ISSUE 58 FEBRUARY 2018
2 grapevine lite february 2018 PLAN 4 GROWTH LAUNCH Front cover: The Junior Choir leading our worship on Sunday 20th. A LMOST to the day, one year after we launched our Growing our Church course, we launched our Plan4Growth at a special lunch after church on 21st January. In case you missed it, the Plan4Growth leaflets are available at the back of church. So what s it all about The Growing our Church course last Spring generated lots of feedback from the congregation about how we felt we could develop as a church that was growing in spiritual depth, in numbers and in service to our community. The planning team have spent a lot of time since the course analysing your comments and preparing a Plan4Growth for 2018/19, which we launched at the lunch. After soup (made from Luke s Larder goodies by Mark R-U) and cheese, the 65(?) of us talked at our tables about the new things that have been happening at St Luke s over the past year Forget me not, Community Café, Communion4Everyone, Inclusive Church etc etc. The children and young people went to the Children s Chapel and made an amazing boat out of cardboard boxes as a reminder that we are all setting off on a new part of our journey together. Back in the church hall, we then started the presentations. Jackie set out how we got from where we were 18 months ago, to
where we are now, poised to set off on a journey into the next two years. Elaine and Dave P then talked about the Plan4Growth but in a rather unconventional way through a fun sketch in a retirement home for former church wardens reflecting back on what they said at the Launch Lunch. Mark C even made a brief appearance dressed as a banana! Mark R-U then talked about how we were going to deliver the plan. So what is important to know This is a plan that has bubbled out of what we as a church have been saying we need to be and do to grow so we all own and share the plan We ve set up seven teams to oversee the delivery of the plan. These are set out in the Plan4Growth leaflet. The teams are formed of PCC and congregational members. Sign up sheets for each team are available at the back of church. Volunteers have also signed up for specific jobs e.g. making activity bags for children to use during services and joining the sides persons rota. These sign up sheets are also available at the back of church. It s not too late either to join a team or to become a volunteer! Have a word with a member of the planning team if you have any questions. The teams have been created to encourage wider ownership and involvement in the delivery of the plan. The team coordinators will be meeting periodically to ensure good communication and collaborative working across the church. We are far stronger working together than we are as individuals. There was a very positive atmosphere and a real sense of excitement as we set off on the next stage of our journey together. Don t miss out! www.stlukesyork.org 3
FEBRUARY 2018 PRAYER DIARY Let us pray With thanks to Liz Carrington for the Prayer Diary this month. Thursday 1st Pray for the launch today of Messy Church at Burton Green School that it may be imaginative, creative and fun. Friday 2nd We pray for all who look ahead with anxiety for whatever reason. Give them strength, guidance and a sense of your loving presence with them. May we be alert to one another s needs and willing to help where we can. Saturday 3rd Give thanks for Nick, Becky, and Trisha on placement with us and the gifts they bring. Pray for their studies, future ministry and family life. Pray also for Sammy and Philip in their year of discernment. Sunday 4th PRAY 4 GROWTH: for Martin Shepphard leading the communications team that our public face may be engaging and helpful for those who want to know more about faith and church. Monday 5th Pray that we may build closer ecumenical relationships with the other churches in our locality. Tuesday 6th Pray for Jackie and all with responsibility for discerning vocations. We all have a part to play in developing a culture of vocation. Wednesday 7th Let s give thanks and praise for where we notice the Spirit of God at work today in those we meet and on reflection in ourselves: love, kindness, generosity, humility, forbearance, patience, service. How might we be prompted to respond? Thursday 8th Give thanks that the government is taking action on plastic waste. Pray for a real commitment to caring for God s earth at the highest levels and for each one of us individually and as a church to play a full part in living more responsibly. Friday 9th Give thanks for the Community Café, for all who volunteer and for the support, fun and friendship it represents. Pray for more volunteers as part of our expanding outreach. Saturday 10th Pray that the businesses on the Lane will continue to trade as major partners in building community. Give thanks for the relationships we have established with them and the support they offer us for Church events. Sunday 11th PRAY 4 GROWTH: for Dave Pownall leading the fabric and finance team that the access needs of people with disabilities may be fully met as part of St Luke s desire to be an inclusive Church. Monday 12th PRAY 4 GROWTH: For Barbara Martin leading the Spiritual Nurture and Enrichment team and for all involved in participating in the Retreat in Daily Life that it will be a Spirit filled experience. Tuesday 13th Pray for new people to join us and to get to know better those who already attend.
