November Edition

The Bridge

November 2020

PENISTONE & THURLSTONE TEAM MINISTRY

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2

PENISTONE & THURLSTONE TEAM MINISTRY

Team Web Site: penistonecofe.co.uk e-mail
[email protected]

S. AIDAN’S n S. ANNE’S n S. JAMES’ n S. JOHN’S n S. SAVIOUR’S

Inside this issue:

4 Editorial Remembrance 2020 All Souls: Page 6
6 The Ministry Team
10 Remembrance 2020 6: Worship Pods 8:
11 Lights for Christ Christmas 2020: Page 22
12 Stories from the Stones Family Church: Page 16 3
14 Poppy Appeal
16 Family Church
18 Calling all Pilgrims!
20 Café Church
22 Christmas 2020
24 Prayer Pages
26 Thurlstone News and Events
28 I can See Clearly Now!
30 Churches Together
32 Rectors Report
39 Parish Clerk
40 Kids’ Corner
42 Holy Humour
44 Puzzle Pages
46 Team Directory

Welcome to the November edition of The Bridge! As we enter into
this new month the weather and the dark nights have certainly served
to remind us that we are heading into winter. There is still, however,
beautiful autumn colours to enjoy, seen in the picture of our church-
yard on page 26, and the promise of the advent season to come in
Linda’s article on page 28 as she shares her delicious Christmas cake
recipe with us. We have Father David’s annual report to contemplate
in our Ministry Team section, as he reviews what has been a difficult
and challenging year, but also celebrates some of the wonderful things
we have achieved as a church community despite the challenges that
we have faced.

As I write this, I have just returned from the final service at St John’s
Church for what will be at least a month, if not more. It has been
such a joy for many of us to be able to attend church again, see one
another, and participate in worship as a church family. Today’s ser-
vice, therefore, was bittersweet as we enjoyed being together, but
contemplated the uncertain future ahead. However hard it may be
though, we can still communicate through the magazine, social media
channels, Zoom, and of course by simply picking up the telephone to
check in on one another. We ended our service today with the music
group singing and playing the hymn, ‘God be with you till we meet
again’. A sentiment I am sure we all wish for one another:

God be with you till we meet again;
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again

However different this November may be, I wish you a safe and happy

one, and that God indeed will be with you until we all meet again.

4

Mission Statement for the
Penistone and Thurlstone Team Ministry

Our Vision:
We are passionate about making connections between church and
community life and for the church to be able to see the whole community as
its parish.

It is important for people of the wider community to be able to get to know
their local church – with its doors open wide, and to feel a sense of belonging.

We are committed to go out through the open doors of the church - to share
God’s love in the world through our words and actions.

We recognise the need to build a culture of invitation, welcome and
hospitality where all may be touched by the friendships they encounter and
come to know the rich blessings of God.

Our Values
We believe in a church which
• Invites, welcomes, accepts and serves people where they are along their

journey of life and faith.
• Helps those who wish to explore the possibility of faith.
• Attempts to be scripturally faithful which means being open to the

possibilities of challenge through study of the Bible.
• Seeks to proclaim and be witnesses to Christ’s risen presence in the world

with the help of the Holy Spirit.
• Is innovative and creative but recognises the importance of tradition
• Helps to equip and resource all God’s people in ministry.

We hope and pray that all who are invited and welcomed may grasp how
wide and deep is the love of God and may grow as followers of Jesus.

In the spirit of invitation and welcome, we believe in a church that does
not discriminate on any level including economic power, gender
difference, mental or physical disability, race or sexuality.

Our Personality
The Church communities of the team ministry seek to be:

• Inviting, welcoming, friendly, loving and hospitable.
• We cater for both modern and traditional styles of worship.
• We expect all members of our community to practise compromise in

relation to taste or tradition in worship and ways of being church.
5

ALL SOULS: Remembrance, Hope and Promise

Just recently a few of us met to film
an All Souls Service in Church,
which over the years has evolved in-
to what we now call a 'Service of
Light: A Time of Remembrance,
Hope and Promise' which we can
actually use more or less at any time
of year not merely at All Souls.
However this service will be availa-
ble through Facebook and those
who have lost loved ones during the
past year will have the first oppor-
tunity to view it.

During this service, if you remember
from previous years, we would nor-
mally invite those who have lost loved ones during the year
to come and light a candle which they then placed on a cross.

Their candle, in memory of their loved one, joins other can-
dles, making an incredible display of light, which looks beau-
tiful at the end when all the lights are out! This is a sign of
remembrance, hope and promise, and of the risen light of
Jesus with whom our loved ones now live but also an act of
remembrance by each participant. Also, the names of loved
ones are read aloud which against a backdrop of candlelight
is6a most moving and poignant part of the service.

