History Made at Diocesan Ordinations Continued from Front Page NHS Track and Trace on People

[email protected] October 2020 : Edition 487

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History made at diocesan

ordinations By Christopher Luke

WHEN a pandemic fun- to me ahead of the first damentally transforms ordination of priests, we the way we live our lives, were witnessing and it’s inevitable we will were part of “history in start doing things that the making” and how have never been done right he was. Revd Anthony Smith and Bishops Paul and Sarah pose for before. And the Church Bishops cloaked not post-ordination photographs of which we’re a part, only in their clerical vest- steeped in its rich history ments and mitre, but also A congregation severely Bishop Auckland. and traditions, has a face covering. The or- limited to allow social Anthony’s priesting at adapted in ways many dinands stood two metres distancing, but streamed Sunderland Minster was probably never thought apart who had to vest live on the internet for the first of five ordination possible. themselves. The anoint- anyone, anywhere in the services which took place As the diocesan com- ing of priests’ hands world to watch and join in venues across the dio- munications director said with a cotton wool bud. in. The world has cese over three days dur- changed and so too has ing the feast of Michael- the Church in how this mas at the end of Septem- year’s ordinations took ber. The service at place. Durham Cathedral to or- This year we were dain Steph as a deacon celebrating two ordina- brought the weekend of tions; that of our curate celebrations to a close. Anthony, who was being During his sermon, the priested, and Steph Price Venerable David Picken, who was a member of Archdeacon of Lancaster, our church family at St spoke of the impact life- Paul’s for many years, changing events can have Steph Price is ordained as a deacon by the Bishop of and ordained as a deacon continued on page 2 Durham (Photo courtesy of Keith Blundy / Durham Diocese) to serve in the parish of PARISH ST PAUL’S CHURCH

Sundays: 10.30am Holy Communion (live-streamed on the St Paul’s Facebook page)

Wednesdays: 9.30am Holy Communion CHURCH WHITWORTH CHURCH

SERVICES Sundays: 9am Holy Communion OCTOBER 2020 PAGE 2

CLERGY CHURCHWARDENS CROSSWAYS EDITOR

Revd Matthew Tarling St Paul’s Church Christopher Luke: 07796 137901

01388 327603 Averre Cleary: 816527 Copy deadline for November edition Friday 23rd October The Vicarage, 30 Jubilee Close Whitworth Church

Revd Anthony Smith June Wilson: 746002 Newsletter Secretary: Pauline Storey 816153 Wayne Rhodes: 816643 01388 304882 St Paul’s Centre Bookings: 813404 History made at diocesan ordinations continued from front page NHS track and trace on people. And for the lifted in prayer. As they in our churches Reverends Anthony and both begin their new Steph, these services ministries, please do con- were life-changing and tinue to pray for them as ones they will never for- they serve their respec- get. tive communities in the For many who were name of Jesus Christ. not able to attend the ser- If you missed the services in person, the online vices, but have access to streaming of the ordina- the internet, both ordinations did provide an options are available to portunity for those who watch on catch up. The could, to join in, but even videos can be found via if you couldn’t, Anthony the St Paul’s Facebook and Steph knew they page - facebook.com/ were being supported and stpaulsspennymoor IF you’ve been in either of our churches recently you may have seen a poster with a rather strange looking HARVEST WORSHIP black and white image on it. Well, it’s called a QR code and it’s all part of the government’s NHS Track and Trace programme designed to help stop the spread of Sunday 4th October coronavirus. If you have a smartphone and have downloaded the 9am : Whitworth Church new NHS COVID-19 app, there’s an option for you to 10:30am : St Paul’s Church ‘check in’ so you can easily be traced should there be a suspected or confirmed case of (live-streamed at facebook.com/ coronavirus. Don’t worry if you’ve stpaulsspennymoor/live) not got a smartphone, you can still

‘check in’ when you arrive at This year we’re asking people to donate non- church using good old pen and pa- perishable food items for the Foodbank and these per! Your details are stored in line can brought to either harvest service or dropped with GDPR guidelines and will off at the St Paul’s Centre. Any monetary donations only be used for the purpose of will be given to Compassion UK which works to lift NHS Track and Trace. children out of poverty around the world.

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By Revd Matt Tarling

OCTOBER brings Har- the coronavirus pandem- vest time. Traditionally ic has been our increased it marks the end of the awareness of the seasons. growing season for farm- Right at the beginning of ers. It provides an op- the lockdown the winter portunity give thanks for was turning to spring. flood and the arrival of stands. The fact that we God’s provision; to hon- Lots of people in conver- the rainbow as a sign of have reached autumn and our those who work hard sation and on social me- God’s promise not to harvest time after spring growing our food; and to dia have commented how destroy living things and and summer is a sign that remember that food, nice it was to appreciate curse the land as he had God is still holding eve- shelter and security are the beginning of spring. done with the flood. rything together accord- not equally shared by all. We all took more notice Less familiar, perhaps, is ing to his plan. This calls Our harvest services will of the birds and the blos- what God said to Noah as for trust, contentment feature thanksgiving, som. As the weather well. and thankfulness. celebrating and giving to warmed up we enjoyed “As long as the earth Nevertheless, we can- others as a result. Please being out of doors. Cer- endures, seedtime and not hear those words to do consider giving a gift tainly a warm and sunny harvest, cold and heat, Noah without wondering of non-perishable food spring and summer made summer and winter, day why food, shelter and items for the Foodbank an otherwise difficult and night will never security inequalities still and a financial offering time slightly more beara- cease,” (Genesis 8:22). happen in our own com- for Compassion UK. ble for some. The last In a way, this is a po- munity and around the Compassion work all six months have been etic manner of saying world. It can seem like, over the world providing very unpredictable in “the earth will go on as it in spite of the seasons support for children in terms of the restrictions did before”. However, continuing and the har- the poorest areas through and the impact of those when you think about it, vests happening, some- sponsorship. on our lives. Yet the sea- that’s a remarkable thing is a bit broken. The end of the grow- sons have continued as promise! God was say- That is the reality of our ing season is usually the normal. We may have ing that he would keep world. The Lord Jesus end of the summer as noticed changes in the on providing. The sea- came into that world to well! Opinions differ weather and nature more, sons, including growing reorient us to God in about when the seasons but they have been seasons, would continue thankfulness. He also really change. Often, it’s ‘getting on with the usual to pass. That would came to open the way for a turn in the weather and business’. mean that people could the world we live in to be the changing colours of Thousands of years continue to live on his finally restored. One day the leaves that notify us ago God made a promise earth. he will return and perfec- that things are different. with Noah. You’ll be That is a really im- An interesting aspect of aware of the story of the portant promise that still continued on page 4

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FOR YOUR PRAYERS Parish Registers

For the newly ordained clergy across the diocese as they grow in HOLY MATRIMONY

their ministries. Whitworth Church

26th September Daniel Hawkins For all those who work in the NHS and Rebecca Weetman and care sector. 27th September Michael Patterson

and Natalie Wood For those whose jobs are at risk of redundancy.

For those who are struggling with their health. CHRISTIAN FUNERALS

Durham Crematorium For those who mourn. 2nd September Brian Oldham

For those who volunteer within our churches and wider St Paul’s communities. 16th September Joyce Cousins 18th September Terry Coulson PRAYER FOR OCTOBER Rock Road Cemetery Heavenly Father, you are the source of all 21st September Anthony Lawrance goodness, generosity and love. We thank you for opening the hearts of many to those who are fleeing for Wear Valley Crematorium their lives. Help us now to open our arms in welcome, 23rd September Alan Watson and reach out our hands in support. That the desperate may find new hope, and lives torn apart be restored. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who fled persecution at His birth and at His last NEWS IN BRIEF triumphed over death. IN last month’s edition we reported on the discussions Amen about the plans for an Autumn Fayre at St Paul’s. At a

Source: The Church of England recent church council meeting it was decided to not hold an event this year, but please look out for options to support the church in other ways throughout October Give thanks, celebrate and November.

and give to others THE postponed Annual Parochial Church Meetings and Meetings of Parishioners will take place as follows: continued from page 3 Whitworth Church - Wednesday 14th October, 4pm tion will finally be established. Then there will be no St Paul’s Church - Monday 19th October, 7pm inequality and we will be truly content. As we await These meetings will take place (socially distanced) in that day it calls for us to receive Jesus’ forgiveness for church. We are looking to fill a number of roles in both sins like greed and thoughtlessness through his death on churches and include: churchwardens, treasurer, the cross. Then we are set free to enjoy a new life of bookkeeper, Deanery Synod reps and parochial church generosity and thanksgiving to God. Use the Harvest council members. If you would like an informal conver- time to give thanks, celebrate and give to others. sation about any of these, please speak to Vicar Matt.

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