St Mary's Monkseaton # 253 March 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.
Find out more about our upcoming Services here.
If you missed last week's service, or can't make this Sunday, you can catch up online.
Holy Communion: Lent 2
8am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
2.30pm Big Play In
4.00pm Family@Four
Church Window Replacement
There is now information at the back of church regarding the replacement of the church windows.
We need to replace all the windows (except the stained glass ones) for several reasons. The two main reasons are:
- Safety. There is a real risk of the current windows breaking and causing damage or injury.
- Heat. New windows will provide much better insulation as we move towards ‘net zero’.
The total cost is going to be between £75,000 and £85,000 depending on the VAT status of the work.
The PCC have agreed that the work should be funded from reserves, grants and the church community.
Please look at the display and look at the the website:
Please think and pray about whether you are able to help towards the cost.
Perhaps donate towards the cost of a window in memory of a loved one, or to celebrate something.
Each window will cost a minimum of £1000 but, of course, just pay what you feel you can.
There are three ways you can donate.
By cash using the envelopes provided on the white table and post in the wall safe above. If you would like to be acknowledged for your donation please put your name on the envelope
By cheque, made payable to St Mary's PCC with 'Windows' written on the back and then posted into the wall safe.
By using the 'Go Fund' button below.
Please, if you are a tax payer and able, complete the gift aid section on the 'Go Fund page or if giving by cash or cheque complete a gift aid form.
Preparation for Lent
This coming week sees the beginning of Lent, a time for reflecting on our faith and how we might draw closer to God. It is a period of 40 days (not including Sundays) when traditionally people have fasted or given up luxuries such as chocolate or biscuits or doing something positive for family, friends or neighbours and when we engage in deepening our faith through learning. This year there will be an opportunity to engage with 'Reconciliation' through our joint reflective services with St Paul's Whitley Bay and St Peter's Monkseaton. Why not join us to deepen your faith and love of God?
Lent Reflections
Following the success of last years joint Lent reflections with St Paul and St Peters, we have put together another joint series of reflections based on reconciliation. These will be on Thursday evenings and so Bible Study will be postponed during Lent. The series will be concluded with a joint Eucharist at St Paul's Whitley Bay on Saturday 12th April at midday with lunch.
Youth Group
It is with a heavy heart that we have taken the decision to bring Sunday night Youth Group to an end. Numbers have fallen and we feel it is time to call it a day. This is not the end however and we will be praying about what provision is needed and how we might fulfill those needs.
We would like to thank everyone who has helped with Youth Group in the last 6 months, particualry Tom and Cheryl and Andrew and Imogen.
Big Play In.
Sunday 16th at 2.30pm we are restarting the Big Play in followed by Family@Four.
2025 All New Electoral Roll!
Every six years each parish is required to prepare a new electoral roll. This year there will be no automatic update to the roll. Everyone wishing to be on the Electoral Roll must fill in an application form by the 21st of March 2025.
A notice has been displayed on the board by the entrance and on the notice board outside with the details of the process. Forms are available from the table by the notice board or from the office.
Who can be on the electoral roll?
To be on the electoral roll a person needs to have been baptised, be at least 16 years old and either:
· a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it and resident in the parish.
· a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it, not resident in the parish, but habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.
· a member in good standing of a Church not in communion with the Church of England but subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and also a member of the Church of England and habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.
It is important that the electoral roll properly reflects the membership of the church. It is the best way to have your say on the governance of St Mary's and allows you to vote on representatives at the APCM. Please fill in a form and put it in the box. If you know someone who needs a form but they can't get here before the deadline please either take one or let Nigel, Claire or Liz Hayesknow and we will make sure one is sent out. Thank you.
Parish Walk
The next parish walk will be on Saturday 22nd March. We are meeting for a walk at Rising Sun Country Park, Whitely Road, Benton, NE12 9SS. If you need a lift then please speak to Nigel or Claire. We will be walking and watching for signs of spring. If you have binoculars it is worth brining them.
Audio/visual equipment
Following the consultation at the back of church regarding the type of screens we should have at St Mary's, a visit to Holy Saviour Tynemouth has been arranged to view how it might work for us with a projector and single central screen. A visit will then be arranged to see a church with multiple screens. If you are interested and would like to attend please speak to Nigel. The visit is on Tuesday 18th March at 10.30am.
Eco Church.
On Saturday 29th March at 10.00am, we will be showing the film '2040' in church followed by a soup lunch. The film is about the director, Damon Gameau looking for ways to improve environmental issues for the future of his 4 year old daughter with the hope that the his daughter, when 21 years old in the year 2040, will face a hopeful future.
Please sign up at the back of church in order that we know how much soup we will need.
Saturday 15th March
5.00pm: Marianum
Sunday 16th March: Lent 2
8am: Holy Communion
10am:Holy Communion
2.30pm: Big Play In
4pm: Family@Four
Monday 17th March
9.00am: Morning Prayer
9.30am Toddlers
4.30pm: Evening Prayer
Tuesday18th March
9.00am: Morning Prayer
10.00: Craft Group
7.30pm: Church in the Kittiwake (We will be discussing 'Free will and free speech')
Wednesday 19th March
9.00am: Morning Prayer
10.30am: Holy Communion
4.30pm: Evening Prayer
6pm: Choir
Thursday 20th March
9.00am: Morning Prayer
9.30-11am: Pop in Cafe
4.30pm: Evening Prayer
7.00pm: Lent Reflection joint service at St Peter's Monkseaton
Friday 21st March
Office closed.
Saturday 22nd March
10.30am Parish Walk. Meet at Rising Sun Country Park. If you need a lift speak to Nigel or Claire
5pm: Marianum
Sunday 23rd March: Lent 3
8am: Holy Communion
10am: Holy Communion
4.00pm: Cafe Church
Prayers
Your Prayers are requested for:
Sophie, Martin Cooper, John Hughes, Suzanne, Iris Allan, Jennifer Stephenson, Ron Stobart, Janet Minto and Jill.
Rest in Peace
Remembering also those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time:
William (Bill) Logan, Sally Needham, Helen Elizabeth Watson,
We also pray for all groups who meet in our church hall.
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