Scb Parish Magazine November 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 - NOVEMBER 2009 Sunday 1

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS (Wisdom 3.1-9; Revelation 21.1-6a; John 11.32-44)

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

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST Evening Prayer

Mon.

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ALL SOULS’ DAY THE COMMEMORATION OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED 2.00p.m. Mothers’ Union Service & Meeting 7.30p.m. SUNG REQUIEM EUCHARIST

Thurs.

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10.00a.m. Eucharist

Sunday 8

3rd SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY (Jonah 3.1-5,10; Hebrews 9.24-28; Mark 1.14-20)

8.00a.m. 10.00a.m. 3.00p.m. 6.00p.m.

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & Act of Remembrance & Sunday School Service of Remembrance - Memorial Cottages Evening Prayer

Mon. 9 Tues. 10 Thurs. 12

7.30p.m. PCC Meeting - Vicarage 12.30p.m. “Second Tuesday” Lunch Club - Church Hall 10.00a.m. Eucharist

Sunday 15

2nd SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT (Daniel 12.1-3; Hebrews 10.11-25; Mark 13.1-8)

8.00a.m. 10.00a.m. 12 noon 6.00p.m. Mon. 16 Tues. 17 Thurs. 19

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & Sunday School Holy Baptism Taizé Worship - at All Saint’s, Lanchester

7.30p.m. Sing Together - in church 7 for 7.30p.m. Deanery Synod - Christ Church, Consett 10.00a.m. Eucharist

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Sunday 22

FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING (Daniel 7.9-10,13-14; Revelation 1.4b-8; John 18.33-37)

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

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & Sunday School Evening Prayer

Thurs. 26

10.00a.m. Eucharist

Sunday 29

THE 1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Jeremiah 33.14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3.9-13; Luke 21.25-36)

8.00a.m. 10.00a.m.

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & Sunday School ADVENT PROCESSION in the Cathedral - look out for details Mon.

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2.00p.m. Eucharist at Derwentdale Court

DECEMBER Thurs.

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10.00a.m. Eucharist

Saturday 5th December from 12 noon to 3.00p.m.

ST. CUTHBERT’S CHRISTMAS FAIR Join us in the Church Hall Sunday 6

THE 2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Malachi 3.1-4; Philippians 1.3-11; Luke 3.1-6)

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

Eucharist SUNG EUCHARIST & Sunday School Evening Prayer

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View from the Vicarage Careful what you write… As I write these words the Church is in the news - well, not much, but in a short story that the Vatican has opened the way for Anglican clergy to transfer their allegiance more easily to Rome should they feel that way inclined. Of course it was already possible. But now there is to be a structure, and clergy and congregations who make the jump will be able to retain certain Anglican practices within defined “Ordinariates.” There’s a word new to most people - and me! There’s just this problem - most of the disaffected clergy I know of who wish to escape the prospect of women bishops are already quite happy with official Roman Catholic liturgies, and would pop over pretty quickly if it weren’t for the prospect of stricter discipline, re-selection (or not) and re-training - plus the fear that they’d encounter more guitars and rather less incense… And the pay is even worse! What they don’t want is the assurance they can carry on in an Anglican way - after all they never have wanted to do that in the past! Actually the Church hit the news the day before this as well when Fr. Ed Tomlinson - an Anglican priest in Tunbridge Wells - found an excerpt from his “blog” plastered all over the national dailies. He wrote:

In the last few years it has become painfully obvious that many families I have conducted funerals for have absolutely no desire for any Christian content whatsoever. I have then stood at the Crem like a lemon, wondering why on earth I am present at the funeral of somebody led in by the tunes of Tina Turner, summed up in pithy platitudes of sentimental and secular poets and sent into the furnace with „I did it my way‟ blaring out across the speakers! To be brutally honest I can think of a hundred better ways of spending my time as a priest on God‟s earth. What is the point of my being present if spiritually unwanted? … Once upon a time even funerals at the Crem would have been sincerely Christian in character. But that was another England, a time when Christianity was worshipped on these shores… I fear that he’s less than charitable, though I know what he means. But I rather welcome the desire I encounter in people who wish to say something personal to them while at the same time having a priest as officiant. Where religion seems an alien creature, the music or poetry they know might help them make a connection. Weddings in church offer more possibilities than the civil version. If people wonder about my attitude I’d say, “Try me.” Nevertheless I’d advise that the organ provides better music than a CD for getting into church whether for a wedding or a funeral - our Bill knows when to start and stop! Let’s be sanguine - and cheerful. Martin Jackson

