ST. BRANDON S CHURCH BRANCEPETH

ST. BRANDON S CHURCH BRANCEPETH NEWSLETTER: ember 2017 Also online at: www.stbrandon.org.uk/newsletter

Parochial Church Council Priest in Charge Rev d. Rick Simpson (3780503) Curate Rev d. Alison Hobbs (3789670) Lay Reader Geoff Moore co-opted member of P.C.C. (3735674) Church Wardens: Hester Higton (5974675) James Morgan (4476520) Secretary Mike Higton (5974675) Treasurer Geoff Knott (01833 627094) Deanery Synod Evelyn Aitken (3789908) David Eltringham (01388 746058) John Jackson (3782392) Other members:- Jayne Cook (01388 731417) Jeanette Metcalfe (3781646) Peter Cook (01388 731417) Isabel Rae (9039145) Jean Hodgson (3780289) John Roberts (01388 748287) Steve Hodgson (3780289) Pastoral Assistant Deborah Hodge (01388 745455) Prayer Team Deborah Hodge (01388 745455), Alison Hobbs (378 9670), Alison Moore (373 5674), Myrleen Stewart (378 0862). Sunday School Martin Peacock (07503242074) Messy Church Gillian Smellie (3739420) & Liz Thomas (3784465) Organist Richard Hird Music Jean Merrington, Thornberry Garth (3780952) Sacristans Carol Beeby (3847431): Deborah Hodge (01388 745455) Jean Hodgson (3780289): Carolyn Knott (01833 627094) Safeguarding Officer Ronnie Moles (01388 768908) Flower Guild Lynne Hastie (3781871) Churchyard Edward Staines (3780858) Youth Club Geoff Moore (3735674) Martin Peacock (07503242074) Worship Team Rev d Alison Hobbs, Rev d Fiona Eltringham, Deborah Hodge, Jean Hodgson, Jean Merrington, Geoff Moore, Sue Morgan, Rev d Rick Simpson SMD Team: Fabric: Parish Office Rick Simpson; Alison Hobbs; Alison Moore; Martin Peacock Jayne & Peter Cook; Stephen Hodgson; John Jackson; Jean Merrington; John Morgan; James Morgan; Edward Staines Tel: 0191 3782866: Website www.stbrandon.org.uk

January Newsletter entries - no later than ember 20th Please send to Sue Morgan - sueatpeppermires@gmail.com

Dear Friends, Did anybody else head to the cinema in October to see the Blade Runner 2049? I was a teenager when the original Blade Runner film came out in 1982, and curious to see the sequel. Well, it s long nearly three hours long. And, like its predecessor, it offers a pretty dismal vision of the near future: the environment is broken, and life looks pretty precarious. However, the film has a bleak beauty, and also combines white-knuckle action with some serious concerns. (Interestingly, Rachel, who just doesn t usually do sci-fi, loved BR 2049; it must have been doing something right!). Perhaps this unusual combination of action and reflection in a movie is why the film seems to have performed quite poorly at the box office, and this may mean that other films seeking to do the same thing won t get made. So, one reviewer laments, Blade Runner inspires its audience to consider big questions about the nature of humanity, artificial intelligence and the soul, rather than simply marvel at the futuristic spectacle on show. [It]... is a rare example of the blockbuster with brains, a hugely entertaining romp through the dystopian future that also functions properly as an existential thinkpiece. It was the brightly-sparking blue touch paper for a whole new universe of intelligent big screen sci-fi that we ll now never get to see. (Ben Child, The Guardian 14.11.17). If the bottom-line does discourage studios from exploring these themes further, that s a shame. For Mr Child is absolutely right: this film made me think about what it means to be human. The background issue in the film is that there are robots with intellectual ability and physical strength far-superior to humans. So, are we threatened by these replicants? Do they need to be kept under control? Or will they take over? What does it mean to be truly human anyway? And could you mix human and replicant, or is that somehow perverse? These are philosophical questions with a realistic bite in a world where developments in Artifical Intelligence and robotics are going to change things greatly in coming years though in exactly what ways, and whether for good or ill, we re not yet sure. I emerged from the

subterranean depths of the Gala Cinema wondering whether what we value about being human is defined more by our genes than by our values and actions. Could a replicant show more humanity than me, in practice, when the chips are down? Christmas suggests that our humanity is defined and indeed can be refined, transformed by someone who was both human and something else. Not partly human, but fully human... and also divine; and not partly divine, but fully. Christmas tells the science-fiction-like story of God becoming human in Jesus yet being still, also, fully God, and doing this for the sake of humanity. He did this not to replace humans with a different, better model, but to perfect us. One ancient believer wrote of God coming to us in Christ: He became what we are that we might become what he is. And, to go back to the beginning of the Bible too, if we are made in the image of God, that suggests we can t ever be fully human without sharing in God s nature too. Now, these are not lines you ll be finding on your Christmas cracker mottoes; but this mysterious belief is why we ve ended up with Christmas crackers and Christmas anything in the first place. What does it mean to be fully human, then? There s a question. Both seeing Blade Runner 2049 and returning to the Christmas story have made me think about that. The blessing of the God who came to be with us at the first Christmas be with you this Christmas, and always. As ever, Rick

