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The Curate’s Letter

2018 is an unusual year because for the first timesince 1956 Ash Wednesday was on Valentine’s Dayand Easter Day on April Fool’s Day.

There may have seemed a conflict over celebratingAsh Wednesday on Valentine’s Day, however it gaveus an awareness of the cost of God’s love for us inJesus’ death on the cross as we began our journeythrough Lent.

As we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Day, itmay be April Fool’s Day but the meaning of Easter isno joke. No-one was able to play a prank and removeJesus’ body from the tomb. The disciples were tooupset and frightened to even contemplate such a thing.

The appearances of Jesus during the time before heascended into heaven were no joke either. Jesusappeared so that he could encourage his followers toshare the Good News that he had risen. Jesus’resurrection brought hope, forgiveness and a joy.

As we journey on through the Easter season may weknow the joy of Jesus Christ’s forgiveness, whichbrings hope for our lives and the promise of eternal life.

Alleluia! Christ has risen.

Happy Eastertime.

Christine

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Bridlington Priory Church

A.P.C.M.

(Annual Parochial Church Meeting)and

Election of Churchwardens

On Thursday 19 April 2018

In The Church Rooms

Commencing at 7.30 p.m.

All Welcome

Forms for election as Churchwarden or PCCrepresentative are available from theChurchwardens.

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Priory Ladies Group

At our meeting in February we were introduced to REIKI. Our speaker Helen told us about REIKI which is either a self-treatment or hands-on treatment. Different parts of our body are associated with, for example, fear, anger, love, self-expression such as art, singing and dance and euphoria. Some of the ladies volunteered for a hands-on experience and whilst this was happening complete silence filled the room. It was quite obvious that we all need to 'chill out' every so often to compensate for our busy daily lives.

John Wood came to the March 6th meeting and we were given a whirlwind video of Avril and John's holiday of 40 days visiting Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Bankok. Beautiful scenery, animals found in the different countries, temperatures varying from 120° down to 40°, live shows with native singing and dancing and in Thailand a visit to the floating market. It was a holiday never to be forgotten.

Betty Cousins

SUMMER FAYRE – SATURDAY 16 JUNE 2018

There will be a meeting for all people who would like to offertheir services to help run this year’s summer fayre, onTuesday 10 April at 5.30 pm in the Church Office. If youcannot attend on that occasion but are willing to help pleaseget in touch with David Watson (670878).

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COPY DATEfor the May magazine is 2 April

Please send copy to the Priory Officeusing e-mail if possible

(priorymagazine@talktalk.net)Any articles received after this date

may not be included.

● Jesus' appearances after His Resurrection

The following list of witnesses may help you put all those references in order….

Mary Magdalene Mark 16:9-11; John 20:10-18Other women at the tomb Matthew 28:8-10Peter in Jerusalem Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5The two travellers on the road Mark 16:12,1310 disciples behind closed doors Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-2511 disciples WITH Thomas John 20:26-31; 1 Corinthians 15:57 disciples while fishing John 21:1-1411 disciples on the mountain Matthew 28:16-20A crowd of 500 1 Corinthians 15:6Jesus' brother - James 1 Corinthians 15:7Those who saw the Ascension Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8

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QUALITY REMOVALS FOR 80 YEARS

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CarsBoatsCaravansBike Seats

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PAUL ADAMS JOINERY

Time Served Joiner with over 30 years experience.

All aspects of joinery work and property repairs undertaken.

For Free Quotation contact Paul

Tel: (01262) 603154MOB: 07805 283393

EMAIL Pauladamsjoinery@aol.com

WAKEFIELD SCULPTURE PARK

Bridlington Deanery Mothers’ Union are organising a day trip to the award-winning Sculpture Park in Wakefield for THURSDAY 14 JUNE. A coach will leave the Priory at 9.00 a.m. and will return by 6.00 p.m. The cost for the coach is £15.00 per person. Admission to the sculpture park is free.

