Scb Parish Magazine April 2009

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Parish of St.Cuthbert, Benfieldside Sunday Worship 8.00a.m. 10.00a.m. 6.00p.m.

Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) SUNG EUCHARIST (Common Worship) Evening Prayer + Choral Evensong (BCP) Taizé Vespers

Sunday School meets at 10.00a.m. in the Church Hall during term

Weekday Worship Morning Prayer: Evening Prayer: Midweek Eucharist:

8.30a.m. Monday - Friday 5.00p.m. Tuesday 10.00a.m.Thursday

Please see the Calendar & Pewsheet for alterations to this pattern.

Parish Office Arrangements for Baptisms, Marriages, etc. should normally be made in the Vicar‟s vestry in church on Tuesdays at 5.30p.m. - please phone first if possible. For Spiritual Advice & the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), please contact the Vicar.

Clergy & Readers Vicar:

The Revd Martin Jackson St. Cuthbert‟s Vicarage, Church Bank, Shotley Bridge 01207 503019 mobile phone: 0797 226 2412 e-mail: [email protected]

Readers:  

Mrs. Rosie Junemann Mr. Paul Heatherington

01207 583998 01207 506282

Parish web-site: www.communigate.co.uk/ne/saintcuthberts Parish Blog: www.saintcuthberts.blogspot.com

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PARISH CALENDAR - APRIL 2009 Wed. Thurs. Sat.

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7.30p.m. Lent Course - Vicarage 10.00a.m. Eucharist 10.00a.m. Spring-Clean St. Cuthbert’s - please lend a hand!

Sunday

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PALM SUNDAY – The Beginning of HOLY WEEK (Mark 11.1-11; Isaiah 50.4-9a; Philippians 2.5-11;Mark 14.1-15.47)

8.00a.m. 10.00a.m. 11.15a.m. 6.00p.m. Mon.

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Tues. Wed.

7 8

Thurs.

9

Fri.

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Sunday 12

Eucharist Procession of Palms & SUNG EUCHARIST & SUNDAY SCHOOL PCC Electoral Roll Revision Meeting Evening Prayer

2.00p.m. Mothers’ Union 7.30p.m. Ecumenical Service - St. Mary’s RC Church, Blackhill 7.00p.m. Eucharist & Stations of the Cross 10.00a.m. Eucharist MAUNDY THURSDAY 7.30p.m. SUNG EUCHARIST OF THE LAST SUPPER - followed by a Watch of the Passion. GOOD FRIDAY 10.00a.m. Service at the Cross - for all ages. 2.00p.m. LITURGY OF THE DAY & HOLY COMMUNION.

EASTER DAY - THE DAY OF RESURRECTION! (Isaiah 25.6-9; Acts 10.34-43;Mark 16.1-8)

8.00a.m. Eucharist 10.00a.m. SUNG EUCHARIST with Easter Ceremonies Evening Prayer is cancelled this week and next Tues. 14 Thurs. 16

12.30p.m. “Second Tuesday” Lunch Club - Church Hall 10.00a.m. Eucharist - cancelled this week

Sunday 19

THE 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER (Acts 4.32-35; 1 John 1.1-2.2; John 20.19-end )

8.00a.m. Eucharist 10.00a.m. SUNG EUCHARIST Evening Prayer returns next week

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Thurs. 23

ST. GEORGE, Martyr, Patron of England c.304 10.00a.m. Eucharist

Sunday 30

THE 3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER (Acts 3.12-19; 1 John 3.1-7; Luke 24.36b-48)

8.00a.m. 10.00a.m. 11.15a.m. 6.00p.m. Mon.

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Wed. 29 Thurs. 30

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & SUNDAY SCHOOL Annual Parochial Church Meeting Evening Prayer

2.00p.m. Eucharist - at Derwentdale Court 7.30p.m. PCC Meeting - Vicarage 7.30p.m. Ladies’ Fashion Show - Church Hall 10.00a.m. Eucharist

MAY Sunday 3

THE 4th SUNDAY OF EASTER (Acts 4.5-12; 1 John 3.16-end; John 10.11-18)

8.00a.m. 10.00a.m. 6.00p.m.

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & SUNDAY SCHOOL Evening Prayer

Readings for Sunday Evening Worship Please use these readings, whether or not you are able to join us at the 6p.m. service Sunday 5 April Sunday 12 April Sunday 19 April Sunday 26 April

Ps. Ps. Ps. Ps.

