February Broadsheet 2017

February Broadsheet 2017 for the parishes of Humshaugh with Simonburn & Wark, and Chollerton with Birtley, Gunnerton & Thockrington Revd. Steve Wilkinson Vicar, Humshaugh with Simonburn & Wark Tel: 01434 681304 email: revd.stevewilkinson@googlemail.com www.humshaughbenefice.org.uk Revd. Michael J Slade Vicar, Chollerton with Birtley, Gunnerton & Thockrington Tel: 01434 681721 email: chollertonvicar@gmail.com www.chollerton-churches.org.uk

Chollerton Vicarage Dear friends, I hope it is not too late to wish you a Happy New Year. Christmas and the New Year seem a long time ago now and many farmers will be girding their loins for lambing, the sure sign of Spring and new life and longer and, dare I say, warmer days. I am sure winter will not have finished with us yet. February can be a cold month and soil as hard as iron. I haven t noticed many people making New Year resolutions, but I have noticed many people finding hope and excitement by booking their holidays early in January. And why not? It is wonderful to think about going somewhere for a bit of warmth, thaw out the bones and generally be rested and refreshed. Someone from way down south was asking me about how to get to Orkney for a holiday. Clearly they feel they have warmth to come back to after visiting the far north. For those of us who can t consider going away on holidays we shall need to find ways of doings things differently in some spare time to make space for time off. I have a friend, Robert, now quite elderly but still active thankfully, whose wife Mabel suffers from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. It is a terminal, degenerative brain disease and it is cruel. It manifests itself initially by backward falls and problems with vision and then goes on to rob people of their ability to walk, talk, see or swallow. The cause is unknown and there is no treatment or cure at the moment. He has watched his wife (a former school teacher, Parochial Church Council secretary and Friday (children s) Club leader in a previous church I had) become increasingly dependent upon him until now after many years she is totally dependent upon him. He has done marvellous things but it is beginning to take its toll. Wisely he has arranged for respite care on a weekly basis. She goes to a nursing home which can support people in her condition. He needs time to have rest for himself. Inevitably he uses some of that time to catch up on chores around the house but it is a change, and a break, and allows him to sleep in a chair without worrying that something might happen. As many are heard to say they often reflect on their life by saying that there are many worse off than themselves and they have had many many good years together. I hope you can find some time for holiday, for rest, for time for yourself. Even Jesus needed time to himself and often went up to a high hill where he could gaze out across Galilee, or enjoy the silence, or to pray and be still with his Father. If all that seems simply impossible in our busy schedules then a weekly day of rest is even more important for us. May God bless us in our work and in our rest. With love and blessings to you all. Mike 2

Round and About Humshaugh Carol Singing under a full moon Some 25 people, including Steve, our new vicar and his wife Melanie, came together to sing their carols, donned their red Christmas hats and visited many houses in the village. The money raised for the Church of England Children Society was 163. Mothers Union The annual Corporate Communion, beautifully led by the Revd Steve Wilkinson, was held in St Peter s church on Friday the 13 th of January, followed by tea. In February, the meeting will take place on the 2 nd of February at 2pm at the Langfords home. Jennie Jones will lead us into Music and Movement. We all want to wish Joyce Burgon all the very best after her operation and we hope she will soon be able to come and join us again. Pub Quiz In February the Pub Quiz will take place on Tuesday the 21 st at 8pm in aid of St Peter s church. Mick Jonas will be our Question Master. Crown Players Goodnight Mister Tom Goodnight Mister Tom was cast in early December and rehearsals began in January. If anyone is interested in joining the team of helpers, please contact Diana Linnett on 689239. No experience is required and there are always plenty of things that need doing. The production will be in March, so it is a good project for those chilly, dismal winter months. By the time we emerge, it will be Spring! Humshaugh Arts Programme HAP will be having their film night on Friday, February 10 th. It will be a nostalgic trip down memory lane with the black and white film Casablanca. There will be a short talk to begin with at 7.15 and some lovely puds in the interval. Doors will be open at 6.45 for refreshments etc. Hospice needs Trustees Tynedale Hospice at Home is looking for volunteers to join its Board of Trustees. To request an application pack, please contact Charlotte Greenwood on 01434 600 388 or email: charlotte@tynedalehospice.com Alternatively, to download an application pack, please visit www.tynedalehospice.com Applications by Monday, 6 th of February. Liesbeth Langford 3

