News & Notices 20th September 2026
St Mary's Monkseaton #323 September 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.
If you have missed a service, or can't make this Sunday, you can catch up anytime, online.
Sunday 20th September: Creationtide 3
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion
Season of Creation
We have a series of events (in addition to our Sunday services) which celebrate the Season of Creation, this week and throughout September into October. All are welcome and we hope you can join us.
Saturday 19th September: Screening of the National Emergency Briefing - a film showing engaging presentations by climate science experts and reactions to what they say by Chris Packham, Jennifer Saunders and members of the public. 10am at Church.
Wednesday 23rd September: Climate Vigil at 7.30pm at Church
Saturday 26th September: Litter Pick meet at Rendezvous Café, Whitley Bay seafront at 10am
Saturday 3rd October: Pet Service at 3pm in Church.
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Church in the Pub
Church in the Pub discussions will focus on Creation in September. Please join us at the Kittiwake, Whitley Lodge at 7.30pm on Tuesdays.
Eco Tip of the Week
Come along on Saturday (19th September) morning to see The People's Emergency Briefing, 10am in church. It provides clear, expert backed evidence on the escalating climate and nature crisis and what it means for our daily lives, health and economy. The film also focuses on hopeful, practical actions that we can all take. The film is being shown all over the UK and its support is needed to energise actions. A survey of screening events showed, following a screening 58% of people reported feeling more hopeful, 88% felt more informed and 87% more motivated to act. Come and engage with this important topic.
Eco Church
Eco Church, is this year celebrating 10 years of helping churches in their journey of caring for Creation, within every area of church life. St. Mary's joined Eco church in 2019 and received a Bronze award in 2021. Since then, we have been increasing our commitment to caring for the environment, changing habits and working towards a silver award.
To mark the decade, Eco Church has produced a report, looking at what has been achieved in the past and what can be done going forward. Click here for the full 41-page report
If you would like a shorter version, I can recommend:
Page 5: Introduction
Page 19: Community and Global engagement. Why it matters
Page 25: What helps churches succeed
Page 31: What hinders churches
Page 35: Getting to silver
Please support us with your prayers and actions, as St. Mary's continues on its eco journey.
Marion Oakes. (Eco rep.)
Pastoral support
Following the PCC approval of the Pastoral Team Terms of Reference, we are looking to set up a pastoral visiting team to support members of the congregation and parish who require home visits and potentially home communion. This includes visits to nursing homes. The aim is that no one would have more than 3 people to visit on an agreed basis and that each visitor will be supported by a supervisor. Training will be provided and clear boundaries for the role which will not include any physical care, shopping, cleaning or handling money.
If you are interested and think you may be able to support the pastoral care of the parish, speak to Nigel or Claire and we will explain more about the role to you.
All pastoral visitors will need to go through the 'safer recruitment process' and will require an enhanced DBS check.
PCC
St Mary's PCC met in Church on Wednesday 16th September. Key points from the meeting included:
PCC voted unanimously to proceed with the low-level windows despite a significantly higher cost (a result of the issues encountered finding a company able to bend the aluminium framework). Contracts will be entered into this week with a view to starting the work asap (albeit there is an eight-week lead time). We will be looking at secondary glazing for the high-level windows.
the budget report to the end of August was provided by our Treasurer which showed our income is still down and our expenditure still higher than budgeted. It was agreed we need to address hall usage and associated costs v income.
PCC approved the renewal of our electricity contract. It was decided that a 12-month renewal would be most appropriate given the uncertainty in Iran, with the expectation that this situation is short term.
PCC are commencing succession planning for 2027 and request the parish to think about, and pray for, potential candidates for the Church Warden role - upcoming vacancies in 2027 and 2028. This is a pivotal role within the Church, but part of a bigger team to fully support. If you would like to chat about this, please speak to Nigel or Claire, or our current wardens Liz or John.
a review of our website in underway, with a contractor currently scoping potential improvements and costs
PCC fully support the continuation of the 100 Club - for further information on this please speak to Roger Windass.
The next meeting of the PCC will be on 18th November, with a prior Standing Committee on 14th October.
'Bible Lyte'
On Wednesdays our Bible Study group continues in Church after our Holy Communion Service (at 10.30am). The study will start at approx. 11.15am, and will run for an hour. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome to join at anytime, and we hope to see you there.
Christmas Fair
Planning for our Christmas Fair is now underway! If anyone who would like a table, please contact Andrew Potter andrewpotter@hotmail.com
Saturday 19th September
10am Screening of the National Emergency Briefing
5pm Marianum
Sunday 20th September: Creationtide 3
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion
Monday 21st September
9.30am Toddlers
Tuesday 22nd September
9am Morning Prayer
10am Craft Group
7.30pm Church at the Kittiwake
Wednesday 23rd September
9am Morning Prayer
10.30am Holy Communion
11.15am Bible Lyte
5.30pm Young Notes
6pm Choir
7.30pm Climate Vigil at Church
Thursday 24th September
9am Morning Prayer
3.30pm Toast Church
7.30pm Bible Study at Ron's House
Saturday 26th September
10am Litter Pick meet at Rendezvous Café
5pm Marianum
Sunday 27th September: Creationtide 4
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion
Prayers
A note from Jennifer Stephenson:
Thank you to everyone for their prayers for Mark for the past 6 months and to everyone who contacted me and my family these past few weeks and at Mark's time of death and funeral. You are all very kind; God bless St Mary's which is full of very special people.
Your Prayers are requested for
Jill, Martin Cooper, Monique Hughes, Jennifer Stephenson, John Hughes, Don Bulmer, Colleen, Pete Johnson, David Howel, Tony Miller, Michael
Rest in Peace
Ian Davies, Derek Rosenvinge
For those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time
Thomas Bell, Gertrude Jean Bellamy, Andrew Weatherston
We also pray for
Carolyn Crescent
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