Hexham Abbey News. Volunteers Congregation Staff. Escape to the Abbey. Hexham No. 5. Millennium Mystery. 1st October 2017

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1 Hexham Abbey News Volunteers Congregation Staff 1st October 2017 Escape to the Abbey On Wednesday 4th October 2017 at BBC 1 will be broadcasting the second episode in this series of Escape to the Country, the property buying programme for couples wanting to escape the humdrum of city life for a quieter lifestyle in the country. In the coming episode Ginny Buckley visits Northumberland with a couple who want their 500,000 budget to buy them a country house with land to earn an income from running a yurt campsite. While in the county, Ginny visits Hexham Abbey and talks to Tom Kelsey about the passageways and historic remains shed light on a 1,300-year history. Tom was interviewed by Ginny last year for this episode. At the time Ginny commented: I've never been to Hexham before. I've been taken aback by how beautiful it is and it has such a lovely character. The Abbey itself is glorious and we've had a beautiful tour, and you can see all the centuries of history which has been well preserved for yourself. I really wish I had visited Hexham earlier and, if people haven't been, they don't know what they are missing. I've loved the warm welcome you always get up north. We have had a lovely time up here and the countryside around here is so beautiful, and the couple from Warwickshire we have been filming are convinced this is the place they want to call home. I may even be looking here for my own escape to the country! Hexham No. 5 Last Saturday there was an article in the Guardian titled Top 10 autumn breaks in small UK towns and cities and guess which town was a very respectable fifth on that list? Nature writers were asked to nominate and write about their favourite destinations and Melissa Harrison, author of Clay and At Hawthorn Time, chose Hexham as her favourite market town for a late-season break. Melissa wrote: I fell in love with Northumberland when I was writer-in-residence at its literary festival in autumn It s a criminally under-visited county: those who pass through on the way to Scotland miss out on breath taking upland landscapes, dark skies and warm hospitality. The market town of Hexham is the jewel in the county s rugged crown. Its abbey has an excellent, child-friendly interactive display about its history, and an Anglo-Saxon crypt. The twice-monthly farmer s market is a foodie s dream, with produce from a 50-mile radius. In addition to this she mentions events upcoming events at the Queen s Hall, Hadrian s Wall, Cogito Books on the narrow, cobbled lane of St Mary s Chare, and a French country-style dinner at Bouchon Bistro. Have a look at the article on and see for yourself whether towns 1, 2, 3 and 4 are worthy of the top spots! Millennium Mystery This week the conservation team came across a curious picture in the archive. It was on half a sheet of A4 paper and showed a cross made out of frosted glass with a central blue stone. Stan Beckensall revealed that this cross visited the Abbey in the millennium and sent in some further pictures. If you know anything more about this object we would love to hear about it!