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Mothers’ Union News Monday 2nd November 2.00pm Service in Church followed by a talk by Kelvin Ashley about Samaritans Purse and Operation Christmas Child.

Come and find out more about what happens to the shoeboxes you fill each year – everyone welcome. Thursday 17th December - at 12noon Lunch at Chapters Restaurant, Derwentside College Mothers’ Union have launched a major emergency appeal for relief funding to feed desperate families affected by famine in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya following their third failed harvest. Mothers’ union is there already feeding families but they urgently need more funds. Please look out for the posters and help if you can – envelopes are available at the back of Church or go online at www.themothersunion.org/donate Global Village Fair is the Mothers’ Union new year-round ethical gifts scheme, a follow-on from Make a Mother’s Day but now available for other occasions – birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Baptisms and In Sympathy. Gifts vary from £7.50 to train families in bee-keeping and mushroom-growing to £100 for vocational training in setting up tailoring and sewing businesses. Catalogues are available at the back of Church or on line at www.theglobalvillagefair.org

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

£25 £15 £10

No.30 No. 2 No.32

Tom Downie Doris Pearson Jan Worters

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

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ALL SAINTS & ALL SOULS A reminder of our fellowship with the whole company of heaven...

Sunday 1st November

ALL SAINTS’ DAY

8.00a.m.

Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00a.m. SUNG PARISH EUCHARIST

6.00p.m. Evening Prayer

Monday 2nd November ALL SOULS’ DAY 7.30p.m. SUNG REQUIEM EUCHARIST Please let us know of departed loved ones to be remembered in our prayers at the Requiem - a list will be placed in church from midOctober. And please join us at this special time - to remember your loved ones, and to support those who join us as they mourn their bereavement This is an appropriate time to be remembering loved ones who have gone before us. All Souls’ Day gives particular focus to our feeling for those whose loss we grieve - and enables us to lift our prayer for them to God. th

On Sunday 18 October we remembered particularly one long-standing member of St. Cuthbert’s as a new silver-plated wafer box was dedicated in memory of Arthur Eld. Given by his wife, Sylvia, it’s a beautiful and fitting memorial for one who shared in the administration of Holy Communion - and knew its centrality in his life. We were delighted that Sylvia - with daughter Shirley - was able to bring it to the altar at the Offertory. Our thanks to them for it - and for Arthur!

Readings for Sunday Evening Worship Please use these readings, whether or not you are able to join us at the 6p.m. service Sunday 1 Nov. Sunday 8 Nov. Sunday 15 Nov. Sunday 22 Nov. Sunday 29 Nov.

Ps. 148, 150 Ps. 46, 82 Ps. 95 Ps. 72 Ps. 9

Isaiah 65.17-25 Isaiah 10.33-11.9 Daniel 3 Daniel 5 Joel 3.9-21

Sunday 6 Dec.

Ps. 75, 76

Isaiah 40.1-11

Hebrews 11.32-12.2 John 14.1-29 Matthew 13.24-30,36-43 John 6.1-15 Revelation 14.13-15.4 Luke 1.1-25

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A Surprise for Harry I have gone to the Mothers‟ Union trips and meals out for a long time and joined the organisation about four years ago. It is very rare that I attend the monthly meetings because they clash with my Art Group at Greencroft. Nevertheless the October meeting was to be an exception. The reason – that renowned retired clergyman, the Revd. Harry Lee was the speaker. As everyone knows Harry is a traditionalist, albeit with a great sense of humour. Once upon a time when Harry was a lad the ladies all wore hats for church and his mother would never dream of going to church hatless. His wife, Averil, on the other hand had other ideas; well she has lovely thick hair. Sometime ago Harry had told Sammie about this which gave her a bright idea so she and Sheila hatched up a plot to surprise him, and all the ladies agreed to join in the fun.

