Church Opening for Private Prayer
We have been advised that the church can now open for private prayer. We will begin by opening on Wednesdays and Saturday, 10am – 12 noon, starting from Wednesday 17th June. This has been thought about carefully and there are various protective measures in place to make the building as safe as possible. On entering church there will be notices displayed with guidance and advice. Please read and do your best to follow them. We ask that everyone observes social distancing and stays 2 meters apart. Face coverings can be worn along with anything else that makes you feel protected. The Office will remain physically closed but Dot and Carol are still working from home and can be reached via email and phone.
A Bit of Good News
“We would love to have told everyone face to face but we would like to share with our St Mary’s family that we are expecting our first baby in mid-September. We hope to see you all soon. Susana & James”.
This is wonderful news, Congratulations Susana and James!
News from the Diocese
The Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, Venerable Peter Robinson, has been appointed the Dean of Derby. He will be taking up his appointment in early July and there is a farewell service for him this Sunday evening at 6pm via Zoom. You can register to attend this by emailing: info@newcastle.anglican.org. Peter's departure means that the Archdeacon of Northumberland, Venerable Mark Wroe is now acting as Archdeacon for the whole diocese. Our Vicar, Rachel, has been asked by Bishop Christine to be an assistant Archdeacon, along with a previous Curate here - Benjamin Carter and one other, from July. This role is expected to take up approximately a day a week and would last until a new Archdeacon of Lindisfarne takes up their post, probably in November.
Plants Sale for Church Funds
Last year, Dave Haddock brought a selection of plants and shrubs to our Autumn Fayre. He is now offering to sell some of his plants which he grows in his Wallsend nursery garden. 30% of sales will be donated to St Mary’s, so be sure to mention St Mary’s when you order! Order from Dave Haddock: tel. 0191 2524985, mob. 07976 687973, or email: landman2000uk@yahoo.co.uk. View the Catalogue below.
100 Club Winners
Winners for June are: £50 Hazel McLeod, £30 Pat Redpath, £20 Hazel Howliston.
A Message from Roger about St Mary’s 100 Club 2020/21
As June rolls into July the excitement of another 100 Club year looms. It promises to be a bumper year too. We have been locked down for so long that we have hardly spent anything and may have extra funds to invest or perhaps more accurately donate to St Marys. Last year the 100 Club raised £1295 for church funds which went mainly towards the costs of cleaning the church hall.
For £25 a year you are entered into twelve monthly draws with the chance of winning £50, £30 and £20 or in December £100, £50 or £30.
As we won’t be in church for a little while, Ruth Blake will be unable to use her persuasive charms to encourage membership, but St Marys will be most grateful if you will join or re join the scheme. All you need to do is transfer £25 using online banking to St Marys 100 Club, Sort Code 20-62-09 Account No. 53160653. Alternatively, drop off a cheque made payable to St Marys 100 Club or even cash. Please post or deliver either to me at 61 Brierdene Crescent, Whitley Bay, NE26 4AD or to church. (The letter box is in the north door.)
I would appreciate if existing members could send me an email or text confirming payment. If you are a new member, I will need your name and address. A contact email address or phone number would be useful too so that I can confirm receipt and deliver your winnings to your home!
With thanks,
Roger Windass rkpwindass@gmail.com 0191 2528048 (home) 07989 973 353 (mob)
and team, Ruth Blake, Margaret Campbell and David Tompkins.
Coffee Morning
Our Online Coffee Morning is a success, and we will be keeping it going. If you haven't given it a go yet, try it out!
If you are able to join us online between 10:30am and 11:15am on Tuesdays we’d love to see you. Go to ‘Events’ on our website: stmarysmonkseaton.org.uk/events to RSVP and get a link to join via Zoom. You would need to click on RSVP and enter you name and email address and click on ‘submit’. An email is then sent to you with a link to the Coffee Morning. If you haven’t already got Zoom, you can get it for free on your computer, tablet or phone. You could download it now from https://zoom.us.
Walking With
Because they've had to cease direct contact with service users, our colleagues at ‘Walking With’ have for the time being closed their centre in Wallsend and are unable to accept food or clothing donations
As an alternative way of supporting their refugee and asylum seeker clients, ‘Walking With’ are using financial donations to purchase and donate Tesco vouchers for food and essentials while the lockdown continues. They've spent nearly £2000 to date on vouchers, and will need to purchase more to continue the much needed support for their clients and their families.
Donations will be welcomed, preferably by electronic transfer, or cheques payable to 'Walking With North Tyneside'. If you can gift aid please let them know. They will need your details.
Unity Trust Bank/ Customer: Walking With/ Account: 20160878/ Sort Code: 60-83-01
Walking With in North Tyneside, Hugh Street, Wallsend, NE28 6RL
New Daily Hope Phone Line
“Daily Hope” offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. The line – which is available FREE, 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind. You can select options to listen to Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer updated daily, and a recording of the Church of England weekly national online service. A section called ‘Hymn Line’ offers callers a small selection of hymns, updated daily. An option entitled ‘Hymns We Love’, provides a hymn and reflection.
Volunteering
There’s a webpage with ideas for volunteering during Covid-19, which will be continually updated with new information. https://www.newcastle.anglican.org/Generosity/Covid-19/volunteering/
Two NEW ways to volunteer are:
Age UK – Call in Time is a free telephone friendship service for people 60 and over. You are matched up with a likeminded person who's keen to make a new friend, and every week they'll give you a call. Not having someone to talk to regularly can be lonely, particularly if you're used to sharing your home and time with others. A friendly, 30-minute chat on the phone every week can make all the difference.
Age UK – Become a Digital Buddy
Gift Aid and Planned Giving
Please contact Rosie Tate if you would like a Gift Aid statement regarding the tax year just ended, or if you have any questions regarding Planned Giving during lockdown. (rosietate@me.com; Tel: 297 0869).
Mental Health
Recognising how impactful the coronavirus and isolation can be to our mental health, The Church of England has provided some mental health resources, including tips for dealing with loneliness, daily reflections on various issues, and links to support providers. You can access the resources here:
Your Prayers are requested for
Martin Cooper
Catherine Connors
Gordon
Shelagh Goodwin
Emma Campbell
Norman Searle
Ann Hallatt
Nancy Richards
Kate Davson
Olya Bouchard
Rest in Peace
Sheila Leach
William Robson (Anniversary)
For those who remember John and Ann Hallatt, Ann is now a resident at Rosemount Care Home: John remains at his home. The whole family is very grateful for your support and prayers at this difficult time.
Don’t forget, you can still 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.
Do let us know if you or others are celebrating any special event or anniversary so that we can put this news into our future email letters. You can do this by calling 0191 251 4216 or by sending us an email: office@stmarysmonkseaton.org.uk