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YORSAY November 2015

From the Chair’s Desk

Every year, just before Advent, church leaders from the Humber to the Scottish

border (and basically east of the A1) meet for 24 hours at Ampleforth Abbey. We

meet because we have signed a covenant, which includes the following paragraph:

As church leaders in the North East we commit ourselves:

to meet annually for prayer and reflection

to proclaim and preach the faith

to be a sign of hope and encouragement to all

to bear each other’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.

It is an annual gathering which I value greatly, for the colleagueship and the time in

that lovely community at Ampleforth – with worship throughout the day, commencing

at 6 o’clock in the morning!

This year we concentrated on the Psalms; firstly led by Fr Henry Wansbrough, a

renowned Benedictine Biblical scholar, and then each of us reflected on a chosen

psalm which prompted comment from the group. Among the psalms chosen were

numbers 1, 8, 46, 62 (twice), 63, 78, 80, 85, and 139 (my choice). It was delightful to

listen to each other – learning something of our studying of a particular text and also

learning something of each other as we reflected personally). You may care to chew

over some of those listed, and wonder what we discussed.

The psalms are, of course, Hebrew texts which were drawn together from a number

of ancient sources. However, time and again we found ourselves realising that as

we read them through a Christian lens we could not help but see something of

Jesus, time and again – a hint of the Messiah to come.

Whether by reading some of those psalms, or by your joining in worship during this

Advent, may you too begin to see Jesus more clearly. And when the 25th day of this

month arrives once more, may you again celebrate God’s breaking into our

desperately needy world once more.

Every blessing to you and yours this Advent and Christmastide.

Stephen Burgess

District Chair

D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 5 C h a r i t y N o 1 1 3 6 1 3 3

Welcome to the December

Edition of Yorsay.

Dear All

As some of you may be aware I

am due to go into hospital for a

major operation. So there will be

no January edition of Yorsay in

this format and more than likely

no February.

I will however attempt to publish a

March [Easter edition ] so items

for that will have to be with me no

later than noon on the 19th Febru-

ary 2016.

In the meantime if there are to be

January & February editions Sian

in the District Office may be able

to guide you.

Bob

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Hristmas pecials

Thirsk and Northallerton Circuit diary

December

Tues 8th 2.15pm Ladies Churches Together Advent Service at Romanby Methodist Church

Tues 15th 7pm Carols around the tree, St Oswald’s, Sowerby

Christmas Eve 2.30pm Crib service at St Columba’s Topcliffe

Christmas Eve 2.30pm Christingle service at Northallerton Methodist church

Christmas Eve 4pm Crib service at St Oswald’s Sowerby

Christmas Eve 11pm Midnight Communion at St Oswald’s Sowerby

Christmas Eve 11.15pm Midnight communion united with Romanby at Northallerton Methodist Church

Christmas Day 9am Christmas morning service at St Columba’s Topcliffe

Christmas Day 9am Christmas morning service at Appleton Wiske Methodist Church

Christmas Day 10am Christmas morning service at Sowerby Methodist Church

Christmas Day 10am Christmas Morning Service at Brompton Methodist Church

Christmas Day 11am Christmas Morning Service at Romanby Methodist Church

Christmas Day 11am Christmas Morning Service at Northallerton Methodist Church

‘A BREATHE OF FRESH AIR’

Coffee Carols and Cake …a chance to ‘chill’ after the hectic Christmas events. You’re warmly invited to this light hearted

relaxing Cafe style service on Sunday December 27th at 10.45am at Barlby/Osgaodby Church Hull Road Y08 5HG.

Come as you are - even in a onesy if you want!

Suitable for all ages….all invited

Start the New Year by ‘blowing off the cobwebs’ at a short, half hour open air service on Skipwith Common (Y08 5SQ) on

January 1st at 11.30am (allowing for a lay in). All are welcome

Missed they Christmas Christingle? …its not too late to celebrate Jesus the Light of the World in this traditional way at a

Funday Sunday, Christingle Service at Barmby on the Marsh Methodist Church ( DN14 7HS) on Sunday January 7th at

3pm.