Sunday

Ps. 81.8-16

3 May

69.1-18 114; 117 143.1-11 142

Isaiah 5.1-7 Ezekiel 37.1-14 Isaiah 26.1-9,19 Deuteronomy 7.7-13

Mark 12.1-12 Luke 24.13-35 Luke 24.1-12 Revelation 2.1-11

Exodus 16.4-15

Revelation 2.12-17

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Holy Week

5th - 12th April 2009

Holy Week gets its name because it is central to our faith. Without the events of that week there would be no Christian faith. We often talk about “commitments” when we mean distractions. This week tells us about God’s commitment to us - what about our commitment to him? So let us give our attention to Jesus: hear his voice afresh; experience the touch of his love; resolve once more to be his follower. Please make the effort to be with us, especially on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day. Services during Holy Week begin with Palm Sunday on th Sunday, 5 April. Processing into church with our palms we realise that the people who take part in the drama of Holy Week were much like ourselves. In church we hear a dramatised account of the Passion according to St. Mark. Our aim throughout this most Holy Week is to draw close to Christ in his Passion - even as we realise that we are there with the crowd baying for his blood, or in the shoes of St. Peter, saying we will never desert him and then denying him three times. Do we have the will to walk with Jesus throughout this week? Palm Sunday helps us make a good start. th

On Monday 6 April there is an ecumenical Holy Week Service in St. Mary’s RC Church, Blackhill, at 7.30p.m. This is an opportunity to come together with members of other local churches - do join us. Further, more reflective, services are held in St. Cuthbert’s on Tuesday and Wednesday, each of them a Eucharist - so it’s possible to join in worship each day of Holy Week. The Eucharist on Tuesday evening is followed by “Stations of the Cross.” We use the pictures in church which depict Jesus’ journey to the Cross as a guide to meditation “on the move” - our aim: to draw closer to Christ at this time of his Passion. th

On Maundy Thursday, 9 April, the clergy of the diocese take part in the “Chrism Mass” with the renewal of ordination vows in the Cathedral. There also the Bishop blesses the holy oils for use in Baptism, Confirmation and the anointing of the Sick. There is no Thursday morning Eucharist that day - the parish celebration is reserved for the evening; please join us then! It's on Holy / Maundy Thursday evening with the Sung Eucharist of the Last Supper that we begin the "Triduum," the Great Three Days which are at the centre of our faith. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, breaks bread with his friends and then turns to face his Passion. He wants us to be with him. As this service closes, we have

5 the opportunity to remain in church for silent prayer, just as Jesus watched in the Garden of Gethsemane with his disciples. Come for all or any part of this most special evening between 7.30p.m and 10p.m. Good Friday brings us to the Cross. At 10.00a.m. there is a special service for all ages - see the extent of God's love for us, that it can bring his Son to die for our sake. At 2.00p.m. we mark our Lord's last hour on the Cross with a Solemn Liturgy of the day, including St. John's account of the Passion and Holy Communion - as on Maundy Thursday we leave the church in silence without a dismissal: God's work is still to be completed…. We recognise the fulness of God’s work on Easter Day. From the darkness we come to celebrate the triumph of light, the victory of the Resurrection and the power of Christ's risen life over death. The Easter flame is lit, and we are called to the renewal of our Baptismal faith and hope - today the call goes out to all who would put their trust in Christ:

If any be a devout lover of God, let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast. If any be a faithful servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord. If any have wearied himself with fasting, let him now enjoy his reward.... Enter, all of you, into the joy of our Lord. First and last, receive alike your reward. Rich and poor, dance together. You who have fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice today. The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it. Let none fear death; for the death of the Saviour has set us free.

May the love of Christ, crucified and risen, fill your life with his joy this Easter-tide Martin Jackson

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Mothers’ Union News th

Monday 6 April 2.00pm Service in Church Followed by a talk by Liz Whiting about the Derwentside Carers’ Centre. Thank you to everyone who gave to the “Make a Mother’s Day” appeal in memory of our mothers. This year we gave a total of £88 which is being used to buy 2 latrines and washstands and 2 blackboards and chalks. Thank you also to everyone who has made teddies, so many and all individuals with their different colours and expressions. 31 teddies have travelled to Durham and possibly now a bit further at the start of their journey abroad.

