Churches in Fulford Parish

St Nicholas Church

Clergy:

Rev’d Peter Dakin, Rev’d Cathy Dakin
20 Tudor Hollow, Fulford, Tel 01782 397073

Churchwardens:

Mr John Hooley, 4 Lancaster Avenue, Fulford, Tel 01782 393554
Mrs Gill Viggars, 3 Lancaster Avenue, Fulford, Tel 01782 920739

1st ~ Christmas 1
9.30 am ~ Worship for a New Year with carols and communion

8th ~ Epiphany 1
9.30 am ~ Holy Communion (CW)

15th ~ Epiphany 2 (Plough Sunday)
8.45 am ~ Holy Communion (BCP)
10 am ~ Family Service

22nd ~ Epiphany 3
9.30 am ~ Holy Communion (CW)

29th ~ Epiphany 4
11.15 am ~ United Service at Hilderstone

The Vicar writes:
I wonder how you feel about the New Year and the days that lay before us? Towards the end of 2011 we began to hear a lot about some of the significant events in the coming year. The Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games were mentioned frequently and are keenly anticipated by many. Less welcome were the predictions of another year of struggle for the nations using the Euro, and the effects that may have on our economy.

The Jubilee and the Olympics are events that seem to stand alone, they didn’t happen last year and won’t again next. However, to athletes in training or to the Royal family the events of 2012 are very much linked to previous years of effort and dedication.

The cover of a magazine for slimmers boldly proclaims ‘New year, new body!’, which is an attractive prospect for many of us who carry a few, or quite a few, pounds extra. However the headline will only become reality for the person who is prepared, over a period of time, to carefully assess what they eat and in what quantities. The new body may become a reality in 2012, but it won’t instantly happen with the first day of the diet. What can become reality on 1st January is the line in the diary that says a new regime is starting.

I think that another of our hopes for a new year is that it won’t be like the one just gone. We hope for a line in the sand that will prevent the problems of last year accompanying us any further. Unfortunately our financial situation follows us, and, unless we change something, any problems in our relationships will still be with us.

I believe that Jesus promises to walk alongside us through life. So we are not alone as we try to balance our finances and cope with the excesses of Christmas. Jesus is with us as we search for words to say to help mend a fractured relationship. He is even with us as we retrain our body with a new diet or exercise plan. Jesus doesn’t produce money for us, or do the diet or exercise for us. But if we seek God’s wisdom and encouragement, then life becomes less of a burden. The decision you can make is to seek God’s incredible help, and becoming part of a church community is a good way to discover more about God and his ways. Like dieting, the finished Christian comes from investing our time with God and sticking with it. Particularly if you came to church over Christmas and felt positive about the experience, don’t stop and wait for a year to go by before coming again. Put a mark in your diary for the start of something new and commit to Jesus for 2012.

Peter Dakin

The Methodist Church: Rev'd Sue Preston 01782 395370

The Catholic Church: Fr David Hardley 01782 313734

Third Thursday 10 am at the Village Hall ~ All welcome

Coffee and a chat.