A Chance to Pray in Advent We are often aware that preparing for Christmas really ought not to be just frantic shopping and our own private versions of The Great British Bake-Off. However, all too easily, that s what happens. However, St Brandon s offers a space to stop, think and pray during Advent. The church is open anyway, but we are also providing something special: using the usual Advent decorations in church the greenery, the Advent Ring, the Christmas tree and our beautiful three kings we will create a space around each to reflect and pray. As Advent progresses, four prayer-stations will appear, each with some simple suggestions for reflection and prayer (two will be there from 3 rd ember, two more from 17 th ember). These suggestions are also found in the St Brandon s Advent Prayer Booklet, which offers some ways for praying along the same lines at home as well. The booklet will be available to take from church, free of charge, throughout Advent. So, take a break in all the rush... Church is open every day from 8.00 a.m. until we lock up, some time before dusk, and the prayer stations are available. Why not just drop in some time and try them? Rick STOP PRESS! 65 filled shoeboxes from the caring people of St.Brandon s and Brancepeth will soon be on their way to children in Eastern Europe - probably to Belarus. Thank you as always for your generous response.

St. Brandon s ember 2017 services and readings. 3 rd Advent 1 Parish Eucharist 10.15 Readings: First: Jean Hodgson Isaiah 64. 1-9 Second: John Jackson 1 Corinthians 1. 3-9 Gospel: Mark 13. 24-37 Doris Dobson Intercessions. 10 th, Advent 2 Parish Eucharist with baptism (Hazel Scott-Brown) - 10.15 Readings: First: Geoff Knott Isaiah 40: 1-11 Second: none Gospel: Mark 1. 1-8 Geoff Moore Intercessions. 17 th, Advent 3 Parish Eucharist - 10.15 Readings: First: Bianca Allen Isaiah 61. 1-4, 8-11 Second: Gillian Smellie 1 Thessalonians 5. 16-24 Gospel: John 1. 6-8, 19-28 Alison Moore Intercessions Carol Service - 6.30 pm Readings being sorted out by Worship Team. 24 th, Christmas Eve Parish Eucharist - 10.15 Readings: First: Alison Moore 2 Samuel 7. 1-11, 16 Second: Edward Staines Romans 16. 25-27 Gospel: Luke 1. 26-38 Deborah Hodge Intercessions. 24 th, Christmas Eve Christingle - 5.00 pm Readings being sorted out by Martin Midnight Communion 11.30 pm Readings: First: Sue Morgan Isaiah 62. 6-end Second: Steve Hodgson Hebrews 1.1-4 Gospel: John 1. 1-14 tba Intercessions

. 25 th, Christmas Day All Age Parish Eucharist - 10.15 (no Sunday School) Readings: First: Rachel Lunney Isaiah 52. 7-10 Second: none Gospel: John 1. 1-14 Jean Hodgson Intercessions. 31 st, Christmas 1 Parish Eucharist with baptism (Zac Stephenson) - 10.15 Readings: First: Deborah Hodge Galatians 4. 4-7 Second: none Gospel: Luke 2. 15-21 Sally Scott-Biggs Intercessions Jan 7 th, Epiphany Parish Eucharist - 10.15 Readings: First: Jean Merrington Isaiah 60. 1-6 Second: none Gospel: Matthew 2. 1-12 tba Intercessions Sidespersons Servers 3 rd Sue Morgan & Stewart Allen Tom Higton 10 th Joan Nesbitt & Jean Merrington Tom Hobbs 17 th Ann & John Roberts Bridget 17 th Peter & Jayne Cook (Carol Service 6.30pm) 24 th Maud Oliver & Iris Waggott Jonny 24 th Hester Higton & Sam Wilkes (Christingle - 5.00 pm) 24 th Steve Hodgson & Sue Morgan Tom Hobbs (Midnight Communion 11.30 pm) 25 th Bianca & Stewart Allen Tom Higton 31 st Sally & Robert Scott-Biggs Bridget Jan 7 th Pat Sharples & David Eltringham Jonny