2 Hosting with HOSTUK 2017 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2 How true such advice can be. Hospitality is an equal partnership, the feel-good factor of offering it and the delight in receiving it. HOST UK is a charity whose mission is to give a welcome to international students in British homes for friendship and cultural exchange. Whilst not a faith-based charity, it values the offers of hospitality that result from awareness-raising in Churches through parish news and word of mouth. If you are unable to travel abroad, have abroad come to you! Our students are both curious and fascinated by our traditions and happy to fully participate in everyday life. If you have a curiosity about exotic places, or desire to improve a second language, or want your children to encounter those of other cultures and countries, we can offer all of this. Our international students bring something really special to such a visit and experiences become treasured memories for all and forever. Whilst we operate all year round Christmas or New Year is an especially valuable time to enjoy welcoming guests into your home. Consider what faces the international student this Christmas; a lonely hall of residence compounded with the uncertainty of their welcome from a Brexiting Britain. They may also be from a country experiencing conflict or natural disaster and if none of this applies, then they are invariably far from home, family and loved ones. Hospitality can be offered for one day (daytime only), three days and two nights at the weekend, or at New Year, or four days and three nights during the Christmas festive period. The choice is yours. And remember...your offer can be made at any time of the year. If you should like to know more please look at our website: or contact us via info@hostuk.org or Congregation News REV ALAN CURRIE Very sadly, after a long period of serious illness, Alan, much loved Assistant Priest at the Abbey and Teacher at the High School, died on Thursday. While this was unexpected at this time, it is also a blessing that he is now at peace. Please remember his sister Fiona and his friends in your prayers. FAIRTRADE STALL TODAY Take a look at the Fairtrade goods after Harvest Abbey Praise. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Elizabeth Fish was 90 on Thursday. We wish her many happy returns. ABBEY LIBRARY THE FINAL CHAPTER Before the summer holidays we put up for grabs the books which formed the Abbey library. Some were taken and some remain. There will be a final opportunity to take books this Sunday, 1st October, after all the services. Please help find a good home for these books. READERS, INTERCESSORS & LAY ASSISTANTS The October-November rota has been ed out and is now up in the outer vestry. If you are a reader, intercessor or lay assistant and did not receive an please could you Emily on admin@hexhamabbey.org.uk. JAR LIDS PLEASE! Here s one I made earlier Jane and Toni need your help! Please can you collect large jar lids and bring them in to the parish office for soon-to be-revealed crafty purposes. Many thanks. JAM, PRESERVES AND CHUTNEY It s jam making time! Please keep the Christmas Fair in mind and fill a few extra jars for the Jam Stall at this year s Christmas Fair (Saturday 9th December). Keep them somewhere safe and drop them off at the end of November. Thank you! KNOCK KNOCK! HERE S A QUESTION Does anyone have a large, brass door knocker that Toni could use for creative purposes? Any potential knockers to the Parish Office! FORUM OVER COFFEE Once a month, after the 10am Parish Eucharist, there will be the opportunity for a congregational meeting. This will be an informal series lasting maybe 30mins to aid our communication with one another, with what's going on and our learning. So, for instance, in September we had a little presentation about Open Book. On Sunday 15th October, as we are nearing the end of our OT readings from Exodus, there will be the chance to deepen our understanding on that great story and the plans for the Leschman Garden will be available.

3 Upcoming Events BEGINS THIS WEEK! LUNCHTIME LIVE: THE OCTOBER SERIES These short and varied concerts begin at 1pm in the Abbey and everyone is welcome. Beginning the series on Tuesday 3rd October is Michael Haynes on the Phelps Organ. Do come along if you can. Free entry, retiring collection. CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HEXHAM Annual General Meeting. Tuesday 3rd October, 9.15am, at Trinity Methodist Church. Saturday 7th October, 6pm Why wait until Sunday to get together? Monthly movie, film chat, and conversation. This month come at watch Inside Out in Etheldreda Room with popcorn! For more information contact Matthew Hunter T: or E: MESSY CHURCH, Sunday 8th October, pm Come and join an afternoon of fun, craft, story, and food. Everyone is welcome, young and old alike. Adults, children, teenagers, carers, grandparents, everyone! If you are a child please bring an adult with you. Held in the North Transept. Free entry. STAN S ILLUSTRATED TALKS Stan Beckensall s next talk on Hexham Town will be on Tuesday 10th October at 7.30pm. Ticket available from Cogitos. CTiH NOW IS THE TIME TO WORSHIP An Evening of Christian celebration on Saturday 14th October, pm at Tynedale Function Suite, Hexham Auction Mart. Free admission. Donations welcome. NEWCASTLE GUITAR ORCHESTRA Saturday 21st October, 7.30pm at Hexham Abbey Programme to include concerto in D Major for Lute by Vivaldi and the Fantasia para un Gentilhombre by Rodrigo, and the famous Adagio from the Concierto d Aranjuez. Tickets Venue: The Abbey FORTHCOMING: HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE, 2nd-11th October 2018 Led by the Dean of Durham and Dagmar our Rector. The brochures have arrived, do take one from the table in the Abbey if you are interested. There will be an information evening with the Dean of Durham, Dagmar and with a representative from McCabe in Durham on Wednesday, 4 October, 7:00 9:00pm in Prior s Hall of Durham Cathedral. In order to facilitate car sharing/ lifts, please have a word with Dagmar or leave a message with contact details in the Parish Office stating whether you require or could offer a lift. For those looking for something closer to home, there will also be an information event on Saturday 21st October, 10am, in the Wilfrid Room. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION IN THE ABBEY Mondays, 5.30pm for a 5.45pm start, The first session held last Monday evening was such a success that Bridget has arranged further sessions throughout October and November. Anyone who is interested in experiencing this ancient form of prayer is welcome to join the group. Sessions will be running on: Mondays the 30th October, 6th November, 13th November, 20th November, 27th November and 4th December. No previous experience needed. For more information contact Bridget: T: or E: bridget.hewitt@btopenworld.com. Christmas Ticketing Christmas Service Tickets: to avoid overcrowding and to ensure everyone s safety, comfort and enjoyment, both Services of Nine Lessons and Carols (23rd and 24th Dec, ) and the Children s Crib Service (24th Dec, 3pm) will be ticketed this year. Tickets are free and unallocated. You can collect your tickets after Sunday services from Chris Wilson, starting TODAY!! Tickets will become available to the community via the shop after half term. Please collect your tickets early to avoid disappointment if you decide you no longer need your ticket(s) please return them so that someone else may make use of them. Thank you, and please spread the word.

