Get Your Church Ready for Christmas and Advent with #Followthestar 2019

INSIDE: November 2019 Page 3 Growing churches in upper Wansbeck Page 5 Launch of the Resource Church Page 7 New advisor in Pioneer Ministry Page 8 Newcastle’s Big Sleep Out Page 11 Words of wellbeing Get your church ready for Christmas and Advent with #FollowTheStar 2019

Denton schoolchildren on the Holy Spirit Denton walk last year

OLLOWING the overwhelm- Update your A Church Near You Mina Munns and was featured in last Use the new Christmas videos and Our hope and prayer is that #Fol- ing success of last year’s Fol- page or website with your Advent month’s Link. This reflections journey brand-new customisable video tool lowTheStar allows people across the low The Star campaign the and Christmas service times invites you to experience the wonder to help your church promote its ser- Diocese to take the life-changing Church of England will be Last Christmas, A Church Near You and excitement of the Wise Men’s vices and events Advent and Christmas journey this buildingF upon the theme for Advent received over 1.66million visitors, journey as they travel towards Jesus. You’ll be able to customise the year. and Christmas 2019 and 2020 as well. many first-time visitors looking for Books and leaflets can be ordered national Christmas advert with your Ideas to try from last year Thousands of services and events Christmas services, so there is a huge from Church House Publishing www. own church’s details and will be able Last year Holy Spirit Denton teamed will take place in churches across the opportunity to introduce your church chpublishing.co.uk/features/follow- to share a video message from the up with their local school and on the country in the run-up to Christmas. to new people. Make sure you tag the-star-2019 Archbishop of Canterbury. last day of term 350 excited children Follow The Star encourages both regu- your service and events with #Fol- Download and buy posters, logos, Display a star on your church paraded from school to church, carry- lar churchgoers and ‘open to faith’ lowTheStar as well as ‘Christmas’, prayer cards, bookmarks and other building – and tag this on A Church ing or wearing stars. The children people to attend church to share the ‘mince pies’, ‘carols’ etc. and use the resources. Near You or social media. arrived at church to join their families joy of Jesus’ birth. Our Diocese sup- national Christmas branding. A range of high quality, affordable The bigger and more visible the bet- for a Christingle service, strengthen- ports this heart-warming campaign Order the new #FollowTheStar: stationery and publicity resources that ter! If you don’t have one, CPO have a ing links between church and com- and urges clergy, laity and churchgo- Twelve days of Christmas wonder can be bought on the Church Print limited number available to buy. munity. ers to get behind it. booklet or leaflet and download the Hub website www.churchprinthub. Don’t forget to tag that your church ■■ We’d love to hear your Follow The free app when it launches. org. In addition, free digital resources has a large star displayed on A Church Star stories so please share with Here are five things your church can The Twelve Days of Christmas has are available on the Church of Eng- Near You and share a photo of it on [email protected] do to prepare: been written by our very own Revd land website. social media using #FollowTheStar. can.org 2 generous engaged open

Bishops’ Diaries November

This is not a full list of the Bishops’ engagements, but includes the items we think might be of particular interest to you. BISHOP OF NEWCASTLE 4th 7.30pm Mine Ministry relaunch, Byker 5th 8.00am Ecumenical Prayers 5th Newcastle East Deanery walk 6th 10.00am House of Bishops Standing Committee 7th Transformations Consultation Day, Lambeth 10th 10.30am Newcastle City – Service of Remembrance 12th Meeting of CNC for Archbishop of York 14th Royal Gun Salute, York 14th 7.30pm Clergy supper 15th - 16th Bishop’s Council Residential 18th – 20th Bishop’s staff residential, Shepherds Dene 21st 10.30am Church Commissioners Board of Governors 21st 6.00pm Accessing Aid Project, Bamburgh 23rd 10.00am Diocesan Synod Forum 24th 10.00am Christ Church North Shields, Fishermen’s Mission Anniversary Service 25th 7.30pm Licensing, St Columba’s Wideopen 26th Tynemouth Deanery walk 27th 1.30pm Greenhead School 28th 8.30am Meeting of Bishops and Archdeacons 28th 3.00pm Deanery Conversations meeting

BISHOP OF BERWICK 2nd 10.30am BAME breakfast, St Luke’s Newcastle 3rd am Eucharist, Riding Mill 5th Ministry Council 5th CRC Reader Discernment Review meeting Gospel Readings 6th pm Belford Mothers’ Union Friday Luke 6.20-31 Saturday Luke 18.1-8 7th am Deanery prayers, Berwick House Saturday John 5.19-25 2nd Sunday 7th pm Reader executive or John 6.37-40 before Advent Luke 21.5-19 11-12th CPAS Trustees 4th Sunday Monday Luke 18.35-end 13-15th National DDO Consultation before Advent Luke 19.1-10 Tuesday Luke 19.1-10 15-16th Bishop’s Council Residential Monday Luke 14.12-14 Wednesday Luke 19.11-28 18-20th Bishop’s staff residential, Shepherds Dene Tuesday Luke 14.15-24 Thursday Luke 19.41-44 23rd 10.00am Diocesan Synod Forum Wednesday Luke 14.25-33 Friday Luke 19.45-48 27th Deanery Mission visit Willibrord, Bishop, 739 Luke 15.1-10 Clement, Bishop, 28th 8.30am Meeting of Bishops and Archdeacons Friday John 17.18-23 Martyr, c.100 Luke 20.27-40 28th 3.00pm Deanery Conversations meeting Saturday Luke 16.9-15 Sunday Next 3rd Sunday before Advent Luke 23.33-43 29th TEI Consultations before Advent Luke 20.27-38 Monday Luke 21.1-4 30th Readers’ IME2 Martin, Bishop, c.397 Luke 17.1-6 Tuesday Luke 21.5-11 30th Tamil Church meeting Tuesday Luke 17.7-10 Wednesday Luke 21.12-19 Wednesday Luke 17.11-19 Thursday Luke 21.20-28 Samuel Seabury, Friday Luke 21.29-33 Bishop, 1796 Luke 17.20-25 Saturday Matthew 4.18-22 CONTACT US Friday Luke 17.26-end