Flowers Coffee 3 rd 1 st Advent (Guild) Alison Moore 10 th 2 nd Advent (Guild) Evelyn Aitken 17 th 3 rd Advent (Guild) Norma Taylor 24 th 4 th Advert (Guild) Sue Morgan 31 st Guild Jeanette Metcalfe Jan 7 th Denise Jackson Alison Moore Church Cleaning ember: Sue Morgan, Bonny Bainbridge, Fiona Eltringham, Deborah Hodge & Alison Moore. January: Evelyn Aitken, Carolyn Knott, Jean Merrington, Myrleen Stewart, Iris & Bob Waggott. A THANK YOU LETTER FROM DASH Janet Boyle, Operational Manager, Durham Action on Single Homeless (www.dashorg.co.uk) writes: Once again we had the pleasure of receiving your kind donations from the Harvest Festival. This is a great help within our supported housing. The residents of our vulnerable women s project made meals with the fresh items, staff showing them basic skills in cooking, and the other items are used for new residents who arrive homeless with nothing, or who get to a crisis point because of benefit delays etc. DASH is really grateful for your support as it adds a bonus to our work, as our funding does not allow for that kind of support. We took some photos and hope to have them on our website soon. Do you know anyone who, for any reason, would appreciate prayer, a visit, or perhaps to receive communion at home Please tell Deborah Hodge, Authorised Pastoral Assistant, and she will get in touch. 01388 745455 PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING DIARY ember 2017

You are invited to use this diary and share in the prayers offered daily in church. 1 For moments of peace and joy in this month of anticipation 2 For those who live in Village North, Station House, Railway Cottages 3 Advent 1 for grace to cast away the works of darkness 4 For Sunday School, Youth Club and all the children and young people in the village 5 All who live in Quarry Hill, the cottages, Morley Farm, Littlewhite farm, Goodwell Field 6 St Nicholas give thanks for generous people; for all who feel part of St Brandon s 7 The Rectory, Rectory Cottages, Bridleway, Constable Meadows, Hoppy Acres, Thornberry Garth 8 For the PCC and for church wardens Hester and James in their responsibilities before and during the vacancy 9 Stockley Grove, Bridge Road, Tanglewood 10 Advent 2 for the Messy Church party - for children, families and leaders 11 The Oakenshaw Road area, Village South, Castle and Lodge 12 For the Shared Ministry Development Team 13 St Lucy, associated with light pray for grace to reflect the light of Christ 14 For Christmas preparations, for a sense of perspective in the busyness 15 Whitworth Lane, Black House 16 Village Show tonight give thanks for the warmth of the village community 17 Advent 3 for the Carol Service for meaning and tradition to come together 18 Scripton, Peppermires, Holywell, East Parks area 19 For leaders, preachers and pastors at St Brandon s: Rick, Alison, Fiona, Deborah, Geoff 20 Durham Rd and the Forge 21 Goodwell Lea 22 For Schools - children, teachers and staff as term ends today 23 For everyone who gives practical help at St Brandon s

24 Advent 4 Christmas Eve - for the Midnight service, for mystery and love 25 Christmas Day Christ s birth - heaven touching earth 26 St Stephen for those who die for the truth they live by 27 For anyone for whom Christmas will have been hard this year 28 Holy Innocents Day for children who suffer because of political decisions 29 All who live in Foxes Row, Russell Close, North Field View 30 Wooley Grange, High Wooley, Weather Hill, South Brandon farm, Springwell farm, Brawns Den 31 New Year s Eve - for grace to reflect on what God has been doing in 2017 VESTRY REPORT: funerals; baptisms and weddings 29 th October 2017, the baptism of Jake David Sweeney, son of Kevin and Gillian Sweeney. Joan Carter It is with great sadness we report the news that Joan Carter (previously of No 7 The Village ) passed away on November 18th. The funeral will take place on Thursday 30th November at 11.00am at Durham Crematorium. May she rest in peace. If you would welcome a short time of Christian worship with friends and neighbours, we would love to see you. You are invited to join us for a small and friendly home Eucharist service at 5 Russell Close Tuesday 5 th 2017 at 11:00am Tuesday 9th Jan 2018 at 11:00am Tuesday13th Feb 2018 at 11:00am

ember 10th Christmas Party 3-5pm IN CHURCH. Come dressed as something Christmassy Please bring a packet of party type food for sharing (in date & unopened items needed) All ages welcome We love to see new faces & guarantee you a warm and friendly welcome. & tons of fun! Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult http://www.messychurch.org.uk/church/st-brandons-messy-church

