Dear friends,
Whether or not you go away August always seems to have a holiday feel about it. I hope whatever your circumstances that you have been able to relax a little and enjoy the sunshine (but perhaps not the deluges of rain!).
After the observations of the events in Christ’s life during the Church year, ending with Easter, Ascension and Pentecost, we settle down in Summer and early Autumn to consider the parables, sayings, healings and miracles of our Lord.
During the many weeks of Sundays of the Trinity period. the Church delves down in to the ministry of Jesus, through this year, the Gospel of Luke. Just like our different newspapers each Gospel tells its own story of Jesus from a distinctive angle. The writer Luke was probably a medical doctor. In Colossians 4:14, St. Paul writes: “Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.” St Luke’s Jesus is very deliberate about spending time with those in society who are considered to be of least importance. Two parables unique to Luke are the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. In the first Jesus suggests that being a good neighbour is to help others (and not pass by on the other side) and in the second that the love of God extends even to those who have run away and finally return home.
As we approach yet more seemingly endless political turmoil in our country, let us give thanks for the enduring messages of Christ’s ministry and pray that we and those who represent us in Parliament may always seek to do the common good, as indeed our Saviour taught us. May we too be mindful of the interests of all in our society as each human being is created by God and in his image.
Tim Robinson
Helmsley Parish in the Diocese of York
Helmsley's parish church, dedicated to All Saints, dates back a thousand years and more. The present building , built on Norman foundations, was dedicated in 1838. Helmsley Parish also includes Anglican churches at Ea
st Moors, Rievaulx and Sproxton.
On Sundays in Helmsley there are two well-attended services and a regular midweek Holy Communion. Locals and visitors alike, of all traditions, are always very welcome to all our services. After Sunday's main 9.30 am service at Helmsley there is an opportunity to meet one another over refreshments.
Helmsley Church is open every day as a place of interest and for private prayer from 9am - 5pm (summer) and 9am - 4pm (winter). St Columba's Chapel, in the south transept, has votive candles to aid people's own particular prayers.
A Christian church has existed in Helmsley since AD 200, according to the 19th century wall-paintings in the north aisle. Certainly there was one on this site by the time of the Norman Conquest. (There's a 10th century hog-back tombstone in the porch and an entry in the Domesday Book of 1086.) The present building's splendid chancel arch, one of the largest in Yorkshire, dates from the 12th century (as does its counterpart over the entrance). Otherwise the handsome present day building is largely the result of major restoration in Victorian times, with the stained glass as well as the murals from this period too. All this variety of history and interest makes Helmsley Church a very special place to visit and worship in. More information about our other churches is elsewhere on the website.
Tim Robinson, our vicar, says: "I love being vicar here. Helmsley is a great community and I aim to serve everyone here be they part of the Church or not. Members of the congregation and I work with other community organisations for the common good. We have a special relationship with Helmsley in Business. Recently I accompanied the Archbishop of York (on his Pilgrimage of Prayer, Witness and Blessing around the Diocese) to celebrate Helmsley's win as best Market Town in the Great British High Street competition at the The Feathers Hotel before he answered questions at an event called 'What's on your Mind' at Helmsley Church.
"We are delighted you have taken the trouble to look at our website. We hope you will come and visit us soon."