March 2021
Cleadon Courier
All Saints’ Church Monthly Magazine
No 516 Price 50p
33 1 PEOPLE TO CONTACT
Priest in Charge Rev’d Vernon Cuthbert, 5 Sunderland Road, 536 7147 Cleadon, Sunderland, SR6 7UR [email protected] Churchwardens Jenny Grant, 6 Sunniside Terrace, Cleadon 536 4140 Marie Philpott, 2 Whitburn Rd East, Cleadon 536 5128 PCC Vice -chairman Cathy Barnes, 107 Whitburn Road, Cleadon 536 4205 PCC Secretary Cathy Barnes, 107 Whitburn Road, Cleadon 536 4205 PCC Treasurer Keith Higgin, 11 Laburnum Grove, Cleadon 536 0102 Gift Aid Jenny Grant, 6 Sunniside Terrace, Cleadon 536 4140 Organist Gordon Trewhitt, 67 Dovedale Road, Seaburn 548 2421 Courier Editor Keith Higgin, 11 Laburnum Grove, Cleadon 536 0102 Courier Adverts Anne Hudson, 14 West Moor Drive, Cleadon 537 4122 Electoral Roll Val Wallbank, 28 Malvern Court, Cleadon 597 3418 Church Flowers Edna Nichol, 5 North Street, Cleadon 536 4389 Maintenance Walter Carr, 15 Burdon Road, Cleadon 536 2376 Verger Vacant Safeguarding Michael O’Brien, 7 Newark Drive, Whitburn 529 5263 Health and Safety Helen Belsham, 5 Woodlands Road, Cleadon 519 0353 Parish Administrator Shirley Newton, Parish Office, Parish Hall 519 0515 [email protected]
ORGANISATIONS Pastoral Care Jean Higgin, 11 Laburnum Grove, Cleadon 536 0102 Men's Fellowship Gordon Coxon, 31 Lyndon Grove, East Boldon 536 6438 Friends in Faith Gordon Coxon, 31 Lyndon Grove, East Boldon 536 6438 Mothers’ Union Margaret Robson, 7 South Drive, Cleadon 536 2049 CMS Vacant Toddlers@All Saints Janet Cuthbert, 5 Sunderland Road, Cleadon 536 7147 Friends of All Saints Ernie & Helen Belsham 5 Woodlands Rd, Cleadon 519 0353 Group Scout Leader Glyn Purvis -McGinn 07891 166 011 Scout Leader Glyn Purvis -McGinn, 196 Highfield Rd, South Shields Cub Scout Leader Victoria Purvis -McGinn, 196 Highfield Rd 07805 803 892 Beaver Leader Georgia Purvis -McGinn [email protected] Rangers Lynne Carr 415 7253 Guide Contact Val Cram, 25 Sunniside Terrace, Cleadon 536 5774 Brownie Leader Lisa Nesworthy, 6.00 - 7.15 Wednesday 07795 498277 Rainbows Leader Lisa Nesworthy, 4.45 —5.45 Wednesday 07795 498277
Web -site: http://www.cleadonallsaints.org Items for inclusion in the Courier should be sent to the editor, Keith Higgin, before the 18th of each month or by e -mail to: [email protected]
2 Weekly Services —Cleadon
SUNDAY 10.00 am Service on Zoom Baptisms by arrangement
THURSDAY 10.00 am Morning Service on Zoom.
The Church will NOT be open during lockdown
Weekly Services —Whitburn
SUNDAY 10.00 am Service on Zoom Baptisms by arrangement 6.30 pm Evensong temporarily suspended MONDAY 9.30 am Morning Service on Zoom
All these arrangements are being reviewed as changes take place
Please contact the Vicar or Churchwardens for Zoom meeting details.
Watch a livestream or recording of the 10.00 am Sunday Service on Cleadon’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UC73b3ksCCY3ZbGHSEQREzdA
Up to date details are always on the websites: www.cleadonallsaints.org and whitburnparishchurch.co.uk
Weekly and Regular Meetings Not taking place during lockdown
MONDAY 5.30 pm Beavers in Parish Hall
WEDNESDAY 1.30 pm Toddlers @ All Saints in Parish Hall 4.45 pm Rainbows in Parish Hall 6.00 pm Brownies in Parish Hall 7.15 pm Guides in Parish Hall 7.30 pm Rangers in Upper Room
THURSDAY 7.00 pm Choir Practice in Church —last monthly
FRIDAY 5.45 pm Cubs in Parish Hall 7.30 pm Scouts in Parish Hall
33 3 Vernon Cuthbert writes…
During this pandemic, most of us have spent an increased proportion of our time in our home. It has undoubtedly raised the issue of what a good home needs. At the same time there has been a Commission examining Housing since April 2019.
