Lower Wyke, Yorkshire - Nov 2026
2026 has been another busy year at Lower Wyke. In many ways church life has replicated life in 2025 but has moved forward. Ecumenical relationships are still strong with the other denominations in Wyke, and several members work in the Food Bank and Meeting Place. The later now offers food and drink, advice on finance, help with life in general and a listening ear in a setting of safety, security and fellowship.
Lower Wyke and Horton are now sister churches and members mix freely attending social events at both churches as they do with other Moravian congregations in Yorkshire. Travel between all the congregations in Yorkshire is easy!
Our three-monthly house groups are thriving and this Autumn has seen the start of an Alpha course which will run into November. So far this has been very successful with 15 to 20 new and well-grounded Christians sharing a meal, watching a video and discussing freely their faith, prayer and other aspects of Christianity introduced by Nicky Gumble: the main speaker on the video. Long may it continue!
Forest Church continues to meet every two months in our beautiful Paddock area. The young people eagerly explore nature linked to their Creator led by a dedicated team of adults. Sadly, one of the leaders, Sr Zoe Cooper, will have to relinquish her position as she has offered herself to train for the ministry. We are thrilled that Zoe has been accepted and has begun her training at Manchester College. Sr Zoe has grown up in the Moravian Church at Lower Wyke, and we will miss her wonderful contributions to church life but wish her every blessing in the future.
A plentiful supply of retired Ministers, Lay Preachers and Worship Leaders fill the pulpit when Sr Claire is at Horton for which we are very grateful. After much discussion screens have been placed in church to hopefully, further enhance the services, add a visual aspect to the words being spoken and to encourage more singing out during the hymns.
Our Proms in the Paddock and Strawberry Fair were well supported once more as was our Heritage Weekend. The village community always come together on occasions like those showing how much they value the church at their centre. People return year after year from near and far – even one family from South Africa!
The monthly meetings of Greenfingers, and Wake and Stretch continue and are an integral part of church life. However, it is with sadness that the monthly Community Lunch will finish after Christmas. It has been expertly run, led by Sr Marilyn Greenhough, for 13 years. Everyone who has attended has enjoyed the amazing variety of meals provided always served with a smile, gained new friends and will be sad to see it go. Thank you so much to the team of helpers: those in the kitchen cooking, serving, washing up; those who put up/take down the tables and prepare the room and those who bring raffle prizes month by month. Heartfelt thanks and prayers are always offered by Br Greenhough, and we thank him for those.
We welcomed back Sr Jane Carter to conduct our Harvest Festival Service in September which combined celebrating harvest and the work of one of our oldest members. Br Paul Greenhough (90) has for 44 years been a Moravian ambassador for YPMA. He has worked tirelessly to help to raise money to send throughout the world to bring help, practical resources and comfort to so many. He was presented with two engraved wine glasses in recognition of his work. In his words of response Paul said that although he had headed the organisation it was the many, many, collectors who deserve the credit. Long may YPMA continue in the capable hands of Sr Selby.
As we move towards the end of another year, who knows what 2027 will bring?
New challenges – new successes and new failures no doubt – but we must not give up! ‘Time waited for no man’ so let us use our time wisely to continue God’s work here on earth.
Sr Diane Thornton
