The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, preached at St Bartholomew’s, West Witton on Sunday 27th July on his final visit to a parish in the Leeds Diocese before he retires.
At the united service for the churches in Penhill Benefice he analysed more deeply the Lord’s Prayer after telling the large congregation: ‘In my life prayer has too often been what I have to say to God rather than listening to what God has to say to me. Because prayer is, in the end, the reshaping of our minds by exposure to God, so that we begin to see God, the world and us through His eyes.’
Revd Tom Ringland, vicar of Penhill Benefice, said: ‘He encouraged us to stress the word “your” wherever it occurs in the Lord’s Prayer.’
Bishop Nick and his wife, Linda, spent time with members of the congregation after the service while enjoying the refreshments provided in the village hall. He became the first Bishop of Leeds in 2014 and retired on November 30 2025.
Above: L-R Revd Tom Ringland, Rt Revd Nick Baines, and Revd Scott Lunn
Vicar's Letter: Revd Penny Yeadon
Dear Friends,
As I write this letter there is no doubt that, in our current context, that these are deeply challenging and difficult times for us all. When we are surrounded by fear and suffering, it can be hard to feel hopeful and as we approach winter with its shorter days accompanied by cold, ice and often snow, it can be a challenging time for many. Even so there are also many points of light in the coming weeks and months ahead.
Christians, during the next couple of months, keep the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. For many, the family traditions of Advent Candles and calendars, Christmas presents and family gatherings are an important point in the year.
Advent for Christians is a season of expectation and preparation, as the church prepares to celebrate the joy of the birth of Jesus, God with us.
Advent season falls at the darkest time of the year and we use symbols such as candles and Christingles to remind us that as we pray ‘Maranatha’ – ‘Our Lord Come’ – just as with the rhythm of nature, we are assured that it will soon be Christmas and we will celebrate again the joy that comes with a birth of a baby.
At his Birth Jesus was also called Emmanuel. It is a word that appears in lots of Carols. It means ‘God is with us’, sharing our darkness and our struggles, bringing comfort and joy. It is the source of our hope. As the bible says: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5)
Then Epiphany in January, a time to celebrate different elements in the story of Christ’s birth; starting with the visit of the far travelled magi, wise men from the east. Then as Epiphany draws to a close, the season of joyful celebration of Christ’s birth that began at Christmas ends with Candlemas. The baby who was manifested to the magi at birth is now recognised by Simeon and Anna, as he is presented in the temple. Even though there is much darkness around us, let us remind ourselves that just as with the nature that surrounds us – that we will emerge from this darkness and new creation will burst forth. So let us shine in the darkness of this winter, let us be kind to ourselves and others and let us focus on what brings us joy!
Whilst writing I also want to draw folks attention to our 9.30am phone service, which is a service of Morning Prayer. It offers a reflection and prayers on the set readings for the day and an opportunity to join together with others who often are unable to physically get to church, either because of distance, decreasing mobility or even the bad weather. It’s open to anyone who has access to a phone, landline or mobile and it’s free! We can provide service booklets so you can join in and these are available from Christine – just give the Benefice office a ring or an email and we can get this to you. OR just join us on most Sundays at 9.30am. Telephone number 0333 0110 946 enter room number 61337190# and the PIN 7450#
Also, 2026 will see a year of celebration as we mark 20 years as The Penhill Benefice – a journey that starts on January 4th 2026, at our services across the Benefice. More events to come just look out for them!
In the meantime may God bless you and all those whom you love this Christmas time, and we hope to see you at one of our Christmas or Epiphany services.
Yours in Christ, Penny
Click here for the latest edition of the Penhill Beacon
Churches Open:
Preston under Scar and Wensley - Daily
Aysgarth - daily
Castle Bolton - daily
Redmire - Daily
West Witton - daily
Rev Scott Lunn is now curate in Penhill Benefice. For his own introduction and photos click here
Church Christmas Coffee Morning: 10.30am-12 noon, Wednesday 3rd December, Redmire Village Hall.
Christmas Party - 2-4pm Wednesday 17th December, Redmire Village Hall
Benefice Advent Reflections
7.30pm, Aysgarth Institute; Tuesdays 2nd, 9th and 16th December .
Contact Tom or Christine for further details.
