How can it possibly be June? We've only just had Christmas and Easter! I don't know about you, but time is flying! We had a busy month across the Benefice what with Confirmations, MU service, Afternoon Tea, coffee mornings, pastoral lunch, study group, and so much more. And that's before we even think about the regular Sunday services! And our schools have been busy too in Barton, Middleton Tyas and Croft. We continue to pray for students sitting GCSE and A Level exams, and for parents, grandparents and carers as they prepare for the summer holidays. Coming up we have Leyburn Band coming to Middleton Tyas Church, Chris Lloyd coming to Croft Church to talk about Alice and Wonderland, Manfield's Summer Fete and so much more. Keep an eye on Facebook for 'The Benefice of East Dere Street' and on our ACNY pages. Our world is busy, our lives are busy, but it's always good to try and take even just a few moments each day to hand things to God, and to remember his goodness. I say it every month, but I mean it. If you'd like a cup of tea or coffee and a chat and/prayer, I'm more than happy to meet up. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me. gillian.lunn@leeds.anglican.org 07592016476BlessingsGillian x
May is a beautiful time of year...the sun is shining, the countryside around us is stunning. And yet the world news we read and hear is far from beautiful. It's tricky as we can feel helpless. But we can pray, and hold up the situations to God. We are people of hope and people of prayer.We are very fortunate to have several confirmation candidates this year, both adult and young people, from across the Benefice and beyond and so we very much look forward to coming together very appropriately on Pentecost Sunday (24th May) with Bishop John Pritchard at Middleton Tyas Church at 10.30am for their confirmation service. And then on Trinity Sunday (31st) we come together at Barton Church at 10.30am for our communion service.Everyone is very welcome.We have plenty of other activities and events coming up...keep an eye on A Church Near You and our Benefice of East Dere Street Facebook and Instagram pages. And please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like a chat and a cup of tea - I'm always around. gillian.lunn@leeds.anglican.org 07592016476BlessingsGillian
As ever, time flies and at the time of writing we're in the middle of Holy Week journeying to the foot of the cross, and then waiting in hope and expectation for the joy of the resurrection on Easter Day.As a group of churches, it's good to come together and journey together. It's also good to be able to enjoy bits of Holy Week in each of the individual churches.Easter doesn't finish on Easter Day or Easter Monday. We are Easter people, people who believe in hope, in the transforming power of our Lord who died, but who also rose for us. We would love to welcome you to any of our services at any time in the year, not just Easter. But if you're at all curious...pop along to the Easter Day service at Croft church at 10.30am. It'll be friendly, accessible, suitable for all ages, and there might even be chocolate!And if you can't come then, know you are very welcome at any service.And as ever, if you would like a chat, or prayer over a cup of tea or coffee, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me via gillian.lunn@leeds.anglican.org or on 07592016476.With blessings and loveGillian
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”— Charles Dickens, Great ExpectationsDear friends,It finally feels like we might be heading properly towards Spring...church grounds across the Benefice are looking beautiful with snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils beginning to open up. The days are getting longer, the evenings lighter, and the birds are louder in the morning. We are journeying through Lent this March, and although it is tempting to skip straight from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day, like the seasons, we have to go at the pace it's set, and so we take our time. Our pages will show what is happening during Lent and Holy Week and Easter, there is also details of our Lent Group which everyone is welcome to dip in and out of as they wish.Take time, if you can, to notice the changes in the season and some time to sit, be still and journey to the cross, and then to the resurrection, that time of hope and joy and wonder.As ever, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me for prayer, a chat over a coffee etc. I'm never too busy to chat. With love and blessingsGillian 07592016476 gillian.lunn@leeds.anglican.org