The Link, Church House, St John’s Terrace, North Shields. NE29 6HS. Tel: (0191) 270 4100. Email: [email protected] Facebook: m.me/ncldiocese Comings & Goings Twitter: @ncldiocese Instagram: @NclDiocese APPOINTMENTS going to be Area Dean of Corbridge Deanery. The Revd Dr Fraser Graham Charlton, currently Honorary Link is produced ten times a year by the Diocese of Newcastle, with joint The Revd Annie Grey, currently Chaplain, North Cumbria issues for August/September and December/January. Views expressed Assistant Curate (SSM), Newcastle St Gabriel, is going to be University Hospitals Trust and Assistant Priest, Holy Trinity, are not necessarily those of the Diocese or the editor. Honorary Associate Priest (SSM), Longbenton St The editor is pleased to consider articles or letters of not more than 350 Bartholomew, with effect from 13 October 2019. St. Barnabas, Sansfield in the Diocese of Cumbria, is going words for publication. Where possible, articles should be accompanied by to be Anglican Chaplain, Newcastle University. a good-quality digital photograph of 250dpi or higher. Please contact the The Revd Lesley Chapman is going to be Bishop’s editor before submitting obituaries. Adviser in Spirituality (0.3 FTE), with effect from 1st RETIREMENTS November 2019. The Revd Paul Stanley Bagshaw, currently vicar, Billy Mill For advertising rates and deadlines see www.newcastle.anglican.org/link. (St Aidan) and Marden (St Hilda) w Preston Grange will Copy date for December/January issue: Monday 18 November The Revd David Kennedy, currently Vicar of Corbridge is retire on 31st December 2019 growing church bringing hope 3

- the Rural Strand It is that time of year again: the weather sets in, the nights get darker, bonfire smoke fills the air, pumpkins appear all over the place, windows and gardens get full of twinkling lights, and ‘a spaceman comes travelling…’ in every shop and arcade. I love this time of year. I think it might be because I have an autumn birthday, but I have always found it an exciting season. Fireworks are brilliant, although I’m not quite so sure about Halloween! I love the rosy- cheeked, steam-puffing, puddle-splashing, golden-leafed, frosty beauty of being outside as the year draws to a close. Log fires, warm drinks, snuggling under a blanket in front of a box-set, and the security of a thick duvet tightly wound… these are wonderful things. Twelve months ago, though, I stumbled over something that makes me love this season even more, if that’s possible. The Sunday before Advent, 24th November this year, is the Feast of Christ the King. Last year I had prepared my sermon notes for that Sunday, and came down to my computer to tweak them and print them early on the Sunday morning. I don’t know if my finger had slipped, or if the computer had tried to correct my theology, or if God sent an angel to change the text, but the title on the sermon was ‘The feast of Christ the Kind’: ‘welcome to the feast of Christ the Kind’. I sat at my computer deeply moved. God is kind. He is not simply good. He is not only loving. He is kind. Ministry team at the Whalton Show. I have begun to look for this kindness over the last year and it is lovely to see it at work in the simplest of places. I have found it to The churches in upper Wansbeck be soul-food as I notice, and give thanks, and look for what else God might be wishing to do. It changes the way that I look at things. So, this year, I pray that each of us might are growing and bringing hope find ourselves in a season where we celebrate the kindness of Christ afresh – it is By Helen Savage vicar and Bolam and Whalton felt they weren’t Fiona explains, “A very small congregation a great feast! getting one.” struggling through hymns doesn’t act as a Two years later and no-one thinks like that. magnet to others, but when we gather togeth- HE diocesan strapline describes per- The way in which each member brings dis- er we form a community that people want to fectly what’s happening in the scat- tinct skills to the whole group has proved very join to share the joy, sense of mutual support tered communities of upper Wans- effective - Pam, for example, in her work with and hope that faith brings.” Although they’ve beck: The Kirks and Cambo, Bolam, schools. And the quarterly team meetings not yet counted, Jonathan feels that some of Whalton,T Hartburn, Meldon and Netherwhit- with all the church wardens have gained a the individual congregations have begun to ton. Many good things were already in place huge amount of momentum as people have grow too. before a new ministry team responsible for got to know each other better. They’re even Has the local community noticed any the whole area was commissioned two years voluntarily planning ways in which the treas- changes since the pilot project began? Jona- ago on 5 November 2017, but the success of urers can work more closely together and are than feels that it has. He points to the way in this move is already becoming clear. planning a joint stewardship campaign. which the ministry team have taken a careful The idea of a pilot project around the crea- There’s a palpable sense of trust growing decision to appear together at a wide range of tion of a new team was one of the first achieve- that was quite hard–won at first. Fiona quips, events as a sign of their mutual commitment ments of the Rural Strand of growing church “Unlike the House of Commons, we’ve learnt to the community – anything and everything bringing hope, built on spadework put in over a lot about good disagreement. We found we from harvest suppers to the Whalton Show. a number of years. Revd Jonathan Mason was could talk about our worries, were gradually He adds “People can’t fail to notice that the licensed as priest in charge of the whole reassured and then began to feel more posi- Church suddenly seems to have more of a group, supported by Revd Fiona Sample (a tive.” It was clearly a difficult but infinitely presence.” self-supporting minister) and Pam Walker, the worthwhile journey. What is impressive is that the team have diocese’s first, part-time, stipendiary reader. Common-working extends across a whole been assiduous in gathering evidence for the Pam and Fiona share a half-time post, though raft of areas of mission and ministry: children changes their new approach has brought they put in far more hours. and schools, pastoral care, communications, about and they’re quite properly critically One key aim will be to draw others into the care of buildings, developing the gifts of oth- reflective about what they’ve achieved so far. team, but before all that, they had to over- ers, patterns of services and special liturgical The journey has only just begun, but Fiona come what Fiona describes as a sense of “Dis- events and community engagement. sums up what’s happened so far: “There’ve may by many, concern by others and right- People have discovered that it can be really been challenging moments, but also the eous rage by a few.” Jonathan explains, “The good worshipping together and they’re begin- sunny uplands of hope and a real sense of Kirks and Cambo thought they were losing a ning to ask for more regular joint services. As renewal.” 4 generous engaged open

