BIRSTWITH SCHOOL to report part 1 to report part 3 pdf file of full reports
Birstwith School can once again celebrate a very successful year. In June 2004, after much hard work by many, the Football Association awarded its prestigious Charter Standard to the School - so yet another logo to add to the School Achievement Award of 2003 and the Healthy Schools logo already on the School's headed paper! The logos are small but the work to achieve them is "large".
Time Out Club, which caters for pre- and after-school care, goes from strength to strength as parents realise the benefits of such a facility.
The bond between Church and School continues to strengthen with Rev. Judy Mackey on the School's Governing Body and both Rev. George and Rev. Judy Mackey taking an active part in many School assemblies both at the School and those held in Church at such times as Easter, Harvest, Christmas and the Leavers' Service in July. As in the past, all the children took part in making the Christingles for the Church's Christingle Service in January. As it was a joint Benefice Service more Christingles than ever were made!
Through Trudi Pardoe's excellent articles in the Parish Magazine we are all kept informed of the current activities at the school and for this she must be thanked. I will not, therefore, repeat those details here.
What I would like to say, however, is "Roll on Spring!" as that is when we expect to start work on the School Playing Field. It has been a long haul to reach this stage and grateful thanks have been given to all those involved in this project. With the help of "The Friends of Birstwith School" work on the creation of a Sensory Garden and Play Area continues with enthusiasm.
High academic achievement and attainment continues throughout the School as does the children's good and courteous behaviour. It was, therefore, with delight that I learned that out of the many schools that attended the STEM fair in January 2005, because of the children's noticeable good behaviour and interest in scientific investigative work, Birstwith School was invited to visit the RAF base at Linton on Ouse.
I can, then, only finish this report with feelings of pride to be associated with the School and by saying "Congratulations" and "Thank You" to the Headteacher, staff, parents, children and fellow Governors for working so hard to make this year such an all round success. We have a village school of which we can be truly proud. Sue Baugh, Foundation Governor and Chair of the Governing Body
SUNDAY CLUB
In November 2004 Margaret Umpleby and Jo Fuller stood down from the positions of Sunday Club Co-ordinators. Jo Rollerson and Elaine Thomas have now undertaken the roles with support from the other leaders.
Sunday Club this year has continued to be attended by an enthusiastic core group of children with ages ranging from 4 to 14 years of age. The mean age of the children now appears to be increasing with many children aged between10 and 12 years. Attendance rates have fluctuated between 5 and 17 children per week. Parents are now asked to complete and sign a Sunday Club registration form for their children.
A group of 14 enthusiastic leaders and / or helpers currently prepare for and teach skilfully. This involves a huge commitment researching the theme, gathering resources, planning the lesson and recording the activities. We have a leader and a helper present for each of the Sunday Club sessions. It is getting increasingly difficult to "staff" Sunday Club, and we do need more volunteers. Leaders and helpers are usually on the rota for a month at a time to offer the children some continuity. We hold an annual meeting during which the rota is produced annually in advance. Sunday Club generally continues over the half term holidays, but not during the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays.
In Autumn 2004 we started using the Scripture Union "X STREAM" course which appears to be popular with the children and leaders. We have a Bible "Timeline," Children's Praise music CD and hope to purchase Children's Bibles shortly.
As the children get older it is good to encourage their increasing involvement in Church activity and stronger links with the congregation. The children respond best when the activities are fun and interactive. Some children have expressed that they find the services quite long and they would like some modern children's hymns to be included. Many of the children now take Communion following preparation sessions, some have become Servers, and others are members of the Choir and Band. They appear to enjoy increasing their responsibilities within services, with for example, participation in dramatic presentations and readings.
Following a successful Jerusalem Journey in 2004, this year we are planning a family walk and a theatre trip to see "Jesus Christ Superstar." This reflects the older age group of those children currently attending Sunday Club and acknowledges their numerous previous years involvement in Good Friday activities.
Jo Rollerson Tel: 770222 Elaine Thomas Tel: 771108
WEBSITE FOR BIRSTWITH CHURCH & COMMUNICATIONS:
Geoffrey Manock has managed Birstwith Church website for another year. Its address is :- www.harrogate.co.uk/stjames
Our thanks are due to Bernie Cook of Vital Online who, ever since the inception of the site, has given his service and advice as part of his charity effort. To-date we have had more than 11,000 visitors. The site gives information about what is happening at St James and also about what is going on in the village. It is updated every month to coincide with the issue of the church magazine.
It is some years since the site concerned itself with music. Some old recordings still linger on the "music" page. A lovely medley of our choir was composed at the Candlelit Carol Service and added to the site in time for Christmas. So, if your computer plays music, tune in and enjoy the wonderful tunes.
