News & Notices 24th May 2026
- May 21
- 4 min read
St Mary's Monkseaton #310 May 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 missed last week's service, or can't make this Sunday, you can catch up online.
Sunday 24th May: Pentecost Sunday
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion with Baptism
Hot Chocolate Haven
We recognise that the current season can be a tough time for those taking exams. The church is open 4-5pm Monday to Thursday for any young people who are currently sitting school exams, as a space to 'decompress and relax' with a drink (such as hot chocolate), and a chance to chat about anything but exams! This will run until Thursday 28 May. No need to book, no charge, just drop in and relax.
Eco Tip of the Week
Pete Seeger (folk singer), put it like this: ‘If it can’t be Reduced, Reused, Repaired, Rebuilt, Refurbished, Refinished, Resold, Recycled, or Composted, then it should be Restricted, Redesigned or Removed from
Production.’
Young Notes
Young Notes “Blog” March/April 2026
Our Young Notes thought it would be nice to share with us what they have been up to each month. Their inaugural 'blog' is below:
Although we only meet for a short time on Wednesday evenings 5.30 to 6pm, we cover a lot of material in Young Notes rehearsals, and we want to share this with you. Rehearsing for Church services is always exciting as the music changes every week, so we are always re-visiting pieces as well as learning new
pieces.
We covered 10 pieces in our rehearsals during March and April... The Young Notes highlights were “May the Road”, a Celtic Blessing which we sang in a service during the prayers, and “You Raise Me Up”. “This is one of our favourite pieces, because it is upbeat and happy. We sang it in a service, which was fun!”
The Young Notes also played 2 musical games - 1) They had to complete pieces and music theory questions to create a tiled floor of an ancient temple. 2) “We had to throw wooden discs onto a Twister
Board and do musical challenges (like rhythm patterns) to complete a line.
The Young Notes have also started designing a “Chorister’s Prayer” display using stained glass ideas to represent what they think St Mary’s represents.
From Daisy, Elva and Penny
PCC
The Parochial Church Council met on Wednesday 20th May. We began with a short
induction for new trustees; Vicky Scurfield, Debbie Brown, Jean Tyers and Robert
Cure. The full meeting opened at 7.30pm at which the following was discussed:
The PCC reviewed and approved the safeguarding policy for the parish followed by
policies for Serious incidents, Safe lone working, Conflict of Interest Human
Resources and Safer Recruitment. These policy statements will be available in hard
copy from the office and posted on our web page. As of this year all volunteers will
need to go through the ‘safer recruitment process’ which will be done via the Parish
Administrator.
An update on risk assessments was provided and the risk register updated.
A budget report to the end of April was provided by the treasurer which showed our
income is down and our expenditure higher than budgeted. On this basis the PCC
approved a process and materials to support the congregation in considering and
reviewing their giving for the work of the church.
The first phase of the window replacement will begin at the end of June with the
lower-level windows being replace. Fund raising is needed for the completion of the
higher-level windows later in the year.
Decisions were taken that the PCC would:
Support a further ‘Eco Fair’ this September,
That following a review of the current position of the choir on the south side of
the nave this will be their permanent position.
That the PCC would support a new dance school start up in church
That a new 3-year sponsorship agreement with 6 Whitley Bay Scouts be
signed.
In addition, a statement on the St Mary’s children’s and youth culture was presented
and endorsed. The next meeting of the PCC will be 15th July with a prior Standing
Committee on 24th June.
Hospitality Thank You
At 3pm on Sunday 31 May we will be holding an afternoon tea as a thank you for all those who help in the kitchen and with our hospitality services. Tea and Cake will be provided. Please join us if you can. Many thanks, Nigel, Claire, Liz and John.
Hearing Aids
Just a reminder that we do have a fully functioning loop system in Church. If you have any problems please speak to John Appleby.
Repair Café
Office
The Office is closed week commencing 25th May. If you need anything urgently during this time then please contact your Church Wardens, John or Liz (wardens@stmarysmonkseaton.org.uk), or speak to Nigel or Claire. I'll be back on Monday 1st June. Victoria.
Saturday 23rd May
5pm Marianum
Sunday 24th May: Pentecost Sunday
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion with Baptism
Monday 25th May
Bank Holiday
Tuesday 26th May
9am Morning Prayer at St. Mary's Island
10am Craft Group
4pm Hot Chocolate Haven
7.30pm Church at the Kittiwake
Wednesday 27th May
9am Morning Prayer
10.30am Holy Communion
4pm Hot Chocolate Haven
6pm Choir Practice
Thursday 28th May
9am Morning Prayer
3.30pm Toast Church (Service from 4pm)
4pm Hot Chocolate Haven
Saturday 30th May
12pm Wedding of Daniel Young and Rebecca Houwourth
5pm Marianum
Sunday 31st May: Trinity Sunday
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion
Prayers
Your Prayers are requested for
Jill, Martin Cooper, Monique Hughes, Jennifer Stephenson, John Hughes, Don Bulmer, Ian Davies, Colleen and Stephen, Jill Horn, Mark, Pete Johnson, Maureen Stobart, Peter Dunlop, Val Fairgrieve
Rest in Peace
Andy Leighton
Those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time
Pamela Mary Fletcher, Jean Goudie, Eric Hastie Peel, Elsie Kathleen Shane, Roy Winter
Those preparing for Baptism
Erin Thelma Pemblington, Matilda Morton
Those preparing for their Wedding
Daniel Young and Rebecca Houwourth
We also pray for
Richmond Terrace
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