By Janet Appleby, chair In the footsteps of St Cuthbert of Møre Task Group

On the way from Wooler to Fenwick Bishop Ingebørg in God’s tent

group of 21 colleagues from our link styles of worship, and experienced Benjamin this was very different to their rural and tradi- come you to our churches and our homes. This diocese in the Lutheran Church Møre, Carter’s tent at The Sill. There were informative tional experiences in Møre and here are some of visit to our friends in Newcastle has been a bless- Norway visited us this September. They talks from the Ven Peter Robinson about the the comments they made. ing and we are really thankful for your hospitali- came to make a pilgrimage from Wool- rural strategy, the Very Revd Geoff Miller on the “Many described the St Cuthbert’s way and ty and love.” erA to Holy Island on part of St Cuthbert’s Way exciting plans for Newcastle Cathedral, and the walk over to Holy Island as very special. The ■■ If you get a chance do look at this link and to meet and share with folk from this dio- Revd Dr David Bryan on the training approach ebb and flow of the tide reminds us how we have online which has a great five-minute video as cese. Some had been before, in particular Bish- of Lindisfarne College. They enjoyed Bishop different tides in our own lives.” well as lots of fun photos of the trip – you’ll rec- op Ingebørg who has become good friends with Christine’s hospitality at Bishop’s House where “Many of us fell in love with Benjamin’s tent ognise many of the faces! If you are interested Bishop Christine in recent years. they engaged in useful discussion about the church and how we listened for God during the in joining the Møre task group please get in The lovely weather allowed for walking changing nature of ministry. service. I think we might even get the Bishop to touch – new lay members especially welcome! through beautiful Northumberland countryside The Norwegians were very moved that we buy us some tents of our own.” Email [email protected] and plodding (or slithering) across the muddy pray for their parishes in our cycle of prayer “We should consider adopting the way Lindis- ■■ https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/ pilgrim’s route to Holy Island. Our visitors saw a (September is one of the three months in which farne College trains their students. Is your reality no-no/#B0jG6XBubGscfE3;233DB60D-1F72- number of churches, including Wooler Parish our prayer cycle remembers Møre). a peek into the future of our reality in the church 4433-B620-D8F3017EF5F2 Church and St Mary’s on Holy Island, met a I think everyone involved gained a great deal of Norway as well?” number of clergy and laity, joined in different from reflecting together on our two dioceses. All “All of us agreed that we would love to wel- growing church bringing hope 5 Resource Church launches View from the Lantern with joyous celebration with Rachael Rickwood, Learning and Activities Officer, Newcastle Cathedral

It’s an exciting time to join the team at Newcastle Cathedral and the last two months have been a whirlwind. There have been lots of people to meet, plans to make and facts to learn! Every staff member, volunteer and associate of the Cathedral that I have met have given myself and Lucy (the new Volunteer Coordinator) the warmest of welcomes, which is so appreciated and always makes new adventures much easier. Learning about the history of the Cathedral has been so interesting and I feel very lucky to have a job where this is part of my induction period! My focus since arriving has been to understand and develop as thoroughly as possible the Cathedral’s Activity plan, which is a major part of The National Lottery Heritage Fund development project, Common Ground in Sacred Space. We have ambitious and exciting projects forming the learning and events programme over the next few years, which will take lots of planning and team work to realise. Whilst the Cathedral is partially open during our capital works period (January 2020 – March 2021) we will be offering a series of free Creative History workshops for Key Stage One and Key Stage Two groups across the North East. These sessions are designed to be cross-curricular and will explore some of the amazing historical features, stories and artworks that can be found in the Cathedral through practical, arts-based workshops. These include den building workshops to explore and understand stained glass windows, and carving ‘curious creatures’ to learn about the work of North East artist Ralph Hedley, EWCASTLE’S first Resourceworshiping Jesus including Bishop Christine project up and running: a real blessing for the whose work can be found throughout the Church was officially launched on who said: “An afternoon of energy, joy and city and wider Diocese of Newcastle, and we Sunday 6th October with a joyful sharing of the Gospel. The adventure has well give thanks to God for His generosity and Cathedral quire. celebratory service of worship and and truly begun.” goodness.” During our capital works period we will music.N St Thomas’ was packed with people Bishop Mark said: “It is so good to see this work with educational consultants who will support the creation of a new learning programme for schools who visit the Cathedral. This is an exciting project which will allow us to create a varied, fun and Bishop Christine calls for better support for women leaving prison inspiring offer, and we hope this will help Bishop Christine co-hosted an event at the to increase the number of schools we work Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 15th with. October with the Bishop of Gloucester and Alongside our work with schools we Dame Caroline Spelman MP, to raise have several exciting projects under awareness of the plight of women leaving development working with various prison with no home to go to. The event organisations and groups, many of which highlighted the need for better support in will result in creative exhibitions at the and out of prison and for safe housing to be Cathedral over the coming year. made available at the end of their sentence As part of Heritage Open Days and the to help avoid the paths that lead to Merchant Quarter Festival in September we reoffending. The event was part of Prisons Week ran a series of Tower Tour Challenges which from 13-19 October, a week of prayer and were extremely popular, with tickets selling events to support prisoners, their families, out within hours of going online. We are victims of crime and the justice system. It currently exploring ways in which we can aims to raises awareness and encourage make this a more regular offer so that we volunteers to step forward and give their can share the incredible Lantern tower with time and gifts, in prisons and in their own more visitors. communities. So all in all a busy and exciting time Premier Christian Radio covered the ahead! event which you can listen to on their ■■ If you are interested in finding out more, website https://www.premier.org.uk/ Across-the-UK/North-of-England/Bishops- or booking a workshop for your school push-for-better-support-for-women- please get in touch with me by email at: released-from-prison Bishop Rachel Treweek, Dame Caroline Spelman MP and Bishop Christine Hardman [email protected] 6 generous engaged open News and updates from the Setting God’s People Free team

