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Parish of St.Cuthbert, Benfieldside

Sunday Worship
8.00a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10.00a.m. SUNG EUCHARIST (Common Worship)
6.00p.m. Evening Prayer
+ Choral Evensong (BCP)
Taizé Vespers

Sunday School meets at 10.00a.m. in the Church Hall during term

Weekday Worship Please see the

Calendar &
Morning Prayer: 8.30a.m. Monday - Friday Pewsheet for
Evening Prayer: 5.00p.m. Tuesday alterations to this
Midweek Eucharist: 10.00a.m.Thursday pattern.

Parish Office
Arrangements for Baptisms, Marriages, etc. should
normally be made in the Vicar‟s vestry in church on
Tuesdays at 5.30p.m. - please phone first if possible.
For Spiritual Advice & the Sacrament of Reconciliation
(Confession), please contact the Vicar.

Clergy & Readers

Vicar: The Revd Martin Jackson
St. Cuthbert‟s Vicarage, Church Bank, Shotley Bridge
01207 503019
mobile phone: 0797 226 2412
e-mail: martin.jackson@durham.anglican.org
Readers: Mrs. Rosie Junemann 01207 583998
  Mr. Paul Heatherington 01207 506282

Parish web-site: www.communigate.co.uk/ne/saintcuthberts

Parish Blog: www.saintcuthberts.blogspot.com
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PARISH CALENDAR - APRIL 2009

Wed. 1 7.30p.m. Lent Course - Vicarage
Thurs. 2 10.00a.m. Eucharist
Sat. 4 10.00a.m. Spring-Clean St. Cuthbert’s - please lend a hand!
Sunday 5 PALM SUNDAY – The Beginning of HOLY WEEK
(Mark 11.1-11; Isaiah 50.4-9a; Philippians 2.5-11;Mark 14.1-15.47)
8.00a.m. Eucharist
10.00a.m. Procession of Palms & SUNG EUCHARIST
& SUNDAY SCHOOL
11.15a.m. PCC Electoral Roll Revision Meeting
6.00p.m. Evening Prayer
Mon. 6 2.00p.m. Mothers’ Union
7.30p.m. Ecumenical Service - St. Mary’s RC Church, Blackhill
Tues. 7 7.00p.m. Eucharist & Stations of the Cross
Wed. 8 10.00a.m. Eucharist
Thurs. 9 MAUNDY THURSDAY
7.30p.m. SUNG EUCHARIST OF THE LAST SUPPER
- followed by a Watch of the Passion.
Fri. 10 GOOD FRIDAY
10.00a.m. Service at the Cross - for all ages.
2.00p.m. LITURGY OF THE DAY & HOLY COMMUNION.
Sunday 12 EASTER DAY - THE DAY OF RESURRECTION!
(Isaiah 25.6-9; Acts 10.34-43;Mark 16.1-8)
8.00a.m. Eucharist
10.00a.m. SUNG EUCHARIST with Easter Ceremonies
Evening Prayer is cancelled this week and next
Tues. 14 12.30p.m. “Second Tuesday” Lunch Club - Church Hall
Thurs. 16 10.00a.m. Eucharist - cancelled this week
Sunday 19 THE 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER
(Acts 4.32-35; 1 John 1.1-2.2; John 20.19-end )
8.00a.m. Eucharist
10.00a.m. SUNG EUCHARIST
Evening Prayer returns next week
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Thurs. 23 ST. GEORGE, Martyr, Patron of England c.304
10.00a.m. Eucharist
Sunday 30 THE 3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER
(Acts 3.12-19; 1 John 3.1-7; Luke 24.36b-48)
8.00a.m. Eucharist
10.00a.m. SUNG EUCHARIST
& SUNDAY SCHOOL
11.15a.m. Annual Parochial Church Meeting
6.00p.m. Evening Prayer
Mon. 27 2.00p.m. Eucharist - at Derwentdale Court
7.30p.m. PCC Meeting - Vicarage
Wed. 29 7.30p.m. Ladies’ Fashion Show - Church Hall
Thurs. 30 10.00a.m. Eucharist