This trip is OPEN TO EVERYONE. If you would like to book a place please contact Anne Pearson (01262 424332) before 4 May, so that detailed arrangements can be confirmed.

Anne Pearson

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Choir Notes

Germany 2018

Fundraising for the Choir’s tour to Germany next Summer is wellunderway, and at the time of writing we are close to £5,000 towards our£8,500 target. Thank you to all those who have supported ourfundraising recently:

Thanks to Yvonne Kurvits for hosting a Coffee Morning onSaturday 10th February which raised £238.

A Bingo and Beetle Drive (with Pea and Pie Supper) on Saturday24th February was well attended and raised £425.

Thanks to those who supported the Flash Dance Raffle (withtickets to the Spa show), this raised £105.

There are more events planned in the coming weeks: On Saturday 21st April, there will be a fun Wine Tasting Quiz

Evening in the Church rooms at 7pm, called “Would I Wine toYou?” In teams, the idea will be to match a variety of red andwhite wines to the correct description, in the vein of ‘Call MyBluff’. Tickets are to be £10, which includes a light supper.Tickets will be on sale from the Choir Committee or at the end ofSunday Services – join in the fun!

The choir will be collecting coins in Smarties Tubes (the Smartiesare free!) from Easter onwards, there may be some spare onEaster Day if you’d like to join in and help collect any loosechange!

On Saturday 28th April there will be a Coffee Morning in theChurch Rooms from 10am-12 Noon. Tickets will be available indue course, they cost £1.50 (no charge for children), or you canpay at the door. Join us for a Chocolate Tombola, Cake andProduce, Books, Plants, Toys and Games, Raffle, Bric-a-Brac,Refreshments, etc.

On Sunday 29th April, Jean Fowler and Mike Leeson will be cooking aspecial Sunday Lunch in the Church Rooms at 12.30pm. All proceedsof this event will be for our Germany Fund. We hope you will be able tojoin us – please put the date in your diary. There will be 3 courses or£12 for 2 courses (£9/£7 for children). There will be a choice of 3 maincourses, including a vegetarian option, and a choice of starters andpuddings. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are included. You are welcome tobring your own alcoholic drinks. There will be a clip board at the back ofchurch from the start of April with the full menu and sign-up sheet.

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Other Events and Special Services

On Saturday 27th January the boys enjoyed a visit to ‘The Forum’in Bridlington for an afternoon of Bowling and Tea.

On Saturday 24th March choir members and their families andfriends were invited to attend a Family Film & Pizza Night to helpraise money for this summer’s trip to Germany. The eveningincluded a selection of pizzas, tea, coffee and soft drinks as wellas popcorn and ice-cream.

On Sunday 18th March (Passion Sunday) the Choir sang Faure’sRequiem in a liturgical setting of Music and Reading forPassiontide.

The choir attended the Great Gale Service, which this year washeld on Sunday 11th February at the new boat house. OnSaturday 21st April the choir will be joining the RNLI for a Blessingof the New Lifeboat and Lifeboat House at 1pm at the new BoatHouse.

Note from the Belfry

We managed to receive our ropes with new Sallies and Tail Ends in time to hang them and bless themfor the return to the Priory on Sunday 4 March. This was possible due to a generous bequest from a friend of the Priory. We are now in the process of sourcing new stays – the wooden bit that breaks when we get it wrong – from the money we will receive from the Co-op. If you are a Co-op member please support us by selecting Bridlington Priory Tower Bellringers as your local Charity.

Roger

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● When guitars meet MatinsThe RectorySt James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren

It was kind of you to send your music group to us last Sunday morning while our choir had a Sunday off for its celebratory lunch. Miss Timmins' ninety-fourth birthday brought the combined choir's age to 1,000; which is quite a distinction for twelve people. Clearly, a Sunday commitment to 'Hymns Ancient & Modern', consumption of industrial quantities of peppermints and pleasant naps during sermons has a positive effect on longevity.