FREE workshops for schools with Newcastle Cathedral 2019-2020 Newcastle Cathedral has lots of explores the birds found in the FREE exciting, new offers for all Cathedral and the artists who made schools that teach Key Stage 1 and them. Students will make their own 2 children. There are a variety of beautiful bird headdress with paper- interactive workshops bringing to crafting techniques. life the history of the Cathedral, Curious Creatures Carving – the people who are remembered One-hour workshop for KS2 to there, and the artists and designers discover the curious creatures in the who helped build it. Here are the Cathedral and to carve their own workshops on offer: curious creature from soap. Illustration (KS1 and KS2)– A Magnificent Memorial Making two-hour workshop at your school – One-hour workshop for KS2 learning about Cathedral characters exploring the Cathedral’s memorials from history which are brought to and who they are for. Students will life by the children’s own designs, use printmaking techniques to make facilitated by a professional their own prints. illustrator. Assemblies for KS1 and KS2 – A Creative History workshops: short interactive introduction to Bishop Mark licencing Lee Kirkby Bright, Light, Build – One-hour the Cathedral including its history, workshop for KS1 explores stained present purpose and future This month we say goodbye to glass windows in the Cathedral and ambitions. This can be tailored for Canon Ian Flintoft, Director of the artist who made them. Children specific year groups. Discipleship and Ministry for Mission will explore colour and light, If this would be of interest to a who has supported and enabled build large dens and use collage school you work in or the school many of the pieces of work we have techniques to create their own your children or grandchildren undertaken over the past two years. stained-glass windows. attend then please get in Thank you, Ian, for everything you Beautiful Birds Paper Crafting touch with rachael.rickwood@ have given to us and we look forward – One-hour workshop for KS1 stnicholascathedral.co.uk to hearing from you in your new role as vicar of Newsham and Horton. The SGPF team would like to offer our congratulations to Lee Kirkby who has been commissioned to work as a lay minister in the newly launched Revd Canon Ian Flintoft Resource Church at St Thomas' Newcastle. We look forward to working with Lee. The Møre Task Group in the diocese would like to encourage lay people to join their Task Group to represent the lay voice in their work. For more information about this invitation please contact Janet Appleby [email protected] . Find out about the recent Møre visit on page 4. growing church bringing hope 7 He’s an Ironman! By Tony Thick As mentioned in last month’s Link, the Environmental Policy went before Diocesan Synod at the meeting on 28th September. I am happy to report that it was unanimously approved. We now need to begin implementation and are looking for eco-champions to join the Environment Working Group: please email Revd Mark Nash-Williams if you are interested at [email protected]. Those of you who were present at Diocesan Synod will have heard that Revd Catherine Pickford used prayers from the booklet Praying for the Earth. This excellent diocesan resource is available to all; contact Mark as above. their loved ones, to strangers living with serious Shopping, shopping, shopping! Halloween deprivation, or to a charity or other good cause. shopping. Christmas shopping. The pressure is Nearly a third of all shipping is to transport always on us to buy more and more. But now, oil around the world. And oil refineries use we have an antidote. The climate emergency huge amounts of electricity; there are six in requires us to respond and buying less new stuff the UK, with a capacity of around 1.5 million is a big part of that. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. barrels of crude oil per day. So as we reduce our The three Rs of sustainable living allow us a greenhouse gas emissions by using less oil, petrol better way of living. Why better? Better because and diesel there will be added benefits. There will the harmful addiction to growth is killing the be more electricity available for electric trains, planet; certainly to the extent that the climate is buses and cars. More for electric home heating becoming unsuitable for humans in ever more with heat pumps. The University of Newcastle’s places. Our God given planet is finite; its natural new Centre for Energy is a welcome addition resources cannot sustain limitless growth in to the research initiatives aimed at transition to human consumption. The EU has just brought in clean, affordable energy in a net zero emissions ‘right to repair’ rules so manufacturers will have to world. make spares available: a major contribution to the The prayer for Christ the King from Praying circular economy we should all aim for. for the Earth: We remember with shame that we So, this Christmas, let’s all try not to buy have sometimes exercised the high dominion of anything plastic (not easy!); not buy so much. humankind with contempt and cruelty, so that Christmas crackers: usually not recyclable and the song of the earth has been a groan of travail. filled with useless throwaway items… do we Help us to follow the humble example of Christ really need to buy them? Perhaps consider joining our King and bring us, with our fellow creatures the many people who give gifts, on behalf of and the whole created order, to worship at his feet. New advisor in Pioneer Ministry

Head of Communications for Ironman Barcelona in October 2020! Newcastle Diocese Roderick Stuart Rod said: “Taking part in Ironman Beth and the Ven Peter Robinson has successfully completed the Wales was one of the most incredible gruelling Ironman Wales in experiences of my life and to me, The Revd Beth Rookwood is Bishop Christine’s new alongside congregations which already exist - and September. proves that anything is possible advisor in Pioneer Ministry. Beth, previously Assistant there are already 1000s of them! The competition, one of the if you want it badly enough. I was Curate at Morpeth, was presented with her licence by “I’m really pleased to be offered this post - to toughest Ironman triathlons in never particularly sporty as a child, the Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, the Venerable Peter work with those who are developing new forms Europe, starts with a 2.4 mile swim, so this has been a big personal Robinson during a meeting of fellow pioneer of Christian community across this diocese - to then a 112 mile cycle ride and finally achievement for me and made the ministers in Newcastle’s Great Park in September. share stories and learning, to connect with national a 26.2 mile marathon run – all to be last year and half of training so worth “Pioneer Ministry is a movement of the Holy resources and training, and to invite others on this completed within 17 hours. More it. This event is one of the toughest Spirit where people are called by God to build new journey too - to see God’s love shared and a whole than 2,000 competitors from 35 on the Ironman calendar and the Christian communities with people who as yet have variety of Christian communities developed in little or no contact with any form of church,” says different contexts all across our beautiful county. countries took part in the event in atmosphere in Tenby was incredible. Beth. “Although this work of the pioneer minister has “If you’d like to share your story of pioneer ministry, Tenby, South Wales. It was Rod’s first The crowds throughout the race only relatively recently been recognised as a specific chat ideas through and connect with others, then I’d Ironman and buzzing after the event, were brilliant, noisy, and really kept vocation of lay and ordained ministry, mainstream love to hear from you!” he has signed up for another one – us going towards the finish." denominations across the UK are sensing God’s ■■ You can email Beth at: [email protected] call to build new and fresh expressions of church 8 generous engaged open

