The people of Bowland and Ewecross Deanery celebrated rural life and ministry last weekend, when they gathered for an afternoon in St Alkelda’s, Giggleswick.
The well-attended event featured displays from each deanery church that explained who they are, what encouragements they have to share, and what subjects are in their prayers.
This was followed by a service of celebration in the glorious Giggleswick School Chapel with Bishop Nick Baines preaching and singing led by the Voices of Craven community choir and music by the Giggleswick & Settle Brass Band.
In a sermon based on Ephesians 4.1-16 Bishop Nick spoke about the importance of valuing every part of the body, of learning to pay attention to our bodies, and that sometimes we need to compensate when things go wrong.
Similarly, in the church, there is a place for all of us, however unskilled we may feel, we each have a unique gift to bring to the church, and we compensate for one another and support eachother. Bishop Nick finished his sermon by teaching the congregation how to sing the song ‘Alleluia’ in three parts, which complemented each other beautifully.
Revd Sue McWhinney, Associate Priest in the Upper Aire Benefice commented:
“This theme of complementing and supporting eachother as we live out what God is calling us to do in our rural communities is what the whole afternoon was about.
“All those present agreed that it was an uplifting and encouraging event which helped us to come together after the ravages of COVID and to value and learn more about each part of our diverse deanery, which stretches from Gargrave to Thornton in Lonsdale, and all places inbetween."
The Deanery Planning Group thanked Giggleswick School, the Giggleswick & Settle Brass Band, Voices of Craven, and St Alkelda’s Church for their support.