I had rather looked forward to hearing some Bach motets from your group, but now have learned that guitars, drums and choral Matins is not a marriage made in heaven. All your group lacked was a drum majorette leading the procession up the aisle.

It was quite obvious the music was going to be a little different when I arrived to see that the lectern, Lady Tadcaster's flower arrangement and the verger had all disappeared behind an amplifier. The only person not disconcerted by this was the verger, who realised it presented an excellent opportunity to do the crossword unobserved during Divine Worship.

Your display of the hymns on a screen was well intended, but did the screen have to be in front of the pulpit? I had to balance on several kneelers to be seen over it, and throughout the sermon could only think of how to look dignified should the whole pile collapse mid-sentence. The lack of hymn books also terrified the congregation - they had nothing to hold, and so resorted to clutching Kleenex or the pew in front of them.

But the worst moment was when the group gave its 'solo number'. (Couldn't it have been called an 'anthem'?) Half way through, dear Mrs Ffitch, who has always been somewhat excitable, felt called to do a spontaneous religious dance down the aisle. The congregation froze in horror. We all avoided catching her eye after the Service, but what do we say when we see her in the village tomorrow morning? Best to simply stay indoors for a few days.

Perhaps your music group could visit us again for our choir's 2000th anniversary - which I suspect it will consist of the same people, as they are all tenacious of note, opinion and age.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

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● But who do you say I am?

A teacher, a good man, a story tellerAll of these things people will say,A prophet who spoke of heavenly thingsBut upsetting the religious men of His day?

He healed so many, raised the deadEasy to see how these tales would grow,Walking on water, stilling the storm?These are just stories of long ago!

He loved little children, was friend of the sinner,So many kindnesses He would do,And then He said He was one with the Father,Delusions of grandeur, this could not be true.

He said He would die and rise again,He said He had come to seek the lost,He'd come from the Glory and was going home,This sounds like a mad man - or else He is God!

By Megan Carter

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● From the vicar

'Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.' (2 Timothy 2:8).

This month we remember the story of St George defeating the dragon. Although this is the stuff of legend, we face our own dragons today. We are engaged in a spiritual battle against the powers of sin, Satan and death. In this Easter season, we remember that the great battle has been won. By His cross and resurrection, Jesus secured the victory over sin, Satan and death. The resurrection is the proof that they are no longer too powerful to resist. 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory?' (1 Cor 15:54,55). Where is your power, dragon?

The story is told of a village in India, terrorised by a great bear looking for food each night. Eventually, the villagers decided to take action, and tracked down the bear to his cave. One man, stronger and braver than the rest, ventured into the dark cave. The villagers outside could hear nothing; eventually they heard a loud shrieking cry and then silence. They waited to see what had happened. Finally, the man emerged from the dark cave victorious! The bear was dead and the villagers were safe.

The victory was won deep within the cave. They could only be confident and celebrate when the champion emerged. For us, this happened when Jesus rose from the grave. The finality of death is no more and the power of sin and Satan no longer controls us. The devil, the biggest dragon, is helpless to prevent Jesus taking us home.

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WANSFORD-SKERNE CIRCULAR

Leaving Bridlington on the A614 Driffield road, travel as far as theNafferton roundabout, and turn left into the village. Follow alongthe main street round the twists and bends passing the Church toyour right and the Mere to your left, onwards over the levelcrossings and onto Wansford. On reaching the ‘T’ junction andmini-roundabout, turn left and immediately over to your right andpark on the lay-by alongside the Lock Gates. Your walk startshere.

Walk to your left keeping the canal to your right until arriving atChapel Lane just before the Trout Inn, here cross over the roadand pass over two bridges. Having crossed the second bridgeturn left through a small hand gate and walk ahead keeping thetrout stream to your left. Soon a dyke joins the path to your right.Follow along the side of this dyke to a metal farm gate and herewalk on the narrow path between the fence and the dyke untilreaching a narrow bridge with handrails, (Treat With Care), andtwo way mark arrows, crossing over the dyke to your right. Crossover this bridge and turn immediately left keeping the hedge toyour left, follow to the corner of the field turning right, still keepingthe hedge to your left. Walk straight ahead until reaching a stile toyour left, here pass over the stile and head towards a second stile,go over this and head towards the farm buildings to your front.(This stretch of path could be muddy). At the time of writing therewas approximately 150 deer in this field which at the time wascovered in snow ‘what a sight’.

