, unseen and seemingly inactive. Yet within that hiddenness something is happening. In time, they push through the soil and bloom, bright and confident. In a similar way, God often works quietly in our lives during the colder or more difficult seasons, preparing us for growth that will one day become visible.This message of renewal is central to the Christian faith. In the Second Letter to the Corinthians we read: “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Through Christ, we are continually invited into transformation. Our past does not define our future, because God’s grace makes renewal possible.Spring also draws our hearts toward the promise of resurrection that stands at the centre of the Gospel. As we move toward Easter, the natural world itself seems to echo the story we proclaim of life emerging from what once appeared lifeless. The empty tomb is the ultimate declaration that God brings life where we might expect only endings.In this way, the daffodils in our gardens, open spaces, and churchyards become gentle teachers of faith. They remind us that hope often begins quietly, that life can grow in hidden places, and that God’s timing is faithful even when we cannot yet see the outcome.Perhaps this spring we might pause when we notice those bright yellow flowers swaying in the breeze. They are more than a pleasant sight; they are small signs of the greater promise God has given us, a promise of renewal, restoration, and new life.As the prophet Isaiah writes: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19).May this season of spring help us notice the new things God is doing in our lives, our church, and our community. Just like the daffodils, may we rise with hope and bear witness to the new life that God continues to bring into the world.Daniel Khan, Licenced Lay MinisterPray forOur 7 churches as we move towards a wider Mission and Ministry unitLearning to live out our faith as we explore discipleship – “Following Jesus Together”Opportunities to share our faith with othersGive thanks forAmy, our children, youth and families worker and her work in our villagesVicar Geoff, as he takes on 3 more churchesOur many blessings materially and spirituallyWe pray for all who live and work in the following streets in our communities:In Copmanthorpe - Sutor Close, Millers Croft, Merchant Way, Saddlers Close.In Bolton Percy & Colton - Pump Alley: Priesthill Cottage, The Spinney, The LodgeIn Askham Bryan - Askham Bryan Lane and Nurseries Caravan ParkIn Acaster Malbis - Cundall Drive - Mount Pleasant, Cobblers TrodIn Appleton Roebuck - Briar Court, Briar DriveIn the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Rachel Reid – 13th March 2026Why are we here and what is God’s purpose for our lives?Following on from Vicar Geoff’s Thought for last week on Whole Life Discipleship, you might be asking yourself what this might mean for you?We find ourselves in turbulent times. A new war has broken out in the Middle East, and our TV screens and social media feeds are alight with missile strikes and devastating scenes of destruction. The world struggles with the effects of climate change. People suffer injustice, persecution and prejudice. We might sometimes feel, like Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings, that we wish we had been born in more peaceful, simpler times. But as Gandalf says, that’s not for us to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.In Minneapolis, where terrible things have happened to people under the anti-immigration ICE agents, Christians are resisting by singing.The red sun rises on a world on fireBut it also rises on a holy choirSinging through the dark timesThrough the ash and smokeWeaving grief into the songSinging our way back to hopeWe may not have ICE agents in our streets, nor missiles hitting our cities. We may not be directly affected by the sufferings of our fellow humans far away. We may feel safe and as though we can just carry on as we always have done. We might not feel any need for change. We may, in fact, be sleeping.What should we be doing? What will bring us joy, abundant life and purpose? What will help us to ride out the storms of life and hang on to hope? What could Whole Life Discipleship look like for us? We need each other’s help and encouragement, working together and sharing our lives together. I’m sure we will explore this further in our community of seven village churches, but here’s a few ideas, taken from the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (licc) website:Be intentionally kind to our neighbours, going out of our way to do soShop sustainably and consume in a way that promotes justiceBe ready to share the gospel with a friend at the right moment, in a meaningful way that speaks to their questions and longingsOn the last bullet point, come to the Oasis service at St Nicholas’, Askham Bryan, this Mothering Sunday at 10:30, to hear more!Rachel
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Vicar Geoff – 6th March 2026 - Following Jesus more closely, day by dayI have been interested to read of thinking in the area of “whole life discipleship”. When we make a commitment to follow Jesus it is not just about going to church on a Sunday, or going to church in itself, it is far more encompassing. Following Jesus impacts our whole life. It is not something that we switch on for a couple of hours a week or when we feel like it, nor is it limited to church activities. It involves our whole being, our daily life and our relationships with others. That is because God is interested in every aspect of our lives. It is very much about us becoming more like Jesus.Following Jesus is far more than just going to church. Followers of Jesus are disciples and disciples are learners. Disciples are not mega holy people, who spend all their time on their knees praying. Being a disciple is about following Jesus in daily life and living out the Christian faith on a daily, hourly and by the minute basis, in all areas of life - work, school, community and of course church.When we look at the life of Jesus as recorded in the bible, we see him doing many ordinary, everyday things, using illustrations from everyday life of the time – eating with others, farming, fishing , marrying and mourning. Jesus wants to be involved in all these aspects of our lives and more. On the sideline of a football match where our children are playing, at the supermarket, on the bus and even down the local pub (I know you would expect me to stick that one in there!). These are all aspects of life, and life is what God is interested in.As we move forward together we will be increasingly exploring how we can better express our faith through our discipleship. If it all seems a bit new to you, don’t worry. While discipleship is not new (Jesus lived it out with his 12) it is something which has been widely talked about in the life of our village churches, and it is something which we can all benefit from and should make every effort to pursue.GeoffPray for …Living out our faith across our villages as we explore discipleship together – our ABC strapline is ‘Following Jesus Together’Our village churches growing together as we become one Mission and Ministry UnitBecoming more like JesusGive thanks for …Our Children, Youth and Families Worker, AmyAll who are involved with our Messy Church, Little Apples and Little Fish playgroupsAlex, our administrator as we work at streamlining and improving our communications and processesWe pray for all who live and work in the following streets in our communities:In Copmanthorpe - Horseman Drive, Horseman Close, Horseman CourtIn Bolton Percy & Colton - Church View CottagesIn Askham Bryan - Askham Bryan CollegeIn Acaster Malbis - Intake Lane, Cowper Lane, Tyn GarthIn Appleton Roebuck - Ainsty GarthIn the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
