THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Pilgrim Places by Rachel (LLM/Reader) 15th July 2026Chaucer said that April was the month to go on pilgrimages, but the Pilgrim Places initiative, part of Faith in the North, invites us all to make our churches places of pilgrimage, where weary travellers, casual passers-by, and fellow villagers can find rest, wonder and peace.Psalm 19:1 says “The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard, yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”There are whispers of the divine in the beauty and wonder of the natural world, but church buildings can speak too. Few people will come to church and hear a sermon, and many people in our villages may not have even seen the inside of our beautiful churches. Yet our buildings themselves can tell Christ’s story, if we will open them up to the spiritually curious. The story of Jesus, his birth, death and resurrection, the apostles and the beginning of the church, the heroes of the Old Testament and the stories of the New, are told in stained glass. Candles symbolise the Light of Christ and crosses remind us of his victory over death. The altar shows us that there is one sacrifice for sin, and there we remember, in the mystery of bread and wine, that Jesus gave his body and his blood for us. The font shows us where the Christian pilgrimage begins, with baptism and repentance, leading to new life in Christ. Gothic arches and lofty ceilings draw our eyes upwards in wonder, and we can sense the yearning of human beings for meaning and significance, for the numinous, for God. Ancient stones, soaked in prayer, are a monument to hundreds of years of faith. The stone floors remember the tread of many feet, voices now silent, souls now resting in peace, waiting for the return of our Lord. The Pilgrim Places initiative is for such a time as this, where many people, especially young people, are spiritually hungry and curious. Our world today, with its wars, climate change, injustice and violence, is not unlike the Anglo Saxon world in which our ancient Northern Saints, such as Paulinus, Aelred, Cuthbert, Hilda and Aidan lived.You can sign up to be a Pilgrim place on the Faith in the North website www.faithinthenorth.org There are free materials available such as prayer cards, illustrated, reflective trails helping you explore churches, resources for children and young people and a toolkit of ideas to help you use your building to welcome visitors. Contact Rachel if your PCC needs help with this! rachelreid91@gmail.com or call me on 07981127324
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - Daniel Khan – 10th July 2026GOAL!!!As the World Cup captures the imagination of millions around the globe, there is one word that echoes through stadiums, homes, pubs, and village halls alike, "GOAL!" When the ball hits the back of the net, strangers embrace, flags wave, and entire nations celebrate together. Football has an incredible way of bringing people together. We all enjoy being part of something bigger than ourselves, yet the World Cup also reminds us how easily we are swept along by the crowd. The roar of thousands can be exhilarating, but crowds are not always right.Throughout history, crowds have celebrated heroes one day and rejected them the next. The Bible gives us perhaps the clearest example of this during Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, the crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem, shouting: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (John 12:13). But just a few days later, many in the crowd were crying: "Crucify him!" (Luke 23:21). The same voices but now carried in a different direction.It is a sobering reminder for us all that following the crowd is not the same as following Christ. In our own lives we can face similar pressures to follow the throng. It may not be a stadium full of supporters, but the voices of social media, popular opinion, or even the desire simply to fit in, can often make it easier to go with the flow than to stand firm in our faith. The Apostle Paul encourages Christians: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2). Jesus himself tells us where our focus should be: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:33). And Paul described the Christian life as a race: "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14).A footballer's goal is to score, but a Christian's goal is different. Our aim is to become more like Christ—to love God, love our neighbour, show kindness, forgive generously, and remain faithful even when the crowd is heading in another direction. As we enjoy the drama, excitement, and skill on display during the World Cup, perhaps we can also ask ourselves an important question: What is my goal? Is it simply to follow wherever the crowd leads, or is it to follow Jesus, wherever he leads?The final whistle will eventually blow on every football tournament. Champions will be crowned, trophies lifted, and memories made. But the invitation to follow Christ continues long after the celebrations have ended. May we keep our eyes on the greatest goal of all, living faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ, whatever the score, whatever the season, and whatever the crowd may be shouting.Daniel Khan, Licenced Lay Minister.
Welcome to our new ABC Churches Administrator - Gillian Holmes“Hello!I’m delighted to be joining the team at the ABC Parishes as PA and Administrator.For the last 19 years I’ve worked for York’s public library and archives service in a range of roles, from manager at York Explore (the central library), to supporting the CEO and board, and most recently as the Communications Officer. I’ve loved the variety of the work, the chance to make a positive difference to people’s lives, and have had lots of fun doing it!After nearly two decades, though, I felt called to use my skills in a different way, and this role seemed the perfect fit.I’m a committed Anglican and worship at St Lawrence’s Church in York, where Vicar Geoff has been a great friend and supporter. I’m also involved with a couple of small charities and serve on the Court of the York Company of Cordwainers (although I admit I have absolutely no idea how to make shoes!).Whenever I have a spare moment, you’ll usually find me reading or writing or cooking. I love travelling, culture in all its forms (especially poetry and theatre), and spending time with friends, old and new.I’m very much looking forward to meeting you all - please do say hello!”Gillian will begin her ministry with us the week beginning 13th July 2026. Please allow time for her to get to know her new role!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – Vicar Geoff – 3rd July 2026Do not conform ... but be transformedOur ABC Churches verse for the year contains two diametrically opposed words. Conform and transform, and I want to pick up on these opposites this week.In recent years we have seen an increase in the number of people not wanting to conform with the expected societal norms. We have seen growing unrest with the political leadership in our nation, and not just our current government. We have even seen it in the Church of England as small but increasingly vocal groups have rejected the direction that the leadership of the Church of England has taken. I myself find frustration in the seemingly increasingly top heavy bureaucracy that appears across all aspects of society.The Apostle Paul encourages us not to conform, which fits with followers of Jesus being a light not hidden and that sprinkling of salt that makes a huge difference. We are not to blend in with our surroundings, hiding under a bushel or be absent from society bringing the true flavours of the goodness of God to the fore. Instead we are to make our voices known, to stick our heads above the parapet and be willing to make ourselves unpopular standing up for Jesus. We are called to live as He lived and not to be concerned with what people think about us. We are simply not meant to blend in, but stick out like sore thumbs.Of course, that is easier to say than do, but actually if we are to be agents of God's love in the world, we cannot bend scripture to fit our purposes or change what the church stands for in order to blend in with society. God is God and we are to reflect His life, love and purposes, which are unchanging,So this is really a call, not to conform but to stand out so that we can transform the community, nation and world around us. That is not going to be easy, but Jesus never said following Him would be.Blessings,VicarGeoff
