Human beings are designed for companionship. It is not good for us to be alone too much, but as our ageing and fractured society goes on it seems that far too many experience deep loneliness. Within the body of Christs church this need not be a signi
Bishop Christine was waved off this morning on St Oswald's Way, as she began her pilgrimage of prayer for our Diocese.She started her walk at Heavenfield in Northumberland, with today's leg taking her to Kirkwelpington. Her walk is due to finish
Englands most northerly cathedral is set to be transformed after securing a multi-million pound grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, Newcastle Cathedrals exciting heritage project, Common G
By the Revd Sarah Hills, St Mary's Parish Church, Holy IslandI have been feeling, like very many of us over the last week, angry, sad, bewildered. George Floyd in Minneapolis died being held down, kneeled on, struggling for breath. Touch comes i
This is the heading of the second section of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook. A complimentary printed copy will be coming out to all parishes very soon.So what can you expect from the Diocese?Safeguarding policy and guidanceSafeguarding advice and s
Downing Street has announced today, 7th May, that Canon Dr Dagmar Winter will be the next Bishop of Huntingdon in the Diocese of Ely.Dagmar is the Rector of Hexham and has served in the Diocese of Newcastle since 1999, initially as Associate Vicar an
The Reverend David Glover has been formally instituted into his role as the new Rector of Hexham by the Bishop of Newcastle.The institution service led by the Right Reverend Christine Hardman would normally have taken place inside Hexham Abbey, but i
The Bishop of Newcastle is pleased to announce the appointment of the Revd Rob Saner-Haigh as Residentiary Canon Director of Mission and Ministry.As a member of Bishops Staff, and Residentiary Canon of our Cathedral, Rob will hold a lead responsibili
I wonder if the profusion of days and weeks dedicated to any and every cause find their origins in Christian festivals and Feast Days - special days to remember and focus our thoughts. Recently it was Mental Health week, and so many methods of commun
As Christmas approaches and another year comes to an end, I always like to reflect on the previous 12 months, both personally and professionally. I am pleased to say that I think 2019 has been a good year in every sense. The work of the Safeguarding
The crypt at St Aidans Church in Bamburgh, hidden from view for many years, has been blessed by Bishop Christine, marking the opening of a new cutting-edge project recreating Northumbrias Golden Age.The project, made possible by a 355,600 grant from
All four parliamentary candidates in the Hexham constituency have agreed to sign up to a Clean Campaign Pledge, proposed by a local Church of England vicar.The Reverend Tom Birch, who represents the parishes of St Oswins Wylam and St Mary the Virgins
Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance, the charity administering the Church of England in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside, has been accredited as a Living Wage employer.The NDBF is proud to be one of 111 employers in the North East of Engl
Theres a great picture on Facebook the outline of a head, with an internal repeating Help me, help me filling the space and an external No really, Im fine! Many of us know those conversations. We ask how someone is and hear Im fine even when were pre
The power of words to build up, or to destroy, has been so evident in recent months. Our whole society has been faced with raging words, dishonest words, destructive words and personal attacks. Words have power: whether spoken to another, or to ourse
The Church of England and in turn the Diocese of Newcastle are committed to ensuring that the voices and views of victims and survivors of abuse are heard and taken into account in all we do.This focus has become a priority as a result of the poor pr
When does your year begin? Perhaps its is the liturgical year and Advent marks the start. Perhaps it is the traditional January 1st turnover point, or perhaps, like many, the grip of the academic model means that September kicks off the sense of newn
Gambling rules in Northern Ireland could be brought into line with tighter standards in the rest of the UK following an intervention by the Church of England.An amendment tabled in the House of Lords by the Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith, opening th
In recent weeks, there has been considerable publicity about the churchs failings to respond compassionately, effectively and appropriately to victims and survivors abused by clergy, with evidence that the reputation of the church and its senior cler
Discipline can be a dirty word for many of us. It may imply wrongdoing, being in trouble, or some form of punishment. The origins of this seem to come from old French, around 1300. Maybe we forget the root is that of being a learner, a follower, wher
This is the heading of the 11th section of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook (PSH). All parishes were sent a copy of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook earlier in the year. This booklet should be on display in your church along with your safeguarding po
Schoolchildren at a Northumberland primary school have been recognised for their work protecting their local environment.The Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Christine Hardman presented the children at Warkworth Church of England Aided Primary
A service of celebration was held at St Nicholas Church, Cramlington to give thanks and to celebrate the series of successful events that took place throughout Bedlington Deanery during the Pathway Mission. Led by the deanerys main Pathways Mission c
The Bishop of Newcastle is delighted to announce the appointment of the Reverend Ben Doolan as the next Master of St Thomas the Martyr Newcastle.Ben is leader of the Diocese of Newcastles first Resource Church which will work in partnership with St T
The Right Reverend Christine Hardman, the Bishop of Newcastle, features in this year's Greenwich Portraits, the first time a representative from the Church of England has been included in this important collection.The Portraits honour former alu
Governors at two Church of England first schools have approved plans to share the leadership of one headteacher.Under the plan, which comes into effect after the Easter holidays, headteacher of Corbridge First School, Jennifer Ainsley will take on th
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu is encouraging all to share in the Church of Englands LentPilgrim journey.Written by Bishop Steven Croft, co-author of the Pilgrim Course, the Pilgrim Journeys: The Beatitudes, provides a short daily reflection
United against hatred - these faith leaders in Newcastle, including the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Christine Hardman, stood shoulder to shoulder to condemn the hate-fuelled vandalism of an Islamic school.The Bahr Academy on the former By
The Safeguarding Team is often asked when it should be contacted in relation to safeguarding concerns. Reproduced above is a flow chart taken from the new Parish Safeguarding Handbook, which should help answer this question (the flow chart
The North East needs and deserves and fast and efficient railway system, says the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Christine Hardman.Bishop Christine was speaking today in the House of Lords where she highlighted poor LNER punctuality and call