MAY
Sunday 3 THE 4th SUNDAY OF EASTER
(Acts 4.5-12; 1 John 3.16-end; John 10.11-18)
8.00a.m. Eucharist
10.00a.m. SUNG EUCHARIST
& SUNDAY SCHOOL
6.00p.m. Evening Prayer

Readings for Sunday Evening Worship

Please use these readings, whether or not you are able to join us at the 6p.m. service
Sunday 5 April Ps. 69.1-18 Isaiah 5.1-7 Mark 12.1-12
Sunday 12 April Ps. 114; 117 Ezekiel 37.1-14 Luke 24.13-35
Sunday 19 April Ps. 143.1-11 Isaiah 26.1-9,19 Luke 24.1-12
Sunday 26 April Ps. 142 Deuteronomy 7.7-13 Revelation 2.1-11
Sunday 3 May Ps. 81.8-16 Exodus 16.4-15 Revelation 2.12-17
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Holy Week 5th - 12th April 2009

Holy Week gets its name because it is central to our faith. Without the
events of that week there would be no Christian faith. We often talk about
“commitments” when we mean distractions. This week tells us about God’s
commitment to us - what about our commitment to him? So let us give our
attention to Jesus: hear his voice afresh; experience the touch of his love;
resolve once more to be his follower. Please make the effort to be with us,
especially on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day.
Services during Holy Week begin with Palm Sunday on
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Sunday, 5 April. Processing into church with our palms we
realise that the people who take part in the drama of Holy
Week were much like ourselves. In church we hear a
dramatised account of the Passion according to St. Mark. Our
aim throughout this most Holy Week is to draw close to Christ
in his Passion - even as we realise that we are there with the
crowd baying for his blood, or in the shoes of St. Peter, saying
we will never desert him and then denying him three times. Do
we have the will to walk with Jesus throughout this week?
Palm Sunday helps us make a good start.
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On Monday 6 April there is an ecumenical Holy Week Service in St.
Mary’s RC Church, Blackhill, at 7.30p.m. This is an opportunity to come
together with members of other local churches - do join us. Further, more
reflective, services are held in St. Cuthbert’s on Tuesday and Wednesday,
each of them a Eucharist - so it’s possible to join in worship each day of
Holy Week. The Eucharist on Tuesday evening is followed by “Stations of
the Cross.” We use the pictures in church which depict Jesus’ journey to
the Cross as a guide to meditation “on the move” - our aim: to draw closer
to Christ at this time of his Passion.
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On Maundy Thursday, 9 April, the clergy of the diocese take part in the
“Chrism Mass” with the renewal of ordination vows in the Cathedral. There
also the Bishop blesses the holy oils for use in Baptism, Confirmation and
the anointing of the Sick. There is no Thursday morning Eucharist that day
- the parish celebration is reserved for the evening; please join us then!

It's on Holy / Maundy Thursday evening with the Sung

Eucharist of the Last Supper that we begin the
"Triduum," the Great Three Days which are at the centre of
our faith. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, breaks bread
with his friends and then turns to face his Passion. He
wants us to be with him. As this service closes, we have
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the opportunity to remain in church for silent prayer, just as Jesus watched
in the Garden of Gethsemane with his disciples. Come for all or any part of
this most special evening between 7.30p.m and 10p.m.

Good Friday brings us to the Cross. At 10.00a.m.

there is a special service for all ages - see the extent
of God's love for us, that it can bring his Son to die
for our sake. At 2.00p.m. we mark our Lord's last
hour on the Cross with a Solemn Liturgy of the day,
including St. John's account of the Passion and Holy
Communion - as on Maundy Thursday we leave the
church in silence without a dismissal: God's work is
still to be completed….

We recognise the fulness of God’s work on Easter Day. From the darkness
we come to celebrate the triumph of light, the victory of the Resurrection
and the power of Christ's risen life over death. The Easter flame is lit, and
we are called to the renewal of our Baptismal faith and hope - today the call
goes out to all who would put their trust in Christ:

If any be a devout lover of God, let him

partake with gladness from this fair and
radiant feast. If any be a faithful servant,
let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his
Lord. If any have wearied himself with
fasting, let him now enjoy his reward....

