Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday is the period Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights. In the Gospel of Matthew we learn how Jesus was thrice tempted by the devil during this time,.Matthew 4:1-11.

For us, it is a period of reflection, fasting and preparation to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.

Shrove Tuesday 21st February 2023

The Haydon Bridge and Beltingham with Henshaw Mothers' Union organised what has become almost a traditional lunch, at The General Havelock in Haydon Bridge.

We enjoyed good company, a lovely lunch with of course pancakes on offer and a raffle which raised £88.00

Thank you to all involved in organising this event.

Ash Wednesday 22nd February 2023

Holy Communion Sevices with the Imposition of Ashes were held, in the morning at All Hallows' Henshaw and at Holy Cross Haltwhistle in the evening. 

During the service the priest places a cross of ashes on the forehead of each parishioner symbolising mortality and penitance. 

Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3: 19

Lent Course

The Vicar has organised for the six weeks leading upto Easter a Lent Course centered around the film 'Chocolat' based not on the book by Joanne Harris but on the accompanying book for the course by Hilary Brand, 'Christ and the Chocolaterie'.

The sessions are at All Hallows' on Tuesday afternoon at 4.30pm and then repeated at Holy Cross on Thursday morning of each week at 11.00am

As of week 3 we have considered :

Giving up - the prelude to change

Giving out- the power of a gift

Benefice Service St Cuthbert's Greenhead

Sunday 5th March 2023

A Joint Holy Communion Service presided over by Rev'd Canon Steve Wright was held at St Cuthbert's Church, Greenhead. The service was well attended and finished with the rousing hymn, "To God be the glory, great things he has done!".

Sunday 12th March 2023

We were very pleased to welcome back the Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, The Venerable Dr Catherine Sourbut-Groves who presided over the Holy Communion service at All Hallows',Henshaw with Rev'd Canon Steve Wright.

In her address Catherine spoke about some of the questions an Archdeacon is asked including the difficult issue of why more clergy are not available particularly in rural parishes. Catherine also referenced to the Gospel reading for the day and the story of the woman from Samaria gathering water at the well who spreads the word to the Samaritans that she has met Jesus John 4:5-42.

Mothering Sunday (Fourth Sunday in Lent)

Sunday 19th March 2023

The Holy Communion service at All Hallows' Church was presided over by Rev'd Keith Teasdale. Keith spoke about the origins of Mothering Sunday, which is always the fourth Sunday of Lent, and reminded us how the term 'Mother's Day' has crept into our language.

Several centuries ago it was a day when many workers were given time off to visit their mother and.take a gift. It was also a time when many families would make the journey to their 'Mother' Church 

Bunches of daffodils prepared by Mrs Pauline Storey and Mrs Anne Galbraith were blessed by Rev'd Teasdale and distributed to all during the final hymn of the service