As you approach the farm buildings, head for the white farm housekeeping to the farm road, this is Copper Hall Farm. At the ‘T’junction turn right passing through a row of tall trees, the farm roadthen turns left. Follow to the next bend (DO NOT walk ahead asper the way mark arrow on the electric pole), but turn right keepingto the farm road. Follow this road passing a planting to your leftuntil you reach Church Farm on your left and soon the village ofSkerne. At the ‘T’ junction turn right to follow the country road untilpassing over the two bridges once more, to turn left and return towhere your walk started.

This is a flat walk on public paths and country lanes.

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O/S Explorer Map 295 Starting Ref:- 063 562 Distance 5½ miles Time 2½ hours

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● A Christian Pioneer for Women

During this year's celebration of 'votes for women' - well, some women, to start with - a hundred years ago, the BBC ran a public poll to nominate the one woman who had made 'the most difference'.

People were nominated from different sectors of society - the arts, business, fashion, politics and so on - but unless I missed it there was no nomination for such a revolutionary figure in the world of religion.

So let me nominate one: Catherine Bramwell Booth. She was the grand-daughter of William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, the first religious group to give women an equal role in leadership. Catherine was duly commissioned as an officer in the Army, rising to the rank of Commissioner - about the same as a bishop, I suppose.

In the sixties and seventies she became a media favourite, appearing on TV shows like Parkinson's and being voted 'Speaker of the Year' by the Guild of Toastmasters - although she, of course, was a life-long teetotaller. By then she was in her nineties, but still had an infectious sense of humour and an attractive media personality. All the while, though, she was committed to the Army's social and support work for women.

Three times she was nominated as General (archbishop, as one might say) of the Salvation Army, but she agreed that it would be wrong to appear to establish a Booth 'dynasty'. She lived to 104, long enough to see the arrival of women ministers in the Free Churches but ten years before Anglican women achieved it. William Booth had once said that 'some of my best men are women', which was, I suppose, a contemporary way of saying that they were equals. Actually, the amazing Catherine Bramwell Booth outshone them all!

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In 2017 His Grace, the Archbishop of York visited Headlands School where he spoke to students, the majority of whomwere Religious Studies students. Many of the students asked him questions on various aspects of religion.

Each month one of the student's questions, and the response from the Archbishop will be published.

Below is the first of Archbishop Sentamu's responses to these many questions.

How does he view the Holy Trinity?

God is all three, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is thesource of life; Son and Holy Spirit come from the father. We learn about God through his Son who was human on earth, and we feel him now through the Holy Spirit. You should think of the Trinity as three separate things 1 + 1 + 1 = 3, instead think of it as 1 x 1 x 1 = 1. All parts of the Trinity are the same and equal.

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BRIDLINGTON PRIORY

ORGAN RECITALS 2018

Saturdays at 6.00 p.m.

April 28th COLIN WALSH (Lincoln Cathedral)

May 26th PHILIP MEADEN (Director, RCO)

June 30th MARTIN SETCHELL (International Concert Organist, New Zealand)

July 28th EDWARD TAYLOR (Carlisle Cathedral)

August 25th NATHAN LAUBE (International Concert Organist, USA) September 29th BENJ AMIN MORRIS (York Minster)

Tickets : £8 Season Tickets: £40

Under 18’s admitted free to all recitals Tickets available at the door For further information see: www.bridlingtonpriory.co.uk

Sponsored by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Martyn Coltman

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● St George and Hiccup and the dragon

Have you seen the film How to Train your Dragon? It's set in a Viking village under attack from dragons, who steal livestock and burn down houses. Hiccup, the village Chief's son, invents a machine to capture dragons. However, when he catches one of the most dangerous dragons, he cannot kill it, when he sees that the dragon is just as frightened as he is. Through this friendship, the people and dragons eventually live in harmony.