ALL ARE INVITED AND ALL ARE WELCOME! Revd Sue Pegg

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The Methodist Churches Christmas Services

(http://www.northyorkscoastmethodist.org.uk)

Ayton 3 Pickering Road, West Ayton, Scarborough, YO13 9JE

20th December Carol Service at 6.00 pm 25th December Christmas Day Service at 10.30 am with Mrs Margaret Crofts Briggswath and Sleights Briggswath, Whitby, YO21 1RS - http://whitbymethodist.btck.co.uk

20th December Carols at 6.30 pm with Rev Veronica Carolan 24th December Christmas Eve Communion at 11.30 pm with Rev John Pugh 25th December Joint Christmas Day Service at 10.30 am with Rev John Pugh Burniston High Street, Burniston, YO13 - http://www.burnistonchurch.org.uk/

20th December Carols by Candlelight at 5.00 pm with Rev Graham Morgan 20th December Christmas Special Sun@8 at 8.00 pm 24th December Christmas Eve Holy Communion at 8.00 pm with Rev Graham Morgan 25th December Christmas Day at 10.00 am with Rev Graham Morgan 27th December Combined Service at 10.00 am Burton Fleming Front Street, Burton Fleming, Y025 3PR

13th December Carol Service at 10.30 am 20th December Village Carol Service at 6.00 pm at C of E Cayton Main Street, Cayton, YO11 3RS

13th December Christmas Tree Festival at 10.30 am with Rev Rosie Coles 20th December Christmas Holy Communion with Rev Rose Coles 24th December Crib Service at 3.00 pm with Rev Rosie Coles 25th December Joint Christmas Day Service at 10.30 am at Seamer with Rev Rosie Coles 27th December Joint Service at 9.00 am at St John’s Cayton with Rev Rod Fereday Cross Hill Cross Hill, Hunmanby, Filey YO14 0JT

20th December Carol Service at 10.30 am 25th December Christmas Day Service at 10.30 am with Mrs Nikki Warner Emmanuel St John LEP (Methodist/United Reform) St John’s Road, Scarborough, YO12 5ES

13th December Nativity at 10.30 am with Rev Jason McCullagh 20th December Candlelit Carols at 4.00 pm with Rev Jason McCullagh 25th December Joint service at St Andrew’s at 10.00 am Filey Station Avenue, Filey, YO14 9AE - http://www.fileymethodistchurch.org.uk/

6th December Christmas Music at 2.30 pm with Festival Singers 12th December Messy Church Christmas at 3.00 pm 20th December Carol Service at 3.00 pm with Rev Graham Morgan 24th December Christmas Eve Communion at 11.15 pm with Rev Graham Morgan 25th December Christmas Celebration at 10.00 am with Mrs Christine Sutherby Fylingthorpe Fylingthorpe, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4TT - http://whitbymethodist.btck.co.uk

20th December Carol Service at 6.15 pm with Rev John Pugh 25th December Joint Christmas Day Service at 10.30 am at Briggswath & Sleights with Rev John Pugh Hawsker Scarborough Road, Low Hawsker, Whitby, YO22 4JY - http://whitbymethodist.btck.co.uk

19th December The Walk to Bethlehem at 5.30 pm followed by Village Carol Service with Rev John Pugh 20th December Carol Service at 2.30 pm with Mrs Kath Charter 25th December Joint Christmas Day Service at 10.30 am at Briggswath & Sleights with Rev John Pugh Littlebeck Littlebeck, Sleights, Whitby, YO22 5HA - http://whitbymethodist.btck.co.uk

20th December Buffet Christmas Lunch at 12.30 pm at Littlebeck Village Hall (Please contact Mrs Judith Ventress to book a place for lunch)

20th December Carol Service at 2.30 pm with Mr Robert Ventress at Littlebeck Village Hall 25th December Joint Christmas Day Service at 10.30 am at Briggswath & Sleights with Rev John Pugh

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Northstead Givendale Road, Northstead, Scarborough, YO12 6LG - http://northsteadmethodist.churchsite.ork.uk/

