Parishes by the Wall - Living Faith on the Frontier
The annual Carol Service took place on Sunday December 16th at Henshaw Church. The choir sang some unusual pieces of music including" The Cherry Tree Caro"l, "The Boar's Head Carol" and "No Wind at the Window". The congregation listened to traditional Bible Readings which were read by representatives of different organisations within the community. Everyone joined in the well known carols including " O Come all ye Faithful" and "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing". Afterwards we all enjoyed some very welcome refreshments especially the mulled wine and mince pies .
An wonderful article from the Guardian newspaper online about the Yew Tree at St Cuthberts, Bellingham https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/30/country-diary-ancient-yew-beltingham-northumberland
November 11th 2018 saw Services of Remembrance all over the British Isles. At Henshaw Church, volunteers gathered to set out displays of poppies both in the churchyard and inside the church. The beautifully crafted poppies are the work and initiative of the WI.
Last Saturday we were treated to a wonderful talk by Gill about her year of "Challenges" which she bravely undertook to celebrate her 60th birthday and to raise funds for our Parishes. We saw photographs of the Haydon Hundred bike ride, her trek around Mont Blanc and her pilgrimage walk through Northumberland. You can read more about her adventures in this month's Parish Magazine.
After the talk we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and cakes efficiently arranged by Carol and her band of helpers.
On Tuesday August 7th, eighteen members of the congregation set off on a Prayer Walk from Bardon Mill to Beltingham Church. It was a beautiful evening and the countyside we walked through was bathed in soft sunlight.The group stopped in woodland, in meadow and in the churchyard. The theme of the walk was "God's Creation". Everyone contributed with readings from the bible, prayers or poems. After singing the hymn, "Be still for the presence of the Lord is moving in this place", everyone moved into church for the service of Evening Prayer. Afterwards there were refreshments and a time of fellowship at The Old Vicarage.