An All Souls service, whether or not it takes the shape that we
now have within the team ministry, seems to me to be about
allowing God (though not exclusively in this way) to offer
comfort to those who come in grief. Many who come are inev-
itably struggling...and there is always an opportunity to speak
with someone at the end should they wish to receive further
support.

One of the prayers that I use at every funeral service and also
include it within our Service of Light every year, is this:
'O God who brought us to birth and in whose arms we die,
comfort these families and friends, that in their grief and shock
they may find your peace and have the courage to let go into
new life', by Janet Morley.

This prayer acknowledges the presence of God all around us,
from the very beginning of our lives, indeed at our conception
to the very end of life, and 'in whose arms we die'. The prayer
also acknowledges the struggles that human beings face in the
event of someone they love dying.

This grief is carried within us and we feel the pain and the
shock often coming at us at times like the waves on a seashore,

sometimes overtaking us completely. These are times when
people may feel that God has abandoned them. At this time,
indeed at All Souls, we have a responsibility to speak into that
pain but not always with words. Sometimes we get it right, per-

haps sometime we get it wrong. One of the ways in which we
got it wrong as a church, I believe, was when we celebrated the
Eucharist at this service where on the one hand we were saying
'welcome, God loves you and shares the pain' but on the other

hand creating an unnecessary exclusivity for those for whom it
is not customary to share in communion.
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'All Souls' of course follows 'All Saints' which is 1st November.
Yes, on the one hand (with All saints on the 1st) it is about
those who have gone ahead of us, (saints with a small or large
's') but it also has wider meaning, in that it embraces all souls,
quite literally all people, everybody, whether living or departed,
'signed-up' members of the Christian faith or otherwise, and
who at this commemoration are 'bound together’ (whether
they recognise it or not) in a communion of prayer, experienc-
ing God's redeeming love for all reaching into the grief and
pain.*
With love,
David
Rector
*[This more or less encapsulates the meaning of All; Souls, in
an agreed statement between the Anglican and Roman Catho-
lic Churches International Commission.]
Eternal God,
Our Maker and Redeemer,
grant us with all the departed
the benefits of your Sons saving passion
and glorious resurrection,
that in the last day,
when you gather up all things in Christ
we may with them enjoy the fullness of your promises

8

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Remembrance Sunday 2020

The church doors will sadly be closed on Remembrance Sunday. Revd
David and Revd Jo will be present, however, at the memorial with a
small representative community group including the legion, uni-
formed, and others. It is crucial that social distancing is upheld and
that crowds of people do not turn up. We would ask that as far as
possible, people will offer their own act of remembrance within the
confines of their own homes or gardens on Remembrance Sunday.
Penistone Round Table will, however, be streaming the laying of the
wreaths live via a Facebook link. The group have said, ‘We’re going to
be live streaming a stripped down Penistone Remembrance Parade to
give our community a chance to come together in remembrance. This
is an event that always brings the people of Penistone out in force to
remember those from our community that served in all conflicts’.
You can find their live feed of this event via their Facebook page
@PRT1094.

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We need your help!

As a church, we are currently taking part in the Lights for Christ programme.
Lights for Christ is the Diocese of Sheffield working to equip and encourage
all baptised people in living for Jesus in their daily lives. As part of this they
have asked us to gather more information about how we are developing and
living out our calling as lights for Christ going forward. We would love as
many of you as possible to be a part of this and contribute your thoughts. It

is very easy to do this through completing a short, confidential survey which
you can access via this link: sheffdio.org/LfCSurvey

There are also a few paper copies available. You would be very welcome to
collect one when attending a service. The survey is open until the 16th of

November. Thank you for your help!

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Stories from the Stones

From St John’s Church Penistone Burial Ground Project
No. 1 in memory of Joseph Prigg 1856-1869

Back in December 1869 it was normal for children to work alongside adults in
factories, mines and all types of industries. The 1833 Factory Act stated that no
child (in certain industries)
could work under the age of
nine and that those aged be-
tween nine and thirteen should
work no more than nine hours
per day. And so it was that
young Joseph Prigg, just thir-
teen, accompanied his father to
work on a cold December
morning from their home at
Garside’s Buildings (by the
Bowling Club) to the Charles
Cammell and Co Steelworks
down Green Road.

Joseph’s father Thomas, was a furnaceman. He had married Ann in Bradford in
January 1856 and Joseph was born there on 5th December 1856. Joseph’s sister
Elizabeth was born a few years later in 1860. In 1864 the family moved from
Bradford to Penistone where Thomas was employed at the Charles Cammell
Steelworks. It is likely that Joseph started work at around his 10th birthday in
1866.

Penistone was a very different place in those days in fact Thurlstone was a
much bigger place then than Penistone but the arrival of the steel works
changed that. In fact Britain was a very different place; the acceptance of chil-
dren working in such harsh conditions wasn’t going to change any time soon;
in 1869 Queen Victoria was on the throne and Gladstone was her Prime Minis-
ter. Locally Sheffield Wednesday (The Wednesday) was only in its second sea-
son and Sheffield United and Barnsley football clubs were quite a few years
from their formation.

