Worship with us this Sunday!
This Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent. You are warmly invited to our 8am and 10am services. We welcome Revd Jon Canessa as our guest preacher. Find out more about Jon and his work below.
You can also join us via our YouTube Channel > or view our upcoming services here>
This week's Bible Readings:
Hymns: 263, 633, 'Longing for Light' (Yes Booklet no 10)
Eucharist setting: Grayston Ives, "Salisbury Service"
Covid Update December 2021
The government has announced new covid rules including working from home if possible and wearing masks in public places. Church of England guidance will be updated soon, but it is likely that the measures we currently have in place will not be affected by these changes. Please continue to wear a mask where possible and be conscious of other people's space.
Revd Jon Canessa
Jon is Newcastle Cathedral's Lantern Initiative lead. The Lantern Initiative seeks to be a beacon of light to those visitors to the Cathedral who are navigating difficult circumstances such as homelessness, addiction, grief, poor mental health and refugee status. Find out more by clicking the link below
North East Homeless
Over Christmas we are collecting for North East Homeless charity. They provide support to those who vulnerable and homeless in our region. They also provide food and emergency equipment. Find out more about this charity and how to give via the link below.
Toddler Carol Service
All families with young children are welcome to our Toddlers Carol Service on Monday 13th December at 10.30am. The service will be very informal; please feel free to invite anyone with small children, St Mary’s offers a warm welcome to you all.
Christingle for The Children's Society
A huge thank you for your support of this event; so far we have raised £245 - marvellous! We are happy to continue collecting donations and collective candles through Advent.
~ Rick and Sue Channing.
Eco Church
We are all trying to be more environmentally friendly and more sustainable in the way we live. Christmas is coming and here are a few, hopefully, helpful suggestions, for a more eco friendly time :-
The most sustainable way to approach Christmas, is to actually buy less stuff. Make wise choices and consider quality over quantity. Could your purchases be environmentally friendly, ethically sourced, an experience rather than a material gift or even pre owned?
Buy from local independent shops, which allows money to stay in the local economy, reduce transportation costs and supports the local community.
When wrapping presents, looks for cards and paper made from recycled or FSC certified paper. Avoid plastic ribbon and tape, foil and glitter that aren’t recyclable. Consider reusing wrapping paper or adopt a traditional Japanese method of wrapping using cloth.
When buying a real Christmas tree, aim for one that is, locally produced, responsibly sourced and can be responsibly disposed of when Christmas is over. A living potted tree from a sustainable forest, is a good option, as it can be reused each year. In some areas (not yet found in the north east) you can rent a Christmas tree, then return it after the festive season to be replanted and used again the next year. If you are considering a plastic tree, it needs to be used between 7 – 10 years to help reduce its carbon footprint.
When lighting the tree, LEDs use up to 80% less energy than the traditional twinkling incandescent lights. Consider switching to solar-powered lights outdoors. These changes, make both environmental savings and reduce energy bills.
Christmas dinner can be eco friendly. Buy locally and by supporting ethical small scale producers, you reduce food miles, use less packaging and you haven’t supported any intensive farming practices. Festive ingredients can often be sourced Fairtrade and/or organic. Reduce food waste over Christmas, by buying less and being creative with leftovers.
Thinking about a Christmas outfit, do you actually need to buy something new? If so, opt for sustainable materials, in designs that can be worn after Christmas. Resist sequins, which are made from PVC. A good approach, learned in lockdown, is ‘shop in your own wardrobe,’ it’s amazing what surfaces. Recycle unwanted clothes, by donating to a charity shop.
This year, there are definitely more eco friendly choices out there, crackers, wrapping paper and tree decorations, no longer wrapped in or containing plastic. There is an increased awareness and demand for a sustainable Christmas , which can only be a good thing as we all try to make a difference.
Marion. (eco encourager)
Mothers' Union Carol Service
Tuesday 21st December at 2pm.
All are welcome.
Services over Christmas
A reminder that there will be no 8am Service on 26th December and no midweek service at 10.30am on Wednesday 29th December.
An Evening with The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
11th December 6.30pm.
Newcastle Cathedral are delighted to welcome the Archbishop of York to talk faith, hope, politics and the future as he discusses themes from his recent book, "Dear England: Finding Hope, Taking Heart and Changing the World".
Diary
Saturday 11th December
5.30-6.30pm Young Notes practice
6.30pm An evening with the Archbishop of York at Newcastle Cathedral
Sunday 12th December
3rd Sunday of Advent
8am Holy Communion
10am Sung Eucharist
Monday 13th December
Lucy
9am Morning Prayer
9:30am Toddler Group
10.30am Toddler Carol Service
Tuesday 14th December
John of the Cross
9am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 15th December
9am Morning Prayer
10:30am Holy Communion
6pm Choir Practice
Thursday 16th December
9am Morning Prayer
Friday 17th December
Saturday 18th December
5pm Carols at Whitley Lodge Shops
5.30-6.30pm Young Notes practice
Sunday 19th December
4th Sunday of Advent
8am Holy Communion
10am Sung Eucharist
6pm Christmas Carol Service
For Your Prayers
Your Prayers are requested for
Heather Rivers
Lucinda and children
Anne Otter
Rhona and Douglas Lawrie
Martin Cooper
Alison Young
Ron House
Maggie Hollis
Daniel
Jean Woodruff
Rest in Peace
Riccardo Austoni Anniversary RIP
Zena Bernacca Anniversary RIP
Karen Kinninmonth Anniversary RIP
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.
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Reminders
Remember that News and notices from previous weeks are all available to read by clicking "notices" at the top of the page.
Candle in memory
This is the final week to request a candle in memory of a loved one for Christmas week. Candles will be lit and placed on the windowsills in church, lasting for 7 days. Should you wish to remember someone in this way, we ask for a £5 donation per candle; this can be given to the office until 17/12/21.
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