View an exhibition of local children’s work on Bernard Gilpin – part of #gilpin500

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Children in our local schools have been learning all about Bernard Gilpin as part of our Gilpin 500 celebrations this year. The work from the children at Gillas Lane Primary Academy was displayed in church back in March during our Tudor Weekend. Over the summer, we will be displaying the work from children at Bernard Gilpin Primary School and Burnside Primary Academy. Do pop into church to take a look at their work and to find out more about our remarkable Rector.

Church is open to visitors every day from 11am – 1pm.

A Time to Remember – special service to remember loved ones Sun 27th Aug, 6pm

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Join us on Sunday 27th August at 6pm for Time to Remember – a special service where we can remember and hold before God those we love but see no longer. Whether you have been bereaved recently or many years ago this is an opportunity to gather with others and remember, giving thanks and seeking new hope. All are welcome, including children.

Our Pastoral Assistants are recommissioned in a special service at Durham Cathedral

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On Thursday 22nd June a special Commissioning Service was held at Durham Cathedral at which four of our Authorised Pastoral Assistants (APAs) were recommissioned. It was an opportunity to celebrate the often unseen work of our vital Pastoral Team here at St Michael’s in visiting those in our community with a variety of needs.

Our newly re-commissioned APAs

Thelma, Jacqui, Elaine and Evelyn have been serving as APAs for five years already and at this service re-dedicated themselves to continue in this ministry. Bishop Mark prayed this prayer after recommissioning the APAs:

Give to your servants the gifts of faith, hope and love, that they may execute the office of pastoral assistant to your praise and honour. May their hands be ready to do your work. May their eyes be open to recognise those in need. May their ears hear words of pain or sorrow. May their voices speak of healing and peace. As we welcome their ministry among us, may we support them and love them. Bless them with your presence and protection in all that they do; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pastoral care is at the heart of our ministry at St Michael’s and we are very blessed to have such a wonderful team and are delighted that they are willing to continue in their role here in Houghton-le-Spring. Please do pray for them and also for yourself. Might God be calling you to serve in a new way in the church? If you’re feeling a ‘nudge’ do speak to one of our APAs or to a member of the clergy.

“Ministry is the responsibility of the whole people of God. We are all ministers! Trained and equipped pastoral ministry is an invaluable part of this whole ministry of the whole church” – The Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham

Walking in the footsteps of Bernard Gilpin – our #gilpin500 pilgrimage

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On Saturday 17th June a band of happy pilgrims walked in the sunshine all the way from Houghton-le-Spring to Durham Cathedral as part of our Gilpin 500 celebrations.

Bernard Gilpin was an itinerant preacher, spending much of his time walking around Northumbria in order to preach the gospel. So following in his footsteps we had a pilgrimage together to Durham Cathedral, helping us to appreciate a slower pace of life and enjoy the sights on the way.

Once at the cathedral we had a short service of prayer in the Galilee Chapel and then our Gilpin Banners were processed as part of Choral Evensong.

Thank you to the Rev’d Margaret Lee and Rev’d Judith Howes for organising the pilgrimage and to Canon David Kennedy and Durham Cathedral for their hospitality.

We are all on a pilgrimage of faith together:

May God the Father who created you, guide your footsteps,
May God the Son who redeemed you, share your journey,
May God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you, lead you on life’s pilgrimage,
and the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with you wherever you may go. Amen.

Here are some pictures from the walk on a rather hot but glorious day:

Setting off from Houghton

On our way towards Pittington

Leaving Pittington – about half way

Walking through fields

We can see the cathedral in the distance with its ‘hat’ on!

We reach Durham Old Gardens

Walking by the river while a cricket match is on

A welcome sight indeed!

Ready for a short service in the Galilee Chapel

The Bernard Gilpin window in Durham Cathedral

 

Houghton Deanery All-Age Pentecost Praise: Sun 4th June, 4.30pm, St Mary’s West Rainton

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To finish our pilgrimage of prayer and worship across the churches of Houghton Deanery we are holding an all age service to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The service will be part of the fun day celebrations at St Mary’s West Rainton on Sunday 4th June at 4.30pm – bring all the family for a service of worship, praise and prayer as the people of Houghton Churches come together.

 

#PrayforManchester with us at Houghton Parish Church open 11am-1pm and Eucharist at 7pm

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We are praying for the victims and families of the horrific attack in Manchester and giving thanks for the dedication of emergency and medical services.

Compassionate God and Father of all,
we are horrified at violence in Manchester.
It seems that none are safe, and many are terrified.
Be with all those in pain and anguish that they may know your healing love.
Hold back the hands that kill and maim; turn around the hearts that hate.
Grant your strong Spirit of Peace –
peace that passes our understanding, but changes lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

St Michael’s Church will be open between 11am-1pm to light a candle, reflect and pray for all those involved.

We will praying for and remembering all those killed, injured and traumatised by the bombing at 7pm Eucharist.

Saturday 17th June – #Gilpin500 Pilgrimage from Houghton-le-Spring to @DurhamCathedral

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On Saturday 17th June we will be walking in the footsteps of Bernard Gilpin, Apostle of the North, from St Michael and All Angels Church, Houghton-le-Spring to Durham Cathedral.

Gilpin spent much of his ministry as an itinerant preacher, visiting the dangerous parts of Northumberland to bring the Gospel to the people – this gave him the epithet ‘Apostle of the North’.

Join us on a pilgrimage on Saturday 17th June as we walk the 9 miles from Houghton to Durham in companionship as we remember the ministry of our former Rector Bernard Gilpin.

Walkers will leave the church archway at 10.00am, bring a packed lunch if you wish or buy food en route.

At 4.30pm we will meet in the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral for a short service of readings and prayers inspired by Gilpin. Then we will be processing our banners for Evensong at 5.15pm.

To take part in the walk, please sign up on the list at the back of church.

If you would like to attend Evensong only, you can meet us there or book a place on a minibus from Houghton Broadway – again, please sign up on the list at the back of church.