St Luke's Children's Activity Week 2010

Captain Tempest invites you to join him on board the space ship Discovery to blast off on a summer adventure...

Mission Discovery!

It's FUN, FREE and for EVERYONE aged 4 to 11 years!

… it’s nearly time for this year’s St Luke’s ACTIVITY WEEK... Monday 23rd to Thursday 26th August, 9.30am - 12.30pm in St Luke’s Church Hall...

Places are limited – so please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Booking on Friday 20th August between 5.00pm and 6.30pm
in St Luke’s Church Hall

Jesus (Mike Tyler) moves to heal the severed ear of the High Priest's servant Malchus (James Tyler) [click to enlarge]

Choir and cast at the end of each performance [click to enlarge]

'The Agony and the Betrayal' -
St Luke's in the 2010 York Mystery Plays

St Luke's made its fifth appearance in the four-yearly cycle of the York Mystery Plays, bringing forth 'The Agony and the Betrayal' in association with the York Company of Cordwainers on Sundays 11th and 18th July.

The mobile, waggon-based productions were revived in 1994 and St Luke's has been involved each time in recreating the mediaeval telling of the story of the Bible.

This year there were twelve plays produced by a variety of schools, student groups, churches and other groups, and each was performed four times on each of the two Sundays: in Dean's Park (west end of York Minster), College Green (east end of York Minster), St Sampson's Square and the Eye of York (11 July) or Museum Gardens (18 July).

As ever, it entailed a huge effort by many members of the church: from the burly waggon-pushers who manhandled the set around the streets to those who made costumes; and from actors to singers and set-builders.

In particular thanks are due to director Mark Reilly, musical director Helen Warry, wardrobe mistress Majorie Sharp and set builders Mark Comer and Paul Smith.

Bring on 2014!

Steve home in York

He's back... St Luke's Vicar Steve Benford arrived home from Haiti on Sunday 4th July after meeting up with Lorraine in New York.

Reading his blog (see link left) we can work out that he's probably tired, a bit thinner and maybe still on the mend... but it'll be good to see him when he plans to return to church next weekend.

Thanks be to God for Steve's safe journeys; for the great work he did in Haiti; for those who took such good care of him there; and to all who put their health and safety on the line to help people in distress, wherever they may be.

Homeward Bound: Steve Benford leaves Haiti

Not much to report, but that Steve has set off on his long journey home from Haiti, where our Vicar has been working for six weeks as an anaesthetist in a voluntary surgical team bringing some much-needed relief to the earthquake-stricken country.

There's the hair-raising road journey back into the neighbouring Dominican Republic; then a flight to New York where Steve will meet up with Lorraine for an overnight rest; and then back across the Atlantic to York.

We thank God that Steve's health has improved and that he's on his way home, and pray for safe travelling for him, Lorraine, and the other members of his team in Haiti as they return to their regular lives.

The Reverend James Rosie outside the Minster

James is at the right hand end of the second row, with a candle coming out of his head

James Rosie ordained Deacon

James Rosie, a member of St Luke's for some years before he began his training for ordination, was ordained Deacon by the Archbishop of York in York Minster on Sunday 27th June.

He will serve as Curate in the parish of St Alban, Hull.

As a deacon, James will support the ministry of his Vicar, help lead worship and preach the Gospel.

We give thanks for James' vocation; for his commitment in following it; for his friendship while he was at St Luke's, and we ask God richly to bless both James himself and all those in his new parish for whom he will pray.

James is not one to seek the limelight... but here he is in the Sunnydene Players' 2008 production of 'Return to the Forbidden Planet'

Boarding for Port au Prince

Up and about: Steve Benford visits Port au Prince

The fever that struck Steve, St Luke's Vicar who is currently working in Haiti as a volunteer anaesthetist, has let up enough to let Steve visit the nation's earthquake-struck capital, Port au Prince.

Lorraine Benford says Steve is still not in great shape, but steadily improving, and beginning to plan hos journey home over the first weekend of July.

He's been able to update his blog (use the button on the left to read it) and reports that on Saturday last he flew with friends to Port-au-Prince to see for himself the devastation caused on the 12th January, which led to the need for the medical help of which Steve is himself a part.

