Sunday 3rd December 2023

Rev'd Canon Steve Wright and parishioners from Holy Cross Church, Haltwhistle, St Cuthbert's Church, Greenhead and All Hallows' Church, Henshaw welcomed the Bishop of Newcastle, Bishop Helen Ann to the Benefice Holy Communion Service held at All Hallows' Church on the first Sunday of Advent.

Bishop Helen Ann presided over the service. In her address she spoke about the season of Advent, a time of waiting with hope and anticipation as we journey through to Christmas Day. 

In Bishop's House Advent began on 1st December with the opening of Advent Calendars (yes, plural) and the cat has one too!

Bishop Helen Ann had visited Sycamore Gap the day after the tree was felled. During a residential meeting, earlier in the week,at The Sill she had the opportunity to go for an early morning run and headed to Sycamore Gap to see how the site looked and felt now.

On a beautiful morning with a stunning sunrise she described what she discovered there. ' A well manged space with a small bunch of flowers and a cross made from some twigs roped together with twine and a sign reading ' This tree stump is alive, if we leave it alone it might sprout new growth'....A message of profound Advent hope in our waiting'.

Bishop Helen Ann stayed for coffee and chatted with parishioners after the service.

Rev'd Canon Steve Wright displayed a facsimile of the Lindisfarne Gospels..