Sunday mornings 10.15am St. Brandon's Church During Eucharist Service School Term time in ember (check dates with leaders) Suitable for school age children Bible stories, crafts, games Leaders fully DBS checked. Opportunity for children to worship informally with or without their grown ups, then re-join for the end of the Eucharist service. Wriggly church area in Neville Chapel available for pre-schoolers to enjoy with their grown-ups. Speaker relay to overhear Eucharist Service

Wednesday Coffee Morning Village Hall 10.30 11.45 All are very welcome plus family & friends, any age! 6 th Pat Allatt & Joan Taylor 13 th Jean & Jim Merrington 20 th Joan Taylor & Janiece Spence 27 th Joan Taylor & tbc Jan 3 rd Christine Jones & Rob Waggott Jan 10 th Linda Larnach & Sheena Murray Jan 17 th Evelyn Aitken & Bill Currie Jan 24 th Deborah & Bob Chapman Jan 31 st Pat Allatt & Joan Taylor Feb 7 th Jean & Jim Merrington If your turn is unsuitable please swap with someone else. Josie Armstrong, or Pat Allatt may be able to help. Please let your partner know: - Pat Allatt 3780454 Linda Larnach 375 7554. Stewart Allen 3780871 Rob Waggott 3783592 Evelyn Aitken 3789908 Vivienne Lowe 3780974 Josie Armstrong 01388 748902 Jean Merrington 3780952 Deborah Chapman 3781409 Sheena Murray 378 1097 Bill Currie 3783414 Janiece Spence 4356357 Christine Jones 3789297 Joan Taylor 3783630 Brancepeth Youth Club 10th ember 2017 Sunday club nights are from 6.00 8.00pm in the Village Hall All young people in the Village (and beyond, and their friends) are warmly welcome. The age range is from 11 to 17 years inclusive. January March 2018 Dates for this term are: 7 th January New Year Party* 18 th February 21 st January 4 th March 4 th February 18 th March * The party will take the theme of R. It s a requirement that you dress accordingly. Please also bring a plate of food (savoury or sweet) and games, ideally both also themed to the letter R. Leaders Geoff Moore 373 5674 Martin Peacock 07503242074 Sam Wilkes, Jonny Dobson, Tom and Alison Hobbs will also be helping to lead.

Book Club Book club news: The next meeting of Brancepeth book club is 1 at Dawn Ellis's home, 24 Goodwell Lea at 7.30pm. We will discuss Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. NB: this is a change from the advertised date in Oct's newsletter. A future date for your diaries is 12 January at Liz Burdess's home, 2 The Forge, 7.30pm. The book to look for is A man called Ove by Frederick Backman. If you've been thinking of coming along but haven't quite made it before please join us on 1 at Dawn's! Please ring Valerie Gibbons for details. (3784200) New Year's Day Invitation to the Castle Cheese and Chat at the Castle, midday to 3pm. Donations invited to Send A Cow or The Children's Society, all welcome, just turn up! BCA Cinema Club Start the festive season with a mince pie and Bing Crosby in an old favourite

WHITE CHRISTMAS Wednesday ember 6 th at 7.30pm Remember to bring a cushion. GARDEN CLUB In November we had a splendid talk from Adam Frost of BBC Gardeners World. The event was a sell-out, with people joining us from right across the County. Our grateful thanks, not only to Adam for his most interesting and informative talk, but also to those who made and brought food, helped on the day, and finally, the Mid Durham AAP and our County Councillors Olwyn Gunn

and Fraser Tinsley, without whose financial support we could not have run the event. Future events. The committee is due to meet in ember to agree a programme for next year. Details in future newsletters. KNIT & NATTER There will be no knit and natter meetings in ember. It will re-commence on Tuesday 9 January 2018. TAI CHI The last Tai Chi Exercise Club session will be on Wednesday 20 ember 2017. It will re-commence on Wednesday 10 January 2018.

BRANCEPETH CASTLE GOLF CLUB QUIZ Saturday 2nd ember. Tickets are normally 6 for supper and 1 for the Quiz and can be purchased from behind the bar. Everyone welcome whether they are members or not and we would be delighted to see you. We are also holding our Christmas Party on Saturday 16th ember to which you would also be very welcome. More details will be sent out by email or can be found on our web site. Hope to see you at some of these events. Regards Linda Larnach 100 Club Oct & Nov 2018 Oct... 20 - No.68...L. Hastie 10 - No.16...J. Marr 5 - No.44... JGraham Nov... No.58...F.Bainbridge No.63...P.Smith No24...L. Larnach Allee Longstaff SUPPORT DURING POWER CUTS. Northern Powergrid have set up a Priority Services Register for anyone who requires support during power cuts. You can register by ringing 0800 028 2996.

