THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Vicar GeoffNot of the worldOur word for the year 2026 reminds us that those who follow Jesus, that is all who have made a commitment to serve Him before themselves, are in the world but not of it. That is why Paul writes in our ‘Word for the Year’ that we are not to conform to the pattern of the world. We are to stand out from the world, reflecting God’s purposes, not those of the world around us. I was reflecting only this week that the world seems to be in such a mess. There is conflict between nations, world leaders are forcing their position to gain power and so many people are struggling with life, with health, bereavement or simply living in the confused society we find ourselves in.Living in the world, but not of it, can be a challenge. It is so easy to be swept along by our peers. What they get up to can look exciting and fulfilling, so we join in and before we know it we are being swept along, doing things that if we stopped to think about them we would immediately stop. Jesus speaks, similarly to Paul, in Matthews Gospel when he encourages us to be like light: 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)Light stands out in the darkness. It only takes a little light to make a difference in a dark space. You can see the light of a lighthouse for miles around. We are called to be seen and to stand out. To be different to the world around us. If we just blend in, what difference can we make? If we conform to the ways of the world, we are no longer distinct and unable to point to Jesus, as we get lost in everything around us.Jesus makes a similar point, when he talks about salt: 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. (Matthew 5:13)A tiny bit of salt makes a remarkable difference to food, in fact it brings out the flavours, highlighting the taste. We can also do that for those around us. But it is not possible for us to be salt or light if we have been conformed to the ways of the world around us. So stand up, stand out and be the difference in the circles you move in.Pray for … The formation of the new ABC Mission and Ministry Unit Our Licenced Lay Ministers (LLMs) Opportunities to be salt and light in our communitiesGive thanks for … Messy Church, Little Fish and Little Apples as they draw families into the life of our Mission and Ministry Unit Those involved in our Alpha course The increasing number of people attending our traditional services across our villagesWe pray for all who live and work in the following streets in our communities:In Copmanthorpe - Vavasour Court, Fairfax Croft, The Recreation CentreIn Bolton Percy & Colton - The Coach HouseIn Askham Bryan - Church CloseIn Acaster Malbis - Brocket Court, Holly Close, Garth FarmIn Appleton Roebuck - Main Street (from Chestnut House to West End Farm)In the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Daniel – 16th January 2026Holding the Plough: Faith, Work, and Hope in Our CommunityLast Sunday morning I had the privilege of speaking at the Plough Service at All Saints Church, Bolton Percy, a traditional service held to pray for, and acknowledge, the daily work of our farming communities. The prayers, hymns, and poems shared at that service were both uplifting and thought provoking, and the respectful procession of an ancient hand-plough into the church to be blessed movingly represented the importance of the farming community in our daily lives.Thinking about that Plough Service, I realised its history draws us together at a moment that is both ancient, and deeply present. Although rooted in rural life, its message actively invites us all to reflect on God’s blessing over the land, our labour, and our shared life as a community. While many of us do not work in the fields, the symbolism of the plough can still speak powerfully into who we are and how we live.At its heart, a plough service is about beginnings. Traditionally held at the start of the agricultural year, it asks God’s blessing on the soil before it is turned and sown. Scripture often returns to this image of preparation and hope. The prophet Hosea urges, “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord” (Hosea 10:12). Before growth can come, the ground must be opened. Spiritually this challenges us now, in January, to ask what in our own lives needs turning over so that God’s grace can take root.The plough also reminds us of vocation and faithful work. In the book of Genesis, humanity is placed in the garden “to till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Work, whatever it may be, is not a punishment but a calling. In our community this can take very many forms – teachers and carers for example, shop workers, volunteers, and health care workers, to name but a few. The message of the plough service honours all honest labour, recognising that each role contributes to the flourishing of the whole community in which we live.Jesus himself used the image of the plough when speaking about commitment: “No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). These words are not meant to discourage, but to focus us. Following Christ calls for perseverance, especially when the work is slow, tiring, or unseen. Just as a ploughman, or woman, must keep their eyes fixed ahead to cut a straight furrow, so we are invited to keep our gaze on Christ, trusting him with the outcome of our efforts.Community lies at the centre of the plough service message. Farming has never been a solitary task; it depends on shared knowledge, mutual help, and trust in forces beyond human control. Likewise, the life of our church is shaped by cooperation and care for one another. St Paul reminds us, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). We must each play our part, but it is God who brings the fruit from our collective labour.Finally, a plough service speaks of hope. To plough a field is an act of faith. The labour comes long before the harvest, and much remains uncertain - weather, health, circumstances etc. Yet we can trust in God’s promise that whatever our work, be it secular or spiritual, when offered to him it is not in vain. As the psalmist writes, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy” (Psalm 126:5).The message of the plough is that we are always a part of our community’s future - the work we will do, the relationships we will nurture, and the faith we will carry into 2026, and beyond. This January, may we go forward with willing hands, open hearts, and the confidence that God walks with us in every furrow we plough.Daniel Khan (Licenced Lay Minister)
11th January 2026THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Vicar GeoffTransformedThat is the word for the ABC Churches in 2026. In reality, it was the Greek word μεταμορφόω pronounced metamorphoo, from which we get the English word literally or figuratively "metamorphose". I don’t usually get into the Greek, it was never a strong subject for me, so it was a real struggle for me to receive the word from God. But he usually surprises me! I find it quite significant that last year’s word was ‘new’ and this year ‘transform’ which of course bears many similarities and it got me thinking about how God transforms us into a new creation in Christ as we allow Him to change, mould and reform us to be more like Him. Ultimately that is what a desire to become more like Him does. But I admit that He probably finds that a real struggle. I’m far from perfect and have my struggles, but trust that God is in the process of transforming me, through experiences and challenges, times when I let others or myself down. But that is the whole point. When we come to Jesus He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but works in progress. I certainly am that.Transformed isn’t just about us as individuals though. It is about our churches and our society, our villages and our nation. We all need to be transformed. Take our village churches. We often moan that more people don’t come to our services, our congregations are small, we have no children. But is that really true. For the second year running I have seen a large number of children and families coming to the Christmas events which are specifically curated for them. Christingles and Crib Services all attracted many families. The Living Nativity in a barn on a farm in Askham Bryan was the best attendance yet, with over 100 adults and children.That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a place for more traditional worship. In fact, a recent Bible Society survey discovered that there is an increase in young people seeking traditional worship opportunities such as Choral Evensong. But transformation is what will happen across our churches, as we become more open to the movement of Holy Spirit and respond to the needs of the communities we serve.The Word for 2026 was revealed to me in the context of Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”We are called, not to fit in with the culture we find ourselves in, without giving it any thought, but to fix our sight on God and take notice of what He is up to. One of my favourite phrases is “God is unchanging, but a God of change”. As we head into 2026 may we seek God for His call upon our churches and be prepared to transform what we do, to reach more people for Jesus.Geoff.