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A message from Consett Christian Aid Committee “Thank you to everyone who bought tickets and supported the Coffee Morning on Saturday 21st February at Consett Methodist Church. We raised £149 for Christian Aid - and the Traidcraft stall made £102 for their fund. It was a lovely social morning with many people from different Churches and communities all enjoying time together.” A reminder that Christian Aid Week will be here th th again soon, this year from 10 to 16 May. Looking further ahead, our Sponsored Walk is on Saturday 26th September and will start at the beginning of the Derwent Walk.

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2nd Tuesday Lunch Club … continues to provide food and friendship 12.30p.m. Tuesday 14th April in the Church Hall

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An Evening with George Miller George treated us to a fascinating evening‟s insight into his journey across America, the basis of his new book “This is the Way to Amarillo”. The evening was enjoyed by all and ended with a rousing rendition of Tony Christie‟s classic hit of the same name. George gave his time free of charge and the publishers allowed us to receive every penny of the profits raised by book sales. In total we raised £296 - an excellent addition to our appeal for building work on the lower level of the Church Hall. A very big thank you to all who supported this event. Jennifer Lambert 

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100 Club - Winners March 1st Prize 2nd Prize 3rd Prize

£25 £15 £10

No.35 No.63 No.2

Ian Hamilton Joyce Shaw Doris Pearson

Details on how to join the 100 Club from our organiser, Jennifer Lambert, phone 505018. 

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DRAMA GROUP TO JOIN HALL FUND-RAISING DRIVE The newly-revived drama group (now called One in Seven) intends to join the Church Hall fund-raising programme with a special inaugural evening planned for Saturday 9th May at 7.30 in the hall. The evening will consist of live entertainment based on radio and television shows and provided by members of the group. The entertainment may well remind the audience of Round the Horne, Bob Newhart and Mastermind with some live musical additions, and tickets, on sale shortly, will be £5 to include refreshments. Members of the group will also perform the dramatised Passiontide reading on Palm Sunday, April 5th, at the 10a.m. Eucharist. Jim Hollingsworth

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Stained Glass in St. Cuthbert’s Paul Heatherington, one of our Readers, continues his series …

Dorcas Next to the Lydia window in St Cuthbert‟s organ aisle is to be found a window with the title „Dorcas.‟ Dorcas was a follower of Jesus and lived in Joppa. Sadly she fell ill and died. Her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. When the other Christians in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, they dispatched two men to beg Peter to come as quickly as he could. Peter returned with them to Joppa. The scene greeting Peter seems not to have been unlike the occasion when Lazarus had died: mourning, weeping, widows were everywhere. The men took Peter to the room in which Dorcas has been laid and he was shown clothes which Dorcas had made. This is the scene which the stained glass window depicts. Dorcas is NOT the woman in the window. The woman depicted is a woman holding up a garment made by Dorcas for Peter to see. Peter asked everyone to leave the room. Then, he knelt to pray, calling on Jesus‟ power. Peter – not unlike the way Jesus called on Lazarus to come out of the tomb – turned to the body of Dorcas and ordered her to get up. On opening her eyes and seeing Peter, Dorcas sat up. Peter helped her to her feet, by taking her by the hand. Peter then called both the grieving widows and the other followers of Jesus into the room for all to see that Dorcas was alive and well. Dorcas is an excellent example of a woman who was responsive to the less fortunate. Dorcas demonstrated her newly-found faith in Jesus Christ by working with her hands to meet the needs of the less fortunate. She had given a great deal to the poor and was always doing good things for people.

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Jesus acted through Peter. All too often, Christians think too little of what Jesus can do through them. The raising of Dorcas created quite a stir and everyone living in the vicinity quickly learned what had happened. As a result, many of those living in Joppa came to faith.

NOTES Acts 9:36–41 has the story of Dorcas. Dorcas is the Greek translation of the Hebrew „Tabitha‟ and means a deer or a gazelle. Joppa, Jerusalem's seaport, was a town in Israel on the Mediterranean Sea. It is now 10 miles southeast of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Lydda wasn‟t far from Joppa Saints: St Paul describes living church members as „saints‟, and addressed his letters, „to the saints of ….‟ Dorcas Lane, who ran Candleford's Post Office in the BBC drama „Lark Rise to Candleford’ was played by Julia Sawalha. Paul Heatherington

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Fashion at St Cuthbert’s 7.30p.m. Wednesday 29th April

Ladies’ Fashion Show - in St. Cuthbert’s Church Hall.