Wednesday 14th As we journey through these forty days of Lent help us to see Jesus in everyone we meet. By your grace, may our prayers and sacrifices this Lent help us grow closer to each other and to you, as one family in Jesus. Thursday 15th Pray for young offenders and for the resulting strain and distress their offending behaviour causes for families. Pray for those involved in chaplaincy who support them. Friday 16th We remember with gratitude all the children and young people who attend St Luke s groups. Guide us as we seek to help them on their way to spiritual maturity in a way that is relevant and fun. Bless the work of the children s work leaders. Saturday 17th Pray for those who persecute Christians, that like St Paul, they may know and respond to God s touch and let in the light. Nearer to home, pray for anyone you know for whom faith would be a great gift. Sunday 18th PRAY 4 GROWTH: For Carol Lawson leading the Community Engagement team. Give thanks for the Luke s Larder project which made a practical difference to families in the parish. Pray that we may continue to offer this kind of support that clearly shows God s love. Monday 19th Pray for our Registered Parish Assistants, Eucharistic Ministers, and all who contribute to our Sunday worship. Give thanks for those who read by reading, putting together intercessions... Tuesday 20th PRAY 4 GROWTH: Pray for Helen Warry leading the Music, Drama and Arts team. Give thanks for the gifts we have been given and pray for more volunteers. Give thanks for the Christmas choir links with local schools and pray for future opportunities. Wednesday 21st Remember the staff and residents of Marjorie Waite Court, Fothergill Homes, Morrell House, and Colton Cottages and pray that the links we have with them may strengthen as we seek to support the spiritual health. Pray for those who miss church after many years of attending. Thursday 22nd Pray for resolution and peace where there is conflict and for the healing of broken and divided communities. Friday 23rd We remember with thanks all who work in the Diocesan Offices Peter, Lynn, Jo and Martin and pray for their work over the year. Saturday 24th Pray for families in the parish who struggle in raising children. Bless the supportive work of the Children s Centre, the schools and St Luke s initiatives in children s work. Material for the February Grapevine Lite needs to be with Mark Comer by the 1st March please. Email: grapevine@stlukesyork.org You were challenged to come up with a caption for this photo which featured in last month s Grapevine Lite. Elaine Hill suggested: Jackie, curer of souls. continued on page 7 www.stlukesyork.org 5
6 grapevine lite february 2018 Introducing Tricia West READER-IN-TRAINING ON PLACEMENT AT ST LUKE S M ARRIED to Steve (also a Reader) with three grown-up children, two of them married and one with our first grandchild on the way, I live in Tadcaster where I am currently the Administrator for the four churches of the Tadcaster Benefice, although I am looking forward to (very early!) retirement in April, joining Steve who retired (early as well!) last September. Born at Hampton Court, just west of London (yes really! The Maternity Hospital was in the grounds!!) and brought up mainly on the south coast at Hove (keep going south till you can t go any further without getting your feet wet), I went off to North Wales to University and studied Theology, before getting married and moving to Reading, Berkshire. A mercifully brief period of working for the DHSS (as it was then) supervising a Sickness and Maternity Benefit section ended with the birth of our son and I enjoyed the privilege of being a full time mum until all our offspring were at least in Junior school. We saw the light in 1998 and moved north after Steve s job had brought him to Leeds for a few years. We have no desire to return to live in the crowded south again!! Taken to Sunday School by my mum as a youngster, we began to involve ourselves more in church life as a family after my mum died when I was nine. A good friend found us a brilliant church with a huge children s section, plus strong Bible teaching and support for dad and we have never looked back! We have been heavily involved in all sorts of church activities ever since, in a variety of churches wherever we have lived. I have led Pram services, Family services, Home Groups, sung and played
Sunday 25th PRAY 4 GROWTH: For Lynn Comer and the Christian Formation and Discipleship team that through teaching and fellowship we may have confidence in sharing our faith. Lord may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Monday 26th Pray for families who have just moved in to our parish or who are just leaving. Who do you know that you could befriend or pray for? Tuesday 27th Pray for those who quietly keep things running with a variety of skills, knowledge and creativity setting up for Eucharist, washing linen, arranging flowers, making coffee and more. Wednesday 28th In 2017 over 4,000 people in England were estimated to be sleeping rough and numbers are rising. Street Angels meet several in York. Pray that the support they receive may enable them to rebuild their lives. MARCH Thursday 1st PRAY 4 GROWTH: For Tina