Enter, all of you, into the joy of our Lord.

First and last, receive alike your reward.
Rich and poor, dance together. You who
have fasted and you who have not fasted,
rejoice today. The table is fully laden: let
all enjoy it. Let none fear death; for the
death of the Saviour has set us free.

May the love of Christ, crucified and risen,

fill your life with his joy
this Easter-tide
Martin Jackson
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Mothers’ Union News

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Monday 6 April
2.00pm Service in Church
Followed by a talk by Liz Whiting about the Derwentside Carers’ Centre.

Thank you to everyone who gave to the “Make a Mother’s Day” appeal in
memory of our mothers. This year we gave a total of £88 which is being
used to buy 2 latrines and washstands and 2 blackboards and chalks.

Thank you also to everyone who has made teddies, so many and all
individuals with their different colours and expressions. 31 teddies have
travelled to Durham and possibly now a bit further at the start of their
journey abroad.


A message from Consett Christian Aid Committee
“Thank you to everyone who bought tickets and supported the Coffee
Morning on Saturday 21st February at Consett Methodist Church. We
raised £149 for Christian Aid - and the Traidcraft stall made £102 for their
fund. It was a lovely social morning with many people from different
Churches and communities all enjoying time together.”

A reminder that Christian Aid Week will be here

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again soon, this year from 10 to 16 May.

Looking further ahead, our Sponsored Walk is on Saturday 26th September

and will start at the beginning of the Derwent Walk.



2nd Tuesday Lunch Club

… continues to provide food and friendship

12.30p.m. Tuesday 14th April in the Church Hall


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An Evening with George Miller

George treated us to a fascinating evening‟s insight
into his journey across America, the basis of his new
book “This is the Way to Amarillo”. The evening was
enjoyed by all and ended with a rousing rendition of
Tony Christie‟s classic hit of the same name.
George gave his time free of charge and the publishers
allowed us to receive every penny of the profits raised
by book sales.
In total we raised £296 - an excellent addition to our appeal for building
work on the lower level of the Church Hall. A very big thank you to all
who supported this event. Jennifer Lambert


100 Club - Winners
March
1st Prize £25 No.35 Ian Hamilton
2nd Prize £15 No.63 Joyce Shaw
3rd Prize £10 No.2 Doris Pearson

Details on how to join the 100 Club from our organiser,

Jennifer Lambert, phone 505018.


DRAMA GROUP TO JOIN HALL FUND-RAISING DRIVE
The newly-revived drama group (now called One in Seven) intends to join
the Church Hall fund-raising programme with a special inaugural evening
planned for Saturday 9th May at 7.30 in the hall. The evening will consist
of live entertainment based on radio and television shows and provided by
members of the group. The entertainment may well remind the audience of
Round the Horne, Bob Newhart and Mastermind with some live musical
additions, and tickets, on sale shortly, will be £5 to include refreshments.
Members of the group will also perform the dramatised Passiontide reading
on Palm Sunday, April 5th, at the 10a.m. Eucharist.
Jim Hollingsworth
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Stained Glass in St. Cuthbert’s

