Diocese of Newcastle. June 2017

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1 Diocese of Newcastle e-bulletin June 2017 The e-bulletin is usually published once a month. Please send material for inclusion to Laura Ball at communications@newcastle.anglican.org (Communications Office, Church House, St John s Terrace, North Shields, NE29 6HS ). Any items in the e-bulletin may be reproduced in whole or part. Relevant attachments may be submitted in electronic format. Items in or linked with the e-bulletin are not necessarily an official policy or view. Be mindful of the environment - please do not print the e-bulletin unless really necessary. INFO EVENTS RESOURCES PRAYER DIARY Update: Cathedral staff covering Sunday services around the Diocese Update from Canon Clare MacLaren Dear Friends, The offer from The Dean, Canon Steven and myself to make ourselves available on a more formal basis to cover services across the Diocese is still open and so swift and eager has been the response from you that we are considering whether at least some of us can be freed up to get out and about more frequently still! The booking sheet system seems to be working very well and now Canon Jean has offered some additional dates, so do have a look. You can still access the booking sheet by clicking here. You will also see instructions on how to fill in the form there. Access booking sheet here As time goes on, we will add more dates, taking the list into 2018 using the same link, so bookmark it on your computer, or keep it in a safe place, if you think you may want to use it in the future! Here s hoping we can make the most of the technology and get this to work for us all! With every good wish, Clare

2 Thy Kingdom Come Events 25 May - 3 June There's so much happening in our Diocese throughout the Novena from Ascension to Pentecost. We've listed all the events we know about on the Diocesan website: click here to see what's going on in a church near you! You can also easily add your events to the AChurchNearYou website: 1. Click add new event for your church and fill in all the event details in the window that opens up 2. Underneath the Event Group drop down, pick Thy Kingdom Come. 3. We then list all the events happening during that week so people visiting your church page can see what you re doing. Save the date: Save the date: Save the date: 24 July Diocesan Finance Synod Venue TBC New address for Lord Crewe's Charity office We have moved offices. As of 15 May, our new address is: Lord Crewe's Charity The Miners Hall Durham DH1 4BD Tel.: addresses and the website remain unchanged. Please note that the office is not staffed full time. if no-one is there please either leave a messageon voice mail or contact us by .

3 Seahouses Hostel open for bookings Following the completion of a 250,000 investment by Lord Crewe s Charity, Seahouses Hostel is once again open for bookings by church and other groups. The refurbishment enabled by the Charity's investment has included: A new extension providing a new, accessible ground floor dormitory and further accommodation on the first floor Improved facilities and access for disabled people throughout the building Improved facilities for group leaders En suite facilities A Quiet Room on the ground floor, in addition to the existing main lounge General refurbishment and updating Photographs of the refurbishment work can be viewed here. The Hostel is operated by an independent charity leasing its buildings from Lord Crewe s Charity and the Diocese of Newcastle. It currently has a maximum capacity of 44 beds, though the next two development phases, planned for the next few years will significantly increase this. For further information about availability or to make a booking, please contact the Warden, Karen Leadbitter. seahouseshostel@outlook.com Website: Tel:

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5 The charity Book Aid in Barnard's Castle is happy to take any theological books you may no longer want or need. They collect and books and send them, via their London warehouse for theological education in emerging economies and developing countries. 'Green your church' and win a cash prize Entries are now being invited from churches of all denominations for the Church Times Green Church Awards There are five awards for innovative work already completed (or ongoing), or for projects still at the planning stage. Shortlisted entries will feature in the Church Times this summer, with the awards ceremony at Lambeth Palace taking place 16 October. The deadline for entries is 2 July Details and information on how to enter can be found by clicking here

6 Inspired North East will be represented at this event by Ian Bapty. If you cannot attend it yourself, but have questions you'd like to raise or specific issues you'd like feedback on, please do get in touch with Ian. Job vacancy with Christian Aid (North East based) We are currently recruiting for a Regional Office Coordinator, based in the Newcastle Office. Please click here for more information. Closing date is 4 June. Downloadable resources (forms, notices, etc.) for your Annual Parochial Church Meeting are on the Diocesan website at Archdeacons' Visitations 2017 have largely been concluded. The remaining visitation is on Thursday 8 June at 7.30pm, when the Interim Acting Archdeacon of Lindisfarne is due to visit St Mary's, Morpeth CONFIRMATIONS 2017 The Confirmation dates and venues for 2017 are now available and may be downloaded from the web page at or direct from

