Our Sunday groups take a break over the summer and we’ll be thinking, planning and praying during that time about what church, and especially the children’s and youth groups, might be like in September.
I’d love to hear from children, young people and their families about what you have found helpful in the past few months and any ideas or suggestions that you might have for the future. You can contact me at childrenandyouth@andysonline.org
Angela Kidman
Church Questionnaire
We would like to gauge people’s views and thoughts as we look at possibilities for the future. In order to gather views and opinions we have created an online questionnaire. We can't promise that we can accommodate your preferences but wanted to allow an opportunity for opinions to be voiced. As well as the multiple choice questions there is space for any further comments or questions. Please follow the link below to submit your responses.
If you have contact with someone from church who is not online please would you consider filling in the form with them over the phone so that we can gauge the views of the whole congregation.
The Harrogate Hub is all about helping churches work more effectively together on mission. If you'd like to keep in touch with what's going on, follow the link below to sign up to the contact list. They will send you updates on how churches are working together to serve our town and how you can get involved.
We can't wait to see what God is going to do through His church at this time!
New Wine & Keswick Convention Online
Many of us enjoyed worship, teaching and ministry when Spring Harvest became an online at home experience at Easter. Both New Wine and Keswick Convention are also becoming online conferences this year. To find out more follow the links below:
New Wine United: https://www.new-wine.org/
Keswick Convention: https://keswickministries.org/
Coffee Chat
Mike Langford writes:
We have added a fun element to the coffee time chat. After the first 10 minutes while everyone joins we will then split out into separate groups of 3 or 4 just like in coffee at "normal church". This is an exciting addition as you will get to meet other people in church and have a chat with them rather than just a relay of news of what you have done during the week. We need as many people as possible to join this as we are beginning to forget who is in our church fellowship. We might even change the groups round after 10 minutes or so. Hope to see you on Sunday.
Since Xanthi stepped down as Pastoral Coordinator a few weeks ago Chur Sun has taken on the role temporarily. We are now seeking someone to take on the role on a more permanent basis. If you are interested in taking on this role please contact Phil to find out more.
Opening the Church Building
The church building is open for private prayer on Thursday mornings 10.00-12.00 and Sunday afternoons 2-4pm. We are working on risk assessments for opening for small services and opening the church halls. We will keep you updated when we have dates and times.
Financial Giving
Some people have been asking about how to give to the church during this time. The planned giving continues as normal. If you normally give via the giving plate and would like to give then you can do so into the church bank account at any time either by one-off bank transfers or by setting up a standing order.
The account details are as follows:
Account name: St Andrews Starbeck PCC
Sort code: 405240
Account number: 00007527
Dial into our Sunday Service
If you know someone who is not able to access the service online but would like to take part they can now do so via a landline or mobile phone. INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIALING UP: - .first ring Zoom by dialling 0203 6950088 -an automated person says hello! Then asks for an ID number which is 81773447858 -when asked for a password or press # If you ring before the service starts- you are popped into a waiting room and listen to some music before the start of the service. At the end- you simply hang up. The call costs the same as a standard local call.
Wednesdays at 2pm we hold our weekly church prayer meeting.
Would you like to arrange a "time to chat" with Phil or Sally?
Maybe you want to off-load, talk something through or just have a catch up.
You can email to arrange a phone call: philcarman3@gmail.com or Sally.Pickering@leeds.anglican.org
24/7 Prayer
The next 24 Hour prayer will be on Mon. 27th July 8a.m.-8p.m. and Tues. 28th July 8a.m.-8p.m. There are still plenty of slots to fill!!
This Weeks Prayer Points
U.S.A: Continue prayer for the government and individual state governors to be given wisdom as they cope with the Corona virus outbreak. At time of writing, the death toll is 145,488. Pray especially for Texas where poor communities are especially vulnerable.
Give thanks that Jake O’Boyle has the first part of his work visa, a remarkable answer to prayer. Pray for him and Grace to be guided as to where they should be working.
S. Africa: Pray for the Nobbs family and Ghila and Jerome as the Covid epidemic escalates. Give thanks for a project the Nobbs are involved with to provide a mask for each child in a school of 870 . They are also issuing food vouchers and conducting an online Bible school and a workshop celebrating children. Pray for their protection. They say the local infrastructure is not able to cope with the epidemic.
Ethiopia/Sudan/Egypt: Pray for harmony as these three nations are in dispute over a dam construction in Ethiopia. The country says it needs the dam to produce power, but Egypt and Sudan are afraid that their water will diminish. Ask for a just settlement and for wisdom and good leadership.
Belarus: Ahead of elections next month, activists and journalists have been jailed. Pray for justice and remember Christians in this country.
China: There is growing alarm over the aggressive stance of this country and Christians are facing increasing persecution and being denied help by the state where there are food shortages. Continue prayer for Hong Kong and also Taiwan.
Turkey/Greece/Cyprus: pray about rising tensions between these nations over gas that has been found in the waters off Cyprus and some Greek islands. Turkey is keen to drill in areas that are claimed by Greece. This week was also marked by Turkey as the anniversary of the division of Cyprus. There is a will amongst young people to try to resolve this but the Greek Cypriots do not want Turkish troops in the North.
Brazil: This is the second-worst affected country with Corona virus with 2.1 million confirmed cases and the President is still testing positive after 3 weeks. Pray for all who are suffering.
Iraq: Pray for St. George’s Baghdad as one of the doctors from their clinic has tested positive with the virus, and also a member of the staff at the church.
India: Continue prayer for Janaki and her team as they try to help those who have no food.
Canaries: remember Paula and her mum, Jo as they reach out to the community around them.
Switzerland: Pray for Adrian and Fiona’s imminent move and give thanks for the work they will be doing in Brussels and for the provision of a flat.
International Y.F.C: Give thanks for the contact Martin has had this last week with various staff and for a new initiative involving several languages. Pray for the nations he is in touch with as they adapt what would have been summer camps to on-line programmes. Continue prayer for the Lebanon team.
B.Y.F.C: Pray for the recent fund raiser to realise much needed provision for the work. Ask for energy for Neil who hopes to have a break at the end of August. Pray for the impact of a recent survey done to assess the needs of young people in the current climate.
U.K: Continue prayer for the government especially over current concerns related to China and Russia. Ask for wisdom, especially remembering Christian M.P.s and their influence in decisions that are made. Continue prayer for responsible handling by the public of the easing of lockdown, and pray for all who are ill, bereaved, or suffering financially.
Local: Pray for Phil and Bec and Sally and their families and those who lead worship online. Pray that as a church we may continue to feel connected and be able to include those who are isolated and without the internet. Pray for all who need a good holiday that even if they cannot go away, they will know the Lord’s refreshing and peace. Continue prayer for those who are ill, and for the Banga family