12

It was 6 a.m. on Tuesday 21st December when Joseph and his father
Thomas arrived at work and they began their shift just like any other day.
Joseph’s job was to use a 2 wheeled bogy (like a wheelbarrow) to carry
items of steel to and from the twelve- ton forge. At around 9 a.m Joseph
moved the bogy into place as usual but on this occasion it seems that the
forge was still operating and it hit the bogey which in turn was raised up
and hit Joseph on the chest and chin. He was rushed home but sadly died
that same evening.

The inquest took place on Thursday 23rd De-
cember at the house of John Armitage - the
Hornes Tavern - which is now the Penistone
Balti. The verdict of Joseph’s death was
‘accidentally injured’. On Christmas eve Joseph
was buried at St John’s graveyard – during our
project we were moved by the discovery that
the employees had contributed to the erection
of a special gravestone for him. It states:

Erected by the employe’s of Messrs Cammell & Co
in memory of Joseph Prigg who died through
injuries received at the works
December 21st 1869. Aged 13.
‘Take ye heed, watch and pray for ye know
not when the time is’
St Mark 13.33

It is sad to recall that many children would be killed or injured during their
working lives in this century and beyond and we recognise that Joseph’s
story is just one amongst many. He has not been forgotten.

My special thanks to John Beardwood who researched Joseph’s story and
gave us permission to share it.

Steve Lavender

13

Look out for the Poppy Appeal again this year, but not so much via
street collections. Instead, the Royal British Legion will focus on con-
tactless donations, as a safer way forward during the pandemic.

One such method will be ‘point of sale donations’. This means that
when you shop at your supermarket and reach the till or online, you
may be invited to round up your total to the nearest pound to help
the Poppy Appeal.

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said: “The Poppy Appeal
2020 is very much still going ahead”, but that “the safety and wellbe-
ing of our volunteers, staff and members is paramount. This means
that collectors who fall into the vulnerable category have been ad-
vised “not to take part in activity on behalf of the Poppy Appeal that
would expose them to any additional risks while coronavirus is still
present.”

And yet the need is still huge: “Members of the Armed Forces Com-
munity are suffering significant hardship as a result of the Covid-19
outbreak and we at the Royal British Legion will do everything we
possibly can to support them.”

14

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15

Family Church

St John’s was host to a lovely family service in celebration of
harvest. The attending families were invited to talk about their
favourite foods, and bring some examples along with them. By
show of hands, ice cream was the most popular! The service
taught us how important it is to say thank you for all our
foods, even those we are not so fond of.
We listened to some socially distanced live music, including the
classic harvest hymns ‘We plough the fields and scatter’, and
‘Autumn Days’, and the children created some beautiful art-
work. Won’t it be lovely when we are allowed to sing together
again in church? Let’s hope that
day comes soon.
Father David led us in a special
Eucharist again. Our families
were given questions to read out
to encourage us to listen carefully
and to consider what the Eucha-
rist means to us.

We finished our service with the
beautiful blessing ’Deep Peace’
led by Rae Moiyse. The children
now know the actions to this
blessing and were able to join in.

16

Beautiful art created by Lemoni in our harvest service
17

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18

Calling all Pilgrims!

IRELAND'S SOUTH EAST: 9th -14th August 2021

For over 20 years I have been organising pilgrimages to various places of reli-
gious interest from St Mary's, Penistone. These have included the Holy Land,
Walsingham, Turkey [following in the footsteps of St Paul], Oberammergau etc.

Our trips have always been enhanced by the interdenominational inclusion of
pilgrims. Indeed on our journey to Rome, Bishop Jack from Sheffield joined us

and delivered the homily at one venue. Linda and John Lister have been with us
on most occasions and we have benefited from John's talents and enjoyed read-
ing post pilgrimage articles that Linda has included in "The Bridge". It was good
too when Fr Matthew from St John's organised a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne and
several of us from St Mary's joined the group.

Sadly, due to the pandemic, our event this year had to be cancelled but 34 of
the [maximum] 40 passengers are still booked to travel next August and should
anyone wish to fill the vacant places I would be delighted to send information.

It is a six day trip by coach and ferry from Penistone [Fishguard to Rosslare]
using Leger Holidays Silver Service vehicle with reclining seats etc, four nights in
Enniscorthy and one night Dublin. There will be visits to Waterford, Wexford
and Kilkenny and the Powerscourt House and Gardens in addition to the main
day which is to be at Mount Mellary, a Cistercian Monastery in the Knock-
mealdown Mountains in Waterford County.

All travel, accommodation plus breakfasts and dinners are included in the price
which is £609 per person based on two sharing.[2020 prices are not being in-
creased in the circumstances] There is a single supplement if not sharing. This is
£115. If interested please call me on 07949241108. A deposit of £100 pp is re-
quired with balance next July.

