2006
Evelyn Dowbiggin
Friday 22 December 2006: 2:00pm a Memorial and Thanksgiving Service at Mayfield Community Church (Map) followed the private family funeral service at 1:00pm.
Steve Mitchell of Wesley Owen writes: "It is with great sadness that we heard that Evelyn Dowbiggin, the original owner and founder of [Branchlines] Christian bookshop has died. Evelyn was an inspirational person; her enthusiasm and passion for her faith created this bookshop, and Wesley Owen were privileged to take over the shop when she retired in 2003."
A Book of Remembrance has been opened at Wesley Owen shop.
Street Pastors
Harrogate's Town Pastors have begun the work on Friday nights before Christmas 2006; further info from Jeremy Clough
CAN Christmas Campaign
John Carter is welcoming contributions to this year's campaign on Stray FM. Cheques payable to Churches Advertising Network
Questionnaire on the Holy Land
Survey seeking opinions about the current situation in Bethlehem in The Tablet, inspired by the coming visit of all UK church leaders to Bethlehem this Chrtistmas. The short survey takes a couple of minutes; the results to be published in the Christmas issue. The survey will be up for two days only... 11 December 2006.
Harrogate Anglican Deanery youth work web links
From the recent meeting at Pannal Chapter House: 'Young, gifted and .... missing?' , with Rev Dr Jan Cheeseman, Rev Pete Askew, Pioneer Minister, Stuart McCormack and Capt Nic Sheppard, Diocesan Youth Work Advisor. Ways of developing youth and children's work. Further web info available from Rev Clare MacLaren, Leeds Archdeaconry Children's Work Advisor. Further links on prayer available on this website, in addition to Pray as you go.
Annual Assembly 'Nurturing the Third Age'
Wednesday 15 November at Trinity Methodist Hall with Rev Dr Keith Albans (Chaplain to MHA) and St Aidan's Phoenix Trio.Full report available.
CTBI: Operation Noah
With three key areas of action: 1. Sign the climate Covenant (online): ‘World leaders must act to avert dangerous climate change, and give everyone fair access to energy in a sustainable world economy, asking the UK to lead negotiations whilst taking action personally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.' 2. Take actionyourself to cut your greenhouse gas emissions by switching to green electricity, and 3. Spread the word - Get your church and local community on board. More info from CTBI
Ceasefire Campaign website petition
Clergy moves...
Congratulations to Fr Lawrie at St Robert's RC as he becomes Rev Canon Lawrie Hulme; pic shows the Mass and installation at St Anne's Cathedral, Leeds on 30 November 2006
Rev Timothy Graham Burrell as NSM curate of St Wilfrid's
Rev Sheelagh Jones as chaplain of Wetherby Young Offenders Institution
Dr Sue Riley, ordinand at St John's, Nottingham, to be attached to St Andrew's, Starbeck
Rev Jeremy Trew moves with Alison and the girls from Spofforth to Seaton and Beer, Devon in the new year.
Church Listing brochure circulated to TICs across the area, Harrogate hotels and other locations during October / November 2006.
Alpha Courses
Alpha courses start around this time of year: Mondays at St Mark's, (Map), Tuesdays at St John's, Bilton (Map) and Thursdays at Elim, Harrogate, and Gracious Street Methodist Church Hall, Knaresborough. More details on the Alpha course page of this website.
Halloween responses
Saltbox offer a pack exploring ways to help protect the elderly and vulnerable; pic shows a copy of their poster.
Harrogate & district Youth for Christ Centre Director
Details and application forms are available for download on the Harrogate & district Youth for Christ website; closing date is this Friday, 27 October.
19 - 21 October: Christian Resources Exhibition, Harrogate
10:00am - 5:00pm (4:30pm Saturday) at the Yorkshire Events Centre, (Map). 'Resourcing church leaders in all aspects of Christian life'; in addition to a wide range of Christian products, missions, organisations and services, all three days are packed with workshops and events, including performances by Christian rock bands thebandwithnoname and The Steels..
Clergy moves: a warm (belated) welcome to Rev Fr Chris Angel, arriving at St Robert's RC in September, and congratulations to Fr Lawrie at St Robert's RC as he becomes Rev Canon Lawrie Hulme.
Fire regulations
New fire safety rules affecting all non-domestic premises in England and Wales came into effect on 1 October 2006, under the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. The rules place anyone who has control of premises or part of premises, known as a “responsible person”, under an obligation to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire and to ensure occupants of premises (including employees and visitors) can escape safely in the event of fire. The detail on how this affects churches is included on this downloadable pdf document: Places of Assembly.
