Four months into our sixth year without a priest, we are delighted to announce that Revd Dawn Ward has been appointed House for Duty, Associate Priest for our Benefice.  The Bishop of Whitby will officiate at the Licensing Service, which is to take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 1st October at St. James' church, Baldersby St. James.  It is intended that Revd Dawn will continue to hold this role if and when the Church Commissioners approve the proposed Mowbray Deanery Plan, for which consultation ends on 8th September (please see the article for full details of this plan and how it will affect the parishes of our Benefice).

In the meantime Revd Dawn will continue to lead a weekly service of Morning Prayer at St Columba's, assisted by our Reader, Richard Byas.  This will next be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday 21st August, after which there will be refreshments and a chance to chat with friends and neighbours. This short service is around 30 minutes long. Everyone is invited.

Revd Dawn will also continue to lead a brief service based on the Book of Common Prayer, at which Holy Communion is available, on the first Sunday of every month.  This will next take place at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday 7th September, and also lasts around 30 minutes.  It is hoped this short early service appeals to those for whom Sundays can otherwise be a very busy day. All are very welcome.

These new services are now incorporated into the regular service listing, and Revd Dawn will gradually begin to officiate at more of our Sunday morning services. Any further changes will be advertised in due course.