News & Notices September 2026
St Mary's Monkseaton #321 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 6th September: Creation in Christ
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion
4pm Escape
Season of Creation
We have a whole series of events (in addition to our Sunday services) which celebrate the Season of Creation, this week and throughout September. All are welcome and we hope you can join us.
Saturday 5th September: Eco & Art Fair 10am to 3pm in Church
Saturday 12th September: Join in the Pilgrimage Walk from Blyth to Tynemouth, or part of it, led by Claire. If you are interested in joining please speak to Claire.
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 in Church.
Saturday 26th September: Litter Pick at St Mary's Island at 10am
Arts & Eco Fair - Saturday 5th September, 10am to 3pm
Our fair sees a fantastic line up of amazing local artists and retailers - do come along and support them, and those with a passion for the environment and sustainable living.
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 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.)
Eco Tip of the Week
Engage with the Season of Creation, which runs throughout the month of September. It is a time when we are all called to pay special attention to our shared responsibility for the Earth and everything that lives upon it. This year during Creationtide, St. Mary's is focusing on the environment in all its services and events. Please join us as we actively work for the healing and renewal of creation.
Toddlers
The Toddlers Group, for children up to 3 years, is back from its summer break on Monday 7th September at 9.30am. We look forward to welcoming you back. No need to book, just drop in.
Windows Update
An update from David Tompkins...
Our contractor tells us that the company which bends the aluminium framework to an arch shape is unable to complete the work. They have looked for alternative suppliers, but the cost is significantly higher.
We recently met with the Diocese’s Buildings Officer to discuss the situation. He tells us that, nationally, there are many churches facing difficulties of a similar nature.
So we are now looking at contingency plans - basically, alternative ways of undertaking the work. This includes alternatives to the aluminium, for example. The Buildings Officer is going to have an informal chat with the DAC Secretary about the situation. The DAC are the Diocesan group who approve building work and have to agree to any changes to the work.
The money we paid to the company as a deposit was immediately refunded as a gesture of goodwill, once the delay became apparent. The donations from the congregation, grant monies and other funds we have received remain ‘ring fenced’ in our bank account.
I’m away this weekend, but Nigel or Claire are able to answer any queries you may have on Sunday.
'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.
100 Club
The winners for August are:
£50 Molly Pole
£30 Ann Elliott
£20 Margaret Scanlon
Thank You
A message from Cheryl Savage...
A big thank you to everyone who donated and wished me well on my recent challenge swimming down the river Tweed. To my surprise I recorded a time of 1hour 15 minutes swimming from under the A1 bridge to the RNLI station at Berwick, a distance of 4km. So yes it was current assisted!! Swimming under the bridges was amazing. I raised £400 for the RNLI so again ‘Thank you’.
The Big School Assembly Sing-along
A special recording for the BBC - The Big School Assembly Sing-along - a joyful recording of the much-loved songs we all remember from school assemblies is being recorded at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead on Wednesday 7th October. Doors open 6:00pm (and close at 6:45pm) - recording starts at 7:00pm.
Age restriction: there is no minimum age for entry, all ages are warmly welcomed, but children aged 17 and under should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
If you would be interested in being part of the audience for this recording, tickets are free and can be booked directly at the ‘Lost in TV’ website.
GNR - Supporting our Claire
Our fabulous Assistant Curate Claire Lewis will be running the AJ Bell Great North Run next weekend.
This is the World’s biggest and best half marathon! She is raising money for North East Action for Children Parents and Inclusion (NAPI), a charity of which she is Chair of the Management Committee.
NAPI recognises that the needs of children and their families are diverse and individual. It provides and promotes services and support to children and families, local communities, volunteers and organisations, empowering the social, educational and health needs of all those involved.
If you would like to support Claire via a donation, please click here.
Saturday 5th September
10am Arts & Eco Fair
Sunday 6th September: Creation in Christ
8am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion
4pm Escape
Monday 7th September
9.30am Toddlers
Tuesday 8th September
9am Morning Prayer
10am Craft Group
11.00 Service in Eastbourne House
7.30pm Church at the Kittiwake
Wednesday 9th September
9am Morning Prayer
11.15am Bible Lyte
5.30pm Young Notes
6pm Choir
Thursday 10th September
9am Morning Prayer
2pm Memory Café at Whitley Bay Golf Club
3.30pm Toast Church
7.30pm Bible Study at Ron's House
Saturday 12th September
10am Pilgrimage Walk from Blyth to Tynemouth
5pm Marianum
Sunday 13th September: Creationtide 2
8am Holy Communion
10am Service of the Word
4pm Evensong
Prayers
Your Prayers are requested for
Jill, Martin Cooper, Monique Hughes, Jennifer Stephenson, John Hughes, Don Bulmer, Ian Davies, Colleen, Pete Johnson, David Howel
Rest in Peace
Mark, Chris
For those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time
Dorothy Halliwell, Eric Dodgson, Michael Charles Stoker
We also pray for
All schools in our parish
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