e-Bulletin - Diocese of Newcastle

Diocese of Newcastle

e-Bulletin July 2017 The e-Bulletin is usually published once a month. Please send material for inclusion to Laura Ball at [email protected] (Communications Office, Church House, St John’s Terrace, North Shields, NE29 6HS. 0191 270 4139). Any items in the e-Bulletin may be reproduced in whole or part. Relevant attachments may be submitted in electronic format. Items in or linked with the e-Bulletin are not necessarily an official policy or view. Be mindful of the environment - please do not print the e-Bulletin unless really necessary.

INFO

EVENTS

RESOURCES

PRAYER DIARY

NEW Archdeacons' Briefing on the Consent of Parents to Baptism You are welcome to download this from the Diocesan website: http://bit.ly/2gfweJv

Diocesan Finance Synod 24 July, 18.00-20.00 St John's Church, Percy Main NE29 6HS Registration: [email protected]

This is a consultative meeting to consider the proposals for the 2018 Diocesan Budget. The meeting is open to Synod members and others who have an interest in helping to shape our budget to provide the financial structure to support Growing Church Bringing Hope.

Lindisfarne Regional Training Partnership chosen to deliver training for the Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle. The Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle have today announced that, after an exacting commissioning process, the Lindisfarne Regional Training Partnership (LRTP) has been chosen to deliver non-residential training (IME1) for those preparing for Reader and ordained ministry’. LRTP has been involved with both Dioceses through this decade in the delivery of a wide range of theological training. Following the changes to Ministry Training announced by the Church of England last year, LRTP was asked to tender the package that they will now deliver. Other training (IME2 and wider discipleship training) will delivered via the Dioceses themselves and residential clergy training will be delivered by the approved theological colleges. The Revd Canon Sue Pinnington (acting chair of Lindisfarne) said: "We are delighted to have been awarded a contract to work with the Dioceses to continue to deliver and develop ministerial education in the region. We look forward to working with them to provide innovative and relevant training for other students as they prepare to become part of the next generation of priests and lay readers in the Church of England." The Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, speaking on behalf of the Dioceses, said: "This decision comes after a thorough commissioning process to ensure that we are able to continue to provide our students with a great experience as they prepare for their future ministry. We are excited by the opportunity to work with Lindisfarne (RTP) to ensure our students get the best possible training for their ministry in the Church. This commission comes at a key time for the Church of England as we look to the future shape of our ministry.”

'Green your church' and win a cash prize Entries are now being invited from churches of all denominations for the Church Times Green Church Awards 2017 There are five awards for innovative work already completed (or ongoing), or for projects still at the planning stage. Shortlisted entries will feature in the Church Times this summer, with the awards ceremony at Lambeth Palace taking place 16 October. The deadline for entries is 2 July Details and information on how to enter can be found by visiting https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/green-church

Seahouses Hostel open for bookings Following the completion of a £250,000 investment by Lord Crewe’s Charity, Seahouses Hostel is once again open for bookings by church and other groups. The refurbishment enabled by the Charity's investment has included: •

A new extension providing a new, accessible ground floor dormitory and further accommodation on the first floor

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Improved facilities and access for disabled people throughout the building

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Improved facilities for group leaders

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En suite facilities

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A Quiet Room on the ground floor, in addition to the existing main lounge

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General refurbishment and updating

Photographs of the refurbishment work can be viewed at http://www.lordcrewescharity.org.uk/about/seahouses-hostel. The Hostel is operated by an independent charity leasing its buildings from Lord Crewe’s Charity and the Diocese of Newcastle. It currently has a maximum capacity of 44 beds, though the next two development phases, planned for the next few years will significantly increase this. For further information about availability or to make a booking, please contact the Warden, Karen Leadbitter. Email: [email protected] Website: www.seahouseshostel.org.uk Tel: 07531 305 206