We pray all will be well by then and that another
group from Penistone can enjoy time together both
spiritually and socially.

Best wishes and stay safe,
Brendan Lally [St Mary's]

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Café Church

What a beautiful October day it was
to hold our Cafe Church service!
The sun was shining, the trees were
glowing in their autumn colours,
and the children hunted the church-
yard for conkers.
Although we couldn't enjoy tea and
cake together as we normally would
in a Café Church service, there was
still so much to be thankful for -
which was the theme of the service
led by our Reader, Professor Steve
Moiyse.
What are you thankful for today?

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38841921
20

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Christmas 2020

...will go down in history like no other. It is not going to be
like any other we have experienced. Each day something
changes and and there are some more regulations to follow
to fight the coronavirus which is continuing to play havoc
across the world. How we celebrate Christmas this year will
be different. We cannot have other households in our home
which means most people will be celebrating with the people
who live in your house, which in mine means two instead of
fourteen. No visitors .No extra cooking. No carol singing in
church. No Christingle. But there is nothing we can do about
it because we want the virus to be beaten so our life can con-
tinue as it was so we have to follow the regulations laid out
by the Government for our own safety.

A very negative view but we will still have Christmas because
as Christians we will be celebrating the birthday of our Sav-
iour Jesus Christ. We can still attend services in our Team
churches. We will still have a special dinner, send our Christ-
mas cards, buy gifts for one another, put up our decorations
and hang lights on the Christmas tree and if we cannot see
our family members
directly we may be
able to have a Zoom
call. We can still
watch Christmas tele-
vision and listen to
carols, and we can still
eat cake...which is
why I am sharing my
Christmas cake recipe.

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It needs to be made now so it has a
chance to mature and be ready. Because
it is a rich fruit cake it will keep in an air-
tight tin for up to a year so nothing is
wasted. It is a good afternoon snack
with a cup of tea or glass of port or sher-
ry and lovely with a slice of Wensleydale
cheese.

Ingredients Method

1 lb of currants Put the fruit in a large basin the
¼ lb chopped peel day before you are going to
¼ lb chopped glace cherries make the cake and put 1 or 2
2¼ lb raisins tablespoons of brandy over the
1 ounce of ground almonds fruit
1 desert spoon of black treacle Cream together the butter
½ lb of plain flour and the sugar.
7 oz Butter Beat in the eggs.
4 Eggs Add the soaked fruit, mixing
7 oz soft brown sugar together with a wooden spoon.
Put in an 8 inch square or
round tin and bake at 130 C
until it is cooked through.
Test with a skewer.

Keep the finished cake in a tin, adding brandy to it as it ma-
tures, and then it will be ready to be decorated (or not) and
eaten! Enjoy!

Linda Lister 23

Prayer Pages

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Prayer Pages

The Penistone and Thurlstone Team Prayer

Living God, we pray for the area in which we serve;
For the communities of Penistone, Thurlstone and district, including the
people of the churches of our area, that, as your followers today we will
faithfully serve you here, and help to bring your love in our words and

actions to the people we meet.
We pray that our churches will grow as they become beacons of your

welcome, hospitality and belonging.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of your Holy Spirit.

Amen

Local Businesses to Remember in your Prayers this Month

Harrington’s Butchers Well Pharmacy Robert’s Butchers

Cottage Salon 9A Fashion Windmill Garden Centre & Coffee
St John's School Shop

Kitchen Appliance Centre The Old Crown

Buckingham Care Home Butchers Estate Agents Penney's Garage

Library Pennine Law Solicitors Café 121

Alex Jones Dentistry Belle Visage Penistone Fruit & Veg
25

Thurlstone
News and
Events

St. Saviours had a harvest thanksgiving service on the first Sunday in October
(Sunday 4th October) as usual. It was great to be able to maintain some of
our Harvest traditions. However, it was not possible to have the auction of
gifts and Harvest Supper, our main fund raising event for Christian Aid. In-
stead, most of the produce was delivered to the food bank. Any items not
suitable for the food bank were taken to housebound members of the con-
gregation. Not all COVID-19 changes/adaptations are awful.
Sharon Unsworth

26

27

I can see clearly now!

I have worn glasses since I was 11 years old. That's a long time, be-
lieve me! I wish I had kept all the pairs I have owned as they would
make an interesting look at the changing fashions in spectacles.

The one thing that I still really don't like is actually having the eye
test and all the faffing about fitting and adjusting a new prescription.
In fact I have been known to say that I would rather have a baby
than an eye test!!! (O.K. That might be an exaggeration!)

This got me wondering how corrective lenses were developed, by
whom and when. The earliest reference I could find was astronomer
and mathematician Ibn AL-Haytham. He was born in Basra c965
and died in Egypt c1040. He carried out research on light, and how
the eyes work.

