The Parish of Wheldrake
Part of:
KEY EC.=East Cottingwith, E.=Elvington, ES. = Escrick, N. = Naburn, SF. = Stillingfleet, S.=Sutton, T.=Thorganby, W.= Wheldrake, RP. = Rivers Partnership, B = Benefice, D = Deanery
Information
There are accessible toilets in the cottage next door
Car parking by the church is limited
There is a children’s area at the back of church on the left
There is a space for wheelchairs at the front of church on the left
There is a hearing loop
Dogs are welcome
There are baby changing facilities in the cottage next door
There is flat access to the building
Our Rivers Partnership Safeguarding link is Mike Beresford mberesford.ced@gmail.com.
Rivers Partnership Website link
Home
For Livestreaming services go to YouTube and search for Derwent Ings Benefice, the services appear under the live tab. For zoom details use the login details in the diary. For assistance, email fiveparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
RP. Livestream service from the Rivers Partnership
https://www.youtube.com/@derwentingsbenefice7289
Sunday 19th October 10.30am Harvest Festival Holy Communion
Sunday 16th November 10.30am Holy Communion
Sunday 30th November 2025 – Advent Sunday
EC. 10.30am Eight Parish Holy Communion
RP. 8.00am Partnership Prayers at Wheldrake
W. 1.15pm Funeral
N. 7.30pm Advent Course at Shepherd’s House YO19 4PP
RP. 7.30pm Home Group at 41 Cranbrooks
Tuesday 2nd
RP. 11.00am Advent Course in the Cottage
Wednesday 3rd
B. 9.30am Healing PrayerFellowship at home
RP. 7.00pm Zoom Evening Prayer
Meeting ID: 833 1996 8678 Passcode: 134900
Thursday 4th
ES. 9.30am Holy Communion
RP. 7.00pm Zoom singing
Meeting ID: 823 6552 6598 Passcode: 416958
Friday 5th
RP. 10.30am Cottage Communion
Saturday 6th
W. 1.00pm Knit and Natter in the Cottage
Sunday 7th December 2025 – Advent 2
E. 10.30am Holy Communion
N. 10.30am Three Parish Holy Communion
S. 4.00pm Eight Parish Christingle Service
Monday 8th
RP. 8.00am Partnership Prayers at Wheldrake
N. 7.30pm Advent Course at Shepherd’s House YO19 4PP
RP. 7.30pm Home Group at 41 Cranbrooks
Tuesday 9th
RP. 11.00am Advent Course in the Cottage
Wednesday 10th
B. 9.30am Healing PrayerFellowship at home
RP. 7.00pm Zoom Evening Prayer
Meeting ID: 833 1996 8678 Passcode: 134900
Thursday 11th
ES. 9.30am Holy Communion
RP. 7.00pm Zoom singing
Meeting ID: 823 6552 6598 Passcode: 416958
RP. 7.30pm Men’s meeting in the Cottage
Saturday 13th
W. 10.00am Decorating the Church for Christmas
Sunday 14th December 2025 – Advent 3
ES. 9.00am Holy Communion
T. 10.30am Holy Communion
S. 10.30am Holy Communion
SF. 10.30am All Age Communion
N. 3.00pm Carol Service
W. 6.30pm Evensong
Monday 15th
W. 9.30am School Service
N. 7.30pm Advent Course at Shepherd’s House YO19 4PP
RP. 7.30pm Home Group at 41 Cranbrooks
Tuesday 16th
RP. 11.00am Advent Course in the Cottage
Wednesday 17th
B. 9.30am Healing PrayerFellowship at home
RP. 7.00pm Zoom Evening Prayer
Meeting ID: 833 1996 8678 Passcode: 134900
Thursday 18th
ES. 9.30am Holy Communion
RP. 7.00pm Zoom singing
Meeting ID: 823 6552 6598 Passcode: 416958
Friday 19th
T. 7.00pm Carol Service
Sunday 21st December 2025 Advent 4
S. 4.00pm Carol Service
SF. 4.00pm Carol Service
E. 6.30pm Carol Service
ES. 6.30pm Carol Service
W. 7.00pm Carol Service
Monday 22nd
RP. 8.00am Partnership Prayers at Wheldrake
RP. 7.30pm Home Group at 41 Cranbrooks
Wednesday 24th Christmas Eve
B. 9.30am Healing PrayerFellowship at home
ES. 3.00pm Crib Service
E. 3.00pm Crib Service
T. 3.00pm Crib Service
N. 4.00pm Crib Service
EC. 6.30pm Carol Service
S. 6.30pm Holy Communion
ES. 9.00pm Holy Communion
W.11.30pm Holy Communion
Thursday 25th Christmas Day
SF. 9.00am Holy Communion
N. 9.00am Holy Communion
ES. 10.30am All age Holy Communion
W. 10.30am All Age worship
E. 10.30am Holy Communion
Sunday 28th December 2025 – The Holy Innocents
W. 10.30am Eight Parish Holy Communion
RP. Elvington Church Drop Ins
These have been stopped in the church over the winter. However there will be the occasional coffee morning in people’s houses. The first one will be on December 3rd from 10am at Sycamore Farm Church Lane ,the home of Alison Stead. All are welcome. Any donations will go to charity.