RENOVATION WORK AT THE CASTLE Lots of work will be happening at high level on the side of the castle that faces the church, during the next six months, thanks to a generous grant from Heritage England. Also, re-pointing of the worst sections of the curtain wall on the side facing the village and inside the courtyard; this will be where work starts, in ember. The whole project is due to run until mid-july 2018 but should not impact very much on village or church life. There will be hoardings erected around the work areas, and fencing to section off a third of the land surrounding the castle. It will still be possible to see much of the exterior of the castle and medieval work from beyond the fencing on either side, but not possible to walk in a circle around the castle. If you are interested to know more about the work that is happening, ask one of the Dobson family Tom or Alison Hobbs, if you want technical details as they are both taking a hands on part in the project.

Quiz Night, ho ho ho Friday 8 th ember, 2017 7.15pm, Village Hall Top Prize! Come along and pit your wits?! Teams of 2-10 Turkey pie & vegetables (or vegetarian option) supper included in ticket price of 7 BCA members and 8 non-members proceeds to BCA Bring own drinks Raffle Tickets available from: Peter Aitken: 0191 378 9908 George Gibbons: 0191 378 4200 /Jo Dalton: jdalton2103@gmail.com

Dates for the Diary: 4th 11th 18th Monday Snooker Club th th th 4 11 18 Monday Yoga None (re-commences 9th Jan) Tuesday Knit & Natter Check dates with Jean Tuesday Choir th th th 6 13 20 (re-commences 10th Jan) Wed Exercise Class 6th 13th 20th 27th Wed Coffee Morning th th th 6 13 20 Wed Art Class th th st 7 14 21 Thursday Badminton th 10 Sunday Youth Club Please confirm dates with leaders Jan Jan 1st 6th 8th 10th 16th 19th 1st 12th Friday Wed Fri Sun Sat Tue Mon Friday Book Club -7.30pm. 24 Goodwell Lea Cinema Club, White Christmas. 7.30pm Village Hall Quiz Night. 7.15pm Village hall Messy Church. Christmas Party. 3pm-5pm, Church Village Christmas Show. 7.00pm Village Hall Quintessential Voices. 7.30pm - Castle New Year Cheese & Chat. 12 noon -3pm, Castle Book Club -7.30pm. 2 The Forge. Village Hall: please contact Geraldine Jennings gerryjennings5@googlemail.com or tel. 3781583 Front cover Elizabeth Metcalfe Church Gate in Winter Back cover Elizabeth Metcalfe Advent Wreath www.stbrandon.org.uk/newsletter January Newsletter entries no later than 20thember Please send to Sue Morgan at sueatpeppermires@gmail.com

Brancepeth Community Association - Management Committee George Gibbons Chairman Phil Davison Building coordinator John Morgan Vice chairman Alison Hobbs Church Peter Aitken Secretary Geraldine Jennings Bookings Margot Harrison Treasurer Vivienne Lowe Subscription Jo Dalton Social Events Rosemary Monument Choir James Dalton IT Joan Taylor Wednesday Coffee http://brancepethcommunityassociation.btck.co.uk/ Tel: 0191 3783952 Parish Activities Chairman B.C.A. George Gibbons, 3 The Forge (3784200) Secretary Peter Aitken, The Copse, Foxes Row (3789908) Treasurer Margot Harrison, Downsgarth (3784813) Membership Vivienne Lowe, 17 The Village (3780974) Hall Bookings Geraldine Jennings, 5 Goodwell Lea (3781583) Archives & History Vivienne Lowe, 17 The Village (3780974) Badminton Peter Hodge, (01388 745455) Brancepeth Allotment John Morgan, (3781172) & Leisure Gardeners Club baacommittee3@gmail.com Book Club Rick Simpson, ricksimpson300@btinternet.com Val Gibbons (3784200) Choir Jean Merrington (3780952) Drama Martin Peacock (07503242074) Flower Guild Jessie Brown (3782748) Garden Club Barry Dickinson (3782398) Snooker Bookings Geraldine Jennings (3781583) Wednesday Coffee Joan Taylor (3783630) Yoga Lynne Hastie (3781871) Youth Club Geoff Moore (3735674) Parish Council Chairperson Christine Jones (3789297) Dave Armstrong (01388 748902) Jessie Brown (3782748) James Dalton (3780771) Michael Lowe (3780974 Jim Merrington (3780952) Philip Pickles (07785998431) Parish Clerk Geoff Smith 07986197346 Lynne Rowland 07800516127 County Councillors: olwyn.gunn@durham.gov.uk fraser.tinsley@durham.gov.uk www.brancepeth-parish-council.org