News & Notices 23rd November 2025
- St Mary's Parish Office
- Nov 21
- 6 min read
St Mary's Monkseaton # 285 November 2025
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 missed last week's service, or can't make this Sunday, you can catch up online.
Services: Christ the King
8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
Nigel's Installation as Canon
Nigel will be installed as a Non-Residentiary Canon at Newcastle Cathedral in a service at 4pm on Saturday 6th December. All are welcome to join in this celebration, and it has been suggested that we may be able to arrange a bus for the St Mary's contingent if there are sufficient numbers wanting transport. Please add your name to the list in the vestibule if you would be interested in travelling to the cathedral by bus.
Eco tip of the week
Try to reduce the eco-impact of your Christmas shopping.
The greenest option is to reduce the amount we consume. Globalisation, outsourcing and complex supply chains have increased CO2 emissions worldwide. Do we really need that vegetable from Peru or that side dish, from a well known store, packaged in plastic and shipped from Vietnam. Think local.
A message from Nic Denyer
‘Behold, the former things have happened,
and now I declare new things.
Before they spring forth
I proclaim them to you
Isaiah 42:9.
This verse from Isaiah is one that holds particular resonance for me as I write this. As you know, my
work as Lay Ministries Development Officer takes me to lots of different places and communities
across our beautiful Newcastle Diocese, but St. Mary’s is the place where I came to faith, where I
was encouraged, held and loved as I discerned my calling to Reader ministry and built my
confidence. Now God is calling me to something new. From the beginning of December, I will be
moving to North Shields, working alongside Rev’d Daniel McCarthy as a Reader at Christ Church and
St. Augustin’s, North Shields Parish. I am and will forever be grateful to all of you for welcoming and
sustaining me over the years, and bringing Olly, Aidan and Iris Ella into the church family. I will
continue to pray for the mission, ministry and all of you at St. Mary’s, and ask that you pray for me
and the community in North Shields as we begin this new thing together. With love, Nic.
Advent Reflections
Each Thursday during Advent there will be a joint reflection with St Peter Monseaton and St Paul Whitley Bay. The first reflection is at St Mary Monkseaton on Thursday 27th November at 7.30pm looking at the theme of Hope.
Parochial Church Council Meeting
The PCC of St Mary's met on the evening of Wednesday 19th November to discuss the mission and ministry of the church. A number of decisions were made regarding the running of the church and the buildings.
1. The budget for 2026 was approved. It is going to be a challenging year with costs for running and maintaining the building rising and our income not keeping pace. We need to consider fund raising events for the year.
2. The PCC took a decision that the installation of the new windows will be phased in order that works can begin and those who have generously donated money will begin to see the fruits of their contribution. This will begin on the lower level of church and a date will be announced as soon as we have secured a start date with the contractor.
3. The restructure of groups is going well with a final version of how the parish will work and communicate being provided to PCC in January 2026. The PCC are keen to see the return of a parish magazine and we are looking for an editor. We are also keen to recruit people to the new groups and information will be out once the PCC have agreed the revised structure. In the meantime we are keen to recruit to the 'tech desk' and anyone interested should contact Nigel or Claire. Training will be provided.
4.The church hall is in need of some TLC and the PCC have decided a project be put together to attract grant funding. As a community facility it is far more likely to attract funding and along with the community groups using the hall we will be looking at what will be needed to have a marketable and usable hall for the future.
Full draft minutes will be available from the office shortly, should anyone wish to view them.
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who supported the Hop Pickers afternoon last Sunday, which raised £400 for church funds.
Mary Weir RIP
The funeral of the late Mary Weir will be held in church at midday on Friday 5th December. All are welcome.
Christmas Fair
Our Christmas Fair is nearly here!
Saturday 29th November, 10am to 3pm
Loads of stalls to find ideal Christmas gifts and a visit from Santa.