This Commission, set up by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York was to look at Housing, Church and Community with a remit of re- imagining housing policy and practice. It has very recently reported its findings and recommendations. Coming Home is the response to a housing crisis setting out vital actions for the Church, Government and other stakeholders with a focus on building better communities and homes, not just houses.
The report identifies that around 8 million people, approximately 1 person in 7 or 14% of England’s population, live in overcrowded, unaffordable, or unsuitable homes. Whole sections of our society, including people of all ages, are affected by the housing crisis, but those caught in poverty bear the brunt of this injustice. The scale and consequences of the housing crisis have been further exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is a national scandal.
A good home is a place that enables us to live in harmony with the natural environment, it is a place where we feel safe, it enables us to put down roots and belong to a community, it is a place we enjoy living in and which is a delight to come home to. In other words, homes should be: ● Sustainable ● Safe ● Stable ● Sociable ● Satisfying
The report makes the case “The housing crisis is neither accidental, nor inevitable. If we want to resolve it, if we are willing to share the cost more evenly and if we implement the recommendations outlined in this Report over an extended period of time, we can create homes and communities that are truly sustainable, safe, stable, sociable and satisfying for all. “
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The Commission’s hope is that this vision will become an accepted standard across the housing sector, and inspire us to create the homes and communities our society needs. Our homes should be a foretaste of God’s kingdom – our true home, when God makes his home with us.
It needs acknowledging that the greatest impact of all this will be felt by communities other than ours. However, for it to succeed communities like ours need to support the case for positive action to assist those who do not have homes benefitting from the ‘5 Ss’. This may be especially so if proposals come forward for housing on land currently owned by the Church Commissioners, which accounts for much of the farmland surrounding us.
More immediately we may need to invest in our homes to meet the sustainable goal which is: “Good housing does not undermine the planet on which we live and which we are called to protect and cultivate. It works in harmony with its local environment and sustains the balance of the natural world in which it sits “ To achieve this the level of thermal insulation needs improving in many homes and a move away from carbon based heating solutions will be needed. A natural gas central heating boiler may need to be replaced with one that burns Hydrogen or a heat source pump.
Our support for the work of the Housing Commission will enable more of our population to have life in its fullness (John 10.10b).
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News from Cleadon Church of England Academy - Church Council. Here are some examples of work from Years 5 and 6.
Year 5
We have been exploring the question:
‘Creation and Science: complementary or conflicting?’ We began by studying Genesis 1 and the Big Bang theory. We then considered the viewpoints of Christians and scientists and Christian scientists along with our own thoughts and opinions. We have also explored art work and listened to music.
Conflicting. Many Christians and Jews believe that God created the world. They believe that Genesis 1 explains how the Universe and human beings were created. They say that nobody or nothing else could create so much. Genesis is an ancient text written many years ago when people lived very different lives. In those days, there wasn't a lot of science investigation being done. Scientists believe that Earth was created in the Big Bang not created by God. Developments in science mean that some people disagree with the Creation story. They believe the Big Bang theory.
Complementary. Some Christian people believe that Genesis 1 shows God’s power but not His methods. These Christians then look to science to help them understand how God did this. Others believe that the universe was created from matter that already existed after the Big Bang and that God created the plants, humans and other features. No matter what our opinions are on this matter, we are all agreed that we live in a beautiful world and it is essential that we care for it!
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Why is pilgrimage important to some religious believers?
In Year 6 we have been thinking about this ques on this half-term. A pilgrimage is a journey, especially a long one, made to a sacred place. We have researched Chris an places of pilgrimage such as Iona, Lindisfarne and Walsingham. Chris ans travel to the Holy Land as a pilgrimage to visit places where Jesus lived. We also researched places of pilgrimage for other religions such as The Golden Temple, Sikhism’s most important pilgrimage site. We have discovered people may go on pilgrimage for many different reasons. They may go to be healed spiritually or physically. Many people travel to Lourdes in France for these reasons. Up to 5,000,000 pilgrims may visit Lourdes in a year to visit the place where Bernade e is said to have seen Mary. Some people go on pilgrimage to a place where they believe their sins will be forgiven or washed away such as when Hindus travel to bathe in the river Ganges. When on pilgrimage, pilgrims might find they are with thousands of other people, in a small group or by themselves. Pilgrimage also gives people me to think and pray. One of the main reasons a pilgrim may make this journey is so they can be closer to their god whatever their religion. People say they feel blessed and cleansed from making their special journey.
