We look forward to welcoming you to a wide variety of services for this Holy Week and Easter – come and be part of the story, walk the way of the cross to the most joyful day in the Church’s calendar.
The Houghton-le-Spring Passion Play will be performed in the evocative location of the Houghton Hillside Cemetery at noon on Good Friday 3rd April. The play set in modern times in a “CNN news” reporting style and using music composed by parishioner Stuart Clappison is set to move hearts and minds for the second time in the open air. The audience becomes the crowd in this performance as the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial and execution is brought to life as the local actors weave through the cemetery depicting the stations of the cross.
The Rector of Houghton, Rev’d Canon Sue Pinnington said:
“this is the eleventh time this play has been performed in Houghton and just the second time we have used the Hillside Cemetery. Being outside adds a different dimension to the experience and enables us to present the Passion of Christ to a whole new audience. We’re excited to be able to bring the good news of Jesus out of church and into the open for all to see.”
A free shuttle bus will take spectators from the Broadway in front of St Michael and All Angels church up to the cemetery (please note that there is no on-street parking at the venue).
This year a trainee priest, John Vilaseca Bruch, will be playing the part of Jesus, he said,
“I am honoured to be playing this role in the play. I am sure it will bring the story of the Passion of Christ alive for me in a very personal way. I hope our play will help people to put themselves into the story and experience its power.”
This free event is unique in the area and promises to be a moving experience for all who attend.
To find out how to get to Hillside Cemetery and for information on facilities available, please click here.
Here are some images of the play from 2012:
Notes for editors:
The event is free admission. No on-street parking at the venue. A free mini bus shuttle will take spectators to the Hillside Cemetery from the Broadway: DH4 4DN. More information here.
Here are some photos from our wonderful Mothering Sunday Eucharist this morning.
We also raised money for the Make a Mother’s Day appeal from the Mothers’ Union by raffling a simnel cake made by Pauline Coulson. You can donate to the appeal here.
A prayer for Mothering Sunday:
May God, who gave birth to all creation, bless us:
may God, who became incarnate by an earthly mother, bless us:
may God, who broods as a mother over her children, bless us.
May almighty God bless us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
Amen
A blue plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Sunderland today at Houghton Hall to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the 160th Wearside Brigade who were recruited for the First World War on this day a hundred years ago and had their HQ in Houghton. The overwhelming majority of the new recruits, including the officers, hailed from Sunderland, Wearside and the surrounding districts including Whitburn, Seaham and Gateshead. These men came from all walks of life, “from the privileged well educated families of rich industrialists, to the poorest labourers that worked in the mines and shipyards.” This brigade went on to serve in some of the decisive battles of the First World War including Passchendaele. This new plaque is a tribute to their sacrifice and reads:
160th (Wearside) Brigade Royal Field Artillery
Houghton Hall was the original HQ of the Brigade and home for the initial 750 locally raised volunteers in 1915. The brigade served with distinction in many famous battles of the First World War.
Lest we forget.
160th (Wearside) Brigade Royal Field Artillery
A good crowd of local dignitaries, the author of a history of the Brigade Phil Adams, servicemen and relatives of the soldiers of the Brigade gathered to watch the unveiling and then enjoyed some light refreshments at the Kepier Hall where an extensive exhibition was on display about the First World War. Here are some of the images from the exhibition:
This year we are bringing back our open-air performance of the Passion of Christ (last shown in 2012). The Passion Play is an outdoor production, held at the Hillside Cemetery with contemporary music by Stuart Clappison and in the style of a modern TV News Production: CNN Houghton-style. This modern take on the events of Good Friday loses none of the power and profundity of Christ’s final 24 hours. Everyone who attends gets drawn into the action because the audience becomes the crowd walking alongside Christ to his Crucifixion.
Please do make it a priority to come along this Good Friday 3rd April at 12 noon: you will not regret it.
A free shuttle bus will take spectators up to the cemetery from the Broadway (DH4 4DN) in Houghton-le-Spring.
If you are interested in taking part in the play or helping with the organisation of this big event, please contact us.
Today we celebrated our patron and former rector of Houghton Bernard Gilpin with a festive eucharist and a parish meal provided by the Next 900 Team.
Here is the collect (prayer) for today:
God of holiness, your glory is proclaimed in every age; as we rejoice in the faith of Bernard Gilpin inspire us to follow his example of generosity, scholarship and integrity through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
In her sermon the Rector praised all the unsung ‘Bernard Gilpins’ that throughout history have acted as the grit in the oyster to bring about change in the world. May we continue to follow Gilpin’s example in preaching the Gospel, helping the poor and challenging injustice.
The tomb of Bernard Gilpin decorated with greenery for his feast day.
Bernard Gilpin as depicted in our East Window
Bernard Gilpin in our great West Window
Many people were intrigued by our bringing an idea from the United States (experienced by our Rector last year in Washington DC) to the North East of England. In this interview on BBC Radio Newcastle, our Rector Sue reflects on the experience:
Photo by Keith Blundy
We now have a Youtube Channel and you can listen to Bishop Paul being interviewed on BBC Radio Newcastle and see a gallery of images from today’s trip onto the streets of Houghton for Ash Wednesday: Ashes to Go – taking the message of God’s forgiveness and love out of the church building to the people of the town. Find links to our press coverage here.
Today we were out on the Broadway from 7.15am with Bishop Paul offering the opportunity for people to receive ashes on their forehead as a sign of repentance and forgiveness.
This was a step of faith for all of us but we were surprised by the warm response and the interest of passers by – the bishop even ashed a bus driver and we were visited by a dalmatian dog as well!
Read more about this on the Diocese of Durham’s website here. Find lots more photos on our Facebook page and Instagram account.
-
- An #ashtag #selfie with the team!
Here is an outline of what Ash Wednesday is all about:
Life often gets messy and we end up hurting other people or ourselves. We do and say things we regret or we don’t do things that we should have. We all need the opportunity to acknowledge our sorrow for our mistakes, to say sorry and to be forgiven.
On Ash Wednesday, the Christian Church offers us that opportunity. By taking time, even if it’s just a few moments, to seek forgiveness from God and our fellow human beings, we can begin to wipe the slate clean, have a fresh start.
The ash cross on our forehead is a symbol of our sorrow and our desire to be forgiven.
Ash Wednesday is a day full of hope, because each one of us can find a new start in the love and forgiveness of God. Today is the start of the Christian journey towards Easter and the ultimate act of love: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We welcome you to join us on this journey: you never know it might change your life.
May God bless you and all those whom you love,
St Michael and All Angels Church
The Church of England in Houghton-le-Spring
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” – James 4:8, The Bible
We celebrated George Peebles’ 25th Anniversary as Organist and Director of Music of St Michael’s today. A very special occasion marked by cake, champagne and a special photograph album. Congratulations George and a huge thank you for all your hard work and commitment over the last 25 years.