Vicar s Chair Money has been on my mind a lot this couple of weeks as it s the time when we re trying to get the church accounts straight ready for closing, and this has in turn led me to some prayerful reflection on how we spend the money that is entrusted to us. The central question going round in my mind has been about how can we as a family be generous, even sacrificial, with our giving yet be prudent and good stewards with bills to pay and children to feed. Well, my reflections kept being interrupted by the words of a brilliant song from Stuart Townend ( Simple Living on his The Journey album) coming up on shuffle from the ipod the whole thing culminated as I was talking to a young boy in school who asked me what I would do if I had a thousand pounds. It was clearly the biggest sum he could imagine and I told him with absolute honesty that I didn t want anything and so would probably give it away, and I expected this to confuse him and perhaps lead to questions about why. However, it didn t and much to my surprise he seemed quite happy with the idea of giving money away if you didn t actually need it. I did wonder if his parents feel the same! In the Townend song, I mentioned earlier, there is a line about Jesus not measuring how much we give but what we hang onto and it has really made me think. Not just in relationship to money but in a much wider sense, and the young boy in school has made me think even harder. We have a similar issue for our church as, and praise God for your generosity, we ve been able to pay our 2016 parish share in full, but we want to do the same again this year even though it s gone up a little. However, how do we as a church be good stewards of what we re given, be active in mission and evangelism, and keep the lights on and heating working, yet be generous to the wider church? My personal prayer is that in faith I can continue to feel safe and secure for our family yet be generous with our income in all that we give. I wonder if we can do the same as a church? Your servant in the Gospel. Steve Written by Candlelight by Liesbeth Langford Monday 27 February at 7.30 pm Kielder Room of The George Hotel, Chollerford Admission by ticket 5 (includes light refreshments) tickets from Humshaugh Village Shop (telephone mornings 681258) the refreshments will be served at the end of the evening. Liesbeth s book was inspired by her childhood memories of living in occupied Holland in World War II and by her parents stories. Last year, a class of boys in a school in Ireland was introduced to the book by their teacher as part of their research into the war. From discussions developed a film. At a national schools film festival, out of 2,800 submissions, the film was adjudged the best entry. Liesbeth will talk about what happened when she travelled to Ireland to meet the boys 4

Lent Group This year, along with our neighbouring parishes of Wall and Chollerton, we will be studying a course entitled Receiving Christ. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. (John 1.12.) This raises big questions. Aren t we all children of God anyway? Just how can we receive Christ? And what does it mean to have a relationship with God? Session 1: Session 2: Session 3: Session 4: Receiving Christ: as children of God Receiving Christ: in the stranger and the needy Receiving Christ: in Holy Communion Receiving Christ: through prayer and fellowship Session 5: Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1.27) 10.00am Monday 6th March at Humshaugh Vicarage or 7.30pm Tuesday 7th March at Fellfoot Cottage, Wall 10.00am Monday 13th March at Humshaugh Vicarage or 7.30pm Tuesday 14th March at Eastside Lodge, Bingfield 10.00am Monday 20th March at The Coinings, East Farm or 7.30pm Tuesday 21st March at 19 Warden View, Wall 10.00am Monday 27th March at Holly Cottage, Humshaugh or 7.30pm Tuesday 28th March The Old Barn, Hallington 10.00am Monday 3rd April at Humshaugh Vicarage or 7.30pm Tuesday 4th April Eastside Lodge, Bingfield Chollerton Benefice will host it on Wednesdays and for details of the times and venues please contact Revd. Mike Slade: 681721. 5

