Scb Parish Magazine December 2008 - January 2009

1

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

2

PARISH CALENDAR - DECEMBER 2008 Thurs.

4

10.00a.m. Eucharist 10.45a.m. Holy Communion - Shotley Park

Saturday 6th December from 11.00a.m. to 2.00p.m.

ST. CUTHBERT’S CHRISTMAS FAIR Join us in the Church Hall Sunday

7

THE 2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Isaiah 40.1-11; 2 Peter 3.8-15a; Mark 1.1-8)

Tues.

9

Thurs. 11 Sunday 14

8.00a.m.

Eucharist

10.00a.m.

SUNG EUCHARIST

6.00p.m.

& SUNDAY SCHOOL Carols & Readings for Advent

12.30p.m. “Second Tuesday” Lunch Club - Church Hall 7.30p.m. Sing Together - join us in church 10.00a.m. Eucharist 10.45a.m. Holy Communion - Edmundbyers House 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Isaiah 61.1-4,8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24; John 1.6-8,19-28)

8.00a.m. 10.00a.m. 6.00p.m. Thurs. 18

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & SUNDAY SCHOOL Evening Prayer

10.00a.m. Eucharist

Friday 19th December - Christmas Concert

The Leadgate Gleemen

& St. Cuthbert’s Handbell Ringers 7.30p.m.in the Church Hall - including refreshments Tickets £4 – in aid of Sunday School Funds

3

Sat

20

Sunday 21

10a.m. Church “Clean-up” & Christmas Decorating 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16; Romans 16.25-27; Luke 1.26-38)

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

22

Eucharist. SUNG EUCHARIST + Sunday School Presentation Taizé Vespers

2.00p.m. Eucharist - at Derwentdale Court

Wednesday 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 6.00p.m. CHRISTINGLE SERVICE 11.30p.m. MIDNIGHT MASS OF THE NATIVITY

Christmas Eve Christmas Day

Thursday 25

CHRISTMAS DAY 9.30a.m. PARISH EUCHARIST Please note – this is the only service on Christmas Day

Sunday 28

THE HOLY INNOCENTS (Jeremiah 31.15-17; 1 Corinthians 1.26-29; Matthew 2.13-18)

8.00a.m. Eucharist 10.00a.m. SUNG EUCHARIST Evening Prayer is cancelled

JANUARY Thursday 1

THE NAMING AND CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS 11.00a.m. Eucharist - make a good start to the New Year

Sunday 4

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD (Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.1-12; Matthew 2.1-12)

8.00a.m. Eucharist 10.00a.m. SUNG EUCHARIST Evening Prayer is cancelled Thurs.

8

10.00a.m. Eucharist

4

Sunday 11

THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST (Epiphany 1) (Genesis 1.1-5 ; Psalm 29; Acts 19.1-7; Mark 1.4-11)

8.00a.m. 10.00a.m. 6.00p.m. Tues. 13 Thurs. 15

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & SUNDAY SCHOOL Evening Prayer

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

18 - 25 JANUARY WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Sunday 18

THE 2nd SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY (1 Samuel 3.1-20; Psalm 139.1-9; Revelation 5.1-10; John 1.43-51)

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

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & SUNDAY SCHOOL Taizé Vespers

Mon. 19 Thurs. 22

7.30p.m. Parochial Church Council Meeting. 10.00a.m. Eucharist

Sunday 25

THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL (Epiphany 3) (Jeremiah 1.4-10; Acts 9.1-22; Matthew 19.27-end)

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

26

Thurs. 29

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & SUNDAY SCHOOL Evening Prayer

2.00p.m. Eucharist - at Derwentdale Court 8.00p.m. Hall Management Committee 10.00a.m. Eucharist

FEBRUARY Sunday 1

CANDLEMAS - PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE (Malachi 3.1-5; Hebrews 2.14-18; Luke 2.22-40)