7 Free to a good home! No, not the cat - this cute kitty has already been adopted. The items in question are: a metal framed, three drawer desk in good condition, and a small Ikea computer desk with sliding shelf for keyboard, also in good condition. Perfect for the daily needs of clergy. If interested, please contact Geoff Miller at g.miller@newcastle.anglican.org. EVENTS

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10 Mindfulness and Meditation: A RRC with the Revd Rupert Kalus Rupert has been introducing and leading mindfulness sessions in over 20 churches/parish settings in the diocese of Durham. These have proven extremely popular as a way of deepening personal faith, connecting with others in the local church and making connections with those outside of the Christian faith in the wider community. Participants will learn something of Rupert s current work and about how mediation and mindfulness may be used in other settings to broaden people s connections with themselves, each other and with God. When: Monday 5 June 10:00-12:00 pm Where: Cuthbert House, Stonebridge, Durham, DH1 3RY A Reading of John Hear from local author Rev d Richard Ferguson as he launches his latest book, A Reading of John, examining the gospel in a fresh light, with some of Richard's own insights into the text. First generation' and 'second generation' Gospels - differences between John and the Synoptic Gospels Greek philosophical influences on John's presentation and framing of the Good News of Jesus. "What is truth? Light refreshments will be provided and there will be a chance to look at and buy the book and Richard's previous works. When: Tuesday 13 June 2017, 3:00 4:30pm Where: Church House, Percy Main, North Shields, NE29 6HS Stressed at work? No idea where on earth to turn to? You can still book a place on our workshop 'Developing Resilience: Performing under Pressure'. When: Thursday, 8 June (preceded by a light lunch at 12.15) Where: Church House, North Shields Designed specifically for those in Ministry, the workshop will cover how the mind functions when under pressure, what resilience is and what it is not, understanding stress, and creating a 4-point plan to build resilience to cope with stress. For further information and to register, contact Peter Kenney at peter.kenney5@btinernet.com or

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13 Our annual Diocesan LMD Network Event will be on Tuesday June 20 th pm at Café Azure beginning with food and then a Market place format like last year. Bishop Mark will be with us. All are welcome even if you are not a signed up LMD parish! Please register your interest with Rachel Wood (r.wood@newcastle.anglican.org).

14 Contact James Harvey( ) to join up or for further details.

15 FREE EVENT: Making your church more accessible For all those interested in making their churches more accessible. The Diocesan Disability Task Group (DDTG) invite you to come along, share your views, and hear from others. This is a free event, and you are not committing yourself to anything by attending. Members of the DDTG will be on hand throughout the evening. If you feel you would like to join the DDTG and help increase the awareness of all forms of disability and the confidence of churches throughout the Diocese to address the issues, please speak to one of us. The aim of the DDTG is to raise awareness amongst churches of disability issues and the link with the Diocesan agenda, 'growing church bringing hope'. At the DDG, ee are keen to engage more people in the life of the Church and so enriching both them and the Church. If you have any queries please contact John Telfer.

16 What is the Song of Songs and what is it doing in the Bible? A half day interactive event looking at one of the most intriguing and enigmatic (and short) books in the Bible; the Song of Solomon or Song of Songs. Join Hilary Elder, who worked on the book for her PhD, to explore what this book is and what it does as a member of the biblical canon; and how it can help us to think faithfully about the very topical themes of gender, beauty and desire. When: Tuesday 4 July :30-5:00 pm Where: Church House, Percy Main, North Shields, NE29 6HS

