Heather Poole and her family haven’t been too well.   Norma Trotter has problems with her knee.  Dorothy McCartney is suffering in silence and putting on a brave face.

Someone who has never had a mention in our news before, because he’s usually so fit and healthy, is our minister Bob, who has pneumonia and is quite poorly. Please remember Bob and Anne and any other friends who are not to well just now. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. 

Brenda Parker

Commitment For Life Sunday
- Soup and a Sweet Lunch
Sunday 30th October was Commitment for Life Sunday. The service was taken by Elaine Harrison, who talked about the choices we are faced with as Christians and this was followed by a shared lunch. This consisted of soup and a sweet.
Thanks go to all who came, helped out and prepared food. We raised about £75 for Commitment For Life.
Moderator’s Visit
The Moderator Kevin Watson visited us on Wednesday 26th and what an encouragement and real blessing it was.
Those of you who couldn't make it missed a real treat. We prayed and prayer walked round inside the church and his main message was ....if you want to see things change ...pray, pray, and pray again. Without prayer, especially together, we will not see the growth we want.
We all know this but something else always gets in the way. How about it then? We had a church prayer group but it has just faded off. The toils and busyness of life got in the way. If any of you are willing to start again to pray for the work of the church please let me know and we can surely find a mutually agreed time to meet.

Norma Trotter

Without Ceasing
Saying prayers is an activity but praying is a soul attitude – “a lifting up of the mind to God”. Praying in that sense can transform every task from shovelling snow or fixing the car to washing up or changing a nappy.

Paul’s letters entreat us to:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances…
… let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise…
… always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
… pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

On a recent Wednesday morning, The Rev’d Kevin Watson, our Yorkshire Synod Moderator visited the church to meet with whoever else was free at that time in order to pray for the Church and its activities in the local community. Kevin is a deeply spiritual man and it was a joy for a small group of ladies to be able to pray along with him. Kevin told us many moving stories as we walked around the church praying at each stop – the pulpit for our preachers, the table for our Communion, the lectern for our reading and knowledge of the Word. Onto our music and the people who provide it, the font and all those who have been christened over the years that they may find their way back to faith, the pews for the general congregation, the photographs of Pastors reminding us of the blessings arising from those who spend time here. We stopped at the door and prayed about welcoming people into the church family. Then the shoeboxes that they may show children in other countries something of Christian love, the banners and our relationship with Knaresborough URC. We asked the Spirit to assist with Messy Church and the Ladies Fellowship all other activities that we undertake in the life of the Church as well as other groups that have occasional use of our Hall and facilities.

There is so much to pray about – more than I have mentioned here. In your prayer times please remember to give thanks to God, his Son and His Spirit for all the good things we have, for all the answers to our prayers and to always seek His help in any future endeavours.

In Jesus’ name I pray that you, the people of Bilton Grange URC, will not forget to pray.

Jo Turnbull

In the first of what will (hopefully) be a continuing series of articles, I am encouraging the members and friends of Bilton Grange URC to share with the rest of us a short piece on what their relationship with the church is.
Not just what their duties are, but why they come and how they benefit from coming.
Our first article is by Alex Blackband and I hope this will encourage you to think about your own church life and maybe write an article yourself.

Vincent

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What do you do at Church?
This was asked by a friend recently and so I started listing what I still do with what I have done. Modesty forbids an in depth list but here goes.

I worship God; it is a very good place to meet God and share His space with other worshipers. I do not think or act like my fellow Christians, I do get great strength from their support and criticism along the way, and I loudly espouse that I am a Non-Conformist Protestant, together with many others. This makes for a far from cosy life, often putting us at odds with each other, making me a hard person to get on with!

As part of my vision as a member of BGURC I use my talents, gifts and energy to support the daily needs of the property and in particular, latterly, the more technical aspects of the church, the sound system, the electrical system, and light repairs around the property. These stem from being property steward in several church buildings over the last forty or fifty years.
Here I would like to make an appeal: I would really like someone to help with these jobs. They are not complicated, but they do need a measure of concentration, particularly during services of worship. Help would also give me the freedom to be away for a Sunday or two; I think this year I have only had two Sundays not in church. I know if I wake up dead one morning the world will not stop, but I still would like a rest from time to time.
Enough of that and I know I am not alone, I challenge you to look around at others far more committed than me.

Over the years I have been a serving Elder, Property Steward, District Visitor on Quinquenial survey committee, helper at events, organiser of Model Railway exhibition and general dogs body. All at Bilton since I retired. I became a Non-serving Elder just after I was 70, since in discussions it was suggested that at that age you tend to become a drag on forward thinking. Thank you I now have six Mondays a year free!

What do I receive at Church? My Question. Firstly the love of God, manifested in all of YOU, friendship, the expansion of ideas, a widening of the wonder of Gods kingdom, a greater awareness of where others come from, a tolerance of the six billion other approaches the our Lord, That’s hard! Most of all The Holy Spirit with me Always.