Sophie, Theo, Viana, Sophia, Hollie, Savannah,
Thomas, Joshua, Libby (Year 6)
Pilgrimage
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Three Men on the Trail USA 2009
Little Big Horn battlefield in Montana, where the US Army was routed by Crazy Horse in 1876, is just over 300 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota, our chosen base camp for visiting both Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. We had already covered about 300 miles from Yellowstone Park, but with some daylight left, we motored another 50 miles east for an overnight stop in Sheridan, a typical mid - west town, then completed the journey, via Deadwood City, the next day. Mount Rushmore at 5,725 ft is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the carvings are awesome: like most things in the USA, American means big . The location was determined by Gutzon Borglum, a master sculptor who had experience of large scale granite working. Begun in 1927, it took 14 years, of which only six years were spent on the actual carving. The US Government paid $836,000 of the $1,000,000 cost. Four US Presidents are depicted. Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt. Washington ’s head is 60 ft high, his nose 20 ft long and mouth 20 ft wide. See the last scenes of Cary Grant ’s film North by Northwest Crazy Horse was born in Rapid Creek in the Black Hills about 1842. Whilst at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, under a flag of truce, he was stabbed in the back and died on the 6th September, 1877. He defended his people and their way of life in the only way he knew and saw them ravaged and destroyed. Once asked by a white man "Where are your lands now?" he replied with his hand outstretched, pointing "My lands are where my dead lie buried" And so this incomplete memorial will eventually depict a figure with outstretched arm, pointing, astride a pony in the spirit of Crazy Horse. The memorial, at 6,740ft, even by American standards is huge. The sculpture is blocked out in three dimensions although only the head is finished and is nearly 90 ft high. The heads of all four Presidents will fit inside it. The arm and hand will be 300ft long: the pony’ s eye 16 ft wide and it s ear 45 ft long. From the back of the animal to the tip of his 44 foot feather Crazy Horse will measure nearly 600ft. The world ’s largest carving is in progress: it could take another 40 years or so to complete. Privately owned and funded, it was started by Korezak Ziolowski in 1948 and although he died in 1982 members of his family still continue the work.
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The Deadwood Stage used to run south to Cheyenne, about 300 miles away. With the temperature dropping and indications of snow from the north we decided to head south across the high plains (5000ft), 1,800 miles to the hot deserts of southern California. Lunch and gas stop was in a one horse town called Lush, in Wyoming. The City has an interesting history concerning the water supply, but sadly not fit for publication! In the event we stayed overnight in Laramie (7000ft) and continued our journey to Cheyenne and Denver the next day, before turning west and climbing again. The Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel cuts through the mountains of the Gore range of the Rocky Mountains at 11,500 ft. When we emerged it was winter wonderland at a temperature of 28 Deg.F. The Interstate climbs to nearly 12,000ft eventually, so after passing a snowplough it was decided to turn off at Frisco, the next exit ramp and run 70 miles south through the valley, over Hosier Pass (11,539ft, 23Deg.F) and Trout Creek Pass (9,487ft) to Salida, before turning west to Montrose via the Monarch Pass (11,312ft) thinking we could outrun the snow. Wrong! Aspen, Colorado is a well known ski resort as indeed is the whole area of the San Isabel National Forest, which we were circumnavigating. Mountain Peaks reach to over 14,000ft and the snow makes the scenery literally breath -taking. There were one or two tense moments during the drive before eventually breaking out of the snowline into the sunlit valley below and hence to Montrose (5,794ft) for a welcome overnight stop, cookies at the check in and a well deserved steak in the restaurant adjacent to the motel. Telluride (9,000ft). We had intended to run directly south to Durango next day, but a casual conversation with a fellow guest persuaded us to visit this lesser known ski resort. Sunny but cool, the pleasant little town has a 296 ft waterfall virtually at the end of the main street, above Bear Pass. A free gondola ride up to the ski station at 10,540ft with splendid views of the valley below proved irresistible. Then onwards to Cortez. Journey's End. With still 900 miles to California, it was time to move on, with further stops at Grand Canyon, Oatman - an old gold mining town - and a Colorado river trip before arriving in Palm Springs for R & R after our epic 4,081 mile journey. Brian, Derek & Walter.
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What do you mean by the ‘Church of England’?
The recent publication of the report of the Commission on Housing, Church and Community raised an interesting question of what they meant by the Church of England when the authors talked about the Church taking action.
There are different aspects to the Church of England, each with a distinct legal identity.
