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A large, Perpendicular Gothic church,
serving the
Parish of Thirsk in the Diocese of York
The Benefice of Thirsk
Rector: Rev Richard Rowling |
St Mary's Church Thirsk: Ark Clubs
'All Age Worship'10.15a.m. Service : This service is held on the second Sunday in the month or on some special Sundays. All age worship is usually planned by the Rector and Mothers of Ark Club and Little Ark Club children.
'All Age Worship' is a shorter service without Holy Communion(with the exception of Easter and other major festivals). The aim of 'All Age Worship' is to be child friendly.
Children are invited to sit near the front so they can more easily be involved. Some of the older children from the Ark Club do the readings and prayers and all the children are encouraged to participate in the service. They are certainly not expected 'to be seen and not heard!'
Rumour has it that some of the Mothers are going to be providing us with buns and cakes for the after- service fellowship and refreshment. | Little Ark Club :
The Little Ark Club meets in church each Tuesday morning during school term time. Parents/grandparents/carers with young children meet up with other families for fun and friendship. Sara Goodall and Natalie Greetham organise a rota for parents willing and able to set up the toys and activities. Jenny Hall and Sara take turns to lead the weekly singing sessions. Peggy Griffin is refreshment maker. Lesley McKenzie supports the group and is the Child Protection Officer.
Sessions are quite informal and attended by about 12 families on average with anywhere between 12 and 18 babies and toddlers.Whilst parents are required to take responsibility for their own children, there is shared interest and care.We constantly welcome newcomers to the group – people new to Thirsk, and new additions to families.
Do please come along and join us, or for further information contact one of the two parents who co-ordinate the group;
Sara Goodall: 526649; Natalie Greetham: 527877
The children have a range of toys to share and a dressing up box, which the older children particularly enjoy. Children are encouraged to sit down for a few minutes at snack time to minimise mess and straying cups. Adults enjoy a coffee or tea and a chat. The cost of refreshments is covered by the suggested donation of £1 per family. There is a routine search for hidden Tiger and Monkey, followed by singing accompanied on percussion instruments in the Lady Chapel.On birthdays children are sung to and receive a small gift.
Visitors frequently comment on the pleasure of seeing so many young children in church at once, playing happily and making good use of the building. | Ark Club Report : The Ark Club has continued to meet during the morning service school term. Numbers as usual fluctuate, as do ages so the challenge keep everyone amused continues. Last year we were able to complete our project on the life of Jesus through stories and art work. We have worked on different stories through the Autumn before concentrating on the Christmas play ‘The Bethlehem Challenge’. This term we started the story of Moses, which will take some time as it is such a long story. We look forward to bringing some of our work upstairs to display.
We have had a couple of social events – our picnic in September and Epiphany party in January.
Our fund-raising events have consisted of selling bulbs for Mothering Sunday and the alternative Advent calendar at Christmas. The £50 we raised from the bulbs was sent to ‘The Friends of Mettupalayan Trust’ to support their work in South India. They kindly sent a letter and photos explaining how they had spent the money for the children to see. They have also offered to come and speak to us and show us the pictures which we hope to do later in the year. The money from the calendar has been spent on 30 school kits, a brood of chickens and 1,000 saplings through the presents scheme of Christian Aid. A donation was also sent to ‘Spurgeons’, a children’s charity in this country, as our Christmas play was written using a story they provided plus a book for all the children.
Thank you to everyone who supports us. We look forward to another year and hope a few more children join us.
This report was produced for the Annual Parochial Church meeting by Tracey Taylor. | Little Ark Club (LAC) : LAC, according to Lesley McKenzie, had lots of fun on Tuesday 13th July morning at Sowerby park. Everyone had a great time playing followed by a morning picnic. Sara was busy taking photos - so we may see some in church. It was Sara & Natalie’s last session so a little thankyou token was presented to them. LAC met in church Tuesday 20 July for the last session before the holidays.
First Aid Course
On Wednesday 28th July Stephen Smith, one of the parents from Little Ark Club and a professional First Aid Trainer, is putting on a course in the crypt from 9.30 to 12.30. If you are interested in attending (whether you know very little first aid or you want to update your skills) please contact Lesley McKenzie 01609 761161.
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