A REFLECTION FROM REVD HANNAH THEOBALD
Are you off on a summer holiday? Going anywhere nice? Or are you enjoying the summer at home?
Holidays are great. I’m sure we can all think of a good memory from one – whether that’s been on your own, with family when you were young or whether recent, or maybe a fun friends holiday! A break from the norm – mine are centred around good food, time to play board games, read book after book and I love time with other people.
But the heart of a holiday really, whether you’ve travelled a million miles away or whether you’ve got a day at home, is the chance to rest. So many of us spend so much time working harder, striving for more, fitting more in. We love busyness in our culture – it’s almost a badge of honour to be busy.
But God sets out from the very beginning the idea of rest. In his works of creation right at the start of the universe, God rested for a day. Jesus invites people into his presence and promises them rest- a proper rest.
And Psalm 46 says ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’
There’s no suggestion – it’s a command. Be still. And then the result? Know that I am God. When we stop and take a pause, when we choose moments of stillness, we find God. We can’t find God if we’re too busy running around filling our time.
And it doesn’t matter where we are – we can do this everywhere and anywhere we like! So that big summer holiday you’ve been planning, or in the comfort of your own home. At the bus stop, as you go to Aldi. We might not all be able to afford a holiday, but we can afford to sit at the feet of Jesus. We can afford to be still for a bit, trusting that God is in control of the things that it’s hard to let go of, and to meet him in our stillness.
For me, I’ve decided that I’m going to try and move a bit slower. I’m going to put my phone away and go out without it – knowing I don’t need to know everything and have everything at my fingertips! I’m not going to rush from one thing to the next, I’m going to see if I can do a couple of weeks just moving at a regular pace – to give more space to what God might be doing around me. And I’m going to allow myself to sit down and have nothing to do!
What might rest look like for you this week? I wonder where God will be in that.
Rest easy!
Revd Hannah
[email protected]
07840488169
+ Our regular 10am Sunday and Wednesday services take place in the Church.
+ Toilets in the church hall to the right of the entrance hall plus an accessible toilet
SATURDAY 15 AUGUST
1.00PM WEDDING OF CHANTEL & JAMIE
SUNDAY 16 AUGUST
Leader: Jackie Tuvey-Smith (Licensed Lay Minister)
Preacher & Presider: Revd Hannah Theobald
Service Sheet: click here
Bible Readings: Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15: 21-28
Music words: click here
What will we be singing?
MP563 Praise to the Holiest in the height
MP1151 Amazing Grace!
MP975 Before the throne of God above
MP33 And can it be that I should gain
After the service, do stay in church
School Holidays: No Community Cafe
or St Oswald’s Tots until September
MONDAY 17 AUGUST
10AM MORNING PRAYER
1.30PM TABLE TENNIS IN THE CHURCH HALL
including a refreshments break
Come along and give it a try – everyone welcome!
Contact: Keith Hood
WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST
10AM HOLY COMMUNION
(Book of Common Prayer)
A lovely morning was had at the Good Place Drop In Cafe on Wednesday 5 August with about 35 adults and children coming along for games, drinks, cake and good company. Toni, our Police Community Support Officer came along with police dress up uniforms, stickers and colouring sheets. We welcomed new friends and regular friends who all had a good time. The food share table was used and we are supporting more families.
Hope to see you at our next Good Place Drop In Cafe on Wednesday 19 August!
Carolyn Blain
An application has been made to the National Churches Trust for their Church and Community Volunteers Awards 2026 on behalf of the whole volunteer team at St Oswald’s in recognition of their extraordinary contribution, dedication and willingness to work across teams on behalf of the church and the community of Fulford.
The PCC are incredibly grateful to everyone who volunteers at St Oswald’s.
ST OSWALD’S CHURCH PRAYER CHAIN
If you would like to join either of these, please contact Pippa Ensor,
e. [email protected], m. 07949 844395
Usually Wednesdays at 11.15am – next meeting in September (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
Discovering Mary at Walsingham: Catholic theologian, Tina Beattie, unpacks some of the mysteries surrounding the Virgin Mary by visiting the holy shrines in the historic Norfolk village of Walsingham.
> 10.45AM – BBC RADIO 4EXTRA DAILY SERVICE
LOCAL NEWS, SUPPORT & HELP ETC
Chloe and Ben Kybett are walking 100 miles (each!) in August to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Chloe’s grandmother Shirley, who passed away last year. Shirley lived in Bridlington, and attended the Priory church.
Macmillan provided wonderful support to her and her family after her diagnosis. All donations very gratefully received. https://raise.ing/
REMINDER
Summer Fun at York Minster
Don’t miss out on endless family fun at York Minster this summer. Whether you’re entertaining the kids or planning some stress-free days out for grandparents and little ones, there’s something for everyone and kids go free! With LEGO® sessions, explorer trails, an on-site museum, underground cinema experience and more – you’re guaranteed a day out filled with fun, facts, history and surprises.
As part of the Great British Summer Savings scheme, York Minster is offering sightseeing tickets at the discounted rate of £18.20 for a limited time only. This offer is available until 1 September and every adult ticket includes entry for up to four children aged 17 and under for a whole year (hello October half term!). Find out more HERE
Could you be a Racial Justice Advocate?Could your voice, experience, and gifts help the Church become more just, welcoming, and reflective of God’s multi-ethnic kingdom?
You do not need to be a racial justice expert. We are looking for people who care about this work, are willing to learn with others and want to encourage practical change.
Find out more HERE
New clergy and lay members are being elected to General Synod this year – and you are invited to consider standing.General Synod is the Church of England’s national assembly, shaping and approving legislation that affects the whole Church. Elections will take place in autumn 2026, with those elected serving for five years.
Almost anyone who attends church regularly is likely to be eligible to stand as a lay member. You do not need special skills, experience of making speeches, or membership of a PCC, deanery synod, or diocesan synod. You do not need to know everything about the Church or General Synod before standing: support and guidance will be available if you are elected. It can be a tremendously rewarding way to serve the Church and help shape its future. Find out more 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): Tinned Vegetarian meals
We are running low of (please): Tinned Baked Beans & Tinned Spaghetti, Tinned Tomatoes, Tinned Veg (Carrots, Peas, Sweetcorn, Potatoes), Small Jars of Coffee, Tinned Rice Pudding and Custard, Tinned Fruit, Bottles of Squash, Small Packets of Biscuits, Sweets/Chocolate, Sugar
We are funning low of non-food (please): Disposable Razors and Shaving Foam, Bars of Soap, Household Cleaning Sprays, Shampoo, Men’s and Ladies Deodorant, Laundry Detergent
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 and Chutney), Baby Formula Milk, Medical Items (tablets, medicines, medical incontinence pads, Fortisip Bottles)
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
REMINDER
BUILDING ON THE GENEROSITY OF GENERATIONS BEFORE US
For information about the planned work, click HERE
WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN DONATE
