May Update 2025

 

Welcome to May.  Another busy month in the life of the church. Bank holidays and ‘getting away’ becomes an important part of our routines.  If you are able to be getting away for a week or so I pray that it will be a balance of adventure and rest …travel well!  In May the country remembers 80 years since VE Day.  There will be acts of thanksgiving in various places, including this benefice so please keep your eyes peeled.  Towards the end of the month (29^th) the Church remembers the Ascension of Jesus back to His Father (Mark 16).  Our churches will hold a service to mark this occasion …again, watch this space! 

Both church communities are gearing up for special events in June (Allithwaite’s Community Day & Flookburgh’s Patronal Weekend).  As ever, there will always be help needed to enable these things to happen so please see what you can do to help bless this beautiful part of God’s world.

I have been in post for a little over a year now and, overall, I think that it has been a good and proactive year.  I didn’t arrive and make huge changes because I wanted to see how it all worked, see who was already making things happen etc.  Whilst this is a pathway that we could continue down I do wish to find out your views – especially concerning our Sunday worship.  People at St Marys have had an opportunity to share already and some priorities have emerged.  May I invite those who have views about the 4pm service to meet with me on Saturday 10^th at 10am so that you can share your vision for something that is radiacally different.  I am genuinely excited to hear what you would like to see happen.

But more generally, to both churches …. 10am services happen most weeks – does that work?  Are there enough lay services / Holy Communions?  Would we like something more in the week?  Is there anything in particular you are not fond of?  I need you to tell me.  If you don’t, how will I know? 😊 I don’t think I’m that scary  that you couldn’t come & tell me your views.  Please do get in touch.

Christenings – there are a number of Christenings coming up in the next few months at St Marys.  It is important that the church family knows when these are taking place & I know I haven’t been good at giving you enough notice, for which I am sorry and I seek to rectify.  I do love a church christening within the regular service but, sadly, the families I’m speaking to feel so out of their zone that I would rather make it more awkward for me and allow the family and their friends gather in church when they’re ready.  I’m reminded here of the children coming to Jesus, when he & the disciples were tired (Mark 10).  Despite being tired Jesus welcomed them and blessed them.  The opportunity to bring the Gospel message to dozens who don’t know Jesus is a real privilege and sometimes means looking at things a little differently.  We’re all invited to come along to these short services and it was even suggested to me that perhaps some people might find it a way to provide a service to these guests.  When I was at the church in Kendal there was a team who helped to welcome & hand out the service sheets as the baptism party arrived.  If anyone feels this is something they could help with please get in touch.

On May 4 little Chloe Donkin is being christened at 1pm.  Pray for Chloe and mum & dad, Kayleigh and Daniel.  Other dates will be listed in future Updates

 

Daily Prayer - For anyone who struggles with knowing what to pray I’m setting out below some simple 1 minute prayers for every day of the month.  Please feel free to use this for a few minutes each day.  Let us live more nearly as we pray.  It isn’t perfect, you may have your own systems for daily prayer …but for anyone who needs a prompt)…

 

M	T	W	TH	F	S	A
Dear Lord today I pray for …			1.Someone I love (a family member or friend)	2.my local church family	3.our World (pray for a country)	4.our schools  Flookburgh is hoping to appoint a new headteacher
5.our Government / leaders	6.this village	7.an end to war (Ukraine / Gaza etc)	8.a local business	9.local politicians / MP	10.nursing homes	11.disaster areas
12.the emergency services	13.global leaders (Canada)	14.friends in hospital	15.Andrea & the Youth Trust	16.our Network Youth minister	17.the people I speak to today	18.the local Churches & communities
19.how I can play my part?	20.find a favourite hymn / worship song	21.persecuted Christians Serving Persecuted Christians Worldwide Home - Open Doors UK & Ireland	22.a child or young person who I often see	23.spend 5 minutes in silence	24.Mission Partners & Global charities	25.all who minister
26.the lonely +/or afraid	27.the national church – as we seek a new Archbishop of Canterbury	28.those searching for work	29. people visiting on holiday	30.events of  the past month	31.the new month (Community Day + the Patronal Festival)

 

Mid-week Meeting:

May 14 – 10am ‘More T Vicar’      11am Holy Communion – St Johns

May 21 - 10am ‘More T Vicar       11am Holy Communion - St Marys

(‘More T Vicar = simply means a chance to meet/chat/pray & drink tea(!) with Mark in church if you wish.)  If you know anyone unable to attend these dates but would like to meet with me for a chat or a communion visit please do get in touch. 

 

 

I pray that as summer comes around we continue to draw close to God at all times, that we pray his name and celebrate his victory over death.  Have a great month. 

Mark