INSIDE: November 2020 Page 3 Fighting child poverty Page 4 Poms poms everywhere! Page 5 A service for our pets! Page 6 Councils support our churches Page 7&8 2020 Ordinations Page 9 Bishop Mark welcomed to Chester Mark Wroe named next Bishop of Berwick

he Venerable Mark Wroe, first Bishop of Berwick since 1572 across our region concerned for mility and courage.” currently Archdeacon of when he was appointed in 2016. The Venerable Mark Wroe said: loved ones and livelihoods, yet the Northumberland, is the “It’s an extraordinary privilege to Church has such deep hope and Mark will be ordained and con- next Suffragan Bishop of Mark’s appointment was an- be called to be the next Bishop of joy in Jesus Christ to offer. I look secrated a bishop by the Archbish- BerwickT in the Diocese of Newcas- nounced at Berwick Town Hall by Berwick and to serve God along- forward to working with all those op of York, Stephen Cottrell in a tle. the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right side Bishop Christine in Newcas- in our communities, who seek to service early next year. Reverend Christine Hardman, fol- tle Diocese. I’m very aware that work together for a more compas- He succeeds the Right Reverend lowing confirmation of approval these are challenging and disori- sionate society, and to sharing our ■■ For more, go to page 3 or visit Mark Tanner who had been the from the Queen. entating times, with many people hope and faith in Christ with hu- https://bit.ly/3dR0d4i See our ordinations picture special on pages 7 and 8 2 generous engaged open

Bishop’s Diary November This is not a full list of the Bishop’s engagements but includes the items TOWARDS A we think might be of particular interest to you. Under the present circumstances there is a possibility of cancellations or meetings changing to virtual meetings. SAFER CHURCH 2nd 8.30am Diocesan Secretary with Mark Bagnall, Safeguarding Training Officer 3rd 8.30am Ecumenical Prayers 3rd 9.30am Shortlisting for Interviews www.newcastle.anglican.org/safeguarding 3rd 11am Cobalt Park Meeting 4th 10am House of Bishops Safe Spaces – abuse received additional specific training in how Standing Committee helpline launched the churches respond to abuse cases, the way 5th 10am St Hild & St Bede Trustees Meeting in which faith and church-related settings 9th 9.30am House of Bishops have been used to carry out abuse, and the A new service providing vital support for particular issues affecting people who have 9th – 11th Bishops Staff Meeting Residential survivors of church-related abuse has had or still have, a relationship with the 12th 8am Inclusive Economy Board Pre-meet recently been launched. church. 12th 1pm Cathedral Council 15th 9am Service, Corbridge Safe Spaces, commissioned by the Anglican The service is for those who may have 16th 9am Inclusive Economy Board Meeting and Catholic Churches in England and Wales, experienced any form of abuse, including 16th 1pm Interviews will be run by Victim Support, a national sexual abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse, 18th 10.30am CC Mission, Pastoral and charity with a track record of providing psychological abuse (including spiritual Church Property Committee survivor support. abuse), domestic abuse, coercive and 19th 8.30am Bishops and Archdeacons Meeting controlling behaviour. Safe Spaces is a free and independent 19th 11am Diocesan Secretary support service, providing a confidential, Survivors do not have to have reported 20th – 21st Bishop’s Council Residential personal and safe space for anyone who has 23rd -25th General Synod, London the incident to the church authorities or the been abused through their relationship with police in order to access support. 26th 10.30am Church Commissioners Board either the Church of England, Church in Wales of Governors, London or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. The dedicated Safe Spaces team are 28th 10am Diocesan Synod available through a helpline and live chat 29th 10am Confirmation, Chevington Safe Spaces comprises a team of trained service between Monday – Saturday from support advocates, who have undergone 10am to 6pm, apart from Thursdays when specialist training in supporting survivors of the service is open 12noon to 8pm. Comings & Goings sexual abuse and violence, and who have