Wensley Camerata under conductor Martin Budgett will perform Handel’s Messiah at Holy Trinity Church, Wensley 6.30pm, Saturday 13th December. Book tickets £25 each from
Wensleydale Filling Station:
7pm Friday 12th December, Thornborough Hall, Leyburn. Advent and Christmas Celebration Worship led by Dave and Sarah Clark. For further information contact: 07714 204024
Christingle Benefice Service
10.30 am on Sunday 14th December A Holy Communion Service at St Mary’s, Redmire. All welcome!
Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of The Children’s Society: 10.30am, Thursday 18th December at Cote Gill, West Witton. DL8 4LT. £5.00.There will also be a raffle. Everyone is welcome
This is my Theatre ‘A Christmas Carol’: 7pm, Thursday 18th December at Holy Trinity Church, Wensley. Tickets: £16 each. Full details and ticket info: thisismytheatre.com or from Judith Greenwood.
Christmas Cards for Sale: In aid of the Leprosy Mission and Church funds at St Andrew’s, Aysgath.
2026 Sudan Calendars: Another full colour calendar has been prepared by the diocesan Sudan link. Order your copy through Christine - just £2 covers the production cost, and a larger donation strengthens our financial support of the church, enduring in the ongoing conflict.
Living Advent Calendar. Filling our villages with light and joy!
Take a walk around Carperby, Thoralby and West Witton during December to see the lovely illuminated numbered windows!
Posada Journey. - During December knitted figures of Joseph and Mary (and the well behaved house trained donkey!) will once again travel around West Witton looking for shelter re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s journey.
Church afternoon tea - 1.30-4pm Wednesday 7th January in Redmire Village Hall
Prayer and Praise Live! - 7pm at Chantry Hall, North End, Bedale, DL8 1AF Friday 23rd January with Steve Madsen (Lay Reader) All Welcome! For more information email
Mary's Meals - Any left over foreign currency or obsolete UK currency can be left in marked boxes in the churches to help raise money for Mary’s Meals. . The money raised from this initiative will help Mary’s Meals bring hope to more desperately hungry children across the globe. Every 10p is enough to provide a hungry child with a nutritious meal in school. See .Mary's Meals.
Prayer Fellowship
The Prayer Fellowship usually meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm at Aysgarth Institute to pray together for the benefice, the wider church, local, national and international issues, and for personal concerns and each other. We begin with a Bible Reflection and short discussion. The next meeting is on Tuesday 27th January.
Harvest Charity Collections: Thank you to everyone who donated at the recent Harvest Services in the Benefice. The following totals sent to date are Aysgarth: £292.60 to Caring for Life. Preston under Scar: £60 to Mary’s Meals. Redmire: £170 to MAF. Thornton Rust: £87.10 to RABI the Farmers Charity. West Witton: £153 to The Addington Fund.
The Very Narrow Bridge of Life:
Stories Through the Church Year by Revd Peter Jenner
This is a book about finding joy in a world that sometimes seems difficult to navigate. Through a collection of engaging stories, which were originally delivered as sermons, Peter invites us to reflect on our own faith journey and encourages us to be ‘fully part of the adventure of life…appreciative of God’s creation, of human interaction and delighting in what is and ought to be.’ Peter died shortly after retiring, and during his final months the book was edited by Louise Redshaw who lives in Carperby. Profits from the sale of the book will be shared between St Andrew’s Church, Aysgarth, and the Stuart Warren Foundation which supports a PhD student from the South African Region to study Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. Copies are available for £10 from:
Aysgarth church -
The following are now available online -
War Memorials and Graves at Aysgarth church
The printed illustrated guide to War Memorials and Graves in the churchyard is available in Aysgarth church.
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.
The line is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044. Callers will hear a special greeting from the Archbishop before being able to choose from a range of options, including hymns, prayers, reflections and advice on COVID-19. Please let your family and friends, who are not on internet, know about this. More information click here
Hear To Help
Just 'B' is offering emotional wellbeing support to people in the Harrogate District, Hambleton and Richmondshire, with its Hear to Help phoneline, available to anyone who may need help with such issues as grief, low mood, isolation, anxiety or isolation. The line is manned by trained staff and volunteers and is available seven days a week, 8am-8pm. For more information see Hear to Help.