Latest News
Join the Carbon Fast during Lent
08/02/2012
The Christian relief and development agency Tearfund would like to invite you and your church to join with many other Christians worldwide in the Carbon Fast during Lent 2012.
The Carbon Fast encourages people to take one simple action everyday throughout the 40 days ... Read on
The Real Easter Egg Campaign Needs You!
08/02/2012
Last year the Real Easter Egg Campaign made an attempt to convince supermarkets that demand for an Easter Egg which celebrated the true meaning of the holiday was real and significant.
In order to prove demand, many churches found a champion who promoted the egg, took ... Read on
New Miners’ Chapel for Holy Sepulchre, Ashington
08/02/2012
Eunice Gowans writes:
The building of a Miners’ Chapel began a couple of years ago as a suggestion made at a PCC Meeting, which grew into a dream and then became reality.
Holy Sepulchre Church, Ashington, was built partly with money from local miners and from t ... Read on
Celebrating the Countryside – rediscovering old traditions
08/02/2012
Canon Dagmar Winter, Diocesan Rural Officer, writes:
Happy New Year! Near the beginning of a new year and the cycle of growing, it is good to hear of ancient countryside traditions being filled with new life.
For sitting alongside the cycle of the liturgical church y ... Read on
Count Your Blessings with Christian Aid North East
08/02/2012
News from Christian Aid's Newcastle office:
In a cold, bleak Newcastle January, it is a comfort to know we are now settled into our new and permanent Christian Aid offices, conveniently located yards from the railway station.
This is not the only thing for which we w ... Read on
"Whatever you do, do not allow yourself to hate."
07/02/2012
Ziggy Shipper, 83-year-old survivor of the Nazi concentration camps, came to speak to an inter-faith, inter-generational group of young people and leaders about to travel from Newcastle to Auschwitz in Poland next week.
Speaking at the UHC Synagogue in Gosforth, Mr Shi ... Read on
Rejoice, Reflect and Renew: Cathedral celebration of Queen’s reign
07/02/2012
Newcastle's St Nicholas' Cathedral celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Queen‘s accession to the throne at an augmented service of evensong on Monday 6th February.
The service was organised by the Cathedral at the request of the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear ... Read on
Bishop's thanks as church members give £4 million in 2011
03/02/2012
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Revd Martin Wharton, has thanked church members across the Diocese of Newcastle for giving an unprecedented £4 million to support the continuing work of the Church in 2011.
"Four million pounds can achieve a lot," he said ... Read on
The Anglican Communion Covenant
03/02/2012
The General Synod has referred the draft Act of Synod adopting the Anglican Communion Covenant to Dioceses under Article 8 of its Constitution.
The Diocesan Synod will consider the motion “That this Synod approves the draft Act of Synod adopting the Anglican Comm ... Read on
The Revd Canon Janet Brearley 1948-2012
02/02/2012
From the Bishop of Newcastle
It is with great sadness that I inform the clergy and people of the Diocese of the death of Canon Janet Brearley, Vicar of Warkworth and Acklington.
Janet served all her ministry in the Diocese and she did so with great distinction. ... Read on
Listen to the Gospels -what are they and what do they have to say?
01/02/2012
'Listen to the Gospels' by Richard Ferguson takes the most important writings we have as Christians - the Gospels - and presents them in a way which helps 21st Century minds get to grips with what they are and what they have to say.
This is an entirely original study w ... Read on
Countdown to London 2012
01/02/2012
Nine of every ten Brits are expected to watch some part of this summer's London Olympics on television, and the Olympic Torch Relay will bring the torch within ten miles of nineteen out of twenty of us!
The Olympics run from the 27 July to the 12 August and the Paralym ... Read on
Church of England launches new scheme to help parishes save £10 million
31/01/2012
Each year the parishes that make up the Church of England spend over £200 million, in addition to paying for clergy and local ministry.
Until now, each parish has generally had to buy independently without being able to benefit from our overall purchasing power. ... Read on
Education Sunday, 5th February 2012
31/01/2012
Resources from Churches Together in England
Student protests and the debate around Higher Education funding have prompted this year’s Education Sunday theme – learning and serving – which issues a strong challenge about responsibility to others.
Be ... Read on
Plaice your orders now for the great Evangelism Take Away!
30/01/2012
When the chips are down there's no Church without evangelism - sharing our faith - spreading the good news... and being it too.
So this is the moment to ketchup with the great Evangelism Take Away - get it in your diary and come along to St John's Church, Percy Main at ... Read on
Priest-in-Charge of Stannington and diocesan Continuing Ministerial Development Adviser
27/01/2012
The Bishop of Newcastle is delighted to announce the appointment, subject to the satisfactory completion of the legal formalities, of the Revd Dr Alan Gregory as Priest in Charge of Stannington and Continuing Ministerial Development Adviser for the Diocese of Newcastle. ... Read on
Church Weddings promoted at Newcastle's UK Wedding Show
27/01/2012
Newcastle Diocese shares a stand with our friends from Durham Diocese once again at this weekend's UK Wedding Show at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle.
Clergy and lay people from both dioceses will be on hand to chat with couples planning their wedding and take care of ... Read on
Energy-saving pilot scheme for Newcastle Diocese churches
25/01/2012
The 246 churches in the Diocese of Newcastle are being offered a part in a pilot scheme for monitoring church energy use and efficiency.
Churches are increasingly concerned about their energy costs and carbon emissions, and Shrinking the Footprint, the Church of Englan ... Read on
Love Your Wildlife Art Event
24/01/2012
Natalie and Danielle Hodgson are Newcastle College students on placement at St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle, working with Events Manager Pam Walker.
On Thursday 19th January they held an arts event entitled ‘Love your wildlife’ to raise money and support ... Read on
Gentleness, love and wry humour: the Revd Michael Malleson 1942 - 2011
20/01/2012
The Revd Michael Malleson died on the 1st December 2011 following a road accident. His colleague and friend the Revd Sue Wilson, Vicar of St Gabriel's, Heaton, writes:
Michael Lawson Malleson was born in Hereford in 1942, the son of a smallholder, but in a prie ... Read on
Engaged Encounter - 23 to 25 March at Shepherds Dene - BOOKING NOW
13/01/2012
23rd - 25th March 2012
An opportunity for engaged couples to spend time together focusing on their feelings and sharing hopes, joys, fears and expectations.
It's designed for couples who want a great marriage to learn about some of the ways in which their relationship ... Read on
New PICA Officer
10/01/2012
Frances Wilson arrived in Newcastle diocese at the end of October as Priest-in-Charge of Balkwell and Development Officer for Partners in Community Action (PICA).
PICA is at the forefront of the Church’s drive to make a substantial difference to some of the most ... Read on
Are YOU called to be a Street Pastor?
09/01/2012
Sam Douthwaite, Street Pastors Newcastle Co-ordinator, writes:
As we move into 2012, I can’t be anything but thankful for all that God has done both in the local church and through our ministry as Street Pastors in 2011.
Our night time communities are frequent ... Read on
Invasion by a thousand young Norwegians in July
06/01/2012
An organisation called Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is in the process of recruiting up to 1,000 young Norwegians to serve alongside north-east churches in mission and community engagement, as the Olympic Games begin this Summer.
They're looking for parishes, groups of p ... Read on
Staying Alive 2012
04/01/2012
Coming this year? 9th August - Sunday 12th August 2012 Put the date in your diary! Application forms to follow...
What is Staying Alive?
An opportunity for young people across the Diocese to spend a long weekend together, exploring your faith, taking part in w ... Read on
Being grown-up doesn't mean forgetting about the young; Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year message
01/01/2012
Quite a lot of the images we’re likely to remember from the footage of the riots in the summer will be of young people out of control in the streets, walking off with looted property from shops, noisily confronting police and so on.
It all fee ... Read on
The God who said, 'Let there be light' is content to be a child - Bishop of Newcastle's Christmas message
25/12/2011
Christmas is a time for celebration and a time for memories.
