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 18th January 10.30am Holy Communion
Sunday 15th February 10.30am Holy Communion
Sunday 1st March 2026 – Lent 2
Derwent Ings Benefice 18 years old today!
E. 10.30am Holy Communion
N. 10.30am Three Parish Holy Communion
S. 4.00pm Together @Sutton
Monday 2nd
RP. 8.00am Partnership Prayers at Wheldrake
RP. Lent Course in the Cottage
Wednesday 4th
B. 9.30am Healing PrayerFellowship at home
RP. 12.00pm Lent Lunch in the Cottage
RP. 7.00pm Zoom Evening Prayer
Contact fiveparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk for codes
Thursday 5th
ES. 9.30am Holy Communion
RP. 3.30pm Derwent Messy Worship
RP. 7.00pm Zoom singing
Contact fiveparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk for codes
Friday 6th
RP. 10.30am Cottage Communion
Sunday 8th March 2026 – Lent 3
ES. 9.00am Holy Communion
T. 10.30am Holy Communion
S. 10.30am Holy Communion
S/EC APCM after Church service
SF. 10.30am All Age Communion
W. 6.30pm Evensong
Monday 9th
W. Electoral Roll revision closes
RP. 8.00am Partnership Prayers at Wheldrake
N. 7.30pm Naburn APCM
RP. 7.30pm Lent Course in the Cottage
RP. 7.30pm Home Group at 41 Cranbrooks
Tuesday 10th
W. 10.00am Sharing live at the Wenlock
SF. 7.30pm Stillingfleet and Kelfield APCM
Wednesday 11th
B. 9.30am Healing PrayerFellowship at home
RP. 12.00pm Lent Lunch in the Cottage
RP. 7.00pm Zoom Evening Prayer
Contact fiveparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk for codes
T. 7.30pm Thorganby APCM
Thursday 12th
ES. 9.30am Holy Communion
RP. 3.30pm Derwent Messy Worship
RP. 7.00pm Mantalk in the Cottage
RP. 7.00pm Zoom singing
Contact fiveparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk for codes
E. 7.30pm Elvington APCM
Saturday 14th
T. 7.00pm Gin Tasting Thorganby VH (see details later)
Sunday 15th March 2026 – Mothering Sunday Lent 4
ES. 10.30am Three Parish Holy Communion
W. 10.30am Five Parish Holy Communion
E. 6.30pm Refresh
Monday 16th
RP. 8.00am Partnership Prayers at Wheldrake
RP. Lent Course in the Cottage
RP. 7.30pm Home Group at 41 Cranbrooks
Tuesday 17th
RP. 10.00am Coffee in the Cottage
Wednesday 18th
B. 9.30am Healing PrayerFellowship at home
RP. 12.00pm Lent Lunch in the Cottage
RP. 7.00pm Zoom Evening Prayer
Meeting ID: 833 1996 8678 Passcode: 134900
Thursday 19th
ES. 9.30am Holy Communion
T. 10.30am Thorganby Coffee Morning in the Village Hall
RP. 3.30pm Derwent Messy Worship
RP. 7.00pm Zoom singing
Meeting ID: 823 6552 6598 Passcode: 416958
Saturday 21st
W. 1.00pm Knit and Natter in the Cottage
Sunday 22nd March 2026 – Lent 5
W. 9.00am Holy Communion
N. 10.30am Holy Communion
ES. 10.30am Café Church
W. 10.30am Five Parish Holy Communion
Monday 23rd
RP. 8.00am Partnership Prayers at Wheldrake
W.9.30am School Easter Service
RP. 7.00pm Deanery Zoom Prayers
Meeting ID: 883 5118 4785 Passcode: 262773
RP. 7.30pm Lent Course in the Cottage
RP. 7.30pm Home Group at 41 Cranbrooks
Tuesday 24th
W. 10.00am Sharing Life in the Wenlock
RP. 7.00pm Church Officers meeting in the Cottage
Wednesday 25th
B. 9.30am Healing PrayerFellowship at home
RP. 12.00pm Lent Lunch in the Cottage
ES. 7.30pm Escrick APCM
Thursday 26th
ES. 9.30am Holy Communion
RP. 3.30pm Derwent Messy Worship
W. 7.30pm Wheldrake APCM in the Cottage
Saturday 28th
Change clocks forward 1 hour
D. 10.00am Deanery Quiet Morning at Thicket Priory
Sunday 29th – Palm Sunday
T. 10.30am Eight Parish Holy Communion
RP. 6.30pm Stations of the Cross at Thicket
Monday 30th
W. 9.30am Morning Prayer for Holy Week
Tuesday 31st
N. 9.30am Morning Prayer for Holy Week
Our Quiet Time, in Lent, is always an opportunity for some prayer and reflection. This time as we meet at the Priory Sr. Therese will talk to us about living in Community and about prayer there. We will of course have a time of worship. Now that parishes pay into our Deanery fund regularly the session is open to all and we do not ask participants to make any donation, Deanery will donate to the Sisters on behalf of us all, to thank them for their generous hospitality. Do encourage your fellow parishioners to attend and experience a brief period of calm and fellowship amongst like-minded folk.