The Revd Deborah Maureen Baker, Kim Wears, Licensed Lay Minister at Assistant Curate (SSM), Ulgham Benefice, Willington, is now Assistant Curate (SSM) You can contact the Safe Spaces team by: is now Associate Minister (SSM) of at Willington. Cresswell and Lynemouth. Samantha Quilty, Licensed Lay Minister ■■ Tel: 0300 303 1056 Samuel George Lochead, Licensed Lay at Holy Island, is now Assistant Curate Minister at Corbridge, is now Assistant (SSM) at Holy Island. (a voicemail facility is available outside of opening times) Curate at Corbridge. Phyllis Alison Carruthers, Licensed Lay John Richard Storey, Licensed Lay Minister at Bamburgh, Belford and ■■ Email: [email protected] Minister at Upper Coquetdale, is now Lucker, is now Assistant Curate (SSM) at Assistant Curate (SSM) at Upper Bamburgh, Belford and Lucker. Coquetdale. ■ Oliver Jack Dempsey, Licensed Lay ■ LiveChat with the team, or access service information: Paul William Rusby, Licensed Lay Minister Minister at Cowgate, is now Assistant www.SafeSpacesEnglandandWales.org.uk at Morpeth, is now Assistant Curate Curate at Cowgate. (SSM) at Morpeth. Alan White, Licensed Lay Minister at Thomas Sample, Licensed Lay Minister at Newcastle St Gabriel, is now Assistant A member of the Safe Spaces team will make contact within Berwick Holy Trinity & St Mary, is now Curate (SSM) at Newcastle St Gabriel. 48 hours (72 hours on weekends) of making a referral. Assistant Curate at Berwick Holy Trinity & St Mary. The Revd Preb Dr Catherine Ann Sourbut Groves, currently Vicar, Bath (St Barnabas) Yvette Charmain Daniel, Licensed Lay with Englishcombe, is going to be Minister at Newcastle St Francis, is now licensed as Archdeacon of Lindisfarne on Gospel Readings Assistant Curate at Newcastle St Francis. 14 November by Bishop Christine. 1. All Saints Day Matthew 5.1-12 Bishop, 1796 Luke 18.1-8 2. Monday John 5.19-25 or John 6.37-40 15. 2nd Sunday 3. Tuesday Luke 14.15-24 Before Advent Matthew 25.14-30 CONTACT US 4. Wednesday Luke 14.25-33 16. Monday Luke 18.35-end 5. Thursday Luke 15.1-10 17. Hugh 6. Friday Luke 16.1-8 Bishop, 1200 Luke 19.1-10 The Link, Church House, St John’s Terrace, North Shields. NE29 6HS. 7. Willibrord, 18. Wednesday Luke 19.11-28 Tel: (0191) 270 4100. Email: [email protected] Bishop, 739 Luke 16.9-15 19. Thursday Luke 19.41-44 Facebook: m.me/ncldiocese 8. 3rd Sunday 20. Friday Luke 19.45-48 Twitter: @ncldiocese Instagram: @NclDiocese before Advent Matthew 25.1-13 21. Saturday Luke 20.27-40 9. Monday Luke 17.1-6 22. Sunday next Link is produced ten times a year by the Diocese of Newcastle, with joint issues for August/September and December/January. Views expressed 10. Tuesday Luke 17.7-10 before Advent Matthew 25.31-end are not necessarily those of the Diocese or the editor. 11. Martin, 23. Monday Luke 21.1-4 The editor is pleased to consider articles or letters of not more than 350 words for publication. Where possible, articles should be accompanied by Bishop c.397 Luke 17.11-19 24. Tuesday Luke 21.5-11 a good-quality digital photograph of 250dpi or higher. Please contact the 12. Thursday Luke 17.20-25 25. Wednesday Luke 21.12-19 editor before submitting obituaries. 13. Friday Luke 17.26-end 26. Thursday Luke 21.20-28 For advertising rates and deadlines see www.newcastle.anglican.org/link. Copy date for November 2020 issue: Monday 16 November. 14. Samuel 27. Friday Luke 21.29-33 Seabury, 28. Saturday Luke 21.34-36 growing church bringing hope 3 Photos of our next Bishop of Berwick, announced at Berwick Town Hall on 20 October. More pictures can be found on our website: https://bit.ly/3jkZREb

>>Catherine Seymour Northumberland councillor for Berwick North, Christine Hardman Bishop Of Newcastle, Mark Wroe and Mayor of >>Above and bottom left, Mark Wroe pictured with the Bishop of Newcastle Christine Hardman, and bottom right, Mark Berwick Anne Forbes, outside Berwick Town Hall during a short service at Holy Trinity Church.

Child poverty ‘urgent call to action’

ISHOP Christine is pledging to help centage points, compared to 3 percentage Bishop Christine wrote the foreword to tackle child poverty in the North East points nationally).” the report and welcomed the recommenda- following a stark report highlighting tions. the need for change. It added: “The impacts of child poverty are B also more widespread in the North East. A She said: “All poverty is a terrible thing. The Institute for Public Policy Research higher proportion of children live in house- Human lives are diminished by it. And child (IPPR) report, Child Poverty and Devolution in holds which go without things like heating, an poverty is the most pernicious thing of all, as North East England, warns ‘child poverty is the annual week’s holiday, hobbies and leisure all too often its effects last a life time. We starkest manifestation of economic and social activities or school trips. Poverty is reflected in read in this report that here in the North East inequality, leading to short-term hardship and outcomes for children’s health and secondary we have the second highest rate of child pov- long-term damage’. school attainment in the region. Local services erty of any English region. This is an urgent are responding to these trends.” call to action. The report states: “The North East currently has the second highest rate of child poverty of The report makes nine recommendations to “As Bishop of Newcastle and chair of the any English region. Thirty-five per cent of chil- combined authorities. These include: putting North of Tyne Combined Authority Inclu- dren in the North East live in relative poverty; child poverty at the centre of future devolution sive Economy Board, I warmly welcome this the national rate is 30 per cent. deals; fostering partnerships; supporting par- report and pledge to do all I can to see that ents into good-quality employment; working its recommendations do not stay as a list of “The region saw the largest fall in child pov- with schools; delivering income-maximisa- good intentions on a page, but rather shape erty between 1999 and 2013 (13 percentage tion programmes; and making childcare and focus our actions, at the personal, points), and the largest rise since then (9 per- financially accessible. regional and national level.” 4 generous engaged open There’s a pom pom for everyone...

As we approach All Souls Day, when the Church remembers those who have died, and I reflect on the way in which the coronavirus has made the issue of death more visible in our society, I am deeply aware of the ways in which our society does much to deny an awareness of death, and our own mortality as human beings. We like to think that there are many certainties in life, but we don’t like to admit to ourselves that our death is one of these, and perhaps, when we think about it, the only thing in our physical existence which has any certainty at all.

To learn to live with the reality of the uncertainty of life, recognising that we are not in control, and to embrace its fragility is not an easy thing for anyone to do, particularly in a society which offers a multitude of distractions from doing this in the false promises of security in the acquisition of money and things, and the pursuit of status and reputation, all of which pass away at the threshold of our death.

