Church Notices November 2026

DISTRIBUTION OF CHRISTMAS PLANTS – to elderly and bereaved people in
Poppleton after a pre-Christmas Sunday service. This is a joint project with Poppleton

Anglicans and has been led on our side for many years by Jenny Cookson, who is now standing down with our thanks for her leadership and enthusiasm. If you can help
coordinate this much valued outreach please see Revd Elizabeth or a Church Steward.

WAY FORWARD GROUP – meets at 7 pm on Wed 4th December in the Treehouse Room to take forward initiatives adopted by Church Council last week: to hold an
envisioning day on 20th February to map out our future Church mission, to open the Church Narthex for individual quiet prayer during daylight hours and to investigate
employing an outreach worker (report appended). Please join us if interested.

CHRISTIAN QUOTE: ‘Forgiveness is a funny thing—it warms the heart and cools the
sting’. William Arthur Ward

MONTHLY GIVING – Many of our congregation now make their offertory gifts to the church by monthly standing order. If you would like to give in this way the Church bank
details are: Account name: Poppleton Methodist Church, Sort code: 60-83-01 Account no 20381741, or speak to our treasurer, Christine Stephenson, Thank you.

Relaxing Community events with Ceri Wright in our premises

Reset Day: Saturday 14th November , 3 – 7 pm in New Hall
Soundbath, Yoga Nidra:Sunday 8th November 7- 8.30 pm in Church
Community Drumming Circle: Wednesday 18th November, 7-8.30pm in Church
To book any of these events please email Ceri at: thebluebutterflyyork@gmail.com

YOGA BREATH MEDITATION – 7.15 – 8.15 pm on Mondays 16th November – 14th December in the New hall. 5 sessions £65. Details: theyogapranava@gmail.com.
Martina 07928044696

JUST ONE TIN MAKES A DIFFERENCE – Poppleton Foodbank donations have reached 24 tonnes! But demand in York is up 91% since 2020. Collection boxes are throughout the villages including one at 4 Pear Tree Avenue. Thank you!

The Way Forward Group Report to Church Council. October 2026
The Way Forward Group met on 30th September 2026 to discuss updating the vision and mission of our church. The following report is taken from the minutes of that meeting:

1. A vision – As the final phase of the Ruach Building project approaches we need to redevelop a vision of how Church members will use the newly refurbished buildings for God’s work in this neighbourhood. The vision should be drawn up and agreed by the whole Church and be the focus to enthusiastically carry out God’s mission in Poppleton and beyond. In order to achieve this mission the process would involve examining the strengths and weaknesses of our current mission offer and the preparation of a Mission Action Plan showing improvementswe plan to make and how and when they could be achieved.

A Vision Day – should be held to build enthusiasm for the future work of the Church. It would centre round gathering ideas of what our mission will be and to start drawing up a vision statement for the Church. The day would run from 9.30 am – 3.30 pm on Saturday 20th February, with a follow up service on the following Sunday morning. The weekend would be led by Major Andrew Vertigan from the Salvation Army in York, who has a reputation for successfully leading such events. He should also be invited to lead or share the lead of the Sunday Service with Revd Elizabeth. Revd Elizabeth will discuss the format of the day with Major Andrew. Everyone connected to the Church including all members
should be strongly encouraged to attend and asked to bring their lunch with them. Coffee and biscuits provided.

2. Open the Narthex of the Church – from February 2027 on weekdays and Saturdays for individual quiet prayer and reflection, during the daytime and at times when the church is not otherwise in use. The bifold door to the rest of the Chapel would be locked and the area made attractive for visitors. A sofa and faith library could be installed. Some material for reflection would be provided, including flowers and Revd Elizabeth would provide prayers and prayer pointers. A rota would need to be drawn up of people willing to unlock in the morning and lock up in the afternoon. A ‘welcomer’ would probably be more than we could manage, but small events could be run. Insurance should be checked and publicity carried out in for example the Parish Mag and Centrepiece. Footnote; Methodist Insurance strongly encourages local churches to keep their doors open to the public during daylight hours for private prayer and visitors.
(https://www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/risk-management/open-churches/)

3. Employment of a mission / outreach worker – is recommended to help us meet our objectives. We would need to draw up a job description for the role and probably fund the position for possibly five years.
Proposals for consideration by Church Council
1. Proposed Vision Day supported by Reasons (section 1)
2. Proposed opening of the Narthex supported by Reasons (section 2)
3. Proposed mission appointment, support to be provided by further investigations
(section 3)

Poppleton Methodist Church is a Bronze Award Eco Church and is Partnered with All We Can to support the world’s poorest people