From the 6th to 11th of September 2021, members of THE HOLYROOD PILGRIMS OF WHORLTON BENEFICE will go on their annual pilgrimage following the ancient trail of St Magnus Way in Orkney. They will pray for well-being of the entire Benefice of Whorlton, its all Parishes and members. The Rector of the Benefice who is taking part of the pilgrimage said, "We dedicate this pilgrimage for the special mission in our Parishes to explore the contemplative aspect of life in our church communities.".
Last year, also in September, the pilgrims of Whorlton Benefice walked for 5 days from Melrose in Scotland to the Holy Island in Lindisfarne, England, following the beatiful trail of St Cuthbert Way. "We hope that this year we will also be inspired by the beauty of the nature and the spiritual character of our walk".
BUEN CAMINO
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Urban meets Rural: Fulfilling the Gaps
It was an amazing day out. On the 10th of August 2021, children and families from Easterside, Middlesbrough, visited rural parishes of the Benefice of Whorlton. On this beautiful sunny day, Parishioners from Carlton-in-Cleveland, Faceby, and Whorlton-Swainby joyfully welcomed children and families from Easterside. It was 10:30 a.m. when a big coach, full of happy and smily faces, arrived in St Botolph's church in Carlton. There were about 47 children from Easterside who, together with their Mums, were welcomed by the local congregations. They were led by our Ordinand, Mrs Elaine Curry, who together with other ladies from Faceby and Swainby spent many days and nights to prepare the even.
After short prayer led by our Rector, Fr Robert, we joined the children and their Mums and we walked together accross green fields and meadows of North York Moors National Park to the next Parish church of St Mary Magdalene in Faceby. There, we had lunch outside the church. After lunch the children explored our lovely mountain church and we continued the walk to the Old Church of the Holy Cross in Whorlton meeting on the way all creatures small and great: lambs, cows, horses and other animals. The children were amazed to see living animals. They could play with them and they enjoyed their company. The next stop was a medieval castle, which inspired children's imagination. Castles, knights and dragons dominated children's conversations. After a short rest, we continued our walk to the village of Swainby where we all enjoyed lovely meal and then we went to the parish church for a service of prayer led by our Rector, Fr Robert and our Reader Su Reid who also gave special awards to all children. The great adventure day ended at 6:00 p.m. when all our guests went back home in Easterside. Thank you to everybody who made the adventure day for all our children and their mums so great.
OUR BENEFICE, OUR CHURCHES, OUR FUTURE
The Benefice of the Whorlton Group is located on the north-western boundary of the North York Moors National Park in Cleveland, North Yorkshire. It was created on 31st October 2019 when six parishes formed the new benefice. Those parishes are Carlton-in-Cleveland, Crathorne, Faceby, Middleton-on-Leven, Rudby-in-Cleveland and Whorlton (Swainby and Potto). The Benefice of Whorlton is a part of the Deanery of Stokesley within the Diocese of York in the Church of England. We have eight beautiful churches in our benefice, with the oldest church, Holy Cross in Whorlton, having a very interesting history. Today the church in Whorlton is a partial ruin, but it served in the past as a place of worship for many generations.
The church of All Saints in Hutton Rudby (Parish of Rudby-in-Cleveland)
The church of All Saints in Crathorne (Parish of Crathorne)
The church of the Holy Cross in Swainby (Parish of Whorlton)
The church of St Botolph in Carlton-in-Cleveland
The church of St Mary Magdalene in Faceby
St Cuthbert's church in Middleton-on-Leven
The old church of the Holy Cross in Whorlton
St Mary's church in Potto
A special service of thanksgiving for the grace of establishing the Benefice of Whorlton - 12 December 2019: Eucharist led by Bishop Paul of Whitby
