From the Registers

Baptism

26th January St Wilfrid, Kirby Knowle.
Annabel Daisy, infant daughter of Rupert and Juliette Alers-Hankey.

2nd February. St Mary Leake.
Freddie, infant son of Johnnie and Georgina Roberts.

March 2003 - ENGLAND, HOME AND BEAUTY

From Christmas, and during the Epiphany period, we think about the “word became flesh and dwelt (tented or tabernacled) amongst us” (John 1,v.14). So what are we to do during Lent and Easter? It is the time for encouraging God to be “at home” in us. In other words, the spirit that brooded over the emptiness of God’s creation fills us if we open up, just as God’s spirit fills the rest of creation. Healing and wholeness come from this when the Spirit fills us. (By healing we need to understand that in the case of chronic or terminal illness reconciliation takes place: an aspect of healing whereby we have the grace to live and cope with what we have got.)

Would the media have heard better before condemning? To sit at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s feet in February was a good eye-opener. He amended his talk from the Friday to say, on the Saturday, that the term “at home in” better describes our opening up and letting God into ourselves - rather than the term “inhabiting”. Lent becomes a good time to home in on this and cultivate that open-ness. Communion is part of this. Rather than the flesh and blood of Christ, which we take on board and digest, there should be more a sense of us becoming the flesh and blood of God. God becomes present through us.

As a sculptor, especially a portrait sculptor, the Archbishop struck a particular chord with me. He talked about empty faces that expressed nothing. As vehicles of the heavenly body in this life, we need to radiate Christ, to express Him. Scars, smiles, wrinkles are all part of Him in our lives. Someone said, of a bust that I did of David Jenkins: “A life well lived”. The clown, Roly Bain, expresses the same in a different way, with an impishness and face paint - the painted clown.

And the purpose of this being God filled, being “at home with” God? To glorify God, to be God centred, to worship God. Without the Spirit we have not the strength for it. As Jesus said of the blind man he healed in the Temple (John 9, v.1-12): He was not born blind out of sin but to better glorify and express God. Rowan Williams’ starting point was Matthew 12 v.43-45: how the unclean spirit, swept from a man, returns with seven other spirits worse than before if the empty space has not been better filled. Lent is not about sweeping out and doing spiritual spring cleaning, but making room for and encouraging more Holy Spirit. May your Lent be useful and may we help you fill up not be fed up!

TH

KNAYTON SCHOOL

On February 5th and 12th children from Classes 3 and 4 visited York University to experience instruments from a Gamelan Orchestra. This orchestra originates from Indonesia and as part of Indonesian culture the instruments are greatly respected - they even have their birthday celebrated each year in November! The children thoroughly enjoyed listening and playing instruments made of bronze and rosewood - something they will remember for a long time.

All the children will be visiting Leake Church on Monday 3rd and Thursday 6th March to learn about Baptism and the Church building. Thanks to Liz Hoare and the P.C.C.!

 

During book week we will be having a book sale, organised by “Storyteller”, at 3.30 p.m. on 5th March, and a book exchange organised by the Friends at 3.30 p.m. on 7th March.

 

Year 6 will be staying at Bewerley Park during the week 17th - 21st March.

Class 3 & 4 will be involved in the Music for Life Concert and Workshop on 4th March.

 

Dates for Class Assemblies: Class 2 Wed 12th March 3 p.m. Class 4 Wed 2nd April 3 p.m.

Easter Tea. This will take place at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday 10th April and is open to everyone - parents, grandparents and friends. Admission is free, teas and cakes will be provided and the children will entertain us by singing.

Springboard

An inspiring meeting at the Bishop of Whitby’s home, 28th January. Springboard seeks to “Encourage, renew and mobilise the church for evangelism.” Dates to note:

May 7th Cleveland Dio Readers’ meeting, p.m. Marton Church Hall.

May 7 or 8: day for retired clergy.

May 10th: York Diocesan Synod meeting.

May 15th: Mowbray/Stokesley Clergy day at Nunthorpe (10 - 4, joined in the evening by PCCs)

May 17th: Diocesan Training Day (limited numbers)