Paul Heatherington, one of our Readers, continues his series …

Dorcas -
Next to the Lydia window in St Cuthbert‟s organ aisle
is to be found a window with the title „Dorcas.‟ Dorcas
was a follower of Jesus and lived in Joppa. Sadly she
fell ill and died. Her body was washed and placed in
an upstairs room. When the other Christians in Joppa
heard that Peter was in Lydda, they dispatched two
men to beg Peter to come as quickly as he could. Peter
returned with them to Joppa. The scene greeting Peter
seems not to have been unlike the occasion when
Lazarus had died: mourning, weeping, widows were
everywhere.
The men took Peter to the room in which Dorcas has
been laid and he was shown clothes which Dorcas had
made. This is the scene which the stained glass
window depicts. Dorcas is NOT the woman in the
window. The woman depicted is a woman holding up
a garment made by Dorcas for Peter to see.
Peter asked everyone to leave the room. Then, he knelt
to pray, calling on Jesus‟ power. Peter – not unlike the
way Jesus called on Lazarus to come out of the tomb –
turned to the body of Dorcas and ordered her to get up.
On opening her eyes and seeing Peter, Dorcas sat up.
Peter helped her to her feet, by taking her by the hand.
Peter then called both the grieving widows and the
other followers of Jesus into the room for all to see that
Dorcas was alive and well.
Dorcas is an excellent example of a woman who was
responsive to the less fortunate. Dorcas demonstrated
her newly-found faith in Jesus Christ by working with
her hands to meet the needs of the less fortunate. She
had given a great deal to the poor and was always
doing good things for people.
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Jesus acted through Peter. All too often, Christians think too little of what
Jesus can do through them. The raising of Dorcas created quite a stir and
everyone living in the vicinity quickly learned what had happened. As a
result, many of those living in Joppa came to faith.

NOTES
Acts 9:36–41 has the story of Dorcas.
Dorcas is the Greek translation of the Hebrew „Tabitha‟ and means a
deer or a gazelle.
Joppa, Jerusalem's seaport, was a town in Israel on the
Mediterranean Sea. It is now 10 miles southeast of Tel Aviv-Jaffa.
Lydda wasn‟t far from Joppa
Saints: St Paul describes living church members as „saints‟, and
addressed his letters, „to the saints of ….‟
Dorcas Lane, who ran Candleford's Post Office in the BBC drama
„Lark Rise to Candleford’ was played by Julia Sawalha.

Paul Heatherington
……………………………………………………………………….

Fashion at St Cuthbert’s
7.30p.m. Wednesday 29th April
Ladies’ Fashion Show
- in St. Cuthbert’s Church Hall.

Tickets £5 from Mary Mitchell 01207 508174

- proceeds to church funds
……………………………………………………………………….
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Plus ça change…
I was going to write an article about the air-raid shelter, or
“bunker”, which was built for church use in the 1940‟s,
and was trawling through past Parish Magazines to find
details of when and how it was demolished, when I
serendipitously hit on something more immediately
relevant - tree felling!
Churchgoers, and those who pass up and down the bank, may have noticed
that NEDL have been having some pruning and tree felling carried out, and
this work has included felling two of the four conifers outside the Church. I
counted the growth rings on the stumps and these trees were 54 years old -
give or take a year or two.
Now, in the Parish Magazine for December 1955 was a paragraph about
felling some of the trees in the churchyard which were in a dangerous
condition; damaging church walls and carrying fungal spores into the
church. These trees had been listed for felling three years previously. (It
took NEDL two years and a bit to get the job done this time, so things have
speeded up since the 1950‟s).
The article continues with the hope that a replanting scheme would be
started straight away - so it would appear that the two trees just felled were
part of that replanting scheme - and those who planted them probably never
thought that these trees too would grow and cause damage to walls and
pathways, and endanger the electricity supply!
Sammie Hewlett


Spring Clean-up…
Get St. Cuthbert’s Church ready for Easter
Make a clean sweep!
Please come along to lend a hand
with pre-Christmas cleaning
on Saturday 4th April from 10a.m.
More details from Liz Parker…
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“Cake Bake” - Sunday 26th April

Sunday School will be holding their
annual “Cake Bake” on Sunday 26th
April. There will be cakes, large and
small, as well as decorated biscuits etc.
for you to buy. All in aid of the
Church Hall building project to finish
off the downstairs rooms and develop
a disabled toilet and galley kitchen.

Come and buy your cakes and nibble your biscuits while attending the
APCM meeting to find out what is going on.
……………………………………………………………………….

