Groups

The Music Group It has been a year of change for the music group, as for the whole church, and it's been a challenge, but one that I hope we have risen to. As always, some people have gone and others have arrived. Our current 11.00am pianist, for example, is so keen that he assisted on his very first Sunday in York. After arriving early to the service, he was greeted and then gently pressed into playing by Rick, which he did with aplomb and - perhaps surprisingly - turned up the week after (and continued to do so). Somehow this captures the spirit of the music group!

The church is blessed too by the solid commiment of our all-year-round musicians - Peter ably leading the 9am music and occasionally outting up with Rick playing the trumpet in his ear - and those who are able to carry the eleven o'clock music outside university terms; they know who they are!

On a personal note, those of us who have sung or played with Yuka and Nick are particulary delighted that there will be a "Heslington Musicians' Marriage" in Nairobi Cathedral this summer. I note with satidfaction that the group's matchmaking efforts currently have a 100% success rate.______Rick Taylor

Mothers' Union meets on the third Thursday of each month in the meeting room (2.00 pm in winter and 7.30 pm in summer) with a varied programme of speakers. In summer there is an outing in July and a Christmas lunch in December. They also meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 9.30am for a corporate Communion in the Church followed by Bible study.

Flowers The church is very appreciative of the beautiful flower arrangements produced each week. They are usually done by Rosabelle Lonsborough, Deirdre Hopwood and Pat Beckwith with back-up from Margaret Cummings and Marjorie Gollop. Other members of the congregation usually help at the bigger celebrations. We welcome anyone who might be interested in doing flowers, perhaps to celebrate an anniversary or in memory of a loved one. Please contact one of us.

Wedding flowers are usually organised by the people concerned but we are more than happy to do them for our regular members if they wish.

We try to be self-funding but rely on generous donations from our church members throughout the year for buying flowers and oasis.

Look at the examples of beautiful flower arrangements in the pictures and click on any of them to see the enlargement.

The Prayer Group meets fortnightly on a Tuesday morning at 10.00 am in the Community Room at Heslington Court. Members take it in turns to lead the meeting, each person doing it in their own way. Our prayers are far ranging and include the clergy, people and events in the parish and the world. This is followed by coffee and fellowship. Please join us if you can.

The Church Walking Group meets at Heslington Vicarage at 9.30 am, usually on the third Saturday of the month, for walks in the Howardian Hills, the Wolds or the North York Moors. Historical or religious interest is often part of the planning. The distance is normally about 10 miles, with a shorter route of about 5 miles for those who prefer it. The walks are most ably led by our trusted guide and author, John Eckersley. Bring your own lunch and don't be put off by the nettles, brambles and mud that are a guaranteed feature of every walk. You don't have to be super-fit to join us - walkers of all levels of experience and age are welcome. Numbers involved have ranged from three to twenty-four and ages from two to getting on a bit.

Let us know if you are coming (so we can arrange transport) either by signing the notice in the church or by ringing John Eckersley at 01904 410389.

See the pictures taken by our enthusiastic photographer on a recent walk to explore the countyside around Bugthorpe and Kirby Underdale - look out for the badger sett and the field full of molehills.

Find out about John's walking books by going to his website. His latest book on "Alphabetting in East Yorkshire" is now on sale and the group which he led on its inauguration is shown below: