Well done to our fabulous four who braved the freezing sea at Seaham on Boxing Day morning to raise money for Church funds. Well done, we are thankful to our dippers and to all who sponsored them. Thank you.
Thanks to some funding from the Community Chest Sunderland City Council Fund, ELCAP Transport and a small team of hardworking volunteers we were able to serve 27 people with a delicious hot Christmas Dinner this year. The feast was added to by Alex & Carol Scullion who collected food from Aldi on Christmas Eve bringing us two geese and some delicious desserts among other items. We also had three gorgeous Christmas cakes made and donated to us. Rector John and his family joined us to provide some seasonal singing and help to serve the food. St Michael and All Angels PCC provided funding to purchase a small gift for everyone who attended.
Here are a selection of photos from Church over the Advent and Christmas period. We all enjoyed the lovely tradition of Posada – Mary and Joseph travelling around homes in the Parish – this included a night at a real inn (The Wild Boar).
We had the beautiful candlelit Advent Carol service to begin the season and enjoyed a Christingle, Crib Service, Alternative Community Nativity, Traditional Carol Service and a wonderful Eucharist on Christmas Morning.
We’ve had another fantastic Feast this year in Church. We had a Market, a Civic service, ‘Favourite Hymn’ Community singing and concerts. Thanks to everyone who attended and to those to helped back of the scenes to make it such a special week! 
We’ve had a great Holy Week here at St Michael’s. Thank you to all those who worked so hard in preparing the Church for Easter or for contributing in any way to our worship in Holy Week and Easter.
On Sunday 17th March at 3.00 pm the Church was packed with John’s family and friends, members of his now old Parish, fellow Priests and the wonderful people of our Parish. We were all there to celebrate John’s Licensing. The service was a lovely blend of traditional Oaths and blessings with a great mix of hymns – the Anthem sung by the Choir was a particular highlight. The wonderful Sermon from the Bishop of Durham, Rt Reverend Paul Butler, reminded us to serve and be served, and to look not inwardly but towards those who need help. The service ended with some quick notices from John and then we all headed up to the Kepier Hall for the bun fight!
Our thanks go out to all the people who made Sunday such a success, to those making the pies, buttering the sandwiches, getting us all seated, serving the tea, proof reading the service sheet, providing the beautiful music – and for everything else that goes on behind the scenes.
We look forward to journeying with John on his new phase of Ministry and wish him well!
Once again this year three brave souls took the plunge into the freezing North Sea to raise money for church funds. Darren, Susan & John boldly strode into the icy water and posed for these fantastic photos. Hopefully they will have raised lots of money for their efforts, it’s not to late to make a contribution.
After the Christmas Morning Eucharist Rev Judith Howes rushed along to Space4 to prepare a Christmas lunch for some of those from out community who would otherwise have been on their own. Assisted by Simon Hardy and David Hann the group was served a hot lunch and enjoyed some much needed social time together. Once again Easington Lane Community Transport provided their minibus to pick up and drop off the party goers. Huge thanks to everyone who gave so generously of their time and talents.
It was an exceedingly busy and joyful Christmas Eve at St Michael’s with the delightful Crib Service at 3pm. This very well attended service gave every child a role in the nativity as we shared in the miraculous Christmas story.
A packed church at 7pm for the Carol service where the musical director George Peebles and the choir outdid themselves with a wonderful selection of modern and traditional Christmas music. The hand bell ringers played a delightful selection of music before and after the service and we heard a variety of readings.
Then those of us with any stamina left welcomed in Christmas morning at a very atmospheric Midnight Mass.
Over fifty children and some of their adults attended this free Christmas Party, a collaboration between Space4 and the Kepier Hall. Everyone enjoyed the talents of Tony Junior who had everyone up on their feet joining in some fantastic games. There was a delicious buffet tea, a visit from Santa and a selection box for every child. Thank you to all the hard work of the volunteers involved and to a Community Chest Grant for making this happen.
