The Church's Outreach
As well as the church's membership being drawn largely from the local community, there are a number of more formal links with organisations whose members may not attend church services regularly.
The University
The Anglican and Methodist chaplains at the University are based at Heslington Church. They are also in a Covenant of Unity with the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy. More information on the university chaplaincy can be obtained from their website.
Schools
Badger Hill Primary School and Lord Deramore's School
The two primary schools in the parish get regular visits from the clergy
and John Eckersley, one of the lay readers, speaks at school assemblies
at both Badger Hill and at Lord Deramore's. John often has to convince
the children that he is neither the vicar nor Father Christmas. The assemblies
are a great opportunity to get to know some of the children and hopefully
this will be an encouragement for them to come to the Summer Club in August.
For a number of years, Badger Hill has come to the church for its annual
Harvest Festival celebration and Lord Deramore's have held their Chrismas
Carol Service in church. A very warm welcome is received at both schools
and invitations to meet the staff over coffee are always gratefully accepted.
Archbishop Holgate's CE Secondary School
Rev Nancy Eckersley is chaplain at Archbishop Holgate's School and visits
at least once a week. Both the weekly and annual chaplaincy events are
now well established and accepted. Each pupil in the main school has a
fortnightly Collective Worship in the school chapel and a weekly assembly
in the school hall. YOYO continue to do some excellent work running the
Rock Solid group for years 7, 8 and 9.
The annual visit to Heslington Church continues with Yr 7 and the help
from the congregation members is great. Yrs 7 and 8 have each a 'teaching
communion' with the focus in the first year being 'Christian Acts of Worship'
and the second year 'the life and teachings of Jesus'. Visits from Rev
Andrew Clements of Osbaldwick, Rev Tim Jones of Tang Hall and Rev Fran
Wakefield of Stamford Bridge are greatly appreciated. Tim Jones also drops
in most weeks to have lunch with the students in the dining room on a
different day from Nancy's visits. Much of the administration is greatly
helped by Richard Nihill, the lay chaplain, who produces class assemblies
each week for use by the teachers.
Last summer the school was host to three bishops from the Diocese of
South Africa. Some students, together with Richard and Miss Turvey, visited
Cape Town in spring 2010 and found it a very worth while trip.
Last September, the new post 16 block was completed and ready to welcome
its first students. The building was first host to a prayer evening organised
by the chaplaincy and supported by members of staff, govenors and some
members of Heslington Church. The 'circling prayer' used at that evening
was written beautifully by Rosabelle Loondsborough, signed by those present
and framed. It is now on display at the entrance. The official opening
of the block was performed by the Bishop of Selby.
The LodgeThe Lodge, a home for elderly people in Heslington village, is visited every second Wednesday of the month by Rev Nancy Eckersley and a small group of ladies from Heslington Church. They hold a service in the communal lounge at 2.00pm and then chat with the residents. All residents, family, friends and staff are welcome to attend. We are pleased to welcome Gwen and Mavis from Southlands Methodist Church who have joined us and who will assist in keeping the service going when Nancy leaves us next year. The Lodge has 24 residents and about 12 ladies and occasionally a couple of men join us in the lounge for the hymns and a short talk. There has been strong opposition from a couple of parrots who have squawked loudly through through the service, but thankfully they have been banished to the hall and the much quieter tropical fish have taken their place. We still have a request from Dorothy each week for 'God Save the Queen' and dutifully obey - but only one verse. Should anyone wish to swell our ranks, they will be made very welcome.
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Woodlands MS Resource and Respite Care Centre |
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| Peter Rycraft welcomes Woodlands guests to Heslington Church on Sunday mornings for the 11am service assisted by other members. Nancy Eckersley visits Woodlands regularly each fortnight. She also leads eucharistic services at Easter and Christmas and a healing service in the summer. These services are attended by most guests. Nancy and Elisa Main are members of the Pastoral Care Team who visit regularly and take turns to lead a time of reflection each Tuesday evening together with a time of prayer and a chat. The Pastoral Care Team went to Scarborough Hospice for a training day last year. The Team comprises Catherine McGinchey (RC) team leader, Nancy Eckersley, Linda Ludkin and Jack Booth (Anglicans), Richard Elsdon (Community Church) Tony Questa (RC) and Elisa Main (Methodist). |
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Heslington Outlook
Heslington Outlook is a monthly newsletter, produced by the church and distributed to all 1413 households in the parish by a willing band of 37 helpers. It contains a brief message and comment from one of the clergy, news from the Parish Council and lots of information about meetings and activities of the various groups in our community.
Elisa Main now edits Outlook and she asks for contributions to be sent by email - elisamain@yahoo.co.uk - or via the 'M' pigeonhole in church, or in writing to 66 Yarburgh Way, Badger Hill, York YO10 5HG. The next deadline is 17th April.
Very sadly, Gordon Thompson, the editor of Outlook for over ten years, has died. Please see the Notices page for an appreciation of him.