South Shields
and Hebburn
Pastorate
Newsletter
Winter 2019
www.southshieldsandhebburnurc.org.uk
Dear Friends,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
This Newsletter covers the start of the new Christian year, in Advent and goes through Christmas and Epiphany, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and on to Lent. It makes me think of how quickly the years seem to roll on nowadays. We’ll have a new government and who knows what might happen with Brexit. So perhaps it’s all the more important for us to have times of celebration.
Christmas can be a difficult season for many, who are more conscious of a bleak mid-winter, rather than celebrating with the exultant singing of angels, the wonder of shepherds or the adoration of the Wise Men. We do know that singing is good for us, though, so perhaps some may be heartened by hearing Carol Singers or joining in. It is certainly a time when visitors join our congregations. We pray that all receive a warm welcome – not only from others attending, but also from our Lord Jesus and our loving heavenly Father.
At St Andrew’s, we recently finished a study of Andrew Roberts’ book, ‘Holy Habits’. We’ve been exploring anew 10 things which are very ordinary to us, but which make a difference in our lives and the life of the Church. Roberts argues that, taken more seriously and put into practice in the world, they’d be transformational. Biblical teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, giving, service, eating together, gladness and generosity, worship and making more disciples are part of the holy life we are called to. Perhaps, in 2020, we’ll take up Roberts’ invitation and challenge to ‘give them a fresh go’ (p239). How about that for a New Year’s Resolution? To do that, we’ll need to keep close to our Father God, keep close to Jesus and keep on being filled with the life-giving, God-breathing, flame-warming Spirit’ (p240). It sounds great! God’s gift to us is the greatest gift! May God’s gift to us bring us new challenges, new joys and new blessings in 2020, as the fruit of the Spirit grow in us and the gifts of the Spirit are received and used by us.
God bless you always.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
With love in Christ,
Helen
PRAYERS
At St Margaret’s we planted a vegetable prayer patch at Harvest Festival. Here are some of the prayers – and I have edited some together – do make these prayers your own.
Loving Lord, thank you for all your creation, especially mankind. Please help us to take care of the children in our care that they may grow and learn to love the world around them.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us this wonderful world. Please help us to learn how to take better care of your gifts and use them wisely.
Please make the rains come on time for harvests and bless all the farmers producing our fruit and veg. We pray that everyone in the world has enough food today. May everyone have access to clean water. Thank you, Lord, for the seasons, to help grow the food we eat. Please let your church grow, like vegetables.
Thank you for the generosity of people who support their local foodbanks. Open our eyes to see goodness all around and open our mouths to share your goodness around.
We pray for family and friends.
God bless all the children in the world, and may the world become a better place. May everyone be kind to each other and have a safe place to sleep.
We pray for those fighting illness, including those with no access to medical treatment.
May everyone be warm this winter. Look after the old and infirm. Thank you that we are able to write messages and prayers from our hearts. Thank you, God, for all your love.
Amen.
JOINT PASTORATE DIARY DECEMBER 2019 – MARCH 2020
With all very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
December
Tues 24th CHRISTMAS EVE – 11.15pm Christmas Communion at St Margaret’s
Wed 25th CHRISTMAS DAY – 10am Christmas celebration with carols at St Margaret’s
Sun 29th 11am Joint pastorate Carol service at St Andrew’s
January 2020
Sat 18th – Sat 25th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Fri 24th – Sun 26th URC Youth Assembly
Wed 29th 12.30pm South Tyneside Churches Together meeting, St Peter’s, Jarrow
February
Wed 12th 9.30 for 10am – 2pm Nurturing Spirituality in Dementia, at Living Waters
(lunch included)
Sat 22nd Enquirer’s Day, Luther King House, Manchester
Mon 24th 10.30am Ministry and Manse meeting at the Manse
Tues 25th Shrove Tuesday – Pancakes!
Wed 26th Ash Wednesday – Lent begins
Sat 29th Christian Aid Regional Conference, Waddington Street URC, Durham
March
Sat 14th 9.15am coffee for 10am – 4pm Synod meeting at Roker URC
Sun 29th British Summer Time begins – clocks spring forward
www.southshieldsandhebburnurc.org.uk [email protected]
CHRISTIAN AID
The following is an extract from Christian Aid regarding how Christian Aid week went in 2019.
“Your gifts have such an important impact. Over the past year, Christian Aid has helped provide vital healthcare in Sierra Leone: Over 58,000 people have access to well-built health clinics, helping nurses to save lives. 64,000 people have received hygiene training, helping mums and children to fight off illnesses. 1,300 women are able to save and pay for things like transport to their nearest clinic through community savings groups.
As we reflect and are encouraged by our results in 2019 we are also busy planning for Christian Aid Week 2020. We are delighted to share with you that our focus country will be Kenya where we will explore the challenges faced by communities affected by climate change and some of the work happening to transform lives in Kitui and Makueni counties.”
Key2Life foodbank
Key2Life foodbank, which is a partnership of Churches Together and KEY, is now settled at the Library in Boldon Lane, South Shields. We are very grateful and overwhelmed by the support we have had from churches, schools and the wider community. This year we expect to feed over 4,000 hungry people (36,000 meals) plus 600 pets. Sadly, the numbers of people show no sign of decreasing.