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

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST Evening Prayer

5

View from the Vicarage “We needed an incarnate God… … who would die that we might live.” Not very Christmassy you might think. But these words of St. Gregory Nazianzen (from his Orations) go to the heart of what Christmas is about… That God comes to us in human flesh in Jesus Christ. Gregory wrestles with just what this means: that God - who can seem so far away - comes as close to us as this child who sucks upon his Mother‟s breast. All that we are, he is, sharing in our humanity. He knows how we feel, he recognises the limitations we live with, our hopes, fears, anxieties, joys and sorrows. And all of this is possible because of Christmas. God does not stay removed from our human situation. He comes right into it in Jesus. This is what is so distinctive about Christianity as opposed to other religions. God doesn‟t look on from afar and “tut-tut”. He doesn‟t make us do what we should or put things right with thunderbolts from heaven. Instead he feels as we feel. Born as a baby he experiences our so human needs of love and nurture. In a world of so much cruelty - where child neglect appallingly highlighted by the case of “Baby P” in Haringay is so prevalent - we can rejoice in the love he finds in Mary and Joseph and himself brings into our world. Jesus needs the love of his family - it‟s a reminder of the basic need of love each of us has. And needs don‟t end with childhood. Humanity needs to be honoured regardless of age, colour, race or creed. When it‟s not… we see the results in Jesus‟ death on the Cross - and also in so many lands where humanity is disfigured by war, greed, callousness… and in relationships which are broken as people fail to honour (and love) each other. “We needed an incarnate God…” We still do, which is why celebrate his birth at Christmas. Martin Jackson

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

504352

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

561884

Church Hall:

Linda Short, 9 Sherwood Close 

503750

6

Mothers’ Union News th

Thursday 11 December - 7.30pm We have been invited to join Consett MU at their “Carols by Candlelight” in the Church Hall, Christ Church, Consett th

Monday 15 December - 12.00 noon Lunch at Chapters Restaurant, Derwentside College

Family Quiz for Christmas

£1 each

A Christmas Quiz to raise funds to support work in Durham Diocese including the “Away from it all” scheme to give holidays to families suffering adversity. Your chance to win a prize while supporting the Mothers‟ Union work and giving your brain a gentle work-out (if it isn‟t already worn out with all those Christmas preparations!) Available from Sheila Barnes (504168)… open to all!

Christian Aid A very big “Thank you” to everyone who sponsored me on the Christian Aid Walk way back at the end of September. It was another good walk and I raised £108 – very many thanks. Sheila Barnes _______________________________________________________________________________________

100 Club - Winners November 1st Prize

£25.00

No. 74

Joyce Moody

2nd Prize

£15.00

No. 76

Shirley Palmer

3rd Prize

£10.00

No. 26

Fiona Bell

The year‟s membership comes to an end with our December draw - new subscriptions due in January! Thanks to all who have supported the Club. Further details on how to join the 100 Club from our organiser, Jennifer Lambert, phone 01207 505018.

7

8

SING carols TOGETHER! Advent, Christmas and Epiphany 2008 Another session for everyone who enjoys singing. Join us to sing some traditional carols. Tuesday 9th December 2008 7.30 – 8.30pm in the Vicarage

Further details: Rosie Junemann, Martin Jackson or Bill Hudson



GROWING TOGETHER! St Cuthbert’s Gardening Club

Thanks…

to all our gardeners for your hard work during 2008 Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year!

9

All change at the Car Park! Not quite what they used to shout at the end of a bus route, but we should all see major changes to the Church Hall Car Park very soon, and all the better it will be for it. As many of you will know we were very kindly allocated a large sum of money from a number of our local Councillors who had been asked to propose deserving community projects that needed financial help. This all started some time ago, Derwentside Council Engineers Department were roped in, developed plans and after approval by the Church Hall Management Committee and PCC were put forward for Planning Permission. The Planning Application process takes on average 6 weeks and I am now pleased to announce that the plans for the car park were finally approved on 26/11/08. By the time this article reaches you in the December / January issue of the Parish Magazine you may already have seen the disappearance of the 2 very large Sycamore trees. The main groundworks are expected to start week commencing Monday 8th December, just delayed long enough to have the Christmas Fair without any mess or various construction plant blocking the current car park area. With a fair wind, good weather and no unforeseen unexploded bombs getting in the way (you never know what you will find once you start digging holes in the ground), we hope the new car park will be usable by Christmas. Once the vast majority of the “hard” groundworks are done final discussions and decisions will be made about the landscaping of the area between the back of the hall and the side of the car park. This has to be left until then so we can calculate how much money is left, which is also dependant upon any unforeseen additional work such as bomb disposal, or simply rerouting drainage we were not aware of. The initial outline plans and ideas have to be discussed and confirmed with the landscaping company but we expect this part of the work, and therefore the complete job, to be finished by the end of March. January is not the best time if we wish to plant anything we hope will grow, but again advice from the experts will be sort. We want to keep the maintenance of this area to an absolute minimum, but we must at least replace the 2 trees we are removing as part of this work. To ensure these do not grow to the size of the current Sycamores, and thus cause future guardians of the property more problems, we are anticipating selecting some sort of suitable fruit trees, possibly