From the Registers Holy Baptism We welcomed into the Family of the Church Isla Jane Witty at Chollerton St Giles on Sunday November 20 th Mali-Jo Waigwa Williams at Birtley St Giles on Sunday January 1 st Funerals and Memorial Services We celebrated the life of Edwin Stanley Stobbs, 81, at Chollerton St Giles on Friday November 18 th Margaret Olive Hall, 88, at Birtley St Giles on Wednesday December 7 th Frederick William Patrick, 81, at West Road Crematorium on Tuesday December 13 th Margaret Alma Hall, 97, at West Road Crematorium on Friday December 16 th Weddings We witnessed and celebrated the marriage of Neil John Bates and Helen Kirsty Robson at Thockrington St Aidan on Wednesday December 28 th Community Events in Gunnerton Church Gunnerton Lunch Club Wednesday February 22 nd 2.50 12noon-1.00pm Delicious homemade soup and pudding, tea and coffee, raffle. All welcome Bookings for Gunnerton Church may be made by contacting Susan Reay on 01434 681852 Birtley Village Hall Coffee Morning Thursday March 2 nd and April 6 th from 10.30am to 12.00 noon Delicious coffee, home bakes and great conversation guaranteed! 6

SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY 2017 Benefice of Chollerton Benefice of Humshaugh Sunday 5th February - The Fourth Sunday before Lent 9.00 Gunnerton Holy Communion 10.30 Birtley Holy Communion Humshaugh 9.30 Holy Communion Simonburn 11.00am Holy Communion Wark 6.00pm Prayer and Praise Service Old Testament: Isaiah 58:1-9a Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Psalm: 112:1-9 Sunday 12th February - The Third Sunday before Lent 9.00 Thockrington Holy Communion Humshaugh 9.30am Morning Prayer 10.30 Chollerton Holy Communion Simonburn 11.00am Holy Communion Wark 6.00pm Holy Communion Old Testament: Deut. 30:15-end Gospel: Matthew 5:21-37 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Psalm: 119:1-8 Sunday 19th February - The Second Sunday before Lent 9.00 Gunnerton Holy Communion Humshaugh 9.30am Holy Communion 10.30 Birtley Holy Communion Simonburn 11.00am Holy Communion Wark 6.00pm Evening Service Old Testament: Genesis 1:1-2:3 Gospel: Matthew 6:25-end Epistle: Romans 8:18-25 Psalm: 136 Sunday 26th February - The Sunday next before Lent 9.00 Thockrington BCP Communion Humshaugh 6.30pm Evening Service 10.30 Chollerton Holy Communion Simonburn 11.00am Matins Wark 9.30am Holy Communion Old Testament: Exodus 24:12-end Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-end Psalm: 2 Wednesday 1st March - Ash Wednesday 7.30pm Holy Communion and Ashing Humshaugh 7.30 pm Holy Communion Old Testament: Isaiah 58:1-12 Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Psalm: 51:1-18 - 7

Other Church services within the Chollerton Benefice Barrasford Methodist Chapel: Normally services are at 6.30pm each Sunday. Great Swinburne: St Mary s RC Church. Mass at 10.15am and 12.00 Noon every Sunday, the 12 o clock Mass in the Extraordinary Form, said in Latin. Enquiries to Fr Bede (Tel: 681968) Chollerton WI Chollerton WI February will be a social evening to celebrate our Birthday and we have our Annual Meeting in March. At our meeting on Wednesday, 5 th April, the speaker will be Susie White speaking on a Gardening theme. Visitors always welcome Tea parties take place once a month from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Everyone is welcome and they are particularly aimed at those who would appreciate some friendly company once in a while. Forthcoming tea parties will be held on February 8 th. Newton Village Hall, NE43 7UL. Lifts can be arranged for those who do not have their own transport. You won t be alone, some 25-30 people attend, sometimes as many as 40, so all are welcome. Please contact: Alice Murphy on 01434 689387 or her mobile: 07968 P r i z e B I n g o N i g h t Tuesday, 21 February Eyes down 7.00p.m. BARRASFORD VILLAGE HALL Admission 1 to include tea and homemade biscuits Organised by Chollerton WI 8