Friends of Harvest at St John’s Shotley at Snods Edge by Sue Thompson Newcastle Diocese’s Mothers’ Union

Have you considered joining the Mothers’ Union but simply do not have the time to commit to all that membership involves? If so you could be interested in becoming a ‘Friend’. The Friends of Newcastle Diocese was launched in October, 2002 by Bishop Martin and was the idea of our then Chaplain the Revd Canon Michael Webb. The purpose of the Friends is to build closer links with those who sympathise with our aims and objectives and yet feel unable to commit to full membership for whatever reasons. On Sunday we had a packed church for Stanley. Their founder, Sgt Dave Clarke, bank, free lunches for all, holiday clubs for our Harvest Service, with the produce and had delivered a moving speech during children, and providing a venue for clubs Friends are usually relatives or friends flowers donated by the congregation the service about the wonderful work and support groups that help alleviate of members plus others in the wider being auctioned off by Revd Geoff carried out by the organisation in social isolation and holiday hunger. Then community who wish to support our work Purcell-Smith, our vicar. The sale raised supporting their local community, we sat down to a huge shared lunch and and mission. By their prayers and financial over £350 for the charity PACT House, providing help for the homeless, a food a few glasses of beer. support they help maintain the work of the Mothers’ Union in Newcastle Diocese. Some are members of the Church of England; others may belong to other denominations. Some are members who have moved away but still wish to support the work we are doing here in Newcastle Diocese. Michael Newcastle’s Big Sleep Out also felt it should be open to members of the Mothers’ Union as this could be an N 7th December, for one night opportunity to give additional support to only, 50,000 people will sleep the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese. out in 50 amazing global loca- The Friends meet twice a year, the AGM is tions, to collectively raise $50m toO provide sustainable help for an esti- in the spring with the second meeting in the mated one million people who are home- autumn. We have a speaker at our meetings less and displaced. where their subject is in common with our The Newcastle Big Sleep Out will see aims and objectives; the diocesan president more than 2000 people spend the night gives an update on activities in the diocese in Exhibition Park to raise money for including information on worldwide local charity partnership, Street Zero which aims to end rough sleeping in activities. This is followed by midday prayers Newcastle by 2022. led by a Friend, a buffet lunch and a chance Flagship events will take place in Tra- to chat to friends old and new. falgar Square (London), Times Square employment and free food to homeless Friends receive a copy of the Mothers’ (NY) Dame Helen Mirren and Will Smith people. It has grown to become a major Union Journal and the newsletter both will read bedtime stories. charity with a mission of eradicating There are also major events in Chicago, homelessness in Scotland. issued twice a year and are invited to Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast, Los In Newcastle entertainment will be diocesan events such as the meeting of Angeles, Hong Kong, New Dehli, Madrid, provided by local musicians and Si King council, services and celebrations. Santiago, Brisbane, Hong Kong and of from the Hairy Bikers is reading the bed- ■■ If you are interested in joining the Friends course Newcastle. time story. The event will see the city or at this point just wish to find out more Entertainment will be provided by stand alongside the rest of the world, some of the world’s most famous musi- hosted by Newcastle City Council, it will about what is involved please contact Pat cians. be the first event produced by Newcastle Johnson (Friends Co-ordinator) at: Canon The money raised will be shared equal- Park’s Trust. Pat Johnson, 93 Harwood Drive, Simonside ly between local homelessness charities Be part of this global movement, in a Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tel: 0191 in each city and international charities demonstration of solidarity and social 2161760 such as UNICEF, Malala Fund and The responsibility to shine a spotlight on the ■ Institute for Global Homelessness. issue and help end homelessness. ■ e-mail: phyllisthompson390@btinternet. Organised by Josh Littlejohn MBE, the If you’d like to spend the night walking com co-founder of the charity Social Bite. in the shoes of those we normally walk Social Bite started as a small sandwich by, contact natasha.addis@bigsleepout. shop in Edinburgh that started offering com. growing church bringing hope 9 Getting ready to by Revd Rachel Hudson, talk about Jesus Counselling and Wellbeing Advisor WORDS OF WELLBEING The power of words to build up, or to destroy, has been so evident in recent months. Our whole society has been faced with raging words, dishonest words, destructive words and personal attacks. Words have power: whether spoken to another, or to ourselves. Proverbs tells us that the tongue has the power of life and death, and Jesus teaches that our words are open to God’s judgement and can even condemn us. Surely as God’s people we would seek to be those whose speech is helpful for building others up so that they benefit from our words. As many of us preach words week by week we are careful to craft them for our hearers. But what about self-talk? Those words we use to criticise and condemn ourselves so easily. How often I hear self- condemnatory comments, ranging from accusations of stupidity for a thought, an action or an emotion, right through to global devaluing of ourselves. Our words to, and about, ourselves matter as part of our wellbeing. What might it mean to be both curious and compassionate toward ourselves when we feel like criticising? The use of affirmations is a technique widely used in maintaining good mental health. Statements of worth and value, spoken to ourselves, have power to bring life and growth. As Christian believers we have a wealth of material to support this sense of our personal value to Norham living nativity taking place around the village. Picture: www.jimgibsonphotography.co.uk our maker. We are beloved, we are individually created. God the Father does not make rubbish, God the Son did not die for rubbish, God the DVENT and Christmas are ideal op- (see www.churchsupporthub.org/idea/ short prayer attached and an invitation to Spirit does not live in rubbish. Sometimes we portunities for us, as churches and blue-christmas/ for more information) come to church). ■ need to practice speaking truth to ourselves as individuals, to talk about Jesus ■ A pop-up nativity (a nativity service with Several organisations produce booklets and in order to sustain and build ourselves up, and and to share the Good News with resources which can be given out at your no rehearsal required), maybe on the vil- maintain good mental health. ourA families, friends and neighbours. lage green or in your local park or shopping events. Try: Perhaps your church could consider organ- centre (see www.biblesociety.org.uk/get- www.biblesociety.org.uk/get-involved/ ising some of the following events to help involved/christmas for more information) christmas/ ADVANCE NOTICE share the Good News with those who don’t ■■ Carols by candlelight www.lifewords.global/shop/ An Advent Wellbeing Walk will take place on often come to church: ■■ Christmas tree festival Whatever you decide to do, we hope that Monday 2nd December. Meet at the Drift Café, ■■ Beer and carols in your local pub or club ■■ Christingle service you have a great time talking about Jesus and Creswell, (Druridge Bay) for 1.30pm. Contact ■■ A ‘Blue Christmas’ or ‘Longest Night’ ser- ■■ Posada sharing the Good News. Rachel Hudson for further details 07974 410409 vice, acknowledging that Christmas isn’t ■■ Knitted angel bombing or knitted lamb With best wishes from the Evangelism Task or email: counsellingandwellbeing@newcastle. easy for everyone, and giving people an bombing (hanging knitted angels or sheep Group. anglican.org opportunity to remember their loved ones around your local area, perhaps with a New readers admitted to office

