Latest News from the Rector
Dear Church Family (updated 23.10.20)
Thank you very much to everyone (more of us than usual) who joined in with the Annual Parochial Church Meeting last Monday, whether online or in person. Apologies for the problems with the sound in the first part of the meeting. It was a stressful evening for James Simister who was working hard to line up all the technology, but the business of the meeting was duly conducted and apparently some of you found it thoroughly entertaining!
Having elected Liz Barker, Alison Hodgson and John Farrall as our churchwardens, we’ll be ‘admitting’ them at a livestreamed Family Service on 15 November. This is usually done by the Archdeacon at a special deanery event but Coronavirus restrictions have prevented that, of course. Please keep them in your prayers, and also the members of PCC who will be meeting on Monday 16 November via Zoom.
News of Gift Day and Harvest
Thank you very much to everyone who has made a contribution to Gift Day. I’m delighted to say that the current total is a staggering £25,220. What a wonderful figure! Before you read any further, please pause now to thank God for his goodness to us! … And in case you are kicking yourself because you have missed the deadline, it is definitely not too late to give!
Our harvest gift to York Foodbank was also remarkably generous this year. Contributions weighed in at 220Kg compared with 305Kg in 2019. Last year, of course, they were shared between the Foodbank and Carecent (currently operating on a different basis) but they also included a significant contribution from the children of Huntington Primary School who weren’t able to partner with us this time. I am encouraged that so many people took the trouble to bring their gifts to St Andrew’s. They will make a difference to needy families and individuals in our city.
Private Prayer - Saturday 10.00 am - 12 noon at All Saints
All Saints will be open for private prayer on Saturdays 24 & 31 October. Please remember your mask.
Forest Church for Families - Sundays 9.00 - 9.45 am
Forest Church will take place on two Sundays - 25 October and 1 November at the earlier time of 9.00 am. Social distancing means that places are limited so please contact Sarah Griffiths (sarah.griffiths@huntingtonparish.org.uk.) to let her know if you would like to come. Meet at 9.00 am outside St Andrew’s. Feel free to bring a warm drink!
Sunday Worship and Daily Prayer
Livestreamed Sunday Worship on 25 October at 10.30 am via the church Facebook page. Chris Park will follow up last week’s introduction to the theme of Joy by looking at Authentic Joy. Daily Prayer continues Monday - Saturday at 12.00 noon. The Daily Prayer sheet is here and Sunday Supplement is here.
After-Church Coffee and Chat - Sunday at 11.30 am
Hosted by Dot Bevington. Here’s the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86107373243?pwd=TkFDeVFHZ0RRMlJLTFJ1VitjM013Zz09
Meeting ID: 861 0737 3243 Password: Coffee
Gary Garland
Gary’s funeral will take place on Monday 26 October at 2.00 pm at All Saints. There is a limited number of seats in church and these are all taken, but I know that some of you will want to be present outside to pay your respects as the service begins. Please keep Janet, Rachael, Fran and Nick in your prayers.
Kidz Klub - Tuesday 27 October at 6.00 - 7.00 pm
Kidz Klub continues during half term. Next time it is the turn of Bubble 1 for children from Huntington Primary School. Booking is essential even if your child has been before so that we can keep everyone safe. Please contact the church office, or contact Sarah Griffiths directly on sarah.griffiths@huntingtonparish.org.uk.
Pumpkin Trail - Saturday 31 October 4.00 - 6.00 pm
An exciting event for families. The trail begins at St Andrew’s at 4.00 pm.
Holy Communion - 1 November at 4.00 pm
Please contact the church office to book your place at the simple Communion service at St Andrew’s. Please remember to bring your mask.
Parish Prayer - Sunday 1 November at 6.30 pm
Led by Dan Thomas. We aim to pray for about 40 minutes. Use the usual link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81879375546?pwd=bnZlN1M1ZHdJS1ZPQk9PeXNrcGVBQT09
Meeting ID: 818 7937 5546 Password: Pray
Youth Church - Sunday 1 November 7.00 - 8.00 pm
Worship for those of secondary school or college age. All young people are welcome but they must book in with James Simister by email (james@huntingtonparish.org.uk) or text (07500 833475).
Remembrance Sunday - 8 November 10.30 am at All Saints
Now that coronavirus restrictions have been increased, we will be holding our Remembrance Sunday service inside All Saints church to avoid the potential difficulties of stewarding a crowd outdoors. There is a limited number of places for people who would like to attend in person but the service will also be livestreamed via the church Facebook page in the usual way. Please contact the church office to book a seat at All Saints. Please get the word out to anyone you know in the parish who would usually attend. We will not be going outside to the war memorial as we usually do but anyone who wishes to lay a wreath can do so privately. Please note: those who attend in person will need to wear a mask.
Alpha online
We are planning to begin Alpha in November, probably on Wednesday evenings. Connect via Zoom to watch a series of short videos and explore the Christian faith together. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in joining Alpha online, or just having an opportunity to chat about life’s big questions, Chris Park would love to hear from you. Email associateminister@huntingtonparish.org.uk or contact the church office.
Bike Funding – Helen Britton
As you may remember, prior to lockdown, Helen was organising a fundraising event to raise much needed funds to buy an electric bicycle for her son, Ian, who suffers from Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIPD). Helen has spent three months with her son and family in Germany over the summer and has seen first-hand how much having an electric bike would mean to Ian and how it would improve his family life and mobility. Helen is so grateful for the donations she received before lockdown, but is aware that many people had intended to support her at the fund raising event, and didn’t get a chance to do so. Sadly the fund raising event cannot take place but if you would like to give Helen a donation, her bank details are as follows: Halifax acc. no. 01005340 Sort Code. 111040 … or alternatively you can pop money into an envelope and drop it in at the office. Thank you so much for your support.
Giving Online
If you would like to support All Saints and St Andrew’s through online giving it is easy and completely secure. You can access the donation page here or via the church Facebook page (click shop now!) or the church website https://allsaintsstandrews.wixsite.com/church . If you are a UK taxpayer, please confirm that you would like to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give.
God bless
Ian
FAITH LINK
Copies of the recent Faith Link magazines can be found here:
