News & Notices 26th April 2026
- Apr 22
- 4 min read
St Mary's Monkseaton #306 April 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 26th April: Fourth Sunday of Easter
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion
APCM
The Annual Parish Vestry Meeting and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting of St Mary the Virgin, Monkseaton, took place on Sunday 19th April 2026 at 11.30am in Church. Thank you to all those who attended. Key points from the meetings included the election of Liz Hayes and John Appleby to continue in their roles as legal Church Wardens for next year. Liz and John were also elected our Deanery Synod Representatives. Robert Cure, Vicky Scurfield, Jean Tyers and Debbie Brown were elected to serve on PCC, with special thanks extended to outgoing members Carole Lax, Carol Nesbitt and Cheryl Savage. Thank you to everyone who helps make St Mary's such a joyous community to be part of.
Hot Chocolate Haven
As we are coming up to exam season, we recognise this can be a tough time for those taking exams. We are therefore opening the Church up 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 be open 4-5pm Monday to Thursday, starting on Monday 27 April, and running until Thursday 28 May. No need to book, no charge, just drop in and relax.
Eco Tip of the Week
Make simple changes to create a sustainable kitchen, both at home and in church (it all adds towards our Eco Church status, and caring for Gods beautiful creation):
Use eco-friendly cleaning products, including dish washing liquid. Use glass or refill bottles, or as we do here in church, buy in bulk and decant into a smaller bottle.
Ditch the plastic. Kitchen sponges, brushes, gloves, bin liners and rubbish bags can be obtained from plant based or biodegradable materials.
Glass can be used to replace plastic boxes, ziplock bags and foil. Glass jars can be used in the freezer (leave plenty headspace, don't have them touching and defrost at room temperature.)
Invest in long-lasting high-quality cookware, that doesn't have a nonstick coating of chemicals.
Buy energy efficient appliances, that keep bills down in the long term, do the job efficiently, are longer lasting and produced to high specifications.
Eco Church
Date for the diary: 18 July, 10am - 2pm. St. Mary's will be holding our first Repair Café, in partnership with North Tyneside council. Preparations are well under way and volunteers are coming forward nicely. If you have a practical knowledge and repair expertise, which you are willing to share, please get in touch via the office email office@stmarysmonkseaton.org.uk. We would love to hear from you.
North Tyneside council have recently started a new community project, repairing donated/reclaimed bikes, rather than them being scrapped. We will have some bikes available on the day, that can be acquired for a donation. Bike repairs and bike health checks, will be part of the Repair Café. We will also be accepting preloved bikes, for the council to take away for refurbishment. We will be at the advertising stage in the near future and letting everyone know what repairs are available.
Thank you to all those at St. Mary's, who have volunteered to help run the event on the day and help with the preparations.
Following our APCM on Sunday, this seems an appropriate time to thank all the individuals and groups for the ongoing work with our sustainability projects. From the small; biodegradable sponges in the kitchen, to the large; double-glazed windows, and all those things in-between. Thank you.
Marion Oakes (Eco Rep)
OWLS
Our next meeting on Friday 8th May is fast approaching so please sign up by Sunday 3rd May if you plan to attend.
The speaker at the meeting is Emma Casey who will be talking about her research and book; The Return of the Housewife. We look forward to seeing you on the 8th May. If you are new to St Mary’s and would like to give OWLS a try, we gather together in church at 12noon for a sandwich and cake lunch and you will be most welcome.
If you would like to more information see me in church on a Sunday, message, or call me on 07808 078894.
Beryl Austoni
Older
Wiser
Living
Spiritually
Water Heater
Good news! Our new water heater is now up and running in the kitchen thanks, again, to our very generous donator. Now, who's for a cuppa...?!
Office
The Office will be closed next week as I am away on holiday. 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 after the Bank Holiday on Tuesday 5th May. Victoria.
Toast Church
Toast Church is our weekly children’s service which runs after school on a Thursday. People are welcome to arrive any time 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.
Saturday 25th April
5pm Marianum
Sunday 26th April: Fourth Sunday of Easter
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion
Monday 27th April
9.30am Toddlers
4pm Hot Chocolate Haven
Tuesday 28th April
9am Morning Prayer at St. Mary's Island
10am Craft Group
4pm Hot Chocolate Haven
7pm Church at the Kittiwake
Wednesday 29th April
9am Morning Prayer
10.30am Holy Communion
4pm Hot Chocolate Haven
5.30pm Young Notes
6pm Choir Practice
Thursday 30th April
9am Morning Prayer
3.30pm Toast Church (Service from 4pm)
4pm Hot Chocolate Haven
7.30pm Bible Study at Ron's House
Saturday 2nd May
5pm Marianum
Sunday 3rd May: Fifth Sunday of Easter
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion
4pm Escape
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
Rest In Peace
Betty Wood
Those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time
Alan Greening, John Primo Bernacca
We also pray for
Everyone who will visit the crematorium this week
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