Parish: This is the unit that most people come into contact with. The local church building usually sits in a Parish and has a PCC (Parochial Church Council), that with the Churchwardens and Incumbent (Rector, Vicar, or Priest-in-Charge), organises the life of the Church of England in that geographic area. Some parishes have a Parish church and Chapels of Ease, others multiple Parish Churches (typically with a team of Priests under a Team Rector). Some parishes share a Priest with others and even combine their PCCs. There are Royal Peculiars that are, well frankly, peculiar.
Diocese: Under the leadership of a Bishop, this is a larger geographic grouping of Parishes. There are 40 Dioceses in England, with Sodor and Man and The Diocese in Europe completing the Church of England. They are organised across the two Provinces of Canterbury and York.
There are two other administrative units of Deanery and Archdeaconry. A Deanery is the intermediary level between Parish and Diocese and forms part of the Synodical governance of the Church (PCC, Deanery Synod, Diocesan Synod, General Synod). The Archdeaconry is a small group or Deaneries that the Bishop’s officer, Archdeacon takes responsibility for. Cleadon is a Parish within Jarrow Deanery, part of Sunderland Archdeaconry and Durham Diocese in York Province.
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There are National Church Institutions as well. These include the Archbishops’ Council , a central executive body to co-ordinate and lead the work of the Church; Church Commissioners who pay pensions accrued prior to 1998, support the ministries of Bishops and Cathedrals, decide on Pastoral re-orderings, invest in strategic work of Dioceses and support the poorest Dioceses; Church of England Pensions Board who deal with pensions from service after 1998; and General Synod which can pass legislation such as measures (to be approved by Parliament) or canons and approves liturgy.
Historically, Church owned land (Glebe) was often held by parishes with the income deriving from it forming the income of a Rector who may have employed a Vicar on a stipend (allowance) to perform the required duties. Many years ago Glebe lands were transferred to Dioceses in return for a standardised stipend for all parish clergy, taking away the vagaries of rich and poor parishes in terms of stipends. Diocese, Bishop and Cathedral may also have had lands producing an income for them.
At one point Durham was known as the land of the Prince Bishops, so rich and powerful were they. Now Durham Diocese is one of the poorest, receiving the most from the Church Commissioners each year in assistance of any English Diocese.
The Church Commissioners are estimated to be the 13th largest land owner in the UK. Their assets were originally derived from Queen Anne’s Bounty and the Ecclesiastical Commisioners who were founded by Sir Robert Peel. Queen Anne’s Bounty sought to supplement the income of priests in poor parishes, whilst the Ecclesiastical Commissioners determined the distribution of revenues within the Church of England and determined boundaries of Parishes and Dioceses. They were significant Church builders.
After losing a third of their assets in the 1980’s through poor investment decisions, there is a strong presumption by the Church Commissioners of ensuring that the capital held is available for future generations.
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Cleadon W.I.
It’s at this time of year that the Cleadon WI would normally be putting together the final touches to it’s entertainment programme for the year, preparing to hold the AGM and getting ready to bring the group out of the Winter doldrums and into the Spring of excitement and activity. This year is slightly different, although the same planning is occurring; there are many different aspects to consider and a very hazy timeline, due to COVID, but plan we must and plan we will. We hope to be able to put together a programme of interesting speakers, group activities and outings to places of interest as soon as we are able.
The ladies have been very busy throughout the winter with all sorts of activities, but just like everyone else we know, we are a little tired and frustrated with the effects of lockdowns. The prospect of those restrictions being lifted, even in a small and programmed way, is extremely exciting and we are already enjoying just thinking about putting together our programme. It is interesting to see that many of the people who would normally attend our meetings and deliver interesting talks and discussions, are now also offering online delivery (Zoom, Teams etc) as an alternative; my how the world changes have accelerated over this last year.
The positivity now though is electric, the thought of holding our meetings again and the prospect of welcoming new members to our group is so galvanising, as it is to see the whole country planning for the post -COVID re -birth. Our ladies have kept it together with amazing fortitude this year, regular contact calls between one another, Film Clubs and Newsletters have contributed towards our togetherness and group well -being. The ballooning achievements of the vaccination programme mean that nearly all of our members have received their jabs and the ever widening community too. The mouth watering prospect of Meetings, meals out and holidays, are all on this year’s horizon and will be hotly anticipated and heartily welcomed.
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I am sure that our friends at All Saints will be looking forward to having a fully active church hall programme too. Cleadon WI have missed being able to get together there and are looking forward to resuming our meetings there as soon as possible.
Our ladies have been busy again this month, more knitted garments for local charities needing baby and young children’s clothing, foodbank deliveries to dear friends at Key2Life on Boldon Lane and many other crafting products in readiness for our craft stalls when appropriate.