The first recorded spectacles were The Glasses Apostle
produced in Italy in the 13th centu- by Conrad von
ry. Primitive blown lenses were set
into wooden or leather frames, or
even animal horn. They were worn
perched on the nose. Refinements
followed, and I presume Italy was
perfect for this type of skill, with
the Island of Murano being the
centre of glass blowing. Lenses of
different thicknesses could be pro-
duced based on rudimentary vision
testing. This invention spread
through Europe, and wearing
glasses became a status symbol of
intelligence and prosperity (all you
specs wearers take note).

28

In the 17th century the big improvement was the addition of ‘arms’
to go behind the ears. A notable inventor of the time was Benjamin
Martin, who pioneered more accurate lens development.

Benjamin Franklin, born 1706, A Founding Father of America, was
also an inventor, scientist, and politician amongst other things. One
of his greatest innovations which I dare say has played a part in
many of your lives, was the invention of bi-focal lenses. He did this
by taking far and near sight lenses, cutting them in half and fitting
them together in one frame.

The 1800s saw the develop-
ment of lenses for correcting a

stigmatism, a very common

condition where the eye is

shaped like a rugby ball. Styles

changed with the development

of plastic lenses. In the 1900s

tinted lenses were introduced By 1929 sunglasses became a
to give protection from the mass-produced fashion item.
sun, and by 1929 sun glasses

became a mass-produced fashion item.

These days choosing new specs is a complex business. Varifocals,

single vision, bi-focal, reactor lights. Then try choosing new frames!!

Round, square, so many colours and shapes. BUT isn't it great to

see the leaves on the trees again?! Judith Tappenden

29

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN
PENISTONE AND DISTRICT

These are the thoughts of Officers Linda, Maurice and Stephen that were shared
earlier this month with those whose names appear on the mailing list of the people
who represent their churches on the Forum.

The Rest of 2020
In recent years we have arranged for a page in the December issue of S36 giving
details of Christmas services and including Christmas Greetings from all the church-
es. We are suggesting we still have the page but instead of including a list of services
like the past, because of the uncertainties we face, we just include churches’ website
details and Facebook etc. We have sufficient funds to cover this expense. Carol
singing at Tesco’s cancelled.

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021 Jan.18th-25th and pulpit ex-
change: This is to be postponed until later in the year, maybe around Pentecost
time? We understand in other areas they have been known to hold it then due in
part to the inclement weather in January. See below ‘Thy Kingdom Come’.
Lent 2021: We leave this for individual churches to organise in whatever form is
seen appropriate. If they so wish, to extend invitations to other churches.
Alpha Course: Be guided by Steve Moyise who led the course at the start of Lent
this year.
Forum Meetings: No meetings to be arranged at this stage. To note the AGM on
Thursday 11th March at Penistone Community Church. We may need to re-arrange
nearer the time.
Good Friday 2nd 2021: To work on the basis that this is going ahead. Philip Bee
kindly agreed to arrange this year’s, but because of the lockdown was not able to
go ahead.
Easter Day Sunrise Service: To work on the basis this is going ahead.
Thy Kingdom Come: Both and Ecumenical and International period of prayer
starting on Thursday 13th May Ascension Day to Pentecost 23rd to go ahead
Just a Thought: Could we consider holding a series of meetings over the summer
period exploring together what lessons we have learnt and maybe share experienc-
es etc? Possibly invite some church leaders to lead some sessions.

30

Christian Aid: As Churches Together in recent years, we have not been directly
involved. Just wonder whether we need to review.

Other related matters

Penistone Spoke of the Barnsley Foodbank: Just to remind you that throughout
lockdown, and since, this has been operating. You may recall this was set up as a

ecumenical project back in 2015. Four volunteers three from St. Andrew’s and one
from the Community Church. It operates between from 10.00am on Tuesdays

when needed.

Refugee and Asylum Seekers Support Group: This is a good example of how

churches and members of the local community have been offering practical help
linking with caring professionals in Barnsley

TAIZE Services: Prior to lockdown these were usually held on the third Tuesday of

every month at St. Mary’s led by Chris Wood. Currently they are suspended until

further notice.

Ecumenical Prayer Group: this has meeting again through Zoom ably led by Susan
Revitt. They meet on the second Monday and fourth Tuesday of every month. You

are invited every Thursday morning between 9.30 and 10.00am to pray for all our
churches and leaders from the comfort of your own home or wherever you might

be.

