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Five Parishes Monthly Church Prayer Meetings
Prayer is at the heart of all that we do, so join us as we gather together to
pray, seek God and encourage one another. Meeting in St Oswald's Church on
the third Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm - 8.30pm.
Refugees Welcome Here
'Thirsk Together' is the project by Churches Together in Thirsk and District
to support the housing of a refugee family in the local area for a couple of
years. This project was devised primarily with the idea of supporting a needy
family from Afghanistan. We are not yet sure whether it might be amended to
include possible families from Ukraine.
The 'Thirsk Together' initiative is a two-step application to the Home Office
to receive a family for resettlement. To complete Step 1, we need to have agreement
with the local authorities stating that they are backing our plan, that we have
a strategy for finding housing and that we have sufficient funds (£3,000)
to start with. We would hope that this will be completed by April at which point
we will receive the profile of the family who are coming to live in Thirsk and
then Step 2, the detailed and practical work, will commence.
We have established robust financial systems which will allow us to accept donations,
allowing donors options to use Gift Aid and to ring-fence these donations for
this specific project. Donations can now be received and we must now work to
reach our target of £9,000. You can donate
online or download a donation form.
A key aspect of this project is to find the right rental accommodation, in the
right place for the right cost. Do you know of someone who has a property for
a long-term let, who would be sympathetic to this cause? Perhaps a landlord,
congregation member, friend of the church, a church property? Please spread
the word. Contact David Smethurst davidsmethurst24@btinternet.com
The situation in the Ukraine has taken all of us by surprise and the plight
of refugees have again been highlighted. The application process from ResetUK
that we are following has yet to receive changes from the Government with regard
to the community sponsorship by groups. This may come or it may not. We are
in contact with ResetUK and the Salvation Army UK Refugee coordinator who is
keeping up with all changes. Until then, we will continue to work as we are
and will consider our response if ResetUK do amend the application process.
However, sponsorship by individuals of Ukraine refugees is very much part of
the Government strategy.
Another action: "Pray without ceasing!" The Salvation Army has a motto "Heart
to God. Hand to man." So much of our thoughts and prayers have been taken up
by Ukraine, let us continue to cry out to God for the inhumanities that we are
witnessing to stop, but we can stretch out our hands to those affected not just
in this latest crisis but also to those refugees who are still suffering as
a result of previous conflicts.
St Oswald's is open
We are holding services in church and some are also livestreamed on Zoom. For the latest information about services please see our calendar.
Our church building is normally open for private prayer on weekdays from 10.00am to 3.00pm.
Please use the hand sanitisers on the way in, remember social distancing and do not go into church if you or a member of your household has any of the symptoms of COVID-19.
Although the use of face coverings is no longer mandatory, we recommend that they should be used in busy services where physical distancing is not always possible.
Please continue to exercise due care for your 'neighbour' when in church!
Church of England Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for churches.
Welcome to our website
St Oswald's is a beautiful and historic Church of England Parish Church in the village of Sowerby, just outside Thirsk. It is attended by people of all ages who live in the village and surrounding area, and by many visitors
to this scenic part of North Yorkshire. St Oswald's has a thriving ministry to children and young people, a variety of music styles, opportunities for learning about the Christian faith in small groups or simply being quiet
and reflective together.
We enjoy close links with our sister churches - St Mary's at Bagby, St Mary's at Kilburn, St Cuthbert's at Sessay and All Saints at Thirkleby - as well as Sowerby Methodist Church and the Thirsk Parishes. We are also members
of the local Churches Together Group. This website tells you a lot more about the ministry of St Oswald's Church.
If there is any further information you would like, please do not hesitate to contact our Priest-in-Charge Rev David Biggs or one of the Churchwardens David Tucker and Simon Birkbeck.
St Oswald's annual report and accounts for the year ending 31 December 2021
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© 2021 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Oswald Sowerby.
Registered charity number 1135485.