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.
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.
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? |
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
Come and hear our magnificent organ as Dr Gordon Stewart, a long-time friend of St Michael’s pulls out all the stops in our annual organ concert arranged by the Friends of St Michael’s Parish Church on Monday 11th May at 7.00pm. Tickets are £7 and include refreshments.
Westoe Brass Band will be giving a concert in church on Saturday 25th April at 7.30pm to launch their new CD “The Call of the Colliery” which was recorded in the church in December 2014.
Admission on the door £7 or £5 concessions.
Proceeds for repairs on the south aisle roof of our historic church.
Alleluia Christ is Risen!
On this Easter Day when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, may you know and experience His redeeming love.
A very Happy Easter to you all, Rector Sue
Here are some images (click on the images to enlarge) taken by John Lambton of our Easter Vigil service at which the exsultet hymn of praise was sung by our Deacon Bryony and the Paschal Candle blessed. Many thanks to Thelma Steel for decorating our candle so beautifully.
Bryony sings the exsultet
-
- The Easter Fire
-
- The procession with the Easter Candle
-
- The Easter Candle is prepared and lit
-
- Processing the candle into a dark church
-
- The candle is put in place
-
- Bryony sings the exsultet
-
- Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
-
- We remember our baptism and the new life it brings
-
- The rector enjoying sprinkling people with the waters of baptism
-
- Being sprinkled with the water of baptism
-
- Our Paschal Candle – painted by Thelma Steel
-
- Deacon, Rector and Subdeacon – with the Risen Christ behind them!
-
- Our team in their Easter finery
Houghton Passion Play took place on Good Friday at the evocative location of the Hillside Cemetery. Despite the rain, in great British style, a good crowd gathered to walk with Jesus through his last moments from Gethsemane to Golgotha.
Jesus dies
Rector Sue Pinnington said:
“People were incredibly moved and it was almost as if in some strange way that the dark and sombre day added and heightened the tension of the story being told.
We were committed to doing it outside. There were about 150 people there. Some people brought umbrellas and in that typically British fashion just got on with it.”
A spectator, Victoria Halpin said: “It was an excellent performance. I really enjoyed it all, even in the rain!”
John Vilaseca Bruch, a trainee priest on placement with us played the role of Jesus. Rector Sue said of him: “John was superb and he really brought something very special to the portrayal. It truly brought out the nature of the suffering that Christ must have gone through.”
A choir performed the songs written by parishioner Stuart Clappison and the audience sang along with the refrain:
Help us to see that what you did long ago
was for all, you and me – that we might know
how great is your love, your mercy and grace.
Can we live in your ways ’till we meet face to face?
Help us to know that your Spirit is here.
Open our hearts and cast off all fear.
We must loosen the chains that bind us today
and carry our cross in your humble way.
A very big thank you to everyone who helped make the play such a success, from those who provided the sound, the musicians, the tents, to the council, the local police and all the wonderful volunteers who stewarded, performed and assisted in all kinds of ways. It wouldn’t have happened without everyone’s commitment, thank you.
The play has been reported on in the Northern Echo.
View the images below to follow the stations of the cross as portrayed in the Passion Play.
-
- Gethsemane
-
- News reporter reports Jesus’ arrest and betrayal
-
- Pilate condemns Jesus to death
-
- Jesus takes up his cross
-
- Mary the mother of Christ
-
- Jesus meets his mother
-
- Jesus meets his mother while the reporter looks on
-
- Jesus falls for the first time
-
- Simon(e) of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross
-
- Jesus falls for the second time
-
- Veronica wipes Jesus’ face
-
- Jesus falls for the third time
-
- The women of Jerusalem
-
- A woman of Jerusalem is interviewed
-
- Jesus is brutalised by the guards
-
- Jesus is crucified
-
- The women at the foot of the cross
-
- Jesus is crucified
-
- Jesus dies
-
- Jesus is taken down from the cross
-
- Jesus is taken down from the cross
-
- Mary cradles Jesus in her arms
-
- It is finished
We had our final rehearsal for Houghton Passion Play which will take place this Good Friday at 12noon in the Hillside Cemetery. Be sure to get to the Broadway from 10.30am and take the free shuttle bus for this incredible unique event. The singers are sounding great and John, our student playing Jesus is praying for warmer weather!
See you on Friday!
Jesus is crucified
-
- The choir and band
-
- Jesus takes up his cross
-
- Jesus meets his mother
-
- Simone of Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus’ cross
-
- Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
-
- Jesus is crucified
-
- The women mourn
-
- Jesus dies on the cross
We escaped the forecast rain for our Palm Sunday procession this morning complete with our own home made palm crosses. The service began as is traditional in Houghton in Rectory Park where the palm crosses were blessed and then we were accompanied by a band as we processed into church.
Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then “Crucify!”
is all their breath,
And for His death
they thirst and cry.
Here are some images from the workshop to make the palm crosses and the procession held today marking the beginning of Holy Week. View more pictures on Facebook here.
Be sure to join us for all the other services of Holy Week, click here for details.
Palm Sunday procession
Making Palm Crosses