RP. Lent Lunches
The lent lunches will take place on 4th March, 11th March, 18th March and 25th March Donation will be for the DEC collection for Myanmar to help with recovery from a devastating earthquake in March/April 2025. It was 7.7 on the Richter Scale. The government will match any donations to this appeal. All are welcome to attend.
RP. Pilgrims Progress(ing)
The idea of pilgrimage goes back a long way and in recent years has undergone something of a revival. Since 2018 the numbers walking the Camino (pilgrim route) to Santiago de Compostella in Spain has risen year on year from just over 325,000 to over 530,000. During Lent this year we will explore the idea of pilgrimage both as an actual journey but also as a way of life and look at what lessons we can learn from it.
Monday 2nd March: Travelling companions
Monday 9th March: People matter more than things
Monday 16th March: Making choices, taking decisions
Monday 23rd March: Every day pilgrimage
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.
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)
March 1st Teach, 8th Tell, 15th Treasure, 22th Transform, 29th Teach
W. Lent Lunch – help
It would greatly be appreciated if donations of soup, bread and help to enable the Lent Lunches to take place could be recorded on the sign-up sheet at the back of church
W. Mother’s Day and Easter Flowers
If anyone would like to order a lily in memory of a loved one (£4.50 per flower) then please see Paul Botting. If you would like to make a financial donation to the flower fund to purchase primroses for Mothering Sunday and flowers for Easter, then please put it in an envelope and either pass it to Paul Botting or put it on the collection plate.
E. Electoral Roll
You are warmly invited to join the electoral roll – you must be on the roll to vote at a meeting. You can do this by completing this form and returning it to Ian Broster or admin@elvington-church.org.uk. You can either sign electronically and email it, or return a paper copy. You must return it by 25th February 2025 to be on the electoral role.
RP. Collect for – Lent 2
Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth, that they may return to the way of righteousness: grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
RP. Sunday Reflection
This week’s Sunday reflection comes from The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell. Every week we offer a new prayer video for churches to use either online or in their services. vimeo.com/dioceseofyork
W. Electoral Roll
The Wheldrake electoral roll opens for revision on 23rd February and closes 9th March. Please do join as it gives you a vote at the annual meeting and helps us with our representation on Deanery Synod. Forms can be found on the bookshelf at the back of church
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.
T. Thorganby Coffee Morning
Our next Coffee Morning is on Thursday 19th March in the village Hall at 10.30am. All welcome.
RP. Sharing Life
Sharing Life is breaking for half term so we will be back on Tuesday 10th March After that we are every fortnight until we break for Easter. The last coffee morning is Tuesday 24th March, Easter break, then back April 14th.
We welcome new comers on a regular basis so please give us a try if you haven’t yet. Any age, for a whole morning ( 10-12 noon) or a quick cuppa.
If you would like to volunteer by serving coffee or making cakes and bakes please let us know.
Please note, we have a new phone number 07355 134509 or e-mail us on sharinglifewheldrake@gmail.com
Katie, Karen, Ruth and Emma.
