Parishes by the Wall - Living Faith on the Frontier
Childrens' Christmas Party
December commenced with the Messy Church Christmas Party held in the Village Hall. The children enjoyed a lunch prepared by the helpers of Messy Church. After lunch they expended lots of energy playing games before walking to the Village Green for the switching on of the Christmas tree lights. Hot chocolate was served but due to the inclement weather everyone adjourned to The Bowes Hotel to sing carols led by Rev'd Benjamin Carter.. Santa Claus arrived ending a very happy afternoon for the children.
Village Carol Service
This was held at All Hallows' Church, Henshaw on Sunday 15th December. A service of carols and readings opened with a solo of the first verse of Once in Royal David's City given by a member of the choir. There were several further contributions by the choir and the readings were given by representatives of various sections of the community including Messy Church , Mothers' Union, Parish Council , Parochial Church Council, Womens' Institute, the History Society and Henshaw Church of England Primary School.
Crib Service
A service of carols and readings, the crib service was held on Christmas Eve at All Hallows' Church, Henshaw. The children followed the Christmas story of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem as they helped to prepare the crib for the birth of Jesus. All the readings were given by the children.
Santa Claus took a break from his busy schedule to visit the children at the end of the service
Light hearted readings and carols
This service was held at St Cuthbert's Church Beltingham on Friday 27th December. A varied selection of light hearted readings were given with the highlight of the service being a solo given by our vicar Rev'd Dr Benjamin Carter, who sang the Nation's Favourite Carol, 'O Holy Night'
Refeshments afterwards concluded a very enjoyable afternoon.
Thanks are due to all those who have contributed in so many different ways over this Christmas period but particularly to our vicar Rev'd Dr Benjamin Carter, our curate Rev'd Gill Alexander, our organists for the wonderful music and the Churchwardens who have worked so hard in preparing our churches.
THANK YOU
..
Tuesday 3rd December 2019
A quiet day led by Rev. Gill Alexander was held at Shepherds Dene. The day focused on the theme of Advent. The group shared prayers and refections and spent time in the peaceful grounds of Shepherds Dene on what turned out to be a beautiful winter day with sunshine and a clear blue sky. Gill gave an introduction to the principles of the Benedictine tradition. Advent candles prepared during the day were lit during Evening Prayer held in the Chapel.
Sunday 22nd Sepember 2019
The Harvest Celebration Service was held at All Hallows' Henshaw. During the service the gifts of the people were carried to the altar by the children present, to the refrain of "Praise God from whom all blessings flow" sung after each offering. The Vicar spoke about caring and giving thanks for God's Creation and all the gifts he has given us. He posed the question "how often do we really listen to our children?" Great wisdom may come from young people and the Vicar cited Greta Thunberg, the 16 year old Swedish environmental activist whose words have made such an impact on so many, raising awareness of Climate Change and the need for each and everyone of us to play a part in protecting our planet.
Donations and funds raised from the harvest festival will be split between the People's Kitchen and the West Northumberland Food Bank.
Sunday 10th November 2019
The Parish Eucharist at 9.30am, held at All Hallows' Church, Henshaw was followed by a Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial led by Rev.Dr Benjamin Carter.
In addition to the traditional red poppies, purple poppies were included in the display, in memory of the animals who lost their lives during the wars.Stones with a poppy on and inscribed with the name of a soldier were secreted arond the village for the children to find and then place on the War Memorial.
Thanks , once again, are due to the ladies of the WI who worked so hard creating the wonderful display of poppies.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below
JOHN McCRAE 1915
Saturday 31st August / Sunday 1st September
The celebrations for this weekend were led by Reverend Canon Emeritus Rosalind Brown, Canon Emeritus of Durham Cathedral.
The weekend began with Morning Prayer at Haydon Old Church followed by a pilgrimage walk from Haydon Bridge to Beltingham with midday prayer at St. Cuthbert's Church.
Evensong at St. Cuthbert's Church was followed by drinks and supper at the Old Vicarage. Many thanks to Anne and John Galbraith for their kind hospitality.
A Patronal Eucharist was held at St Cuthbert's Church, Haydon Bridge on Sunday morning. Reverend Brown gave two very interesting and informative sermons about the lives of Aidan and Cuthbert. A book she suggested to learn more about Cuthbert is 'Cuthbert on Farne' by Katharine Tiernan published in 2019.