Wi-Fi Wednesdays comes to Houghton-le-Spring!

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At our popular drop-in centre, Space4 in Houghton-le-Spring, Jorgie Carmichael, a volunteer trainer says:

“We are excited to be launching Wi-Fi Wednesdays at Space4. Every Wednesday we will be open between 12noon and 1pm to help you with any query about using the internet and technology. We know how frustrating it is to not have someone to just show you how to use technology, be it a laptop, smartphone or tablet like an iPad – we’re here to help. We can help you get an email address, help you if you’ve lost a password, show you how to use Facebook or to download an app. Someone we helped said that she felt like she ‘had wings’ after been shown how to skype and email her family abroad. Learning how to use technology can really give you a new lease of life and connect you with people all around the world.”

As part of Wi-Fi Wednesdays Space4 will be running a series of free courses (funded by Sunderland City Council) through the year including: Internet Safety, A Guide to Facebook, Fun with Photos, Family History and more.

You don’t need to have a computer or have any prior knowledge to attend (you can use one of ours) but feel free to bring your own laptop, smartphone or tablet with you.

The first course will be Internet Safety and will start on Wednesday 28th February at 10.00am-12noon at Space4 (under Houghton Library on Newbottle Street).

The course will be a free, fun and friendly guide to staying safe online:

28th February Week 1: Basic introduction to Internet Safety

7th March Week 2: Email and Passwords

14th March Week 3: Social Media safety

21st March Week 4: Online shopping and banking

Ring 0191 512 0676, email jorgiespace4@gmail.com, drop-in to Space4 or send us a message on Facebook to book your place. Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

Notes for Editors

Space4 is a community project run by people from St Michael and All Angels Church and local volunteers that offers a safe space 5 days a week with one to one support, discreet groups, and community activities aiming to enable people to navigate life’s challenges for themselves.

Find us on the ground floor of Houghton Library, 74, Newbottle Street, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 4GB.

https://space4hls.org/ Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoughtonSpace4/

Broken – a course about real life and real faith – Wednesdays at 2.30pm in Lent @space4hls

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Broken: a course about real life and real faith inspired by the BBC drama Broken starring Sean Bean

Join us at Space4 during Lent on Wednesdays at 2.30pm for a special course based on the BBC drama Broken written by our Curate Rev’d Bryony Taylor with Fr David Twomey and Mother Rebecca Tobin.

Come to as many sessions as you like – each session is stand-alone but connected. You do not have to have seen the BBC programme Broken to take part.

The sessions are:

21st February     Beauty in the ordinary
28th February     Loving the unlovable 
7th March           Guilt and shame 
14th March         Impossible Situations 
21st March         The power of Holy Communion
28th March         Is the church still relevant and needed today?

Space4 is on the ground floor of Houghton Library on Newbottle Street, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 4GB.

There is a sign up sheet at church for people to express interest – alternatively email Rev’d Bryony to book your place by clicking here.

Ash Wednesday in Houghton-le-Spring – start Lent well on 14th Feb #ashestogo

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Ashes to Go is returning to the Broadway in Houghton-le-Spring for the fourth year! This year Ash Wednesday falls in Half Term so we will be out offering the opportunity to be ‘ashed’ with a cross on the Broadway from 11am until 1pm in the centre of Houghton. The Parish Church will be open where all are invited to come and light a candle, pray, share a burden and ask for help to get closer to God at the beginning of Lent. Children and adults are welcome to come into church and find some space to be still.

On Ash Wednesday 14th February there will also be two services of Holy Communion – one at 10.00am and one at 7.00pm – all are welcome.

How will you get closer to God this Lent?

Here’s a video we made at a previous ‘Ashes to Go’ event:

Why Ash?

Life often gets messy and we end up hurting other people or ourselves.  We do and say things we regret or we don’t do things that we should have.  We all need the opportunity to acknowledge our sorrow for our mistakes, to say sorry and to be forgiven.