The visit was obviously moving and disturbing, and we look forward to hearing more about it to inform our prayers when Steve is safely home.

In the meantime, we continue to pray for Steve and the work he's doing; for Lorraine and the rest of the family; for the people of Haiti and particularly for those Steve meets, whether as patients, colleagues or friends

Steve recovering with the intravenous drip he stuck into himself

Steve at work with fellow anaesthetists at the St Justinien Hospital, Cap Haitien

Steve poorly, but on the mend

St Luke's Vicar Steve Benford, currently working as an anaesthetist in Haiti as part of a voluntary surgical team, was laid low last week with a nasty fever.

Surrounded by caring doctors and nurses, Steve's condition was believed to be either Malaria - unlikely because he had been taking anti-malaria drugs - or insect-borne Dengue Fever.

Wisely he took to his bed and accepted the care of those around him, although he has wrestled with his belief that he is in Haiti to give care rather than receive it.

But this has been one of those times when you just have to accept what's happening and thank God for it, and after the unusual experience of inserting a drip in himself, Steve is beginning to feel better.

We at St Luke's continue to pray for Steve; to give thanks for his recovery and for those who have looked after him so well; for all those he meets through the work he is determined to get back to; and for Lorraine and the family back home who have been worried for him.

Trevor Gant baptises Reece in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Pleased to meet you...

Baptism of Reece Andrew Stephenson

Trinity Sunday, 30th May, was a great day for Reece Stephenson to be baptised at St Luke's.

Christian baptism is a way of welcoming someone into the family of the church in the name of the Trinity - one God in three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

And Trinity Sunday is the day of the year on which we celebrate the mystery of God in three persons, so that Reece's baptism became a special sign of the wonderful character of God.

We pray for Reece, mum Lynne and dad Philip, and all his family as he sets off on his journey through life, and hope we'll see them all again soon.

Steve's Blog - click the picture to go there

Read Steve's Blog!

St Luke's intrepid vicar, Steve Benford, currently a week into his six-week stint working as a doctor in earthquake-stricken Haiti, has launched a 'blog' (that's short for 'web log' - a sort of online diary).

Steve has found an internet café, where he is able to get his thoughts down in writing, so we can keep up with what he's doing.

Steve Benford's haircut for Haiti

"Nothing like living in York"

Steve has made it to an internet café (his first ever!) in Haiti:

"Things over here, surprisingly enough, are nothing like living in York...

"V grateful for everyone's support and prayers. So much to do here and so much thinking to do. V hard to really take it all in. But friendly welcome, and unlikely to be coming home any slimmer!!

"Feel much loved from every angle!!!"

Steve Benford's journey to Haiti

The Eagle has landed!

Lorraine Benford reports that Steve has arrived.

He flew out from the UK to New York early on Pentecost Sunday, the 23rd May, and was due to fly onward to the Dominican Republic before making a road journey across the border into Haiti.

He will be working as an anaesthetist with a voluntary surgical team in a hospital at Cap-Haitien, dealing with injuries caused by the 12 January earthquake and never treated properly - if at all.

In the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit

With parents and godparents

Baptism of Matthew Warry

Sunday 16th May 2010 was a big day for one of St Luke's newest members.

Even the Vicar knows it's TEN O'CLOCK!

The Ten O'clock News

Ten o'clock is the time of St Luke's celebration Parish Eucharist this Easter Day, Sunday 4th April 2010, and ten o'clock is the time of our regular Sunday Parish Eucharist every week from now on.

If you're one of those who has come to St Luke's to worship God at half past nine on Sunday morning for many years or even many decades, you're still welcome to come along at any time from about eight o'clock in the morning when the church is opened up, but the service will now get under way at ten o'clock.

The change is to make a slightly kinder start to Sunday for those who struggle to escape from their bed, or of course to make life easier for those who need to walk the dog, work out in the gym or whatever.

So don't forget! Ten o'clock it is at St Luke's, this Easter Day and every Sunday from now on!

The times, they are a-changing...

