This weekend sees churches all around the Deanery celebrating Pentecost (May 24th), the seventh Sunday after Easter when we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming to Jesus’ disciples. There will be a service in a church near you on Sunday – please see individual parishes news and events for details.
Whit Sunday is also the reason that we have a half-term holiday at this time of year – ‘Whitsuntide’ (the week after Pentecost) was a traditional holiday for medieval peasants. My parents always referred this half term holiday as ‘Whit Week’, and, despite the confusion it causes my children (“everyone else calls it ‘half term’, Mum …”), I often still call it that. It’s a time rich in traditions and customs throughout the country – fairs, pageants and parades – Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ famously begins with Whitsun festivities. It is also traditional time for weddings to be celebrated.
Sunday, May 24th is also a celebration of Rogation Sunday at St. Hilda’s, Chop Gate (service at 10 am). Rogation Sunday is a time to ask God’s blessing on farms and those who work on them.
Stokesley Deanery 