We can now support people making a claim for Universal Credit, so if you know of anyone needing help please signpost them to Key2 Life (Wednesday drop-in 1-4pm at present). Today, I sat in with someone making a claim and I was appalled at how complicated it was. I am not surprised that many people cannot navigate the system and fail to get the benefits to which they are entitled.
Key2Life is appealing for volunteer help.
Bernadette Askins
BRAS NEEDED!
I am collecting bras (whatever the age, size or condition) to send to Africa. African women who possess undergarments feel more confident, their status is raised, and they are less likely to be molested. Your contributions will be most gratefully received. Thanking you in anticipation.
Adrienne Thompson
ENVIRONMENTALLY BENEFICIAL IDEAS
- Use environmentally friendly cleaning products
- Use LED lightbulbs at home and at church
- Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle
- Fix leaks
- Insulate pipes
- Don’t iron unnecessarily
- Carry a refillable drinks bottle
- Use rechargeable batteries
- If charging your phone put it on aeroplane mode or switch it off for quicker charging
ST ANDREW’S NEWS
As always, we are grateful to all those who have served us over the past months, giving us inspiration and encouragement. Our congregation always enjoys spending worship and fellowship time together.
We were sad to hear of the death of Evelyn Perriam on 24th October, after recently celebrating her 99th birthday. Evelyn was a well-respected friend of St Andrew’s and kindly stepped in to play the organ for us when our organist had to retire due to ill health. I remember Evelyn telling me she had attended our old church when she was young and was married there. She had also been a past member of St Paul and St John’s. Although she was a member of the Independent Methodist Church for many years, she still regarded herself as ‘Presbyterian’. Evelyn was a lovely ‘lady’ in every sense of the word and will be missed by us all.
Many of our congregation attended the Remembrance Service on 10th November in St John’s church, followed by the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph. This event in Hebburn was made extra special this year thanks to the ‘Friends of Hebburn Cemetery’ who had created beautiful knitted poppy displays and wooden models in memory of all the services. It was a poignant reminder for everyone.
Although we have had sadness during the past year, there have been many celebrations amongst our congregation. There have been lots of ‘special’ birthdays, wedding anniversaries, births of grandchildren and many other events for which we give thanks.
In our Bible Study discussions, we recently completed the ‘Holy Habits’ book which gave us plenty of ‘food for thought’. Helen ended our final session with Holy Communion – a fitting end to the year.
Bible Study will continue in the New Year, dates will be advised.
ST ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HEBBURN IN 1940s
Photograph taken by the late Stan Forster, who was official photographer for Hawthorn Leslie. With kind permission from Norman Dunn.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and good health and happiness for 2020 from everyone at St Andrew’s, Hebburn.
Sheila McNabola
ST PAUL & ST JOHN’S NEWS
A Celebration for the Life of the Church Building of St Paul & St John’s 28th September 2019
It was with sadness that we as a Church membership decided to close the Church building at St Paul & St John’s this September. This decision was made because of the cost to improve the electrics following our electrical survey, running costs of the building and numbers at worship, and also careful consideration following the report from LMMR last year.
We held a service of thanksgiving on 28th September for the life, work and witness of the church building. It was a full house with many people returning to the building from far and near. Many happy memories were shared, and the worship and atmosphere were wonderful. Refreshments were served afterwards, and many people stayed to chat.
We continue to worship in the Church Centre so that we can maintain and develop community links. The building was dedicated in October and we are in the process of registering the building. We will, of course, be transferring some items from one building to the next.
Many thanks to everyone who has given so much over the years and all who attended, helped or participated in any way. As a church we look on this as a new beginning but also a continuation of worship and praise.
Angela Cooper
THANK YOU – Charity Work
This summer we sent £66 to Water Aid and £64.50 to McMillan Nurses. We continue to donate to the food bank in South Tyneside and have given a donation to the Women’s Refuge. Many thanks to all who continue to donate and support. Angie Cooper
Thank you for money raised for Church funds. Our Coffee Morning on 30th November raised £97.50. Thank you to all who came to support.
All at St Paul & St John’s
SPORTS CLUB
Sports Club is on every Tuesday at 7.30pm until 9.30pm, with a break at half time for tea and chat. Come along if you are interested in snooker, table-tennis or carpet bowls. This year we are sending £50 to Hospitality and Hope and donating £900 for church funds. The club’s Christmas break is from 17th December and resumes on 7th January. Good wishes to all for Christmas and 2020.
QUIZ NIGHT
Quiz Night is the first Friday of each month at 7pm with a faith supper and a raffle. Thank you to those who volunteered to be Quiz Masters and to Ron Shaw who did the quiz in November, replacing the Blythmans. Also, thanks to those who help in many other ways to make it a successful evening. The quizmasters for the next few months are: 6th December – Lillian Mattimore; 3rd January – Margaret Shields and Elizabeth; 7th February – Colin Bird; 6th March – Margaret and Brian Slater; 3rd April – TBA.
Wishing everyone peace and joy for Christmas and throughout the New Year.
