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Christmas at Rural Ainsty

Everyone welcome.

Christmas fairs & carols

Come and share the Christmas joy

Saturday 5 December 2026

10am–12 noon · Christmas Fairs
St Helen’s, Bilton-in-Ainsty
Old School Hall, Moor Monkton

Come along, enjoy the festive atmosphere and support your local community.

12–12.30pm · Short Carol Service
The Lady Chapel, St Helen’s, Bilton-in-Ainsty

Stay after the fair for a few familiar carols and a short Christmas reflection.

Sunday 20 December 2026

Christmas Carol Services

Church altar glowing by candlelight

Sing the carols you love and hear again the story at the heart of Christmas.

10am · Hessay
St John the Baptist

4pm · Bilton-in-Ainsty · Carols by candlelight
St Helen’s

6pm · Moor Monkton · Carols by candlelight
All Saints

The Christmas story

Come and celebrate

Wednesday 23 December 2026

6.30pm · Live Nativity
Healaugh Old Hall

Mary riding a donkey in the live nativity outside the inn

Experience the Christmas story brought to life in a wonderful outdoor production with live animals. Wrap up warm!

Thursday 24 December 2026 · Christmas Eve

2pm · Nativity & Christingle
All Saints, Moor Monkton

Families holding lit Christingles during a church service

A Christmas celebration for all ages, sharing the story of Jesus’ birth and the light and hope he brings.

4.30pm · Live Nativity
Healaugh Old Hall Stable Yard

Families gathered in the stable yard to watch the live nativity

Share the wonder of the first Christmas in a wonderful outdoor production with live animals. Wrap up warm!

8pm · Midnight in Bethlehem Candlelit Communion Service
All Saints, Wighill

Celebrate Jesus’ birth as Christmas begins in Bethlehem.

Friday 25 December 2026 · Christmas Day

10am · Christmas Communion
St Helen’s, Bilton-in-Ainsty

A short, joyful Communion service to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Here for you

Looking ahead: light for a new year

Sunday 31 January 2027 · 4pm

Candlemas Christingle
St Helen’s, Bilton-in-Ainsty

Families celebrating together with candlelit Christingles

A welcoming celebration for all ages, sharing the light of Jesus as we look ahead to the coming year.

Get in touch

If you have a question about joining us this Christmas, please email ruralainstyparish@gmail.com or call 07784 720565.

Find our venues

St Helen’s, Bilton-in-Ainsty (including the Lady Chapel)
YO26 7NL
Get directions

Old School Room, Moor Monkton
YO26 8JA
Get directions

St John the Baptist, Hessay
YO26 8LE
Get directions

All Saints, Moor Monkton
YO26 8LA
Get directions

Healaugh Old Hall and Stable Yard
LS24 8DA
Get directions

All Saints, Wighill
LS24 8BG
Get directions

23/10/2026
Glenys
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.

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