Finding Saint Francis – journey with us during Lent at St Michael’s

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Francis_of_Assisi_-_CimabueThis Lent we are offering a variety of activities including the Pilgrim Course (about the Creeds) and a course on Prayer in the deanery with Bishop Mark. In addition this Lent we will be exploring the life of Saint Francis and how he might inspire our Christian lives today.

There will be three activities to choose from; you may attend one or all of these, feel free to attend the 7pm Eucharist held just before the sessions:

Tuesday 16th February at 7.45pm (Kepier Hall Community Room)

Documentary: begin Lent watching a documentary about the life of St Francis followed by a group discussion.

Tuesday 1st March at 7.45pm (Kepier Hall Community Room)

Film night: watch a new film ‘Finding Saint Francis’ filmed at the home of the Anglican Society of Saint Francis, Hilfield Friary in Dorset. The trailer can be viewed here:

Following the film there will be a group discussion.

Tuesday 15th March at 7.45pm (Kepier Hall Community Room) OR

Friday 18th March at 2.00pm (Space 4) – same session repeated

Book Club: join a group reading ‘Chasing Francis: a pilgrim’s tale’ by Ian Morgan Cron ending Lent with a discussion group.

Chase Falson has lost his faith so he crosses the Atlantic to visit his uncle, a Franciscan priest, where he encounters the teachings of Francis of Assisi and rediscovers his ancient faith. Follow Chase’s spiritual journey in the footsteps of Francis, and then begin one of your own through the pilgrim’s guide included in this book.

Please sign up on the sheet at the back of church to order your book.

Ashes to Go returns to Houghton-le-Spring in 2016!

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Last year we were the first parish in the North East to try ‘Ashes to Go‘ providing people with the opportunity to receive prayer and ashes on their foreheads at the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday right outside on the Broadway in Houghton-le-Spring.

Ashes to Go 2016

This year we are delighted to be welcoming Bishop Mark alongside our team on Ash Wednesday 10th February.

We will be out from 8.00am on the Broadway (outside the church entrance), reaching out with the love and forgiveness of God to everyone in Houghton-le-Spring.

We begin Lent by being marked with the sign of the cross in ash as a reminder that we are mortal and that we can do nothing without God.

Start Lent well with us this year, look out for us on the Broadway!

Later on Wednesday 10th February there will be a Eucharist at 10.30am and at 7pm.

What was it like last year? Listen to the Rector being interviewed here:

Join us for the next Pilgrim course – looking at the creeds

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We say the creed (our statement of faith) every week on Sunday but have you ever stopped to think about what it means?

pilgrim poster

Join us on Thursdays at 2.15pm at Space4 (starting 4th February 2016) to discuss and learn together more about the Christian faith and in particular the creeds – all are welcome, whether you’ve been at church for a long time or you are just interested in exploring faith and taking your first steps.

We are running the next Pilgrim course looking at the Creeds starting on Thursday 4th February at 2.15pm at Space4. Limited numbers will be able to attend so please sign the list at the back of church to indicate your interest.

Here’s a simple video with some people talking about what they got from doing the Pilgrim Course:

 

Join us for our Ecumenical Service to pray for Christian Unity – Thurs 21st January 2016

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Every January Christians from all denominations spend a week in prayer for Christian Unity throughout the world. This year we at St Michael’s are hosting the special ecumenical service for all the Christians in Houghton to gather together to pray, hear God’s word and worship.

This year’s theme, set by Christians in the church in Latvia is inspired by verses from Peter’s letter (1 Peter 2:9-10) and Jesus’ metaphors of salt and light which are important cultural themes for Latvia. Read more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity here: http://www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer.

Please join us in prayer throughout the week and for worship on Thursday 21st January at 7.00pm. All are welcome wherever you normally worship.

Ecumenical service 2016

Just got engaged or know someone who has? Book your wedding with us!

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your church wedding

Congratulations on your engagement!

To make arrangements for your wedding, come along to the Church Vestry on a Monday evening when a member of the clergy will be available from 6.00 – 6.45 pm. If you are unable to attend at this time, please contact the Parish Office (tel: 512 1769) or email us.

