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13th Nov
NAKURU PROJECT UPDATE
Firstly, a heartful thank-you to the Circuit Meeting for their agreement to continue support for the Nakuru Project following the difficulties outlined in the previous Grapevine.
The project is moving forward and so far, a plot of land (2.8) acres has been purchased, plans for the building have been drawn up and there is sufficient funding to acquire appropriate materials and to start building. The land will accommodate a new building, provide space for a protected play area, the growing of crops, care of farm animals and is within walking distance of schools. Water and electricity are already on site.
The new Children's Home will be called the Riziki Children's Home - 'riziki' meaning 'gift' - and their motto is "God is Love". The Riziki Children's Home will care for needy children in Nakuru who live either on the dumpsites or in junkyards after being orphaned or abandoned by their parents.
The Riziki Children's Home will initially have a capacity of 24 children (boys and girls). The children will be provided with adult guidance in a Christian context, food, shelter, clothing, education and medical care. Suitable staff will be employed to run the home and the staff will identify children in need who can benefit from the facilities. A robust activities programme will be provided, to include, where feasible, sports, crafts, dance and gardening, care of domestic and farm animals and education trips. This will encourage the development of individual interests, a sense of self-worth and the development of social skills.
Riziki will be home to these children throughout their primary and secondary education. At the end of secondary schooling, careful consideration will be given to each child's future. In time, it is hoped that funds and facilities will grown to allow help for a greater number of young people.
Appropriate systems, procedures, rules and regulations and policies for personnel, finance and programme administration will be set up as necessary and with due regard to the standards and legal requirement of the Kenyan Social Services Department. The project will be sustained by funds from overseas donors and from money raised by appropriate use of the land on which the home is build in that is intended that much of the food needed by the children will be grown on site.
We will continue to support the children in Nakuru and if any member of the Circuit wishes to continue with financial support, we would be grateful. In the meantime, we ask for your prayers for the Riziki Children's Home as it is built and the staff and children move in.
Stuart and Janet Brown
November 2008
10th Nov
Trisha Wick`s news for November (St Hilda`s misssion partner)
Greetings from a wet .lush, green and cool Maridi. Here is the latest news:
MOBILE PHONE they have now come to Maridi and my number is 00249917258143. It is much cheaper than my satellite phone. Please phone and say hello!
YOUTH BAND we have a new youth band called TIDA. I am most impressed with them. There are eight of them. They are very gifted musicians and all great Christians. They have struggled hard to get their own keyboard, generator and some local instruments. They need help to buy amplification equipment and a guitar. They need £1000. I really want to encourage them. Would anyone be willing to help towards this? Is so, send the money to me via. my father in Filey.
CAR we have had many expensive repairs due to damage on horrendous roads. Air travel is not an option due to heavy boxes of materials we need to transport and many of the dioceses do not have an airstrip.
MA I have been offered a place on the MPhil in Professional Practice through the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. However it is very expensive so I am also looking at cheaper options. So pray that God shows me which one is right.
VSAT hurray that this is working well and we now have internet in the Diocese. Pray it continues to work well, including the generator. Pray for protection over the computers too.
NEW CHURCHES fifteen new churches have been built in the Diocese so Bishop Justin has a busy programme consecrating them. He is doing Confirmation Services at the same time.
CMS GIVING pray that the target needed for my personal support which is what keeps me here, is reached by January 31st which is the end of the CMS financial year. It would be really helpful if Link Churches can keep me informed about what has been sent to CMS so I can check that figures given to me by CMS are correct.
TEE (Theological Education by Extension) has become very weak in some dioceses due to free movement of people now we have peace. Pray for dioceses as they have to restructure their programmes. Pray that dioceses take full ownership of their programmes and organize it well on the ground.
POST I am having great problems in getting post sent to Maridi from Uganda. There is little public transport due to bad roads and less people are traveling who could bring it. Once letters arrive in Uganda they can then take another month to get to Maridi.
CMS AFRICA came into being in February this year. A new CMS family is emerging, however they are based in Nairobi in Kenya so I have never met most of them. For some things I look to them and for other things to CMS Britain.
CMS LINK LETTER I need to write one every three months. Can you suggest some topics about which I can write?
RUTH is a new Mission Partner living in Yei. Praise God I now have another white friend!
SPIRITUAL WARFARE the wolf is at the door. Pray that Satan does not interfere in the work or relationships in the Diocese.
With love and best wishes to you all
Trisha
18th Oct
News from Helmsley
Building faith together, our weekly Friday morning bible study and prayer group. We met in the manse from 9.30 untill 10.30am. Our current theme is "Living in a strange land - studies in Isaiah ch 40-55". The group is open to everyone and we look forward to welcoming you.