RP. Deanery Secretary – Vacancy
In June with the recently elected members from the APCMs in 2026 we need to appoint a new secretary. Alison Gilmour has decided that its time to retire after 13 years’ service. The job is to take the minutes at the meetings (6 a year), be part of the Deanery Leadership team, maintaining an online list of all current members, creating publicity for Deanery events and services, circulating papers for our 3 statutory meetings each year, circulating notices from parishes who wish to invite Deanery friends to anything events. There is a statutory requirement to produce and circulate to all PCCs at the beginning of the year an annual report (agreed by both the Dean and Lay Dean) of the proceedings of the Deanery Partnership during the previous calendar year which forms part of the reports to the APCM, unless the elected delegate submits their own to the parish. Additionally, updating our Deanery Plan and ensuring we review it regularly (biennially), managing our annual calendar of events, contacting speakers, pulling together clergy contributions to our Deanery Prayer Calendar, contacting editors of parish magazines. Computer literacy for word-processing and creating publicity materials is needed. Anybody can be the Deanery Secretary and can be co-opted to the Deanery Team. Please pray and think about whether you could so this vital job. Contact Jackie if you can help.
B. Home Fellowship Group
The home group meets on Mondays at 7.30pm till 9pm at 41, The Cranbrooks with Steve and Val Hirons. We are currently studying the Epistle of James. We choose hymns to begin and end our discussion time and close with the Grace. Newcomers are very welcome.
RP. Building Gospel Partnerships
We need advocates to build gospel partnerships with Mustard Seed churches and their communities. These partnerships recognise there is much that we can learn and receive from churches in our low-income communities. Do you have a passion to support mission in places where life is tough? For more information about the Advocates network, please visit the website www.mseed.org/advocates or contact by
email: mustard.seed@yorkdiocese.org or phone: 07852151740
RP. Passcodes For Zoom Services
The zoom provider has recommended that we do not publish the passcode on the internet. For details email fiveparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk so that the information can be provided to you.
W. Prayer Tree
If there is someone or a situation on your heart which you wish to bring before the Lord, you are invited to visit the prayer tree at the back of church and stop for a moment to write a prayer
RP. Yorkshire Rural Support Network
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society provides support and help for everyone in the Yorkshire farming community.
FCN Helpline 03000 111 999
Farming community network – practical help from farming people
RABI Freephone Helpline 0800 188 4444
Confidential help and support for all farming families and workers facing hardship
Addington Fund 01926 620135 – addingtonfund.org.uk helping farmers with disaster relief and affordable rural housing
Perennial Helpline 0800 093 8543 – perennial.org.uk supporting all those who work/have worked in the horticultural industry
Samaritans Freephone 116 123 – jo@samaritans.org confidential emotional support 24 hours a day
Led in turn by our Deanery clergy each fourth Monday of the month, this takes place via Zoom on 26th January beginning at 7.00pm. All are welcome and we finish by 7.30pm.
Contact fiveparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk for passcode
S. Sutton Christmas Tree Festival
The festival itself is on 13-14th December in Sutton church. Create an Elvington Entry. Come and help make a Christmas tree display for Sutton Church Christmas Festival. 2:30pm at Elvington church on 7th December. All welcome – the more hands the better!
B. Home Fellowship Group
The home group meets on Mondays at 7.30pm till 9pm at 41, The Cranbrooks with Steve and Val Hirons. We are currently studying the Epistle of James. We choose hymns to begin and end our discussion time and close with the Grace. Newcomers are very welcome.
RP. Sharing Life
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the next Sharing Life. We hope to meet new people too! Our fortnightly coffee morning is on Tuesday 2nd December 10-Noon. Young and young at heart are welcome. Hot drinks and cake are there for everyone as well as toys for the children. No charge but donations welcome.
You can find all information on our Facebook page, on posters around the village, in the Parish News and Pew News.
We welcome help running the project, both front of house and behind the scenes. Everything we do is run by volunteers.