On Ash Wednesday, the Christian Church offers us that opportunity.  By taking time, even if it’s just a few moments, to seek forgiveness from God and our fellow human beings, we can begin to wipe the slate clean, have a fresh start.

The ash cross on our forehead is a symbol of our sorrow and our desire to be forgiven.

Ash Wednesday is a day full of hope, because each one of us can find a new start in the love and forgiveness of God.  Ash Wednesday is the start of the Christian journey towards Easter and the ultimate act of love: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

We welcome you to join us on this journey: you never know it might change your life.

May God bless you and all those whom you love,

St Michael and All Angels Church

The Church of England in Houghton-le-Spring

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you”                                                                                                                                     – James 4:8, The Bible

The wise men brought gifts – what gifts can we bring in 2018? Introducing the Parish Giving Scheme

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This month we celebrate the season of Epiphany, the arrival of the three wise men or magi bringing gifts to the baby Jesus.

We recognise throughout this Christmas period the importance of giving and receiving gifts.  We are very blessed at St Michael’s that so many people support our mission and ministry through the gift of financial support. And so on behalf of the PCC and myself, I want to say a very BIG Thank You for your generosity and commitment to the life of St Michael’s and God’s mission in Houghton.  Every penny we receive makes a difference and everyone is valued, without you we couldn’t open our doors to all the people of Houghton.

This month we are changing the way we account and manage the church’s finances by joining the Parish Giving Scheme.  This will let us access up to date accounting software, to manage our cash flow and allow you to set up a more secure way of giving via direct debit. It will also streamline our Gift Aid status with HM Revenue and Customs. Information sheets are available in church and the Church Treasurer, Lynn Scott, will be at many services to answer questions and help in anyway she can. Managing our money in the best way possible will allow us to concentrate on our mission and ministry here in Houghton.

Thank you for all your support of St Michael’s as we begin a new year full of hope and promise.

With every good wish to you for a Happy and Blessed 2018

Rector Sue

How does the scheme work?

We had a magical time at our Christingle services this year – photo gallery

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As ever we had a wonderful time at our Christingle services – one at 3pm for families and then a grown-up look at the Christingle at 6pm.

We hope you can join us for our other Christmas services on Christmas Eve:

3pm Crib Family Service – come and be in our nativity play

7pm Traditional Carol Service

11.30pm Midnight Mass

Here are some photos from the Christingle services, all proceeds raised went to the Children’s Society. Photos by John Lambton and Bryony Taylor.

Christmas Events and Services at St Michael & All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring #GodwithUs

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We hope you will join us for our Christmas Celebrations this year – there is something for everyone!

Tuesday 12 Dec 7pm – Light of Life – dedicate a light on our Christmas Tree to a loved one and sing some carols

Wednesday 13 December 7pm – Gilpin Singers Christmas Concert

Sunday 17 December

3pm Family Christingle Service – make a Christingle orange to take home

6pm Engage with Christingle – a Christingle service for adults

Christmas Eve – Sunday 24 December

3pm Family Crib Service – come in a Nativity Play costume or use one of ours!
7pm Traditional Carol Service
11.30pm Midnight Mass 

Christmas Day Monday 25 December 

10.00am Festival Eucharist

Light of Life service Tues 12 Dec, 7pm – dedicate a light on our Christmas Tree

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We will be lighting the Christmas tree on Tuesday 12th December at 7.00pm and we would be delighted if you could join us.  Each light on the tree will shine brightly for those special people whom we love but see no longer during the Christmas season.  The Service will be a mixture of Christmas carols, readings and a time for special prayers and remembrance.

This is a special way to remember and give thanks.

Forms to make a dedication are available in the Signpost magazine or at church (and will be available on the night). For each dedication you will receive a special card.

Remembrance Sunday Services – 12th November 2017

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Join us for our Service of Remembrance Sunday 12th November.

8.30am – Eucharist

10.15am – Remembrance Sunday service with laying of wreaths at the cenotaph at 11.00am

6.00pm – Choral Evensong

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.