Alex Blackband

 

Ladies’ Fellowship

On Monday November 14^th we are asked to bring along items for our stall at the Christmas Fayre, which we will then price. This is followed by lunch.

Then on Monday 28^th we are all choosing our favourite hymn and singing our own mini ‘Songs of Praise’. So ladies, if you let June know your favourites at our meeting on the 14^th (or sooner if possible), she will do her best to find out some information on the writer. Even if she is not successful, we can have a jolly good sing!

 Brenda Parker

 Sharing

On Sunday, 9^th October, Bilton Grange and Knaresborough United Reformed Churches held a joint service and shared lunch at the Bilton venue.

It was so lovely to have so many folk come over from Knaresborough to share in both the Communion meal and a good lunch of pasta dishes and marvellous puddings. Many thanks to all who provided food – there were appetising pasta dishes of all varieties together with salad and garlic bread; a lovely combination, followed by home-made puddings of pure delight, and then a cup of tea or coffee.  There was a very enjoyable atmosphere during the service and also in the Hall for the meal – so pleasant to see people conversing happily together.  We really ought to do it a little more often if possible.

Thanks also to all the folk who set the tables and cleared up after the meal. For the congregation at Bilton it was the last time we saw our Pastor Bob, and hopefully he will read here how much we enjoyed that day and have missed him since.  We send him all best wishes for a good recovery from illness and trust that he will take sufficient time and rest for his good health to return before he rejoins his Congregations.

Jo Turnbull

 Quiz & Pasta Night

A big thank you to Elisa for organising another great night.

There was more than enough food, even 3rd portions couldn’t devour it all!

Alex Brown and Norma were the Quiz Masters and, despite disruptions from some rowdy teams, did an admirable job.

The winning team were Postman Pat and his Cats.

Income from the tickets and the sale of the table decorations meant that £200.00 was raised towards the cost of sending the Christmas shoe-boxes to their new owners.

 

Norma Trotter

 Christmas Shoe-Boxes

On Monday November 7th at 7.30pm we will be gathering together in church to fill the shoe-boxes. Its great fun and all are welcome. On Tuesday 8th they will be collected.

Last year we filled over 120 and this year, despite the credit crunch, it looks as though we will top that figure.

Besides filling the boxes, it costs £2.50 to send each one and thanks to the quiz night and the jumble sale, which also raised an amazing £200.00, we don’t have to dip into the church coffers this year.

Any queries please see Norma

 

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Events
Saturday November 26^th, from 11:00am, is the date of the church Christmas Fayre.

We hope to have Cakes, Books, a Christmas Stall, Fancy Goods & Jewellery, Bric-a-brac, Tombola, Raffle, Soft Toys and Light Lunches.

Your help will be required, so do get involved; there must be more people in our church than the few who usually do all the work. Look out for the list of stalls going on the notice board in the hall and add your name to it!

Brenda Parker

Thanks

Thank you to all who supplied food for the lunch and who helped in any way when we were hosts at the recent joint service with Knaresborough URC. Also, thanks to Knaresborough for the super selection of puds.

Brenda Parker

Christmas Post

Yes, it is that time of year again. The ‘in church’ post-box will be at the back of the church on Sundays December 4^th and 11^th only and the post will be ready for you to collect on the 18^th.

Please note, this facility is for church friends; we do not post cards.

And on the same theme, remember to save any stamps you may get. Cut the stamps off the envelopes, leaving a half-inch border around them and bring them along to the box in church, where they will be sorted.

Brenda Parker

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 Volunteers Needed!

It’s coming up to that time of year again!

We need people look after the church garden. Colleen is looking to set up a grass-cutting rota, so if you feel you can spare a little time to help with that please do talk to her about it.

Likewise, the flower beds need making! They look rather bare at the moment and some colourful plants and flowers will make Bilton Grange look so much more inviting. Do you have green fingers? Please use them!

Also, we need volunteers to cut the hedge. It’s no good if no-one can see our wonderful garden!

If you feel you want to help, have a word with Colleen.

 

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Plea For Articles

It seems incredible, but this is my tenth issue as editor of this fine journal. Double figures already!

I’d like to thank Brenda P, Jo Turnbull, Bob and all who regularly contribute news and articles, your help and input is greatly appreciated. But, don’t forget, ANYONE can contribute. It doesn’t have to be a news item, it can be a reflection on a Bible passage, a poem that has particularly moved you, an anecdote, a picture, a prayer – anything you would like to share.

It can be any length; if you feel inspired to write a two page article on how you came to faith, or an event you attended, the room to print it will be found!

I’d like to hear from our younger members too. If you are in Junior Church, Brownies or Pilots, you can contribute too. Paint a picture, write a poem or a prayer and I’ll include it.

 Vincent

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