Dear all, The first six months of our Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) have seen encouraging developments. As of June, we recorded the following statistics: • 12 active parishes • 7 parishes registered but not yet active • 13 parishes that have shown interest in launching the scheme • 57 donors • 98% of donors choosing the gift aid option • 74% of donors choosing the inflation-proof option Several of our churches are launching with a small set of people first e.g. a PCC or Finance group. This ensures that people are using the scheme and understand before a full launch takes place. This is one of the options recognised by PGS as good practice, so if you do only have a small number of people interested but are keen to see what it’s all about, don’t let that put you off: give me a call and we can discuss an approach. As part of our digital strategy we are also developing greater online capacity. This will offer donors the facility to set up a regular gift to their church online, and to amend their details. We will need to redevelop the PGS website to create the functionality that will allow us to automate and import data across to our core system. This is a very exciting project; we anticipate the overall benefit delivered by January 2018 to be significant. Around the UK, there are now 16 dioceses fully live, as Newcastle, Salisbury and Ely have recently launched PGS. Bristol and Derby are planning to launch in the autumn. St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, Hereford and Lincoln have confirmed their launches for 2018, and conversations are ongoing with Durham, Sheffield, Leeds, Oxford and Worcester. Finally, a small reminder that if you are in a PGS parish and have a gift form it does need to go direct to the PGS address (Gloucester) on the form and not your church or the Diocese! Thanks for reading and remember our PGS section on the website: www.newcastle.anglican.org/stewardship. If you feel a visit to your PCC or finance group would help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! Rachel Jobes, Project Manager for Developing Stewardship. Tel.: 01912704128, Email: [email protected]

The charity Book Aid in Barnard's Castle is happy to take any theological books you may no longer want or need. They collect and books and send them, via their London warehouse for theological education in emerging economies and developing countries. http://www.book-aid.org/bookshopsbarnard_castle.php

Inspired North East will be represented at this event by Ian Bapty. If you cannot attend it yourself, but have questions you'd like to raise or specific issues you'd like feedback on, please do get in touch with Ian at i.bapty@:newcastle.anglican.org.

CONFIRMATIONS 2017 The Confirmation dates and venues for 2017 may be downloaded from the web page at www.newcastle.anglican.org/bishopsdiaries or direct from www.newcastle.anglican.org/confirmations

Free to a good home! No, not the cat - this cute kitty has already been adopted. The items in question are: • •

a metal framed, three drawer desk in good condition, and a small Ikea computer desk with sliding shelf for keyboard, also in good condition. Perfect for the daily needs of clergy. If interested, please contact Geoff Miller at [email protected].

EVENTS

mailto:[email protected]

What is the Song of Songs and what is it doing in the Bible? A half day interactive event looking at one of the most intriguing and enigmatic (and short) books in the Bible; the Song of Solomon or Song of Songs. Join Hilary Elder, who worked on the book for her PhD, to explore what this book is and what it does as a member of the biblical canon; and how it can help us to think faithfully about the very topical themes of gender, beauty and desire. When: Tuesday 4 July 2017 1:30-5:00 pm Where: Church House, Percy Main, North Shields, NE29 6HS



Learning and Sharing If you like to learn in a group, if you like fellowship and wish to share your experiences of ministry, this Learning and Sharing Meal could be for you. Book online by emailing Christine Bryars on [email protected]


Shepherds Dene, Diocesan Retreat House, NE44 6AF www.shepherdsdene.co.uk For further information or to book a place call 01434 682212 or contact [email protected]

Sun 23 July 5pm - Thurs 27 July 2pm Art and Photography week Paul and Mary Judson

Sun 2 – Thurs 6 July Cross stitch week Barbara Thompson The 22nd year for this popular creative cross stitch course. Suitable for both beginners and the more experienced, this is a great opportunity to develop your cross stitch skills in a supportive, relaxing atmosphere. Barbara is a long-established cross stitch designer and teacher based in Riding Mill. For bookings, email [email protected].