Sight-Savers, Helmsley`s charity fund raising this year is for this charity. Currently there are hymn quizes available at £1 from Christine Wright -proceeds to Sight - Savers.
Creche - from 12th October there is to be a creche at Helmsley during morning worship.
Youth Club at Helmsley is to reconvene on Friday 7th October
2nd Oct
TRISHAS NEWS FOR OCTOBER (St Hilda`s misssion partner)
Greetings to you all from Maridi. Here is the latest news:
JOURNEY BACK TO MARIDI
I eventually reached Maridi after delays with the freight, and then horrendous roads inside Sudan which resulted in us having to sleep where road was blocked, and then make new track by driving through bush. But we got here at last and found terrific welcome back.
HOUSE
My house was spotless and all the staff well. The dog and cats were all alive but thin, and there are two kittens also. However half my chickens had died due to disease. I still have some which are sick.
WEATHER
The rain has been very heavy this year with strong winds. However is very good for our crops. Harvest is excellent and everywhere is very lush and green even Juba which is usually semi desert.
SECURITY
No problems in Maridi for long time now. Lords Resistance Army are over the border in Congo about 15 miles away but not troubling Maridi, only Ibba and Yambio area.
VSAT
This is the system which will be installed to give us internet access. The money needed was all given by churches and individuals in UK and we hope it will be installed within the next month. Bishop Justin is delighted.
MA
I have applied to do an MPhil in Professional Practice (which is a research degree based totally on my TEE work). My application will go before their Admissions Committee early in October so I should hear soon after that if I have been accepted. It will be done through Distance Learning through the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, and take three years. Two of our Bishops are already doing the Course.
DIET
I put on over two stones while in UK. I have already lost one and have started doing Pilates which should help relieve my back problem.
VISITORS
It is encouraging to see groups of people from overseas increasingly coming to visit the Diocese. We hope to welcome some people from Christ Church, Southport in November.
NEXT JOURNEY
We leave on Oct. 6th to try and get through the bad roads to Yei for a conference there. We will then try to get to Juba to bring the VSat technician and equipment from Juba to Maridi.
DIOCESE
The Diocese is continuing to develop. Bishop Justin has a super new house and other buildings are going up. Fifteen new churches have been built. The Government is now paying our teachers. The new Archbishop visited recently and said that Maridi Diocese is ahead of all the 24 dioceses in Sudan.
TEE WORK
I am trying to assess how this has gone in my absence. I have not yet been able to meet with my Assistant Manager, Canon Christopher, as he is away at a conference in Juba.
MOBILE PHONES
A miracle has happened mobile phones have arrived in Maridi ! My number is 00249917258143. My parents got through OK. SMS text messages should work but seem to have teething problems at the moment. I am still using my satellite phone whose number is 008821651072178. Mobile phones can only be used in towns where there is a signal and will not be available elsewhere as we travel.
I am glad to be back. Thank you for your prayers. I hope the above gives you plenty to pray for.
Trisha Wick
30th Sept
Report from the Ryedale Circuit Meeting 10th September 2008
The meeting rejoiced in the granting of "Authorised Minister" status to the Rev'd Andrew de Smet
The annual accounts were received - there were no matters for concern. Some of our churches had paid an increased share of the budget to help other churches.
There was a report on the "Nakuru Project"; the children's orphanage in Kenya. It was agreed that the £5,000 raised in the circuit should help to fund the building of a new orphanage (total cost £33,000).
The annual Circuit Project for the year 2008/09 will be the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF)
The Barnabas school days had been a success - three schools had invited a Barnabas team and other schools in the area were interested.
Churches were invited to respond to the recommendation of the Methodist Conference that every church should give Bibles to all its young people and to new Christians.
It was agreed that the Circuit should aim to become a "FAIRTRADE" Circuit with each church becoming a "FAIRTRADE" church. Members of the meeting believed it was important to link fair trade across the world with fair trade here in Britain.
The final part of the meeting took the form of a discussion around two questions:
What is God doing amongst us?
How can we share more effectively in God's mission?
Future meetings are arranged for: 4th February - Kirkbymoorside, 18th March - Helmsley, 16th September -Farndale
16th Sept
Message from Trisha Wick (St Hilda`s misssion partner)
Greetings. I am still in Kampala in Uganda waiting for my freight to be cleared at the airport. Pray it is cleared quickly so I can proceed to Arua where my vehicle is. Pray also concerning the transfer of the money for the VSat to Nairobi as there is a big delay and I don't know why. Getting used to the heat and mosquitos again.
