St Edith, Bishop WIlton

In recent years services have been established that suit the whole parish of St Edith’s. On the first Sunday of the month, we have a said Holy Communion at 8am; on the second Sunday there is an 11.15am Holy Communion. Worship has been enhanced and developed to include a popular family service at 10.15am, usually on the last Sunday of the month. We recognise that this pattern could change in future but we would like family services to remain a regular feature of our worship.

The church hosts the annual Remembrance Day service and an Advent Procession. The church receives many visitors annually and we usually have two or three weddings a year.

Bishop Wilton schoolchildren at a service in St Edith’s church. The school holds at least one service a term in the church, to which parents and village residents are invited. The children’s behaviour is always exemplary!

Bishop Wilton is one of the larger parishes in the benefice. We are fortunate that the village is supportive of the church whether or not people attend services. We have a team of regular cleaners, gardeners and flower arrangers. PCC members are often involved in other groups, including the community shop, the WI, and the village hall.

St Edith’s has two churchwardens and a thriving PCC. The church continually raises funds, both through regular activities, such as the annual Christmas bazaar, and special one-off events. In recent years the PCC has, under the leadership of the churchwardens, held an extremely successful flower festival and two well-attended socials at the village hall.

While Lent is a time for serious reflection, it can be punctuated by joyful moments too. Our Mothering Day services are occasions when the community comes together to thank God for our mothers.

The PCC has created strong links to the community. The Beck & Bells project combined the restoration of the historically important church bells with a heritage weekend and the publication of A Local History of Bishop Wilton, a collection of articles first published by the Bishop Wilton Local History Group. The project encouraged children and adults to explore the heritage of the church and village, including the beck. To hear, see and ring the restored bells has brought great pleasure. We created an eye-catching permanent display in the church, with a screen for specially-made films that can also be seen on the Garrowby Churches website.

The project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Church Care supported the bells restoration.

Beck and Bells was a year-long project and featuring a Heritage Weekend, a book launch, the restoration of the church bells and participation by people of all ages.

Confirmation and Baptism: our work with young families and children is one of our biggest priorities, with Confirmation being both an important step for young people and a chance for the church community to celebrate with them.

A garden party at the rectory was a great opportunity for the community to get to know each other better. Residents of the whole benefice were invited, new friendships created and relationships deepened.

Posters advertising two major events. Pimms and Pudding was the main fundraiser for 2024. Held in Bishop Wilton Hall, and featuring entertainment by a local band, it was an enjoyable occasion.


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