Getting ready for Advent

Saturday 30th November 2013

Driving around to deliver Advent calendars to young families, I couldn't resist stopping to photograph this extraordinary clear sky between the dark hills and the oppressive cloud.

Another visit from the Middle School

Monday 25th November 2013

The Last Supper

Sunday 24th November 2013

The Parish Communion at Thorneyburn included the dedication of a tapestry worked by a member of the congregation, a wonderful devotional focus at Communion.

A morning at Elsdon

Saturday 23rd November 2013

Residents of Elsdon at the final clearing up of the bonfire...
 

...as I made my way to St Cuthbert's Coffee Morning.

Middle School Visits

Monday 18th November 2013

On the way to the Tarset valley...

to meet Year 6 of the Middle School at St Aidan's Thorneyburn

Income Tax

Wednesday 6th November 2013

It is said that only two things are certain "death and taxes".  I'm not sure if that's true, but today the inevitability of Income Tax confined me to the house for most of the day.

Thursday 14th November 2013

Our resident blackbird enjoying cotoneaster berries

For me, yesterday was one unscheduled thing after another until the evening's PCC meeting which was actually in the diary.  Today has been visits from Year 5 of the Middle School coming to St Cuthbert's Bellingham as part of their topic on the local area's history, geography and heritage.

Across the Wannies

Tuesday 12th November 2013

The view towards Sweethope Lough as I crossed the Wannies on my way to a lunchtime meeting of Area Deans discussing how to make better provision for clergy to develop their ministry.

Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 10th November 2013

Bellingham cemetery chapel where we held the joint Remembrance Service with Bellingham Cadets on parade

Frosty November

Saturday 9th November 2013

After the early mist has cleared

Today included a pre-Christmas Fair in aid of St Cuthbert's Bellingham and preparations for Remembrance Sunday.

St Aidan's Club

Friday 8th November 2013

St Aidan's after-school Club looked at trees, seeds and autumn leaves; thought about the Garden of Eden and family trees; each sowed a seed to take home (hoping to grow an oak, beech, sycamore, hawthorn or rose), shared some apples and wrote their prayers of thanksgiving on appropriately-shaped leaves to be hung on a tree in church on Sunday.

Water in Church

Wednesday 6th November 2013

A school visit to look at how we use water in Church involved a doll being brought to the font wearing the christening robe that had been worn by her owner (carrying her) in this very church.

Guy Fawkes night

Tuesday 5th November 2013

Bonfire night at Elsdon

A perfect cold clear evening as hundreds of people gathered  at Elsdon for a tremendous bonfire and spectacular firework show 

Monday for catching up

Monday 4th October 2013

Autumn birch

All Saints' Sunday

Sunday 3rd November 2013

Candles lighted in memory of the departed whom we love but see no longer here on earth in this life.  We thank God for them and for the saints drawing us with them towards the infinite love of God.

Pause in the week

Saturday 2nd November 2013

Zeb sits to please me but his paw keeps  me where he wants me.  (Sorry about the flash in his eyes.)