June Blythman
ST MARGARET’S NEWS
DEATH
14.11.19 Beryl Welbrock.
26.11.19 Thanksgiving Service led by the Revd Helen Drummond.
We express the church’s sympathy in their loss to the family and friends. We share with them in their sadness and look to God for his Peace, Hope and Joy.
The Welbrock Family want to say a big ‘Thank You’ to St Margaret’s family for helping the day go so well and making them all so welcome.
The donations at Beryl’s Thanksgiving Service raised £300 for UNICEF.
TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP
We were pleased to welcome the Revd Jane Rowell by transfer to our membership here at St Margaret’s on 10th November.
CHURCH ACCOUNTS
Treasurers of the various church groups at St Margaret’s should hand their accounts in to Colin Bird by the end of December 2019.
CAROL SINGING AT THE NOOK
This year we will be singing again at the Nook on Saturday, 21st December from 11am until about noon. We will be meeting at St Margaret’s at 11am. Please come and join us.
CHRISTMAS POST BOARD
This will be out on the 8th and 15th December under the guidance of Margaret and Alex Robertson.
ST MARGARET’S CAFÉ
St Margaret’s Café takes place on the last Friday of each month from 11am until 1pm. A warm welcome is given to all who visit. Church members are being encouraged to come and give feedback to Carol and Adrienne on suggestions as to how the café can be made even more welcoming.
Penny Maccoy
RAINBOWS
We started back after the holidays by having a trip to the park to collect leaves for our Letters for Harvest Festival, a number of you would have seen this at the Church Service for Harvest. The girls really enjoyed making these and I think the end result was very effective.
On 5th October the Rainbows and Brownies travelled to Hall Hill Farm after a bit of a delay with the bus turning up. An enjoyable day was had by all. They especially liked the sheep race and tractor ride and also the puppet show.
For the October half-term we went to the climbing wall, it’s beginning to be a bit like our 2nd home, but the girls really enjoy it.
After half-term for bonfire night, we decided to make smores with the girls. They roasted marsh mallows over tea lights and then squashed them between two chocolate digestive biscuits, they were very nice. The girls were so good as I was a little worried with it being a candle, but they all concentrated very hard and it was a lovely evening.
We are now busy doing Christmas Crafts with them and looking forward to our end of term party at the Wacky Warehouse.
Katie, Jazmin, Hannah and I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a lovely New Year.
Linda Fernandez, Rainbow Guider
BROWNIES
Hello everyone, the theme to this term was Brownies Take Action. We did activities about caring for the environment, making choices, understanding the meaning of change, ways to help the community, feel inspired to do good turns and working as a team. We became waste warriors by discovering how the use of plastics can harm our planet and what action to take against plastic pollution. Some of the girls also completed their Zero Waste Badge.
Plastic waste from our homes
We also did an activity called in a fix, where they made a star by hammering nails into a piece of wood and used loom bands to decorate. They were really effective and the girls loved doing it even though it was very noisy (and we lost no fingers, phew!)
Activity with nails
We’ve had a trip to Hall Hill Farm which was thoroughly enjoyable and a visit to Simonside Climbing Wall (this is one of the Brownies’ favourite activities).
Our stall at the Christmas Bazaar was once again very popular and the girls worked very hard and raised £200 for Church Funds, so well done girls.
We are now concentrating on Christmas crafts and we are ending this term with a visit to the pantomime at the Customs House, which this year is Snow White.
On behalf of myself and the Brownies, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2020!
Julie Elliott, Brownie Guider
TODDLERS AND CARERS
We had 50 children with about 100 adults visit ‘Santa’ in his Grotto upstairs at our bazaar. A lot of them were eager to take photos on their phones of a most friendly, patient ‘Santa’ with their children. We have another visit from him at our Christmas Party on 18th December before we have two weeks holiday.
We wish you all a Happy, Healthy Christmas and New Year.
All the Helpers
THANK YOU LETTERS
Operation Christmas Child/Samaritan’s Purse/Shoe Box Appeal
On 18th November a total of 30 shoeboxes at £5 each plus £50 donations made a total of £200 given to Samaritan’s Purse with love from St Margaret’s, and a ‘Thank you so much’ note is on the noticeboard.
Brenda Brownless
Donations from Thursday and Sunday Coffee Mornings
£30 was given to each of the following: People’s Kitchen Newcastle; WERS West End Refuge Service Newcastle; RNID (Action on Hearing Loss); Cancer Research Fund (local area) and our local Street Angels. Thank you to everyone who gives in this way.
Brenda Brownless
Saturday Coffee Mornings
5.10.19 The Harvest Coffee Morning raised £140 for Christian Aid. Tins of food, etc. were given to the Key2Life foodbank.
26.10.19 The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Coffee Morning raised £200. They thanked us for the use of our hall and our hospitality.
16.11.19 The Christmas Bazaar was a great day again. Thanks to everyone involved in any way. £1,118 was raised for church funds.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
Donations from the Christmas Greetings on the next three pages will go to UNICEF and Sightsavers.
Donations from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will be given to the Key Project South Shields.
St Andrew’s Calendar – December 2019 to March 2020
Sunday Worship at 11.15am – unless otherwise stated.
