News & Notices 18th January 2026

St Mary's Monkseaton # 292 January 2026

Vicar: Rev Nigel Taylor email: vicar@stmarysmonkseaton.org.uk

Curate: Rev Claire Lewis email: ctfairgrieve.lewis@gmail.com

Please note: Nigel and Claire are not available on their day off which is Friday.

Readings

If you missed last week's service, or can't make this Sunday, you can catch up online.

---

Services: Epiphany 2

• 8.00am Holy Communion

• 10.00am Holy Communion

---

Toddlers

St Mary’s Toddler Group is back up and running for 2026 with more than 30 children coming to play here with their families on Monday.

Our volunteers do an amazing job of making everyone feel safe and welcome in the space. Chatting to families while the children play with the toys.

Snack time involves water and fruit toast for the children while the adults get a hot drink before everyone gathers back together for song time.

If you would like to join the team who make this happen please speak to Nigel or Claire and they can put you in touch with the relevant people. Volunteers don’t need to commit to every week but if you could spare a couple of hours on a Monday morning to be part of this team you’d be very welcome.

---

OWLS

A message from Beryl: Happy New Year to all members. Apologies for the cancellation of our meeting last week due to the dreadful weather. I was so concerned that the ice, snow and rain made travel of any sort treacherous.

So now onto February, our meeting will have a special visitor to speak to us, the details will be on the sign up sheet which will be in the church vestibule from Sunday 18th January.

Date of the February meeting is Friday 13th February from 12noon. So put it in your diary now and perhaps bring a friend along. I look forward to seeing you all again on the 13th February.

---

Shrove Tuesday Afternoon Holiday Club

Shrove Tuesday (17th February) is in the school holidays this year so we would like to offer an afternoon holiday club to children 11 and under before the usual Pancake Party. It would start at 1pm till 4pm when we open the doors and invite everyone to eat pancakes.

In order to provide this for 40 children we will need some help. If you are available to join the team to provide support (especially if you already have a church DBS certificate) please speak to Claire or Nigel.

---

Toast Church

Toast Church is our weekly children’s service. It runs after school on a Thursday. People are welcome to arrive anytime after 3.30pm for a drink and some toast as we gather after a busy school day. At 4pm we start our service of songs, prayers, story and an activity. Parents can stay if they wish or are welcome to drop off children and pick them up at 4.30pm. The service is designed for under 11’s but all are welcome.

---

Thank Yous

• A thank you from Pam to all those who donated to the flower fund this Christmas, it was very much appreciated!

• Thank you to everyone who generously supported the Children's Society by either attending Christingle or by filling a collecting candle. At present, we have sent off £250 to the society. Sue and Rick.

---

Eco Tip of the Week

The start of the new year is a great time to take stock and take action. Saving the planet can feel like an overwhelming goal and the C of E commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2030 is getting forever closer. Time to pause, to assess where we are, where we'd like to be and how we are going to get there. Time to make 2026 the year of sustainable living and meeting the challenges. 

---

Saturday 17th January

5.00pm: Marianum

Sunday 18th January - Epiphany 2

8.00am Holy Communion

10.00am Sung Holy Communion

Monday 19th January

9.30am Toddlers

Tuesday 20th January

9.00am Morning Prayer

10.00am Craft Group

2.30pm Mothers' Union A.G.M. (in the Gathering Space)

7.30pm Church in the Kittiwake

Wednesday 21st January

9.00am Morning Prayer

10.30am Holy Communion

7.30pm PCC in Church

Thursday 22nd January

9.00am Morning Prayer

From 3.30pm for 4pm Start Toast Church

7.00pm Justice and Peace meet in Church

Saturday 24th January

5.00pm Marianum

Sunday 25th January - Epiphany 3

8.00am Holy Communion

10.00am Sung Holy Communion

---

Prayers

Your Prayers are requested for:

Jill, Martin Cooper, Monique Hughes, John Hughes, Jennifer Stephenson, Janet Minto, Don Bulmer, Ian Davies, Colleen and Stephen, Sheila Jones, Stuart Colter, Jill Horn, Beth, Dot Elliot

Rest in Peace

Robin Baker

Marjorie Thompson

Reverend Canon Rose Lawley

Those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time

Jennie Lovatt

Ruth Frederica Wolf

Margaret Campbell

We also pray for

Grasmere Crescent