>> The colourful pom Jesus, addresses this in the Gospel of Matthew (16:24- poms in all their glory 26) when tells his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross RAINBOWS of pom poms are adorning the and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose churches of Upper Pont, Northumberland it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For thanks to a community project. what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?’. Jesus Around 1700 pom poms – each one is not just addressing the issues of material things, he is representing a member of the benefice - have addressing the false self that is manufactured as a result been created by parishioners of the church of allowing ourselves to be defined by them. and the wider community. To really know who we are, we must allow ourselves Known as the Everyone Project, each to die to the things that distract us from living life in all of its fullness, and this includes our avoidance of the pom pom has a unique design to reflect the issues of life’s uncertainties, and of the issue of death individuality of those within the benefice. itself. In doing so we discover the source of life in God, not just in the promises of God for eternal life, but also White, black and grey pom poms represent for our lives on earth. To be released from the denial of those who have died during this last year and death paradoxically enables us to participate more fully are a symbol of remembrance. in the exploration for meaning and purpose in the here and now, aware of the gift of life, and of our place in the The project was inspired by an art wonder of God’s creation. As Rowan Williams put it in an installation at St Mary’s Church, Swaffham article he wrote, ‘the way in which we think about death Bulbeck, Cambridgeshire in 2014 by artist Christmas to show that we are the Easter “It is one of the many ways that the Upper impacts the way we live our lives’. Mary Jane Montgomerie House. people, that we are loved and blessed by God Pont Churches has tried to keep community and that He is with us all.” spirit alive during lockdown and it has been I was faced with this for myself when I was a student Although the pom poms were completed fitting that although we can’t be together in at theological college. Standing before an empty coffin, during Lent, their installation was delayed due Some of the pom poms have been made the same ways as before there is still a huge we were encouraged to visualise ourselves within it. to Covid-19 and the closure of churches in into a ‘floral’ installation on exhibit at All Saints bond between us. To be confronted with our own mortality in such a March. Church in Ryal, Northumberland, including a way is startling, but it certainly prompted some new rainbow arrangement which represents hope “The art installations are a wonderful appreciation of life, and also of the eternal promises of The pom poms were made into garlands by at this challenging time. piece of evidence of that amazing and God, which are about hope, not death. Sue Parker and have now been put on display precious bond that the people of Upper Pont Our society needs us to be a people of hope, now in St Mary’s Church, Stamfordham and Holy Revd Rachel Scheffer, Priest in Charge of area share." more than it has realised for a long time, and this requires Trinity Church, Matfen, with the help of Sue’s Upper Pont Churches, said: “The Everyone us to be real about death and the uncertainties of life, as husband Stuart and churchwarden Struan Project has brought the community together The installations at St Mary’s Church and people are confronted with these things in ways in which Wilson. in a unique way. Little did we know, when Holy Trinity Church can be seen on Thursdays they have not been for many years. There is a longing for dozens of people round the villages started from 10am to 12noon and Sundays from the water of life in the desert, and this is not just about Sue said: “The garlands will be used to making pom poms to represent each other 11.30am to 5pm when the churches are open survival, it is also about the flourishing that can be found decorate the churches for festivals throughout that we would be separated in a way like never for prayer. in Christ. If we avoid the issue of death it is very difficult to the year including Easter, Harvest and before. talk about life.

cake. It is where the Turquoise Table team met By Jeannette regularly to pray for our community and to The Turquoise Table fellowship. I am originally from Essex where I studied for the Hewes, a lay Certificate of Pioneer Ministry in a partnership Those who shied away from traditional programme between Chelmsford Diocese and pioneer church and those who embraced it, all found the Church Mission Society (CMS). I was licensed the opportunity to meet with the Jesus who sat as a lay pioneer minister in October last year by minister, at the Samaritan well and met the needs of a Archbishop Stephen Cottrell when he was marginalised woman, who in turn introduced Bishop of Chelmsford. based in her community to Jesus. My training enabled me to grow in theological Rothbury Together we were welcomed into God’s understanding while continuing to practise in presence. Thinking of the characters of the first the mission field of my local community. More >>Jeannette with the Turquoise Table which disciples, I guess that we are all a bit like them. I than anything, it helped me to understand that open plan front garden and painted it bright became a community hub wonder how many of them would have chosen turquoise. On it was a sign: ‘The Turquoise Table. to spend time together without Jesus as the God is already at work there and I am blessed to ways. There were large community events be able to join in with what he is doing. You are welcome here. A community gathering cohesive glue. place.’ The Turquoise Table became the hub at such as Halloween, Christmas carols, summer the centre. barbecues and children’s activities. It was also a Post Covid-19, I pray that there would In my previous parish, we lived on a deprived place of peace and gentleness, where one-to- housing estate. We placed a picnic table in our be space for Turquoise Tables to flourish in It was where we did ‘church’ in a variety of one conversations took place over coffee and Northumberland and the whole Diocese. growing church bringing hope 5 A virtual thanks for all creatures great and small

View from the Lantern

With Clare MacLaren, Canon for Music and Liturgy

On 16 March 2020, we were doing all the usual things at the Cathedral: organising flowers for Mothering Sunday; preparing music and worship for Holy Week and Easter; beginning to liaise about a Chrism Mass that would have to happen in a different venue this year, because of our ongoing building works.

On 17 March, it was decided to close the Cathedral >>Pippa the dog >>Kevin the cat to the public. The whole of the music department team was put on furlough. Our singers not permitted FLORRIE the cat, Cottontail the rabbit and streamed on YouTube. Special prayers were given for Kevin to sing for who knew how long; our music staff sent Jet the dog were just some of the four- the cat who had recently undergone an home… If it was tough for them – for the Canon for legged friends blessed at a live streamed During the service, Peter said: “Blessing operation on his tail and Pippa the dog to Music and Liturgy, left with no musical resources at all, church service on St Francis’ Day. animals and pets reminds us that we are help her ‘learn the gift of self-control when only three weeks before Easter, it felt as if she had just all part of God’s creatures. He created us all it comes to chewing chair legs’. walked off a cliff! In total 22 animals – including Princess and so we want to thank God for the gift the goldfish – were blessed by Revd Peter and wonders of all of life. To watch the full service and blessing, I’m sure, though on a different scale perhaps, every Sinclair at St Aidan’s Church, Brunton Park visit www.bit.ly/StAidans4thOct other parish priest in the Diocese can identify with on Sunday 4 October. “Today we appreciate that we have close that sudden sense of having had the rug pulled out ■ from under our feet by the lockdown. What on earth and deep bonds of love and affection with ■ For more videos and live-streamed were we going to do? What would become of our Due to Covid restrictions the animals our pets and that love is part of God’s love services at the church, subscribe to their Church – the ekklesia – God’s ‘gathered people’ – when couldn’t be present for the service, so for us and that we can learn from our pets YouTube page at youtube.com and search we were not permitted to gather? How, then, should instead, the virtual blessing was live and they can teach us about life.” for St Aidan’s Church we be? Well, perhaps, we are still discovering that… But what soon became apparent, in my experience, at least, was that we have proven to be imaginative, creative and immensely resilient… We have done what we could, despite all that we could not… We have pulled together, even when things seemed to be falling apart… We have embraced technologies, new and old, that have helped us keep community through worship and pastoral contact. We have cared Mark rewarded for for our neighbours through acts of loving service. We have held our parishes, our nation and our world in prayer, when they needed it most – and we will continue to do so. Prayer and worship lie at the heart of what nourishes and fuels us for these tasks, of course. lockdown efforts ‘The show must go on’ – and, rather miraculously, it has done! I shall be eternally grateful to the bunch of enthusiastic volunteers from across the Diocese (and one or two from further afield) who responded to my desperate plea for a choir to come together, remotely, to enable us to continue to worship in song throughout this time.

Over 12 weeks, this Virtual Church Choir built up a bank of over 50 hymns and songs which kept the Cathedral’s worship alive in the absence of our choirs – and became a valuable resource for many other churches, across our Diocese, and further afield. If you would like to listen to, or use them, they can be found at www.tinyurl.com/VirtualChurchChoir.

If you had asked me, on the 16th March, what experience I had had of recording and mixing music for worship; of creating videos and uploading them to YouTube; of live streaming from Facebook and designing online worship… I would honestly have >>Revd Mark Edwards had to say… ‘virtually none’! The last seven months MBE and his new crook have been a very steep learning curve! VICAR who went ‘above and beyond ple managed to keep urgent hospital appoint- St Cuthbert’s for St Matthew’s Day, Mark was pre- Finally, September saw the long-awaited return the call of duty’ during lockdown has ments. sented with a shepherd’s crook commissioned of our choirs in full – and it has been absolutely been rewarded for his efforts by the lo- by his congregation to thank him for all he had wonderful to have them back, risk-assessed to the hilt, cal community. During lockdown Mark used his daily exercise done, and Lesley was presented with a bouquet and strictly socially distanced, of course. A time to walk in the villages dressed in his cassock of flowers. Revd Mark Edwards MBE, Team Vicar of and baseball cap as a visible reminder of the While our worship continues to be primarily Christ the King Team Ministry, played an essen- church. The crook features a fox’s head engraved on online, we look forward to recommencing some tial role in helping his congregation during this the handle in recognition of Mark’s love for the congregational worship in the Cathedral from difficult time. And he rang the church bells every Thursday animal, and an engraving of St Cuthbert’s cross November 1. night during Clap for Carers, in support of the on the shoulder. Mark volunteered as a driver distributing food NHS and key workers. Do visit the website www.newcastlecathedral.org. parcels - which were organised by the parish Tom, when presenting the staff to Mark, said it uk for booking details if you would like to join us! Or council - to the vulnerable in Dinnington, and Tom Laidler, churchwarden of St Matthews, was in acknowledgment of his ‘ecclesiastical you can worship with us, and hear the glorious music also delivered ‘goody bags’ containing home said: “Mark truly went above and beyond the call shepherding of the flock and the community at a of the Cathedral Choir, from the comfort and safety communion to his parishioners. of duty and this deserved to be recognised, and time when they needed it the most.’ of home at www.tinyurl.com/NclCathedral. We’re of course his wife Lesley accompanied him at none of us through the woods yet of course – but When the local shop was forced to close for a times on his walkabouts and helped to fill and Mark said: “It has been a privilege and an hon- nevertheless, God is faithful - and for how far we have time, Mark also ran errands for emergency sup- deliver the goody bags.” our to continue to support the parishes and com- come, I give grateful thanks! plies for those without means of transport and munities during this challenging time.” on more than one occasion he ensured that peo- Following a joint service with St Matthew’s and 6 generous engaged open By Andrew Tinkler, Christmas campaign Generous Generous reflects difficult year Giving Team discretion

he closure of our churches and church halls during social lock- down meant that many of our churches experienced an unexpect- edT loss of income. Whilst many churches and parishioners rallied round to ensure that individual donations and giving could be maintained, the losses associated with the closure of our church halls (or other church spaces) created an altogether differ- ent challenge. Whilst many village halls and community centres qualified for Covid-19 business support grants, sadly our churches COMFORT and joy is the Church of England’s were excluded, despite providing very simi- new Advent and Christmas theme to reflect lar services. the current Covid context.

As the Government worked to ensure that Comfort and Joy holds together the hope all sections of our local economies received that Christmas will bring joy and celebration the right kind of support, it devolved further after a uniquely difficult year with an aid through a Local Authority Discretionary acknowledgement that – for those who Fund. Frustratingly though, our churches again remained ineligible. Undeterred by have lost loved ones or livelihoods, or who this, and with the encouragement of many are potentially still not able to be together of our local clergy and the direct interven- with loved ones – it may be the Church’s tion of Bishop Christine, we made represen- role, both nationally and locally, to provide tation to our Local Authorities (Newcastle, consolation, rather than assume everyone Northumberland and North Tyneside) to will be ready to join in jubilation. raise awareness of this issue and to highlight the challenges faced by many of our church- It is the hope that the theme of Comfort es, due to lockdown. and Joy will enable us to reconnect with the rich and joyous traditions of the past and to The Reverend Dan Freyhan from Prud- hoe was a real driving force behind our offer God’s consoling love in the present. efforts and commented: “It seemed unfair that the local village halls were being hand- Building on the success of #FollowTheStar, ed £10,000 whilst church halls were deemed the theme of the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, ineligible because of our exemption from a range of content has been made available paying business rates. I enlisted the help of to help support churches and communities our local councillors, and our MP, who were at Advent and Christmas. both surprised about this and felt we should be eligible. We felt it was really worth push- This includes daily reflections featuring ing back a bit, and asking those with the contributions from a number of public appropriate authority to look at their system, weigh up the claim we were making, and use figures which are now available to order, their discretion in this Discretionary Fund.” online services and events, singing and music, printed materials, and the Daily Hope Thankfully, our combined efforts bore phone line (0800 804 8044) offering music, fruit and we were delighted that Northum- prayers, reflections as well as full worship berland County Council and Newcastle City services. Council adjusted their eligibility criteria, and after assessing applications, awarded Churches are encouraged to make use of grants to more than 50 of our churches (with www.AChurchNearYou.com by listing their halls or other community spaces) who lost full range of in-church and online services income due to Covid-19. More than £400,000 complete the grant applications and pro- transformed on our PCC! We are delighted was allocated. Sadly, North Tyneside Coun- taking place. The website’s Resource Hub will duce the supporting paperwork. I’m so to be able to pay the Parish Share we had provide free adaptable content to download cil had already allocated their resource and thankful your efforts have been rewarded.” originally intended to, to support those were not able to open up a further round of and share such as customisable videos, within the church who are struggling, work- images and approaches to online giving. funding. The Reverend Darren Bell from Bedling- ing out how to continue to minister in such a ton commented: “Everyone at Holy Trinity, transformed environment, and to reach out My Generous Giving colleague Joanne Seghill and St Mary’s, Holywell were delight- to the town around us. What a wonderful In addition, churches are also asked to Christie wanted to give special thanks: “I’m ed to hear that we had been awarded a grant privilege and we thank God for his gracious share either pre-recorded or live services, if absolutely delighted that so many of our from Northumberland County Council. As provision to us.” possible, using www.AChurchNearYou.com parishes have been able to secure this much with many organisations, we have suffered and their own websites and social media needed funding. It has been a very difficult financial loss due to the pandemic. The Many of our churches are now in a much accounts to promote. time financially for our churches, and money awarded will allow us to continue stronger financial position, which stands indeed all those seeking to support local serving our community, as well as helping them in good stead for covering their costs communities. This funding will make a huge Free webinars that focus on how you and with our Parish Share and building repairs. and resourcing mission going forward. It your church can make the most of the content difference and we are immensely grateful to We would like to say a huge thank you to was rewarding to be involved in a process both Newcastle City Council and Northum- and resources are also available. everyone involved.” which saw local decision-makers better ■ berland County Council for recognising this. understand and appreciate the work our ■ For more information and to order/ I would also like to add my personal thanks Dan Freyhan was also very thankful for churches do, to apply generous discretion, download resources, visit: to all those Treasurers, Churchwardens and the positive impact this had. “This grant and to release emergency funding across www.churchofengland.org/comfortandjoy other volunteers who gave their time to makes all the difference to us. The mood is our Diocese to those who were most in need. growing church bringing hope 7 Congratulations to those who were ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood over two weekends in October. Normally, our ordinations would take place at Newcastle Cathedral, but this year they took place at churches across our Diocese. Here are some photos from the various services of our new Deacons and Priests, and please visit our >>At St Gabriel, Newcastle - Yvette Daniel website to see more. and Alan White ordained Deacon by Bishop Mark Bryant. 3 October >>Priest ordinations: Page 8 2020 Michaelmas Ordinations

>>St Mary, Willington - Paul Rusby >> From St Mary Holy Island. Congratulations to and Kim Wears, ordained Deacon by Sam Quilty and Thomas Sample ordained Bishop Christine, 3 October Deacons by Bishop Stephen Platten, 3 October

>> Celebrating Sam Lochead and Oliver >>At St Michael Alnwick, John Storey and Dempsey who were ordained Deacons by Phyllis Carruthers were ordained Deacon Bishop Christine at Hexham Abbey, 3 October by Bishop John Packer, 4 October 8 generous engaged open

For more and to read the biographies of some of our 2020 Michaelmas Ordinations ordinands, visit our website: https://bit.ly/2HqFJ6g

>>Benjamin Jarvis and Malcolm Railton >>Benjamin Jarvis ordained Priest ordained Priests by Bishop Christine at by Bishop Christine at St Mary St Mary Monkseaton, 10 October Monkseaton, 10 October

>>At St Cuthbert Norham, Margaret >>Lynn Caudwell and Emily Watson Sentamu was ordained Priest by ordained Priests by Bishop Christine Bishop Christine, 11 October at St Andrew Corbridge, 11 October

>> At St George Jesmond, Derek Avery and Beverley Davies were ordained Priests by Bishop Christine, 10 October growing church bringing hope 9 Bishop Mark is welcomed to Chester Bishop Mark Tanner began his public ministry as the Bishop of Chester on Sunday 20 September.