Linda Rocket – Vice Chair Brian Richardson –Treasurer

Maurice Hayes – Secretary Stephen Barnett – Chair

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Electrical
Joinery

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Additional phone Sockets

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07974 217131

[email protected]

31

The Rector’s Reflections and Report, 2020

I usually start this report by
saying 'It's been another busy
year' or words to that effect.
Instead, it would be more ap-
propriate to say that it's been
the strangest year that I/we
have ever experienced. How-
ever, it started off quite well.
Following the APCM in 2019,
I had the God-given oppor-
tunity of having a sabbatical –
seven years after the previous
one. Its theme was 'Welcome,
Hospitality and Belonging' –
which forms the basis of our
Mission statement here. Since
then there has been some opportunity to share some of that with you
through sermons and in the parish/ team magazine: The Bridge. Part of
my sabbatical was spent visiting churches as well as secular places to
compare welcome and hospitality. I have to say that there were surpris-
es from within both areas, both positive and negative ones – about how
people feel when they first walk into a place whether it is a church or
some other venue. One of the greatest welcomes I ever received from a
religious institution was actually from a Hindu temple in Neesdon,
London, with a group of members of the Mothers Union. Why was it
so special? Each person was welcomed with open arms and given food
– a small parcel wrapped with goodies. Our MU members couldn't be-
lieve it. My worst ever experience of welcome happened within a
Church of England parish Church where I sat down in a pew and the
person in front and behind me were having a conversation with each
other oblivious that I was even there. Overall, there was the spectrum
of experiences from the negative to the positive and all shades in be-
tween. Suffice to say that welcome and hospitality which may lead to a
sense of belonging should remain our goal and equip us for the dioce-
san hopes of renewal. We should not merely rest on our laurels with
this3…2 it needs to be constantly and consistently worked at.

But there is a sense in which we can always celebrate a renewal when-
ever we see good things happening however small or large they happen
to be: those healthy and life-giving experiences that happen within our
churches, within the team ministry. Although we are still in the middle
of a pandemic and things seem very strange to us right now, there is
nonetheless much to be thankful for. We may have to ‘dig’ a little
more for it just now – but those things are there. We can all focus in
on what is not positive, what is not healthy or what is not good and
constantly pray for change and renewal at some point in the future, but
we also need to learn to celebrate 'where we are now' and to give
thanks to God for where we are now! As Susan R always says at the
beginning of each day on our Social media WhatsApp Group ‘Ubi
Caritas’ (and Thurlstone equivalent) 'God is Good' and whether it's
raining or stormy or the road works are making very loud noises out-
side, or people are ill in her own family or otherwise, God is always
good! Similarly, the Psalmists taught us that as well as lamenting they
were always able to sing the Lord’s song in a strange land, wherever
the exile wanderings took them, even when they were far from home
and things were far from normal.

Things were once
much more normal
for us/for me than We need to learn to

they are now alt- celebrate 'where we are
hough last year now' and to give thanks to
from May through
to September 2019
I was on sabbat- God for where we are
ical (if you can call
Sabbaticals nor- now!

mal?) but I would
want to thank Ian
Wallis and the
team Readers,
Clergy and war-
dens for carrying
on without me. I've always said that none of us are actually indispensa-
ble, and the truth is that God works in spite of who we are. However,
God naturally wants us/needs us to work with him as best we can. God
offers the best that he can offer us – we should also offer the best that
we can in return, as Jo spoke about in her sermon today.
33

September through to December 2019 continued in the usual busy
manner including, in the benefice, Art at the Altar, The Beer festival,
and all the various Christmas services involving children and families.
There was the usual 'run up' to Christmas. After Christmas, Focal min-
istry was very much on the agenda for the diocese and for us holding
some training at Copps Barn re-
treat centre in Thurgoland, and
working with John Hibberd to
enable this ministry to take root
within our parishes. At a similar
time, we had also established
Cafe and Learning Church – two
separate Sunday morning events to
that sit alongside Messy Church.
So the second, third and fourth
Sundays offered something a lit-
tle different with Eucharistic provision continuing to be offered at
Messy and Learning church. These additional two Sunday services
started successfully, but as with everything else, stopped in March
2020 with a complete lockdown due to Covid 19.

The slogan 'the building is closed but the church is still open' is a true
and apt slogan for so many churches throughout the nation, and we are
no exception, reminding us that church of God is about more than
buildings no matter how beautiful they are or whether or not they're
grade one or grade two listed. Our Spiritual lives in a sense have never
been better – with written reflections, prayers on a daily basis, with
YouTube sermons and The Bridge published 'online'. Never has there
been a time when we have been in touch spiritually speaking on an al-
most daily basis. Never has there been a time when we have reached so
many people through Facebook at Easter – over 6,000 people. So
many folk have said 'We have seen your Easter sermon…', and not
specifically Church goers. Social media, telephone calls and letters
sent through the post have become a lifeline spirit-
ually speaking, and in other ways too, for both par-
ishes throughout this pandemic. The difficulty has
been when some of our folk have not been able to
access these online facilities, but there have been
many phone calls too, so that everyone has been
looked out for, particularly those with no family
members, or no-one close by.

