We were delighted to welcome the Bishop of Jarrow, The Rt Revd Mark Bryant as our celebrant and preacher on Ash Wednesday.  The Bishop reminded us in his sermon that “We are but dust and to dust we shall return” and therefore to take ourselves a little less seriously.  The Ash Wednesday Eucharist is a beautiful, moving and solemn service and this year’s was enhanced by some wonderful organ playing, by George Peebles.  It was a special night to remember. Not least because, as well as leading our worship Bishop Mark came to license Peter Stannard as an Associate Minister.

Peter has been with us since last Easter on attachment, but Wednesday saw him become “legal and above board” as Bishop Mark described it!  It was a great pleasure to welcome Peter, formally, to St Michael’s Houghton, even though he has already become a valued member of the clergy team.