Pownall and the Welcome and Inclusion Team that St Luke s may be a place of acceptance, support and enabling for all who cross the threshold. Friday 2nd Give thanks for the PCC and all who hold office in St Luke s. Inspire and guide all they do and enable them to find time for quiet reflection in busy lives. Pray for Jackie and Dave, for their work life balance. Saturday 3rd Pray that each of us may play our part gladly in the community of faith through worship and service. Pray for yourself as you consider what God may be calling you to do to flesh out our vision for the future. in Worship groups and choirs, plus a whole load more and just enjoyed being part of a church family! Frankly, I can t imagine life without God in it plus all that brings with it. After resisting a call to Reader ministry for a number of years, justifying it because I was supporting Steve through his training, I began the training myself just over two years ago. Despite my previous theology degree and more years than I care to count serving in various churches in different ministries, it has still been a steep learning curve. But I love it! It is a challenge to fit in as much study as I probably should, but part of that process is learning to discipline myself to spend time working on things that will ultimately help me in both my current and future ministry. In the small amount of spare time that I have (although soon to be so much more!) I love walking, visiting historic houses and gardens, baking, music, knitting and watching various sports. I am looking forward to getting to know as many of you as possible in the three months that I will be at St Luke s, sharing in worship and learning more about God together, and hearing your stories probably so much more interesting than mine! www.stlukesyork.org 7
8 grapevine lite february 2018 St Luke s Annual Parochial Church Meeting THIS year s Annual Parochial Church Meeting is on Sunday 15th April in the church hall after the morning service. Please put this date in your diaries. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting is an important event in the life of our church, when you get to elect your churchwardens and PCC members who will represent you during the coming year. It is also a time to reflect on events and activities at St Luke s through the reports presented in the APCM booklet. The church accounts are also presented so you can see how the church manages its finances. We are happy to receive any questions on the accounts or the life of the church at the APCM. ELECTORAL ROLL At this time of the year the electoral roll is revised. If you would like to go on the electoral roll please speak to the Electoral Roll Officer, Alfreda Alderson, or one of the wardens. The electoral roll will open for revision on Sunday 25th February and close on the 18th March. APCM BOOKLET Once again, as part of our Green initiative, we will be making the APCM report booklet available as a download from the website, www.stlukesyork. org. We would encourage as many people as possible to access the report in this way and save on paper and printing costs. If you do not have access to the internet we can still provide a paper copy of the booklet, please speak to the wardens if you would like a paper copy of the booklet. We can produce a large print version as well just let us know that you would like one. The booklet will be available from the 1st April. WHY NOT CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING TO BE A PCC MEMBER, OR CHURCH WARDEN? Being a member of the PCC is an important role. The PCC is responsible for the life of the church, not just the buildings and finance but also the people within it as well as the mission to the wider community. This doesn t mean that a member of the PCC is expected to be involved in everything that happens but they do need to have an understanding and overview. The PCC meets once every three months on a Saturday morning with the first meeting of the new PCC after the APCM. Once a year they have a full day away to consider the life of St Luke s and plan for the future in more detail. The post of Church Warden is one of the leadership roles for lay members of the congregation. It is a post with a long history, combined with very modern responsibilities in today s church. The wardens work alongside the clergy to help ensure that the church is run efficiently and effectively. Amongst their duties, the wardens are responsible to the Bishop for the safe keeping and wellbeing of the church buildings and assets, and also have responsibility for ensuring that current guidelines on health and safety are adhered to. It is a demanding and rewarding role. Someone interested in these roles should be: A committed member of the congregation Interested in and involved with the life of the church and the local community Willing to learn and to share ideas, experience and gifts Caring Able to listen to another s point of view Being a Church Warden or PCC member is an important role and anyone undertaking them will need to complete a confidential declaration to confirm they are an appropriate person, have a DBS (previously CRB) check and do Safeguarding training. To find out more why not speak to Jackie or Elaine Hill.