Memories from childhood perhaps. Memories of family Christmases from long ago. Memories of loved ones who will not be with us this year. Memories of candlelit churches for carol services and the midnigh ... Read on
Christingle at St Cuthbert's, Bellingham
24/12/2011
St Cuthberts 24th December 2011 from Neil Denham on Vimeo.
... Read on
Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round... giant nativity mobile at Newcastle's St Nicholas' Cathedral
23/12/2011
St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle, is displaying a giant walk-through Nativity mobile loosely based on the solar system, with Christ as the Sun.
All the other characters from the nativity stories are represented by the ‘planets’ orbiting the sun: the mobil ... Read on
290 boxes of Christmas Cheer
20/12/2011
Newcastle Diocese Mothers Union worked very hard in the run up to Christmas providing a staggering 290 boxes of Christmas Cheer for the People's Kitchen.
This really was a magnificent achievement and was only possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of so many ... Read on
Humour, pathos and sincerity - Holywell's nativity play
20/12/2011
St Mary’s Church Holywell was full to bursting point on Thursday evening 15th December as pupils from Holywell Village First School staged a traditional Nativity play and carols.
The 24 youngsters of year four delighted a 140-strong audience of family, friends an ... Read on
Follow the Diocese of Newcastle on Facebook and Twitter...
19/12/2011
Make sure you never miss the next thrilling instalment of anything!
The Diocese of Newcastle is now on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/pages/Diocese-of-Newcastle-Church-of-England/135853166526334
...and on Twitter as
@NwcastleDiocese.
Twitter a ... Read on
Lord Mayor’s decree as Christ is born in Newcastle’s shopping streets
16/12/2011
An open-air nativity performance organised by Newcastle Central Deanery (the parishes and churches of central Newcastle) moved through the north side of Newcastle's city centre on the evening ofThursday 15th December 2011.
An all-age cast of about 30 drawn from the St ... Read on
New Evangelism pages waiting for your visit!
16/12/2011
Canon John Sinclair, newly-appointed Diocesan Advisor in Local Evangelism and Mission, has launched the new Evangelism pages on the diocesan web site.
Have a look to meet John and see some of the resources and ideas he's lining up to help and support parishes and churc ... Read on
Thank you to Newcastle's Street Pastors
16/12/2011
"I am writing to you from London, where I have returned after a weekend in Newcastle, humbled by the unconditional kindness of your team of Street Pastors that I had the good fortune to meet.
"I really wanted to send a message of thanks to the team who were ... Read on
Rare new hatchment celebrates Bamburgh war hero
13/12/2011
A new hatchment (a painted coat-of-arms) mounted in St Aidan's Church, Bamburgh, was dedicated after morning worship on Sunday 11 December by the Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Revd Martin Wharton.
The new hatchment commemorates the late Captain Joe Baker-Cresswell, who d ... Read on
Commissioning New Art for Churches - £10,000 prize competition to launch new guidance for parishes and artists
12/12/2011
Brand new publication from the Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division
The guide, richly illustrated with examples of recent commissions throughout England, includes details on what parishes should consider, how to write briefs and commission and choose artists, as we ... Read on
Northumberland village church in world record attempt
08/12/2011
The Northumberland village church of St Bartholomew, Kirkwhelpington plans to sing its way into the Guinness Book of World Records when it takes part in an attempt to smash the current record for the largest number of people singing carols together across multiple locat ... Read on
Earsdon Christmas Tree Lighting to raise money for Barnardo’s
07/12/2011
A magnificent Christmas tree will sparkle with hundreds of lights when it is switched on in Earsdon on Friday 16th December at 6.00pm.
Hillheads Farm in Killingworth has donated the 18ft tree to St Alban’s Church where it will form the centrepiece of ... Read on
Years of darkness end on St Nicholas' Day as Cathedral's 15th-Century tower is re-lit
06/12/2011
Newcastle's Cathedral of St Nicholas marks the Feast of St Nicholas on Tuesday 6th December this year by recreating a piece of North East history when it re-lights its tower for the first time in years.
STOP PRESS: Heritage Lottery Fund confirms &poun ... Read on
'One of God's gifts to the diocese' - Canon Peter Strange retires
04/12/2011
Canon Peter Strange has retired as Precentor at St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle, after a long and dedicated ministry.
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Revd Martin Wharton, pays tribute:
"Canon Peter Strange has given a lifetime’s ministry in the service of ... Read on
The Reverend Michael Malleson 1942 - 2011
02/12/2011
With great sadness the Diocese of Newcastle announces the death of the Reverend Michael Malleson in hospital on Thursday 1st December 2011 following a road accident the previous day.
Mr Malleson, 69, was Vicar of Killingworth, North Tyneside, from 1993 until his retire ... Read on
Hosts needed for family members of 2012 Games competitors
01/12/2011
An initiative has been launched to find volunteers who will provide free accommodation for the family members of 2012 Games competitors.
More Than Gold, the agency set up by all the main denominations to help churches engage with the 2012 Games, unveiled their Athlete ... Read on
Eco-Congregation status for Holy Saviour’s
01/12/2011
Holy Saviour’s Tynemouth held a special service, led by Bishop Martin Wharton, to celebrate receiving ‘Eco-Congregation’ status recently.
Eco-Congregation is an ecumenical programme helping churches make the link between environmental issues and Chri ... Read on
Youngsters are full of beans at St Andrew’s!
01/12/2011
Children at St Andrew’s, Corbridge, proudly harvested beans they had planted one very wet Messy Church Saturday in May, and took them to a local Abbeyfield Home for the residents to enjoy.
Children, mums, dads, and grandparents were all involved in clearing a pa ... Read on
Bishop Martin Wharton's Christmas Appeal
01/12/2011
The story of the birth of Christ is very familiar, perhaps so familiar that we sometimes miss some of its strangeness, challenge, and power.
Part of the challenge of the Christmas story is to come to terms with the profound smallness of God, to accept that God is not ... Read on
Green Links
01/12/2011
by Janis Irvine
Autumn has been, in the main, mild of temperament with a few tempestuous outbursts.
It has allowed the opportunity for the odd bit of garden catch-up which has been a bonus as I know that work done now in clearing weeds is far better than doing the sa ... Read on
The People’s Bible comes to Alston!
01/12/2011
The People’s Bible is a national tour which will produce a unique, hand-written edition of the Bible. At venues across the country, people will be able to write a pair of verses to join the occasion and make their mark in history.
In the year of the 400th anniver ... Read on
Flowing designs etched in glass to mark church’s half century
25/11/2011
Bishop leads celebrations at Seaton Sluice
New etched glass windows, new furnishings and a church’s fiftieth birthday will be celebrated when the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Martin Wharton, visits St Paul’s Church, Seaton Sluice, to lead a famil ... Read on
Welcome to the Chapel of St John Bosco
22/11/2011
It was more than the blessing of a new chapel; it was a Celebration of Youth in the Parish when Bishop Martin dedicated the Chapel of St John Bosco in St Peter's Vicarage, Cowgate, Newcastle, on Thursday 17th November.
The Chapel has been converted from Fr Alan Paterso ... Read on
Praying for the Earth
21/11/2011
The superb second edition of 'Praying for the Earth', in full colour with photographs, has recently been produced by the Newcastle Diocesan Environment Task Group.
'Praying for the Earth' encourages environmental concerns to become an integral part of the public and p ... Read on
Archdeacon's prayer for the future as Alcan closure cuts 'trail of anguish' through south east Northumberland
17/11/2011
The Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, the Venerable Peter Robinson, has pledged that the Church will not forget those left behind when the aluminium smelter at Lynemouth is shut down, following yesterday's closure announcement by Rio Tinto Alcan.
"I am desperately sad at ... Read on
Newcastle Diocesan Synod supports Church of England's proposals for women bishops
12/11/2011
The Newcastle Diocesan Synod, which is the representative body for the Church of England from the Tyne to the Tweed, met on Saturday 12 November at St John's Church, Percy Main, North Shields, when its agenda included a debate and vote on the Church of England's propose ... Read on
Thinking of training for Christian Ministry?
11/11/2011
Are you wondering whether you are being called to some form of Christian ministry?