Timothy Burdon Jane Clark James Feeley Elizabeth Hawkins Shirley Morgan Melanie Wilkinson Helen Wright

On Saturday 12th October, at Newcastle Cathedral, all readers present re-committed themselves to their ministry. On this joyful occasion seven new readers were admitted to office and licensed by Bishop Christine. The new readers are: Timothy Burdon, Allendale, St Cuthbert; Jane Clark, Mitford with Hebron; James Feeley, Chollerton, St Giles; Elizabeth Hawkins, Mitford with Hebron; Shirley Morgan, Weetslade; Melanie Wilkinson, Humshaugh, St Peter; Helen Wright, Newcastle Cathedral. 10 generous engaged open

ACROSS HAVE YOUR SAY 3. Statement of beliefs about Compiled by Mary Sutton plant (5) Link Crossword 157 7. Igloo dweller upsetting Mike Anything catch your eye in so (6) this month’s LINK? 8. I cheat to get devotional Something on your mind? painting (4) 9. Predict getting free lot, Or in your prayers? possibly about 50 (8) Send an e-mail, message or 10. Playthings initially thrilling letter to LINK and we’ll our young son (4) 11. Greedy person with chief publish the best of them: journalist beside loch showing obstinacy (13) Have your say. LINK, 15. Street rich Sam spoilt with Church House, St John’s something decorated for a Terrace, North Shields festival (9,4) 16. Individual fish, say (4) NE29 6HS. Email us: 18. Record first found with man’s link@newcastle. letters (8) anglican.org 20. Mother’s second service (4) 21. Newspaper boss rode it badly (6) 22. Church council making second youth leader indicate agreement (5)

