This Good Friday come and witness the greatest story ever told here in the grounds of St Michael and All Angels Church. Follow the story of Christ’s passion from his arrest through to his crucifixion in this unique, immersive experience. The performance begins at 12noon and is free admission.
We are delighted that we will be joined this Holy Week by Bishop John Packer for a series of talks journeying through Jesus’ Passion.
The week begins with Palm Sunday 9th April – we will process as usual from Rectory Park (get there about 9.45am) into church along with a donkey.
From Monday to Wednesday there will be a Eucharist at 7pm with a talk by Bishop John.
Maundy Thursday there will be a Eucharist at 10am and at 7.30pm followed by the Watch (silent prayer and meditation) and ending with Compline (Night Prayer) at 10pm.
Good Friday – come and see our Crucifixion Play at 12noon in the church grounds then at 3pm we have the traditional Good Friday Liturgy in church.
Easter Vigil – the first service of Easter will be at 7.30pm on Holy Saturday with fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle.
Easter Sunday – join us for our celebration Eucharists at 8.30am and 10am. Then come and Engage with the Resurrection at 6pm.
After our launch in March our first regular gathering of Open Table – our inclusive service open to all is on Sunday 2nd April at 7 for a 7.30pm start at Space4 – ground floor Houghton Library (postcode DH4 4GB – park behind Houghton Library for free).
This month we are looking at the Last Supper through different eyes. Please share this with your friends. We look forward to seeing you!
This Sunday evening we have our service of inspirational readings and music for Passiontide as we journey together towards Holy Week and Easter. Come and journey with us on the way of the cross at 6pm.
On Saturday 4th March the doors of St Michael and All Angels church were opened to the public to step back into the time of Bernard Gilpin whose 500th anniversary we are celebrating this year. Visitors were treated to storytelling from the Bible (Gilpin was famous for his Bible teaching), Tudor cookery demonstrations – including a chance to taste the kind of food eaten at the time of Gilpin, learning to spin wool on a spinning wheel or drop spindle, lots of crafts and much more.
A big thank you to Dignity Funeral Directors for providing a musical accompaniment to the day with their charity Gavioli Organ.
Also a big thank you to all who helped to make the day such a great success – including all our visitors! Browse our photos below – taken by John Lambton.
What began as an experience of our Rector Sue whilst on sabbatical in Washington DC in 2014 has now become an annual tradition here at St Michael’s. Once again we brought part of the Ash Wednesday service out onto the streets of Houghton-le-Spring – the opportunity to receive prayer and be ashed on the forehead with the sign of the cross – a reminder of our own mortality and the overwhelming love and forgiveness of God.
Why not take the opportunity this Lent for a fresh start with God? Have you been thinking of coming back to church? Come and join us, there will be a warm welcome.
As James writes in his letter: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8)
Thank you to all who took part from chatting to people, asking for prayers and making the tea and coffee.
Below are some images from the day taken by Jorgie Carmichael – click on an image to enlarge it.
View a video of the day here:
Open Table is a safe sacred space for LGBTQIA+ Christians & all who believe in an inclusive Church.
Open Table aims to create a safe sacred space for you to explore your faith and what it means for you. Whoever you are, wherever you come from, you are welcome here.
Open Table shouldn’t need to exist. Our vision is of a world where LGBTQIA+ people are fully included within our church traditions and communities. Until then, we will continue to nurture safe, sacred, inclusive space where LGBTQIA+ Christians can ‘come as you are’.
Thereafter Open Table North East will meet on the first Sunday of the Month at 7pm – more details to follow. Find out more about the Open Table movement on the website here.
Please join our group on Facebook to stay in touch and find out more:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/opentableNE/
Part of the Talking Jesus Durham events:
Join us for a free day of activities for all the family to include:
Bring the family and be inspired by the life of our former Rector Bernard Gilpin.
Part of the Durham Diocese Talking Jesus events.
Our Gilpin 500 Beer Festival takes place in the Kepier Hall (behind the church on the Broadway in Houghton-le-Spring, postcode DH4 4DN) this weekend.
Tickets are £10, ring John Lambton on 07917 817879 to reserve tickets or buy on the door.
Ticket includes a commemorative half pint glass and 5 half pints of beer or cider.
Doors open Friday 10th February at 7pm.
Saturday 11th February the festival will run from 12noon with local band The Grumpies playing a gig at 7.30pm.
If you come the Friday night you can return with your glass on Saturday and have free entry. Further drinks tickets can be bought at £1.50 or 5 for £6.
9 ales are available to try and 2 ciders including our very own Gilpin 500 limited edition ale from Maxim Brewery.
We look forward to seeing you!
2017 is finally here and along with it our year of commemorating and being inspired by our former Rector Bernard Gilpin. We launched our celebrations this morning at St Michael’s with a special cake and a prayer for Gilpin 500.
Our dedicated website for Gilpin 500 is here: https://stmichaels-hls.org.uk/gilpin500
Join us for our events – download the calendar here and pray for God’s blessing on us and our town of Houghton-le-Spring using the words of our Gilpin 500 prayer:
God of love and compassion,
we give you thanks for the
life and witness of Bernard Gilpin.
May we be inspired to follow his example
of faith, generosity and service to
transform our community today;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