COFFEE plus
in support of St Cuthbert’s Church

Saturday 16th May 2009

10a.m. to 12noon in the Church Hall

COFFEE & LIGHT REFRESHMENTS

PLANT STALL
SECOND-HAND BOOKS
RAFFLE

Rosie Junemann is coordinating the Sale, and welcomes offers of help,

plants, books, prizes…
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Annual Parochial Church Meeting & Reports

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On Sunday 26 April, we will be holding our Annual Parochial
Church Meeting. This is the occasion when we elect churchwardens
and members of the Parochial Church Council. The meeting will
follow on after the main Sunday Eucharist - so go over to the Hall, get
a cup of coffee and hang on! We hold the meeting in the morning to
attract more people, and give a greater sense of involvement in the
mainstream life of the parish. And we’ll do our best to keep things
quite brief and to the point.
So this is to ask you to start getting ready for the Annual Meeting -
please get ready! Nomination sheets for the office of churchwarden
(2), and the PCC (12 members, serving one year), will be found in
church in due course. Standing for office, proposing someone else,
and voting are all matters for careful (and prayerful) consideration. We
look at our financial position too - if you’d like to see detailed Parish
Accounts in advance, please ask Irvine Macnair.
We’re now in the last stages of revising our Electoral Roll - the list of all
who may vote at the meeting. If you’re on the Roll already, that’s fine. If
you’re notor want to know more, contact the Vicar, a Warden or Kelsey
Buchanan, our Electoral Roll Officer. Forms for new members need to be
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returned by Thursday 2 April. The qualification for membership is to be
16 years of age or more, together with residence in the parish or
attendance at St. Cuthbert’s over a period of 6 months.
In the following pages there follow such reports of parish organisations
as we’ve been able already to gather. There’ll be more to say on the day of
the meeting. And in any event we don’t just look back at reports… the
meeting should help us to celebrate what we are doing now, and help us to
look forward to the future. So, please come - and play your part.

CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT
The fabric of the Church is in reasonable condition, most of the work this
year has been general maintenance, but there are a number of major works
which will require attention in the not too distant future, in particular the re-
pointing of the boundary walls.
The peeling interior paintwork is of some concern; but this would need
fairly substantial works involving stripping off the old and testing of
available materials if we are to avoid the flaking which is occurring.
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Repairs were carried out to number of stained glass
windows in the East aisle, we are fortunate that the
Lexan coating to the outside of all of the windows
gives a good level of protection, both from damage and
also from draughts.
Minor roof repairs were needed to arrest the ingress of
water in the Chancel and at the rear of the Lady Chapel,
all gutterings were also cleaned out .
Problems with the quarter chimes to the clock were resolved, and the
annual maintenance has been carried out with no problems being found; the
possibility of fitting an electrical winding mechanism in the future may be
worth considering.
As most of us are now aware felling and pruning of trees in the Church
yard has now been carried out, this work was necessary, both to clear
obstruction to the overhead electric cables and also because the two
conifers were causing damage to the footings of the boundary walls. All of
this work we are pleased to say was carried out by NEDL at no cost to
ourselves.
Repairs and replacements have also been carried out to a number of
damaged floorboards.
A survey of the floor heating grilles has revealed the need for 17
replacements, the necessary Archdeacon‟s Certificate has been received for
this work, which is expected to commence within the next month.
The Quinquennial Report is due next year, and we
still have some work to do to meet the
recommendations of the previous report, which
standing committee and PCC will be working
through in the next year. Unfortunately this will
inevitably involve fund-raising - all ideas for which
will be gratefully received.!
Thank you to all of you who help to maintain this beautiful Church,
whether practically or financially. As we say year on year, being
custodians of such a building, brings a lot of work but also an awful lot of
pleasure.

Liz Parker Linda Short

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ST. CUTHBERT’S HALL REPORT

During the past year the management
committee have become increasingly
concerned about the revenue of the Hall. The
management committee has discussed at
length the need to publicise the Church Hall
more widely. A sub group of the Committee
worked to evaluate the hourly rates for the
booking of the hall. It was agreed that the hourly rate for user groups would
rise to £9/hour and the private rental rate would increase to £15/hour. It was
agreed that the affiliation fee would remain at £60/year. Despite this the
Hall has been able to once again cover all running costs.
The Hall Management Committee met three times during the past year. The
finance group met twice.

The Committee consisted of:

Six PCC nominated members: Glynis Bell
Steve Mitchell
Martin Jackson
Ian Severs
Linda Short
Peter Thompson
User group representatives: Mothers Union – Sheila Barnes
Lunch Club – Pam Hudson
Handbells – Sammie Hewlett
Toddlers – Lindsay Weaver
Brownies – Fiona Bell
Guides – Lynne Paley
Irvine Macnair, the PCC Treasurer, who also looked after the Hall finances,
was an ex-officio member of the Committee until December 2008. From
January 2009 Jennifer Lambert has taken over as Treasurer for the Church
Hall. Linda Short continued in the role of Hall Booking Secretary.
The Church Hall received funding from local councillors to complete car
park and landscaping works. Plans have now been drawn up for the
downstairs area of the hall in order to complete the Hall. The next step will
be to put the work out to tender.
 17
The Second Tuesday Lunch Club continues to be very popular and
successful. The Management team organised and decorated the Hall for
Christmas festivities.
The aims for the forthcoming year:
To complete landscaping.
To gain funding to complete work to the downstairs rooms of the
Hall.
Fiona Bell, Secretary

CHURCH FLOWER REPORT 2008-09

The church flowers have been arranged weekly, usually on
Fridays and generally by a team of three people. Several
others have help out on an occasional basis, particularly at
Christmas time. An extra pair of hands on a regular bases
would still be appreciated.
The flowers have been specially arranged for three weddings as well as for
Easter, Harvest Festival and Christmas, which was a major undertaking as
usual.
The flower fund has been reasonably healthy throughout the year. There
was a starting balance in the fund of £109.53, with an income of £1,207.20,
spends of £1,123.97, leaving a closing balance of £59.72
Thank you to all who have helped with the church flowers last year, either
financially or by giving their time. It was greatly appreciated.
Sonia Thompson

Handbell Ringers
2008 was not the best of years for St Cuthbert‟s Handbell Ringers; with
family commitments, eyesight problems, illness, and a great anxiety
preventing full rehearsals, or even meetings at all. However, we did
perform at the Christmas Concert with the Leadgate Gleemen, and also for
the Christingle Service on Christmas Eve.
We carry on… maybe someone else will come and join us. Perhaps 2009
will be the Year of Renewal for St Cuthbert‟s Handbell Ringers!
Sammie Hewlett
18

TOWER BELLS REPORT 2008-09

Last year the bells were rung most Sundays by a regular band of 9 ringers –
one of which has returned to the exercise after an absence of 45 years!
Practice nights have often been busy occasions as we enjoy the company of
ringers from Consett and Lanchester.

Two new learners joined us in the New Year (2009) who will hopefully
boost our local band in the future. Despite the slight increase in numbers,
ringing still has to be cancelled during some holiday times, particularly in
the summer. Most of the ringers are tied to school holidays, which makes
cover difficult.

Four weddings were rung for during the last year, and two visiting bands
were welcomed. Some of our ringers took part in the association quarter
peal week in July (one ringer achieving their first quarter peal) and another
quarter was rung in October for Sammie and Alan Hewlett‟s Golden
Wedding Anniversary.

Minimal repair work has taken place in the tower last year. A stay had to be
replaced on the 4th bell and some splicing work to repair the ropes on the 5th
and Tenor bells. Following closer inspection of these ropes it has been
necessary to order two new ropes for these heavier back end bells. Most of
the cost of which should be covered by the Tower fund, which is likely to
reduce it to zero.

The Tower fund (Jan 08 – Dec 08) started the year

with a balance of £117.50 but gained additional funds
of £99.00, primarily from the 4 weddings that were
rung for during the year. There was no Tower outing
in 2008 and the only outgoings of £15.00 were to
cover the Junior subs to the D&N Bell Ringing
Association, leaving a closing balance of £201.50.
This, after paying the 2009 subs, will almost cover the
cost of the two new ropes – donations always
welcome.
Sonia Thompson
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Christian Aid Report

During 2008 Consett and District Christian Aid Committee held our usual
events:
A coffee morning in Consett Methodist church in February
The sponsored walk in September
A performance given by the Snug Theatre Group during One
World Week in October
Together with Christian Aid Week, these events raised over £10,300.
St Cuthbert‟s collection for Christian Aid Week was £1,245. Thanks are
due to all our dedicated collectors, both to those who have been collecting
for many years and to those who collected for the first time in 2008. Thank
you also to all the members of our community who continue to give so
generously.
Please consider helping in 2009 if you can. It doesn‟t take too long and
would help to continue our valuable contribution to Christian Aid.
Sheila Barnes