Love
Trisha
3rd Sept
Newsletter from Trisha Wick (St Hilda`s misssion partner)
Greetings. I am due to leave to return to Sudan on Sept. 9th. Please can you pray powerfully for the following needs as I return :
1. The Company who is supposed to have collected my freight has suddenly stopped trading so at very short notice I am having to try someone else. Pray this goes smoothly and that nothing will be stolen from the freight when it is examined by Customes Officers in Uganda.
2. I fly on 9th by KLM from Leeds/Bradford via. Amsterdam to Entebbe in Uganda. Pray there is no problem with flights or luggage. Pray also that the late night taxi ride on 9th from Entebbe to Guest House in Kampala will be done safely. Roads are not safe at night.
3. Pray for documentation etc. which I need to get in Uganda before I can return to Sudan.
4. I hope to leave Uganda and return to Sudan around Sept. 21st. Pray that this two day drive to Maridi from Arua is fully surrounded by God's protection so we don't have problems with the car, insecurity, robberies or very wet muddy roads with two broken bridges.
I hope to send out my next Update of Trisha's News in October if the e mail is working in Maridi.
Thaks for your prayers and support.
Trisha Wick
26th August
NAKURU PROJECT UPDATE
The political situation in Kenya following the election unrest at the end of 2007, has escalated the gulf between the tribal factions. This has affected many aspects of life in Kenya, and Nakuru is no exception. During July 2008, we were advised that the extension programme to the existing Nakuru Orphanage could no longer go ahead.
In January 2008, the Africa Inland Church gave written authorisation and support to Julius Kivindyo, to commence the extension programme. In May 2008 when the building programme started, that support was withdrawn. From the outset we were led to believe that the land occupied by the orphanage was owned by the Africa Inland Church, which has been supporting the project since its conception in 2003. We now understand that the land is owned by an influential member of the Church ( probably its Chairman ) who has decided to move the boys to another orphanage on the other side of Nakuru and redevelop the existing site for other purposes. In Kenya the owner of land has rights to both the properties on site and the uses made of those properties. In essence he 'owns' the orphanage, its residents and has full control of the situation. Outside investment is being seen as undermining his overall 'control'.
The boys are to be moved in November. Their welfare has been guaranteed without the need or requirement of external finance.
The reaction of Ian Hogley ( who many of you met at the launch last September ), John Hunwicks ( a major fundraiser, supporter and personal friend ), and Julius and Esther Kivindyo, (who have been heavily involved in the running of the orphanage since it started ) has been one of significant disappointment and frustration.
But behind every situation lies an obvious opportunity. The reaction from all parties, including ourselves, is to start a new orphanage for both boys and girls. In Nakuru there are thousands of deserving cases and our mission will only touch the surface.
We are in the process of acquiring a 2.8 acre piece of land in a quiet and peaceful area, suitable for growing all essential crops. Water and electricity facilities are available and two primary schools are in close proximity. The cost is c £6,800 ( subject to exchange rates ). The funding for the purchase is available through John Hunwick's sterling work.
Capital costs of the scheme would include:-
The construction of a breeze block building comprising dormitories, toilets, library/study area, kitchen and dining area, living area and outside laundry.
Architects fees, water and electricity supplies, fencing, furniture, beds and bedding, utensils, clothing and shoes.
Solar panels, generators, and underground water tanks.
Capital costs are c £33,000 ( including the land ), with operating costs of c £8,000 per annum.
The Ryedale Circuit has raised just over £5,000 ( its target ) for the Nakuru Project as its 2007/08 Mission Project. This is a tremendous result and our grateful thanks go to everyone for their support and good wishes. Whilst the project has changed in nature, the underlying theme is the same, and we therefore ask for your prayers and support for the new venture. No monies have yet been transferred.
Combined with other sources of support, a total of £10,000 has been raised or pledged under the Ryedale banner.
John Hunwicks has so far raised £13,000, so that £23,000 can be pledged to this new venture. A potential grant of £5,000 is being negotiated and we are hopeful of success.
Jan and I will continue to support this new venture and hope to go back to Nakuru in 2009 or 2010. If any member of the Circuit wishes to continue with financial support we would be very grateful.
