Light – bereavement support group, last Monday of the month

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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.

Light is run by one of the clergy and our pastoral staff who are willing listeners to your story. Light now 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 the remainder of 2015 are:

June:  Mon 29th

July: Mon 27th

Aug: Mon 24th (Last Mon is a Bank Holiday)

Sept: Mon 28th

Oct: Mon 26th

Nov: Mon 23rd

Dec: Mon 21st (Last Mon is Bank Holiday)

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Bobby Thompson Comedy Night – a Next 900 Event – photos

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Our last Next 900 event was a tribute evening to Bobby Thompson from fabulous comedian Tony Washington. Everyone enjoyed his joke telling and singing for a great evening at the Kepier Hall on Saturday 23rd May. A huge thank you to the Next 900 team for organising another cracking event. The next big Next 900 Event is a barbecue on 13th June, tickets £8 available from the Next 900 team.

Here are some pictures from the event by John Lambton:

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Piano Concert with Dmitri Rachmanov – 9th June, 7.30pm

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Our first concert with Master Musicians International was a triumph with Viv McLean playing a beautiful selection of music – showing off the wonderful acoustics at St Michael’s.

The next concert in our Summer Series is on Tuesday 9th June at 7.30pm, tickets £8, £5 concessions. Dmitri Rachmanov will be playing an all-Russian programme.

Here are some photographs by John Lambton of our first concert with Viv McLean:

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Space4 Sponsored Walk 17th May 2015

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Our hardy team of walkers, which included a huge age range and a four legged friend, set off from the Castle Eden Inn at 10.30am in warm sunshine.  The first part of the walk was along a disused railway track, nice and flat and sheltered from any wind by trees.  The only challenge was the near constant stream of cyclist enjoying the Sunday sunshine but we soon got into a good routine at the back shouting out a warning.  We clambered up a footbridge and over the current railway line and headed for the next stage of the walk along the coastal path.  This also lead us to our first liason with the support team and lunch.  Refreshed from a brief rest and some food we continued on our way drinking in the glorious views and the sound of the sea.  The large black cloud that we noticed at lunchtime passed us by without dropping any rain on us.  We marched down steep steps into one dene and up the otherside and then round another before heading in to Crimdon Dene to enjoy some breathtaking woodland and ancient rocks and trees.  We finally arrived back at the Castle Eden Inn a little weary but thankful for a glorious walk and some excellent company.  Big thanks to all who took part, especially the younger members of our team, big thank to Roger & Sue Elsey for finding the route and checking it out, big thanks to Anne and Sue for being the support team and many thanks to all who supported us with sponsorship._MG_0441a _MG_0449a _MG_0470a _MG_0509a_MG_0474a

Sponsor our walkers in aid of Space4

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Sponsored Walk Space4 17th May

Following the success of the Black Douglas fundraising walk last year a group of us are again heading out on a walk starting at Castle Dene and taking in part of the beautiful coastline to raise money for the continued work of our community project, Space4.

To run effectively, Space4 needs £800 per month to reach out to the most needy in our community of Houghton-le-Spring. We provide a listening ear and support for people facing all kinds of issues ranging from lack of access to social services to problems with housing or simply social isolation. Space4 is becoming a core service valued by many on Newbottle Street – help us to keep offering this support and develop our services by sponsoring us on this walk.

Sponsor forms are available at the back of church and at Space4.

If you would like to take part in the walk, please contact Christine Britcliffe, Space4 Co-ordinator.

Friends of the Church weekend – 9th-11th May 2015

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The Friends of St Michael and All Angels warmly invite you to a series of events to be held this weekend:

Coffee Morning in Church Saturday  9th May from 10am to 1pm Come and join us for coffee

 
Thanksgiving Service Sunday  10th May at 6pm The choir will be singing new music, conducted by Rev’d Frances Wilson and Dr Gordon Stewart will be at the organ.

 
AGM Sunday  10th May at 7pm The AGM follows the service

 
Organ Concert Monday  11th May at 7pm

Admission £7 at the door.

This event is being sponsored by Whitfield’s the chemist

 

 A welcome return of Dr Gordon Stewart playing popular organ music. Gordon enjoys coming to St Michael’s and I know the audience which is growing year on year really enjoys his music.

If you have not ever been to a organ concert why not try it?

Friends Weekend 2015

Summer Piano Recitals with Master Musicians International

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We are delighted to be partnering with Master Musicians International to offer 3 evening Summer Piano Recitals this year with internationally acclaimed musicians. Each recital is at 7.30pm at St Michael’s and admission is £8 (£5 concessions).

Tuesday 19th May – 7.30pm

Viv McClean (Australia) – playing Bach, Liszt, Chopin and Gershwin

Tuesday 9th June – 7.30pm

Dmitry Rachmanov (Russia) – playing an all-Russian programme of Tchaikovsky, Arensky, Scriabin & Rachmaninov

Thursday 9th July – 7.30pm

Mami Shikimori (Japan) – playing Beethoven, Miyoshi & Chopin

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