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18 Shepherds Dene, Diocesan Retreat House, NE44 6AF For further information or to book a place call or contact jane@shepherdsdene.co.uk Mon 17 July 5pm - Fri 21 July 2pm Individually Guided Retreat Revd Stephen Herbert, Revd Rupert Kalus and Bridgett Hewitt Mon 29 May 5pm - Thurs 1 June 2pm Knitting, Crochet and Felting Retreat Revd Elizabeth Brown Come along for chat and crafting, times of quiet and worship. There will be a swap-shop, rummage bin and informal skills-sharing. Early booking advised. For an application form and to book, please contact Ms Brown directly (lizzieegg@hotmail.co.uk or on ). Ms Brown serves as an NSM priest in the United Benefice of Bedlington, Cambois & Sleekburn. She is an experienced workshop and retreat leader, and this will be her third crafting retreat at Shepherds Dene. Our team of experienced spiritual directors will accompany you on a silent, guided retreat, meeting with you daily in a one-to-one session. This individually guided retreat is tailored to provide personal direction: each day your retreat director meets with you to help reflect on and examine the ways in which God is working in your life. There will be time for quiet reflection in the peaceful surroundings of Shepherds Dene. Revd Stephen Herbert is Vicar of Byker, and Co-ordinator of MINE. Revd Rupert Kalus is Vicar of Lanchester and Bunhope and Adviser for Spirituality in Durham Diocese and Bridget Hewitt has an interest in Christian Meditation and the contemplative tradition within Christianity Sun 2 Thurs 6 July Cross stitch week Barbara Thompson The 22nd year for this popular creative cross stitch course. Suitable for both beginners and the more experienced, this is a great opportunity to develop your cross stitch skills in a supportive, relaxing atmosphere. Barbara is a long-established cross stitch designer and teacher based in Riding Mill. For bookings, e- mail barbatwoodlands@hotmail.com. Sun 23 July 5pm - Thurs 27 July 2pm Art and Photography week Paul and Mary Judson Another opportunity to relax, with time to explore drawing, painting and photography at any level. Expert help available should you need it. Paul Judson is former Director of Communications for Durham Diocese, and an accomplished artist and photographer. Mary Judson, a retired vicar from Durham Diocese, will be chaplain for the week. 310

19 RESOURCES We're Thinking About The Bible For Christians, the Bible is key to their understanding of faith and provides the basis for many essential concepts such as creation, incarnation, and the fall. Over the next few weeks, we'll be exploring the book itself - what it is, who it's for, its impact on society, the uses and abuses of scripture and a couple of different ways of looking at it. We ll be taking the time to explore the text (well, translations of it) and from time-to-time compare it with a few popular misconceptions Along the way (generally on a Tuesday) we ll be having a look at some of its most famous stories and showing off some of the fantastic resources we have to help you develop your own understanding and help with your work regarding the scriptures. What Is the Bible? Christians believe that the Bible reveals the story of God's relationship with humanity throughout the ages - from the beginning of all things to a foretelling of the end of the world as we know it and the new world that will follow. It is a collection of books and letters... read more. We will be recommending resources and posting on our forums for discussion of the topic. Do take part, on Facebook, Twitter and the RRC forums We'd love to know what you think! To join in the Conversation and receive our latest news about events and much more head over to our website: or LIKE us on Facebook.

20 Book review The Upside Down Bible, what Jesus really said about money sex and violence. Symon Hall, Darton Longman & Todd, 2015 Reviewed by Karenza Passmore I would recommend this 192 page book just for the two chapters discussing issues in everyday encounters with the New Testament. The issues examined include: Unconscious bias when reading; How to engage with a variety of ways of interpreting text; What can we really know about Jesus? The following study of 15 Gospel extracts are approached in the same thoughtful way and explore: The text itself; Questions about initial reactions; Insights from people who have read the text for the first time - sourced from Hills own discussions and group research; A reflection on various interpretations - including the scholarly - and comments on context; Final Questions on all that has been read. From Chapter 3 the book can be read in almost any order, dipped into for single sermons or used as the basis of a group reflection. The entire book was easy to read, entertaining and theologically provocative. This would be an excellent resource for anyone addressing the themes of social justice, issues around poverty and community engagement. This book is now available for borrowing from the RRC. Karenza is Director of the Religious Resources Centre with a particular interest in how faith connects to contemporary culture. NEW Archdeacons' Briefing on the Consent of Parents to Baptism You are welcome to download this from the Diocesan website: