www.maryandcuthbert.org.uk 50p outreach APRIL 2021 From the Parish Church of St Mary & St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham REOPENING CHURCH and EASTER SERVICES We did consider reopening the church building for physical services in the middle of March, but the Focus group (staff team and churchwardens) and PCC decided that we should move more slowly and cautiously. THIS IS THE PLAN:- We are going to reopen on Sundays starting on March 28 (Palm Sunday). 8.00 am, 10.00 am (also online) and 6.00 pm services. On Maundy Thursday (April 1) 7.00 pm service in church (also online). On Good Friday (April 2) 10.00 am St Cuthbert’s RC Church at 10 am – if you are going to it physically you have to book via St Cuthbert’s (it will also be online). Telephone - 07396 643588 11.30 am Broadcast online on CLS Churches Together Facebook page of a recorded meditative walk by Rev David on the route from Ropery Lane to the market place 2.00 pm Meditative service in church (also online) On EASTER SUNDAY (April 4) 6.00 am Dawn gathering in our churchyard, 8.00 am, 10.00 am (also online) and 6.00 pm services. We will start opening the church for Private prayers in church on Tuesdays 1.00 - 3.00 pm from April 6. Thursday morning Communions at 10.45 am will restart on April 8. Sunday Services in the Parish Centre at 10.00 am (with a service in the church building at the same time) restart on April 11, with South and North alternating in leading the services in the Centre. As we did for Jon Wilkinson back in September, on Sunday April 25 at 11.15 am, some of the Parish South congregation will be meeting in the large hall (Cuthbert) in the Parish Centre to say thank you and farewell to Simon in the context of worship. The gatherings are still socially distanced, wearing face masks and with no singing. We will be broadcasting Sundays at 10.00 am from church and some extra services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will be available online. For physical services in our Church building and Parish Centre you need to book via Jan in the Parish Office - 388 3295 PALM CROSSES Palm crosses will be available for people at services on Palm Sunday. We will also make them available in the days after March 28, on a table outside of church. 2 Outreach APRIL 2021 www.maryandcuthbert.org.uk Dear Church Family, Curate’s Letter Last Easter I penned this article on the eve of the Global Pandemic and wrote. ‘Easter is upon us and this year’s Lent has been a journey of a different kind. The vigil of our 40 days and nights has been interrupted by world events as the Coronavirus Global Pandemic spreads bringing with it the dark clouds of panic, anxiety and fear.’ Now, one year later, is it possible to conclude that this past year has been non-stop Lent? A year where we have experienced a Pandemic with restrictions, isolation, and a poverty of spirit. So, throughout this time, we have needed the light of God’s word to guide our paths and for this reason it feels right to be writing about the theme of Rescue and Salvation through the Cross of Christ. For this reason, Paul writes; “May you be made strong with all strength that comes from his glorious power and may be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to God the Father who has enable you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from a dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col 1.11 &13 As I look at this passage again, for this year’s article, I see the Parish and the services we have conducted in church or online. I see a people who have shown great endurance and patience. In our year of non-stop Lent, we have all needed to embrace such characteristics where we have turned every sigh and every moment of doubt into a joyful song of praise to God. I believe we have been able to do this as we have shared our moments of struggle with the God who is the Light of the world. His light is revealed to us as rescue and salvation through the Cross of Christ. For reasons like this Paul the Apostle reminds the Church of the importance of the Cross. In his letter to the Church of Colossae he sets the scene in the context of conquest and so we read ‘For he has rescued us from a dominion of darkness’. Being rescued by a Saviour is found in many of today’s popular stories. In Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, there is the theme of conquest for the sake of liberating people from the overwhelming powers and dark dominions. However, the rescue message is first found in the Cross of Christ. Through Christ, God has entered into our world to rescue us, to liberate us, to set us free from those uncontrollable experiences that invade our lives. This last year, the Pandemic has invaded our lives, and for many it has been unpleasant and dare I say dark. In all this time we have endured such things, God has not changed, for he has always had in mind our salvation, rescue, redemption and forgiveness of sins. So, as we come to Christ this Eastertime let us come as ever into the light of the Cross of Christ and give thanks to God our Father for his love grace and mercy. God Bless. Mark www.maryandcuthbert.org.uk Outreach APRIL 2021 3 RECTOR’S RETIREMENT Rev David announced last year that he is to retire in May 2021. His final Sunday is to be May 9. David and Christine are planning to move out of the Rectory on May 13. I am sure many people will want to contribute to a farewell gift to David. We would like people to put gifts in a marked envelope on a collection plate or post it through the Parish Office letter box or by BACS (St Mary & St Cuthbert Church sort code: 20 27 41 Account no. 500 500 83 Reference: David Gift) by Tuesday May 4th. Rev. Simon Grundy Sisters and brothers, I am delighted to announce that the Lord Bishop of Durham has invited me to become the next Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church, Consett in the Diocese of Durham. I am also delighted to announce that I have accepted the offer. My last day serving with you here will be Sunday April 25th. This is not an easy announcement to make. Meaning that, whilst my time with you as a church family isn’t quite over, it’s entering its last weeks. Having been called here by God, I have been blessed beyond my imagining by being part of the church family with you. As have Rebecca, Eloise and James. I have learned so much and continue to be equipped through you to serve God as I follow the call onwards. Please pray for me, for us as a family, our brothers and sisters in Consett and that community. Please also pray for our Parish and community here as God continues to lead us into his future vision of growth and renewal. Yours in Christ, Simon NB Simon’s Licensing as Priest in Charge of Christ Church, Consett takes place on Tuesday May 11th with Bishop Ssrah. Rev Simon Grundy – Farewell gifts I am sure many people will want to contribute to a farewell gift to Simon. His final Sunday with us is Sunday April 25. We would like people to put gifts in a marked envelope on a collection plate or post it through the Parish Office letter box or by BACS (St Mary & St Cuthbert Church sort code: 20 27 41 Account no. 500 500 83 Reference: Simon Gift) by Tuesday April 20. Simon will be preaching at the 8.00 am and 10.00 am services in church on April 25 and we will give him the parish gift within the 10.00 am service (which will be broadcast live on our church Facebook page). 4 Outreach APRIL 2021 www.maryandcuthbert.org.uk Safeguarding Training (Prevention Culture) Being a Church Warden I was asked to carry out Safeguarding training and at first I thought it was only for those who had a specific role within the Church. (How wrong was I.) On the Church of England Web site there are three courses which can be carried out and depending on your role depends on what needs completing. These are 1 Basic Awareness 2 Foundation 3 Leadership One word that challenged me during the course was “Prevention” and how can we create a culture within our Church which prevents harm to children, young people and vulnerable adults. The answer became clear during the course - training, knowledge, attitudes and skills. As part of the course we were asked to read and reflect on Psalm 91:1 & 2. 1Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest In the shadow of the Almighty, 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. The Church, Our Church needs to be a safe and welcoming place for all and acts on reports of abuse but also prevents abuse.