This month we celebrate St. George, the patron saint of England. He is famous for slaying a dragon, a tradition which became popular in the Middle Ages. Whether he killed an actual dragon is open to question! However, we do know that the original George was a Roman soldier at the time of Emperor Diocletian. He refused to renounce his faith, as commanded by the Emperor, resulting in his death on 23 April 303 AD.

The contrast is clear: St. George slayed the evil dragon, while Hiccup refused to kill one. However, they also have something important in common. Both acted according to their conscience, defying the popular understanding of those around them and not worrying about the personal cost to themselves. St. George was martyred for standing up for his faith in Jesus before a pagan emperor, while Hiccup risked rejection by his father and village because of his compassion.

Today, we are still called to stand for Christ against wrongs and injustice in daily life, whatever the personal cost. However, we also need to be ready to look our enemies in the eye and meet their hostility with love and compassion. This is why we also remember this month that Jesus died and rose again, so that we might have God's power to do this in our lives.

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● Prayer for faith and freedom

Almighty God,

Lord of life, we thank you for the life and death of Jesus. Most of all we thank you for His resurrection which changed the world and made it possible for us to know you as our loving, gracious Father.

Lord, when we feel locked in, imprisoned by fears and circumstances, help us to remember that locked doors mean nothing to you. You can set us free. You can help us. You give strength for today and tomorrow. You give us new life as your children, through faith in Jesus.

May we open our hearts to your help today; to receive from you the peace and power that we need - and then to share it.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

By Daphne Kitching

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● The road to Emmaus - one of the best short stories in the world

The story of the two disciples walking the road between Jerusalem and Emmaus on the first Easter day is 'one of the immortal short stories of the world' (W. Barclay). Their encounter with the risen Christ is also a model for how we can meet him in our lives. (You can find the story in Luke 24: 13 -35)

Hearts Opened. The disciples displayed 'downcast' faces (17), as their hearts were preoccupied with grief. They felt let down by God, as well as bewildered by all they had heard. No doubt their emotions prevented them from recognising Jesus walking with them, even though their hearts burned within them. Despite our feelings, Jesus is still with us in situations of loss or desolation, as well as when we feel let down by God or other people.

Minds Opened. Although this pair knew the Scriptures, they didn't understand what they said about the Christ. Therefore, Jesus opened their minds to make sense of the events they were experiencing. The Holy Spirit also brings God's word alive for us, as He challenges our preconceptions about Jesus.

Eyes Opened The couple only recognised Jesus when He broke the bread as they ate together. The turning point came when they invited Jesus into their home, and allowed Him to take charge. If we are to recognise Jesus' presence with us, we need to open our lives to Him. What part does Holy Communion play in this?

Open eyes, minds and hearts will lead to open mouths. Having discovered Jesus, the disciples can't keep the news to themselves. The Christian message is never truly ours until we have opened our mouths and shared it with others!

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Crossword Clues & Answers apr18

Across

1 ‘The baby in my — leaped for joy’ (Luke 1:44) (4) 3 A ‘don’tknow’ in matters of faith (8)9 In the distant past (Jeremiah 2:20) (4,3)10 Armada (1 Kings 10:22) (5)11 Where Moses was confronted with the burning bush (Exodus3:1) (5)12 Hair colour indicative of skin infection (Leviticus 13:30) (6)14 ‘The worries of this life and the — of wealth choke it, making itunfruitful’ (Matthew 13:22) (13)17 Expel (2 Kings 13:23) (6)19 What Jesus wrapped round his waist when he washed hisdisciples’ feet (John 13:4) (5)22 The sixth plague to afflict the Egyptians (Exodus 9:9) (5)23 For nine (anag.) (7)24 Where there is no time (Psalm 93:2) (8)25 Goliath’s challenge to the Israelite army in the Valley of Elah:‘This day I — the ranks of Israel!’ (1 Samuel 17:10) (4)