Stuart and Janet Brown. August 2008
Sunday 3rd August
Rev Sue Greenwood Farewell 'do'
We had a lovely evening service at Helmsley Methodist Church to say 'Goodbye and Thank you to Sue Greenwood. Norma led the service and we had wonderful singing, super music ( Organ, music group, local preachers choir and congregation) Many people from around the circuit were involved in playing, praying, reading, singing, preparing and serving supper and preparing and operating the multi media presentation. This included some reminders of Sue's ministry in Ryedale ,words for the hymns and some visual aids for Sue's Sermon. With no doubt some lumps in her throat, she talked to us about Courage, Commitment and Community, with the help of a lion puppet who was unusually shy.
Sue was thanked for her enormous contribution to the life of our circuit and community over the past fifteen years and was presented with a cheque and card so that she can buy something special as a reminder of her time in Ryedale.
Our love and prayers go with her as she moves to the Middlesborough and Eston Circuit.
18th July
After a positive response to the recent `Faith and Folk` informal evening service the Kirkbymoorside leadership team have decided it should be a regular monthly event as from next quarter.
7th July
"Living Fire" is the title of the 2008/2009 Methodist Prayer Handbook, available from August. It is in standard or large print format. Single copies are £2.75, ten or more cost £2.50. Bulk orders can be obtained from Tricia DDE@yorkhullmethodist.org.uk for £2.25
6th July Thanks to all who supported the Trisha Wick ( St Hilda`s misssion partner) collections during June. We sent £92 for her work in southern Sudan
3rd July
Ryedale Christian Council is offering a short presentation about the Council and its purpose, its event and plans - maybe five minutes, followed by your questions and a short pooling of ideas on what we can beneficially do together.
If you would like a member of our Council to give this presentation to your congregation please will you suggest an occasion when it could be included so that a suitable date can be arranged
Judith Gubbins, Publicity Officer. publicity@ryedalechristiancouncil.org.uk
21st June
'A Brand plucked from the burning'
Saturday 21st June saw the Ryedale Christian Council coach trip to Epworth on the Isle of Axholme in North Lincolnshire.
Alice Brown led a service in St Andrews Church, Epworth, where Rev Samuel Wesley, father of John and Charles Wesley, was Rector. Appropriately we sang 'And can it be' and 'Christ the Lord is risen today', two of Charles Wesley's classic hymns. We saw the tomb of Samuel Wesley, from which John later preached when he was forbidden to preach inside the church.
From here we visited Epworth Rectory where we had lunch and then a guided tour of the main rooms of the rectory. It was here that Susanna Wesley came with her husband and four children. In all Susanna had nineteen children, of whom ten survived. The eldest was Samuel, John was the fifteenth and Charles the seventeenth. The rest were girls and the whole family was educated by Susanna herself, a highly intelligent and disciplined lady. We heard of the family's trials, including a fire at the rectory in 1709 when John was rescued from an upstairs window. This led Susanna to believe that her son was destined for great things- 'a brand plucked from the burning'. These are just a few of the many fascinating facts we learned from our visit-a truly inspirational tour.
19th June
Final total on the circuit gift day collection is £2914.11 plus tax reclaim
5th June
Circuit Mission:
The Circuit Mission Group has met several times during the past twelve months to plan, co-ordinate and promote Circuit Mission events. The meetings are open to anyone in the Circuit and it would be good if every church was represented! So, please join us at the next meeting, which is on Tuesday 14th July at 7.00pm at Kirkbymoorside Manse.
The Circuit Mission project for this year has been the Children's Rehabilitation Centre at Nakuru, Kenya. Various fund-raising/awareness raising events have been organised, including a Barn Dance, a Folk Night and a Safari Supper which, along with proceeds from a quiz, coffee mornings, carol-singing, etc have almost reached the target of £5000. And there is still one more circuit event to come! So come along to the Games Night at Kirkbymoorside on Friday August 1st and help us reach the target! No-one is letting on exactly what games will be included - but a fun evening is promised!
Other Circuit events this year include the Lent Faith Supper, at which Colin Ride, Europe Secretary for the Methodist Church and member of the Council of European Churches, spoke about ecumenical work in Europe. We were joined for this challenging and informative evening by friends from Churches Together in Kirkbymoorside and the theme was continued in our Circuit Service on the Sunday morning, which was led by Colin.
The 'Barnabas in Schools' project, run by the Bible Society, involves trained youth workers going into schools and leading a whole day of activity and teaching. The Circuit Youth and Education Committee offered this to the schools in our area and several schools have already taken up the opportunity. The scheme will be funded jointly by the Circuit, Ryedale Christian Council and local Anglican churches.
And now we are looking ahead to the next twelve months! Our Circuit focus for 2008/9 will be the work of MRDF (Methodist Relief and Development Fund).
Watch this space!