By the way, did any of you see Santa Claus when he was caught up on the top of our church spire?
Ruth Raspin has represented St James's Church as our Parish Communications Officer since Geoff. Manock retired, managing this alongside the parish magazine editorship.
Parish Magazine
The magazine continues to flourish, with 270 copies circulated each month, either delivered to the door or by post to those further afield. At Christmas every household in the parish should have received a copy, whether or not they were regular subscribers.
Articles for the magazine, new advertisements and notices of forthcoming events in the area are always welcome. Ruth Raspin
WORSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
The Worship committee is primarily an advisory group to help the clergy organize and enrich the worship of the church. We meet three or four times each year, as needed, to discuss developments in liturgy and how they can enhance worship at St James'. This year we have had some lively and productive reflections on suggestions made by members of the group and others.
A very positive addition to our worship is the work Sarah has been doing with the Choir. We now have a number of young people singing regularly and adults who are willing to sing as a choir on special occasions. This greatly expands the possibilities for making services more interesting and inclusive. The orchestra and Sunday Club also enrich our worship with new and lively contributions.
We feel very fortunate that St James' is able to provide a variety of worship styles, from lively family services to the reflective Compline services on Wednesday evenings. Both Eucharistic and non-Eucharistic services are available on a regular basis, and are provided in both contemporary and traditional language, so that anyone can worship here in a way that they find meaningful. New suggestions are always appropriate and will be considered thoughtfully by the committee, so that we can continue to be a welcoming place for everyone. The Revd Judy Mackey, Co-chair
SYNODS 2004
Ripon & Leeds Diocesan Synod
There have been three meetings during the past year. In addition to routine matters the following specific items were discussed :
The March meeting was mainly about the church's views regarding the effects of Political Policies on the Community and was held at St Wilfrid's, away from St Aidan's School, because it was felt that the Agenda item on the British National Party might give rise to considerable media interest and/or demonstrations (which did not happen). There was also a debate on Regional Government resulting in a Motion encouraging everyone to vote in the forthcoming Referendum. A proposal to oppose it was lost.
At the June meeting the Diocesan Annual Report for 2003 was circulated and discussed. The chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance presented the Budget for 2005 and outlook for 2006/7. Share apportionment for 2005 was discussed and a plea was made that Parishes should be encouraged to pay their Share monthly to enable the Board of Finance to improve cash flow.
At the September meeting there was a presentation on the work of the Education Team. It was affirmed that the meeting supports the work of the Education Partnership with the Diocese of Bradford and reiterated the position of Church Schools as the centre of the Diocesan Mission. It commended parishes to constantly seek to develop ever closer and more effective links with schools.
The President of the Diocesan Mothers' Union gave a talk on the work of the M.U. nationally and locally, highlighting what the Mothers Union is about. The Chairman of the Cathedral Council presented a report on the role and work of the Cathedral. Elspeth Wright
Harrogate Deanery Synod
Synod has met three times this year.
On May 12th, here at St James's Church, Paul Winstanley, the Diocesan Stewardship Officer, gave a power-point presentation on `How can we become a giving church?' He introduced the talk with the phrase, `God loves a cheerful giver.' He went on to cover the main reason for giving [gratitude to God for all He has given us], the setting of targets, practical ways of increasing giving and the help available from the diocese. Following the talk, there was discussion in groups on the 7 possible signs of a healthy church [hospitality, stewardship committee, recommitment, witness of lay leaders, outreach, evidence of prayer and scripture reading, accountability].
The meeting on September 16th at Follifoot had the theme of `Celebrating the Deanery'. A short business meeting was followed by a social gathering, to allow time for talking and sharing. The final part of the evening was the celebration by the Rev'd Jeremy Trew of a very moving Eucharist in which much use was made of symbolism.
On November 23rd at St Luke's Church Centre, the Rev'd Canon Leslie Morley, the Diocesan Rural Officer, spoke on the contribution which the rural areas of the diocese make to Christian witness, their needs and problems in a climate of change. In the second part of the evening there was a discussion about the coming changes in the methods of Share allocation. Three models were suggested and have since been discussed by PCCs.
A fourth meeting scheduled for January 25th was cancelled.
At the end of the year the Rev'd John Colston, from Christ Church, retired as Area Dean; he has been replaced by the Rev'd Paul Hooper of St. Mark's. The name of the Assistant Area Dean was officially announced on 20th February as Rev Garry A.F. Hinchcliffe, Vicar of Hampsthwaite & Killinghall (and Birstwith).
Barbara Blinston
Ratified for publication on behalf of the PCC NORMAN CASTLE ANN TAYLOR Church Warden & Chairman Church Warden 17th February 2005