At Cleadon WI, we would warmly welcome any lady, from South Tyneside/Sunderland North areas, wanting to join our group and become a part of this energetic awakening, you don’t have to be a whizz at craft, or a MasterChef champion, all you need is yourself. Our Facebook page, Cleadon WI, will give you a good idea of what we are about and how to get in touch; don’t be shy and we certainly don’t bite – give us a go! Maureen Ling. President – Cleadon WI.
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From the Registers
Funerals “May they rest in peace” 28/01/2021 Edna Golightly 15/02/2021 Angus (Gus) Crowther 25/02/2021 Robert Willis Also, at Sunderland Crematorium, on 17/02/2021, Joan Tilley, mother of Helen Belsham
Thank You
Thank you to all of the church family for the lovely cards, condolences and flowers I have received on the death of my mam Joan Tilley. These have been a great support and comfort to myself and Ernie at this difficult time. Helen Belsham.
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PASTORAL CARE
Praying for our village
This month in our cycle of prayer, we pray especially for the people in the following streets:
Ashleigh Gardens, Elmsleigh Gardens, Thornleigh Gardens, Oakleigh Gardens, Shields Road
The Network Representatives are
Mandy Forster and Ann Blanch
Heavenly Father, giver of all good things, may your blessing rest upon all our homes in this parish of Cleadon. May your presence make them holy, abounding in peace and love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Praying for Individuals Please remember in your prayers and hold in your hearts those who are sick or recovering, elderly, lonely or housebound, departed or bereaved. We especially remember this month,
The Sick: - Linda English
Those in Nursing Homes: - Peggy Carson, David Napier, Elsie Pearse and Doreen Taylor
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Parish Pump
No 258 News and Views March 2021
Editorial - Now for something really different! If you are reading this then you must be tech savvy!! Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to print a paper version of the Courier (hard copy ) unless someone has made one for you. Anyway, to business. After a while TV becomes boringly repetitive, you have read all your Catherine Cookson Books and DIY makes your hands and knees ache. So what else remains. Walking is permitted, although recently has been rather cold, but we are blessed by living in a beautiful part of the country, flanked by the sea and two rivers. Foreign travel has been virtually banned, or you may not get back into the country, but there is the opportunity to follow on the travelogues presented by Monty Don, James Martin, or even the Hairy Bikers et. al. Recently Monty Don visited several large gardens in the USA, Thomas Jefferson, for example, and on the west coast Palm Springs. Now it just so happens, elsewhere in the magazine is an account of one of their travels, entitled Three Men on the Trail - USA 2009.
Little to report on activities in the village at the moment.
Moor Lane Traffic Scheme - has been extended until further notice and shortly residents will be asked to comment on the Council ’s proposals. Incidentally, there is a continuation of the footpath from Underhill Road to the flats from South End. On the other side of the road is a track leading onto the Flats behind Garden Lane, sadly very much overgrown.
Railway Crossings - No further news on proposed modifications to Tiles Sheds and Station rail crossing yet. Plan was to construct road bridges over railway! Exactly!!
Planning Applications - still an extraordinary number of planning applications have been lodged with the South Tyneside Council.
Wit and Wisdom - Words of hope from a little girl who played the Glad Game. She was always thinking about things she was glad about such as ‘I am glad the sun is out, that makes me feel brighter ’; just every day things to be thankful for. Quoted in Christian Aid newsletter. Brian Bage.
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Monthly Meetings and Additional Events March 2021
Tuesday 2nd 7.30 pm Lent Course on Zoom Thursday 4th 10.00 am Morning Service on Zoom
Sunday 7th The Third Sunday of Lent 10.00 am Service on Zoom Monday 8th 10.00 am Communications meeting —virtual Tuesday 9th 7.30 pm Lent Course on Zoom Thursday 11th 10.00 am Morning Service on Zoom
Sunday 14th The Fourth Sunday of Lent 10.00 am Service on Zoom Tuesday 16th 7.30pm Lent Course on Zoom Thursday 18th 10.00 am Morning Service on Zoom
Sunday 21st The Fifth Sunday of Lent 10.00 am Service on Zoom 3.00 pm Family Service on You Tube Tuesday 23rd 7.30 pm Lent Course on Zoom Thursday 25th 10.00 am Morning Service on Zoom
Sunday 28th Palm Sunday 10.00 am Service on Zoom
The above service details may revert to the usual pattern if we are able to re -commence services in church.
The Zoom details for joining in all services and the Lent course are available on request from the Vicar or Churchwardens.
The Cleadon YouTube channel for streamed services is: https://youtube.com/channel/UC73b3ksCCY3ZbGHSEQREzdA
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