There are two major providers of ministerial training in the region: Lindisfarne Regional Training Partnership and Cranmer Hall.
Lindisfarne delivers training in Durham and at North Sh ... Read on
St. Alban’s Church secures grant to tune of £3,000 for memorial music
10/11/2011
The Grimethorpe Colliery Band - famous for playing the soundtrack on the film ‘Brassed Off’ - has been chosen to premiere a piece of music to commemorate one of the North East’s worst mining tragedies.
St. Alban’s Church in Earsdon has commissio ... Read on
All the Latest from Inspired North East
02/11/2011
‘Just enough time to book for...... Maggie’s magic!’
If you are involved in planning or contemplating a church development project – small or large - we strongly recommend this event:
Maggie Durran, Church Times columnist, renowned author, an ... Read on
Outdoor learning area delights all at Bede Academy
02/11/2011
The Venerable Bede has been honoured by Bishop Martin Wharton at the dedication of a school outdoor learning area.
Bishop Martin blessed the area at Bede Academy in Blyth, which comprises sculptures, seating, and scripture intended to inspire primary age children.
It ... Read on
From Christian Aid
02/11/2011
Over the past 30 years since HIV/AIDS was first identified, approximately 20 million people have died from AIDS and 38 million people are living with HIV/AIDS.
95% of the people living with HIV are in developing countries, and two thirds of them are in Sub-Saharan A ... Read on
“We are a blessed people because God has given us the forest”
02/11/2011
In an article that originally appeared in the Church Times, Graham Usher reflects upon the dangers faced by those who oppose illegal logging in the Amazon:
As we talk we can hear in the distance the sound of chainsaws cutting yet more swathes of rainforest. Bishop Sa ... Read on
Community celebrate St John milestone
02/11/2011
St John the Divine in Acklington celebrated their 150th anniversary in style over a recent weekend.
The celebrations involved all aspects of the community. Children from the village school dressed up in Victorian costume, inmates from HMP Acklington submitted craft wo ... Read on
Adventures in the Amazon
02/11/2011
The Rector of Hexham Abbey, Canon Graham Usher, recently had a sabbatical and chose to spend part of it travelling along the river Amazon.
For the last five years the congregation at Hexham Abbey has been sponsoring, through its missionary giving, the work of the Bisho ... Read on
Bishop Frank White writes...
02/11/2011
We are at a time when remembrance is much on our minds.
We recognise that looking back is not simply about re-living former times but also about applying lessons from that age to today. Similarly, looking ahead is not a matter of wishful thinking but finding the build ... Read on
Diocese welcomes new Communications Officer
02/11/2011
Martin Sheppard began work in the Diocese of Newcastle as Development Officer for Communications last month.
Martin has worked in church communications since 1999 when he was appointed Director of Communications for the Diocese of York, after 14 years in Christian book ... Read on
Øut øn the Tøøn!
02/11/2011
During the recent, and all too brief, sunny weather, a group of twelve people from our link diocese in Møre, Norway, visited Newcastle on a study tour to find out about parish life in our diocese. It was a mixed group of organists, youth workers, churchwardens, w ... Read on
Being there to Bear Witness
02/11/2011
By Pauline Pearson
At the end of a busy week, there are many things most of us would rather do than jump on an early train and travel across the country to Manchester.
But that’s exactly what I did last month, when I travelled there to take part in the &ls ... Read on
Deacons confer on ‘Making Connections’
02/11/2011
Over 140 people gathered at St John’s College, Durham University for ‘Making Connections’ Exploring Diaconal Ministry, a major international ecumenical conference held last month.
The conference brought speakers and guests together from various denom ... Read on
Bishop Frank grilled at University ‘Question Time’
02/11/2011
By Chris Wright
Bishop Frank White, the Assistant Bishop of Newcastle, took his place on a stellar political panel for Newcastle University Politics Society’s ‘Question Time’ event recently.
Bishop Frank was invited to answer questions put by a live ... Read on
Rural Affairs update with the Revd Dagmar Winter
02/11/2011
Did you know …?
'Know Northumberland' is a new quarterly bulletin produced by the Northumberland County Council Policy and Research Team. The bulletin gives a Northumberland-based update of statistical changes and headlines across a range of topics. The first tw ... Read on
View from the Lantern - Canon Sydney Connolly of St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle, writes...
02/11/2011
“Writing in a diary”
When thinking about staging exhibitions, the Cathedral is ideal for several reasons, amongst them that it has plenty of space, and it is open every day. Recently, an exhibition on the diary of Anne Frank, written whilst she was in hidin ... Read on
140 years of ministry
02/11/2011
The Revd Jack Hay, the Revd Paul Adamson and Canon Campbell Matthews celebrated 140 years of ministry at the Parish Communion in St Andrew's, Corbridge recently.
Jack and Paul have served for fifty years as priests and Campbell,40 years since being ordained deacon.
A ... Read on
Volunteering as a ‘Community First Responder’
02/11/2011
Community First Responder volunteers are trained to attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until an ambulance arrives.
In 2010 I qualified as a volunteer Community First Responder with the North East Ambulance service. I am the first ... Read on
A service behind baaahs
02/11/2011
Rural congregations were "behind bars" during recent Harvest Services – because they took place in the Auction Mart.
In the place where Blackface Mules and Swaledales usually jostle for the best price, mainly Methodists and Anglicans came together in Sc ... Read on
‘Poverty Over’ Sculpture at St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle
02/11/2011
Over the next two years, Christian Aid's 'Poverty Over' exhibition will be touring cathedrals all over the UK, and last month came to St Nicholas’ Cathedral in Newcastle.
The tour aims to give people the opportunity to learn more about Christian Aid’s work ... Read on
125th Anniversary Celebrations at St Matthew’s, Dinnington
02/11/2011
As part of their 125th anniversary celebrations, St Matthew’s, Dinnington, held a flower festival.
The flowers showcased a vast array of colours arranged in themes covering every aspect of church life over the last 125 years. All sorts of events, from weddings, ... Read on
Wallington Food and Crafts Fair
02/11/2011
The congregation and wider community of Holy Trinity Church, Cambo, have been very busy producing hundreds of jars of jam and chutney, as well as cakes and cards, to sell at the Wallington Food and Crafts Fair, supported with a pitch by the National Trust.
It was not ... Read on
Good food for a good cause
02/11/2011
For the third year in a row, the congregation of St Mary’s, Belford followed its Harvest festival service with a hearty Harvest lunch and auction of perishable produce.
The Mothers’ Union put on a tasty vegetable soup and a ploughman’s lunch, with som ... Read on
Could you volunteer to teach IT?
02/11/2011
From St Mary’s Church Stannington: Our lovely old Parish Church stands at the heart of Stannington Village and is the proud owner of a small IT Suite comprising six PCs and two printers/scanners. We proudly serve our local community by helping them learn basic IT ... Read on
‘Gold’ standard gardening at St John’s
02/11/2011
St John the Evangelist, Spittal, has enjoyed a successful 18 months culminating in our Church Gardeners winning Gold in Northumbria in Bloom 2011 (Ellis Wood Trophy for the Best Kept Grounds of a Religious Establishment to be maintained by the Parishioners).
This remar ... Read on
Møre Waffles
02/11/2011
Pictured is Liv Anne Bjerkeland, one of the visitors from our link diocese of Møre in Norway, presenting the Diocesan Development Officer for Youth Work, the Revd Andrew Shipton, with a Norwegian waffle machine (and ingredients!) for use by young people in the di ... Read on
Church Open Day a great success in Willington
02/11/2011
St Mary's, Willington, Church Open Day was part of the Tyne and Wear Heritage Weekend, with the Pastoral Group and other church members making a combined effort to open the church doors and say "St Mary's Church is here and we are very much an active and friendly c ... Read on
Christmas Events at St Nick’s Cathedral, Newcastle
02/11/2011
St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle, seeks to welcome all comers into the building, to enjoy its peace and tranquillity as well as to join in its life of worship. As the Christmas season approaches we have developed an exciting and diverse range of opportunities to c ... Read on
“An Evening with Dementia” - Critically-Acclaimed Play used in Ministerial Training
02/11/2011
by Rick Simpson
“Let me give you a piece of advice,” says the seated elderly man, blanket over his knees, jabbing the air with a shaky finger: “Never use a name; names can get you into hot water,” should you get them wrong.
So, he explai ... Read on
Passion and enthusiasm on display for Lutheran visitors
02/11/2011
Last year Lindisfarne’s ordinands spent time at the Lutheran Seminary at Ratzeburg (about 30 miles west of Hamburg) as part of their annual residential school. Last month we hosted the return leg and welcomed a group of trainee Lutheran pastors and two staff membe ... Read on
Free guide helps churches stage big events for the 2012 Games
02/11/2011
Churches planning large events in celebration of the 2012 Games now have a practical guide to help them solve the many practical issues involved.
Those intending to show the opening ceremony live in the outdoors face the problem that this will be before the hours of ... Read on
Shepherd's Dene 2012 programme OUT NOW
24/10/2011
The 2012 programme has been awaited with all the anticipation of a new Beaujolais, say the team at Shepherds Dene (the retreat house of the dioceses of Newcastle and Durham at Riding Mill), and is being rushed into churches around the dioceses as we speak.
Be among the ... Read on
Women Bishops: resources for diocesan synod debate 12 November
23/10/2011
On Saturday 12th November, the Newcastle Diocesan Synod meets to debate and vote on the Church of England's draft legislation on women bishops.
Each of the 44 dioceses in the Church of England has been asked to debate and vote on the proposals by the General Synod, the ... Read on
“My heart is really in this...” - Gosforth Curate's shopping centre service featured in Newcastle's Journal
21/10/2011
Curate of Gosforth the Revd Michelle Dalliston is featured in Newcastle's daily Journal talking about the fortnightly service she runs at Captain Ted's soft play area at Gosforth Shopping Centre for mums with babies and toddlers.
Michelle (who is married to Dean of New ... Read on
Lindisfarne Priory honoured by Royal Mail
15/10/2011
One of the North East's historic Christian sites, Lindisfarne Priory, is featured in Royal Mail's newest series of first-class stamps, depicting well-loved UK landmarks.
Released on the 13th October 2011, the stamps are the first half of a 'UK A-Z' series, including l ... Read on
Philippa Hanna live at St Nicholas
14/10/2011
Singer/ songwriter Philippa Hanna performs live in the Diocese with a quality support act at St Nicholas' Church, Cramlington on Friday 4th November at 7.30pm.
Philippa will share her story and speak about her work for the international charity ‘Compassion&rsquo ... Read on
New Development Officer for Communications
09/09/2011
The Bishops in Newcastle Diocese are delighted to announce the appointment of Martin Sheppard as the new Development Officer for Communications.
Martin has worked in publishing and in diocesan communications for a number of years, including the post as Diocesan C ... Read on
Gift Aid 2011 - What You Need to Know
23/08/2011
Gift Aid 2011 - What You Need to Know (Click here) ... Read on
New Archdeacon of Bodmin welcomed
16/08/2011
Northumbrian piper, Bea Geddes, the St Minver Silver Band and the Wadebridge Male Voice Choir all played their parts in a special ‘welcome’ service for the Revd Canon Dr Audrey Elkington as she was installed as Archdeacon of Bodmin in Truro Cathedral on 29 J ... Read on
Chaplains on the Run.......
04/08/2011
Chaplain’s on the run ….
Having heard people say, “Look out here’s the Chaplain – run” … the Chaplaincy Team of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are attempting to get away first this September by running ... Read on
Botswana Youth Team
14/07/2011
At 3am on the morning of Thursday 14th July eleven young people from the Diocese and two leaders met at Newcastle Airport to set off on their long trip to Botswana for a ten day visit. On arrival in South Africa they will be accompanied by a group from the D ... Read on
New Deacons and Priests in Newcastle Diocese
04/07/2011
New Deacons and Priests in Newcastle Diocese
Three ordination services took place in the Diocese on Sunday 3rd July, and were attended by families and friends from all over the country.
At the Cathedral eight priests and six deacons were ordained by Bishop Martin. ... Read on
Called to be Confident
24/06/2011
“Called to be Confident….”
Two hundred clergy and supporting ministers have just returned from an excellent Conference in Edinburgh. Following the theme of Pentecost we considered the ways in which we are ‘Called to be Confi ... Read on
Open Synod - 17th September 2011
21/06/2011
Open Synod - 17th September 2011 ... Read on
Back to Church Sunday
14/06/2011
Sunday 25th September 2011
"Why not give it a try this year? Back to Church Sunday offers a ready made opportunity to bring 'those people you've always wanted to invite' to your church. Over the years I've heard some really encouraging stories as churche ... Read on
Bishop announces his new Chaplain
10/06/2011
Bishop announces his new Chaplain
In anticipation of Audrey Elkington’s move to the Diocese of Truro, Bishop Martin has announced that the Revd Ian Flintoft will be appointed as his Chaplain from 1st September 2011. Ian is currently the Team Vicar of Ch ... Read on
New Adviser for Women’s Ministry
03/06/2011
New Adviser for Women’s Ministry
Bishop Martin is pleased to announce that from the 1st June 2011 Sheila Bamber is the new Adviser for Women’s Ministry in the Diocese of Newcastle.
Sheila is a Canon Residentiary at our Cathedral Church of St Nich ... Read on
School Pastors
03/06/2011
School Pastors - a partnership between the Church, the school the Police and the local authority.
School Pastors is an initiative of Ascension Trust which runs the international organisation called Street Pastors. Street Pastors have been in operatio ... Read on
Priest Appointed as High Sheriff of Northumberland
11/04/2011
Priest Appointed as High Sheriff of Northumberland.
The Reverend Fiona Sample, who serves as an Ordained Local Minister in the joint Benefice of Whalton, Bolam, Netherwitton and Hartburn with Meldon, has been Installed as High Sheriff of Northumberland at St.Andrews ... Read on
Travelling Full Circle in the Holy Land
08/04/2011
Travelling full-circle in the Holy Land
Bishop Martin has recently returned from taking 45 pilgrims from our Diocese to the Holy Land. We arrived very early one Sunday morning, in time to see the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee - a very special moment. Later that day ... Read on
Come & Sing a Cathedral Evensong
07/04/2011
Come and Sing a Cathedral Evensong
Singers from all the choirs and congregations of the Diocese are invited to sing a choral evensong at the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. Practices will be held at the Cathedral (Mosley St & ... Read on
The Appointment of The Revd Canon Dr Audrey Elkington as Archdeacon of Bodmin
23/03/2011
Archdeacon of Bodmin
It is with mixed feelings that the Bishop of Newcastle has announced the appointment of the Reverend Canon Dr Audrey Elkington as the new Archdeacon of Bodmin in the Diocese of Truro, following the retirement in May of the current Archdeacon, the V ... Read on
Women in the Episcopate
01/03/2011
Women as Bishops?
Deanery Consultations
General Synod has passed down to the Dioceses the proposed legislation for the introduction of female Bishops in the Church of England. The intention is to enable women to become ... Read on
Prayer for the People of the Middle East
28/02/2011
A prayer for the Middle Eastern countries facing unrest and uncertainty
O God you are in the midst of us
and we are called by your name.
As the foundations of our society
are shaken and our future is uncertain,
may we be given the grace to trust in you.
May we f ... Read on
Prayers for the People of New Zealand
28/02/2011
A Prayer for the People of New Zealand
God of consolation
grant to those who suffer and sorrow at this time of devastation in Christchurch,
the spirit of faith and courage,
that they may have the strength to meet the days to come
with steadfastness and patience;
... Read on
Investing in Weddings
08/02/2011
Even before a certain royal wedding was booked, the Diocese of Newcastle decided to provide an even better service for those wishing to be married in church. We have invested some of our mission funding in the ‘Weddings Project’. This national pr ... Read on
Sue Scott RIP
31/01/2011
It is with deep sadness that I write to inform the clergy and people of the Diocese of the untimely death of Sue Scott on the 28th January, 2011. Sue had been unwell in recent months, but her condition deteriorated rapidly over the last few days and she died peacefull ... Read on
Bishop Martin honoured
31/12/2010
Bishop Martin has been awarded a CBE in the New Year's Honours list announced today.