For more information please contact us on Sharinglifewheldrake@gmail.com or phone on 07729 841897
RP. Derwent Lions Used Spectacles
Please donate your used spectacles on my doorstep. They are a huge help and Lions will make sure they are used to assist less fortunate people in seeing better. Keep leaving them outside 5 Derwent Park and hopefully we’ll be able to keep helping those less fortunate. Lion Ken Hardgrave 01904 448198
Ken.hardgrave@binternet.com
RP. Harmony House
Harmony House is a boutique B&B, in Stillingfleet, offer unique Christian retreats for solo guests, couples and small groups, who are seeking a peaceful and restorative break. Whether you’re looking for a revitalising escape or a transformative personal retreat, we have created an experience suited to your needs. Our Anew Christian Retreats are a haven created with care for Christians seeking rest and a deeper connection with God in a serene and picturesque setting. For more details and testimonies, please check out the retreat page on our website: https://harmonyhouseyork.com/anew-christian-retreats
And new for 2025 – Anew Discovery Retreats – designed for those seriously seeking Jesus and wanting to discover more about the Christian faith and even themselves.
W. Wheldrake Church Cottage Cleaning Team
We need your help. Are you able to spare an hour a month to assist in cleaning Church Cottage. Everything is provided on site. If you are able to help, please contact
Barbra on 07712556371. Thank you for your support
ES. Mothers Union.
The only branch in the Rivers Partnership is based in Escrick and would welcome new members. You don’t have to be a mother or even female; membership is open to all who have been baptised. If you are not baptised but still interested, that could be arranged.
MU meetings are open to all and visitors are welcome. No pressure to become a member, just enjoy the session. If you are considering membership, but would like to meet nearer to home, come and meet us and we will help you to establish a branch nearer to you. You will have scope to tailor it to local availability. Some branches meet in the local pub. Escrick meet on the second Wednesday afternoon of the month as all of our members are retired, but we have held our summer meetings in the lighter evenings. MU is a fabulous charity working to improve the lives of so many in countries world-wide, not through other charities but with our own members on the ground, be they local or visitors. I hope this has sparked your interest.
Pamela Yates, Branch Leader, tel 01904 728423.
E. Belfrey Clean
Our tower needs its annual clean – it’s full of cobwebs, dead bees and dust! I’ll be going up there one weekend soon to give it a good autumn scrub. Can you lend a hand? It’s a wonderful view from the top and a rare opportunity to see part of the church that’s normally inaccessible (not least because of the bees in summer).
Please give Ian a call/message/WhatsApp on 07963 469 090 for arrangements. You’ll need old clothes/overalls, gloves and ideally a good dust mask (I’ve got plenty of spare disposable ones).
RP. The Rivers Partnership Prayers for the Five Marks of Mission.
Across the partnership the five marks of mission
teams are helping to make our Plan For Growth
(P4G) a reality. Please use this prayer cycle to
include the teams and those who lead them in
your daily prayers.
Tell To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
(Led by TBD)
Teach To teach, baptise and nurture new
Believers (Led by TBD)
Tend To respond to human need by loving
service
Transform To seek to transform unjust
structures of society, to challenge violence of
every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation (Led by Caroline Wandless)
Treasure To strive to safeguard the integrity of
creation and sustain and renew the life of the
earth. (Led by Alayne Dodd and Alison Stead)
November
24th Teach
December
7th Tell, 14th Treasure, 21st Transform, 28th Tend
RP. Worship Music
MP424 Lo he comes
MP954 We are marching
MP1086 Light of the world
MP752 When he comes
MP77 Christ triumphant
W. Help required
When we had our last quinquennial inspection, the architect noted that we have lots of pieces of old woodwork from the bell frame laying in the tower. He suggested that we should keep some of it, treat it with preservative, and make a display on the tower wall. There are bits of iron work, pulleys, stays, a headstock, clappers and hammers. Is there someone who would be willing to undertake this project.
RP. DAILY BIBLE RESOURCES
ONLINE DAILY BIBLE READING
- Online bitesize verse of the day: https://www.biblegateway.com/
- Scripture Union Daily Bible reading and comments and prayer. Type in Scripture Union Wordlive today and then scroll down to Read Today’s wordlive,
or go straight to: https://content.scriptureunion.org.uk/wordlive
- United Christian broadcasters, UCB, have a daily verse with thoughts to follow up. Type in UCB word for today UK
or go straight to: https://www.ucb.co.uk/word-for-today
ALSO, DAILY DEVOTIONAL VIDEOS:
https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDoseOfDevotional
ONLINE FOR CHILDREN & TEENAGERS
There are also plenty of websites to look at if you google daily Bible videos for children & daily bible videos for teenagers.
2 Fish Talks- Daily Bible Stories Kids Devotions,
https://www.youtube.com/c/2FishTalksDailyBibleStoriesKidsDevotions
DAILY BIBLE READING NOTES (paper booklets)
These can be ordered from Eden books. https://www.eden.co.uk/ but do have to be paid for.
Alternatively United Christian broadcasters, UCB will send free Bible reading notes quarterly. You can sign up at https://www.ucb.co.uk/wordfortodaysignup or contact Catharine if you are unable to do so.