2nd June
On Sunday 18th May we were all invited to Helmsley to join in the Circuit Gift Day. After a warm welcome, Deacon Myrtle Poxon led us in our worship. Myrtle, who is from 'over the border' in Lancashire, is a past Vice President of Conference and now brings Gods word to the people of Fulwood in the Preston Circuit.
Myrtle is married to Stephen, who will become President of Conference in Scarborough later this year, has managed to be a Mum to three boys and a daughter as well being as a Deacon. Fortunately, Myrtle and Stephen have both been posted to the same places! We had good hymns and as Myrtle closed the service, she urged and inspired us to go out and tell others about the love of Jesus.
The much appreciated gift envelopes and the Easter Offering were received and during the service Rev Sue Greenwood thanked Ray Shore for the work all he has done and presented him with a long service certificate for his local preaching for more that 50 years.
Funds raised from the Circuit Gift Day totalled £2,809.11 . Thanks to all
1st June
Christian Aid Week collections notified so far:-
Beadlam & Nawton £400. Wombleton £240.
1st June
Thanks to all who supported the Trisha Wick ( St Hilda`s misssion partner) collections during May. We sent £73 for her work in southern Sudan
30th May
Congratulations to Jill Hiatt and Margaret Shore who have both celebrated their 70th birthdays.
Thanks to Jill for her work as Circuit Secretary, she has been a wonderful help and so often taken the initiative and got things done! We hope she has better health to enjoy her 'retirement.' We are glad to announce that from the 1st September Jane Brown from Kirkbymoorside will be our new Circuit Secretary.
Our congratulations also to Ray Shore who was given his 50 years Preaching Certificate at the Gift Day. Service. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Ray and all our Local Preachers. Please remember them in your prayers
Our thanks as a Circuit, to Jim Hanwell who has served us in so many ways and recently made sure that Gift Aid in the Circuit ran so smoothly. We are grateful to you, Jim for this and for the way you have helped our Church treasurers so willingly.
The welcome service for Sue in the Middlesbrough & Eston Circuit will take place at Avenue Methodist Church Middlesbrough. On Sunday 7 September at 2.30pm. Friends from this Circuit would be most welcome.
Sue is to serve in the Circuit with pastoral responsibility for the Nunthorpe, Marton and Stainton Churches.
21st May
RYEDALE CHRISTIAN COUNCIL HOSPITALITY MARQUEE AT RYEDALE SHOW, Tuesday 29th July
Would you like to help? HOW?
By donating a CAKE or SCONES or SANDWICH FILLING (hard boiled eggs, block of cheese, tin of tuna, tin of salmon) deliver to Methodist Hall, Kirkbymoorside on Mon 28th 9am-1pm(10am for fillings) or 5-6pm or to your local volunteer.
By helping on the day - contact Mary Hughes by Fri. 25th 01751 431933 to join rota
By helping sandwich making at Methodist Hall, Kirkbymoorside Mon 28th for a time between
9am & 1pm. contact Mary Hughes 01751 431933
16th April
On Friday 4th April a TOTAL FITNESS DAY for children was held at Kirbymoorside Methodist Church and what a fun day we all had. The children enjoyed a wide variety of activities centred on the total fitness of their bodies, their minds and their spirits. They took part in an energetic series of keep fit activities led by an experienced teacher, a mini Olympics course and parachute games. They all had the opportunity to make either vegetable faces or fruit salad to be eaten with their packed lunches. A DVD with a Christian message was watched and some joyful songs sung after a short talk by Susan Greenwood. The parents then joined us for a medal ceremony in which all the children were presented with their medals and laurel leaf crowns made earlier in the day. Every child was awarded their medal for a specific action whether it was for agility in the keep fit exercises, interesting vegetable faces, being kind and helpful or for having a wonderful smile. It was a very successful day thoroughly enjoyed by the children and the team of willing helpers.
15th April
CHRISTOPHER DUNN,
Many people in Ryedale will remember Christopher Dunn before he and Hazel moved to Strensall. Sadly Christopher died suddenly at home on April 10th. Christopher will be remembered in Ryedale as a good friend to many as well as a dedicated family man. Among other things he was a faithful local preacher, singer, farmer and Circuit Steward. He will be badly missed by all who knew him. Please rememember Hazel and all the family in your prayers at this sad time.
13th April
Thanks to all who supported the Trisha Wick ( St Hilda`s misssion partner) collections during March. We sent £85 for her work in southern Sudan
Thanks to all who helped and supported the St Hillda`s stall in Kirkbymoorside on Wednesday last. £220 was raised for parish funds.