DOWN 1. A saint on island, quiet, getting shock (8) 2. Ceremony that’s correct, we hear (4) 3. Agreement involving group of witches and worker (8) 4. Some of the villagers, wicked (4) 5. Plain Democrat first in court (8) 6. Religious lady initially seen in house with youth leader (4) 12. Reportedly stuffy and without a successor (8) 13. Former commercial about November pit being inspected (8) By Joseph Goodson (1916 – 2004) 14. Leeks not cooked for very I watch where fieldfares come in scurrying hosts, thin person (8) all mute, they swoop the chill November sky, 17. Gemstone from ring given to silvered undersides, flit like banished ghosts friend (4) and soon are gone with never a parting cry. 18. Man in French garden (4) 19. Group of three originally The robin peeps and watches from the tree, touring Brazilian city (4) his head is still, his body rides the bough, his eye is bright, and yet no word has he – no greeting toot or chelp he gives me now. ANSWERS TO Where the hedge is black, berries like scarlet suns CROSSWORD 156 enliven scenes that knew of glories gone, ACROSS: 1. Monk 3. Recount and where skies weep and swelling waters run 8. Nonconformist 9. Gag 10. floods now rave, and then go plundering on. Tudor 12. Entered 14. Resigns 16. Areas 17. Pan 20. Poplars stand like witches’ brooms against the sky Sentimentally all stark and shorn of summer’s velvet green, 21. Arrange 22. Lead and moles now break the ground and wonder why DOWN: 1. Minister 2. None the world’s so changed where they had lately been. 3. Refuge 4. Christianity 5. Universe 6. Tutu Joseph Goodson, pictured right, 7. Congregation 11. Designer was born in Nottingham in 1916. 13. Dismayed 15. Sphere His poems have been read on 18. Asia 19. Blue BBC Radio and in 1971 he was awarded the Certificate of Merit Winner of crossword 156 is by the International Who’s Who P Davison of Ponteland. in Poetry. Some poems describe nature and the changing seasons; others contain humour and Our crossword is sponsored by reflect our passage through life. St Thomas the Martyr One World His work is included in “Where Shop (at the Haymarket, Plovers Fly”, an illustrated book of Newcastle). A voucher to spend 125 poems that reflect the range in the shop will be sent to the and depth of his work. crossword winner. Many thanks ■■ Copies can be obtained to the Master of St Thomas’ and from Stephen Bell staff at the One World Shop. (tel. 01661824877 or stephensbbell@btinternet. com) Price £9.99 plus Closing date for entries to £1.00 p&p. crossword 157 is Monday 18th November 2019. growing church bringing hope 11 Appeal for 144 volunteers LIKE A METAPHOR Tim Hardy (formerly of the Religious Resources for White Ribbon Sunday Centre) writes at www.timbo-baggins.co.uk and spends the rest of his time raising a three year EWCASTLE Cathedral is appeal- old and riding a bike around Leamington Spa. ing for 144 volunteers to take part in a service to commemorate women who have been victims of My daughter has recently started with the parents and friendships maleN violence. nursery. The week before she was grew following that one instance of The Cathedral is supporting the UN Inter- due to start, one of our friends dug welcome. national Day for the Elimination of Violence out an old branded jumper that her Before our wedding, one of our Against Women by holding its second annual son had worn to the same nursery friends tweeted, “Just about to White Ribbon Sunday service, on 24th five or six years ago, and asked if we go into a church - I feel sick.” But November. This annual day supported by the would like it for Anwen to wear - she an awful lot of people had put Mothers’ Union aims to raise awareness of promptly demanded we dress her in an awful lot of work into making family violence. it every single day, even without that service one that would be People are needed to represent each of the having crossed the threshold. Once welcoming, engaging and non- 144 women killed by male violence in the UK term began, the excitement was threatening, and our friend left in 2018, and will wear a white ribbon and a even more unconstrained - whatever having actually enjoyed a service small board with a victim’s name on it. the day, she would bounce into our where they (besides seeing Ros and ■ ■ Volunteers will be needed from 2.45pm room and ask, “Is it nursery today? Is I get married) had heard the gospel for a 4pm start and the event finishes at it nursery today?” Now, after the preached and witnessed a couple of 5.30pm. For further information please contact Viv Frost at [email protected] initial novelty has worn off, going to hundred people worshipping noisily. nursery is still one of her favourite Not every service can be as Anne Collison from Northern Community things to do, and as soon as she’s in dramatic, loud, and exciting as that tells us more about the significance of the the room, she doesn’t give me a wedding seven years ago - there name boards: goodbye hug or even a second simply isn’t the time or the human “Here at Nether Springs, the mother house glance. resources to put into our Sunday of the Northumbria Community, we have A lot of this is down to Anwen’s services, and the focus of our weekly been preparing name boards for this year’s temperament but it’s certainly worship will necessarily be different, White Ribbon event. Members of the house- helped by the welcoming ethos and potentially leaving outsiders team, as well as guests, have written the attitude of the staff, the activities, bemused or alienated. How can we names and ages of each of the 144 women, toys and books that are available, make our services welcoming whilst killed last year, onto individual A6 white can- and the other children who are fast their very nature is something a little vas boards ready for them to be worn in the becoming her “mates”. at odds with society? Cathedral. Back when we lived in Walker, Not every church has the capacity “This profound task has touched us deeply there was a Sunday morning when to let children play during a service. as we held the name of each victim in our it snowed so much I couldn’t make How can we help parents feel that mind and heart, praying for them and the it to my normal church so I walked their whole family is welcome? How families left behind, as we inscribed each with Anwen around the corner to can bigger churches with children’s board. It was all the more poignant when St Martin’s. We were smiled at as programmes more fully integrate people chose the name of someone who was the same age as their daughter, sister or we arrived, and the sides-person those children into the worshipping mother. said, “Please don’t worry if your life of the church? “Women on a recent ‘Red Tent’ retreat daughter runs around and makes Most of us aren’t three years were so moved by the experience that they a noise, none of us do, we love to old, and church is very different to asked to have their own ‘moment’ to remem- have families here.” This extra-level nursery, but what would it take to ber the women - and so it was that we gath- welcome touched me deeply. lighten our hearts so every morning ered around our storytelling tree (a 200-year- During the service, Anwen played we’d be excitedly asking, “Is it church old Elm) and held silence, lit candles, prayed with another child her age and had today?” and remembered. It has been a real privilege a great time; afterwards, I spoke to be involved.” Preparing name boards for White Ribbon Sunday. Noticeboard Lindisfarne College of Theology: to inform and equip Christians to face the An Advent Wellbeing Walk, Monday Quiet Pre-Christmas Retreat at Holy Preaching on difficult texts from the challenge of domestic abuse. www. 2nd December. Meet at the Drift Café, Rood House. The Quiet Renewal of Epistles of Paul, 9th November. A day for cadanortheast.org Creswell, (Druridge Bay) for 1.30pm. Winter Friday 13th December to ordained ministers and readers. This is an Contact Rachel Hudson for further details Saturday 14th December - from 4pm opportunity to explore how to handle Elgar: The Kingdom at Sage Gateshead 07974 410409 or email Friday to 4pm Saturday. Or come for the day preaching on the difficult passages from the on 24 November, 3pm. Newcastle upon counsellingandwellbeing@newcastle. on Saturday 9.45 for 10-4pm. This retreat will Epistles of Paul. Church House, St John’s Tyne Bach Choir, The Waynflete Singers & anglican.org centre on what the season of winter offers Terrace, North Shields, NE29 6HS. To book a Newcastle University Symphony Orchestra. us. We will be using the lovely garden for place please contact Jenny Burton, jenny@ Tickets from Sage Gateshead box-office, £24, Royal Northern Sinfonia – Christmas by inspiration and offering prayerful space in lindisfarnect.org 0191 270 4144. £19 students, £14 under 18s. Candlelight, St Michael’s Alnwick – the chapel and creative time in the art room. Friday 6 December; All Saints Church, With good home-made food, warm and Voices of Faith ‘Divinity and Silver Breves Choir, Monday 25th Rothbury – Saturday 7 December; cosy spaces this will be a needed space to Femininity’, Wed 20th November, November 1pm, Saint John the Baptist Hexham Abbey – Tuesday 10 reflect and rest before Christmas. Helen 6-8.30pm, Central Mosque, Newcastle, Church, Grainger Street, Newcastle December; St George’s Cullercoats – Warwick is one of our chaplains and she will NE4 8RQ. Speakers: Sister Taj Khan, Revd upon Tyne, NE1 5JG. Free entry, with Wednesday 11 December. Hear Royal be bringing her creativity and love of nature Canon Clare MacLaren and Kirtida. Please retiring collection, 0191 232 0483 Northern Sinfonia on your doorstep this into the retreat. confirm attendance on 0191 270 4100 or [email protected] www. Christmas and enjoy the candlelit [email protected] stjohnthebaptistnewcastle.co.uk atmosphere of our region’s beautiful Three-day Accredited Godly Play Core churches, listening to virtuosic solo Training, 22nd-24th April 2020 at St Replenish Day - Exploring Tenderness, St Andrew’s Seaton Hirst, Patronal concertos and Christmas instrumental music Mary’s, Claremont Gardens, Thursday 21st November - from 9.45 Festival Celebration, 30th November, showcasing our marvellous musicians. Monkseaton. 8.30 am – 6.00 pm (except for 10 - 4pm. Come and relax and have a 10.30am. Prayers for mission, Solemn Mass Programme includes ‘Winter’ from Vivaldi’s on final day of course, end at 5.30 pm). creative day at Holy Rood House, with Helen with Fr Ian Flintoft and Revd Jennifer Cooper. Four Seasons, alongside contrasting classical Trainers: Mary Cooper and Sian Hancock. Warwick. favourites. Tickets cost £15 standard or £5 Cost: £320 (non-residential, includes training Advent Retreat, 30th November – 1st under 18s, and are available from Sage handbook and lunches). More details and Wise up rise up, 23rd November, December, Holy Rood House. Dreaming Gateshead’s Box Office on 0191 443 4661 or booking form can be found on the Godly 10-4pm, Trinity Church Newcastle, NE3 dreams for advent, with Veronica Whitty. at sagegateshead.com Play UK website www.godlyplay.uk Contact: 4AG. A conference run by CADA North East www.holyroodhouse.org.uk [email protected].