The citation said that the Rt.Rev.Martin Wharton, Bishop of Newcastle, had been recognised for his work for the Church of England and for the community in the North-East of England.
T ... Read on
Alnmouth Friary Christmas Appeal
22/12/2010
Click here to read the Christmas News and Appeal on behalf of the Society of St Francis at Alnmouth Friary, December 2010. ... Read on
'Crossing the Threshold' - One Day Conference March 2011
22/12/2010
‘Crossing the Threshold’ - Churches, Heritage and the Big Society: adapting church buildings for wider community use and enjoyment”
22nd March 2011, St John’s Church, Percy Main, North Shields: A one day conference for decision makers, professi ... Read on
Welcome to our new Assistant Bishop!
02/12/2010
The snow might have been deep and crisp and even, but it didn't prevent people from far and wide coming to celebrate the beginning of the ministry of our new Assistant Bishop, Frank White. The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas hosted a good congregation, and the extra hat ... Read on
Church House Meetings for Monday Night (29 Nov) cancelled due to the weather
29/11/2010
All of tonight's meetings at Church House, have been cancelled due to the very bad weather. ... Read on
Children's Society project seeks funding
23/11/2010
The Children’s Society SCARPA Project which is based in Newcastle. It is appealing for funding from the People’s Millions money to be able to set up the SCARPA Squad, a new initiative that will help other young people to stay safer by training young people t ... Read on
Praise for "excellent" CoE academies
16/11/2010
“We very much value the contribution that Church of England schools and academies make to our education system,” said Schools Minister Lord Hill at the Church of England’s Academy Family Conference at Lambeth Palace. The CofE is currently the largest ... Read on
Refugee service to give out extra cash
10/11/2010
The West End Refugee Service in Newcastle is appealing for extra cash donations after taking a decision to raise the amount given to destitute people each week.
Lindsay Cross, project director at WERS, explains: "After much thought, we have decided to raise ... Read on
New Readers licensed
01/11/2010
Readers from throughout the diocese gathered at St Nicholas’ Cathedral in Newcastle recently for their annual general meeting, addressed by the president, Bishop Martin, the Warden, the Ven. Peter Robinson, and the retiring Assistant Warden, Canon Ron Black ... Read on
Treats for the Troops
01/11/2010
More sweet treats are on their way to troops in Afghanistan - thanks to the effort of Mothers Union members in Seaton Sluice.
‘Operation Dolly Mixtures” began in 2009 when church folk in the North Tyne and Redesdale group of parishes wanted to do some ... Read on
Archbishop reflects on Spending Review
21/10/2010
The Archbishop of York, having listened to the Government's Spending Review, has offered his thoughts on the impact of investment cuts on communities and families.
Dr John Sentamu says: “A man asked me recently: ‘What do you think of the Big Society?&r ... Read on
Local Christian Aid workers in parliament lobby
21/10/2010
Christian Aid supporters from throughout the diocese joined American civil rights activist, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, in London to back Christian Aid’s lobby of Parliament, aimed at moving climate change and global tax transparency up the political agenda.
Supp ... Read on
Last chance to join the Diocesan Pilgrimage
18/10/2010
Bishop Martin says he is delighted that bookings are going well for the second pilgrimage he will lead to the Holy Land next Spring.
There is still space for a few more to join him, but bookings must be made by the end of October.
The Pilgrimage will take place ... Read on
General Synod results announced
14/10/2010
Votes for General Synod candidates in the Newcastle Diocese have now been counted at Church House, and the result announced.
The successful candidates to represent the diocese at General synod are:
Proctorial Candidates - the Rev. Janet Appleby, Canon John ... Read on
Bishop welcomes Real Easter Egg
12/10/2010
It is early to be talking about Christmas, let alone Easter – but this week Bishop Martin welcomes the launch of the Real Easter Egg, the UK’s first and only Easter egg to mention Jesus on the box. And he is asking church schools in the Newcastle Dioce ... Read on
Botswana youth choir visit Diocese
11/10/2010
Botswana's most celebrated youth choir, Sedibeng Choral Society, made a flying visit to Newcastle at the weekend to give two concerts.
Founded five years ago by Andy Batshogile, the director of music at the Anglican Cathedral in Gaborone, the choir now has more t ... Read on
Hexham Abbey gets green light from Heritage Fund
28/09/2010
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced its initial support for a £1.8m bid for the historic Hexham Abbey today.
The news means that plans can now be developed for a major heritage regeneration project which aims to breathe life back into some of the form ... Read on
Call to remember the poor
27/09/2010
The Micah Challenge - 10.10.10.
Make Poverty History NE joins the Archbishop of Canterbury and other church leaders in commending Micah 2010 (10.10.10) to churchgoers in the Newcastle diocese.
On the 10th day of the 10th month in 2010 Christians in the North- ... Read on
Choirs perform for Christian Aid
27/09/2010
Newcastle Male Chorus and their guests, the Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir, will perform a “Voices in Harmony” concert in Cullercoats on Saturday, October 9.
With guest soloist Kath Ireland (mezzo soprano) they will perform in support of Christi ... Read on
Synod Forum asks the Big Questions
22/09/2010
More than 100 people attended the recent Open Synod Forum held in Willington Quay to discuss the diocesan strategy for mission and growth and to answer the questions: What is our vision ? What really matters?
The Forum followed the “World Café” mode ... Read on
New Area Dean for Morpeth
21/09/2010
Morpeth Deanery has a new Area Dean, the Rev. Dagmar Winter.
Dagmar was licensed during a meeting of Morpeth Deanery Synod by the Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, the Venerable Peter Robinson.
He also introduced and welcomed the Rev. John Park who will assist ... Read on
General Synod candidates announced
13/09/2010
Candidates for the forthcoming General Synod elections are announced from Church House today.
The Diocese of Newcastle has three clerical (proctorial) vacancies and three lay vacancies on the General Synod, and at the close of nominations there were six clerical c ... Read on
Diocese to set up new city school
09/09/2010
The Diocese of Newcastle is to establish a new Church of England school in Walker, having won a local authority sponsored competition to set up a 420-place primary school.
The new school will replace St. Anthony’s CoE Primary and Wharrier Street Primary in the ea ... Read on
Academy inspires success for Ashington
27/08/2010
Eighty- six per cent of the learners at The Northumberland Church of England Academy in Ashington gained at least five A* to C grades in this years GCSEs, higher than any previous year at Hirst High and a dramatic leap forward from 50% in last year’s results.
R ... Read on
Byker welcomes new Mission Initiative
27/08/2010
The Urban Ministry and Theology Project, centred around four parishes in Byker, is soon to become one of the first Mission Initiatives in the country.
A new pastoral measure, passed by General Synod in 2007, allows new expressions of church, not necessarily based ... Read on
Ecumenical celebration at St. John's
27/08/2010
Members of St. John’s Kingston Park, together with their ecumenical friends and neighbours, welcomed new confirmation and baptism candidates at a special service this summer.
Says the Rev. Roger Mills, vicar of St. John’s: “As always at St John' ... Read on
Schools partnership helps All Saints scholar to Oxford
19/08/2010
A Newcastle boy has won a place at Oxford through a unique partnership between a state school and a leading independent school in Newcastle, both with strong Church of England links.
Ashley Clift from West Denton has secured the place to read medicine at Christ Church ... Read on
Interim Director of Education appointed
09/08/2010
The chairs of the Newcastle and Durham Education Boards today announce the appointment of Jeremy Fitt as the interim Director of Education for Durham and Newcastle Dioceses.
Mr. Fitt takes up his post on September 1.
The Revd. Margaret Hobrough, chair of the ... Read on
Bellringing for Biodiversity
08/08/2010
Churches in the Newcastle diocese with full peels, or just with one or two bells, are being urged to support a UN bellringing event this September to draw attention to "biodiverstiy."
