Parishes by the Wall - Living Faith on the Frontier
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 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.
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.
Monday 5th August 2019
Despite the predictions of rain we set off in very pleasant weather stopping first of all just before the bridge over the river, then through the woods into the meadow and finally around the yew tree at Beltingham Church.
Prayers, readings and poems were said at each stopping point. Led by Philippa Collingwood, we sang "Be still for the presence of the Lord" before going into Church for Evening Prayer. Additional hymns were "What a friend we have in Jesus", "For the beauty of the earth" and "O Lord my God".
A very big thank you to Nigel Clayburn for the organist accompaniment.
The evening concluded with drinks and nibbles at The Old Vicarage.
Thanks to Carol Adams and Anne Galbraith for the organisation of this walk providing opportunities to take time to think and reflect on the beauty of the surroundings in which we live and the creation God has given us.
