Epiphany beginning 6th January
During the season of Epiphany, with the Rev'd Canon Steve Wright and Rev'd Keith Teasdale we have followed 'The Journey of the Magi' , 'The Baptism of Jesus' and the story of Simeon and Anna and 'The Presentation of Christ in the Temple' (Luke 22:22 -40)
In the morning prayer service four weeks after Christmas, led by Mrs Anne Galbraith and Mrs Carol Adams, Anne spoke about the demands of a new baby and the harsh conditions Mary and Joseph had to cope with. Anne also considered how the behaviour of babies can teach us some important life lessons, for example, commitment, resiliance, perseverance, and flexibilty.
An extract from Anne's relection is available in the Parish Newsletter for February / March.
Candlemas 2nd February
Candlemas marks ' The Presentation of Christ in the Temple' occuring 40 days after Christmas on 2nd February.
Sunday 5th February Benefice Holy Communion..
A Benefice Holy Communion Service was held at All Hallows' Church presided over by Rev'd Canon Steve Wright and was attended by parishioners from St Cuthbert's Greenhead, Holy Cross Haltwhistle, as well as Beltingham with Henshaw.
Steve welcomed to the service Rev'd Anne Marr, Mothers' Union Chaplain for Newcastle Diocese. In her address Anne spoke about the wide ranging work of the Mothers' Union and explained the five marks of mission which are Tell, Teach, Tend, Transform and Treasure.
The Twelve Days of Christmas - Haltwhistle/ Greenhead/ Beltingham/ Henshaw Style
On the first day of Christmas my true love said to me
the vicar for afternoon tea
On the second day of Christmas my true love said to me
two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the third day of Christmas my true love said to me
Three PCC's, two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love said to me
Four church buildings, three PCC's, two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love said to me,
Five Roman forts, four church buildings, three PCC's, two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love said to me
Six in the brew bar, five Roman forts, four church buildings, three PCC's, two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love said to me
Seven coffee mornings, six in the brew bar, five Roman forts, four church buildings, three PCC's, two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love said to me
Eight wardens working, seven coffee mornings, six in the brew bar, five Roman forts, four church buildings, three PCC's, two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love said to me
Nine flower arrangers, eight wardens working, seven coffee mornings, six in the brew bar, five Roman forts, four church buildings, three PCC's , two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love said to me
Ten crafters chatting, nine flower arrangers, eight wardens working, seven coffee mornings, six in the brew bar, five Roman forts, four church buildings, three PCC's, two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love said to me
Eleven singers supping, ten crafters chatting, nine flower arrangers, eight wardens working, seven coffee mornings, six in the brew bar, five Roman forts, four church buildings, three PCC's , two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love said to me
Twelve angels dusting , eleven singers supping, ten crafters chatting, nine flower arrangers, eight wardens working, seven coffee mornings, six in the brew bar, five Roman forts, four church buildings, three PCC's, two church schools and the vicar for afternoon tea
Village Carol Service
Sunday18th December 2022
The Village Carol Service at All Hallows' Church held on the 4th Sunday of Advent was led by Rev'd Keith Teasdale and Rev'd Canon Steve Wright.
This year, for the first time since pre-Covid it was possible to return to the traditional format of the 'Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols'.
A duet, 'All my heart this night rejoices' was sung by Mrs Hilda Rowlands and Mrs Philippa Collingwood. Hilda and Philippa also sang together the first verse of 'Once in Royal David's City'
Refreshments served afterwards included a very welcome mulled fruit drink and mince pies.
Christmas Day
Rev'd Canon Steve Wright presided over the service of Holy Communion held at All Hallow's Church on Christmas morning.
Thank you to all who have helped with the Christmas preparations, the helpers who provided greenery and also helped to decorate the church, to those who provided refreshments, the children of Henshaw Primary School who made many of the angels and to Mr Nigel Clayburn for all our Christmas music.
THANK YOU.
Sunday 1st January 2023
The New Year began with a joint Holy Communion service of the Benefice held at Holy Cross Church, presided over by the Rev'd Canon Steve Wright.
In his address Steve spoke about prayer, different forms of prayer, different ways to pray, where we might pray. He conlcuded with a short period of quiet reflection suggesting we consider the events of 2022 and offer to God all that is good in our lives but also share with God concerns and worries for ourselves and for all those in need and struggling to cope at the present time.
Over the Christmas period Steve has spoken about his aim to include as many different Christmas Carols in the services as possible. At the end of the service we enjoyed an alternative version of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'. before adjourning for very delicious refreshments including warm croissants and warm brown rolls.
Thank you to all at Holy Cross Church.
Happy New Year
Peace and blessings to all
Advent Sunday 27th November 2022
Advent ,the beginning of the Church Year, is the time leading upto Christmas when we are waiting to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
An Advent Morning Prayer Service led by Mrs Anne Galbraith and Mrs Carol Adams was held at All Hallows'. The first purple candle of the Advent Wreath, which signifies hope, was lit. Anne's reflection centered around the colour 'purple'.she spoke about the significance of this colour for the Church particularly at this time of year
The four candles of the Advent Wreath representing hope, love, joy and peace are usually three purple and one pink which is traditionally lit on the third Sunday of Advent. A central white or gold candle is lit on Christmas Day.
Bible Reading/Study during Advent
Reverend Canon Steve Wright is leading a bible reading / study group during the four weeks of Advent. The first meeting was held on Thursday1st December in the Church Room at All Hallows' beginning at 11.00am.. Subsequent dates are 8th, 15th and 22nd December. 11,00am -12,00 noon
ALL WELCOME
Monday 28th November 2022
A retreat day led by Rev'd Gill Alexander was held in the peaceful surroundings of Shepherds Dene. This was attended by parishioners from 'Parishes by the Wall' including the Parishes of Hatlwhistle,Beltingham with Henshaw, Haydon Bridge and Newbrough. It was good to welcome a number of new faces as well as welcoming back those who had attended previous retreat days.
Following opening prayer, Gill spoke about the meaning of Advent, The Journey of the Magi, and introduced a resource booklet she had prepared covering the four weeks of Advent. This includes scripture readings, prayers, poems and quotations.
As the early morning mist cleared we were able to meander in the beautiful grounds, in warm sunshine, and ponder the question 'How has the pandemic changed you'? which generated an interesting after lunch discussion.
The group very successfully, in a short space of time,made Advent Wreaths using greenery cut for us from the gardens. These were placed on the altar in the Chapel for our closing worship..
The day concluded with tea and a very delicious cake!
What you are is God's gift to you, what you become is your gift to God..
Hans Urs von Balthasar