13th December All Age Worship & Pre School Nativity at 10.30 am with Rev Emma Morgan 16th December Christingle & Christmas Midweek Praise at 6.30 pm with Rev Emma Morgan 20th December Candlelit Carol Service at 6.30 pm with Rev Emma Morgan 24th December Midnight Communion at 11.30 pm with Rev Emma Morgan 25th December Christmas Day Joint Service at 10.00 am with Rev Emma Morgan 27th December Joint Service at Wreyfield Drive at 10.30 am with Rev Emma Morgan Queen Street Queen Street, Scarborough, YO11 1HQ – http://www.queenstreetcentralhall.co.uk/

6th December Festival of Carols at 3.00 pm with Rev Rosie Coles 13th December Family Christmas at 10.30 am 24th December Christmas Eve Midnight Communion at 11.15 pm with Rev Rosie Coles 25th December Christmas Day Family Worship at 10.30 am 26th December Boxing Day Carols by Candlelight at 4.00 pm Robin Hood’s Bay Wesley Road, Robin Hood's Bay, YO22 4RW - http://whitbymethodist.btck.co.uk

20th December Carol Service at 10.30 am 25th December Joint Christmas Day Service at 10.30 am at Briggswath & Sleights with Rev John Pugh Scalby North Street, Scalby, Scarborough, YO13 0RP

20th December Carols at 3.00 pm with Rev Emma Morgan 24th December Christmas Eve Communion at 5.00 pm with Rev Emma Morgan 25th December Christmas Day Joint Service at Northstead at 10.00 am with Rev Emma Morgan 27th December Joint Service at Wreyfield Drive at 10.30 am with Rev Emma Morgan Seamer Eastgate, Seamer, YO12 4RB

25th December Joint Christmas Day Service at 10.30am with Rev Rosie Coles Sherburn St Hilda’s Street, Sherburn, YO17 8PG

25th December Christmas Day Service at 10.00 am with Mrs Christine Fenwick & Worship Group Snainton Station Rd, Snainton, YO13 9AR

20th December Carol Service at 6.00 pm 25th December Christmas Day Service at 10.00 am with Rev Denise Free South Cliff Filey Road, Scarborough, YO11 2SF – http://www.southcliffmethodistchurch.co.uk/

13th December Carols at 3.00 pm with Rev Peter Cross 20th December Café Style Christmas at 6.30 pm 25th December Christmas Day Service at 11.00 am with Rev John Staton Staintondale and Ravenscar LEP St Hilda’s Church, Ravenscar, YO13 0AZ

20th December Nativity Carol Service at 10.30 am with Rev Alastair Ferneley Westborough Westborough, Scarborough, YO11 1TS - http://www.westboroughmethodist.org.uk/

13th December Carol Service at 6.30 pm with Rev Peter Cross and A Capella 20th December Christingle Service at 6.00 pm with Rev Peter Cross 24th December Crib Service at 5.30 pm with Rev Peter Cross 24th December First Communion of Christmas at 11.15 pm with Rev Peter Cross 25th December Family Service at 10.30 am with Rev Peter Cross Whitby Mission to Seafarers, Haggersgate, Whitby, YO21 3PS - http://whitbymethodist.btck.co.uk

20th December Carol Service at 10.00 am 25th December Joint Christmas Day Service at 10.30 am at Briggswath & Sleights with Rev John Pugh Wreyfield Drive Wreyfield Drive, Newby, Scarborough, YO12 6NP

24th December Carol Service at 6.30 pm with Rev Emma Morgan 25th December Christmas Day Joint Service at Northstead at 10.00 am with Rev Emma Morgan 27th December Joint Service at 10.30 am with Rev Emma Morgan

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Come and celebrate Advent

An augmented Choir will sing An augmented Choir will sing StarcrossedStarcrossed

-- a contemporary style Christmas Cantataa contemporary style Christmas Cantata

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Huntington Methodist Church

Strensall Road, Huntington, YO32 9SH

Christmas Tree Festival

On the theme of “Christmas Songs”

Supported by Local Businesses and Organisations

Friday 27 November

Viewing times 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Saturday 28 November

Viewing times 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday 29 November Viewing times 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Monday 30 November Viewing times 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Admission Free

Refreshments & Light Lunches Everyday

Stalls for Christmas Gifts, Jewellery, Crafts, Bulbs.

