Fulneck, Yorkshire - October 2024

Along with the 'darling buds' Church life at Fulneck flourished in May - and for that matter - throughout spring and summer 2024.

Fulneck Museum reopened for the season with a visit from the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Al Garthwaite who clearly enjoyed her time in Fulneck and was both fascinated and impressed by the many artefacts on display.

We moved into May with the marriage of settlement residents Cheryl and Peter George. We celebrated our Church Anniversary on 19th May with a street party held in warm and glorious sunshine. Also, on the agenda in May was Fulneck Dramatic Society's production of the Noel Coward classic, 'Blithe Spirit'. The Drama Group is celebrating its centenary this year. To mark this, there was a special exhibition in the museum tracing its long history and numerous productions.

May is also the month for our 'Sisters' Breakfast'. It's an occasion for them to affirm their Moravian Fellowship by sharing breakfast and a Cup of Covenant. To celebrate the event, Sr Claire Maxwell led our Morning Worship. If that wasn't enough for one month, Fulneck again took a stall at Pudsey Carnival.

Moving into June, monthly evening services were re-introduced and continued throughout the summer months. A time for quiet reflection, they've been a welcome addition to our worship cycle. We also continued our Holy Habits Faith Lunches led by Sr Gloria Hanley.

In July Fulneck played its part in the annual Leeds 'Fuse' arts' festival. This year we were treated to a delightful and well attended organ recital by Lee Ward, Fulneck School's Head of Music.

During the summer months two of our congregation members, Sr Ros Davey and Br John McOwat celebrated notable milestone birthdays. Back in springtime, April saw the passing of Sr Maureen Sykes. A life-long member and former Fulneck School pupil, her funeral was led by another former Fulneck School pupil, Br John McOwat.

At the time of writing, whilst summer isn't quite done, Fulneck's beautiful valley is already taking on autumnal tints. School is back in session and, as the evenings draw in, we look ahead to Heritage Day, harvest celebrations and, in the slightly more distant future, the season of Advent.

Br Dave Robins