Kirk Fenton News
20th March 2020
Please look on our website www.kf.starmat.uk for up-to-date information.
Dear Parents / Carers,
This week has been a very strange week in school either waiting for updates and information or planning for the days ahead. The children have been incredibly sensible, asking relevant questions and reassuring each other. I have been truly humbled by their care for each other. As I write I am not sure how long we will be closed or even how long we can remain open for specific pupils. Information is changing rapidly as the situation changes and as our staff begin to self-isolate. However, I do know that we will re-open at some point in the future and I know that Kirk Fenton will then go from strength to strength.
So for now take care of each other, follow the government advice and we hope to see you again soon.
Mrs Karen Williams
Head Teacher
Good Work Certificates
This week's certificates were awarded to the following children:
Birch - Poppy Lambert
Willow - Everyone
Hazel - Everyone
Cherry - Penny Glynn and Clementine Myatt
Maple - Florence Long and Harry Barton
Sycamore - Grace Watson and Poppy Hudson
Oak - Harriette Williams and Lucy Schofield
Sports Relief
Thank you for all your support and please visit our Facebook page for any updates.
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Registered charity no: 1154660
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The easiest ways to raise funds for us is to register with Easy Fundraising and raise money as you shop online at no cost to you and search online with Easy Search
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/kirkfentonparochialvoluntarycontrolledprimaryschoolchurchfenton
Like us on Facebook for up-to-date information www.facebook.com/FriendsOfKirkFenton
St Mary's
Dear Everyone,
As we face an unprecedented challenge together, I want you to know that St. Mary’s Kirk Fenton, St. John the Baptist Kirkby Wharfe and Ulleskelf (and all Church of England churches) are still operating. The way that we are doing things may look a little different to normal, and we cannot gather together for prayer or worship in our buildings, but we are here. This message sets out what is happening and everything that we are doing is for everyone, whether you feel part of church life or not.
Sunday 22nd March
A particular disappointment for many people is that we won’t be able to meet together on Mothering Sunday. However, I will be in each church to pray on Sunday. You might want to join me (from home) in prayer at the time that I am in your community but, of course, you can pray at any time!
My timetable is:
9.00am – St. John the Baptist Kirkby Wharfe and Ulleskelf
9.45am – St. Mary’s Kirk Fenton
In Kirk Fenton, I will ring the bells before I pray. Unfortunately, the bells need some repair work in Kirkby Wharfe…
In addition to this, at 7.00pm in each church, a candle will be lit along with churches across the country. This is being organized by Churches Together in England. Please also light a candle at home and see
https://www.cte.org.uk/Articles/569010/Home/News/Latest_news/Light_a_candle.aspx for more information. If you are on social media, you might want to share this image https://www.cte.org.uk/Publisher/Image.aspx?ID=1004761.
On Sunday, I would also encourage you to watch Songs of Praise. It’s a Mothering Sunday special and is on BBC1 at 1.15pm. There is also going to be a “virtual church service” led by the Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday morning across local radio. I don’t have any more information at present but hopefully we’ll hear more about this.
Through the week
Every day during the week, there will be Morning Prayer and Night Prayer led from one of the churches in the Tadcaster Benefice.
Morning Prayer will be:
Monday – 9.30am – Tadcaster
Tuesday – 9.30am – Newton Kyme
Wednesday – 10.30am – Kirk Fenton
Thursday – 9.30am – Kirkby Wharfe
Friday – 9.30am – Tadcaster
For Morning Prayer, we will be using https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer. This website is updated daily so just pop on each day and the Morning Prayer service will be waiting for you. There are also services for Prayer During the Day, Evening Prayer and Night Prayer if you want to use them. This is also available as an app.
Night Prayer will be:
Monday to Thursday – 8.30pm – Kirk Fenton
Friday – 8.30pm – Tadcaster
For this service, we will be using the words that can be found at http://www.stmarystadcaster.co.uk/evening-prayer.html.
If you know anyone who would like paper copies of words, please get in touch with Rachel (see below).
Future services
We will keep you updated each week about what’s happening! If you want to be added to an e-mail list, simply send me an e-mail. Also keep an eye on our social media stuff on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/churchfentonchurch/ or /revsimonbiddlestone.
Accessing support for yourself and others
If you are feeling a bit isolated or are in need of a friendly chat or someone to talk to, get in touch with me on (01937) 558172 and I’ll match you up with someone you can talk to.
If you can’t get hold of me, contact Rachel Hughes, our Administrator.
Contact details
Rachel’s contact details are:
stmarystadcaster@googlemail.com
07545 516949
My contact details are:
revsimonbiddlestone@hotmail.com
(01937) 558172
St. Mary’s House, Church Street, Church Fenton, LS24 9RD (Do you remember the days when people sent letters? If you send me a letter / card, I promise to write back. Letters from small people are especially welcome if you need something to fill the time!)
Some final words
As it says in 1 Peter: “Cast all your anxiety on him [Jesus], because he cares for you.”
Sometimes that’s easy to say and harder to do. That’s partly why church is so important – we often find it easier to do things together and other people’s faith can really boost our own. When we can’t physically be together, this can seem much harder. We need to reimagine how we do things, look out for each other and support everyone who needs support, whether we know them or not.
God bless. Don’t be alone. Reach out. Love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and love your neighbour as yourself.
Simon
Reverend Simon Biddlestone
Curate