Tickets £5 from Mary Mitchell - proceeds to church funds

01207 508174

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Plus ça change… I was going to write an article about the air-raid shelter, or “bunker”, which was built for church use in the 1940‟s, and was trawling through past Parish Magazines to find details of when and how it was demolished, when I serendipitously hit on something more immediately relevant - tree felling! Churchgoers, and those who pass up and down the bank, may have noticed that NEDL have been having some pruning and tree felling carried out, and this work has included felling two of the four conifers outside the Church. I counted the growth rings on the stumps and these trees were 54 years old give or take a year or two. Now, in the Parish Magazine for December 1955 was a paragraph about felling some of the trees in the churchyard which were in a dangerous condition; damaging church walls and carrying fungal spores into the church. These trees had been listed for felling three years previously. (It took NEDL two years and a bit to get the job done this time, so things have speeded up since the 1950‟s). The article continues with the hope that a replanting scheme would be started straight away - so it would appear that the two trees just felled were part of that replanting scheme - and those who planted them probably never thought that these trees too would grow and cause damage to walls and pathways, and endanger the electricity supply! Sammie Hewlett

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Spring Clean-up… Get St. Cuthbert’s Church ready for Easter Make a clean sweep! Please come along to lend a hand with pre-Christmas cleaning on Saturday 4th April from 10a.m. More details from Liz Parker…

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“Cake Bake” - Sunday 26th April Sunday School will be holding their annual “Cake Bake” on Sunday 26th April. There will be cakes, large and small, as well as decorated biscuits etc. for you to buy. All in aid of the Church Hall building project to finish off the downstairs rooms and develop a disabled toilet and galley kitchen. Come and buy your cakes and nibble your biscuits while attending the APCM meeting to find out what is going on. ……………………………………………………………………….

COFFEE plus in support of St Cuthbert’s Church

Saturday 16th May 2009 10a.m. to 12noon in the Church Hall COFFEE & LIGHT REFRESHMENTS PLANT STALL SECOND-HAND BOOKS RAFFLE Rosie Junemann is coordinating the Sale, and welcomes offers of help, plants, books, prizes…

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Annual Parochial Church Meeting & Reports th

On Sunday 26 April, we will be holding our Annual Parochial Church Meeting. This is the occasion when we elect churchwardens and members of the Parochial Church Council. The meeting will follow on after the main Sunday Eucharist - so go over to the Hall, get a cup of coffee and hang on! We hold the meeting in the morning to attract more people, and give a greater sense of involvement in the mainstream life of the parish. And we’ll do our best to keep things quite brief and to the point. So this is to ask you to start getting ready for the Annual Meeting please get ready! Nomination sheets for the office of churchwarden (2), and the PCC (12 members, serving one year), will be found in church in due course. Standing for office, proposing someone else, and voting are all matters for careful (and prayerful) consideration. We look at our financial position too - if you’d like to see detailed Parish Accounts in advance, please ask Irvine Macnair. We’re now in the last stages of revising our Electoral Roll - the list of all who may vote at the meeting. If you’re on the Roll already, that’s fine. If you’re notor want to know more, contact the Vicar, a Warden or Kelsey Buchanan, our Electoral Roll Officer. Forms for new members need to be nd returned by Thursday 2 April. The qualification for membership is to be 16 years of age or more, together with residence in the parish or attendance at St. Cuthbert’s over a period of 6 months. In the following pages there follow such reports of parish organisations as we’ve been able already to gather. There’ll be more to say on the day of the meeting. And in any event we don’t just look back at reports… the meeting should help us to celebrate what we are doing now, and help us to look forward to the future. So, please come - and play your part.

CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT The fabric of the Church is in reasonable condition, most of the work this year has been general maintenance, but there are a number of major works which will require attention in the not too distant future, in particular the repointing of the boundary walls. The peeling interior paintwork is of some concern; but this would need fairly substantial works involving stripping off the old and testing of available materials if we are to avoid the flaking which is occurring.