10

cooking apples which could be put to some good use each year (Lunch Club puddings come to mind, etc, etc.). These do not grow too large and even in a Conservation Area you are allowed to prune fruit trees without needing Council consent. Anybody got any suitable ribbon for an opening ceremony! Peter Thompson



Christmas Clean-up Get St. Cuthbert’s Church ready for Christmas Make a clean sweep! Please come along to lend a hand with pre-Christmas cleaning on Saturday 20th December from 10a.m. More details from Liz Parker…



2nd Tuesday Lunch Club … continues to provide food and friendship 12.30p.m. Tuesday 9th December in the Church Hall



Christmas Concert by The Leadgate Gleemen & St. Cuthbert’s Handbell-ringers 7.30p.m. Friday 19th December – in St. Cuthbert‟s Hall; tickets £4.

Proceeds to Sunday School Funds

11

Notes & News Many thanks… to all who helped with the Book and Toy Sale in November. The total raised at the sale was £306-50, made up as follows: Refreshments: Toys: Books: Raffle: Jam:

£100-00 £ 90-40 £ 60-00 £ 34-00 £ 22-10

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Hall for Hire… We‟re hopeful that the proposed work on the Car Park will be starting very soon. Meanwhile a reminder that the Hall itself is available for hire - for community use and private social functions. It‟s appreciated greatly by its regular users, and has been popular for Baptism parties, children‟s birthday parties, Golden Wedding Anniversaries etc… To find out more, contact the Bookings Secretary, Mrs. Linda Short, on 01207 503750. _______________________________________________________________________________________

The Derwentdale Court Eucharist… We hope to be able to get back into Derwentdale Court for our monthly Eucharist in December. A reminder nd that this time it will be the second last Monday of the month (22 December). Many thanks to Margaret Vernon for hosting the last three Eucharists. Let‟s hope that all is now ready for our return to Derwentdale Court - please keep your ears open for news, just in case! _______________________________________________________________________________________

Northumbria Historic Churches Trust Steeplechase Thanks to our participants - and those who sponsored them. £284 has now been sent to the Trust, and we‟ll get half back. Plus, the Trust has been generous to us in the past. Well worth supporting!

12

SEE THIS!!! You could help change lives… As you look through this magazine, do you have difficulty seeing the words and illustrations? If so then you can visit your local optician who will, with relative ease improve your vision, most commonly by prescribing spectacles. However, imagine if you will what it would be like to live in one of the developing countries where millions of people do not have access to simple amenities such as the proper eye-care that we take for granted, or the spectacles that we throw away when we are given a new prescription. In areas such as Malawi, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe people go about their lives inhibited by correctable visual impairments. Many children attend schools for the blind, which could be avoided if they had a simple pair of spectacles. Lack of eye-care makes work and education incredibly difficult, if not impossible. The majority of road accidents are caused by drivers with poor vision. Job opportunities are few and far between, putting those with poor eye-sight at a major disadvantage. International aid charity „The Caring City’ is working in partnership with Optical Express to help improve the vision of people in under-developed countries. Together with volunteers the charity provides local resident eye doctors with training, support and equipment, including donated frames and lenses . When the volunteers leave and move on to the next project the local eye doctors are equipped to continue helping people with visual problems. If you have an old pair of spectacles that you don‟t use, simply drop them into the box provided at the back of Church, and they will be passed on to the charity, you could make a huge difference to help someone else learn, work and achieve a better quality of life, by helping The Caring City continue to provide valuable eye-care services in underdeveloped countries. You could change lives with the gift of sight, simply by donating your old spectacles. Liz Parker

