24th/25th Volunteers Congregation Staff Hexham Abbey News December 2017 O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesu, to thee be glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Farewell to Jane Musto Jane had her last working day at the Abbey on Friday. Earlier in the week she gathered with all of the Abbey staff in the Refectory for coffee and cake (see photograph!) and there will be a chance for everyone to say goodbye to Jane after the 10am service on Sunday 14th January. Also, any contributions for Jane s leaving gift can be left in the Parish Office where there is a book to sign with farewell messages. A Messy Christingle A brilliant and quite magical time was had by all at the Messy Christingle gathering last Sunday. Everyone made their Christingles and learnt about the symbolism behind the components. Once everyone had made their Christingle children and their families came together in a circle in the crossing and sang the very catchy Christingle song as their candle was lit. Jane Abrams made a fantastic Christingle cake and other homemade treats and mince pies were enjoyed with a cup of tea or juice once everyone had safely blown their candle out. A delightful afternoon sharing the light of Christmas for everyone. Do come along to the next Messy Church on Sunday 14th January at 3.00pm in the North Transept.
Thank you for supporting Crisis Thank you so much for your donations. Crisis made their final collection this week and were amazed by the community s kindness. No more donations now please, but we hope to support their work again next Christmas. Upcoming Events PRAYERS FOR PALESTINE Saturday 30th December, 12.30pm in the St Wilfrid Chapel. Prayers for Palestine. All welcome. Please come and join us as we pray for the land of Jesus's birth. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION in the Abbey will re-start on Monday 8th January, 5.45-6.30pm and run every Monday until Holy Week (except 22nd Jan and 12th Feb). Monday 8th January will include some teaching on the practice of meditation within the Christian tradition. (Further teaching sessions on 5th Feb and 5th March). (Info: Bridget: bridget.hewitt@btopenworld.com 01434 602897) BIBLE DRAMA Saturday 27th January 2018, 7pm, Trinity Methodist Church Would You Adam & Eve It?, by Searchlight Theatre Co, is being toured in partnership with the Bible Society. It shows what happens if you tell two chaps who like to make people laugh dramatise all 90 chapters from the first two books of the Bible. With a few strategic speedy bits to help it achieve a 90 minute running time it has amazed audiences around the world for the last 9 years. Tickets ( 10) from Cedar Tree, and Bible Society or CTIH representatives. #GodWithUs on the Christmas Journey To accompany you on your Christmas journey, the Church of England has digital and paper support ready for you. The Abbey Shop is selling the Archbishop of Canterbury s Advent and Christmas booklet which includes a thought for every week of Advent and then for every day of the Christmas season. Highly recommended. If you prefer to receive things on your electronic device, you can sign up on the Church of England website or text GodWithUs to 88802. And remember, if you are tweeting about Posada or our Christmas Service, use the hashtag #GodWithUs Posada The knitted crib figures which went from home to home across our parish and more far-flung congregation were much enjoyed. This included a stay in the Shire and Margaret Massey reported: Joseph lost the directions, Mary had a hot bath, the donkey complained that he couldn t see over the stable door. He agreed to the next part of the journey after he was given a carrot and told that the next day was all downhill! Having arrived in the Abbey for the Christmas Day service at 10am, the knitted crib figures will find a home under the Christmas tree, together with their travel journal. It's a lovely read, do have a look. A little greeting from Worcester Diocese Former Rector of the Abbey, now Bishop Graham, and former Associate Vicar Joanna, now both working in Worcester Diocese, came together for a service in Dudley and send us their warmest greetings.