Mothers’ Union 2008

The Branch continued in 2008 with our usual mixture of
worship, meetings, fundraising, and outings.
Worship included our regular services in St Cuthbert‟s,
monthly Eucharist at Derwentdale Court, the Diocesan
Festival Service in Durham Cathedral, and the Deanery Quiet Day and
Autumn Deanery Service. Two of us also attended the IMPC (Indoor
Members Prayer Circle) Service in Durham Cathedral.
During our meetings we were entertained with music and words reflecting
the seasons of both the calendar and the Church‟s year and we were
privileged to hear some of the reminiscences and thoughts of two very
interesting speakers, one with a lifetime‟s experience of Church, the other
with Chapel. Some of the Mothers‟ Union work overseas was brought to
life for us by two speakers who had spent time in Uganda helping to build a
school.
20
Our fundraising for MU charities and activities included supporting “Make
a Mother‟s Day” in memory of our mothers, once again making a joint
donation and inviting others to join us. We sold Christmas Quizzes in aid of
Durham Diocesan charities. Members from Consett and Ebchester joined
us for our Soup and Sweet lunch when we raised money for the Overseas
Fund and AFIA (Away from it all Fund). We have continued to provide
emergency toilet bags, baby bonnets and bootees, and Teddies for
tragedies. We held a display in Church to demonstrate some of our
activities.
Summer outings in 2008 were an evening visit to Matfen Brewery and
Farm and to Auckland Castle and the Weardale Centre at Stanhope. In
December, we enjoyed an evening meal at Lanchester and our now
customary meal at Derwent College.
Our meetings have been entertaining, informative, interesting as well as an
opportunity to talk with friends. Anyone who wants to just come along
would be most welcome as would anyone who would like to join the
Mothers‟ Union. Membership is open to anyone, female or male, young or
old, married or single, mother or not, providing you have been baptised and
support the MU aims and objectives.
Sheila Barnes

Worship / Music / Sing Together

Nine 'Sing Together' sessions were held during 2008.
Further sessions are planned for 2009. These sessions are
very informal and offer good opportunities to try out new
hymns and to enjoy singing some of the more familiar
ones. It would be good if more people could be
encouraged to join us.
Some small changes have been made in our regular worship. You may have
noticed some new resources which have been introduced using 'Common
Worship: Times and Seasons.' Changes to the Christmas Eve 'Carols and
Christingles' service attracted some appreciative comments. 27 new hymns
were reproduced under the CCLI Licence during 2008.
Rosie Junemann is now a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Committee
and of its Music Wing.
 21

Brownie Report
We have maintained our numbers this year and at
present have 32 girls and a very long waiting list. We
now have a successful parent‟s rota running to provide
enough adult support at each meeting.
We have held several very successful fundraising
events including an entertainment night and a
Christmas concert.
In March we joined with 2nd Chester le Street Brownies for our Pack
Holiday at Moorhouse Activity Centre in Durham. We enjoyed an African
theme. We enjoyed African drumming sessions and abseiling and archery
in the snow.
In May we spent a weekend at Hawkhirst Scout Camp, Kielder the girls
took part in Canadian canoeing, archery, climbing and orienteering.
In July we took part in a County Activity Day celebrating all things
Olympic and Chinese as the theme was the Beijing Olympics.
In September we visited The Forbidden Corner in Leyburn, North
Yorkshire. The girls enjoyed solving the riddles and getting very wet under
the waterfalls.
Since September the girls have been involved in Girlguiding UKs
Changing the World project. This has involved learning about The Railway
Children charity, exploring homelessness and raising money for the charity.
In December we visited Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates at the
Theatre Royal in Newcastle.
In February we held a sleepover which had the theme of Chile. The girls
enjoyed making ponchos, cooking and having an indoor snowball fight.
The coming year is expected to be very busy and enjoyable for all girls as
Girlguiding is celebrating its 100th Birthday Year starting on 5th September
2009.
Fiona Bell
22