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
D. Monthly Deanery Prayer
Led in turn by our Deanery clergy each fourth Monday of the month, this takes place via Zoom on 23rd March beginning at 7.00pm. All are welcome and we finish by 7.30pm. Join Zoom Meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting link
Contact fiveparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk
for log in details
Information for Wheldrake Church
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.
RP. York Diocesan Conference:
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
It is with great joy I write to invite you to be part of the first Diocesan Conference held in the Diocese of York for over a decade. Next July, lay and ordained leaders from across our diocese are invited to gather together in prayer and worship, in learning, fellowship and joy as we share and encourage one another as to how we are living Christ story across our wonderful, diverse diocese.
The first part of the conference on the Thursday and Friday is specific to licensed clergy and LLMs with a wider cross section of leaders from across the diocesan family, including you, invited for a non-residential conference all day on Saturday 25th July held at the University of York.
A Planning Team, chaired by Bishop Barry and reflecting the diversity of the diocese, has been working over recent months and further details of the programme and exact timings being published later in the year. I am excited at the shape this is taking and the possibilities this offers us.
A link for bookings is now open: https://forms.office.com/e/HShJV4r5xq For planning purposes, we are hoping you are able to RSVP by the end of August at the latest. Please complete the booking form even if you are unable to attend.
As we seek to maximise attendance, there is no charge for this conference beyond the cost of parking (we are hoping people will car share or make use of public transport where possible). There may also be space during the conference for those that would like to make a contribution toward the costs. Refreshments and lunch are included.
The Planning Team has agreed four learning principles for the conference which undergird their work and attendance at the conference assumes:
1. God – We gather in Jesus name in the fellowship of the Gospel. We follow God who is active and breaks into our learning, disrupting our plans and revealing the Kingdom in often surprising ways, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
2. Us – Everyone is a participant of equal status. We are all both guests and hosts, each with something to give and something to learn. We seek to build up the whole Body of Christ in our worship, faithfulness and learning. 3. Learning – We seek to create a relaxing and creative space where participants can be open and honest, equipped to participate as fully as possible and allow relationships to develop. Whilst we will strive for excellence of input which resources, the focus will be on engagement, not expert delivery, honouring the experience of all in the room.
4. Responsibility – All participants will aspire to be fully present and to be willing to be responsible for how they engage with others, with the material and with the conference. Together, we aspire to honour the sense of being one family, where all are seen, heard and valued.
May we hold this important opportunity in our prayers and be assured of my continued prayers for all you are and do.
In the blessings of Christ,
Following Archbishop Stephen’s letter inviting you to our first York Diocesan Conference in over a decade, this is a reminder to complete the RSVP whether you are able to make it or not. A copy of the original invitation with dates are more details is below this email and the link for bookings is: https://forms.office.com/e/HShJV4r5xq A reminder your place is offered free of charge.
As a planning team, we are really excited for the opportunity to join together as a Diocese in this rare opportunity, and for the range of speakers and seminar leaders already booked. The full list and programme will be available towards the end of the year but, as well as some exciting speakers being finalised, speakers already confirmed include:
Former presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and preacher at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archbishop Michael Curry
Bishop of Lancaster, Jill Duff
Dean of Chelmsford and Biblical scholar, Jessica Martin as Conference Reflector and to share with Archbishop Stephen and Bishop’s Flora, Eleanor and Barry in leading Bible studies along
Papal Astronomer and Director of the Vatican Observatory, Guy Consolmagno as after dinner speaker
Poet-in-Residence throughout the conference, Malcolm Guite
Author, educator & disability advocate, Emily Owen
First Church Estates Commissioner and former Global Head of Risk Strategy at HSBC, Alan Smith
Head of the Churches and Networks Support for national church with a focus on growing younger and more diverse, and former lead for Thy Kingdom Come, Emma Buchan
Director of Giving for the Church of England, Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood
External Research Partner for Mustard Seed, Andy Milne
Prophetic classical musical ensemble, Epiphany (offering Sound Portraits to participants and their teams)
Archbishop’s Mission Enabler for the North & Chair of the Faith in the North, Mark Powley
Lou’s famous pub quiz!