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Repairs were carried out to number of stained glass windows in the East aisle, we are fortunate that the Lexan coating to the outside of all of the windows gives a good level of protection, both from damage and also from draughts. Minor roof repairs were needed to arrest the ingress of water in the Chancel and at the rear of the Lady Chapel, all gutterings were also cleaned out . Problems with the quarter chimes to the clock were resolved, and the annual maintenance has been carried out with no problems being found; the possibility of fitting an electrical winding mechanism in the future may be worth considering. As most of us are now aware felling and pruning of trees in the Church yard has now been carried out, this work was necessary, both to clear obstruction to the overhead electric cables and also because the two conifers were causing damage to the footings of the boundary walls. All of this work we are pleased to say was carried out by NEDL at no cost to ourselves. Repairs and replacements have also been carried out to a number of damaged floorboards. A survey of the floor heating grilles has revealed the need for 17 replacements, the necessary Archdeacon‟s Certificate has been received for this work, which is expected to commence within the next month. The Quinquennial Report is due next year, and we still have some work to do to meet the recommendations of the previous report, which standing committee and PCC will be working through in the next year. Unfortunately this will inevitably involve fund-raising - all ideas for which will be gratefully received.! Thank you to all of you who help to maintain this beautiful Church, whether practically or financially. As we say year on year, being custodians of such a building, brings a lot of work but also an awful lot of pleasure. Liz Parker

Linda Short

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ST. CUTHBERT’S HALL REPORT During the past year the management committee have become increasingly concerned about the revenue of the Hall. The management committee has discussed at length the need to publicise the Church Hall more widely. A sub group of the Committee worked to evaluate the hourly rates for the booking of the hall. It was agreed that the hourly rate for user groups would rise to £9/hour and the private rental rate would increase to £15/hour. It was agreed that the affiliation fee would remain at £60/year. Despite this the Hall has been able to once again cover all running costs. The Hall Management Committee met three times during the past year. The finance group met twice. The Committee consisted of: Six PCC nominated members: Glynis Bell Steve Mitchell Martin Jackson Ian Severs Linda Short Peter Thompson User group representatives:

Mothers Union – Sheila Barnes Lunch Club – Pam Hudson Handbells – Sammie Hewlett Toddlers – Lindsay Weaver Brownies – Fiona Bell Guides – Lynne Paley

Irvine Macnair, the PCC Treasurer, who also looked after the Hall finances, was an ex-officio member of the Committee until December 2008. From January 2009 Jennifer Lambert has taken over as Treasurer for the Church Hall. Linda Short continued in the role of Hall Booking Secretary. The Church Hall received funding from local councillors to complete car park and landscaping works. Plans have now been drawn up for the downstairs area of the hall in order to complete the Hall. The next step will be to put the work out to tender.

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The Second Tuesday Lunch Club continues to be very popular and successful. The Management team organised and decorated the Hall for Christmas festivities. The aims for the forthcoming year: To complete landscaping. To gain funding to complete work to the downstairs rooms of the Hall. Fiona Bell, Secretary

CHURCH FLOWER REPORT 2008-09 The church flowers have been arranged weekly, usually on Fridays and generally by a team of three people. Several others have help out on an occasional basis, particularly at Christmas time. An extra pair of hands on a regular bases would still be appreciated. The flowers have been specially arranged for three weddings as well as for Easter, Harvest Festival and Christmas, which was a major undertaking as usual. The flower fund has been reasonably healthy throughout the year. There was a starting balance in the fund of £109.53, with an income of £1,207.20, spends of £1,123.97, leaving a closing balance of £59.72 Thank you to all who have helped with the church flowers last year, either financially or by giving their time. It was greatly appreciated. Sonia Thompson

Handbell Ringers 2008 was not the best of years for St Cuthbert‟s Handbell Ringers; with family commitments, eyesight problems, illness, and a great anxiety preventing full rehearsals, or even meetings at all. However, we did perform at the Christmas Concert with the Leadgate Gleemen, and also for the Christingle Service on Christmas Eve. We carry on… maybe someone else will come and join us. Perhaps 2009 will be the Year of Renewal for St Cuthbert‟s Handbell Ringers! Sammie Hewlett

