St Michael and All Angels Houghton-le-Spring

The Christingle Service every year marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations at St Michael’s.  This year the children and parents learnt the all about the symbols of the Christingle from Deliah the Cow ably assisted by the Rector and Margaret.  Everyone then made their own Christingle before we gathered around the Christmas tree when the candles were lit and we all sang Away in a Manger.  Always a magical moment.

Thank you to everyone one who helped and took part in this service, which as well as being very special raises much needed funds for The Children’s Society.

We all realise that the message of Christmas easily gets lost amidst the turkey and the tinsel.  The story of the coming of Christ, born in a stable to save broken humanity is drown out by the sound of the cash registers.

So this year we are planning an outdoor Nativity scene with silhouette figures attached to the railings outside church and the the crib scene in the church porch.  We hope it will remind the people of Houghton about the Christmas story and encourage them to dwell, even for a moment, on the true meaning of Christmas.

On Saturday we began the process of making the figures, we were blessed by a warm, dry autumn morning, which meant we could do most of the work outside at the back of the Kepier Hall. In the middle of drawing, sawing and painting the figures gradually appeared. Thank you to the team of volunteers who helped, we had a lot of fun and as you can see the figures are looking great!

Over 500 people gather in St Michael’s Church and outside on The Broadway on Remembrance Sunday 10th November.  They joined the Deputy Lord Leiutenant, Mr Norman Taylor, local Councillors, representative of ex-Services organisations, Army Cadets Tyne and Wear Fire Service, Northumbria Police, the Scout and Guide Associations and many local organisations and societies, all who met to remember and give thanks  for the sacrifice of those who had died in wars past and present.  Lest we forget.

This year’s Feast was blessed with excellent weather, blue sky and sunshine is not we expect, but was very welcome.  On the Saturday we welcomed about 1000 people into church of the Produce and Craft Market, which along side the excellent refreshments proved to be a popular attraction.  This year with a new addition the Church Vegetable stall!!

This years parade was great fun with more local participants than last year, which is good news.  Congratulations to the Houghton Round Table.

Sunday saw the tradition Civic service when we welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress, the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, local councillors and other guests to St Michael’s.  This years preacher was the Archdeacon of Sunderland, The Venerable Stuart Bain, who spoke about the importance of service in the local community.

The Masquarade Dinner was a super evening with excellent food and brilliant entertainment from the Flights.  Congratulations to the Next 900 Team, who as well as creating a special event raised nearly £700 for the Church Building Fund.