Proceeds for Church Funds

York Trinity

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Bridlington Circuit Advent & Christmas Services

6 December 18.00 St John's Burlington - Advent Candlelight Service

13 December 10.00 Sewerby - Choir Carol Service

13 December 16.30 St John's Burlington - Rotary Club Christmas Tree Service

16 December 16.00 Woldgate - Carol Service

20 December 10.00 Sewerby - Scratch Nativity Service

20 December 10.30 Barmston - Carol Service

20 December 10.30 St John's Burlington - DIY Nativity Service

20 December 15.00 Skipsea - Village Carol Service

20 December 15.00 Flamborough - Carol Service

20 December 18.00 Kilham - Brass Band Carol Service

20 December 18.00 Sewerby - Carol Service

20 December 18.00 St John's Burlington - Carol Service

24 December 16.00 Sewerby - Christingle Service

24 December 18.00 Skipsea - Village Nativity

24 December 23.30 Sewerby - Midnight Communion Service

24 December 23.30 St John's Burlington - Midnight Communion Service

25 December 10.00 Sewerby - Christmas Day Service

25 December 10.00 Flamborough - Christmas Day Service

25 December 11.00 St John's Burlington - Christmas Day Service

27 December 10.30 St John's Burlington - United Circuit Service

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Hull Centre and West

Bricknell Avenue

Monday 14th 9.30am Croxby County Primary Christmas Service [Janet Whelan] Tuesday 15th 1.30pm Bricknell Primary School Christmas Service -year 4 [Janet Whelan] Thursday 17th 1.30pm Bricknell Primary School Christmas Service- year 3 [Janet Whelan] 20th 5.00pm Carol Service 24th No Christmas Eve Meditation this year 25th 10.00am Christmas Day Family Service [Joint with Clowes & Trinity] Peter Vince & Matt Sheard 27th Rev David Perry Despite several requests we have not had details from any other Circuit Office

Christian Aid Office Volunteer Opportunity

Do you enjoy talking to people? Are you enthusiastic about Christian Aids work? Would you like to be part of a friendly local

team? If so we may have the perfect short term volunteering project for you. From January to April each year we aim to call all

our local organisers and church contacts who receive a fundraising pack ahead of Christian Aid Week in May. If you think you

have the right skills and attitude to help us or know someone who does please see : http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

getinvolved/inyourarea/england/yorkshire/volunteering/volunteer-in-yorkshire.aspx , get in touch with Katy McCabe at the

Leeds office on 0113 244 4764 or email us at leeds@christian-aid.org

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Transformed School Room wins Driffield Methodist Church a top roy-al award

Driffield Methodist Church has been awarded the Duke of York’s Community Initiative for what its assessors described as: “the total trans-formation of an old and dilapidated School Room into a superb, clean, well-maintained facility in which members of the community could promote their own organisations.”

Up to press the committee in charge of the project has raised more than £100,000 which has resulting in new windows, modern heating and toilets, and solar panels being installed.

Already in use for a wide range of community activities such as the well-established Playgroup, Yoga, Rugrats, slimming clubs, dance and sports the school room really is something that Driffield can be proud of.

Presented annually to organisations who are seen to be making a very real difference to the communities they serve the award will be given out to a total of 34 different groups by HRH The Duke of York at a ceremony to be held in the New Year.

Speaking of the award on behalf of the Custodian Committee, Richard Mole says how delighted they are to receive this independent recog-nition after all the volunteers’ sustained hard work, continuing the service to community groups.

The Duke of York’s Community Initiative is open to local charities and community groups from across the whole of Yorkshire. More details can be found at www.thedukeofyorkscommunityinitiative.org.uk

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Mind the Gap – Africa Alison West, Administrator, c/o The Vines Church, The Terrace, Rochester, Kent ME1 1 XN

Email: mindthegapalison@gmail.com Tel: 01634 405892 or 07793 536014 Jenny Hensman: jennyhensman@gmail.com

Autumn 2015

Hi Everyone!

Hope all is well and you are enjoying this lovely mild autumn! I have been in Bridington for much of this trip helping my mum

so have missed seeing you this time. Mum is doing well and we are grateful for your prayers and support for her.

We’ve Moved!!

For those who don’t use email or facebook the fantastic news is that on Wednesday 16th September we finally moved the

children to Harvest Family Village! The children absolutely love it as there is so much space and lots of chickens to chase!