When officials at the UN headquarters in New York and in Nairobi ring ... Read on
Boosting church weddings in the Newcastle Diocese
26/07/2010
A team from the Archbishops’ “Weddings Project” is coming to this diocese later this year to help clergy boost the number of weddings taking place in the area’s parish churches.
The project has been running since 2008, offering support ma ... Read on
General Synod elections get underway
20/07/2010
Campaigning to elect our General Synod clergy and lay representatives will get underway in the diocese over the next few weeks.
Diocesan Secretary Graham Barnard has issued a guide and timetable to the election which answers some FAQs:
Who Elects General Synod?
... Read on
Surge in couples planning church weddings online
15/07/2010
An innovative way of planning a church wedding by web, promoted by teams from the dioceses of Newcastle and Durham at their UK Wedding Show stands, as well as by other dioceses throughout the Church of England, has proved a surprise hit with couples.
What began ... Read on
Can you help find Philip Brown?
13/07/2010
Can you help find out more about Philip Brown, one of the first tutors employed by the Workers Education Association in the North East?
The WEA owed a great deal to Anglican influence and involvement in its formative period from 1903-1920s, with the first General Secre ... Read on
New priests and deacons ordained
12/07/2010
It was a fine but blustery day for the Petertide ordinations in the Newcastle Diocese , and our picture shows the candidates braving the gusts outside St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Preacher at the ordination service was the Rt. Revd Jack Nichols, who kept the congregation bo ... Read on
Academy Buildings Contracts Signed
11/07/2010
A regional buildings contractor has signed a £46m contract with Northumberland County Council to deliver three new buildings for the Northumberland Church of England Academy, sponsored by the Duke of Northumberland and the Diocese of Newcastle.
Work has beg ... Read on
Rothbury's wounds "can be healed by neighbourly love"
11/07/2010
The Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, preaching at All Saints in Rothbury today, spoke of the wounds of continuing fear and anxiety, and of lingering shock in the town following the seven-day hunt for a gunman who had shot three people and threatened others.
The Venerable Pet ... Read on
Prayers at Rothbury
10/07/2010
Prayers will be said at All Saints parish church in Rothbury and throughout the Diocese of Newcastle tomorrow to mark the end of a period of trauma for the people of the town, and to remember those injured and killed in events leading up to the manhunt in North Northumb ... Read on
"Caring for Places of Worship" guide launched
08/07/2010
The Newcastle Diocese was represented by Andrew Duff of Inspired North East at the launch in London of a new practical guide to "Caring for Places of Worship".
The guide has been produced by English Heritage in response to a major study into the conditio ... Read on
Academy celebrates Learners' achievements
05/07/2010
The Hirst Academy in Northumberland celebrated a special day when Bishop Martin and the .Duke of Northumberland were invited to talk about their links with the Academy and their role as sponsors.
The Academy is a joint venture between the Diocese of Newcastle, the Duke ... Read on
Caring for Places of Worship
24/06/2010
English Heritage is launching new research on the care of historic places of worship, together with a practical guide for those concerned with the care and upkeep of these precious buildings.
Andrew Duff will be representing Newcastle Diocese and the Inspired North Eas ... Read on
Vetting and Barring Scheme halted
18/06/2010
The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has announced that the commencement of voluntary registration with the new Vetting and Barring Scheme has been halted.
In a statement released by the Home Office, Mrs May said: “The safety of children and vulnerable adults ... Read on
Prayer vigil to support General Synod debate
07/06/2010
A Prayer Vigil for the General Synod debate on Women Bishops' legislation will be held in St George’s Chapel, Newcastle Cathedral, on Saturday 10th July from 9.00am – 12.30pm
The purpose of the vigil is to support the General Synod in prayer as it mee ... Read on
Archbishop visits Shepherds Dene
25/05/2010
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, after an overnight stay at the Newcastle and Durham diocesan retreat house Shepherds Dene, commented: “What a great blessing this place is!”
To mark the start of the second stage of refurbishment of the house and gr ... Read on
Church Commissioners report economic growth
25/05/2010
The Church Commissioners have published their full Annual Report and Accounts for 2009.
It follows publication of their 2009 annual results, when they announced that they had achieved a 15.6 per cent return on their investments during 2009. The fund outperform ... Read on
Online survey of churches gets underway
25/05/2010
The National Churches Trust recently launched an online survey of churches, chapels and meeting houses, the aim being to create the most complete picture of church buildings in the UK.
Inspired North East consultants Andrew Duff and David Lovie recommend churche ... Read on
New Assistant Bishop of Newcastle announced
05/05/2010
The Diocese is to have a new Assistant Bishop, it was announced today.
Bishop Martin said: “I am thrilled and delighted that Bishop Frank White (pictured left) has accepted my invitation to become the next Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Newcastle, and I am su ... Read on
Local Christians show their concerns at hustings
27/04/2010
Electioneering took an unusual turn in the Tynemouth constituency last week as five election candidates were invited to Cullercoats Methodist Church to be quizzed on their ideas for tackling climate change and global poverty. An astonishing 160 local people attended and ... Read on
Bishop of Durham to retire
27/04/2010
The Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright, has announced that he will be retiring from the See of Durham on August 31.
Dr. Wright, who will be 62 this autumn, is returning to the academic world, in which he spent the first 20 years of his career, and will take up a new ... Read on
Newcastle Christians and Jews to visit Auschwitz together
22/04/2010
A mixed group of Christians and Jews from Newcastle is setting off to visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland next week, aiming to engage with Holocaust issues which threaten community cohesion in Britain today.
The visit is part of an initiative b ... Read on
Vote for freedom, not fear
16/04/2010
Religious leaders in Newcastle are urging people in the region to make sure that they vote in the forthcoming General Election, and to vote for “freedom, not fear.”
In a statement issued today, the leaders’ group, which includes representatives of the ... Read on
The Other Election...
14/04/2010
More than one national election is taking place this year, and a campaign is being launched to encourage "people with a very big heart" to stand for election to the General Synod of the Church of England.
Containing 378 lay and clergy members, and passi ... Read on
Danger : Stand Clear of Raised Body
06/04/2010
On Easter morning Bishop Martin preached in St. Nicholas Cathedral after confirming 16 candidates from across the diocese, including members of the cathedral congregation. The full text of his address appears below.
"The Chaplain of an Oxford Colle ... Read on
Archbishop urges sense of proportion over religious symbols
04/04/2010
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has used his Easter sermon to urge Christians to keep a proper sense of proportion when they feel they are experiencing opposition to their faith and remember both the physical suffering of Christian minor ... Read on
Thousands attend cathedral services
03/04/2010
St Nicholas’ Cathedral in Newcastle, along with other cathedrals throughout the country, has been buoyed by new figures showing that the number of worshippers attending cathedral services across the average week has increased by 24 per cent since 2 ... Read on
Maundy Thursday Blessing of the Oils
29/03/2010
Bishop Martin invites the Clergy, Readers and the people of the Diocese to the Maundy Thursday Eucharist Service, to to held at St. Nicholas' Cathedral at 11.a.m. on April 1.
Bishop Martin says: "The service provides an opportunity for us all, lay and ordaine ... Read on
English Heritage announces survey of listed worship buildings
24/03/2010
What condition are England’s14,500 listed churches and other historic faith buildings really in and what will most help the congregations whose task it is to maintain them?
English Heritage, as part of its Heritage at Risk programme, is carrying ou ... Read on
Newcastle pupil honoured in Prayer Book awards
03/03/2010
The former Foreign Secretary and elder statesman Lord Douglas Hurd presented over 30 young people with their prizes and certificates at this year's Cranmer Awards finals held in the chapel of Sutton's Hospital at Charterhouse in the City of London.
