The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way.
If you are engaged to be married and looking for a church to be married in, then congratulations! A wedding is one of life's great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy.
If someone you know and love has died, a funeral led by a Church of England minister can be held in church, in a churchyard, by a graveside, or at a crematorium. The minister will be there to support you every step of the way.
A view from the rectory!
The biggest change in my lifetime has surely been the arrival of the internet. I use it every day now—to keep in touch with people, watch films, listen to music, look things up, book tickets, bank and share news and thoughts.
My father was a university math's lecturer, and I still remember going to his office at Sheffield University in the early 1990s and seeing him demonstrate an early version of what became Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s invention. At the time he was "speaking" to someone in the U.S.A., and it felt quite astonishing. Now I have family in Thailand and Hong Kong, and I can regularly speak to them and even see my grandchildren on a screen. When I stop to think about it, the progress has been quite remarkable.
And yet, for all its advantages, there is another side to it. Only yesterday, we were trying to change an address on an insurance policy. It was the sort of thing that would once have taken five minutes on the phone, but instead it took us the best part of an hour online.
The same happened when we were due to go to the theatre and the performance was cancelled and moved to a date that did not suit us. Once again, a quick phone call to the box office would have put things right. Instead, our only route is through the internet, and it is proving very difficult to change our tickets!
Up until recently so much communication happened face to face. People spoke with one another, shared their thoughts in the same room, and simply enjoyed being together. In truth, that is still what many of us value most: being with others, talking, listening, and feeling part of a shared life. For all the wonders of the internet, it still cannot put a hand on a shoulder, offer real comfort, or show love in the way a person can.
That said, the churches here do have this website.
May I warmly encourage you to bookmark it and visit it from time to time?
You will find histories and guidebooks for each of our churches there, which may be especially helpful if you have visitors and would like to show them around.
It also includes up-to-date information about services and events.
There is also a growing collection of short tracts, each offering a simple introduction to one aspect of the Christian faith.
Rev. Michael Burley
Notices - The Future
We are looking at the best way to communicate with as many people as possible. Are you reading this? If you are, send an e-mail with the words “Garrowby Hill is the place to be!” to e-mail Michael.burley@btinternet.com. Any suggestions for getting our parish information to the widest possible audience is welcome.
Holiday and cover
Michael and Liz will be on leave from Friday 6th June until Friday 19th June Cover on the weekend of 5th June will be Rev. Val Hewetson. Cover for the weekend of 14th June will be Rev. Chris Wright We are incredibly grateful to them for their ministry and help.
Memorial for Canon Rodney Nicholson
There is going to be a memorial service for Canon Rodney on Saturday 25 July at 2pm at All Saints Pocklington. Rodney was greatly valued by us and helped during the interregnum
Garrowby Churches YouTube channel
There are no new broadcast services being produced at present.
However you can access past broadcast services by the link on broadcast-services menu item of this website or by going straight to the Garrowby Churches YouTube channel where you can link to a service or subscribe to the channel.
If you subscribe you will be advised of updates when they become available. https://www.youtube.com/@Garrowby
Follow us on Instagram @garrowbybenefice
The Rector
Revd Michael Burley: 07415 054353
email rector@garrowbychurches.com
Bishop Wilton
Jan Danby: 07955 535237
email jan@garrowbychurches.com
Susan Frost: 07908 826010
email susan@garrowbychurches.com
Bugthorpe
Verity Jarry: 07845 265953
email verity@garrowbychurches.com
Full Sutton
Adam Finlay: 07793 651403
email adam@garrowbychurches.com
Kirby Underdale
Lisa Cardy: 07724 068239
email lisa@garrowbychurches.com
Skirpenbeck
Sarah Braun: 07753 659542
email sarah@garrowbychurches.com
Since coming here, I have been writing a series of simple booklets on different aspects of the Christian faith. Each one is called Understanding Faith and explores a particular question about what we believe.
The hope is that these short guides, each no more than 24 pages, will offer a gentle starting point for anyone wanting to reflect more deeply on faith and what it means in everyday life.
At present, these booklets are available online through the Garrowby Churches website. Have a look at HERE
This week, a new booklet has been added — our fourth tract, titled: “How can we pray the Lord’s Prayer and mean it?”
Five more have already been written and will be made available over the coming months. In time, we hope that each church will also have printed copies of these “Garrowby Tracts” available. These will offer visitors and those who come into our churches something to take away — a simple guide to the Christian faith. Accompanying our wonderful church guides they will offer a lovely picture of our faith life.
Printing costs are significant, with 100 copies costing around £100 to produce. If anyone would like to support this small mission by sponsoring printed copies, I would be very glad to hear from you. Michael
Rev. Michael Burley
St Edith’s, Bishop Wilton
A huge thank you to everyone who attended the BBQ
next to the community shop in Bishop Wilton last Sunday. The raffle raised £170 for which we are very grateful. A huge thank you to Mark and Jan Danby, Susan Frost who sold tickets on a very hot day, thank you to everyone who contributed to the hampers.
Last chance to sponsor the Crooked Runners
Thanks to everyone who has signed up to raise money for St Edith's through easyfundraising. One of our valued supporters has They are running to sponsor the work of Cancer Research there can be hope that cancer treatments will continue to become more effective and so we feel privileged to be able to invite you to help us to make a difference again this year. You may donate using the link below or send a cheque to us at Crooked Cottage, Beck Row, Bugthorpe YO41 1QH or call round, the kettle is always on.
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/crooked-runners-race-for-life-327467630
Thank you Mike and Linda x
St Mary’s Skirpenbeck
Skirpenbeck Hog Roast Book this date in your diary: Saturday 27th June 2026. At 3.00 p.m. there will be a “FAMILY HOG ROAST” In the church yard of St. Mary’s Skirpenbeck
News from the pews!
Well, the daffodils have been and gone but the April showers remain! Greetings from Skirpenbeck. We enjoyed a lovely Easter service in April, followed by our traditional Easter Trail in the afternoon, with some real life Easter bunnies! The whole event raised a fantastic £330 so thank you for all who baked, helped and attended. Reverend Michael is settling in well and will continue our regular services for all at 10am on the first Sunday of the month – so services on 7th June and 5th July. Feel free to join us, there is always time for tea and cake and a chat after the services too!
Our village pub nights continue on the last Friday of each month. The next one will be the 29th May from 6pm in church. Last month we managed a couple of drinks outside, so come and join us – all money raised goes directly to the church.
This year we will be raising funds to redecorate the inside of the church. Visitors and regulars will have noticed the cracked and flaky walls. We plan to repair the roof, then the inside work can start! Our first big fundraiser will be a family hog roast on 27th June in the churchyard, with drinks, games and some live music!
Please contact me with any questions about the church or upcoming events.
Sarahbraun127@gmail.com
Holy Baptism
3rd May 2026 - Oliver Brown and Ella Brown - St. Edith’s Bishop Wilton
10th May 2026 - Albert Russell - St. Edith’s Bishop Wilton
Funeral and Burial
20th April 2026 - Diana Kellett - The Lady Holderness - All Saints Kirby Underdale
15th May 2026 - Ruth Ann Readman - St. Edith’s Bishop Wilton