4 Sunday 1st October 16th Sunday After Trinity Green Holy Communion President Matthew Hunter Harvest Abbey Praise Led by Dagmar Winter Choral Evensong Officiant & Preacher Frank Dexter Readings Ezekiel 3:15-end ; 1 John 2:22-end Canticles Reader David Ratcliff Statham in E minor Hymns Anthem Harris In Christ Jesu Response Smith Responses Organ Ireland Introduction (Miniature Suite) Psalm 78: 1-8 Abbey Services Diary for the week beginning Monday 2nd October 9.00am Morning Prayer and 5.00pm Evening Prayer (unless Choral Evensong) Tuesday 3rd 1 Holy Communion Nigel Warner Wednesday 4th 10.15am Holy Communion Michael Jackson Tots Praise Choral Evensong Matthew Hunter Thursday 5th Holy Communion Matthew Hunter Prayer Group (Elizabeth Fish tel ) Choral Evensong Dagmar Winter Saturday 7th Diocesan Readers Licensing Service Sunday 8th October 17th Sunday After Trinity Green Holy Communion President Matthew Hunter Parish Eucharist with Baptism Readings Exodus 20:1 4, 7 9, 12 20; Matthew 21:33 end President Mary Warner Preacher Matthew Hunter Reader Mark Squires Intercessor Judi Cornforth 11.45am Morning Worship with Baptism President Matthew Hunter Choral Evensong Officiant & Preacher Dagmar Winter Readings Proverbs 2:1 11; 1 John 2:1 17 Reader John Robinson For Your Prayers We pray for those who are unwell or who have asked for our prayers: Edna O Neil, Sheila Jackson, Yvonne Roberts, Doreen Beniams, Peter Barclay, Christopher Brown. We pray for those who have died and all those who mourn: Stan Batey, Hazel Cessford, Robert Lorimer, Barbara Percival, Doreen Wood, Alan Currie. Contact the Parish Office T: / E: admin@hexhamabbey.org.uk or visit the website:

5 November 2017 Advent & Christmas 2017 Friday 24th 5pm Christmas Tree Lights Switch-on, followed by Hot Chocolate in Abbey 5.45pm Compline December 2017 Sunday 3rd Choir and Candles for Advent Monday 4th Mothers Union Deanery Advent Service Saturday 9th Hexham Abbey Christmas Fair Wednesday 13th Sankta Lucia Choral Evensong with Nordic Voices Choir Thursday 14th Women s Institute Carol Service Friday 15th 11.00am Dementia Friendly Carol Service Sunday 17th A Messy Christingle Tuesday 21st 11.00am Community Carol Service Saturday 23rd Children s Carol Service Service of Nine Lessons and Carols** Joint Parish Eucharist Children s Crib Service** Service of Nine Lessons and Carols** 11.30am Midnight Communion of the Nativity Holy Communion for Christmas Day Family Festive Eucharist for Christmas Day Sunday 24th Monday 25th ** To avoid overcrowding and to ensure everyone s safety, comfort and enjoyment, this service is ticketed. Tickets are available after Sunday services please see Chris Wilson. If you no longer need your ticket please return it to the Abbey or Gift Shop so that someone else may make use of it. Thank you.