34

Whilst physical services
could not take place, some of
our families carried on, using
Zoom or other methods for
their weekly family services.
These included puppet
shows, bring and show items,
and children leading prayers.
Rae and Steve Moyise be-
came the mother and father
of this group and Rae’s bless-
ing at the end, the Celtic
prayer 'Deep peace of the
shining stars to you' became We were able to continue weekly family

almost legendary and some- services during lockdown using Zoom.

how helped to hold those
families together. So, Victoria, Jo, and others – thank you. Watch this
space now, because one or two vocations are emerging from lock-
down. All has certainly not been lost during the pandemic within the
team ministry.

‘Watch this space now - because one or
two vocations are emerging from

lockdown. All has certainly not been lost
during the pandemic within the team
ministry.’

Additional thanks go to Louise who has kept ‘things’ going social-
media-wise and is currently employed for three hours per week, as was
organised before lockdown. Sadly, our other administrative support
(Sharon) has been reduced to two mornings given that we are not in a
financially viable position to pay her or sustain a job share at present
for five mornings, given the deficit budget some 30k+ accrued during
lockdown and which is ongoing. Can I ask that people continue to give
generously, financially speaking, as well as in other ways too.

35

As a Church, we are emerging, albeit very slowly and cautiously given
ongoing restrictions. Church services, physically speaking, have of
course been reduced in numbers but we have done our best to keep the
same pattern for worship that we had set up prior lock-down, as fol-
lows:
[PENISTONE: first week, a traditional Eucharist followed by second
(cafe style – without refreshments), third week, Family church (Messy-
style) followed by communion, third week: Learning church followed
by Eucharist. The fourth or fifth weeks are retained for traditional or
family Eucharists at St Johns.]
[ST SAVIOURS: the usual pattern of services continue with Some-
thing for Everyone – a word service on the first Sundays and subse-
quent services are traditional Eucharists.]
[The DAUGHTER churches of Penistone – St Aidan’s are also back,
second and fourth Sundays, Midhope currently one Sunday per month.
We continue to think of ways round re-introducing St Annes services,
but these are problematic due to size of church and numbers.]
The Church-in-school (Church
school) project, Messy Church,
for children and families in the
church school is currently ‘on
hold’. As is a team ministry group
for school children. Confirmations
have also been put on hold by the
diocese given the potential issue
regarding numbers.
Lastly, but by no means least, we
have been very pleased to welcome Revd Jo Twigg as our curate and
distinctive deacon. Although Jo arrived in July and licensed as a lay
worker, she was ordained on 27th September at Sheffield Cathedral.
Although there were depleted numbers due to number restrictions, it
was a very special and intimate service conducted by newly consecrat-
ed Bishop Sophie Jelley who is our new Bishop of Doncaster follow-
ing Bishop Peter Burrows retirement last year. Congratulations go to
Jo and we wish her every blessing for her ministry among us.

36

‘Lastly, but by
no means least,
we have been
very pleased to
welcome Revd
Jo Twigg as our

curate and
distinctive
deacon.’

I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during
these difficult and limiting times. Please keep positive (that's not Covid
positive!) and know that together, in the words of the 1960’s American
Civil Rights song, ‘We shall overcome!’

The Revd David Hopkin: Rector

Central Heating Installation Self Catering Holiday Cottage
Boiler Service & Repair in
Bathrooms
Burst Pipes Millhouse Green

Landlords Gas Safety Checks 3 bedrooms
Underfloor Heating
sleeps up to 5 people
All General Plumbing Undertaken
Ideal place to stay for
tel: 01226 984472 family or friends
Mob: 07931 254225 visiting the area

Email: [email protected] Contact: Jill on 07790 799728

37

PENISTONE & THURLSTONE TEAM MINISTRY

S. AIDAN’S n S. ANNE’S n S. JAMES’ n S. JOHN’S n S. SAVIOUR’S

Oxspring Carlecotes Midhope Penistone Thurlstone

Sacrament of Baptism. An enquiry morning for parents seeking baptism
for their child is held on the first Saturday of most months at St John's at
10:30am. If attendance at this event is inconvenient please contact Mrs
Sharon Unsworth, Tel: 01226 765531 or by email to:
[email protected] .

Sacrament of Marriage. Couples wishing to marry in the Team Churches
should contact Jennifer Milnes on 01226 766568, leaving a message if
necessary.

Sacrament of Confirmation
This takes place annually. Further information is available from Fr. David.

Matters in Confidence By appointment. Fr. David (01226 370954) will be
available to hear about any matter in confidence.

Pastoral Services Please contact the Team Clergy at any time, day or night,
if someone is ill and requires the ministry of a priest.

01226 762481 0114 288 3169

Dysonfuneralservice.co.uk

38

The Parish Clerk

Christian Burial & Cremation

‘BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE’

The book is displayed in the chancel
window at St. John’s Church in

Penistone and is visible through the
window from the footpath.

If you would like your loved one's name
entered in our

‘Book Of Remembrance’ forms will be
available from St. John’s Church

on weekday mornings when the church
reopens (01226 370006)
Amount Payable: £10.00

39

40

41

www.theycantalk.com Holy Humour

42

Have something to share?