When Mary, Elsie, Doris and I got out of Mary‟s car Harry was walking down Church Bank. He could not believe his eyes. Mary was wearing an enormous black and red number - you will all know that the Mitchells do everything big style. Doris had a navy blue hat and I wore a fascinator, as

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my only other hat is a tatty cowboy sunhat totally unsuitable for the occasion. Elsie was a vision in a long black skirt, short white jacket and large black and white hat; she looked good enough for Ascot. More ladies arrived all wearing hats, Sheila had a lovely lilac wedding hat, and Sammie a straw hat with a coloured band. Every lady wore a hat and Elsie - bless her - had brought two or three spares in case anyone forgot.

Harry‟s face was a picture: he was delighted and almost stuck for words, and that does not happen often. It took him a few minutes to regain his composure before he remembered that he was there to take the service. What a versatile vicar, he played two harvest hymns as well. Then he entertained us with two ghost stories he had written himself. Sheila felt that the occasion warranted more than the usual tea and biscuits and had provided two delicious home baked cakes and buttered scones. Well ladies in hats all like afternoon tea. It was a lovely afternoon and when Averil came to pick her husband up he was still smiling. I think it is a day he will long remember – a blast from the past. I do not know who enjoyed it most, Harry, or the ladies who were so happy to see the surprise and delight on his face. Liz Whiting

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Notes & News Steeplechase up-date: Last month‟s magazine carried an account of the journey undertaken by our intrepid steeplechasers in September‟s event, organised by the Northumbria Historic Churches Trust. They‟re now pleased to report that through your sponsorship they raised £252 - to be divided between the Trust and and our own church. Well done Linda, Carol, Jennifer and Pam. Navigating past all those young rugby players and having to have lunch so late at the pub in Mitford shows it was a really hard day! _______________________________________________________________________________________

October has been a really busy month at St. Cuthbert‟s - starting with our celebration of the Harvest. The Vicar‟s Citroen Berlingo (a van with windows) groaned under the huge load of food and toiletries given to the People’s Kitchen for their work with homeless people in Newcastle. It was unloaded at the same time as a consignment from St. Mary Magdalene‟s Church in Medomsley, and received by a member of Christ Church, Consett who works at the Kitchen as a volunteer - so it was good to have such visible evidence of local support.

Our Harvest appeal for financial gifts is going to the work of USPG in poorer parts of the world - this year we focussed on the Church‟s work in fishing communities of the Amazon (with a video of a remarkable octogenarian climbing a tree, swinging over to another and dropping down it as though it were a fire-fighter‟s pole). Money in the envelopes totalled over £188 (still time to give more) - and the Harvest Lunch brought our

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appeal a further £222. Thanks to all who worked so hard in preparation for our celebrations - and to Mary Mitchell and her catering team. There‟s a separate appreciation in this magazine concerning the church decorations! _______________________________________________________________________________________

Mid-October brought two fund-raisers for the church itself - and a lot of enjoyment, both initiatives of Rosie Junemann who followed up all the hard work of organisation by taking the preaching slot the following Sunday! First off was a Concert by the Derwentside Singers on 14th October - a varied programme brought out their skills to the best, the interval brought a relaxed opportunity for all to mix, and a total of £142 was raised for church funds. The end of the same week saw our Book and Toy Sale with a further £249 raised, some of it going towards Hall costs. Lots of people were involved in each event. Thanks to all who played a part and gave their support. And it‟s not all over. Mary Mitchell - as well as having a pivotal role with the toy sale - was organising another Ladies’ Fashion Show, yet to take place on 21st October as we go to press. _______________________________________________________________________________________

It‟s not all social events!... Three of our members (Pam Donnelly, Liz Whiting & Mary Mitchell) are taking part in a Deanery Faith and Life Course which began in September and runs till June. They‟re just completing a module based on St. Mark‟s Gospel and its implications for discipleship. In November they continue with a unit on the Psalms - and they‟ll be joined by the Vicar, who will attempt to lead it… _______________________________________________________________________________________