The service of welcome for the new bishop at Chester Cathedral had to be altered to conform with the coronavirus restrictions. This meant just 30 people were able to attend and witness the beginning of Bishop Mark's ministry.

At the end of Evensong, Bishop Mark received the Melanesian Crozier at the High Altar and delivered a sermon to the 30 people in physical attendance and the hundreds of others watching online.

Bishop Mark brought the service to a close by praying a blessing >>Bishop Mark with his wife Lindsay over his new diocese.

Good wishes from Bishop Fanfare for Frederick Alec Graham By David Cullingford After 58 years as the By Alder Gofton or a lifetime Frederick has been our ever-present organist organist and MANY people have asked and choirmaster. He has also about Bishop Alec who been a band leader, arranger choirmaster for St andF conductor, a chorus master and an retired to Butterwick in 1997, because our annual improviser of great skill. George’s Church in holiday is spent nearby. He has fostered the musical careers of choir members; amongst others Jesmond, Frederick He always enjoyed an Joseph Lord, now organ scholar at extremely active lifestyle Somerville College, and Alison Smart Peacock BEM has and would be seen (as was), once one of The Sixteen and a striding over the fells member of the BBC Singers. And, he retired from his role until ill-health in recent has adapted to the whims and foibles of half a dozen incumbents. No mean would calm infant cries with a quiet years. feat. rendition of Rock a Bye Baby: or enliv- en Harvest Festival with the theme He used to cook a Like nearly all church organists, tune from The Archers: or, as a prelude lovely meal for us saying Frederick began as a choir boy. He to a delayed ‘coffee time’, launch into ‘anyone can read a recipe walked up the hill from Bensham Cres- ‘Polly Put the Kettle On’. book!’ cent to St Cuthbert’s Church (now a craft shop) to sing under the direction But there were also exciting volun- of Alec Campbell who, as well as being taries by Widor, C S Lang and Norman For the past few years an organist, was also an extraordinary Cocker amongst many others. Improv- he has had excellent chemist at Newcastle University. isations were miraculously resolved or full-time live-in carers extended to align with whatever time it because his mobility Subsequently, his talent recognised, took to prepare the altar. Unexpected Frederick was introduced to the organ absences were filled with uninterrupt- is no longer reliable. ed music as we waited for a delayed However, he was by Alec in much the same way as he has nurtured his own protégés. bride or re-timed wedding. delighted to greet us last week. He gained his ARCO and, in 1962 And, with such humour, patience (still in his 20’s) successfully audi- and perseverance Frederick has been Bishop Alec always asks tioned to take over the organ from Paul able to cajole, encourage and coordi- after his friends in Tweddle at St George’s. He continued nate the varying, and often limited, musical ability of our choir into some- Newcastle Diocese and his organ studies and gained his FRCO with the legendary Dr Francis Jackson, thing substantially better than the sum sends his good wishes to organist at York Minster for 36 years. of its component parts, all with- you all. >>Frederick has retired as out auditions, annual assessments organist and choirmaster Frederick is fun. What other organist and pernickety pedantry. 10 generous engaged open

LIKE A Golden wedding celebrations METAPHOR Tim Hardy (formerly of the Religious Resources Centre) writes at www.timbo- baggins.co.uk and spends the rest of his time raising his young daughter and riding a bike around Leamington Spa. A Little Bit of Something Different Ros has recently returned from a weekend with friends at the coast and, in what is fast becoming a favourite tradition of mine, came bearing a gift of cinder toffee in a bag from a seafront refreshment van. I’ve made a restrained start and left more in the bag than I have eaten. I have picked the sticky lumps from my teeth, yet the taste remains, gently warming my tongue around the >>Left, Bishop Martin and Marlene on their wedding day, points where crunch turned to gloop and and above, celebrating their golden wedding anniversary then started to set solid into a new shape and form. CONGRATULATIONS to retired Bishop Mar- Oxford when he and Marlene got married. tin Wharton and his wife Marlene who recent- Marlene said: “It was a beautiful warm, They lived in Oxford for the first two years of Recently, one of my friends died. He wasn’t ly celebrated their golden wedding anniversa- sunny day, and the reception was in Arnside, their married life. somebody I knew particularly well, but had ry. overlooking Morecambe Bay.” Bishop Martin and Marlene, who have three been there as part of a wider circle of friends The pair married on 29 August 1970 at Holy Bishop Martin, who was Bishop of Newcas- children and six grandchildren, are enjoying for a good few years and I was looking Trinity Church, Holme, a village near Kendal tle from 1997 until his retirement in 2014, was their retirement in Teddington, Richmond on forward to a time when we’d be able to meet in what was then Westmorland, now Cumbria. studying at Ripon Hall Theological College in Thames. up, if only in passing at a not-so-local pub gig. I’m sure he’d be amused, rather than horrified to be compared to cinder toffee - so, whilst he’s gone, his kindness and good humour still flavour the spaces where I knew 50 years of tea and friendship him as do the things we disagreed over, and ST Martin’s Church Tea Club Byker Voscars in 2019. remind me to think of and pray for his family in Byker will be celebrating Despite this recognition she and closer friends. its 50-year anniversary this has always highlighted the month. contributions of others both Last week, going out for a less-regular- past and present including than-they-used-to-be long walk around the The club was founded on the other members and block, I felt a pain in my hip that jarred with 10 November 1970 after Fr volunteers, the clergy and St every step. As the walk continued, a pain in Irwin Robson and Vera Bolter Martin’s Centre. the outside of my calf developed - on a par from Age Concern identified with the raw pain that I’d felt when I badly a need for a fellowship group Activities include bingo, in the local area. hymn singing, visits to broke my arm a few years back. I cut the local places and of course, stroll short, took painkillers and went to bed. For half a century the drinking tea. The club has A few days later I went to the hospital for a group has welcomed elderly been described as a ‘second diagnosis of mild sciatica - in which an unfelt people but also those family’ and it has been a physical compression around the spinal cord who have been recently place where friendship was causing pain elsewhere in the body. I bereaved, have additional flourishes. was given anti-inflammatories and stronger needs or are just looking for painkillers and, as I write, the pain is mostly some friendly faces. The coronavirus pandemic an inconvenience at night when there’s has been a huge blow to the nothing else to distract me. I’ve been using More recently there have members, as the club is so been many other clubs important for reducing social the occasional flare-ups as a prompt to pray and activities for elderly isolation. However, they for another friend who was diagnosed with a people but St Martin’s Tea have still kept in contact less-mild version a couple of days after mine Club continues to uphold on the phone and the first appeared. Obviously, I’d rather neither its original purpose to care companionship remains as of us had sciatica, but I’d otherwise not be for those who are isolated strong as ever. thinking of and praying for him half as often. within the fold of the church. I’m not grateful for the pain but a possible St Martin’s Church and understanding of Paul’s instruction to “give The club has made an Centre will be marking the thanks in all circumstances” seems to be enormous difference to anniversary in a Covid-safe forming. people in the area, and way with an afternoon tea incredibly the club has been delivery to members and run by the same woman a service of thanksgiving Lingering flavours, the spaces left by since 1971. Doris Scowen at 9.30am on Sunday 15 the loss of friends and family, sympathetic says that she was initially November during the usual pain - all these things remind us of things apprehensive about taking Sunday worship (depending we currently don’t have ourselves and can on the role but that it has on the restrictions at the be used as pointers away from ourselves worked out well because time). (admittedly, the cinder-toffee-warmth is of the support of the mostly reminding me that there’s still more committee, clergy and the Despite the disruption, than half a bag left in the next-room-but- members. Doris remains positive. She one) and towards other people - guides said: “Hopefully we will soon Doris has previously won all be together but until then not sent by God but maybe made use of awards for her voluntary thanks to all the members in a hope-encouraging example of, and I work with the club, one for their support over the paraphrase, “working together for the good >>Doris Scowen has run in 2015 and a health and years. My love to you all. God in all things - both the tasty and the terrible.” the Tea Club for 49 years wellbeing award from the bless.” growing church bringing hope 11