December
Sunday 8th Advent 2 – Revd Helen Drummond – Advent Communion
Thursday 12th 2.00pm Bible Study
Saturday 14th 11am Carol Singing in Hebburn Shopping Centre
Sunday 15th Advent 3 – Carol service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 22nd Advent 4 – Lessons and Carols led by Elders
Tuesday 24th Christmas Eve – 11.15pm Christmas Communion at St Margaret’s
Wednesday 25th 8.30am Christmas Day breakfast with IMC
Sunday 29th 11.00am St Andrew’s Joint Pastorate service led by Revd Helen
Drummond
January 2020
Wednesday 1st Happy New Year!
Sunday 5th Morning worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sunday 12th 11.00am Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond followed
by Church Meeting
Thursday 16th 7pm Churches Together in Hebburn AGM at St Andrew’s
Sunday 19th 5.30pm Songs of Praise at St Luke’s for week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Sunday 26th TO BE ADVISED
February
Sunday 2nd Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 9th Morning worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sunday 16th TO BE ADVISED
Sunday 23rd Morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond
March
Sunday 1st Lent 1 – 5.30 Songs of Praise at St James’. St David’s Day
Sunday 8th Lent 2 – TO BE ADVISED
ST PAUL & ST JOHN’S CALENDAR – DECEMBER 2019 to MARCH 2020
Service each Sunday at 11.15am except where stated. Any changes will be announced.
December
Sunday 8th Advent 2 – Advent Carol Service led by David Barber
Saturday 14th 10.30am – 11.30am Carol Singing, South Shields (Churches Together &
Salvation Army Band)
Sunday 15th Advent 3 – Lessons and Carols led by Revd Cynthia Hardiman
Sunday 22nd Advent 4 – 11am Carol Singing outside church
11.15am Carols by Candlelight with collection for Street Angels led by Revd
Helen Drummond
Tuesday 24th Christmas Eve – 11.15pm Christmas Communion at St Margaret’s
Wednesday 25th Happy Christmas! 10am Joint Christmas Day celebration at St Margaret’s
led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 29th 11am Joint Pastorate Carol Service at St Andrew’s led by Revd Helen
Drummond. No service at St Paul & St John’s today
January 2020
Wednesday 1st Happy New Year!
Sunday 5th Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 12th Morning worship led by Revd David Hardiman
Sunday 19th Morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 26th 11am morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond, followed by Church
meeting
February
Sunday 2nd Morning worship led by Revd Cynthia Hardiman
Monday 3rd 7pm Central Area Churches Together meeting at Old Friends’ Mission
Sunday 9th Morning worship led by Marilyn Merrin
Sunday 16th Morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 23rd Morning worship led by Revd David Hardiman
March
Sunday 1st Lent 1 – Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond.
St David’s Day
Sunday 8th Morning worship led by Marilyn Merrin
ST MARGARET’S CALENDAR – DECEMBER 2019 to MARCH 2020
December
Sun 8th 10.00am Advent 2, Carol Service led by the Worship Group
6.00pm Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Mon 9th 7.00pm New Carols for Christmas
Sun 15th 10.00am Advent 3, Carol service led by Revd Helen Drummond
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sat 21st 11am – noon Carol Singing, Harton Nook (Churches Together)
Sun 22nd 10.00am Advent 4, Morning worship led by Revd Harold Stuteley
6.00pm Christingle service with live Nativity led by Revd Helen Drummond
Mon 23rd 7.00pm New Carols for Christmas – Carol Singing at the Nook
Tues 24th 11.15pm Christmas Eve – Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Wed 25th 10.00am Christmas Day Celebration service with carols led by Revd Helen
` Drummond
Sun 29th 11.00am Joint Pastorate Carol service at St Andrew’s led by Revd Helen
Drummond. No evening service at St Margaret’s
January
Wed 1st Happy New Year!
Sun 5th 10.00am Holy Communion for Epiphany service led by Revd Helen Drummond
6.00pm Epiphany service led by Revd David Hardiman
Thurs 9th 7.00pm Elders’ meeting
Sun 12th 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd Cynthia Hardiman
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Tues 14th 10.30am Harton Churches Together meeting at Harton Methodist Church
Sun 19th 10.00am Morning worship led by the Worship Group
6.00pm Ecumenical service at St Mark and St Cuthbert’s, with preacher Revd
Joanne Thorns, North East Churches Acting Together Regional Officer
Sun 26th 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Jane Rowell
Mon 27th 7.00pm ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
February
Sun 2nd 10.00am Family worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Helen Drummond
6.00pm Evening worship led by Professor John Derry
Sun 9th 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd Cynthia Hardiman
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sun 16th 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd David Hardiman
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sun 23rd 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd David Hardiman
Mon 24th 7.00pm QUARTERLY CHURCH MEETING
March
Sun 1st 10.00am Lent 1 – Morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond. St David’s Day
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sun 8th 10.00am Lent 2 – Morning worship led by Revds David and Cynthia Hardiman
6.00pm Evening worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Helen Drummond
Collections from the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will be given to the Key Project.