100 Club
Another very successful year allowing us to donate £600 to
the church and give out £600 in prize money. We ended the
year with a final balance of £195 and have a total of 108
numbers allocated.
Many thanks to all participants.
Jennifer Lambert

SUNDAY COFFEE
Refreshments and biscuits were provided in the Church
Hall after the 10 am. Eucharist on 51 Sundays in 2008.
Donations came to £462 and expenses to £74. Sunday
School children joined during term-time and consumed
many a biscuit! A rota of volunteers (some press-
ganged) helped serve and wash up and the rota‟s
periodicity was about 8 weeks. More helpers would,
of course, be very welcome.
Jenny Macnair

CHURCH MAGAZINES 2008

300 magazines were printed 10 times a year and 50p. was charged for each
copy (£5 for an annual subscription). 250 were distributed to regular
subscribers and 50 left in Church and the Church Hall for casual buyers.
The total printing cost for the year was £612 and the income derived was
£1126. 20 people undertook to distribute the magazines.
Jenny Macnair

2nd TUESDAY LUNCH CLUB

The Lunch Club continues to flourish with five
new members joining us since (this) January -
with helpers we number 45!!
Unfortunately, due to rising costs, we have had
to increase our prices, but this has not lead to us
having lost any of our “happy group.” We put
on our “Free Christmas Lunch” which everyone
seemed to enjoy.
 23

The help given by “dishwashers,” “drivers,” “cooks,” and raffle ticket lady”
is very much appreciated. Here‟s to the next time!
Pam Hudson

PCC Secretary’s Report

2008/2009 has been another busy year in the life of St
Cuthbert‟s Church. There have been the usual
seasonal events and fairs as well as several additional
fund raising occasions organised by various members
of the congregation. All were enjoyed by everyone
who attended and helped raise much needed funds for
the Church and Church Hall. Barclays and National Westminster Banks
contributed to these events via their £ for £ employee involvement
schemes. Thanks go to Claire Bean and Jennifer Lambert for making these
donations possible.
Many thanks go to two of our area Councillors who helped us acquire
funding and manpower from the outgoing Derwentside District Council to
develop a landscaped car park area in the grounds of the Church Hall. This
has eased parking on Church Bank during events held both in the Church
and Church Hall as well as tidying the area up. Thanks also go to
Derwentside District Council.
Minor repairs were carried out in and around Church during the year
although this next year will see more obvious works taking place.
Throughout the year the Vicar and our two Readers, Rosie Junemann and
Paul Heatherington, have attended various courses and seminars to assist in
their vocational development.
2008 saw three long serving members of the PCC step down. Many thanks
went to them for their sterling work over the years. The new “team”
members seem to be settling in to the working of the PCC.
We look forward to a successful and sociable 2009/2010.
Jill Barron
24

Confirmation 2009
Our Deanery has again been offered only one
Confirmation this year - but back at the time of year
we’ve been used to.
So you might wish to grasp this opportunity… The Bishop of Durham (I
nd
think!) will be presiding at a Deanery Confirmation on Monday 22 June -
at All Saints’ Church, Lanchester.
We have a couple of candidates, but would welcome more! If you’re an
adult with actual church involvement - and want to be confirmed - please
get in touch with the Vicar (of St. Cuthbert’s!) as soon as possible. There’ll
be some preparation involved after Easter - and hopefully it will all be very
enjoyable. Carpe Diem!

Useful Church Contacts:

Churchwardens: Liz Parker, 178 Benfieldside Road 505156
Linda Short, 9 Sherwood Close   503750
PCC Lay Chair: Peter Thompson, Wheldon House, Ebchester 560454
PCC Treasurer: Irvine Macnair, 10 Kempton Close. 505828
PCC Secretary: Jill Barron, 141 Benfieldside Road 504352
Sunday School: Carol O‟Malley, 13 Spring Close, Ebchester 561884
Church Hall: Linda Short, 9 Sherwood Close  503750