Non-stop callers

Thursday 24th September 2015

These were not among today's callers --  who included a parent collecting equipment from Messy Church, enquiries about the village Harvest Supper, the Bellingham organist to plan music for future services, deliveries of various kinds including church candles, television and laundry.  In between there was a Communion service and later a committee meeting of the Friends of St Cuthbert's Bellingham with some original ideas for social events: how about a Magic Meal?

A quiet moment

Tuesday 22nd September 2015


I found Indie having her morning rest when I went to enjoy some calm  after a hectic hour in St Cuthbert's Bellingham with Year One from the First School on their church visit.

Messy Church

Sunday 20th September 2015

[See pictures on the Events page to show progress in this activity!]

The challenge to the adults: what do these objects have in common?  Answer tomorrow!

Liasing

Thursday 17th September 2015

After the morning service of Holy Communion, I met the parent who is doing most of the work behind the scenes for this Sunday's "Messy church" for children and their parents and godparents.  We spent some time folding and cutting card for the children to decorate. 

     Then into the car for the nine miles to Falstone for an ecumenical meeting  --  planning with the Methodists and United Reformed Church our joint arrangements for Harvest and Christmas in Falstone and Kielder.

     Back into the car for a Deanery Committee meeting.  this time it's representatives of all the Anglican churches of the area where I'm Rural Dean: we need to plan for how, as the Church of England, we can make sure that we continue to provide a Christian presence in every community for everyone to call on when needed  --  and how to encourage our neighbours to enjoy what the Christian faith can offer.

Autumn

Tuesday 15th September 2015

Leek show

Saturday 12th September 2015

How do they manage it?

Another recce

Thursday 10th September 2015

The green field in the centre of this picture (taken from Scotts View) is the approximate site of the Old Melrose monastery associated with St Aidan and
St Cuthbert

Now down in that valley, we see how the site is protected by its peninsular position almost surrounded by the river Tweed.  This will be one of the last stops on our Deanery pilgrimage this autumn.

The rest of the day was planning for the next Messy Church (including sending invitations to young families)  and holding a meeting of a Parochial Church Council, struggling with finances in an area hit by a severe reduction in facilities for the rural community that the Church is here to serve and support.

St Cuthbert's Festival

Saturday 5th September 2015

The dog has got ahead of her owner as the walkers slowed down towards the end of the afternoon.

We started the annual St Cuthbert's Festival walk with breakfast in St Cuthbert's Elsdon, walked to St Cuthbert's church at Corsenside where we had lunch and then finished at Bellingham in the third St Cuthbert's church in the North Tyne and Redesdale Team.

     We paused to re-tell stories of St Cuthbert and the animals and prayed for refugees walking today to find shelter and safety.

     [More pictures on Events page]

First week of term

Friday 4th September 2015

 

Visits to some of the schools to arrange some assemblies for the term, starting with "new beginnings".  What does this picture suggest to you?

A stressful day off

Wednesday 2nd September 2015

Coming home under the influence of the general anaesthetic.

Zeb spent the day at the vet's having a growth removed from his foot (as well as others from his chest).  I poulticed the horse's abscessed foot; the district nurse dressed my husband's foot.

     My feet are quite serviceable: just as well, since I spent much of the day driving to and from the vet.  In a brief interval at home, I found a vast number of e-mails and phone messages indirectly associated with the announcement of the future bishop of Newcastle  --  which is the incongruous title of the diocese which covers the wilds of Northumberland.

Picking up the pieces/Bellingham Show Song

Tuesday 1st September 2015

Everyone has some kind of clearing up to do after a big event!
     Neil Denham's after-Bellingham-Show work included producing the video of us singing the Bellingham Show Song written, composed and conducted (in lively fashion) by Fiona Lander      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkL9DM-t0DA&feature=youtu.be