ACROSS HAVE YOUR SAY 1. Ceremony that’s accurate, Link Crossword 167 Compiled by Mary Sutton reportedly (4) Anything catch your eye in 3. Risk taken with large part this month’s LINK? This month we are including the crossword for anyone looking for something of church (7) to keep them occupied during lockdown but just for fun (sorry, no prize this 8. Bad habit revealed by Something on your mind? quiet inhabitant with deputy Or in your prayers? month). Please DO NOT submit crosswords to Church House. head of state (4,9) Send an e-mail, message or 9. Grain eaten by every Easterner (3) letter to LINK and we’ll 10. The Spanish article publish the best of them: mostly involving select group (5) Have your say. LINK, 12. Woman with nothing Church House, St John’s about to get directions from Terrace, North Shields bishop’s district (7) NE29 6HS. Email us: 14. Tools gardener finally found wrapped in absorbent link@newcastle. cloths (7) anglican.org 16. Retaken exam about unfinished location (5) 17. Group of players not finishing meal (3) 20. Eminent guides hid tins somehow (13) 21. Talk involving a frock, say (7) 22. Small sweet potato (4)

DOWN 1. Royal woman getting payment showing great respect (8) 2. Volunteers on court showing diplomacy (4) 3. He interrupted Conservative, married, having eaten (6) 4. Upper-class one in actor’s car – it crashed (12) Hokey-Cokey Times I start to relax. It works because that is the way 5. Cold and thin, the queen’s mammalian physiology is constructed. domestic workers (8) Is anyone else feeling that our current situation 6. Delayed girl finally had a is a bit like the hokey-cokey? Self-compassion meal (4) 7. A couple of pages about In-out, in-out and shake it all about. I practice a little self-compassion using R.A.I.N. I learned this from Tara Brach’s book True Refuge (see birds I’ve found to be In this dance and with the changes in rhythm it by Patty resources at www.tarabrach.com/rain-practice- nervous (12) can feel disorientating. When this happens, radical-compassion/) 11. Unusually old side I there are a couple of techniques that I have Everitt, revered (8) found restore me and I offer them here. It takes practice, but the R and A now restore Counselling me to a sense of calm quickly. 13. It’s lengthened for former In these hokey-cokey times we have to rely more ■■ Recognising that I am feeling out-of-sorts partner, looked after (8) on our own resources to restore our sense of Advisor and noticing - what is this emotion? It takes 15. Saint taking a long time calm and perspective. We are less frequently in me a little while to do this because I find my to find raised platforms (6) the comforting presence of others, receiving the (Interim) emotions are scattered. subtle relational signals that remind us we are ■■ Accepting that this is my experience in this 18. One mostly expensive dearly loved and greatly valued. moment. I am not justifying or explaining, I plan (4) really do not like and in normal circumstances am simply accepting that I feel this way in this 19. Vessel used for small joint When we notice our creative resources then life could avoid, especially the part that feels I am moment. That helps me to notice the ebb and feels good! not good-enough. flow of emotions. (4) ■■ Investigating what I need from myself at this If instead we find ourselves turning inwards and When I am face-to-face, as it were, with moment. Emotions that hurt are a reminder of assessing ourselves through our filters of what unsettling emotions there are two things I do an un met need. What I usually need is to be Answers to we ‘should’ be, discounting the great things we that help me to restore calm: breathing and kind to myself or simply to stop and breathe. Crossword 166 achieve and instead comparing our efforts to practicing self-compassion. ■■ Nurturing myself with compassion. I admit the bright and worthy achievements reported in that I am still working on this part! ACROSS: 1. Pulpit 4. Lesser social media, then we might not feel so Breathing resourceful. In other words, there are ways to help 8. Anglo-Catholic 10. Entry Deep, counted breathing is an excellent way to ourselves restore a sense of calm and 11.Haircut 12. Disparaging I know I have found myself confronted with restore a sense of calm perspective. perspective if we feel overwhelmed or 16. Engrave 17. Pecan aspects of myself to which I normally do not pay hopeless. Breathing and self-compassion 18. Surreptitious attention. I breathe in for a count of four and out for are two ways. When we have restored our a count of six, in through my nose and out perspective then we have choice in how we 19. Red-hot 20. Parson I found aspects that I quite like - hooray: a through my mouth. With practice it becomes think and feel and act and that is hopeful. DOWN: 1. Prayer creative side that introduced me to the easy to find the rhythm and the comfort that 2. Light-fingered 3. Ivory satisfaction of coarse gardening, a small follows. If you are struggling with this in-out, in-out 5. Echoing 6. Self-conscious completer-finisher part that focuses on finishing situation or would like to learn other ways to projects around the house. 7. Recite 9. Abhorrent The physiological effect is to bring my whole help recover your balance please email Patty at system back into a rest-restore- growth state. I 13. Placebo 14. Censor [email protected] I have also been re-acquainted aspects that I think more clearly, I feel calmer and physically 15. Unison 17. Pitta