Vicar of St Luke's, Steve Benford, writes this Easter:

Times they are a changing...

… so the balled penned by Bob Dylan seems to want to remind us. And although in slightly less than the radical manner of the protest singers of the 60s, the times they are a-changing at St Luke’s – our morning worship is going to start at 10:00am from Easter Sunday (4th April).

But for Christians, our distinctiveness – that which sets us apart from others – is our relationship with Jesus Christ. To be a Christian is not being born in a Christian land, or being a good person, or going to church… it’s much more about recognising Jesus Christ as being the ultimate expression and revelation of God’s love for us, and then responding to that love. In the days leading up to Easter, the season of Lent, the church remembers what happened to Jesus Christ – how his message of God’s love and acceptance and forgiveness was ignored and rejected; and how Jesus himself was killed.

Only God didn’t leave it that way…

… and in the ultimate expression of protest songs – God does away with cruel inevitability of death, and brings to each one of us the hope of resurrection to eternal life. Jesus raised from the dead shows us this reality, and brings with it the promise of forgiveness and a new life starting right now. Times they are a-changing! Come and celebrate this at Easter.

Haiti

Healing hands from York to Haiti

St Luke's Vicar, Steve Benford, who is also a doctor working two days a week as an anaesthetist at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, is about to play a part in the ongoing relief effort in Haiti.

Haiti hit the news on the 12 January when a huge earthquake devastated the nation's capital, Port-au-Prince, killing a quarter of a million people, injuring three hundred thousand, and making a million homeless.

A doctor friend of Steve's from New Zealand asked him if he knew any anaesthetists who might join a surgical team being organised by Haiti-based nurse Robyn Couper, going to help out as volunteers at a hospital in the north of the country for six weeks from May to July.

The only one Steve could think of was himself: "it seemed to be a question directed straight at me." He leaves on the 23rd May and returns to York on the 4th July.

He'll be based in the northern city of Cap-Haitien, about 150 miles from the ruined capital, at the Hospital Justinien, which is the nearest undamaged hospital of any size to the earthquake zone.

Steve's team will be mainly working on the ongoing care of people with broken bones and joints, many of whose injuries could not be properly treated straight after the earthquake.

Talking about the adventure to come, Steve describes himself as "naturally a fearful person" but says his main worry on getting to Haiti is being held up by petty red tape when there is so much help needed. He's also "not keen on the idea of being kidnapped!"

It's the idea of being able to do some real good that inspires Steve. He will give anaesthetics himself, but since the Justinien is a teaching hospital he hopes to be able to pass on some of his skills while he's there.

Asked how we should pray to support him, Steve said, "For safe journeys (I fly to New York, then to the Dominican republic, and drive into Haiti). That my paperwork and qualifications are recognised and accepted. That I keep well (typhoid and malaria are very common). That we are able to help the people over there - both the injured and the health workers. That I am able to cope with the conditions. That we see God move in power. And that in the busy-ness I am able to stay close to God."

And did those feet?

Vicar puts his Feet in Metric Maundy controversy

St Luke's Vicar, Steve Benford, is looking for sponsors for a fund-raising walk from Inchcolm to Mile End this Maundy Thursday morning in aid of the Campaign for Real Imperial Non-metric General Ecclesiology.

St Luke's is one of many Church of England parishes including foot-washing in its Maundy Thursday services, in defiance of the recent General Synod resolution that churches should move to "metre-washing".

"It is sad that the Synod wants to abandon centuries of tradition for reasons of trendy modernity," says Steve. "I can't fathom why they want to break the chain, and I can't see that this change will last furlong. It certainly won't be in our back yard - not within a mile of St Luke's."

CRINGE Chairman and Archdeacon Emeritus of Gridlington, the Ven Armitage Shanks, adds, "The Church of England seems to have forgotten its debt to Bible Translator Miles Coverdale or the thrill of William Blake's "And did those feet...". The General Synod's call for 'Metre-Washing' services on Maundy Thursday is simply incholerable."

Steve Benford's walk should ensure his feet will be well worth washing at St Luke's evening service. Those wishing to sponsor him should make a donation to the good cause of their choice.

News Archive