Reminder - the Webb Ivory Catalogue! Please do take a catalogue (details on how to order enclosed) and either 'pass it on' to anyone who is interested or simply put it back in Church so others can take a look. Up to 25% of proceeds from orders placed will go to St. Cuthbert's. A good cause indeed! Many thanks. Elaine Bellerby

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SING TOGETHER For Autumn 7.30 – 8.30pm Monday 16 November th

in St Cuthbert’s Church All welcome Further details: Martin Jackson, Bill Hudson or Rosie Junemann

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GROWING TOGETHER! St Cuthbert’s Gardening Club

Bring on indoor plants and bulbs for the Christmas Fair Saturday 5th December

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2nd Tuesday Lunch Club … continues to provide food and friendship 12.30p.m. Tuesday 10th November in the Church Hall

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Harvest Appreciation Congratulations to Sonia Thompson and her small band of voluntary helpers for decorating St. Cuthbert‟s Church so beautifully for the Harvest Festival. The various floral arrangements were a joy to behold! During my 50+ years of worship at St. Cuthbert‟s, I don‟t think I have seen the church so decorated at Harvest-time. The Altar frontal was also lovely and most appropriate. Well done, and thank you ladies - you brought a lot of pleasure to we “oldies” of St. Cuthbert‟s. Edna Hume I‟m sorry that a black & white picture here can‟t do any justice to the displays - but I‟ll try to include some colour shots on our website or parish blog: saintcuthberts.blogspot.com MJ _______________________________________________________________________________________

This annual project enables caring individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses, and other organisations to fill ordinary shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies, sweets, and other gifts for needy children around the world. Operation Christmas Child sends a message of hope to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes.

Note: As in previous years, Sonia Thompson will coordinate our parish shoe box appeal. There are leaflets in church giving details. We‟ll be receiving boxes on the first three Sundays of November. Boxes will need to be returned to church by 15th November, which has now been designated as “Shoebox Sunday.”

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Taizé Worship At St. Cuthbert’s a service we call Taizé Vespers replaces Evening Prayer on the third Sunday of most months. It’s an opportunity to join in a relaxed and quiet, reflective service which makes use of the simple cants of the Taizé Community in France. The congregation tends to be few - useful as we gather round a small table, a cross and Bible and the Easter Candle but also a shame because we think more people could appreciate it. In November it happens that Lanchester Parish Church is holding a Taizé service to which they’re inviting people from the whole Deanery. So we’ll drop our own service that evening and encourage you to go along to All Saints’ to find out something of their experience. It’s at the same time and on the same day as our service would have been. Maybe it will encourage people to come back to us!

A Service of Taizé Worship Sunday 15th November at 6p.m. in All Saint’s Parish Church, Lanchester 

Advent approaches… The First Sunday of Advent is 29th November - the start of a new year in the Church’s Calendar, when we’ll be focussing on the Gospel of St. Luke. Morning services as usual at 8a.m. & 10a.m. No evening service in St. Cuthbert’s instead… At 7p.m. an Advent Procession with Carols in Durham Cathedral - look out for more details, and make sure you sign up!

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St. Cuthbert s Christmas Fair Christmas Fair 2009 Saturday 5th December 12noon until 3.00pm tombola, jam stall, cake raffle, Mothers’ Union stall, bookstall, grand draw, and many other attractions - note the time; refreshments throughout!

This is your early warning! And this year our Fair will run as part of….

