YOUR PARISH CHURCH

Dear Friends,

            First, an update on what’s been happening in your parish church: Christmas went magnificently, with many, many hundreds of people passing through the doors on Christmas Eve alone, never mind all the other services and events. The Town Carol Service has received much praise, and rightly so – thank you to all the schools and organisations of Pickering for your contribution; the ‘A Light for Christmas’ and the wonderful big tree was again really something. But then, judging by comments received, people have really enjoyed all that’s been happening, be it carol services and concerts, the Christingle and, of course, the ‘main’ services of Christmas. The snow, inconvenient for some, I know, did not diminish expectations, and people just thronged in.

            Baby Jesus from the new nativity set went into all sorts of shops in town and was quite a hit, and although it was sad that someone chose to damage him, it happened after all the major church services had taken place and so didn’t inconvenience us too much, and I’m now in the process of  replacing him: it’s been moving how many people were touched at what happened and wished to help in some practical way.

            Another sadness for the church, the town and for me personally was the death at the very end of the year of Canon Tom Evans. He gave so much to life – reflected in the great numbers of people who turned out, despite the weather, for his funeral – and is much missed.

            What’s coming up? Lent, of course. Starting with a service on Ash Wednesday 17th February, Mondays during Lent will have a short Service at midday, followed by soup. This happens at a different church each week. Tuesday evenings at 6pm will be a meditation followed by the service of Compline; Wednesday mornings sees our usual service of Holy Communion at 10am; Thursday afternoons at 1.30 is a Lent Course, and Fridays at 6pm is Stations of the Cross. As always, you’re welcome to all of these.

            Don’t forget that Sunday 14th March is Mothering Sunday, and we’ll have a special service at 10am. Palm Sunday is on Sunday 20th March; Maundy Thursday will see moving service of the Stripping of the Altar in a service beginning at 7pm. Good Friday 2nd April has the Three Hours’ by the Cross, starting at 12noon. Easter Eve, Saturday 3rd April starts Easter with a Service of Light at 8pm, and then Easter Day, service times are as usual (8am, 10am and 6pm), which will be great.

            On Tuesday 13th April we’re holding an Easter Funday aimed at children.

            But for this, and all these events, do look at our website:

www.pickeringchurch.com  , or contact me,  vicar@pickeringchurch.com   or my colleague Lynn Grove lynn@pickeringchurch.com

            With very good wishes to you all.     

 Fr Antony Pritchett, Parish Priest.