Halifax: Street Angels
Members of Town centre churches are looking at the work of the Street Angels of Halifax, West Yorkshire. Their website includes many quotes including: "Street Angels? What a great idea. I congratulate everyone working to make Halifax a safer place at night without taking the fun out of life. Christians - get to it!" The Most Revd & Right Hon. Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York".
Encouraging and nurturing
A page of stories and accounts of God's provision, love and care is under development for this website. Your thoughts and contributions are most welcome to the secretary.
HYPeR Summer Opening
Over the summer holidays, HYPeR was open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 11am - 4pm with the café. Re-opened on Fridays in September.
Clergy moves
Rev Fr Johannes Arens, team vicar, St Wilfrid's, moves to St James the Great, Manston next month. His last service is at 10:00am on 1 October.
Rev Peter Askew becomes Pioneer Minister and chaplain to St Aidan's from 1 September. The Pioneer Minister role provides a new resource developing a youth cell network across the wider Church in Harrogate and also the Anglican diocese up to Teesdale. Pete's contact details remain unchganged.
Alan Bolton, minister, Starbeck & Woodlands Methodist churches moved to take up the post of Superintendent Minister in Hyde with their circuit welcome service on 30 August.
Colin Emerson becomes minister for Starbeck .
Christine Gillespie moved from Bolton Methodist circuit in September with responsibility for Woodlands.
Adam Raven takes up the post of ecumenical youth worker to Upper Wharfedale at the beginning of September 2006.
CRE Fashion models and beauticians urgently required
In preparation for the forthcoming Christian Resources Exhibition in Harrogate this October, local volunteers are needed as models for a fashion show featuring several suppliers including RISE, God in Charge, Freeset, I believe in Miracles, Religious T-shirts, Holy Socks, In Yer Faith Ltd and Santa Maria de Fe. Also required: hairdressers, beauticians and make-up artists.
Thursdays in August: Live music for summer evenings
7:45pm at St Mark's summer Youth Music Café (Map). Time to chill and enjoy a mix of live and recorded music with refreshments on sale - surplus to support work with the poor in Africa. For year 8 and over. Also listed on the United Gigs website
3 August: Live Jazz & music dvd
10 August: Gareth Taylor with James live
17 August: Live and recent music
24 August: DYE band jam - last played at the World Cup Final party.
31 August: Live Jazz night with Jonathon & Dominic
Sponsored Walk : Rosemary Coggrave
South west coastal path, 58 miles from 9 to 16 August. Sponsorship funds raised are going towards training and equipping young leaders to mission to young people and the New Generation Project.
Wednesday 2 August: Churches Together mailing
One of the occasional extra surface mailing dates as part of the service to the churches and community. More details on the Communications page.
31 July 2006: Harrogate & district YfC Trustees
The Trustees met and agreed timescales for the appointment of their new Centre Director.
Harrogate International Festival
Various events during the festival take place in churches across Harrogate - details below. Book direct from the Festival website, or email reservations, or in person from the HIC box office, Kings Road, Harrogate, (Map), telephone 01423 537230.
Full listing of events on the Harrogate International Festival website, tel: 562303.
Friday 28 July: 11:00am Gemma Rosefield at St Wilfrid’s church (Map)
Saturday 29 July: 11:00am Patricia Rozario at Christ Church on The Stray (Map)
Monday 31 July: 8:30pm Tenebrae at St Wilfrid’s church (Map)
Friday 4 August: 11:00am Paul Skinner and Melissa Doeke, St Wilfrid’s church (Map)
Tuesday - Thursday 11-13 July: Great Yorkshire Show
Yorkshire Church on Show at the Church Pavilion this year the theme explored the points where contact is made with the Church - Baptism, Marriage and Death, with three distinct areas and displays: Belonging, Commitment and Hope. Pics and links from 2006 now available along with a Press Release dated 25 June 2006.
A campaign to support local farming - with corresponding impacts on global Fair Trade initiatives - was launched on the Tuesday of the GYS; [Adobe] background paper 'Fair and Free' available on this website.
Oatlands Methodist
The community around Oatlands chapel continues to serve with coffee mornings for charity on the second Saturday each month, starting at 10:00am on 8 September 2006. A webpage of pics and history was made available on this website
Clergy moves: Rev Martin Soar
A sad farewell to Martin and Megan Soar as he takes up the chaplaincy post at Old Swinford Hospital school in Stourbridge from July. His last services with the congregations of St Mary's at the Grammar School and All Saints at Harlow Hill were on Sunday 16 July.
