A REFLECTION FROM REV SUE SHERIFF
We are all looking forward to Rev Hannah Theobald’s ordination as a Priest on Sunday evening at 6pm in Selby Abbey.
My advice to Hannah comes from a poster I had on my wall when I was at the same theological college as Hannah, Trinity College Bristol. It said “Blossom where you’re planted”.
If you remember back to last year it was only a matter of weeks before she arrived that we knew Hannah would be joining us. There were no choices to be made, we were it.
She came as a part-time, self-supporting minister – she is now a full-time, self-supporting minister and she made that decision in part because she had blossomed with us. Her vocation and her gifts were obvious and it was a no brainer that she was called to be a priest.
The pictures above are from my back garden. Last year I re potted my Mothering Sunday’s primulas and put them by the back door. This year these little beauties have popped up. I cannot take any credit for them, they re seeded themselves and in the fullness of time they blossomed.
I have worked alongside quite a number of curates over the years and I love to see where God has taken them. Quite a few had an idea of where they would like to go and what they would like to do. In reality God has had some surprises for them along the way but they have all blossomed just where He planted them.
Last week Jackie shared her and Alex’s testimony… God certainly didn’t take them where they planned. If life had followed their route would life has been easier? Certainly. Would they have been happier? Possibly. Would they have felt His presence with them as much as they have and touched as many people’s lives as they have in quite the same way? Probably not.
My advice to you would be the same as to Hannah… blossom where you are planted.
Life might not be taking you the way you had planned; this may delight you, or it might mean you are facing struggles. Rather than railing against God, try resting back in Him, trusting Him.
He has a bigger picture of which we only see a tiny part.
As it says in some of my favourite verses from Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Sue S – Vicar of St Oswald’s
t. 01904 633261 / m. 07521 778195
e. vicar@stoswalds.church
The Vicarage, 1 Fulford Park, YO10 4QE
(not available on a Friday)
+ Our regular 10am Sunday services take place in the Church Hall
+ These services are usually livestreamed
YouTube (also available as catch-up afterwards):
http://bit.ly/Stoswaldsyoutube (click on ‘Live’)
Please see item below
+ Our regular Wednesday 10am services take place in the Main Lounge, Sir John Hunt Memorial Homes, Fulford Road
+ Toilets in the church hall to the right of the entrance hall plus an accessible toilet
+ Fair Trade Stall in the church hall usually on the 4th Sunday in the month
REMINDER
REVIEW OF STREAMING OUR CHURCH SERVICES
We are replacing our sound system as part of the current building work, and we are also considering whether to continue to live stream our weekly service.
We know that a small number of people regularly or occasionally view our services on line and value this service.
If you have viewed the service on line occasionally or regularly since the pandemic, please could you complete and return the questionnaire – click HERE. You can complete it electronically or print it out and hand it in at a service.
Please could you return the questionnaire by Sunday 28th June.
Thank you very much. Sue Baughan
SATURDAY 28 JUNE
SUNDAY 28 JUNE
10.00AM SOMETHING FOR ALL AGES
in the Church Hall
Leader: Revd Sue Sheriff
Preacher: Martin Tuvey-SmithService Sheet: click here
Bible Readings: Luke 11 verses 5-8
Music words: click here
What will we be singing?
Come and sing the praise of Jesus
Give me oil in my lamp
MP552 Our Father who is in heaven (Traditional)
MP133 Father I place into Your hands
After the service, do stay in the church hall
SUNDAY 28 JUNE 6PM IN SELBY ABBEY
Revd Hannah’s Ordination to the Priesthood
All are welcome to come and offer support to Hannah and her ministry.
Please let Revd Sue know if you can offer/would like a lift.
MONDAY 29 JUNE
IN THE CHURCH HALL
10AM MORNING PRAYER
NO TABLE TENNIS
TUESDAY 30 JUNE
10AM-12NOON IN THE CHURCH HALL
COMMUNITY CAFE & BABY CAFE
All babies & parents very welome! No specific activities planned … just a time to relax together
WEDNESDAY 1 JULY
10AM HOLY COMMUNION
MAIN LOUNGE, SIR JOHN HUNT MEMORIAL HOMES
(Book of Common Prayer)
Park on Main Street or in the church car park and walk straight down to the Hunt Homes main gates and to the lounge which is striaght ahead.
10AM-12NOON IN THE CHURCH HALL
COMMUNITY CAFE
THURSDAY 2 JULY
9.30-11.30AM IN THE CHURCH HALL
ST OSWALD’S TOTS
SUNDAY 5 JULY
Revd Hannah will celebrate her first Eucharist after her ordination as a Priest.
Come and join in a celebratory lunch – there will be a selection of dishes for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores! Plus, soft drinks and desserts. Please sign up on the list at the back of church if you will be staying for lunch.
REMINDER
SEA SUNDAY SERVICE – 12 JULY 10AM
Mission to Seafarers ( MtS) is a St Oswald’s Church mission nominated charity. The MtS provides help and support to the 1.89 million crewmen and women who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat.
We are fortunate to have the Revd Peter Ellen coming to give a talk about the Mission to Seafarers. It would be be welcoming for him if we could get as many of the congregation to attend this special service as possible.
After the service there will be our usual cake stall, and if anyone could bake a cake or biscuits or help on the day it would be greatly appreciated. All donations to go to Mission to Seafarers.