This newsletter has been sponsored by J Shipley & Co. Heating Limited (0191 455 2138)
South Shields
and Hebburn
Pastorate
Newsletter
Winter 2019
www.southshieldsandhebburnurc.org.uk
Dear Friends,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
This Newsletter covers the start of the new Christian year, in Advent and goes through Christmas and Epiphany, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and on to Lent. It makes me think of how quickly the years seem to roll on nowadays. We’ll have a new government and who knows what might happen with Brexit. So perhaps it’s all the more important for us to have times of celebration.
Christmas can be a difficult season for many, who are more conscious of a bleak mid-winter, rather than celebrating with the exultant singing of angels, the wonder of shepherds or the adoration of the Wise Men. We do know that singing is good for us, though, so perhaps some may be heartened by hearing Carol Singers or joining in. It is certainly a time when visitors join our congregations. We pray that all receive a warm welcome – not only from others attending, but also from our Lord Jesus and our loving heavenly Father.
At St Andrew’s, we recently finished a study of Andrew Roberts’ book, ‘Holy Habits’. We’ve been exploring anew 10 things which are very ordinary to us, but which make a difference in our lives and the life of the Church. Roberts argues that, taken more seriously and put into practice in the world, they’d be transformational. Biblical teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, giving, service, eating together, gladness and generosity, worship and making more disciples are part of the holy life we are called to. Perhaps, in 2020, we’ll take up Roberts’ invitation and challenge to ‘give them a fresh go’ (p239). How about that for a New Year’s Resolution? To do that, we’ll need to keep close to our Father God, keep close to Jesus and keep on being filled with the life-giving, God-breathing, flame-warming Spirit’ (p240). It sounds great! God’s gift to us is the greatest gift! May God’s gift to us bring us new challenges, new joys and new blessings in 2020, as the fruit of the Spirit grow in us and the gifts of the Spirit are received and used by us.
God bless you always.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
With love in Christ,
Helen
PRAYERS
At St Margaret’s we planted a vegetable prayer patch at Harvest Festival. Here are some of the prayers – and I have edited some together – do make these prayers your own.
Loving Lord, thank you for all your creation, especially mankind. Please help us to take care of the children in our care that they may grow and learn to love the world around them.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us this wonderful world. Please help us to learn how to take better care of your gifts and use them wisely.
Please make the rains come on time for harvests and bless all the farmers producing our fruit and veg. We pray that everyone in the world has enough food today. May everyone have access to clean water. Thank you, Lord, for the seasons, to help grow the food we eat. Please let your church grow, like vegetables.
Thank you for the generosity of people who support their local foodbanks. Open our eyes to see goodness all around and open our mouths to share your goodness around.
We pray for family and friends.
God bless all the children in the world, and may the world become a better place. May everyone be kind to each other and have a safe place to sleep.
We pray for those fighting illness, including those with no access to medical treatment.
May everyone be warm this winter. Look after the old and infirm. Thank you that we are able to write messages and prayers from our hearts. Thank you, God, for all your love.
Amen.
JOINT PASTORATE DIARY DECEMBER 2019 – MARCH 2020
With all very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
December
Tues 24th CHRISTMAS EVE – 11.15pm Christmas Communion at St Margaret’s
Wed 25th CHRISTMAS DAY – 10am Christmas celebration with carols at St Margaret’s
Sun 29th 11am Joint pastorate Carol service at St Andrew’s
January 2020
Sat 18th – Sat 25th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Fri 24th – Sun 26th URC Youth Assembly
Wed 29th 12.30pm South Tyneside Churches Together meeting, St Peter’s, Jarrow
February
Wed 12th 9.30 for 10am – 2pm Nurturing Spirituality in Dementia, at Living Waters
(lunch included)
Sat 22nd Enquirer’s Day, Luther King House, Manchester
Mon 24th 10.30am Ministry and Manse meeting at the Manse
Tues 25th Shrove Tuesday – Pancakes!
Wed 26th Ash Wednesday – Lent begins
Sat 29th Christian Aid Regional Conference, Waddington Street URC, Durham
March
Sat 14th 9.15am coffee for 10am – 4pm Synod meeting at Roker URC
Sun 29th British Summer Time begins – clocks spring forward
www.southshieldsandhebburnurc.org.uk [email protected]
CHRISTIAN AID
The following is an extract from Christian Aid regarding how Christian Aid week went in 2019.
“Your gifts have such an important impact. Over the past year, Christian Aid has helped provide vital healthcare in Sierra Leone: Over 58,000 people have access to well-built health clinics, helping nurses to save lives. 64,000 people have received hygiene training, helping mums and children to fight off illnesses. 1,300 women are able to save and pay for things like transport to their nearest clinic through community savings groups.
As we reflect and are encouraged by our results in 2019 we are also busy planning for Christian Aid Week 2020. We are delighted to share with you that our focus country will be Kenya where we will explore the challenges faced by communities affected by climate change and some of the work happening to transform lives in Kitui and Makueni counties.”
Key2Life foodbank
Key2Life foodbank, which is a partnership of Churches Together and KEY, is now settled at the Library in Boldon Lane, South Shields. We are very grateful and overwhelmed by the support we have had from churches, schools and the wider community. This year we expect to feed over 4,000 hungry people (36,000 meals) plus 600 pets. Sadly, the numbers of people show no sign of decreasing.