Sunday 24th December Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve Joint Parish Eucharist Readings 2 Samuel 7:1-11; Luke 1:26-38 President Preacher Frank Dexter Reader Martin Hughes Intercessor Jill Hughes Setting Peruvian Organ Bach Prelude and Fugue in D minor Motet Parsons Ave Maria Hymns 469 620 400 475(vv1-4) 3.00pm Children s Crib Service Led by Matthew Hunter 6.30pm Nine Lessons and Carols Led by 11.30pm Midnight Communion of the Nativity Led by & Matthew Hunter Abbey Services for the week beginning Monday 25th December Monday 25th Dec Tuesday 26th Dec 3.30pm Wednesday 27th Dec 3.30pm Thursday 28th Dec 11.00am Holy Communion for Christmas Day with Carols Festive Family Eucharist President & Preacher Matthew Hunter Morning Prayer St Stephen s Day Holy Communion Evening Prayer Morning Prayer St John s Day Holy Communion Michael Jackson Evening Prayer Holy Communion Funeral Service for John Pearson Friday 29th Dec 1.00pm Funeral Service for Elizabeth Grande TO ALL READERS, LAY ASSISTANTS & INTERCESSORS Please find the January to March services rota up in the North Transept. If you cannot make a service please let Emily in the Parish Office know in advance. Thank you for all your work in 2017! Christmas Opening Times (Parish Office closed this week) Date Abbey Shop Refectory Sunday 24th Dec Services all day! 11.00am - 3.00pm 11.00am - 3.00pm Monday 25th Dec 8.00am - Closed Closed Tuesday 26th Dec - 4.00pm Closed Closed Wednesday 27th Dec - 4.00pm - 4.00pm - 4.30pm Thursday 28th Dec 9.00am - 5.00pm - 4.00pm - 4.30pm Friday 28th Dec 9.00am - 5.00pm - 4.00pm - 4.30pm Saturday 29th Dec 9.00am - 5.00pm - 4.00pm - 4.30pm Sunday 31st Dec 9.00am - 5.00pm 11.00am - 3.00pm 11.00am - 3.00pm Monday 1st Jan - 4.00pm Closed Closed Tuesday 2nd Jan NORMAL HOURS RESUME
Sunday 31st December First Sunday of Christmas Holy Communion President & Preacher Parish Eucharist Readings Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Luke 2:15-21 President Matthew Hunter Preacher Reader Owen McCardle Intercessor TBC Setting Thorne Hymns 227 313 573 (v1, 2 & 5) 35 (omit vv 3&4) Organ Bach Toccata in F BWV 540 6.30pm Said Evensong with Hymns Readings Isaiah 35; Colossians 1:9-20 Officiant & Preacher Matthew Hunter Reader Raymond Dance Organ Mathias Processional Hymns 4 496 687 Abbey Services for the week beginning Monday 1st January 9.00am Morning Prayer and 5.00pm Evening Prayer (note Monday 1st Jan 10am/4pm) Tuesday 2nd Jan Holy Communion Matthew Hunter Wednesday 3rd Jan 10.15am 11.00am Holy Communion Chris Simmons Tots Praise Epiphany Party in the Great Hall Funeral Service for Kathleen Bevan Thursday 4th Jan Holy Communion Matthew Hunter Prayer Group (Elizabeth Fish tel. 01434 601142) Sunday 7th January Baptism of Christ Holy Communion President & Preacher Matthew Hunter Abbey Praise President Holy Communion Book of Common Prayer Matthew Hunter 6.30pm Epiphany Carol Service Preacher Officiant 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: Elizabeth Grande, John Pearson, Kathleen Bevan. Contact the Parish Office: 01434 602031/admin@hexhamabbey.org.uk Happy Christmas and every blessing for the New Year from the clergy, churchwardens and the staff team at Hexham Abbey
Hexham Abbey Unveiled Join us in 2018 for a series of '10-minute talks' about the Abbey by our knowledgeable and entertaining experts. Our popular 10-minute talks are back for 2018! Each Saturday afternoon from Jan 20th - Feb 3rd, three experts on the Abbey's historic secrets will give a short ten-minute talk and answer questions, with the full session lasting about an hour. Here is a list of the speakers and their subjects: 20th Jan 27th Jan 3rd Feb The Lost Church of St Mary's, Market Place - Peter Ryder The Bell Memorial - Frank Dexter Rebuilding the Nave - Chris Britton Searching the Triforium - Chris Tolan-Smith The Dance of Death - Charis Theodorakopoulos The 2017 Medieval Panel Paintings Survey - Tom Kelsey Henry VIII - Stephen Pedley Aelred - Judy Duncan The 1611 Breeches Bible