Hillside Parishes Magazine
Hillside Parish MagazineNovember 2009From the Vicar November is the month for remembering. The 2nd is All Souls Day when the church traditionally commemorates those who have died, and in some European countries it is a family time when children return home and families visit the cemetery. On November 5th we remember the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, then at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month we remember, as a nation, all those who have died serving Queen and country, and we also keep Remembrance Sunday. But at the end of the month the mood changes to one of anticipation, as we enter the season of Advent and make our final preparations for Christmas. Christmas shopping will be in full swing by then and Advent offers us a time for reflection, when we can prepare our hearts to welcome the gift of Jesus. The Advent tradition of Posada has caught on in some of our communities, particularly those connected with the school in Knayton, as the figures of Mary and Joseph travel around our parishes, journeying from Nazareth towards Bethlehem and the Christmas Crib. Each night they are searching for a place to rest. Those who offer them hospitality (posada means “inn” in Spanish) can also share in their special journey towards the stable and the birth of the Christ-child. This year Mary and Joseph will be venturing further afield, and there will be an opportunity for those living in and around Knayton, Borrowby and Kirby Knowle to participate in Posada, even if they don’t have a school connection. Accompanied by the donkey they will go on their journey (in a shoe box) around the homes where they will stay overnight. As well as the figures, the box will contain some activities suitable for adults and for families. The welcome and the hospitality they receive in each home will be different, but there will be material for thought, reflection and prayer, and also something to keep as a reminder of their visit. The Knayton School Posada, which is being coordinated by the School and the Cabin, will begin in Borrowby Methodist Chapel at 11am on Sunday 29th November. The Posada for the Villages will start on Tuesday 1st December in Borrowby Village Hall, 7.00 - 8.00pm with a festive celebration and prayers, followed by refreshments for adults until 8.30pm. Members of Hillside Cub Pack and families will be joining us for a pageant Advent journey. To take part in the Villages Posada please sign up by Monday 23rd November on the list in the porches of Leake and Kirby Knowle churches, or phone: Mary Wernyg: 01845 537667 or Carolyn Mullins: 01845 537655 Both the Knayton School and the Villages Posadas will come together to end their journey on 20th December at the Carol Service, 11.00am in Leake Church. The service will also include the Blessing of Family Cribs – so bring yours if you have one. Posada is just one way of keeping Advent, there is a special candlelit Advent Carol Service in St.Peter’s, Osmotherley, at 4.30 pm on Advent Sunday, 29th November; and in December there will also be three Activity and Prayer Mornings across the parishes as well as our regular services and Carol Services. So, during the hectic run-up to Christmas, there will be lots of opportunities to make some time and space for reflection and preparation of our homes and our hearts to receive our Newborn King. With my prayers Ian Houghton
The magazine of the parishes of Boltby, Borrowby, Cowesby, Felixkirk, Kepwick,
Kirby Knowle, Knayton, Leake & "The Siltons". Also circulated in
Upsall, Thirlby & Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe. |
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©Thirsk.net |