We can now support people making a claim for Universal Credit, so if you know of anyone needing help please signpost them to Key2 Life (Wednesday drop-in 1-4pm at present). Today, I sat in with someone making a claim and I was appalled at how complicated it was. I am not surprised that many people cannot navigate the system and fail to get the benefits to which they are entitled.
Key2Life is appealing for volunteer help.
Bernadette Askins
BRAS NEEDED!
I am collecting bras (whatever the age, size or condition) to send to Africa. African women who possess undergarments feel more confident, their status is raised, and they are less likely to be molested. Your contributions will be most gratefully received. Thanking you in anticipation.
Adrienne Thompson
ENVIRONMENTALLY BENEFICIAL IDEAS
- Use environmentally friendly cleaning products
- Use LED lightbulbs at home and at church
- Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle
- Fix leaks
- Insulate pipes
- Don’t iron unnecessarily
- Carry a refillable drinks bottle
- Use rechargeable batteries
- If charging your phone put it on aeroplane mode or switch it off for quicker charging
ST ANDREW’S NEWS
As always, we are grateful to all those who have served us over the past months, giving us inspiration and encouragement. Our congregation always enjoys spending worship and fellowship time together.
We were sad to hear of the death of Evelyn Perriam on 24th October, after recently celebrating her 99th birthday. Evelyn was a well-respected friend of St Andrew’s and kindly stepped in to play the organ for us when our organist had to retire due to ill health. I remember Evelyn telling me she had attended our old church when she was young and was married there. She had also been a past member of St Paul and St John’s. Although she was a member of the Independent Methodist Church for many years, she still regarded herself as ‘Presbyterian’. Evelyn was a lovely ‘lady’ in every sense of the word and will be missed by us all.
Many of our congregation attended the Remembrance Service on 10th November in St John’s church, followed by the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph. This event in Hebburn was made extra special this year thanks to the ‘Friends of Hebburn Cemetery’ who had created beautiful knitted poppy displays and wooden models in memory of all the services. It was a poignant reminder for everyone.
Although we have had sadness during the past year, there have been many celebrations amongst our congregation. There have been lots of ‘special’ birthdays, wedding anniversaries, births of grandchildren and many other events for which we give thanks.
In our Bible Study discussions, we recently completed the ‘Holy Habits’ book which gave us plenty of ‘food for thought’. Helen ended our final session with Holy Communion – a fitting end to the year.
Bible Study will continue in the New Year, dates will be advised.
ST ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HEBBURN IN 1940s
Photograph taken by the late Stan Forster, who was official photographer for Hawthorn Leslie. With kind permission from Norman Dunn.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and good health and happiness for 2020 from everyone at St Andrew’s, Hebburn.
Sheila McNabola
ST PAUL & ST JOHN’S NEWS
A Celebration for the Life of the Church Building of St Paul & St John’s 28th September 2019
It was with sadness that we as a Church membership decided to close the Church building at St Paul & St John’s this September. This decision was made because of the cost to improve the electrics following our electrical survey, running costs of the building and numbers at worship, and also careful consideration following the report from LMMR last year.
We held a service of thanksgiving on 28th September for the life, work and witness of the church building. It was a full house with many people returning to the building from far and near. Many happy memories were shared, and the worship and atmosphere were wonderful. Refreshments were served afterwards, and many people stayed to chat.
We continue to worship in the Church Centre so that we can maintain and develop community links. The building was dedicated in October and we are in the process of registering the building. We will, of course, be transferring some items from one building to the next.
Many thanks to everyone who has given so much over the years and all who attended, helped or participated in any way. As a church we look on this as a new beginning but also a continuation of worship and praise.
Angela Cooper
THANK YOU – Charity Work
This summer we sent £66 to Water Aid and £64.50 to McMillan Nurses. We continue to donate to the food bank in South Tyneside and have given a donation to the Women’s Refuge. Many thanks to all who continue to donate and support. Angie Cooper
Thank you for money raised for Church funds. Our Coffee Morning on 30th November raised £97.50. Thank you to all who came to support.
All at St Paul & St John’s
SPORTS CLUB
Sports Club is on every Tuesday at 7.30pm until 9.30pm, with a break at half time for tea and chat. Come along if you are interested in snooker, table-tennis or carpet bowls. This year we are sending £50 to Hospitality and Hope and donating £900 for church funds. The club’s Christmas break is from 17th December and resumes on 7th January. Good wishes to all for Christmas and 2020.
QUIZ NIGHT
Quiz Night is the first Friday of each month at 7pm with a faith supper and a raffle. Thank you to those who volunteered to be Quiz Masters and to Ron Shaw who did the quiz in November, replacing the Blythmans. Also, thanks to those who help in many other ways to make it a successful evening. The quizmasters for the next few months are: 6th December – Lillian Mattimore; 3rd January – Margaret Shields and Elizabeth; 7th February – Colin Bird; 6th March – Margaret and Brian Slater; 3rd April – TBA.
Wishing everyone peace and joy for Christmas and throughout the New Year.
June Blythman
ST MARGARET’S NEWS
DEATH
14.11.19 Beryl Welbrock.
26.11.19 Thanksgiving Service led by the Revd Helen Drummond.
We express the church’s sympathy in their loss to the family and friends. We share with them in their sadness and look to God for his Peace, Hope and Joy.
