Simon Crawley

Though it tarry ….

It is twenty years since my younger sister Juliet was facing death with her third cancer. My father who was a man of great faith and an intercessor determined that he would pray without ceasing for her recovery. He concentrated with every fibre of his being for several months and when in March of 2006 she was declared to be in remission he collapsed with exhaustion and went to the hospital asking the doctors to find something wrong as he wanted to die. It was a bleak time for him, my mother and the family as he could not be left alone for many months. It was for him the dark night of the soul. He felt responsible for the faith of others who he had engaged in prayer on his daughter’s behalf, a burden that became even more so when she died early in 2007, though in the address at her funeral he declared,

‘Oh Death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory.’

As I sat with him on many occasions during those difficult months, I began to sense that I should suggest that he wrote down all the amazing stories that he carried from his years of ministry so that they would be remembered. Falteringly he began to record them until they began to flow out of him. It was a healing journey as he proclaimed what had happened in the past. He was remembering the goodness of God. Through those stories his faith was restored and his peace and faith returned.

We gathered the stories into a booklet and printed 100 copies which he distributed to clergy colleagues and friends across the country. The encouraging responses brought another level of healing. Someone wrote that every theological college should have copies of them to inspire trainee clergymen to a life of prayer.

At the time of our mother’s funeral we printed more copies some of which we gave to those who attended and the rest we purpose to sell in aid of Rural Ainsty Parish where my parents lived so happily as our neighbours for 17 years.

We will sell them for £7.00 each or £25 for 5 - perfect for the missing Christmas present or stocking filler.

Please email priscillahealaugh@gmail.com and we will arrange postage or delivery and payment.

Priscilla Smith

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

Visiting a new church can be daunting, so we aim to make your experience as easy and welcoming as possible. Here's everything you need to know to feel confident and relaxed about your first visit:

Where and When

Our Sunday services take place in the six churches in our parish.

1st Sunday: Hessay Chapel at 10:00 am, All Saints Wighill Communion Service at 10:00 am
2nd Sunday: All Saints Moor Monkton at 10:00 am, St Helen’s Bilton BCP at 11:30 am
3rd Sunday: St John the Baptist Hessay at 10:00 am
4th Sunday: St John the Baptist Healaugh at 10:00 am
5th Sunday (4 times a year): St Helen’s Church, Bilton in Ainsty

For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early. This allows one of our friendly team members to greet you, answer any questions, and help you feel at home.

If you're attending a Breakfast Service, arrive from 9:30 am to enjoy a complimentary light breakfast. For all other services, tea, coffee, biscuits, and homemade cakes are served after the service. This is a great chance to meet people, chat, or simply take a moment to relax and get your bearings. All refreshments are free, and you're welcome to join us whether you're a regular churchgoer or just curious about exploring faith.

What to Expect During the Service

Our main services begin at 10 am, and each starts with a warm welcome from one of our team. We aim to create an environment that is friendly, comfortable, and open to everyone.

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect:

Duration: Most services last about an hour.
Style: Services include a mix of hymns, prayers, and a message designed to encourage and inspire.
Children: We warmly welcome children of all ages. Feel free to ask about what’s available for your child during your visit.
Accessibility: Our buildings are equipped with ramps and accessible seating. If you have any specific needs, let us know in advance or speak to one of our team members when you arrive.

If you're unsure about anything – from where to sit to what to say during the service – don't worry! Just follow along or simply observe; there's no pressure to do anything you're uncomfortable with.

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After the Service

Stick around after the service to enjoy refreshments and chat with others. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect, ask questions, or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Whether you’re new to faith or simply exploring, we’re here to make your visit as welcoming and relaxed as possible. If you have any concerns or specific questions before your visit, please feel free to contact us – we’d love to hear from you!

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together, and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership

Tony Holmes, Church Warden, Bilton in Ainsty		Alastair Lawson Tancred, Church Warden, Healaugh
Janice Quinn, Church Warden, Wighill
Kathryn Wright, Church Warden, Hessay and Moor Monkton

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Leadership Team