When you arrange your wedding with us we will give you lots of information to help you plan your special day. This page here outlines what you uniquely get in a church wedding with us in Houghton-le-Spring:

https://stmichaels-hls.org.uk/services/christeningsweddingsfunerals/your-wedding-at-st-michaels

So you can start that Pinterest board now! Here is a board to get you started (click on the image below to go to Pinterest):

Pinterest board

For more inspiration and ideas about your wedding, try this website from the Church of England here: http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/ – this includes a free ceremony planner and suggested readings and hymns.

Light – our bereavement support group. Dates for 2016.

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Light is our bereavement support group which offers an opportunity for those who suffer the grief of bereavement to come together to share their difficulties and daily experiences.11295646_10153874126513989_6665386115529039211_n

Light is run by one of the clergy and our pastoral staff who are willing listeners to your story. Light takes place on the last Monday of the month, come at any time between 10 – 12 am, to the Community Room in the Kepier Hall which is located behind the church. If you feel this may be of benefit for you, you will find a warm welcome and a cup of tea or coffee,  someone to listen and you will meet with others who share your sadness.

The dates for 2016 are:

Monday from 10am -12noon

JAN 25th

FEB 29th

MARCH 21st

APRIL 25th

MAY 23rd

JUNE 27th

JULY 25th

AUG 22nd

SEPT 26th

OCT 31st

NOV 28th

DEC 19th

Happy Christmas from us all at St Michael’s!

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Dear Friends,

This comes with every good wish for a very Happy Christmas to you all!

Rector Sue

May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you this Christmas and remain with you always. Amen.

 

 
Image: The Adoration of the Shepherds by Caravaggio

Gilpin Singers Christmas Concert – photos

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Last night the Gilpin Singers (our women’s community choir) performed to a packed church a wonderful varied programme of music. Here are some photographs taken by John Lambton of the evening. Our church music CDs featuring the Gilpin Singers are still available to buy at church for £10 – a great Christmas present!

View of the choir and audience

Singing the song Nana was a Suffragette

Singing the song Nana was a Suffragette

Gilpin Singers performing

Our conductor, Frances Wilson

Our conductor, Frances Wilson

Deanery Quiet Day

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Deanery Quiet Day Saturday 5th December at St Oswalds, Shiney Row

 

Braving the wild wind a few of us gathered with Bishop Paul to share a day of quiet reflection as we  journey through Advent and encounter the busyness that the season brings to church life and beyond.

We read through and reflected on Psalm 62.  Bishop Paul shared some of his thoughts and understandings of the language and meaning highlighting God as rock both in the sense of foundation and refuge – God as our stronghold.  He noted that we often overlook the power of God when we are seeking to solve problems big and small and that we look to ourselves for answers.  We were invited to spend some quiet time focusing just on God.

After coffee we explored Psalm 62 some more.  Bishop Paul noted that we need to be able to fully acknowledge our own frailty to ourselves and before God if we are to truly worship and follow him.  We were invited to spend some quiet time reflecting on our shortcomings and difficulties.

After lunch we moved our focus onto Psalm 63.  Bishop Paul reflected on the power of thirst having been in a situation where there was no water to drink for a considerable time.  He moved on to explore praise, particularly in the light of our previous thoughts on God as our rock and our own shortcomings.  We were invited to spend some quite time thinking about praise.

I spent the first two period of reflection time in the church in silence.  When reflecting on the power of God the noise of the roaring wind battering the church brought to mind the story of Jesus calming the storm.  The fear and panic of the disciples, the lack of faith matched with the extreme calm of Jesus as he commands the turmoil to cease.  How often do I get caught up in my own chaos and that of others and forget to stand still, listen and trust?

I won’t share with you the shortcomings and difficulties I reflected on during the second period of quietness; needless to say I had plenty to think about.

The final period of reflection I spent reflecting with another person, somehow praise felt for me more of a sharing experience.  We ended our day together in the praise of singing.  I came away with much to think about and a sense of having taken some time out to reconnect with God and my fellow travellers.

Christine Britcliffe