WARK PARISH NEWS Christmas celebrations are now well past; we did enjoy a good outing to Stonehaugh for a Christingle service, The school Carol service was well attended as was ours in St. Michaels along with the service on Christmas Morning. We celebrated Epiphany on 8 th January when the three kings arrived into the crib scenes bringing their gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh. They remained with us until Candlemas was celebrated at a Benefice Communion at Humshaugh on 29 th January. Before we know it, Lent will be upon us. How the year goes. January was anniversary time for a number of parishioners who have died in years past and we also record, with sadness the deaths of Mary Elliott and Bill Hogarth. Our thoughts are with all these families at this very sad time. Could I remind you we now have a monthly cleaning rota, details of which are in Church along with a rota for flowers. Please add your name to these if possible. We have also placed the container at the back of church for non-perishable items for the food bank at Changing Lives. The Church is generally open from 9.00am to dusk each day. For PCC members the next meeting is on Tuesday 27 th February at 8.00pm in Westacres Community Room. The guild next meet on Monday 6 th February at 7.30pm in Westacres Community Room. At the time of writing the meeting arranging the Wark Charity Lunch is planned but has not taken place however it is thought, provisionally the 2017 Lunch will be on Wednesday 10 th May. I will have more details for the next edition of THE BROADSHEET. It is a bit of a thin month for news so I will leave you with a words found on River Fall Baptist Church WHAT IS MISSING FROM CH- -CH... UR.. Look forward to seeing you one of our services soon. Perhaps until we chat again I will say no more! Love to all John 9

Simonburn Notes Happy New Year! Have you stopped finding pine needles yet? We all have our own ideas of a perfect Christmas, I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Year. The Hadley household had a different Christmas this year, with sickness and one thing or another ( things never seem to go to plan! but all fit and well now). New Years Eve was celebrated with friends, We celebrated Christmas with family on 2nd January and our Christmas dinner was finally enjoyed on 4th! The Christmas celebrations in the village began with our Carol Service on December 18th. The church was beautifully decorated and was filled with the beautiful voices of the Antiphon choir. It was very well attended and the mulled wine and mince pies were enjoyed by all. On Christmas Eve, there was a good turnout on the village green to sing Carols, enjoy a warm drink and to welcome Santa on an early visit to the village. Thanks to Dave, Soraya, their family and of course Santa! Our first service of 2017, was on 1st January and we welcomed into the family of the Church, Alice Catherine Veronica Lobb, as she was Baptised by her Grandfather Rev. Lobb. We would like to welcome to the village, John, Paula and Jake Hatley, Red Lion Terrace, we hope they will be very happy here. Well, that's it for this month, as we all get back to 'normal'. If there is anything you would like to be mentioned in Simonburn notes, please contact me on shazzahadley@hotmail.co.uk or Tel: 681077. Best Wishes Sharon The North East Recorder Orchestra with conductor John Hawkes presents A Concert of Music for All Tastes A wide range of music to be enjoyed by every age at. Humshaugh Village Hall on Saturday 4th March 2.30pm - 4.15pm with an interval for tea and cake. Tickets will be available in the village shop or you can pay at the door 10

THE LORDS PRAYER WORD SEARCH F G X Z I P L O F P C G P A B O M N W U E P F A P A N V Y Z W V F I J V Z S O Y O K C O X Z I H B J A Y H M J X C Q E F X D O W Q X T F X D Y I C U F P B K L U J P U G Y K D V A E L N K I V E Q A G X A W R V R A G E T D C P W C U Z I D K O E C F K O H U A U K I Y X Q D B W G S K J H A L L O W E D L S U T H O P M H M Z V J T R G V G V V E Y A V P R X R L B D H T H M U Z G T E Z P J T B A F T W R X D H E A V E N H A F O R E V E R E W O P L Y R E J E L J B D N E M A S Q V G H N R K V M N A X L O J J O P J F J I I I T P Z C F B B C P H J X O T P B Y L M M A M T H W O L K O F V B E A R T H L T N T M Z G L O A M U B S R I T N J H M N Z D I H G W V R E F C R E V I L E D C P T V D J F T C M O B U Z A F O R G I V E L L H U C X S U R J M O D G N I K O F X O Z R A K T T Q K H B W O I C Y J R H A W H Words List Our Father Heaven Hallowed Kingdom Earth Give Bread Forgive Temptation Deliver Evil Power Glory Forever Amen 11

FOR VALENTINE S DAY How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday s Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood s faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, - I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears of all my life! and if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. Elizabeth Barrett Browning 12