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TOWER BELLS REPORT 2008-09 Last year the bells were rung most Sundays by a regular band of 9 ringers – one of which has returned to the exercise after an absence of 45 years! Practice nights have often been busy occasions as we enjoy the company of ringers from Consett and Lanchester. Two new learners joined us in the New Year (2009) who will hopefully boost our local band in the future. Despite the slight increase in numbers, ringing still has to be cancelled during some holiday times, particularly in the summer. Most of the ringers are tied to school holidays, which makes cover difficult. Four weddings were rung for during the last year, and two visiting bands were welcomed. Some of our ringers took part in the association quarter peal week in July (one ringer achieving their first quarter peal) and another quarter was rung in October for Sammie and Alan Hewlett‟s Golden Wedding Anniversary. Minimal repair work has taken place in the tower last year. A stay had to be replaced on the 4th bell and some splicing work to repair the ropes on the 5th and Tenor bells. Following closer inspection of these ropes it has been necessary to order two new ropes for these heavier back end bells. Most of the cost of which should be covered by the Tower fund, which is likely to reduce it to zero. The Tower fund (Jan 08 – Dec 08) started the year with a balance of £117.50 but gained additional funds of £99.00, primarily from the 4 weddings that were rung for during the year. There was no Tower outing in 2008 and the only outgoings of £15.00 were to cover the Junior subs to the D&N Bell Ringing Association, leaving a closing balance of £201.50. This, after paying the 2009 subs, will almost cover the cost of the two new ropes – donations always welcome. Sonia Thompson

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Christian Aid Report During 2008 Consett and District Christian Aid Committee held our usual events: A coffee morning in Consett Methodist church in February The sponsored walk in September A performance given by the Snug Theatre Group during One World Week in October Together with Christian Aid Week, these events raised over £10,300. St Cuthbert‟s collection for Christian Aid Week was £1,245. Thanks are due to all our dedicated collectors, both to those who have been collecting for many years and to those who collected for the first time in 2008. Thank you also to all the members of our community who continue to give so generously. Please consider helping in 2009 if you can. It doesn‟t take too long and would help to continue our valuable contribution to Christian Aid. Sheila Barnes

Mothers’ Union 2008 The Branch continued in 2008 with our usual mixture of worship, meetings, fundraising, and outings. Worship included our regular services in St Cuthbert‟s, monthly Eucharist at Derwentdale Court, the Diocesan Festival Service in Durham Cathedral, and the Deanery Quiet Day and Autumn Deanery Service. Two of us also attended the IMPC (Indoor Members Prayer Circle) Service in Durham Cathedral. During our meetings we were entertained with music and words reflecting the seasons of both the calendar and the Church‟s year and we were privileged to hear some of the reminiscences and thoughts of two very interesting speakers, one with a lifetime‟s experience of Church, the other with Chapel. Some of the Mothers‟ Union work overseas was brought to life for us by two speakers who had spent time in Uganda helping to build a school.

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Our fundraising for MU charities and activities included supporting “Make a Mother‟s Day” in memory of our mothers, once again making a joint donation and inviting others to join us. We sold Christmas Quizzes in aid of Durham Diocesan charities. Members from Consett and Ebchester joined us for our Soup and Sweet lunch when we raised money for the Overseas Fund and AFIA (Away from it all Fund). We have continued to provide emergency toilet bags, baby bonnets and bootees, and Teddies for tragedies. We held a display in Church to demonstrate some of our activities. Summer outings in 2008 were an evening visit to Matfen Brewery and Farm and to Auckland Castle and the Weardale Centre at Stanhope. In December, we enjoyed an evening meal at Lanchester and our now customary meal at Derwent College. Our meetings have been entertaining, informative, interesting as well as an opportunity to talk with friends. Anyone who wants to just come along would be most welcome as would anyone who would like to join the Mothers‟ Union. Membership is open to anyone, female or male, young or old, married or single, mother or not, providing you have been baptised and support the MU aims and objectives. Sheila Barnes

Worship / Music / Sing Together Nine 'Sing Together' sessions were held during 2008. Further sessions are planned for 2009. These sessions are very informal and offer good opportunities to try out new hymns and to enjoy singing some of the more familiar ones. It would be good if more people could be encouraged to join us. Some small changes have been made in our regular worship. You may have noticed some new resources which have been introduced using 'Common Worship: Times and Seasons.' Changes to the Christmas Eve 'Carols and Christingles' service attracted some appreciative comments. 27 new hymns were reproduced under the CCLI Licence during 2008. Rosie Junemann is now a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Committee and of its Music Wing.