For children and teenagers there are booklets too.
https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/daily-bible-reading/teenagers
https://www.eden.co.uk/ Hands-On Bible 365 Devotions for Kids Paperback
https://www.re-vived.com/ Snapshots 365!
RP Collect for – Advent Sunday
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Safeguarding Bulletin – Updated 28.11.25
Click this link for the latest news from this team
https://mailchi.mp/2df6be6044e5/diocese-of-york-safeguarding-bulletin-13429905?e=7770c3aa96
W. Wheldrake Church Website
This is the link to the website here you will find policy documents, agendas and PCC minutes along with prayers and pew news
RP. Sunday Reflection
This week’s Sunday reflection comes from The Archbishop pf York Stephen Cottrell.Every week we offer a new prayer video for churches to use either online or in their ervices. vimeo.com/dioceseofyork
RP. Organ Recital
This week Jonathan Scott brings us a special Online Organ Concert filmed live at the Grand Organ of Westminster Cathedral. This concert (part of the Cathedral’s Grand Organ Festival) brings you the sound of the wonderful Henry Willis III organ (one of the world’s greatest and famous pipe organs) in the acoustic space of the UK’s largest Catholic Church.
RP. Living Christ Story – Mustard Seed updated 25.07.24
Click on this link to read more about the work of Mustard Seed in the Diocese
https://mailchi.mp/196b464fd2ad/living-christs-story-in-a-mustard-seed-way-17707865?e=418314d1fa
RP. Generosity Matters updated 11.08.25
Click on this link to read the latest news from the generosity team.https://mailchi.mp/5ae023546c6f/generosity-mailing-18166263?e=33945223ea
RP. Thank you
This week we are remembering the people who are our Treasurers in the churches of the Rivers Partnership. It would be good to have contribution from anyone in the benefice, so please email your suggestions for thankyou’s for your villages
T. Thorganby Coffee Morning
Our next Coffee Morning is on Thursday 18th December in the village Hall at 10.30am. All welcome.
RP. Multiply Stories
Multiply is the name of an initiative to build new worshiping communities and make new disciples. This link can be used to read about the work that is going on around the Diocese https://mailchi.mp/yorkdiocese/inspiringideas-2024?e=346204007c
RP. Tools with a mission- updated 11.07.25
This link will take you to the latest newsletter from TWAM
https://mailchi.mp/twam.uk/september-2023-supporter-enews-6421304?e=ca4eff56d4
B. Derwent Ings Facebook
Have you seen the Derwent Ings Facebook page? https://www.facebook.com/DerwentIngsChurchesYork/ Please have a look and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh4EyDpfGJM”follow” the feed!
W. Wheldrake Church Website
This is the link to the website here you will find policy documents, agendas and PCC minutes along with prayers and pew news
RP. CPCC and WPCC Minutes
The minutes for the last CPCC are published on the Wheldrake Church website.
http://www.wheldrakechurch.org.uk/?page_id=1636
W. Wheldrake online giving
If you would like to support the church financially and help us maintain it for generations to come then please follow this link to donate online
https://givealittle.co/campaigns/59018725-1659-447e-90dd-dcedb5693eb5
alternatively you can give by bank transfer to: Wheldrake PCC
09-01-54
88047080
RP. Diocese of York Prayer Diary
There is always somewhere, something or someone we can pray for. The Prayer Diary may help guide you and your church in praying for our diocese.
October- December’s Prayer Diary is available to download – find it at:
dioceseofyork.org.uk/diocesan-prayer-diary
RP. Online prayer websites
Here are some prayer sites that you could try, see which you like
Pray as you go
Celtic liturgies
Sacred Space
ReJesus
Green Christian Prayer Guide
E. Refresh! Service at Elvington
Elvington Refresh service takes place at 6.30pm pm on Sunday 19th January in Elvington Church
RP. Join in Worship on a Sunday
8.10AM – BBC RADIO 4 SUNDAY WORSHIP
92-95FM | 198LW | Digital
Advent Authors: Edwin Muir – Radio 4’s Sunday morning service.
10.45AM – BBC RADIO 4EXTRA DAILY SERVICE
E. New way to donate to the church
If you would like to support the church financially and help us maintain it for generations to come, you can now also send donations using the “givealittle” website
We next meet together on zoom to sing on Thursday 4th December. If you would like to join, do use the login details in the diary. We meet at 7.00pm, we’ll do some new some old and familiar ones and some to learn. The beauty of this will be that you can sing at the top of your voice as you will be on mute.
Pray-er for the Benefice
Tiny and Val Edwards
Prayer Area
Sandhill Lane, Village Hall and Vincent Arms (Sutton)
Please use these notes for your own reference during the week and for your prayers