£2 entry (kids free)
Christmas Cards
This year we will not be delivering cards to every house in the parish. Instead, Christmas greetings and information about our services will be available shortly on our website and other social media sites.
We will produce a card in-house for delivery to those who do not have Email access or who are housebound etc. If you know of anyone who would appreciate a Church card, please get in touch with Carole Lax (celax01@gmail.com) who is compiling a list.
Finally there will be a board in Church where individual cards to the whole congregation will be displayed.
The Friends of Red House Ramble’s Foodbank Appeal
Every year we collect advent calendars, new children's toys, and adult's toiletries, warm hats and gloves.
Please donate if you can:
Advent Calendars by 23rd November for delivery in time for Advent.
Gifts by 7th December.
I’ll collect at the 10am service or Advent Service.
If you leave them in church would you clearly mark with FoRHR.
Thank you for your generosity.
Cheryl
Friends of Brierdene🎄 Family Wreath Making Workshop! 🎄
Bring your loved ones together for a festive, hands-on creative experience! Join us for a Family Wreath Making Session where you’ll design, make, and decorate your own beautiful Christmas wreaths—perfect for your front door or as a heartfelt gift.
✨ What’s Included:
✔ All wreath-making supplies (greenery, ribbons, decorations & tools)
✔ Festive music & holiday treats
✔ A special kids’ crafting corner
✔ Your finished handmade wreath to take home!
👨👩👧👦 Perfect for: Families, friends, beginners & all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult)
📅 Date: Sunday 7th December 2025
🕒 Time: 12-3pm
📍 Location: Scout Hut, behind Tavern & Galley Pub, The Links, Whitley Bay
Cost: £25 – includes all materials
🎟️ Limited spots available! Reserve yours today and make memories that last the whole season.
Church Windows Update
The PCC met on Wednesday night and discussed how we should move forward with the Windows project.
I’m delighted to report that they confirmed that an order should be placed for the first phase of the project, and that is the replacement of the windows at the lower level.
The second phase — the upper level - will be undertaken once funds allow.
We continue to look for sources of grant monies.
The congregation have been tremendously generous so far, and hopefully we’ll all appreciate the benefits of double glazed windows some time early in the new year.
You can contribute by:
- cheque payable to "St Mary's Monkseaton" or cash (envelopes in church, with Gift Aid slips, into the wall-safe)
- by bank transfer to: Sort Code: 403418, Account: 04502086 Please give your surname as the 'reference'.
Please also email office@stmarysmonkseaton.org.uk if you are able to Gift Aid your donation
Saturday 22nd November
5.00pm: Marianum
Sunday 23rd November Christ the King
8.00am: Holy Communion
10.00am: Holy Communion
Monday 24th November
9.30 Toddlers
Tuesday 25th November
9.00am: Morning Prayer
10.00am: Craft Group
3.30pm: White Ribbon Service
7.30pm: Church in the Kittiwake
Wednesday 26th November
9.00am: Morning Prayer
10.30am: Eucharist
Thursday 27th November
9.00am: Morning Prayer
3.30pm: Toast Church
7.30pm: Bible study at Ron's
7.30pm: Advent Reflection at St Mary's
Friday 28th November
Saturday 29th November
10.00am: Christmas Fair
5.00pm: Marianum
Sunday 30th November Advent Sunday
8.00am: Holy Communion
10.00am: Holy Communion
4.00pm: Advent Carol Service
Prayers
Your Prayers are requested for:
Martin Cooper, John Hughes, Jennifer Stephenson, Jill, Janet Minto, Don and Helen Bulmer, Monique Hughes, Ian Davies, Colleen and Stephen, Sheila Jones, Stuart Colter, Jill Horn and Beth
For those who have died recently
Kathleen Dales
Jan Porter
Mary Weir
Michael Scorer
Monica Anderson
Those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time
Helen Mara Matthews
Rita Gilfillan
Norman Henderson
We also pray for
Kingston Close
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