The Welbrock Family want to say a big ‘Thank You’ to St Margaret’s family for helping the day go so well and making them all so welcome.
The donations at Beryl’s Thanksgiving Service raised £300 for UNICEF.
TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP
We were pleased to welcome the Revd Jane Rowell by transfer to our membership here at St Margaret’s on 10th November.
CHURCH ACCOUNTS
Treasurers of the various church groups at St Margaret’s should hand their accounts in to Colin Bird by the end of December 2019.
CAROL SINGING AT THE NOOK
This year we will be singing again at the Nook on Saturday, 21st December from 11am until about noon. We will be meeting at St Margaret’s at 11am. Please come and join us.
CHRISTMAS POST BOARD
This will be out on the 8th and 15th December under the guidance of Margaret and Alex Robertson.
ST MARGARET’S CAFÉ
St Margaret’s Café takes place on the last Friday of each month from 11am until 1pm. A warm welcome is given to all who visit. Church members are being encouraged to come and give feedback to Carol and Adrienne on suggestions as to how the café can be made even more welcoming.
Penny Maccoy
RAINBOWS
We started back after the holidays by having a trip to the park to collect leaves for our Letters for Harvest Festival, a number of you would have seen this at the Church Service for Harvest. The girls really enjoyed making these and I think the end result was very effective.
On 5th October the Rainbows and Brownies travelled to Hall Hill Farm after a bit of a delay with the bus turning up. An enjoyable day was had by all. They especially liked the sheep race and tractor ride and also the puppet show.
For the October half-term we went to the climbing wall, it’s beginning to be a bit like our 2nd home, but the girls really enjoy it.
After half-term for bonfire night, we decided to make smores with the girls. They roasted marsh mallows over tea lights and then squashed them between two chocolate digestive biscuits, they were very nice. The girls were so good as I was a little worried with it being a candle, but they all concentrated very hard and it was a lovely evening.
We are now busy doing Christmas Crafts with them and looking forward to our end of term party at the Wacky Warehouse.
Katie, Jazmin, Hannah and I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a lovely New Year.
Linda Fernandez, Rainbow Guider
BROWNIES
Hello everyone, the theme to this term was Brownies Take Action. We did activities about caring for the environment, making choices, understanding the meaning of change, ways to help the community, feel inspired to do good turns and working as a team. We became waste warriors by discovering how the use of plastics can harm our planet and what action to take against plastic pollution. Some of the girls also completed their Zero Waste Badge.
Plastic waste from our homes
We also did an activity called in a fix, where they made a star by hammering nails into a piece of wood and used loom bands to decorate. They were really effective and the girls loved doing it even though it was very noisy (and we lost no fingers, phew!)
Activity with nails
We’ve had a trip to Hall Hill Farm which was thoroughly enjoyable and a visit to Simonside Climbing Wall (this is one of the Brownies’ favourite activities).
Our stall at the Christmas Bazaar was once again very popular and the girls worked very hard and raised £200 for Church Funds, so well done girls.
We are now concentrating on Christmas crafts and we are ending this term with a visit to the pantomime at the Customs House, which this year is Snow White.
On behalf of myself and the Brownies, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2020!
Julie Elliott, Brownie Guider
TODDLERS AND CARERS
We had 50 children with about 100 adults visit ‘Santa’ in his Grotto upstairs at our bazaar. A lot of them were eager to take photos on their phones of a most friendly, patient ‘Santa’ with their children. We have another visit from him at our Christmas Party on 18th December before we have two weeks holiday.
We wish you all a Happy, Healthy Christmas and New Year.
All the Helpers
THANK YOU LETTERS
Operation Christmas Child/Samaritan’s Purse/Shoe Box Appeal
On 18th November a total of 30 shoeboxes at £5 each plus £50 donations made a total of £200 given to Samaritan’s Purse with love from St Margaret’s, and a ‘Thank you so much’ note is on the noticeboard.
Brenda Brownless
Donations from Thursday and Sunday Coffee Mornings
£30 was given to each of the following: People’s Kitchen Newcastle; WERS West End Refuge Service Newcastle; RNID (Action on Hearing Loss); Cancer Research Fund (local area) and our local Street Angels. Thank you to everyone who gives in this way.
Brenda Brownless
Saturday Coffee Mornings
5.10.19 The Harvest Coffee Morning raised £140 for Christian Aid. Tins of food, etc. were given to the Key2Life foodbank.
26.10.19 The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Coffee Morning raised £200. They thanked us for the use of our hall and our hospitality.
16.11.19 The Christmas Bazaar was a great day again. Thanks to everyone involved in any way. £1,118 was raised for church funds.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
Donations from the Christmas Greetings on the next three pages will go to UNICEF and Sightsavers.
Donations from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will be given to the Key Project South Shields.
St Andrew’s Calendar – December 2019 to March 2020
Sunday Worship at 11.15am – unless otherwise stated.