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Brownie Report We have maintained our numbers this year and at present have 32 girls and a very long waiting list. We now have a successful parent‟s rota running to provide enough adult support at each meeting. We have held several very successful fundraising events including an entertainment night and a Christmas concert. In March we joined with 2nd Chester le Street Brownies for our Pack Holiday at Moorhouse Activity Centre in Durham. We enjoyed an African theme. We enjoyed African drumming sessions and abseiling and archery in the snow. In May we spent a weekend at Hawkhirst Scout Camp, Kielder the girls took part in Canadian canoeing, archery, climbing and orienteering. In July we took part in a County Activity Day celebrating all things Olympic and Chinese as the theme was the Beijing Olympics. In September we visited The Forbidden Corner in Leyburn, North Yorkshire. The girls enjoyed solving the riddles and getting very wet under the waterfalls. Since September the girls have been involved in Girlguiding UKs Changing the World project. This has involved learning about The Railway Children charity, exploring homelessness and raising money for the charity. In December we visited Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. In February we held a sleepover which had the theme of Chile. The girls enjoyed making ponchos, cooking and having an indoor snowball fight. The coming year is expected to be very busy and enjoyable for all girls as Girlguiding is celebrating its 100th Birthday Year starting on 5th September 2009. Fiona Bell

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100 Club Another very successful year allowing us to donate £600 to the church and give out £600 in prize money. We ended the year with a final balance of £195 and have a total of 108 numbers allocated. Many thanks to all participants. Jennifer Lambert

SUNDAY COFFEE Refreshments and biscuits were provided in the Church Hall after the 10 am. Eucharist on 51 Sundays in 2008. Donations came to £462 and expenses to £74. Sunday School children joined during term-time and consumed many a biscuit! A rota of volunteers (some pressganged) helped serve and wash up and the rota‟s periodicity was about 8 weeks. More helpers would, of course, be very welcome. Jenny Macnair

CHURCH MAGAZINES 2008 300 magazines were printed 10 times a year and 50p. was charged for each copy (£5 for an annual subscription). 250 were distributed to regular subscribers and 50 left in Church and the Church Hall for casual buyers. The total printing cost for the year was £612 and the income derived was £1126. 20 people undertook to distribute the magazines. Jenny Macnair

2nd TUESDAY LUNCH CLUB The Lunch Club continues to flourish with five new members joining us since (this) January with helpers we number 45!! Unfortunately, due to rising costs, we have had to increase our prices, but this has not lead to us having lost any of our “happy group.” We put on our “Free Christmas Lunch” which everyone seemed to enjoy.

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The help given by “dishwashers,” “drivers,” “cooks,” and raffle ticket lady” is very much appreciated. Here‟s to the next time! Pam Hudson

PCC Secretary’s Report 2008/2009 has been another busy year in the life of St Cuthbert‟s Church. There have been the usual seasonal events and fairs as well as several additional fund raising occasions organised by various members of the congregation. All were enjoyed by everyone who attended and helped raise much needed funds for the Church and Church Hall. Barclays and National Westminster Banks contributed to these events via their £ for £ employee involvement schemes. Thanks go to Claire Bean and Jennifer Lambert for making these donations possible. Many thanks go to two of our area Councillors who helped us acquire funding and manpower from the outgoing Derwentside District Council to develop a landscaped car park area in the grounds of the Church Hall. This has eased parking on Church Bank during events held both in the Church and Church Hall as well as tidying the area up. Thanks also go to Derwentside District Council. Minor repairs were carried out in and around Church during the year although this next year will see more obvious works taking place. Throughout the year the Vicar and our two Readers, Rosie Junemann and Paul Heatherington, have attended various courses and seminars to assist in their vocational development. 2008 saw three long serving members of the PCC step down. Many thanks went to them for their sterling work over the years. The new “team” members seem to be settling in to the working of the PCC. We look forward to a successful and sociable 2009/2010. Jill Barron

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Confirmation 2009 Our Deanery has again been offered only one Confirmation this year - but back at the time of year we’ve been used to. So you might wish to grasp this opportunity… The Bishop of Durham (I nd think!) will be presiding at a Deanery Confirmation on Monday 22 June at All Saints’ Church, Lanchester. We have a couple of candidates, but would welcome more! If you’re an adult with actual church involvement - and want to be confirmed - please get in touch with the Vicar (of St. Cuthbert’s!) as soon as possible. There’ll be some preparation involved after Easter - and hopefully it will all be very enjoyable. Carpe Diem!

Useful Church Contacts: Churchwardens: Liz Parker, 178 Benfieldside Road Linda Short, 9 Sherwood Close   PCC Lay Chair: Peter Thompson, Wheldon House, Ebchester

505156 503750 560454

PCC Treasurer: Irvine Macnair, 10 Kempton Close.

505828

PCC Secretary: Jill Barron, 141 Benfieldside Road

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Sunday School: Carol O‟Malley, 13 Spring Close, Ebchester

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Church Hall:

Linda Short, 9 Sherwood Close 

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