News from Dunnington Methodist Church
Whatever Next?
Over recent weeks many of us have had more time than usual to evaluate what is really important to us, and what are the things we most miss in these strange times? So the stewards at Dunnington Methodist Church have been asking those who attend, or help to facilitate, the various activities at the Chapel to write down how, or even whether we can continue these, within the restrictions brought on by the ‘New Normal’ with which we will have to live.
We are all beginning to learn new ways to ‘be together’ even when we are physically apart and we are looking for inspiration. Each one of us must honestly search our own thoughts and feelings, to consider carefully our needs, our roles, and the needs and roles of others who participate. We have a real chance here to consider how our choices can enrich the life of the Community and develop the Spiritual life of the Church in the future.
If anyone who uses or helps at any activities and would like to be involved in this survey please contact Anne Castle (steward) on 01904 481656 for the relevant questionnaire.
Thank you to all who have already replied to our letter with your suggestions and priorities and we will report back to you next month when all your suggestions have been collated.
Rev. Keith Albans - The Barley Rise Estate Half Marathon!
As part of his Sabbatical Keith Albans was hoping to run the Manchester Half Marathon on May 24th along with various family members to raise funds for St Leonard’s Hospice in memory of his wife Helen. However, the event has been postponed until October 6th.
So because the Hospice needs funds and Keith may not be free to run in October, and now the new lockdown rules suggest more exercise is OK, Keith intends honouring his commitment by inventing and taking part in a new event close to home. It’s still 13.1 miles - and will involve running 5 laps of a course made up of every yard of pavement on all the streets near his Manse. As the only competitor, a Course record is guaranteed!!
If anyone feels like supporting this unusual event and helping raise funds for the Hospice, then you can do so via Just Giving by clicking here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rememberinghelenalbans
Keith is due back from sabbatical on 1st June, so if anyone wishes to donate and have no online facilities , if you contact a steward we will look into another way to pay when discussed with him.
Rev Ruth Duck
Our very big thanks go to Ruth for her time spent as our Minister whilst Keith has been on sabbatical. It has not been an easy stand-in during these unexpected, difficult days. She has supported us so well. With zoom services (3 times a week), a new way to reach out to each other! She has always been available for phone contact and emails. Not what she expected when she said yes to the cover. We have all appreciated her willingness to assist and advise us as needed in these weeks of uncertainty.
Thank you again Ruth for your constant support from all stewards, members and wider congregation in Dunnington.
New Screen and Projector
Just before the arrival of Covid 19 and Lockdown, installation of a new, permanently-located projector and drop-down screen system was completed at the Methodist Church. The aim was to improve reliability and ease of use over the ‘portable’ system used previously for Messy Church and Reel2Real Film Club.
We had bookings for meetings and a film show to use the new system, but these had to be cancelled when the virus struck. So in your plans for events when things return (or perhaps we should say move on) towards the New Normal, please remember the facility is there and available to be used for village functions. All you need is a laptop with HDMI connector or a video and microphone socket, and DVD player if needed. Note that, at present, there is no internet or WiFi facility in the church, but if enough demand became evident we might consider how this might be accomplished in the future.
We would also like to add our thanks to the York Council Communities Office, the York Methodist Circuit and other organisations and individuals whose generous donations made installation of the system possible.