The Bridge is open to contributions of
articles, recipes, photographs, reflections,

prayers and information from all.
If you have something you would like to
share, in 600 words or less, please send it

in Word format to
[email protected] and it may

feature in a future magazine!

43

October Solution
44

Across
1 ‘The Lord Jesus... took bread, and when He had given — , he broke it’ (1 Corin-

thians 11:24) (6)
4 ‘He has taken me to the banquet hall, and His — over me is love’ (Song of Songs

2:4) (6)

8 Surrey town that hosts the National Christian Resources Exhibition (5)

9 Also known as Abednego (Daniel 1:7) (7)

10 Liken (Isaiah 40:18) (7)

11 A son of Etam, descendant of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:3) (5)
12 A part of the temple where the blood of a young bull was to be smeared

(Ezekiel 45:19) (9)
17 ‘They make many promises, take false — and make agreements’ (Hosea 10:4)

(5)
19 Roman province to which Paul returned after evangelizing it on his first mission-

ary journey (Acts 16:6) (7)

21 Material used to make baby Moses’ basket (Exodus 2:3) (7)

22 ‘And feeble as — , in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail’ (5)
23 ‘The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep — to his

voice’ (John10:3) (6)
24 Stalk carrying the sponge of wine vinegar given to Christ on the cross (John

19:29) (6)

Down
1 Elijah dug one round the altar he built on Mount Carmel and filled it with water

(1 Kings 18:32) (6)
2 ‘I am not — of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of

everyone who believes’ (Romans 1:16) (7)

3 Buddhist term relating to belief in reincarnation (5)
5 Damascus disciple who, at God’s command, restored the sight of the blinded

Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:12) (7)

6 and 16 Horses: their sound (Jeremiah 50:11) (5) and their gait (Joel 2:4) (6)

7 A three (anag.) (6)

9 Athenian council addressed memorably by Paul (Acts 17:22) (9)

13 Abide by (Galatians 3:5) (7)

14 Persian princes (Daniel 3:2) (7)

15 Force (Galatians 6:12) (6)

16 See 6 Down (6)

18 Paste (anag.) (5) 45
20 How the cedars of Lebanon are described (Isaiah 2:13) (5)

Team Rector The Rev’d David Hopkin 370954
Curate The Rev’d Jo Twigg 079565 14756
Assistant Priests 01226 210479
The Rev’d Anne Parr
Readers The Rev'd Peter Rivett 764490
The Rev’d Dr Ian Wallis 765829
The Rev’d Malcolm Reed 893407
Margaret Crossland 370006
763260

Phyllis Frankland 766104

Prof. Steve Moyise 805815

Susan Rivett 765829

Jane Roberts 765141

Administrator Office Mon, Wed, Thur (9:15 - 1:15) 370006
Churchwardens
Maureen Faxon (Penistone) 765383
PCC Honorary Secretaries
PCC Minute Secretary David Johnson (Penistone) 763943
Electoral Roll Officers
PCC Treasurers Maggie Stubbs (Penistone) 761830

Margaret Crossland (Thurlstone) 763260

Sharon Unsworth (Thurlstone) 765531

David Johnson (Penistone) 763943

Margaret Crossland (Thurlstone) 763260

Sharon Unsworth (Thurlstone) 765531

Janet Lees (Penistone) 07887 612252

Alan Shelbourn (Penistone) 762863

Len Collett (Thurlstone) 762973

Alan Shelbourn (Penistone) 762863

John Hey (Thurlstone) 764286

Covenants and Gift Aid Ian & Joanne Corbridge (Penistone) 765688

John Barden (Thurlstone) 765043

Friends of St John’s Church Steve Lavender (Chairman) 765820

Magazine Editor Dr Louise McInnes 07966 785176

St. John's Primary School Headteacher: Antoinette Drinkhill 762496
Organist
Bell Ringing (Penistone) John Lister 766601
Flower Arrangers
Alan Shelbourn 07821 637898
Mothers Union
Vacant (Penistone)
Team Safeguarding Officer
Asst. Safeguarding Officer Barbara Green (Thurlstone) 766390
Family Church (Penistone)
Children @ Church (Th) Margaret Dyson (Penistone) 762703
Hall Bookings (Oxspring)
Children’s Society Committee (Thurlstone)

Phone: Barbara 766390 or Heather 767137

Maggie Stubbs 761830

Revd William Shaw 07774 166106

Maureen Faxon 765383

Bethan Hopkin 370954

Margaret Bramall 764333

Carolyn Shelbourn (Penistone) 762863

Eileen Hey (Thurlstone) 764286

46

47

December Magazine Contributions

Please send any news, articles or information to be
included in the December edition of The Bridge to:

[email protected]

Articles should be no more than 600 words and
submitted as a word document.

48