Please contact Wendy Henwood for more information – MtS Saint Oswald’s link person. [email protected]
A warm welcome in Greece as The Mission to Seafarers continues to expand and evolve. To read more in this latest newsletter, click HERE
REMINDER
If you have kindly knitted any hats for Mission to Seafarers, I would be grateful if you could pass them to me either before or at the service so that, like last year, they can be blessed on Sea Sunday before being forwarded on to them. If you need wool or a pattern, please let me know. Thank you. Jackie Tuvey-Smith (Licensed Lay Minister). m. 07800 774364 / e. [email protected]
A Thank You from Evelyn Courcier
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to our Christian Aid collection this year. The total raised was £494.50. This sum will help fund essential materials and training to support the establishment of urban farms in some of the poorest parts of the world. In turn, it will enhance health and life opportunities for recipients and their families and help them towards a more optimistic future. Thank you again for supporting Christian Aid in doing God’s work.
ST OSWALD’S CHURCH PRAYER CHAIN
ST OSWALD’S CHURCH WHATSAPP GROUP
If you would like to join either of these, please contact Pippa Ensor,
e. [email protected], m. 07949 844395
Wednesday 1 July at 11.15am (Sir John J. Hunt Meeting Room Group fortnightly) contact Lesley Milner t.01904 652782
Usually Thursdays at 7.30pm – next meeting in September (Heslington Lane group fortnightly) contact Caroline Moore, e. [email protected]
SUNDAYS
Common Ground: A service from St Matthew the Apostle in Burnley exploring social cohesion as part of Radio 4’s Common Ground season.
> 10.45AM – BBC RADIO 4EXTRA DAILY SERVICE
YORK MYSTERY PLAYS FESTIVAL 2026Forty-eight scripts make up the existing York Mystery Plays. For 2026, we are aiming for eleven core plays plus further extracts to tell the story from The War in Heaven to Doomsday.
The Plays return to the city streets on Sunday 28th June & Sunday 5th July.
There will be two twilight performances in the Market on Tuesday 30th June & Wednesday 1st July
There is also a special performance of the Journey to Calvary on Saturday 4th July at 2pm at The Bar Convent, Blossom Street.
More Information HERE – Booking for some venues HEREKESWICK CONVENTION 2026
Week 1: Saturday 18 – Friday 24 July, Week 2: Saturday 25 – Friday 31 July, Week 3: Saturday 1 – Friday 7 August
Centered on the theme “Strong In His Strength”, it invites believers to stand firm in the Gospel. The event is free to attend and features Bible teaching, youth programs, and worship. The Keswick Convention offers a varied programme to encourage you in your walk with the Lord, and space in the afternoon to appreciate his creation and all that Keswick and the surrounding Lake District area has to offer. If you would like to know more about visiting the Convention, do have a chat with Sue Baughan, Wendy Henwood, Julia Pegden or Caroline Moore.
MORE INFORMATION HERE & PLAN YOUR VISIT HERE
NEW WINE FESTIVAL 2026
28 July – 2 August | Shepton Malet, Bath & West Showground.
New Wine Festival is a six-day event, with around 14,000 joining from across the UK and beyond for an incredible week of worship, teaching, ministry, and community. It’s a time to encounter God afresh through the Holy Spirit, grow deeper in faith, and make lasting memories as church family.
MORE INFORMATION HERE
HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE IN CRISIS.
The foodbank relies on your goodwill and support.
DONATING FOOD
+There is a York Food Bank collection box in the Church Hall+
Single Most Urgently needed Item (please): Long Life Cartons of Juice or Bottles of Squash
We are running low of (please): Tinned Veg (carrots, peas, sweetcorn), Jars of Pasta/ Curry Sauces, Tinned Soup, Small Jars of Coffee, Tinned Rice Pudding and Custard, Vegetarian Tinned Meals, Biscuits
We are funning low of non-food (please): Washing Up Liquid, Nappies Size 6 and 7, Toilet Rolls, Shampoo, Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
We are well stocked in (thank you!): Nappies size 1, 2, and 4
Unfortunately they are unable to accept (sorry): Out of Date (Past best before date) or opened items, Chilled/Frozen Products, Homemade Items (notably Jam), Baby Formula Milk, Medical Items (tablets, medicines, medical incontinence pads, Fortisip Bottles), Alcoholic Drinks
THERE ARE ALSO FOOD COLLECTION POINTS: Waitrose (Foss Islands), Asda* (Monks Cross), Tesco* (Askham Bar), Work With York (Castlegate), and at Foodbank Warehouse (Clifton Moor) *for items bought in store
+There is also a local Foodshare collection box in the Church Hall entrance+REMINDER
ST OSWALD’S CHURCH HALL RECYCLING HUB
What can you recycle there?
Cables, biscuit & tea packaging and candle waste
in the bins under the table in the hall foyer.
Clean cans, foil + tablet blister packs (all in bags)
in the Christian Aid bin on the right
Contact Pippa Ensor,
e. [email protected], m. 07949 844395
SOFT PLASTIC: We don’t recycle this but Aldi & the Co-op do!
TOOTHPASTE TUBES & TETRA PACKS: Can now be kerbside recycled in York iin plastics/cans bin
BUILDING ON THE GENEROSITY OF GENERATIONS BEFORE US
For information about the planned work, click HERE
WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN DONATE