Maggie commented that it seems like they have been there for ages as they are so settled. We give the Lord thanks and as

one African song says ‘When Jesus says yes nobody can say no’!

Building

We are fully under way with building the first house and that is going well. We have a wonderful project manager in Sharon

who is great at keeping all the male staff in line! We have been so blessed to have the involvement of Ronald Kwenda, a local

engineer, who has a huge heart for the poor and so has donated all his time and expertise free of charge. Thank you Ronald!

Christmas Challenge

The shops are filled with glitter and every conceivable gift – but please consider giving a ‘gift’ to a child in Zimbabwe instead

of a gift to your friends and family. You will receive a card for every ‘gift’ you buy to send to your friends explaining how their

‘gift’ has been used this Christmas. We are including several leaflets and ask that you pass on to friends and family please.

Mind the Gap Staff

Here are our staff, a wonderful group of people who are so committed to the ministry. Please pray for them as they seek to

care for the children and fulfil administrative roles. Pray for Angela Motsi, our manager, who is doing an amazing job at keep-

ing everything running smoothly, especially whilst I am in the UK.

Water

Due to the kindness of so many we have had the money to drill two boreholes on the farm. Our first one went to 100 metres

and has produced a decent supply. In this picture you see the children who were so excited to see the water coming from the

ground! We are going to be drilling again in the next few weeks, please pray we hit an even better supply of water!

Meet Alison, our UK administrator. She works for MTG a day a week, her hours are Monday mornings and Thursday after-

noons. All her contact details are on the top of this letter and she is happy to help wherever she

can - so any queries ask Alison!

I’m handing over to Alison now but just to say thank you so much for the care and support you have given to me and all of us

at Mind the Gap in Zimbabwe during 2015.

With love Jenny

Hi Everyone,

We find ourselves at that time of the year again, when we begin to think about the Mind the Gap Christmas Challenge. We

are grateful for your support over the years, which has meant that many children and the work of Mind the Gap have been

blessed by your generosity.

Thank you for your continued support.

Blessings, Alison

You can give by: Using the internet site Every click. The advantage here is you can donate using any bank cards and they

claim the gift aid for us. Please use this link http://www.everyclick.com/africamindthegap

Or please deposit your gift directly into our account Bank: HSBC Name of account: Mind the Gap-Africa Sort code: 40 02 16

Account No: 11507508 UK registered charity no. 1148575

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The Fruitful Mother and the Forgotten Son

by Rev Martin K. Batstone BLib, MTh

This is the remarkable story of William Clowes. Suffering illness as a child he was largely uneducated and began work as a Potter’s appren-tice at the age of 10, but after a reckless young adulthood he became one of this country’s most successful evangelists. As one of the founders of the Primitive Methodist movement in the early nineteenth century, he set up his base in Hull, a town he called the ‘fruitful mother’ and the place which became his home and his final resting place. From Hull he toured the country spreading his message of God’s salvation and transforming the social landscape of the country in his wake. At the time of his death he was a celebrated citizen of Hull but now his grave is obscured and he has become the ‘forgotten son’. Until now…

About the Author:

Rev Martin Batstone was formerly Minister at Clowes Memorial Church in Hull which had previously attended as a young child. He is cur-rently Deputy Head of the Student Wellbeing, Learning & Welfare Service at the University of Hull.

Review copies available if review guaranteed

Available to order: November 2015 priced £11.99

Moorley’s Print and Publishing 23 Park Road, Ilkeston DE7 5DA

Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum [personal callers only]

Rivendell, 14 Meadow End, Wirksworth DE4 4DH

(Cheques payable to G.W. Batstone)

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13th February 2016.

You are invited to share... ..in a Day of Singing,

Prayer and Fellowship..

Singing –the Voice of

Prayer Organised by Crofters Spirituality Group

at:- WESTBOROUGH METHODIST CHURCH, SCARBOROUGH. YO11 1TS [opposite the Railway Sta-

tion]

Arrive 9.30 for 9.50am start {last session ends 3.30pm.}

Welcome and Introduction

Session 1[10.00-11.45]: led by Rev. Mike Leigh, [St. Mark’s, Scarborough]

LUNCH and networking....11.45-1.15p.m (please bring your own packed lunch, tea/coffee will be provided).