13

STAINED GLASS Paul Heatherington, one of our Readers, continues his series looking at our stained glass… The Good Shepherd The Good Shepherd is the upper centre stained glass window in St Cuthbert‟s East Window. The stained glass in this window was erected to the glory of God and in memory of John Renton, Surgeon. He was born on 12 February 1812 and died on 18 February 1870. For the purist, this window ought to be referred to as the liturgical East Window, as St Cuthbert‟s does not actually face East. Church Bank is too steep for that! The Old Testament often regards leaders of the people as shepherds, providing food and protection. A shepherd‟s task was to feed the flock, guard them against wild animals and from thieves. The Old Testament sometimes, however, uses the term „shepherd‟ critically. A comic scholar, when asked what shepherds do for the sheep, once answered that he fleeced them! Ezekiel 34:5; 34: 8-10 and 34:23 are denouncements of rulers as bad shepherds. The prophet here condemns those leaders who abused their position for their own selfish ends, instead of caring for the sheep. God, as a shepherd of the flock, brings to mind an image of love and patient watchfulness. Jesus as The Good Shepherd has its roots in Isaiah 40-55 and Ezekiel 34 and, of course, in Psalm 23. Images of the Good Shepherd are among the earliest illustrations of Jesus; and they have continued to be well-loved images into the modern era. The Good Shepherd of the New Testament and especially John‟s Gospel, is, of course, in the mould of the diligent caring „shepherd‟. Postscript…The image of the Good Shepherd in First Century Palestine was of a person leading the way with the sheep following. Our bishop once observed that now clergy lead the way and the bishop, the shepherd, brings up the rear. Archdeacons are the sheepdogs. Paul Heatherington has just completed a course on Old Testament Prophetic Literature. The course was run at Church House, North Shields by the North East Institute for Theological Education, with Canon Richard Bryant as tutor.

14

Our Advent Appeal… Centrepoint is a leading national charity working to improve the lives of socially excluded, homeless young people. It provides a range of accommodation based services, including emergency nightshelters and short stay hostels, specialist projects for care leavers, ex-offenders, young single parents, foyers and supported flats and floating support services. Each night across the country we provide over 800 young people with a place they can call home. Is homelessness an issue that affects us in and around Shotley Bridge? The short answer to this is YES! In any one year there are in excess of 2,000 young people across County Durham that experience homelessness and unfortunately within this figure around 500 young people from Derwentside. Centrepoint has an 11-bed short stay hostel for homeless young people in Consett. Last year the hostel (which has staff on site 24hrs a day) received c.250 referrals – from homeless young people sleeping rough in places such as parks and cemeteries or living temporarily in tents, cars or staying on the floor of a friend (until they couldn‟t stay any longer). Unfortunately we were only able to help just over 50 of these young people due to the lack of vacant beds. Often finding themselves on the streets terrified and alone, many of the young people are without the support of a loving family and may never be able to return home. Our accommodation provides a safe place young people can call home – we offer the caring relationships and sense of belonging that go with being 'at home'. We offer health care and teach them life skills. We help them manage money. We give them educational and employment support. We offer the support they need to start addressing some of the issues that lead to them becoming homeless, and develop the skills they need for a brighter future. Given the problems and needs many of the young people have this can be a huge challenge and at times it doesn‟t always turn out as planned. One example of how we help young people is Sam’s story below:

Sam was dressed in her school uniform clutching her school bag when she arrived at Centrepoint. She looked younger than her 16 years and very vulnerable. But, although she was clearly exhausted and on the brink of

15

tears, her determination was unshakeable: ‘I’d rather sleep on the streets than go home,’ she told us. When Sam finally revealed the horrifying truth about her home life, we understood why. Sam’s stepfather had been beating her regularly, and brutally. ‘He would hit me with a wooden spoon, a knife, anything he could get hold of’. She had experienced terrible abuse in the very place she should have felt safest, by the people who should have been her protectors. Sam was treated like an unpaid servant, returning from school and forced to cook, clean and care for her younger siblings. And then there was the sexual abuse. Despite its regularity, Sam never got used to the pain and degradation. But for many months she was too frozen by terror to see any way out. ‘I haven’t had a childhood,’ she told us, ‘I was miserable and terrified. I couldn’t do anything. I just wanted to kill myself.’ Sam was profoundly traumatised by her experiences, but the specialist counsellor that she was referred to by Centrepoint gradually helped her to build confidence and put the past behind her. Sam is now planning on doing her A-levels and with the support of Centrepoint hopes to apply to college to study journalism. And we will continue to be there for Sam as long as she needs us. Once she is ready to move on and live independently, we will continue to support her, putting her in touch with specialist services who will help her deal with the legacy of the abuse she suffered. If you could donate a small amount to Centrepoint‟s hostel in Consett during Advent this year – it could give young people living there a Christmas, perhaps pay for a meal on Christmas day or buy a Christmas present or give them a Christmas party – many of the things that most of us take for granted in our own homes but could make such a difference to them at Christmas.