Last places available on these holidays were sold out within minutes of puiblication of this news item. Dr Stephanie Rybak, previous WYEC Ecumenical Officer, advised a few spaces on:
Hôtel le Colombier, in the Alps of Haute Provence: 4-11 September 2006 (departure from Leeds-Bradford or Gatwick)
Cruising on a Turkish gület in the wake of St Paul: 18-25 September (departure from Gatwick) and 25 September – 2 October (departure from Newcastle) Details are on www.retreat-holidays.co.uk
15, 20, 25 June, 1 July: World Cup England matches
St Robert's, Pannal (Map) presented the England world cup matches on a large screen.
Berwick Grange development appeal
Methodist Homes for the Aged are building a new care home in Harrogate which will offer dementia care in addition to residential and nursing care support. Construction has already started at the site on Wetherby Road, and completion is scheduled for January 2007. In order to offer an enhanced quality of life, MHA hopes to provide a library, a computer room, an activities room and a sensory garden.
Methodist Homes are seeking local support to help achieve the aim of offering additional facilities to improve residents' lives and have therefore launched a major fundraising appeal to raise £150,000.
Sunday Trading hours
The BBC reported on 6 July that 'the government has announced that shops in England and Wales will not be allowed to open for longer on Sundays'; Alistair Darling is understood to have said "We have concluded there should be no change to the Sunday trading laws".
A web-based petition organised by the Institute of British Organ Building to counteract measures outlawing the use of lead - affecting organ pipe repairs - has helped in persuading national governments and the EU Commission to reconsider their position. With only three days to go before implementation throughout Europe, the Commission announced that neither existing or new pipe organs fall under the scope of the WEEE and RoHS Directives.
Following the meeting of the EU Technical Adaptation Committee on 26 June in Brussels, the Commission has now said that "The European Union has no wish to jeopardise this ancient tradition."
The Da Vinci Code film
Amongst the responses from the worldwide Christian church and other faiths, Bible Society outlines various Biblical perspectives and Christianity Today has offered the suggestion of 'othercott'-ing the film - encouraging cinema goers to enjoy the other good films available rather than boycotting the Da Vinci Code.
A series of talks at Rock ConneXion in Harrogate are available for download.
Churches Together in Harrogate AGM Reports available
along with reports from the Church House Trust AGM
New members: Mayfield Community Church
A warm welcome to Bernard Cartledge and Mayfield Community Church (Map), new subscribing members of Churches Together in Harrogate. Their 'Beginners Learning Together' (a practical course on the basics of Christianity for those seeking faith or renewal of faith), which started on 3 May, is also noted on the Alpha page of this website.
Vacancy: Wesley chapel Caretaker
Serving the town centre community, Wesley is used daily and the present Chapel Keeper is due to finish at the end of May 2006. Applications are especially welcomed from members of churches in Harrogate who may be interested in this rewarding and varied full time town centre job. The Post will be advertised in the local press shortly.
Applicants should be flexible, welcoming, practical and sympathetic to the Christian faith.
Salary: £11,500-13,500, with on site accommodation available..
Pentecost Sunday 4 June: Confirmation in Pannal
10:00am at St Robert's, Pannal (Map). A joint confirmation service for the Anglican and Methodist churches of Pannal, presided by Rt Rev John Packer and Rev Dr Roberta Topham.
Wednesday 31 May: Phil Weeks
12 noon Memorial service at St Thomas parish church, Killinghall (Map). Phil Weeks (1970 - 2006), much loved across Harrogate, was described as the 'big man', a loving father, Methodist Local Preacher and accountant to ASDA, married to Helen with three beautiful daughters with Poppy born two days after his death. Tributes to Phil were led by his mum Mrs Nan Weeks, his father-in-law Paul Easby, his brothers and many friends including those involved on the Glebe project in Killinghall. Many from the churches and youth organisations of Harrogate joined his colleagues in celebration and thanksgiving for his life anointed by God's love.
For sale ... for free: electronic organ
More details from St John's, Bilton,
Harrogate and District Christian Ecology Link
HDCEL is seeking new members (Spring 2006), including those willing to help with meetings, outreach and the production of a brief occasional newsletter. No specialist knowledge needed, just a willingness to help local Christians and churches appreciate and care for God's wonderful but threatened world.
