• We were among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the second round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund 
• This award will allow us to keep our building’s historic facilities open to the whole community, providing affordable space that brings different groups together and facilitates the work of people in all parts of society.
• Nearly £400 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including our church in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced in April.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

This brings the Government’s total investment across grants, capital and repayable finance from the Culture Recovery Fund so far to more than £1.2 billion across over 5,000 individual cultural and heritage organisations and sites.

The second round of awards will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead. 

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:

“Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.

Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”

Ros Kerslake, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“Spring is definitely here, bringing not only sunshine but that sense of optimism and hope for the future. We are all looking forward to heritage places and other visitor attractions reopening and I am very pleased that we have been able to support DCMS in delivering this vital funding to ensure the UK’s heritage sector can rebuild and thrive, boosting local economies, creating jobs and supporting personal wellbeing.” 

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said:

“The value of our heritage sites and the people who run them has been amply demonstrated, as they have provided an anchor for so many of us through the dark days of the last year. Vital grants from the Culture Recovery Fund have helped them survive and will now help them recover, as the places we all cherish start to reopen in the months ahead.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England as well as the British Film Institute and Arts Council England 

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund 

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.  Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund   

About Historic England

We are Historic England, the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. We protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories they tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work and play among them. Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all.

For the past few weeks, the Central church community has again been meeting online on Zoom, rather than in our building. This is likely to continue for a few more weeks throughout the Holy Week and Easter season..

Deacon Judith will be leading a short service at 7.30pm on Maundy Thursday – Zoom link and more details available on our Facebook page.

And throughout Holy Week, across the Circuit there are other options …
There are video meditations available to watch on the Circuit Facebook and YouTube channel which have been created by the District.
There will also be a short zoom Morning Prayer at 9am from Monday to Saturday of Holy Week- zoom link available from Ruth Duck.
Ruth Duck will be leading a Maundy Thursday service at 6.30pm (contact Ruth for the link).
There will also be zoom meditations on Maundy Thursday at 7pm and Good Friday at 2pm (contact Keith Albans or yorkcircuitoffice@gmail.com for the link).

We’ll meet together on Zoom for Easter day celebrations for the second time, and in a few weeks we’ll start to try meeting again in the chapel – hopefully with a Zoom connection for those who prefer to stay at home.

Meanwhile, we are beginning to accept bookings for use of our city centre halls for groups which can meet government guidelines.

The Methodist Church has now updated its’ guidance for churches during the coronavirus/ Covid-19 pandemic, and excerpts from this are below:

“It is with sadness that we recommend that worship services in Methodist Churches are suspended for the time being in line with Government guidance. We would encourage people who lead services to think about how worship might be offered in different ways, including online and using worship at home sheets.

You can find the full guidance here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/coronavirus-guidance/ 

The Church is also making available a number of resources for worship in the home:https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/singing-the-faith-plus/seasons-and-themes/worship-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/ including a weekly service sheet and links to churches which stream services online.  There is also a list of upcoming worship broadcasts on TV and Radio available via https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=9794450737E6583D!8825&ithint=file%2cdocx&authkey=!AIRgxFvQjbE2rYY  created by Paul Parker- you may like to pass this information on to those who are less comfortable with computers.

All other church activities, and other room bookings at Central have also been cancelled for the coming weeks.

Please do continue to pray for the situation and for those dealing with it, particularly our health services, and remember that we have faith in a God who is in control – even when the situation is difficult.  

God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of illness, fear for loved ones, fear of other’s reactions to them.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace.

We pray for your church in this time of uncertainty.
For those people who are worried about attending worship.
For those needing to make decisions in order to care for other
For those who will feel more isolated by not being able to attend.
Grant us your wisdom.

Holy God, we remember that you have promised that
Nothing will separate us from your love – demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ.
Help us turn our eyes, hearts and minds to you.

Amen

Everyone is invited to join us for our Advent course on Mondays 2, 9, 16 and 23 December from 1-2.15pm. You are welcome to come to any or all of the sessions; they share some common themes but each one is designed to make sense by itself as well.

We’ll be exploring sacred stories with time for listening, wondering, conversation and sharing. There will be a chance to respond to the story with art and craft materials.
Godly Play is suitable for absolutely all ages. Pre-school or home educated children are very welcome to attend with a parent, grandparent or carer.

You can find out more about the Godly Play approach to sharing stories by talking to Hilary or Judith at church, emailing hilaryblake81@gmail.com or looking at www.GodlyPlay.uk

The church will be open as usual for ‘Oasis’ from 12 noon to 1pm and you are welcome to bring a packed lunch to eat in that time. Free tea and coffee are available.

You are invited to join a very special church.

We are church that meets in a very special building.

We are a church that exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care.

We are a church which is adapting in a changing world.

We are a church that is part of a larger connected community, the Methodist Connexion.

We are church of young and old.

We are a church that takes worship seriously.

We are a church where there is room for doubt and questions.

We are a church that exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice.

We are a church that is yearning to serve it’s community.

We are a church where welcome is important.

We are a church where the welcome is for everyone.

We are a church that exists to make more followers of Jesus Christ.

We are a church with challenges.

We are a church with opportunities.

We are a church that exists to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love.

Whatever your stage of faith or religious background, you are welcome to come and be part of our life together. We normally meet for worship on Sundays; For peace and quiet on Monday lunchtimes; Tea, cake and chat on Wednesday afternoons and sometimes other things at other times.

In the coming months we’ll be exploring more change in how we manage and use our buildings; and how our church life can be refreshed by that. We’d warmly welcome offers of time, talents and prayers from anyone in our church family and beyond. Please speak to a Minister or Steward.