Thursday 18th May 2023
A service of Holy Communion to celebrate Ascension Day was held at All Hallows' Church presided over by Revd' Canon Steve Wright.
This was followed by a fundraising supper in the Church Room which as well as being a very enjoyable and convivial event raised over £600.
Thanks especially to Anne,Carol and Alf for making this a special event but also thanks to all who helped in the organisation as well as all who supported and donated so generously.
Sunday 7th May 2023
Following the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrations were held throughout the country.
A special Commemorative Service to celebrate community and faith was held at Holy Cross Church led by Rev'd Canon Steve Wright and Rev'd Keith Teasdale.
Refreshments after the service provided further opportunity to share with one another the joy of the occasion.
The ladies of Bardon Mill WI provided a very enjoyable afternoon tea at Bardon Mill Village Hall giving the opportunity to spend time with friends and neighbours.
Many thanks to all involved in the organisation of these events, very much appreciated by all.
Sunday 23rd April 2023 Third Sunday of Easter
Reverend Canon Steve Wright presided over the Holy Communion Service held at All Hallows' Church.
Steve's address related closely to the Gospel reading for the day ( Luke 24: 13-35 ) which tells the story of Jesus walking with two of the disciples from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. The disciples were talking about the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection and they did not recognise him. He walked with them and interpreted all that the scriptures had prophesised. As they approached Emmaus it was evening and they urged Jesus to stay with them.
When he was at the table he took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognised Jesus and he vanished from their sight. They quickly returned to the other disciples and told them what had happened saying ' The Lord has risen indeed '
Do we always recognise the presence of Jesus in our lives?
Sunday 16th April 2023 Second Sunday of Easter
Rev'd Keith Teasdale presided over the Holy Communion Service held at All Hallows' Church.
Keith's address related directly to the Gospel reading for the day which tells the story of Jesus coming amongst the disciples,after the resurrection. He showed them his hands and his side, The disciples rejoiced wnen they saw the Lord. Thomas was not with them when Jesus came. When the other disciples told him 'We have seen the Lord' Thomas said to them' Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.
A week later Jesus came to the disciples again and said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.
Thomas answered him 'My Lord and my God ' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe'
Thomas went on to spread the Gospel as Jesus had taught, ending up in India..
John 20:19 to end
for we walk in faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
Sunday 2nd April 2023
Our Journey begins:-
Palm Sunday - the walk of glory
Palm Sunday, the last Sunday before Easter celebrates the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, his followers scattering palm branches at his feet and shouting,
Hosanna to the Son of David
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest heaven
Matthew 21 v 9
A Benefice Holy Communion Service was held at All Hallows' Church, attended by over fifty parishioners from Holy Cross Church, Haltwhistle and St Cuthbert's Church, Greenhead as well as those from All Hallows' Church.
Palm Crosses were distributed on arrival, the service began with a procession into church led by Rev'd Canon Steve Wright to the singing of the hymn ' Ride on, Ride on in Majesty. Steve's address centered around our 'Walk with Jesus durng Holy Week'
The Palm Crosses were laid on the altar during the service and raised in glory during the final hymn.
A joyous service shared together.
Monday 3rd April 2023- walking in devotion
A service of prayers, poems and reflection, led by Mrs Anne Galbraith and Mrs Carol Adams was held at St Cuthbert's Church, Greenhead
The poems, read by Carol included The Coming by RS Thomas and GK Chesterton's 'The Donkey'
Anne, in her reflection considered the question ' why would Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a horse, which would have symbolised majesty and power but, Jesus came as a kIng of peace not as a king riding into battle.
The concluding words of Anne's reflection are as follows:
'Jesus embraced the poor and sick people during his time here on earth. His choice of a donkey instead of a horse was God's way of saying that he came as a king who will serve and save the oppressed'
The donkey is a symbol of service, suffering, peace and humility.
Tuesday 4th April 2023 - walking alone
A service of prayers, poems and reflection led by Mrs Anne Galbraith and Mrs Carol Adams was held at All Hallows' Church.
The Good Shepherd and his sheep
Anne, in her reflection spoke about comparisons that have been made between sheep and humans. A shepherd would say sheep are intelligent and social animals but vulnerable, frightened by sudden loud noises and events and are unable to outrun or fight against predators, A good shepherd will move his flock so that they do not overgraze a perticular area.
Are we like sheep? We are intelligent, we function best in a community and we are vulnerable to threatening forces of all different kinds. The analogy holds good, because we need God as our shepherd in the same way as the sheep need their shepherd.
Anne further developed this analogy and at the end of the reflection Psalm 23 was sung..
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
Wednesday 5th April 2023 - walking in darkness
Tenebrae, the Latin word for Darkness.
A shortened version of the Tenebrae service was held at St. Cuthbert's Church, Beltingham led by Rev'd Canon Steve Wright.
Tenebrae is a service of psalms and readings, candles are mounted on a free standing candle holder and extinguished one by one during the service. The extinguishing of the candles symbolises the coming darkness of Jesus' death. Readings were from Lamentations and Hebrews, the psalms and readings interspersed with brief periods of silent prayer.
The Vicar sang the Benedictus following which the last candle was hidden behind the altar. After the final prayer the service ended with a loud noise, the last candle was returned from its hiding place and by its light the minister and congregation departed in silence.
But as for me,my prayer is to you O Lord
At an acceptable time, O God
in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me
Psalm 69 v 13
Thursday 6th April 2023
Maundy Thursday - walking in fellowship
A service of Holy Communion presided over by Rev'd Canon Steve Wright was held at Holy Cross Church. This service which commemorates The Last Supper is followed by the Stripping of the Altar.
I give you a new commandment that you love one another
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another
John 13 v 34
Friday 7th April 2023
Good Friday - the walk of sacrifice
Stations of the Cross, this service held at All Hallows' Church was introduced by Rev'd Canon Steve Wright.
The Stations of the Cross originated when early Christians visited Jerusalem and wanted literally to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, tracing the path from Pilate's house to Calvary. .
They would pause for prayer and devotion at various points. The number of stations has varied immensely over the centuries from as few as five to as many as thirty six.
The traditional number of fourteen was established by Clement X11 in 1731. Owing to the increasing ecumenical popularity of this devotion there have been attempts to create a wholly spiritual set on which to focus.
The stations this service followed are based on those celebrated by Pope John Paul11 on Good Friday in 1991 and are in the Church of England Common Worship Book.
Sunday 9th April 2023
Easter Sunday
A service of Holy Communion was held at All Hallows' Church presided over by Rev'd Canon Steve Wright who presented a light-hearted sermon relating to the gospel of Matthew 28 v1-10.
'A sermon with a difference'
Steve mentioned that there were three main points to this sermon all beginning with the letter 'F'.
Fear, the fear of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when they found the empty tomb and the angel of the Lord appeared to them.
Faith, their faith in believing that Jesus was risen.
They were filled with joy and thanksgiving as they went on there way but, no 'F' in joy or thanksgiving, so the next poster we saw just had to be 'Fanksgiving'!
There was, however, a fourth 'Forth Telling '. Jesus said to them 'Do not be afraid, go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me
Fear, Faith, Fanksgiving, Forth Telling
Our journey ends with a new beginning.
Christ is Risen, Alleluia , Alleluia
Thank you to Steve for guiding us on this journey through Holy Week,to Anne and Carol and all those involved in organising these services during one of the most important weeks in the Church Year.
Peace and blessings to all