Worship with us this Sunday!
Use the links below to find out about our services, to sign up to join us in person (where required), or to access our live stream video. See below for a reminder of our latest Covid measures >
Join us in person! Go to our Services & Worship page to find out about all of our upcoming services. You can do that by clicking or tapping on this link:
Join us Online! Head to our YouTube Channel to join us Live for our 10am Sung Eucharist, and access other videos. You can do that by clicking or tapping on this link:
This Week's News
Flowers in church
The flower pedestal by the north ambo is to celebrate the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of Sheila and Norman Torrance. Congratulations and best wishes from all at St Mary's.
The flower pedestal by the south ambo is in loving memory of John & Ellen Charlton and
John & Ellen Monaghan from John & Elizabeth Charlton and family.
An invitation from the Cathedral
The Dean & Chapter of Newcastle Cathedral Church of St Nicholas invite us to the Collation and Installation of Revd Canon Rachel Wood as Archdeacon of Northumberland on 5th September at 4pm. Please let the office know if you wish to attend by 23rd August. Clergy/Readers should also let us know if they wish to robe for the occasion.
100 Club Winners!
100 Club winners for July: £50 Dorothy Daniels, £30 Thelma Gilhespy, £20 Hazel McLeod and winners for August : £50 Carole Lax, £30 Andrea Windass, £20 Elizabeth Charlton.
Concert Series 2021 - Box Office Open!
The Series of evening concerts and afternoon recitals will kick off on 25th September with a Gala Opening Concert from violinist Bradley Creswick MBE with David Murray, performing Elgar’s Violin Sonata in E Minor and Bartók’s Rhapsody No. 1.
Get your tickets online now using the link below, or from the Church Office when it reopens on 1st September.
St Mary's Concert Series needs a TV screen for advertising in our church vestibule. If you have a redundant widescreen TV we could borrow until the end of the year to advertise concerts then please contact David Lax by email on: dlax09@gmail.com. Many thanks.
Eco Church Update
As individuals and as a church community we continue to work towards addressing green and climate issues. This week we have all had a massive reality check on how society, companies and government's need to address the present problems. We all need to do our bit in helping to resolve these.
On Monday a major report was released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The group has 195 member countries and it's assessments are a key input into the international negotiations to tackle climate change and are endorsed by the world's governments.
The report 'gave a code red warning for humanity', that urgent action was needed by governments, to combine forces now, to avert a climate catastrophe. It showed that human activity is changing the climate in unprecedented and irreversible ways. Every region of the globe is affected and we have all seen the increase in extreme heatwaves, droughts and floods reported worldwide.
The scientists say a catastrophe can be avoided if the world acts fast and deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions could stabilise rising temperatures... Read more >
The Cathedral is Open!
From 12th August, the doors of Newcastle Cathedral are open once again to welcome all visitors, following a multi-million-pound transformation project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The 20-month-long redevelopment has been undertaken to re-establish the Cathedral as a dynamic community hub and a key attraction in Newcastle city centre with significant improvements to the public space outside and an overhaul of its interior to accommodate more visitors, events and activities. The historic and spiritual landmark has been sympathetically restored and re-modelled into an accessible visitor attraction, whilst at the same time preserving and celebrating its ancient religious roots.
The Link Newspaper
The August edition of The Diocese of Newcastle newspaper "The Link" is available by clicking the link below.
Elections to General Synod
Elections are being held this year for representatives of dioceses on the General Synod for the next five years and the nomination period is now open from Friday 30th July to noon on Wednesday 8th September. If you have any questions about the elections please contact:
elections@newcastle.anglican.org or visit
the General Synod pages of the diocesan website.
The Diocese of Newcastle is invited to elect:
three proctors to the House of Clergy; and
three members of the House of Laity.
Information and details about standing for election to the General Synod for the next five-year term 2021-2026 can be found using this link
Diary
Sunday 15th August, 11th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion
10am Sung Eucharist
12 noon Baptism of Brogan Fearne Watson
Tuesday 17th August
9am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 18th August
9am Morning Prayer
10:30am Holy Communion
Thursday 19th August
9am Morning Prayer
Sunday 22nd August, 12th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion
10am Sung Eucharist
Reminders
Remember that News and notices from previous weeks are all available to read by clicking "notices" at the top of the page.