This article was contributed by Neil Bellerby of St. Cuthbert’s, who works for Centrepoint. Please use the envelopes which you’ll find in church to make your donation this Advent.

16

A Benedicite for Benfieldside… I thought about this whilst I was picking raspberries, not this year because the weather was so miserable that all I thought about was getting back inside as soon as possible, but last year - or even the year before. The original idea for a „Benedicite‟ for a particular area was not mine, but I cannot remember where it came from. The word benedicite is the imperative of the Latin verb to bless - it is a command, or a call, to bless (God). The canticle Benedicite omnia opera (All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord) comes from The Song of the Three Holy Children, which can be found in the Bible‟s Apocrypha, or as Canticle 51 in Common Worship, or the Book of Common Prayer and the Alternative Service Book. Sammie Hewlett

Our Church’s Giving Christmas is - as they say - “a time for giving.” As well as presents for family and friends, we hope that people will consider how they can help someone rather less fortunate. “Present Aid” schemes from Christian Aid, CAFOD, USPG, Oxfam and other agencies allow you to donate what you want and they tell you what it will buy - a good idea! At the end of each financial year, our own church does its giving. Acting on behalf of the Parochial Church Council, our Finance Committee has recently made the following allocations: USPG - Anglicans in World Mission £200 CMS - Church Mission Society £200 Willowburn Hospice £100 Durham-Lesotho Link £100 Northumbria Deaf Church £100 SHAID (Single Homeless Action in Derwentside) £100 Bible Society £100 Grace House Children‟s Hospice Appeal £100

A total of £1,000

Of course we have other appeals, as we did at Harvest and like our Advent Appeal for Centrepoint & its Hostel for Homeless Young People in Consett; and we share Christmas Eve‟s Christingle Collection with the Children‟s Society. Please support these. Irvine & Jenny Macnair, for example, have decided to put the money they would have used for Christmas Cards into the Centrepoint appeal. Please consider what you can do!

17

A Benedicite for the Parish of St Cuthbert, Benfieldside All peoples of the Lord, bless the Lord, exalt him and praise his name for ever All mighty trees, saplings and bushes; brambles and all spiky and prickly plants, All raucous birds and singing birds; birds and bats that fly by night, All farms, with their animals and tractors; and sharp and heavy implements, Bless the Lord, exalt him and praise his name for ever. All high and windy places; gentle slopes and sheltered valley, All rocky places, quarries and stone walls; with lichens, spiders and creeping insects, All boggy places; ferns and mosses, frogs and snails, River, streams and weirs; waterbirds, fish and bankside animals, All grassy places; moths and harvestmen, mice and shrews and voles, Bless the Lord, exalt him and praise his name for ever. All houses and gardens; and allotments with flowers and fruit, All churches and schools; nurseries and playgroups, All shops and businesses; clinics and surgeries, and people travelling to and fro, All peoples of the Lord, bless the Lord, exalt him and praise his name for ever

18

A FORMER CURATE IS OFF TO THE USA… Who says that lightning never strikes twice? I learned that I was to be made redundant in March 2008 – not from one, but from two jobs. Thus, at the end of March, I was unemployed, except for a day a week as Chaplain to St Mary‟s College, Durham University. I was determined good would come from this. I thought, clouds, silver linings, carpe diem and decided on a sabbatical, something I‟d wanted to do for years, but hadn‟t been able to do, what with multiple jobs. Durham University has a strong culture of sabbatical-taking, and my college allowed me to take the Easter Term. I decided on the USA – where I‟d always wanted to go – to explore the kind of ministry I‟d been doing, and find out how they did it there. In double-quick time I planned a threemonth programme, crossed „The Pond‟ in mid-April to discover the USA, its culture, its people and how Anglicans and others undertake university chaplaincy. My journey was epic. If I mention „Heathrow, Terminal 5‟ you will understand. My flight was five hours late into New York, and the bags followed on five days later. Having clothes for one night focuses the mind when you find yourself in New York for the first time. I recalled preaching in Durham Cathedral a few months earlier. I‟d said how terrified I would have been to be, like the first disciples, sent out with nothing but a staff, some sandals and little else. Yet, here I was in a similar situation, and feeling not even remotely troubled, freed of all responsibilities and ahead of me the prospect of three months of discovery. I think that losing my luggage helped me to understand „sabbatical‟, that is „a Sabbath‟ – which is supposed to be a disconnection from the pressures and trappings of everyday life and an opportunity to look, listen, learn and observe the minutiae, with time to ponder…and smell the roses. And I had a lot to ponder. I had no full-time job to return to. But I found the sabbatical was one of those occasions when I had time to realize when paths are gently being pointed out and when one trusts everything to God. To cut a long travelogue short, I visited every state on the US Eastern Seaboard, some more than others. I spent quite some time in North Carolina at (the Methodist-founded) Duke University, in New Jersey at (the Presbyterian-founded) Princeton University, and in Boston at (the Jesuit Catholic-founded) Boston College. I had a range of interesting insights into each and got to know the Episcopal Center at Duke University especially

