FROM THE REGISTERS

Baptism
June 10th. Leake St.Mary. Emily Ash, infant daughter of Richard and Caroline from Newcastle, who were married at Leake in August 1999.

Funerals
May 31st. Felixkirk. Brian Broadley, 67, who had a fish and chip shop in the West Riding but was born of a farming family in Felixkirk. The Rural Dean officiated.

June 8th. St.Mary Leake. Jim Weir, 86, father of Gordon Weir of Borrowby. He emigrated to Australia some 30 years ago but returned recently to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren before his death. A trained electrician and former policeman. A skilled potter in retirement.

June 11th. St.Mary Leake. Mary Dobson, 68. Widow of Sam Dobson who died 15 months ago. Mary died suddenly while out in Thirsk with her neighbour June, to whom we offer our best wishes.

July 2001 Support but no support

Having been away and absent during most of the election campaign, I am writing this article immediately after the result has been announced! It seems that the present Government may be faced with similar growing change and discontent that followed the low turnout after the 1918 election. Is there also a trend away from tighter majorities to longer terms in office? Come what may, it does not auger well for the future especially when the only highlight of the election campaign, that I was here for, was Prescott's fisticuffs.

Support but no support. The Welfare State had its origins from the established Church through leading figures like the late Archbishop William Temple. There was reform after 1945, though the Archbishop had left the socialist party before his death. Often the ethos of the gospels and epistles is translated into socialism, though Jesus and his followers made no attempt to change the well established capitalism on which trade and economics ran. We (Liz and I) did notice while in Malta that there could be a growing trade for people to go private out there for repair operations (hips, etc.) to escape the queues, the expense and the cold over here. Lightening or spreading the load would help would help the N.H.S. At the end of the day people will go where their needs are best met and according to what they can afford. Support but no support. I received a catalogue in the post offering me 3 chalices if I bought 300 hymn books (or, 1 for 100, 2 for 200). Whilst that ratio would be suitable if the congregation were of that size, it strikes me that there is a surplus to be disposed of. Most churches have at least one chalice and I could rustle up a few more! Are we reaching a saturation point, where Society has over-produced many of its material goods? Whether cars, washing machines or computers, always another model comes out, making the previous model obsolete - but while the one you have still serves its purpose few will invest in a replacement just to be state of the art.

Support but no support. There is much the same reaction to the Church as to the voting turnout. It's there, it's continuing, it's there when wanted and I'm O.K. as I am. Perhaps we fail to register our responsibility when we do not vote or our disenchantment by not registering it on the ballot paper. In much the same way as we fail to deepen our relationship with God by standing apart or being distracted by the choice, mostly material, before us. Yes, there needs to be greater encouragement of people's service to one another as good neighbours, and a neighbourliness that does not involve money when there are so many other demands on our pockets.

Christ supports us through his arms outstretched on the Cross. Without similar pain we can support each other, share life's burdens and in the end find that an active Church is a solvent church when money seems so hard to raise otherwise. Beware of burying your talent (Matthew 25, v.14-30). Be encouraged, more still to go to church than watch football ........... !

Mowbray Deanery Synod - Wednesday 7th March (March H.P.M.)

Marriage in Church after Divorce - from the minutes of the meeting.

With Rev.Tim Jones in the chair, Synod heard two presentations, by Canon Ian Fox and Rev.Nigel Sinclair. After questions and debate, Synod then voted on the proposals in the report. The voting was:

1. Do you accept the principle that there are circumstances in which a divorced person may be married in church during the lifetime of a former spouse? 32 for, 5 against, 1 abstention.

2. a) Do you support the recommendations of the Working Party summa-rised in Chapter 9 of the Report as being the right way to proceed?
0 for, 36 against, 2 abstentions.

In answer to question 2.b): "If not, what do you consider to be the short-comings of the recommendations?", it was agreed to forward to the Diocese all comments which received assent from at least one third of members present. In the event, the following three observations were agreed upon by a large majority:

1. The marriage policy of the Church of England should reflect first and foremost the love and forgiveness of God (35 for, 0 vs., 3 abstentions).

2. The criteria presented in the report reflect a legalistic rather than a gracious approach, and are therefore unsuited to the primarily pastoral nature of healing people prior to a second marriage. (32 for, 0 vs. 6 abs.).

3. The decision whether or not to allow a second marriage in church must rest with the parish priest, because the priest is the pastor who deals with each case on its merits in confidence. (29 for, 5 vs., 3 abstentions).
In the event the Diocesan Synod later approved the measure. T.H.