Wednesday 26 April: Alpha in Knaresborough
7:00pm, Chain Lane Community Centre, Knaresborough (Map). Gracious Street Methodist church launched their Alpha course with the Alpha Welcome Supper with weekly meetings at the same time, same place on Wednesdays from 3 May.
14 April: Good Friday
Good Friday - the day Christians commerorate the execution of Jesus, God's Son, on the cross. The death of Jesus is seen as the necessary and only sacrifice that God would accept in return for the wrongdoings or sins that we do.
11:30am: Service at the Cenotaph, with worship led by Churches Together in Harrogate, accompanied by Knaresborough Silver Band.
March: Lent meetings
A report is availble of Jeff King's Lent talk on 'The Future of Ecumenism'. Canon Jeff King is the Anglican diocesan ecumenical officer.
Palm Sunday 9 April
Services in Harrogate included processions - some led by a donkey - remembering Jesus' triumphal entry to Jerusalem with the road strewn with palm branches.
Pipe Organ petition
The In response to the threat from EU Directive 2002 95/EC RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and EU Directive 2002 96/EC WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), the Institute of British Organ Building have launched a web-based petition to campaign for modifications to the directive to exclude organ pipe lead.
HYPeR open during the Easter holidays
Saturday 1 April: St Mark's 'baptistry'
After many months of waiting, Churches Together in Harrogate is now able to exclusively reveal that the new building work next to the pavement at St Mark's, Leeds Road, is to be an open-air baptistry.
Speculation has been rife about this structure; there is little truth in the rumour that it was the entrance to a priest hole - giving direct access to the vicarage and to St Robert's presbytery near Waitrose.
Digging deep to find out more, Churches Together unearthed a story about underground tunnels to Trinity Methodist church and beyond, but these tales proved to be undermined due to the limited availability of non-alcoholic communion wine through the branch tunnel to the off licence opposite the church.
The picture here shows workmen putting the final touches and installing the solar powered heating system, making this the first ecologically friendly baptism pool in the Anglican diocese. It is understood that anyone will be able to use it, but rather than a free-for-all, those wishing to book this streetwise witness facility are asked to contact the church office.
And the truth behind the story: the delays on building the planter - funded by a bequest from Derek Wilks - were down to finding the best materials. Look forward to a feast of beautiful plants in the weeks to come!
Woodlands Methodist new minsiter
The Methodist Circuit are delighted to anounce that Rev Christine Gillespie is expected to join the circuit with effect from September 2006.
Oatlands Methodist chapel closure
The Methodist Circuit are saddened to anounce that the chapel at Oatlands will have to close in July this year.
6-19 March : Fairtrade Fortnight
Various events across the churches and communities over this fortnight; details on the March Events page.
Church House Trust
Applications for grant disbursement in March 2006 to be with the Church House Trust secretary by the close of Friday, 17 February. CHT Trustees met on Wednesday 8 March at St Peter's.
26 February: Rev Tom Stuckey, President of the Methodist Conference
Summary available of Rev Tom Stuckey's encouraging address is now available.
Stations of the cross: every Wednesday at 7:00pm during Lent, followed by Mass 7:30pm at St Wilfrid's. Also: Sung Compline: every Tuesday at 8:15pm, again at St Wilfrid's
18-25 January: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Where two or three...
The theme "Where two or three are gathered in my name" (Matthew 18 v20) has been adapted from the World Council of Churches material by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Churches across the UK take time to pray and worship together during this week. Harrogate Town Centre churches met between 12:45pm and 1pm for prayer:
Wednesday 18: St Paul's URC
Thursday 19: Wesley
Friday 20: St Peter's
Saturday 21: Friends' Meeting House
Monday 23: Baptist
Tuesday 24: West Park URC
Wednesday 25: St Robert's RC
15 January: St Mary's at Harrogate Grammar School
10:30am at Harrogate Grammar School (Map). The Venerable John Oliver (St Mary's priest from 1972-78) joined Area Dean Paul Hooper, Martin Soar, Charles McNutt and many past and present worshippers at the last service at St Mary's church, off Cold Bath Road on Sunday 8 January 2006.
Terry Akrill
The funeral of Terry Akrill was at St Andrew's church, Bishopthorpe (Map) at 1:15pm on Friday 13 January 2006, led by Rev Chris Coates with tributes from Rev Phil Moore. Bishop Graham Cray was amongst the congregation giving thanks to God for his life, family and ministry in York, Harrogate and latterly with Soul Survivor; "Thank you, Terry".