Visit https://www.newcastle.anglican.org/events/category/all-events/ for events taking place across the Diocese 12 generous engaged open growing church bringing hope

News from Christian Aid North east with Helen Cunningham, TOWARDS A Regional Co-ordinator for Northumberland and Tyne and Wear SAFER CHURCH Empowering women With Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser Ruth Rogan www.newcastle.anglican.org/safeguarding this Christmas SURVIVORS Gilo. Janet was one of the first women to be ordained in the In September Andrew Grant (Asst Church of England and is a writer, DSA) and I attended a National survivor and completed a research Safeguarding Summit at York degree in the pastoral care of University. survivors. Gilo is a survivor, hymn The first day was facilitated writer and outsider theologian. by members of the national The book is published by Ekklesia. Survivors Reference Group. The main message of the They talked not only about their 33 ‘letters’ is that the church’s experience of reporting abuse structures, leadership, practices within the Church of England but and culture must change also about their commitment radically in order to face up and motivation to integrate the to the historic scale of abuse ‘survivor’s voice’ into the life and within its institutions at all levels. work of the church. They call for transparency and They are passionate about accountability after the decades of improving safeguarding practice evasion and denial. The book isn’t because they have had the an easy read but it is an essential experience of poor practice within read for everyone committed to the church. They want to feel learning from the past in order to valued and heard, included and improve the future. Ranjita with her daughter. Photos: Christian Aid / Emily Garthwaite appreciated, that their perspective If you might be interested in matters and can help the church helping this diocese ensure the survivor’s voice is heard we would ‘EVERY generous act of giving, with every perfect Decades of warfare, drought and civil unrest have address past failings. They want gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of created turmoil across communities in the country, the church to trust them and to be pleased to hear from you. ■ lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow where women are often seen as second-class citi- engage in a meaningful dialogue ■ Ruth and Andrew can be due to change.’ (James 1:17). zens. with them. contacted about this and any At Christmas, Christians come together to remem- Bibi Aisha is living in extreme poverty and danger. In time there will be Regional other safeguarding concern ber how, against all odds, one mother’s bravery and ‘Faced with war and drought, there was nothing to Survivor’s Groups. A number of the you might have by phone or devotion brought her family out of danger. She ena- eat,’ she says. ‘We were forced to leave home and we members of the national Survivor’s email. r.rogan@newcastle. bled God’s message of hope, love and peace to enter lost everything.’ Our partner RAADA helped her find Reference Group have contributed anglican.org 07825 167016 and the world. shelter, giving her a tent. to a book call Letters to a Broken [email protected]. Today, millions of women around the world are In terms of violence against women, gender equal- Church edited by Janet Fife and org 07741 633670. raising children in the toughest of circumstances ity and rights, today women are facing increasing due to poverty and prejudice. barriers. Things are not going forward – they’re going In India, Ranjita, 30, started accompanying her backwards. Every one of God’s children has the mother as a manual scavenger when she was just power within them to change their lives and achieve nine-years-old. As a manual scavenger, she endured wonderful things, yet women and mothers are often 10-15 hours of degrading work a day that involved denied the chance to use their gifts to the full. the cleaning, carrying and removing of human This Christmas, help mothers – like Ranjita and excrement from latrines and sewers by hand. In Bibi Aisha - use their God-given gifts to escape pov- return she earned scraps of stale bread and a few erty, and create new hope and a new future for them- rupees (as little as 20 rupees - or 23p a month). As a selves and their children. Dalit – the most excluded of the caste system – she is Amid inequality and injustice, together we can poor and marginalised, and has little opportunity to change lives. escape the systemic cycle of poverty she finds herself Just £19 could provide a woman like Ranjita in in. India with skills training, like tailoring, to enable her THE NORTHERN SAINTS Ranjita was determined to find a new life for her- to set up a business; or £141 could pay to replace 50 self and her three children. She learnt about her dry toilets with flush toilets and help eliminate man- Long ago, in a kingdom by the sea, rights, thanks to the community self-help group that ual scavenging. Women escaping conflict in Afghan- there was a Golden Age. Christian Aid is supporting, and applied for the gov- istan, like Bibi Aisha, could receive the materials to This sounds like something from ernment compensation grant. ‘I started tailoring weave a silk carpet to sell (£25). a fairy tale, but these are inspiring four years ago,’ Ranjita says. ’My children and I are ■■ To donate, visit: https://www.christianaid. stories of the men and women happy now I am earning and I am no longer like an org.uk/christmas-appeal who brought light to the north animal.’ ■■ If you would like a speaker for your Christmas of England. There was Oswald, In Afghanistan, widow Bibi Aisha, 25, was dis- event, please contact the Newcastle Christian who against all odds saved his placed by the conflict and drought, forcing her to Aid Office on 0191 228 0115 or people from tyranny. Aidan and relocate with her children, aged seven and eight. [email protected] Cuthbert carried God’s love across the kingdom. Hilda set up a community where scholars and cowherds found their voices. And these are only a few of the characters you’ll meet! You can meet them, and some others like them, in this wonderful new book available now from the Religious Resources Centre. Engaging text by Margi McAllister and beautiful full- colour illustrations by Amy Warmington make this a great resource for churches and schools (and a great Christmas or Confirmation gift). ■■ Available now from Amazon, (RRP £7.04) or DIRECT from the RRC: £6.99 for non-members, £5 for RRC members. Further discounts Bibi Aisha is a 25-year-old widow living with two children who are seven and eight years old. She lives in an available for orders over 25 copies. IDP camp in Herat, Afghanistan.