December
Sunday 8th Advent 2 – Revd Helen Drummond – Advent Communion
Thursday 12th 2.00pm Bible Study
Saturday 14th 11am Carol Singing in Hebburn Shopping Centre
Sunday 15th Advent 3 – Carol service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 22nd Advent 4 – Lessons and Carols led by Elders
Tuesday 24th Christmas Eve – 11.15pm Christmas Communion at St Margaret’s
Wednesday 25th 8.30am Christmas Day breakfast with IMC
Sunday 29th 11.00am St Andrew’s Joint Pastorate service led by Revd Helen
Drummond
January 2020
Wednesday 1st Happy New Year!
Sunday 5th Morning worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sunday 12th 11.00am Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond followed
by Church Meeting
Thursday 16th 7pm Churches Together in Hebburn AGM at St Andrew’s
Sunday 19th 5.30pm Songs of Praise at St Luke’s for week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Sunday 26th TO BE ADVISED
February
Sunday 2nd Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 9th Morning worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sunday 16th TO BE ADVISED
Sunday 23rd Morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond
March
Sunday 1st Lent 1 – 5.30 Songs of Praise at St James’. St David’s Day
Sunday 8th Lent 2 – TO BE ADVISED
ST PAUL & ST JOHN’S CALENDAR – DECEMBER 2019 to MARCH 2020
Service each Sunday at 11.15am except where stated. Any changes will be announced.
December
Sunday 8th Advent 2 – Advent Carol Service led by David Barber
Saturday 14th 10.30am – 11.30am Carol Singing, South Shields (Churches Together &
Salvation Army Band)
Sunday 15th Advent 3 – Lessons and Carols led by Revd Cynthia Hardiman
Sunday 22nd Advent 4 – 11am Carol Singing outside church
11.15am Carols by Candlelight with collection for Street Angels led by Revd
Helen Drummond
Tuesday 24th Christmas Eve – 11.15pm Christmas Communion at St Margaret’s
Wednesday 25th Happy Christmas! 10am Joint Christmas Day celebration at St Margaret’s
led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 29th 11am Joint Pastorate Carol Service at St Andrew’s led by Revd Helen
Drummond. No service at St Paul & St John’s today
January 2020
Wednesday 1st Happy New Year!
Sunday 5th Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 12th Morning worship led by Revd David Hardiman
Sunday 19th Morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 26th 11am morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond, followed by Church
meeting
February
Sunday 2nd Morning worship led by Revd Cynthia Hardiman
Monday 3rd 7pm Central Area Churches Together meeting at Old Friends’ Mission
Sunday 9th Morning worship led by Marilyn Merrin
Sunday 16th Morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sunday 23rd Morning worship led by Revd David Hardiman
March
Sunday 1st Lent 1 – Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond.
St David’s Day
Sunday 8th Morning worship led by Marilyn Merrin
ST MARGARET’S CALENDAR – DECEMBER 2019 to MARCH 2020
December
Sun 8th 10.00am Advent 2, Carol Service led by the Worship Group
6.00pm Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Mon 9th 7.00pm New Carols for Christmas
Sun 15th 10.00am Advent 3, Carol service led by Revd Helen Drummond
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sat 21st 11am – noon Carol Singing, Harton Nook (Churches Together)
Sun 22nd 10.00am Advent 4, Morning worship led by Revd Harold Stuteley
6.00pm Christingle service with live Nativity led by Revd Helen Drummond
Mon 23rd 7.00pm New Carols for Christmas – Carol Singing at the Nook
Tues 24th 11.15pm Christmas Eve – Holy Communion service led by Revd Helen Drummond
Wed 25th 10.00am Christmas Day Celebration service with carols led by Revd Helen
` Drummond
Sun 29th 11.00am Joint Pastorate Carol service at St Andrew’s led by Revd Helen
Drummond. No evening service at St Margaret’s
January
Wed 1st Happy New Year!
Sun 5th 10.00am Holy Communion for Epiphany service led by Revd Helen Drummond
6.00pm Epiphany service led by Revd David Hardiman
Thurs 9th 7.00pm Elders’ meeting
Sun 12th 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd Cynthia Hardiman
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Tues 14th 10.30am Harton Churches Together meeting at Harton Methodist Church
Sun 19th 10.00am Morning worship led by the Worship Group
6.00pm Ecumenical service at St Mark and St Cuthbert’s, with preacher Revd
Joanne Thorns, North East Churches Acting Together Regional Officer
Sun 26th 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Jane Rowell
Mon 27th 7.00pm ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
February
Sun 2nd 10.00am Family worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Helen Drummond
6.00pm Evening worship led by Professor John Derry
Sun 9th 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd Cynthia Hardiman
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sun 16th 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd David Hardiman
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Helen Drummond
Sun 23rd 10.00am Morning worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd David Hardiman
Mon 24th 7.00pm QUARTERLY CHURCH MEETING
March
Sun 1st 10.00am Lent 1 – Morning worship led by Revd Helen Drummond. St David’s Day
6.00pm Evening worship led by Revd Greg Thompson
Sun 8th 10.00am Lent 2 – Morning worship led by Revds David and Cynthia Hardiman
6.00pm Evening worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Helen Drummond
Collections from the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will be given to the Key Project.
This newsletter has been sponsored by J Shipley & Co. Heating Limited (0191 455 2138)