Shotley Bridge Village Open Weekend: th

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Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 December - following a similar weekend organised by local businesses in the spring, there’s to be another in the build-up to Christmas. Various attractions from 10a.m.-5p.m. each day. Combine it with a Saturday visit to our Fair. Mark it in your diaries - look out for further details, and more ideas on how we might be able to join in…

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Wanted - Jewellery!!! Yes… it is coming to that time again. Now we are already into November, it will be no time before the Christmas Fair on Saturday 5th December. As I will be having the jewellery stall once more, I would appreciate any of your unwanted items. I will leave a box at the back of church - or you can give items to me at any time. Many thanks, Pam Hudson

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Saint of the Month: Andrew the Apostle (30 November) The apostle Andrew is patron saint of Scotland. According to the gospel of Matthew, Andrew and his brother Simon Peter were the very first two disciples whom Jesus called. “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt 4:18,19) Without more ado, they obeyed. “At once they left their nets and followed him.” The story is touching for the simple but total faith which they had in Jesus. Whenever the gospels mention the disciples, Andrew‟s name is always in the first four. Rather than a boisterous leader of men (like Peter), he seems to have been an approachable person who wanted to help people. It was Andrew who helped introduce a group of Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20-2) and Andrew who offered Jesus the five small barley loaves and two small fishes when Jesus challenged them to feed the five thousand. (John 6:8) His faith in Jesus over small things was richly rewarded, and this faithful, kindly Galilean fisherman turned disciple went on to become one of the 12 apostles of the Christian Church. Andrew never settled back in Capernaum by Galiliee. Instead, his „fishing for men‟ seems to have taken him far. One ancient tradition links him with Greece, where both Scythia and Epirus claimed him as their apostle. Another place in Greece, Patras in Achaia, claimed to be the place where Andrew was eventually martyred. Like Jesus, he was crucified, but the story goes that during the two days it took him to die, he preached earnestly to the people about Jesus. Andrew was not afraid of death on a cross – he had seen it before, and knew one thing for certain: because of Jesus, there was nothing but eternal life ahead of him. In the West, Andrew‟s feast-day was universal from the 6th century, and hundreds of churches were named after him in Italy, France and England. But how did he end up as patron saint of Scotland? Well, according to one ancient legend, his relics were taken from Patras to Scotland in the 8th century, and ended up in Fife, where a church dedicated to him was built

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and became a centre for evangelization and later pilgrimage. As Andrew was the only apostle to make it as far as Scotland, he was chosen as patron saint. But Andrew did not stay in Scotland. After the fall of Constantinople in 1204, it is said that the Crusaders took his relics to Amalfi. From there the despot Thomas Palaeologus sent his head to the pope in Rome in 1461 – where it became one of the most treasured possessions of St Peter‟s - until it was sent to the church in Constantinople by Paul VI. In art Andrew is depicted with a normal Latin cross in the most ancient examples. The saltire cross „X‟, commonly called St Andrew‟s Cross, and which represents Scotland on the Union Jack, was associated with him from the 10th century. Parish Pump

Out of the mouths…. As my five-year-old son and I were heading to McDonald's one day, we passed a car accident. Usually when we see something terrible like that, we say a prayer for whoever might be hurt, so I pointed and said to my son, "We should pray." From the back seat I heard his earnest voice: "Dear God, please don't let those cars block the entrance to McDonald's."

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From the Parish Registers Holy Baptism 18 October

Mary Dorothy Hurst

18 October

Nicholas Charles Wakeling

19 Highgate, Durham

32 Cutlers Hall Road, Shotley Bridge

May they continue to follow Christ

Funerals 8 October

Harold Haley

(89)

16 October

Thomas Pearson

(83)

Woodland Court, Shotley Bridge Abigail Lodge (formerly Bridgehill)

20 October

Edith Mary Riley

Backstone Road, Bridgehill

(90)

May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace

Sunday 22nd November is the Feast of Christ the King He formed the stars, those heavenly flames, He counts their numbers, call their names; His wisdom’s vast, and knows no bound, A deep where all our thoughts are drowned. Isaac Watts

Useful Church Contacts: Churchwardens: Linda Short, 9 Sherwood Close   Carol O‟Malley, 13 Spring Close, Ebchester PCC Lay Chair: Peter Thompson, Wheldon House, Ebchester

503750 561884 560454

PCC Treasurer: Irvine Macnair, 10 Kempton Close.

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PCC Secretary: Jill Barron, 141 Benfieldside Road

504352

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

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Church Hall:

Linda Short, 9 Sherwood Close 

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