November is always a full month in our church calendar. We begin with the St Leonard’s patronal Festival service which this year will be a Joint Children Led Family Communion Service at 9.30am on Sunday 2nd November, where our (relatively) new archdeacon, James Theodocius will

preside and preach. This will be followed by refreshments in the St Leonard’s Hall.

The joys of a patronal festival give way the following weekend to the solemnity of Remembrance Sunday (9th November) and the Armistice Day

services two days later on the 11th November. This year in Bishop Monkton the Methodist Circuit Superintendent, Rev’d Gareth Baron, will be taking the Remembrance Day service while I am at Burton Leonard. I shall be in Bishop Monkton on the 11th November and the retired Archdeacon of York, Richard Seed will be at Burton Leonard for our Armistice Day commemorations.

November is also the month when traditionally our church, and we,remember those who have died in this last year and give thanks for their

lives. The loss of people we love is never an easy time and it can be made more difficult because others don’t necessarily seem to notice how deeply

we are affected by our loss. In this season of remembrance, may I ask you all give a though, prayer and maybe a hug to someone you know who has

recently lost someone they love. However calm and “normal” they may appear to you, the truth is that they are hurting, uncertain and finding all

kinds of things very difficult and will appreciate anything that you do for them.

Also in November we have two, now firmly established traditions. On Sunday 23rd November, our service is designated a Toy Service, where we

ask for gifts of new, unwrapped toys or books to be given and we bless them at the service and deliver them to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal,

Ripon Branch. What we have given in the past has been warmly received and I thank you for your past generosity and encourage those who can, to

give again.

For several years now, we have also been using the idea of a Reverse Advent Calendar where we ask you to start Advent early , say 16th November, and instead of treating yourself to all the wonderful different kinds of Advent Calendars available, to put something into a box each day and to bring that

box (or request it be collected from you) to church on 14th December where we can bless the gifts and hand them on to the Salvation Army foodbank in Ripon. It would be great if, as well as staple foods, there could be some Christmas themed items in there. For those unable to do something each

day there will be a box in Church where donations for this can also be left and there will also be one in school.

Things this year have continued to get worse for those on the margins of our society and everything we can do helps. Our contributions get to the

Salvation Army at the end of their distribution timetable and are a much-needed boost to their ability to support some last-minute needy families.

Our communities are so generous and giving and I thank you for the way you have taken these two causes up and supported them.

Advent Sunday this year falls on 30th November and as usual we shall celebrate it with an Advent Songs of Praise at 6pm in St Leonard’s Church. I

look forward to hearing what our new choir has in store for us.

This time of year can be lonely and as the days shorten and get colder, you or someone you know, may be having a tough time. If you or they would

like a visit or a call please contact me on 01765 676298 or email [email protected], and I shall be happy to chat or visit.

Blessings, Robb