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, Church Engagement and Fundraising Officer (North East & Cumbria) Celebrate a love that builds hope this Advent

‘Community’ has been the subject to show love to this world. A love that of much debate over recent months never fails. A love that unites. A love as coronavirus forces a reassessment that builds hope.” of the importance of connection with one another. Coronavirus is yet another threat to many communities across the world A survey* into local and global com- which are already facing danger from munity commissioned by Christian conflict, the climate crisis and in 2020 Aid showed that 40 per cent of adults from locust swarms which devoured across the North East had an increased crops across parts of Africa and the sense of community spirit in their Arabian Peninsula. neighbourhood since the start of lock- down. This Advent churches are being invited to join in a moment of solidar- Of those asked across the North ity and hope on Advent Sunday, 29 East, a quarter (25 per cent) also said November by using the carol ‘When they felt more part of a global commu- out of poverty is born’ in their worship nity than before the virus outbreak and taking a collection for Christian began. Aid.

Helen Cunningham, Christian Aid’s The carol, which is freely available Church Engagement and Fundraising to use to use from caid.org.uk/christ- Officer for the North East, said: masresources celebrates Mary’s faith “Covid-19 may have forced us to phys- in the Magnificat and begins with the ically separate but connection and words ‘When out of poverty is born a community have been huge themes dream that will not die’. this year. Helen added: “Across the UK, half of “It’s exciting to see the increases in all Christian adults questioned in our >>Low rainfall leaves herdsman Mekonnen sense of both local and global identity survey said they felt there had been an Sofar struggling to find water for his cattle. across the North East. It’s rare for us to increase in community spirit in their Picture: Christian Aid/Elizabeth Dalziel. live through a phenomenon which neighbourhood and 31 per cent affects us in the UK at the same time as reported feeling more part of a global munity water sources and explore people right across the world. community. Donations and actions will help alternative means of raising income To find out more people like Mekonnen Sofar in Ethio- such as through making soap from about what your “While Covid-19 is a shared experi- “This Advent and Christmas we can pia’s South Omo region, who digs a aloe vera and planting drought resist- ence, our supporters know that the celebrate the incredible truth that we metre deep in dry river beds to try to ant crops. church could do this impact on families and communities are bound together globally by a love find a water source to keep his live- Advent contact hello@ is drastically different depending on that builds resilience in the face of dis- stock alive as the climate crisis pushes ■■ To find out more about Christian christian-aid.org or their circumstances. So many people ease, drought and darkness, that his family into hunger and threatens Aid’s Christmas Appeal, including call 01925 573769. globally have been left without any builds up hope for all our neighbours. his whole way of life. how to act for climate justice, visit income and have no access to good www.caid.org.uk/hope . This Advent, hygiene and healthcare. “We hope that by living out the Friends, fellow herdsmen and chil- £15 could train one woman to make www.facebook. hymn’s words of love, even if we can- dren have died through digging so aloe vera soap, £80 could provide two com/christianaidne “As we look ahead to Emmanuel, not sing them openly together, then deep that the dry bed collapses above goats to help a family build a better God with us, this Christmas, we are people across the North East can build them. future and £290 could pay for the www.twitter.com/ reminded that God walks with us up hope for their global neighbours. materials and tools to build a pond, through deeply difficult times and We would be delighted to hear how Christian Aid is working with fami- providing life-saving, reliable water christianaidne works through us in all circumstances you use the carol together this Advent.” lies like Mekonnen’s to provide com- for a whole community. The Selfish Giant

RIDING Lights is producing its acclaimed children’s show The Selfish Giant on film.

Presented in three 15 minute episodes, The Selfish Giant on film can be used for a watch- along party with children’s groups, holiday clubs, primary schools or youth organisations tied to churches safely at home.

The film explores the value of friendship and kindness towards each other through storytelling, puppets, original songs and humour, and is adapted from the classic children’s story by Oscar Wilde.

■■ For more information and to order the film visit www.ridinglights.org/the-selfish- giant/ >>A scene from The Selfish Giant