Down

1 ‘I will become angry with them and forsake them; I — — my facefrom them’ (Deuteronomy 31:17) (4,4)2 Usual description of prophets such as Amos, Hosea, Micah, andso on (5)4 ‘They cannot see the light of the gospel of the — — — , who isthe image of God’ (2 Corinthians 4:4) (5,2,6)5 An animal’s internal edible parts (Leviticus 4:11) (5)6 Popular 20th-century religious novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, whichbecame a 1953 film starring Richard Burton (3,4)7 ‘A — on a hill cannot be hidden’ (Matthew 5:14) (4)8 One of the exiles, a descendant of Bebai, who married a foreignwoman (Ezra 10:28) (6)13 Old Testament hymn-singing (8)15 ‘And O what transport of delight from thy pure — floweth’ (7)16 Of felt (anag.) (3,3)18 ‘So — the — sets you free, you will be free indeed’ (John 8:36)(2,3)20 Comes between ‘bad’ and ‘worst’ (John 5:14) (5)

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From the Registers

Baptisms

18 March 2018 Logan Kier Darrell Bryce and Edward George John Warley

Marriages

12 March 2018 Robert Ferguson-Cassie and Alison Smith

Funerals

6 March 2018 Betty Carter

16 March 2018 Terry JohnsonBetty Taylor

20 March 2018 Vera Boardman

29 March 2018 Herbert Marshall

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Services for April

Sunday 1 April- Easter Day8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)10.30 am Mattins (BCP) 6.30 pm Evensong (BCP)

Sunday 8 April- Second of Easter8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)10.30 am Sung Eucharist (CW)6.30 pm Evensong (BCP)

Sunday 15 April- Third of Easter8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)10.30 am Family Service12.15 pm Baptisms6.30 pm Evensong (BCP)

Sunday 22 April- Fourth of Easter8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP10.30 am Family Communion (CW)3.00 pm Messy Church6.30 pm Evensong (BCP)

Sunday 29 April- Fifth of Easter8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)10.30 am Parish Communion with Healing (CW)6.30 pm Evensong (BCP)

Prayer for healing is offered at the Sung Eucharist (morning and evening) and at Parish Communion services.

Weekday Services

Wednesday 11.30 am Holy Communion (BCP)Thursday 11.20 am Prayer for the Parish

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Groups & Activities (in Church Rooms unless otherwise stated)

Mothers’ Union 1st Tuesday, 2.00 pm (Faith Spink 675649)

Priory Ladies Group 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 7.30 pm (Anne Pearson 424332)

Bell ringers Tuesdays, 7.00 pm in Priory (Trish Fozzard, 604398)

Hand bell Ringers Wednesdays 7.30 pm (Evelyn Halford, 677458)

Priory Epiphany Contact (Yvonne Kurvits, 606954)

Rainbows Wednesdays, 5.45 pm (Emma Rudd, 07547 733889)

Brownies Thursdays, 6.15 pm (Laura Harrison, 07828 208112)

Guides Thursdays 7.30 pm (Jocelyn Barrett 07542248154)

Beavers Tuesdays, 5.45 pm (Janice Hardwick, 229664)

Cubs: Tuesdays, 6.30 pm (Michael Lupton, 07851 262971)

Scouts Tuesdays, 7.30 pm (Gary Trowbridge, 07931 950267)

Mothers & Toddlers Thursdays, 1.00–2.30 pm (Kerry Fawcett, 07717 475795)

Choir Practice Boys – Mondays 4.30 pm Fridays 6.30 pmAdults – Fridays 7.30 pm (Michael Smith, 670869)

Luncheon Club Wednesdays, 12.15 pm (Marion Lambert, 602191)

Priory Walking Club Last Monday of every month (Roger Fozzard 604398)

Man Talk First Monday of every month – 6.30 pm at the Bull and Sun (Alan Watters 674437)