19

well. I loved North Carolina – a diverse and fascinating State, with beautiful natural scenery. Not just that, but the diocese were had begun to look for someone as Diocesan Missioner for students and young adults. I applied, was shortlisted and in September, after several interviews, was offered the position. In a nutshell, the work is a new post and entails assisting and advising the diocese on how it engages with people aged 18-40. It is pioneering work too, as few places are looking specifically at this age-group and/or lifestage. I am looking forward to it immensely! I start in January 2009. Nils Chittenden [email protected] Nils was Curate at St Cuthbert’s 1995-1997

Brownie News Our Brownie Pack currently has 31 Girls. The girls have enjoyed visits to the Theatre Royal to see Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and to The Forbidden Corner in Yorkshire. The girls especially enjoyed getting wet in the waterfalls but luckily it was the hottest day in September so they dried off quickly. At our weekly meetings the girls have enjoyed making dream catchers and lavender bags, cooking apple crumble and practising for our Christmas performance. Our joint performance st with the Guides on Monday the 1 December was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended. The girls are know looking forward to their visit to the Pantomime and making Christingles. Our Waiting List is expanding rapidly so if you know of any girls who will want to join our Pack when they are seven please email me on [email protected] with name, address, telephone number and date of birth. I will add names to our list. Fiona Bell

Can I add the church’s thanks to the Brownies & Guides for their preChristmas Show? It was greatly enjoyed by a big audience, and from its proceeds the Guides and Brownies donated £63.57 to the Christmas Fair and £30 to Church Hall funds. Martin Jackson

20

From the Parish Registers Funerals 30 October

David Francis Scott

aged 81 years

12 November

Ada Johnson

aged 94 years

17 November

(Annie) Nan Askew

aged 94 years

Benfieldside Road

Shotley Park Residential Home Redwell Hills Residential Home

May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace ____________________________________________________________

Deanery Confirmation by the Bishop of Jarrow in St. Margaret‟s Church, Tanfield on Tuesday 18th November We were delighted to present three candidates from our parish - a reminder to us all of our calling in Christ. Please keep those confirmed in your prayers: Rory Clarke Laura Gibbon Louise Cherryman

Almighty and ever-living God, you have given your servants new birth in baptism by water and the Spirit, and have forgiven them all their sins. Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and inward strength; the Spirit of knowledge & true godliness; and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord. Amen.

Readings for Sunday Evening Worship Please use these readings, whether or not you are able to join us at the 6p.m. service Sunday 7th December Sunday 14th December Sunday 21st December Sunday 28th December Sunday 4th January Sunday 11th January Sunday 18th January Sunday 25th January Sunday

Ps. Ps. Ps. Ps.

40 68.1-19 113 123

Ps. 100 Ps. 46 [47] Ps. 96 Ps. 119.41-56

1 Kings 22.1-28 Malachi 3.1-4; 4 Zechariah 2.10-13 Isaiah 49.14-25

Matthew 11.2-11 Philippians 4.4-7 Luke 1.39-55 Mark 10.13-16

Isaiah 60.1-9 Isaiah 42.1-9 Isaiah 60.9-22 Isaiah 56.1-8

John 2.1-11 Ephesians 2.1-10 Hebrews 6.17-7.10 Colossians 1.24-2.7

1st February Ps. 122,132 Haggai 2.1-9

John 2.18-22