Autumn Fayre
As you know, our Autumn Fayre will be different this year as it is being organised on line. However, we still need offers of help with the organisation and providing things to sell. Ruth Blake is co-ordinating the home produce stall and she would be delighted to hear from anyone who can at this stage pledge to make something. If you can help with cakes jam, chutney, marmalade etc. please email Ruth 22ruthblake@gmail.com
More details about the fayre in the coming weeks but please contact either Sue or David our Wardens or Liz Hayes, PCC Lay Chair if you can help in any way. Thank you.
60th Anniversary of the Opening of Alnmouth Friary
On Saturday, 14th August Bishop Christine will be celebrating a celebratory Eucharist (to a limited number of invitees) for the 60th anniversary of the opening of Alnmouth Friary. "Please remember the Franciscan Brothers and Guardian of The Friary in your thoughts and prayers as they plan the future as restrictions lessen". Many thanks, Ruth Blake.
If you'd like to find out more about the Franciscan brothers, you can visit their website here.
Save the date
We’re holding a fun & fundraising event for Christian Aid - “THE BIG BREKKIE” - on Saturday 4th September, between 9 and 11am in Church. There’ll be breakfast rolls and baked goods to set you up for the day, along with a competition and quiz to test your wits. Or just come along for a coffee and a chat - feel free to invite your family, friends and neighbours too! Donations of cakes, scones, biscuits etc. for a cake stall would also be very much appreciated - please let Margaret Evans know, in person or at margaretevans.wb@gmail.com, if you’re able to make a contribution.
Food Bank
Just a reminder that now the church is a bit more open, our Food Bank collection point in the vestibule is up and running. If you have any items you can spare, bring them on a Sunday and leave them in the box. If you're not sure what items you can bring, The Bay Foodbank has all the information you need here:
Parish Office
As usual, the Office in church will be closed to the public throughout August, and will reopen on Wednesday 1st September 10am to 12noon. Just to note that our work still continues and that any emails and phone-calls will be answered remotely during this period.
Roadmap out of Lockdown:
A reminder of our latest Covid Measures (valid from Sunday 25th July 2021)
All government restrictions have ended, but we have been following the latest Church of England advice to ensure that we can continue to worship together safely and with confidence.
Some measures are being relaxed, moving our worship slowly towards the way things were pre-Covid, but some measures are being retained for now. Please do get in touch if you have any queries or concerns.
Measures we are keeping:
The wearing of masks.
The sign-up for the 10am Eucharist (not essential but helps to speed up the arrival process).
Doors open for ventilation.
Hand sanitiser available.
Rows of seats will be well spaced.
Washing and sanitising for the President and Deacon at the Preparation of the Altar and Distribution of Communion.
We will not be sharing the wine at Communion yet.
We will not be having regular refreshments after the 10am Eucharist yet.
The 10am Eucharist will continue to be live streamed.
At the 8am Holy Communion, no changes will be made from current practice.
Elements we are relaxing/introducing at 10am:
Introduction of a traffic-light sticker system: you can choose a red, yellow or green sticker to wear, which will show others immediately how comfortable you are with social interaction.
We will be responsible for our own distancing and seating arrangements. Please be bold in sharing your preferences with others around you. This is particularly important at the Peace, which may be shared physically (with immediate neighbours), with their consent.
We will be able to sing (if masks are worn; just the Eucharist Setting and Offertory Hymn to start off with).
We will come up to the front for Communion.
The Noah's Ark children's corner will be available for little ones.
Increase maximum capacity (though still retaining spaced seating).
Removal of the one-way system (i.e. exit via the Main (West) Door).
For your prayers this week:
Your Prayers are requested for
Martin Cooper
Lucinda & her children
Albert
Maggie Hollis
Alison Young
Ron House
Maureen Roberts
Peter Schofield
Sylvia McDougal
Pray also for Brogan Fearne Watson who will be baptised this Sunday here at St Mary’s, for her parents Sarah & Lee and her Godparents Sean and Vicky.
Rest in Peace
Maureen Johnstone
Leslie Lee
Don’t forget, you can add someone to the prayer list by emailing or phoning as usual, but you need to get their permission before adding them to the sick list.
This Week's Hymns & Readings
If you find these readings and hymns useful, please let us know.
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