The Newcastle ... Read on
New canons to be installed
25/02/2010
Bishop Martin has announced that seven new Honorary and Lay Canons of St. Nicholas’ Cathedral will be admitted along with Canon Sheila Bamber (pictured left) who will be installed and licensed as a Residentiary Canon of the Cathedral at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday, March ... Read on
New champions for Newcastle's churches
15/02/2010
Parishes in the Newcastle diocese have two new champions to help them make the most of their churches – whether they be historic places of worship or more recent buildings facing the challenge of changing times.
Andrew Duff (pictured left) and David L ... Read on
"Big Read" launches at Durham Cathedral
10/02/2010
The world’s most popular book - the Bible - is being read aloud from beginning to end at Durham Cathedral this month, launching the North-east's “Big Read” in which members of many different churches will come together to explore and enjoy St. Lu ... Read on
Archbishop visits Newcastle Diocese
05/02/2010
The Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, visited the Newcastle Diocese this week to meet people in the region’s rural and urban communities, and to see first hand the work of Church members and their partners.
First port of call was Church House in Percy Main ... Read on
Bishop blesses Great Park community project
04/02/2010
The Ark in the Park, a pioneering initiative to help Newcastle’s Great Park transform from a collection of houses into a thriving community has been launched with a special blessing from Bishop Martin .
The “Ark” is really a large home at the ce ... Read on
Newcastle and Durham dioceses join forces for wedding show
02/02/2010
Newcastle and Durham dioceses once again shared a stand at the UK wedding show held at Newcastle’s Metro Arena last weekend.
Pictured here is the vicar of Earsdon and Backworth, the Rev. Andrew France, and Margaret Campbell from Newcastle Diocese Mothers&rs ... Read on
Getting in the swim for Lent
26/01/2010
What are you giving up for Lent this year ?
Church Army Sister Val Legg , who is the West Deanery’s evangelist, likes to put it another way: “What are you taking up for Lent this year ?”
Val herself has committed to swimming the equivalent of ... Read on
Newcastle "City for Peace" Lecture
14/01/2010
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will deliver the inaugural ‘Newcastle City for Peace’ lecture on Wednesday February 3 at 5.00pm in the Council Chamber of the Civic Centre.
The title of his address is “Graci ... Read on
Bishop backs emergency appeal for Haiti
14/01/2010
Bishop Martin is backing Christian Aid's £1m emergency appeal for victims of the Haiti earthquake.
"Thousands of people are already feared dead and many more are believed to be critically injured," the Bishop said today. "Countless more a ... Read on
Archbishop of York to visit Newcastle Diocese
04/01/2010
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is coming to pay the Diocese of Newcastle an official visit on 3rd and 4th February.
"This is one of the ways in which he can get to know the life and work of the Church in the furthest reaches of the Northern Province,&qu ... Read on
"Inspired" Development appointment to be made
26/12/2009
How do you look after a Grade 1 listed building with medieval windows, Victorian carvings, or a Norman bell –tower, when you’ve got very little cash and there’s a pressing need for a new toilet?
Ask any Church of England congregation meeting regular ... Read on
Bishop Martin's Christmas message
24/12/2009
Earlier this year in Bethlehem, I found myself holding a newborn baby in my arms.
He had been abandoned by his mother, found at the roadside, and taken to the Holy Family Hospital. There were many others like him in this hospital, which is funded entirely by do ... Read on
Bishop urges help for Asylum Seekers
08/12/2009
Could you face Christmas on £10 a week, with only a bag of minimal groceries and toiletries as extras ?
This is the situation facing destitute asylum seekers this year, and for the third year running, Bishop Martin is making their plight the subject of a Christma ... Read on
Swine Flu restrictions on Communion lifted
27/11/2009
Bishop Martin today told parishes in the diocese that the administration of Holy Communion will return to normal practice following the lifting of guidelines imposed during the first wave of the swine flu pandemic in July.
Since that time chu ... Read on
Back to Church Sunday saw record numbers return
27/11/2009
Church of England churches welcomed back 53,000 people on Back to Church Sunday 2009, a 71 per cent increase on 2008, as part of a growing initiative that saw more than 80,000 people come back to church across the UK on one Sunday in September.
In the Newcastle Diocese ... Read on
Angela Ashwin launches new book at Cathedral
04/11/2009
Angela Ashwin, writer, lecturer and retreat leader, makes a welcome return to the diocese this month to launch her latest book: “Faith in the Fool: Risk and delight in the Christian Adventure”
Angela, along with her husband Vincent, the former vicar of Halt ... Read on
Big Read update
13/10/2009
Big Read update
Churches in the Newcastle Diocese are gearing up for Lent's Big Read in which Christians across the North-East will be getting together to study Luke's gospel with the aid of a new book written specially for the project by the B ... Read on
Diocese to join in Big Read
30/09/2009
From Tweed to Tyne, and way down to south of the Tees, plans are underway to get church people from a wide variety Christian denominations joining in a project called The Big Read.
The brainchild of the Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright, The Big Read will see a series of ta ... Read on
New Church of England academy opens
08/09/2009
The Northumberland Church of England Academy, one of the biggest and most ambitious projects of its kind in England, opens its doors to the children of east Ashington, Newbiggin-by-the sea and Lynemouth this week.
For Canon Margaret Nicholson, Diocesan Director of Educ ... Read on
Operation Dolly Mixtures gets underway
27/07/2009
It’s a sweet thought – “Operation Dolly Mixtures” is taking off in a church hall near the MoD training camp in Northumberland, and there’s an invitation for other churches in the diocese to get involved.
It all began when church folk in th ... Read on
New priests and deacons ordained
07/07/2009
Among the candidates for ordination at St. Nicholas' cathedral at Petertide were a former policeman, a head teacher, and a retired GP.
They formed part of a team of 13 new priests and deacons selected to serve the Church of England in the Newcastle diocese, and 12 were ... Read on
New Diocesan Secretary Appointed
02/07/2009
Bishop Martin has announced the appointment of a new diocesan secretary, Mr. Graham Barnard, who takes up his post on September 1.
Graham, who is 55, has been a partner at Dickinson Dees Solicitors in Newcastle for the past 23 years, and is a specialist in property law ... Read on
New horizons for Shepherds Dene
29/06/2009
Shepherds Dene entered a new phase of its life last month with a service of rededication in the chapel and a supper to celebrate its reopening after the recent refurbishments.
Welcoming friends and guests to the ceremony was the chair of the Shepherds Dene trustees, Al ... Read on
"Creation Crisis" demands prayer and action
09/06/2009
Newcastle Diocesan Environment Officer Rob Kelsey is urging parishes to support a Churches Together initiative later this year in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate change summit and help avert a "creation crisis".
As United Nations delegates pre ... Read on
Holy Land pilgrims back in the diocese
19/05/2009
Welcome home to the diocesan pilgrims - 60 people from Eglingham to Snods Edge, from Wallsend to Harbottle – who visited the Holy Land this month.
The pilgrimage was led by Bishop Martin and Archdeacon Geoff with the support of Dave & Audrey Elkington, and th ... Read on
New Chancellor for Diocese announced
01/05/2009
The Diocese is to have a new Chancellor from this July.
Bishop Martin says: "I am delighted to announce that His Honour Judge David Hodson has been appointed to succeed Professor David McLean as Chancellor of the Diocese from 1st July, 2009."
... Read on
Director for Northumberland CoE Academy appointed
27/04/2009
The Northumberland Church of England Academy, due to open in September this year, has appointed an Executive Director, it was announced this week. Phil Hearne, who has had 25 years experience in education, will lead the new school. H ... Read on
Bishop urges support for Sri Lankans
15/04/2009
Bishop Martin is urging people in the diocese to support Christian Aid’s latest appeal for those affected by the war in Sri Lanka.
Robin Greenwood, head of Christian Aid’s Asia Middle East region, says: “In recent weeks fighting has intensified betwee ... Read on
National Advisor Role for Monkseaton Reader
06/04/2009
Sue Hart, a Reader from St. Mary's Monkseaton, has been appointed as Ministry Division’s first National Advisor for Quality in Reader Education.
A Reader for eight years, Sue has spent the last 26 years of her working life at Newcastle College, involv ... Read on
Cathedral welcomes Easter worshippers
30/03/2009
St. Nicholas' Cathedral, Mother Church of the Diocese, invites all who live close enough or who, for whatever reason, do not have access to their own churches, to attend one of its Easter services this year.
