Chollerton Churches

Serving the parishes of:
St Giles Chollerton with St Giles Birtley,  St Christopher Gunnerton and St Aidan Thockrington
St Peter Humshaugh with St Mungo Simonburn and St Michael Wark
St Oswald in Lee with St Mary Bingfield and St George Wall

Announcements

In 1960 (so, well over sixty years ago), I was a boy at St Cuthbert’s Grammar School, Newcastle. One piece of music we learned was the ballad “All in the April Evening”. Set to music by Sir High Robertson, it was a well-known part of the Glasgow Orpheus Choir repertoire. I must have been a ‘pious bairn’, as I found it quite moving: “All in the April evening, April airs were abroad. The sheep with their little lambs passed me by on the road. All in the April evening….I thought of the Lamb of God.” (I’m sure some other ‘oldies’ will remember it!)
As I type this, it’s very chilly. (Your editor wants this piece in by mid-March, hence this early writing.) We’ll soon have the Easter weekend influx of visitors here in Bellingham, but just now there are few people on holiday. For 11 years, I was parish priest in Consett, where, at nearly 900 feet up, ‘lambing snow’ was a regular event.
Everyone loves the sight of the mother-ewes with their lambs in the fields, but town people often don’t appreciate the worry and tension involved when cold, wet weather arrives – as often happens in hilly country in the north-east.
This year, worry and tension are part of everyone’s life, thanks to the cost-of-living problem and the drawn-out effects of Covid-19. But for Christians, the sufferings of Jesus Christ are also part of the April experience. He was the “Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world”, as John the Baptist introduced him. The Jews had used roasted, sacrificial lamb as part of their Passover, and for Christians, Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice of love that reconciles us to God and to each other.
As adults of any religion – or none – I don’t think we can escape all problems and suffering. (I wish some politicians would stop pretending that we can.) For me, shouldering burdens – our own and others’ – is part of being grown-up. The difference Christianity makes is that, for believers, God came to share all this in the person of Jesus. He didn’t ‘magic’ suffering away, but offered us a path through it. Just as better weather should have arrived by the time you read this, so the rising of Jesus from the dead can offer us hope for something better.
Happy Spring-time!
Fr Jim Dunne, St Oswald’s RC Church, Bellingham

Events

Wednesday 29th. March at 12 noon
Savour soup, sweet and tea or coffee
all for a modest price

Thursday 30th March 2-4pm
Come along and make palm crosses and/or Needle felt crosses
Also coffee and friendly chat

Simonburn Village Hall
Friday 31st March 7.30pm
Donation of prizes would be much appreciated, thank you.
please contact: Christine Burridge on 07523166543

Saturday 1st April
10 am—midday

A look at Cumbrian Railways & the Cumbrian Railway Society
on Tuesday 4th. April from 7.15 p.m.

Wall Village Hall
Wed 5th April 10.30 am
& 1st Wed in each month

April 7th
This contemplative walk starts on Wark village green at 10.00am and follows the well known ‘Station Walk’ taking about 40 minutes to 1 hr. It includes a fairly steep hill but is all on tarmac. Come and join us. Everyone is welcome.
Returning to Wark Town Hall for hot cross buns and coffee.
Any queries contact Sally Napier (01434) 230223

Wall Village Green
15th April 9.30 a.m.
Wide selection of locally grown, healthy plants
Donations to St George’s Church. Wall

Home baked tea, a delicious treat.
Begins at 3 p.m. on Tuesday 18th. April

Thursday 20th April
& 3rd Thursday each month. 12p.m.
Wall Village Hall

On Wednesday 26th. April at 12 noon
Do come along and enjoy soup,
pudding and tea or coffee

Sunday May 7th from 1pm
Keep the date free for
FAMILY FUN DAY
to Celebrate the Coronation
in Gunnerton Playing Field
Everyone Welcome
More detail to follow

May 14th-20th House to House Collection in Wark.
Please give generously when an envelope comes through your door in Wark. Your gifts can help pigeon pea farmers in Malawi to change their own lives. Enabling families to educate their children and secure a better future.

The parish of Chollerton: St Giles is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Newcastle’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.