Wedding rehearsal

Friday 30th November 2018

The priest's view of the procession at the end of the service

Gatecrashers at the funeral

Thursday 29th November 2018

Mourners at the graveside embraced by a rainbow over St Cuthbert's Corsenside

Meanwhile we just managed to prevent the horses from forcing their way into the churchyard

Last Sunday before Advent

Sunday 25th November 2018

 

After Communion services in three different churches to celebrate the feast of Christ the King, it was on to a fourth village for Messy Church.  With fewer children attending than usual, the adults took the construction activities very seriously!

Darkness at dawn

Tuesday 20th November 2018

Nearly 9 o'clock on my way up to Kielder School for an Open the Book session in which we told the story of Joseph.  Some of the team then went on to Bellingham for another session, this time a lively one on Noah with much participation.

A light Saturday (no sermon to write)

17th November 2018

The self-disciplined participants in Otterburn's coffee morning waiting for the stalls to open.  In the afternoon I did some parish visiting and in the evening completed preparations for Sunday services.

Winter Wonderland starts tomorrow

Friday 16th November 2018

The reindeer bring Santa Claus on a flying visit to Kielder Water (on his way to carry out Christmas preparations) to say hello to all the families of the people who will be working at the Winter Wonderland.

 

There are refreshments and entertainment in the tepees before I explain the making of the Christingles ("Christ-lights") which represent Jesus, the Light of the World, by a candle in the centre of an orange which has four cocktail sticks carrying sweets for the "fruits of the seasons" and is encircled by the red ribbon for the embrace of God's love for the world.

 

 

After the evening's activities I enjoy my reward:

 

At the going down of the sun

Wednesday 14th November 2018

Time to draw breath

Tuesday 13th November 2018

Late afternoon by the River North Tyne after parish visiting and before returning to my desk to write my contribution to the church magazine, appropriately called The Meeting of the Waters.  (the rivers North Tyne and Rede)

Remembrance Sunday 2018

Sunday 11th November 2018

After the wreath laying at Corsenside parish War Memorial

At Thorneyburn, where the pulpit is inscribed with the names of soldiers who returned, some of the congregation wore their (grand)parents' medals. 

 

Preparing church services

Saturday 10th November 2018

Petals added to the Prayer Cairn in St Cuthbert's Bellingham

Poppy Prayers

Friday 9th November 2018

Today's Prayer Space in School



Remembering

Thursday 9th  November 2018

Wark on Tyne
on my way between schools and meetings

Open the Book again

Tuesday 6th November 2018

"Joseph's brothers" wearing their headdresses as they watch the adults acting out the Bible story.

     The team moved on twenty miles to the next school to "Open the Book" at the story of human wrongdoing in the "Garden of Eden". 

     After this I stayed on for a discussion with the head teacher about plans for the future.  Then an afternoon continuing preparations for Remembrance Sunday.

Preparing for the Centenary of the Armistice

Monday 5th November 2018

We are not actually commemorating animals in war here (unless St Francis church at Byrness mention them when they dedicate their wreath), but this memorial in London reminds us of all the far-reaching consequences of war.

Births, marriage and death

Sunday 4th November 2018

On Saturday I was conducting a wedding.  On Sunday we had the baptism of two babies, cousins, with a congregation of 107 adults and 22 children.  (The Church of England is supposed to keep accurate records!)  The service included an activity which involved making a "Baptingle" and was followed by a quiet Communion service.  In the evening we celebrated All Saints' Sunday and lit candles in memory of the Departed. 

     All this involves constant work behind the scenes to alter the atmosphere of the church building.  The subtleties may go consciously unnoticed, but when the white and gold celebratory altar frontal is replaced by a red one [white for a wedding  and red for Remembrance], everyone picks up the mood.  It's one of the reasons why people appreciate a funeral in a church where all the most important stages of life have been marked for hundreds of years.