Canon Sydney Connolly says: "Holy Week is, in ... Read on
Love & Joy at Pentecost event
29/03/2009
A world-renowned gospel choir from Liverpool is to top the bill at the City Hall in Newcastle for the grand finale Fire Works event on the eve of Pentecost, Saturday, May 30.
The Love & Joy Gospel Choir regularly appears on national and international tv a ... Read on
Holy Land pilgrims prepare for departure
26/03/2009
As Easter approaches the parishioners and clergy who are joining the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land are meeting to make their final preparations before departure at the start of May.
The 57 pilgrims include people from Eglingham and Ro ... Read on
Bishop issues Maundy Thursday invitation
17/03/2009
Bishop Martin is issuing a Maundy Thursday invitation to all the people of the diocese to join him for the Cathedral Service at 11am on April 9.
He says: “Together with Bishop Paul, I warmly invite the Clergy, Readers and the people of the Diocese to the Cathed ... Read on
Bishop backs move on climate change conference
02/03/2009
Bishop Martin has joined other Church of England bishops in calling on Gordon Brown to negotiate with fellow European leaders in advance of the Copenhagen Conference on climate change later this year.
Failure to secure a strong, just and eff ... Read on
Parishes sign up for big Pentecost event
20/02/2009
Fire Works is stoking up! The major diocesan event planned for the eve of Pentecost, Saturday May 30, is gaining momentum in the parishes, with some congregations already having booked to make sure of their seats for the City Hall.
Fire Works bookmarks together with ... Read on
Bishop urges parishes to support Zimbabwe
19/02/2009
Bishop Martin is urging parishes in the Newcastle diocese to support the Anglican diocese of Zimbabwe by getting behind the Archbishops’ appeal to be launched on Ash Wednesday.
Commending a Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe, the Archbishops say: “We hope this will ... Read on
Taking a stand at the UK Wedding Show
09/02/2009
It was a cold weekend, but not yet snowing when the Newcastle and Durham dioceses joined forces to exhibit at the UK Wedding Show, held at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena this month.
This was the third year running that the two dioceses had been invited by the show&rs ... Read on
Joint synod motion aims to prevent Olympic trafficking
29/01/2009
General Synod members from Newcastle and Winchester have joined forces to propose a motion deploring human trafficking and calling on the Government to put effective measures in place to stop sex trafficking in the run-up to the ... Read on
Critical Mass was "fantastic"
29/01/2009
More than 150 young people turned up at Newcastle Cathedral this month for worship with a difference, a “Critical Mass” involving laser beams, smoke machines, a rock band, an altar full of candles in the shape of a star, and pizzas all round at ... Read on
Bishop enters tv drama debate
19/01/2009
Bishop Martin has responded to comments from the actress Julie Walters who starred in a BBC drama about assisted suicide.
In “A Short Stay in Switzerland” Miss Walters plays a doctor diagnosed with a rare degenerative brain disease who ended her l ... Read on
New job for Diocesan Secretary
06/01/2009
Philip Davies, Newcastle’s diocesan secretary for the past 10 years, is leaving the diocese to take up a new appointment in March.
The announcement was made by Bishop Martin, who said: “ It is with very mixed feelings that I inform you that Philip has bee ... Read on
Remember present-day Bethlehem, Bishop urges
22/12/2008
Bishop Martin has called on Christmas congregations in the diocese to remember the reality of modern Bethlehem as they celebrate the birth of Jesus this week, and to pray for the people who live there.
"Bethlehem today experiences very little of the pea ... Read on
Training principal appointed
16/12/2008
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt. Revd. Martin Wharton, and the Bishop of Durham, the Rt. Revd. Dr. N T Wright, have announced the appointment of the Revd. Canon Catherine Rowling, presently Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Director of Reader Studies in the Dioces ... Read on
Treading Lighter on the Earth
09/12/2008
Parishes may still be thinking Christmas, but the Diocesan Environment Task Group would like us all to look a little further ahead as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
The group is gearing up for a major campaign in the New Year, aiming to encourage& ... Read on
New Readers for the Diocese
02/12/2008
A recent wet and windy Saturday saw many of the diocesan Readers meeting at St. Nicholas' Cathedral for a morning’s work, a short annual general meeting, a celebration of work well done, and a look ahead to opportunities in 2009.
The m ... Read on
The Year of the Child
27/11/2008
Next year, 2009, has been designated as the Year of the Child in the Anglican Church in the UK, but some people may be asking: where are the children?
It’s a question that concerns Church Army Sister, Sandra Doore, who is the diocesan children’s work of ... Read on
Urban and Rural parishes urged to link
24/11/2008
It’s the dating game with a new twist! Lively Urban Parish WLTM Sparky Rural Congregation with a view to pleasant outings, cream teas, pie and pea suppers, and a huge celebration at Pentecost next year.
This is the call going out from the Fire Works task group, ... Read on
Gosforth church in competition final
17/11/2008
Congratulations to young people from All Saints Church in Gosforth, Newcastle, whose one-minute video was shortlisted in a national competition to show the ‘True Meaning’ of Christmas.
The All Saints team were beaten to top honours ... Read on
Pizza and Peace on offer at Cathedral
16/11/2008
A special Eucharist being planned for the New Year aims to reach young people and those who rarely attend church with a novel approach.
“Critical Mass” will be celebrated on Saturday January 10 at 7pm in St. Nicholas Cathedral, and the hope of yout ... Read on
New website launched
07/11/2008
The Diocese of Newcastle launches its new website this week - aiming to keep visitors up to date with what's happening in the Anglican Church from the North of the Tyne to the Borders, and as far as Alston Moor in the west.
Here you'll find ou ... Read on
Synod hears of new Mission Action Plan drive
05/11/2008
Children at Bywell prepare for a family service, launched under the parish's Mission Action Plan
Newcastle Diocesan Synod has approved the second wave of the Mission Action Plan initiative, due to launch shortly in two deaneries.
Canon Dave Elkington, Local Evangeli ... Read on
New Child Protection Guidlines launched
04/11/2008
New child protection guidelines were launched at Diocesan Synod this month, revised from the current ones in circulation..
Diocesan Child Protection officer Jean Skinner explained that the guidelines have to be reviewed each year and PCCs made aware of any u ... Read on
Diocese helps flood victims
02/11/2008
After the heavy rainfall and flooding in September, the Diocese has formed a relief fund to help those affected. The fund will be managed by Partners in Community Action (PICA).
Over 1000 homes have been affected by flooding in Morpeth, and around ... Read on
Recycling the Nativity
01/11/2008
St. Nicholas’ Cathedral in Newcastle is “going green” this Christmas, commissioning a lifesize nativity scene made entirely of recycled items from a local water company.
Canon Robert Gage, inspired by the idea of using waste materials to create works ... Read on
Newcastle group visits Link diocese in Norway
30/10/2008
Bishop Martin, together with members of the Newcastle- Møre link group, visited Norway recently to celebrate the silver jubilee of the Møre diocese and attend the consecration of Møre’s new bishop, Ingeborg Midttomme.
The service at Molde cat ... Read on
Church House opens its doors
30/10/2008
The ribbon was cut by Bishop Martin and the day began – Church House in St. John’s Terrace, Percy Main, threw open its doors to the parishes recently, and a thoroughly good time was had by all.
The invitation was all-embracing: Come and visit us and se ... Read on
Rural affairs under the microscope
29/10/2008
The title of the most recent "synod forum" in the diocese was: Rural Church – Community, Partnership, Mission, and the presentations and discussions added up to an inspiring day at St. John's, Kingston Park.
Dr Ian Roberts, Lay Chair of ... Read on
Churches urged to visit museum
27/10/2008
What do church folk do when they're not at church ? Some of them go to museums, and a group from Holy Nativity in Newcastle want everyone else to know about an exhibition called "Mind the Gap"currently showing at the Discovery Museum in the city.
Sa ... Read on