Holy Rood House

21/11/2025

For these things,
I give You thanks -
a warm radiator on a cold day,
sweet bread and tea in the afternoon,
a hasty smile, gaze lightly held,
tge stiff breeze that refreshes
and the fleece that repels it.

For friendship
that counts the tears
and shares delight.

For love,
quiet and steadfast,
that holds the memory of fire.

My cup, O Lord, truly overflows.
Let me not refuse to bless when I
when I have been so blessed.
Stretch ever wider my heart,
extend my reach
and anchor our hope.
Amen.

Today we shared this prayer by Carla Grosch-Miller during Morning Prayer whilst looking out into our sunny but icily crisp garden. The photos were taken yesterday morning and evening- a day of contrasts!

20/11/2025

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance . We honour and remember the trans lives lost to hatred, violence, neglect, and hold space for love and community.

We’d like to share a verse of a powerful song written by Dr Ash Jay Brockwell and shared by the Methodist Church with you …

Verse 3
For all the risks that you chose to take,
for every silence you had to break
to live your truth and to speak it loud,
this date returns:
For all the joy that they could not see,
for all the courage that set you free
to be authentic and to be proud,
our candle burns.

photo of cupped hands made of clay holding a lit candle, taken in our chapel

Read more here https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/resources/hymns/in-memoriam-our-candle-burns/

14/11/2025

Mary was one of the speakers at our Sumner School. Her new book is now in our library 😊

There will be an On Line Book launch for this recent publication by Mary Kells on Thursday 27th November at 7.30pm. This will be a chance to hear why Mary has written this book, and the importance of using much more expansive language and imagery when we talk about God, especially when we worship.
You can book a place on Canterbury Press website, following the link below:
https://canterburypress.hymnsam.co.uk/events

08/11/2025

'Kindness'
For Holy Rood House

kindness is the woman
inviting us to sit and pray (no
right way) with her gentle voice
and gentle words

kindness is the woman
reading out the poem
beautifully, with her
breaking, clear voice.

kindness is the older woman
saying to the younger woman
in all of this, remember
take care of your heart

kindness is the barefoot man
making us mushroom soup
he knows the Black Walnut
later feeds the chickens

kindness is being served
tea, coffee, cake
a hot meal: soup, fish pie
crumble, trifle, seconds

kindness is the art
of paints, paper, pens
colouring our grief lightly
pinning it to beauty

kindness is the sorrow
held tenderly by the circle
in stillness in silence
honoured. hallowed. heard

kindness is the woman
saying thanks so much
for coming, administering
emails, photocopying, love

kindness is the way
we bless each other by name
in the gathered sacred space
in the ordinary every day

Rosie Miles
03/11/25

Thank you so much, Rosie, for this beautiful poem written after the ‘Talking to Grief’ weekend.

07/11/2025

Our latest newsletter is out with news of our interesting and varied events coming up. https://mailchi.mp/ccd5c5279b8c/7ubmlcd4vj-10595971

03/11/2025

Do come and join us for our fundraising concert with the brilliant Ripon Resound Choir at Sowerby Methodist Church on Saturday 8 November at 7pm. Suggested donation of £15 includes refreshments 😊
Help us raise funds for our Counselling and Psychotherapy service, here for the people of Thirsk and beyond. We’d love to welcome you.

31/10/2025

For you, for us …

These days invite us into memory and hope—and sorrow and joy and, most of all, love. In everything we carry, may we keep figuring out what it means to live fully and wholeheartedly here and now, in this world and in this life. Wherever these days find you, may they hold solace and mysterious grace. This blessing is for you.

ATTENDED

We are attended.
We are accompanied.

We are asked to open
our eyes, our hearts,
to the grace of it,

that we might bear witness
not only to the fall of the sparrow
but also to what follows it:

the aching mystery that
comes to sing in our bones,
the presence that releases us
into this living and into this world

but also,
with wondrous strangeness,
goes with us still,
making a nest in us
and helping us
find our way
home.

—Jan Richardson
from Sparrow: A Book of Life and Death and Life
janrichardson.com/books

28/10/2025

A weekend of mindfulness and song!
23 - 25 January
Come and join us for a fun and engaging weekend, where Shaun and Mike will combine mindfulness and spiritual practices with beautiful and simple songs.

Shaun is a highly experienced mindfulness practitioner and is the writer of a number of books on the subject and Mike brings years of experience in running workshops and groups that encourage people to sing that are both beautiful and life giving. Together they combine with a sense of joy and playfulness as they speak of the mindfulness of God and share songs which will open our hearts to connect us to ourselves, to God and to one another.

Please note - you do not need to read music or be a “singer” to take part in this weekend - we offer this weekend to anyone who would like to join in - all are welcome!

25/10/2025

Our Community Leader Sue Hammersley is one of the speakers at this event. Cheering on WATCH and her from Thirsk …

‘A group of WATCH supporters and members Newcastle and Durham Dioceses are putting together this event on behalf of WATCH, and it would be great to see you there.
A chance to understand more about the ways in which women are still not equal yet in the Church of England, and what we can do about it.
You don't have to be female or ordained to attend, because the limitations placed on women's ministry affect the life of the whole church. So whether you're already fired up about this issue, or just curious to find out more, do join us at Newcastle Cathedral on the morning of Saturday 25th October. The (free) booking link is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1752974677449...
Women And The Church

Come and learn more about how and why women are still in the Church of England - and what we can do to change that.