Session 2[1.30-3.15]: led by Cheryl Ann Smith [Madonna House, Robin Hood’s Bay]

3.15p.m. Closing Worship There is no charge for this day but a donation toward running costs would be

most welcome.

For further information contact: Diane [01723363002] or Chris [07517134898]

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HULL CENTRE AND WEST METHODIST CHURCHES

CIRCUIT PRAYER WEB INITIATIVE

‘ONWARD

CHRISTIAN

SOLDIERS’

In

THE WELCOME CENTRE

at Brough Methodist Church

on

Saturday February 6th 2016

from 10am - 4 pm

A DAY TOGETHER WITH ROY & FLOSSIE CROWNE with each

other and with JESUS

Roy (HOPE) will lead a workshop on Mission – ‘Widening our

Vision’ and Flossie will lead a prayer seminar on ‘Words of

Knowledge’

There will be worship together, a chance to share good practice and pray to-

gether for both the future of Methodism and RENEWAL FOR HULL as we lead

into being the

City of Culture 2017

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Christmas Starts

with Christ

Premier Christian Media & Premier Christian Radio have announced that they are to take a

leading role in the Christmas Starts with Christ Campaign along with the support of many

national church organisations and charities for Christmas 2015.

Here in the UK just 12 per cent of adults know the nativity story, and more than one-third of

children don’t know whose birthday it is. Meanwhile, 51 per cent of people now say the

birth of Jesus is irrelevant to their Christmas so the Christmas story is being forgotten.

The campaign, which has the MISSION of informing people about Jesus Christ, has made

available a wide range of FREE resources, from posters to web banners, to be used by

churches and individual Christians. These free resources can be accessed by signing up at:

www.premier.org.uk/Projects/Christmas-Starts-with-Christ in order to download them.

Last Christmas, in Bridlington, we ran a successful Christmas Starts with Christ radio

campaign on Yorkshire Coast Radio as the majority of our target non-Christian listeners

mainly listen to local commercial radio not to BBC local radio or to Christian radio.

This year for Christmas 2015 we can again run a radio campaign if we get churches paying

at least £77.50 each to cover the cost of 5 radio ads per day from 11th to 25th December

inclusive. The areas we can then cover are:

Bridlington – Yorkshire Coast Radio 102.4 FM – 6 churches.

Scarborough/Whitby – Yorkshire Coast Radio 96.2/103.1 FM & DAB – 10 churches.

Thirsk/Northallerton – Star Radio 103.5/102.3 FM – 4 churches.

York/Malton/Pickering/Pocklington/Selby – Minster 104.7 FM & DAB – 15 churches.

TOTAL COST: £2712-50 (if all areas covered) or we will book by separate areas.

In other parts of the country the combination of the free posters and leaflets in an

ecumenical campaign supported by radio advertising has been shown to heighten

awareness of Christmas with non-Christians and see people coming to our churches.

Some churches have already registered their commitment to being part of the radio

campaign for this Christmas. If you wish to join in please contact as soon as possible:

J PETER WILSON - 87 St John’s Avenue, Bridlington, East Yorkshire YO16 4NJ

Day Tel: +44 845 203 4510 Evening Tel: +44 1262 416266

Mob: +44 7941 035 903 Email: peter.wilson@hnbt.org.uk

Broadcasting Consultant to CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING COUNCIL (CBC) We will need your cheque by THURSDAY 3rd DECEMBER made out to

‘Churches Advertising Network’ in order to book the campaign.

God bless you.

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Updated details

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Yorsay is sent on behalf of the York & Hull Methodist District by the Communications Office

Bob Lawe 27 Ryde Avenue Hull Hu5 1QA yhdistrictcommunications@msn.com

Please note that some of you may receive this and other mailings from a Karoo or other yhdistrict e mail addresses–

Please do not reply or use these addresses as they are for mail delivery only The views expressed in this newsletter

are not necessarily the official views of the Methodist Church or of the York & Hull Methodist District and no in-

ferred support for any of the items or organisations should be taken as granted. Yorsay Newsletter © 2015 York &

Hull Methodist District – All rights reserved.

Publication deadline for next month Yorsay is noon on 19th of the previous month unless otherwise stated