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
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. 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
RP. Escrick Heritage Group Talk, Escrick Church
Wednesday 4th March, 7.30pm
Join the group to hear Gillian Parker speak about The Backhouse Nursery of York. All are welcome. Escrick Heritage members attend free. Visitors and guests are £5, including refreshments.
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.
W. Annual Parochial Church Meeting
This meeting will be held in Church Cottage on 26th March at 7.30pm. Anyone is welcome to attend, but voting will be restricted to those who are on the Church Electoral Roll. At the meeting e will elect churchwardens and deputies. Elect a third of our PCC. Two Deanery representatives and we will received reports from all church activities and a review of the year from our Rector.
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.
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. Diocese appoints Mark Carey as new Director of Mission and Ministry |
| We are pleased to confirm the appointment of the Revd Canon Mark Carey as our new Director of Mission and Ministry. In this role, Mark will build on his long-standing service across the diocese, strengthening our shared commitment to Living Christ’s Story. Mark brings decades of parish and leadership experience, shaped by a deep conviction that God forms ordinary disciples for extraordinary faithfulness in everyday life. He will lead and develop the diocese’s Mission and Ministry team, working alongside clergy and lay leaders to equip and resource parishes, support local mission, and help communities flourish as confident missionary disciples. |
E. Elvington Church Website
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
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. Thank you
This week we are remembering the grass cutters 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
As we step into Lent, St Bede’s has a range of events, both online and in person, to explore during the rest of this term. See more details HERE
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!
RP. Organ Recital
Jonathan Scott performs his organ arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) i.[Allegro] from Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048 on the organ of The Bridgewater Hall.
W. Wheldrake Church Website
www.wheldrakechurch.org.uk This is the link to the website here you will find policy documents, agendas and PCC minutes along with prayers and pew news
RP. Worship Music
MP: 146 Fill Thou my life
MP: 533 Oft in danger, oft in woe
MP: 275 I heard the voice of Jesus say
MP: 518 O praise ye the Lord
RP. Safeguarding Bulletin – Updated 06.02.26
Click this link for the latest news from this team
https://mailchi.mp/1852ad3145c6/diocese-of-york-safeguarding-bulletin-13430378?e=7770c3aa96
RP. Pew News Deadline
If you have anything to advertise, please send it to fivebees2000@yahoo.com
by 6.00pm on Fridays.
RP. Generosity Matters updated 10.11.25
Click on this link to read the latest news from the generosity team.
https://mailchi.mp/2e12c3fa470f/generosity-mailing-18168795?e=33945223ea
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
which lasts a whole year! Discover what’s on and plan a family adventure for all to enjoy.
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
RP. Church Services radio/online
8.10AM – BBC RADIO 4 SUNDAY WORSHIP
St David’s Day special from Highfields Church in Cardiff
WEEKDAYS
10.45AM – BBC RADIO 4EXTRA DAILY SERVICE
RP. Zoom Singing
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.
January – March Prayer Diary is available to download – find it at:
dioceseofyork.org.uk/diocesan-prayer-diary.
B. York Minster Parish Pass 2026
As in previous years, Elvington, Thorganby and Wheldrake PCC secretaries have again received a renewed York Minster Parish pass to issue to members of the congregation permitting visitors free entry this year. The Parish Pass entitles the bearer to one adult free admission to York Minster and the Undercroft for sightseeing during normal opening hours (but excludes entry to the Central Tower and evening events). See more information, contact the relevant PCC secretary to borrow them
Pray-er for the Benefice
Emma Mawer
Prayer Area
Dovecot Close and Raker Close (Wheldrake)
E. Refresh! Service at Elvington
Elvington Refresh service takes place at 6.30pm pm on Sunday 15th March in Elvington Church. – Please come if you are able, and please spread the word.
RP. Tools with a mission- updated 20.01.26
This link will take you to the latest newsletter from TWAM
https://mailchi.mp/twam.uk/july-2025-supporter-enews-6427023?e=ca4eff56d4
Please use these notes for your own reference during the week and for your prayers
Elvington Refresh service takes place at 6.30pm pm on Sunday 19th January in Elvington Church The service is being led by Mike Leigh who is a singing vicar – It sounds like it’ll be a lovely service, please come if you are able, and please spread the word.