Mon 17 July 5pm - Fri 21 July 2pm Individually Guided Retreat Revd Stephen Herbert, Revd Rupert Kalus and Bridgett Hewitt Our team of experienced spiritual directors will accompany you on a silent, guided retreat, meeting with you daily in a one-to-one session.

Another opportunity to relax, with time to explore drawing, painting and photography at any level. Expert help available should you need it. Paul Judson is former Director of Communications for Durham Diocese, and an accomplished artist and photographer. Mary Judson, a retired vicar from Durham Diocese, will be chaplain for the week. £310

Fri 4th - Sun 6th August Friends weekend A weekend of volunteering in the house and grounds. Free of charge.

Mon 7th Aug 5pm - Sun 13th 2pm Week in the Country Revd Audrey McCartan

This individually guided retreat is tailored to provide personal direction: each day your retreat director meets with you to help reflect on and examine the ways in which God is working in your life. There will be time for quiet reflection in the peaceful surroundings of Shepherds Dene. Revd Stephen Herbert is Vicar of Byker, and Co-ordinator of MINE. Revd Rupert Kalus is Vicar of Lanchester and Bunhope and Adviser for Spirituality in Durham Diocese and Bridget Hewitt has an interest in Christian Meditation and the contemplative tradition within Christianity. £365

A chance to chill and relax or explore Hadrian’s Wall country. We will spend time walking a section of Hadrian’s Wall and will travel through the scenic Tyne Valley to the city of Carlisle, established by the Romans, primarily to serve the forts on Hadrian’s Wall. In the 12th century, King Henry I allowed the founding of a religious establishment, later making the town a diocese, and thus making the Priory into a Cathedral.

Audrey is House-for-duty priest at St Andrew’s Church, Heddon-on-the-Wall, £345

To commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation there will be an ecumenical study afternoon on

'From Conflict to Communion: Still Reforming?' Saturday 21 October, 14.00-17.00 Brunswick Methodist Church. For further details please contact Janet Appleby on [email protected].


The Four Lives of Saint Cuthbert?

RE-Vitalise Narrative Preaching

Join the Rev’d John McManners in a study day exploring (in very condensed form) the fourteen hundred year narrative of Cuthbert’s life & legacy, focusing on the “Four Lives of St Cuthbert”: • His life in Melrose • His life at Lindisfarne and Farne • The life of his cult and community in Chester-le-Street • The life of his cult and community in Durham When: 16th September 2017 10:00 – 4:00 pm (Please bring your own lunch) Where: Cuthbert House, Stonebridge, Durham, DH1 3RY

What did you preach about last Sunday? Narrative Preaching is about ‘incarnating’ our preaching within story and image. This RE-Vitalise session will introduce Narrative Preaching to those unfamiliar with what it can offer. When: 7th November 2017 12:00 – 2:00 pm (Lunch provided) Where: Church House, Percy Main, North Shields, NE29 6HS

All are welcome! Places must be booked in advance. To book a place, please contact the RRC on 0191 375 0586 or via [email protected]

An honourable estate? Join the Revd Jane Penn as she shares some of the insights gained whilst working on her dissertation on the theology of marriage. Questions we will be exploring include: • • • •

How has the Church’s view of marriage evolved through the centuries? What is Scripture saying to us about marriage? What do our liturgies tell us about the Church’s theology of marriage? What would the theological implications be if the Church were to extend its view of marriage to embrace same-sex couples?

When: 7th November 2017 6:00 – 7:30 pm Where: Church House, Percy Main, North Shields, NE29 6HS

All are welcome! Places must be booked in advance. To book a place, please contact the RRC on 0191 375 0586 or via [email protected]

RESOURCES

We, the Developing Stewardship Group (DSG) recently posted a blog about a new, but very simple idea that allows for online giving while still collecting in church as well - without creating that awkward feeling when you don't put anything in! The idea came from The Generous Giving Project in Durham. They have now produced some resources - aka 'Prayer Tokens' - to go with this idea, and, in the spirit of generosity, you are more than welcome to use them in your church. Download the prayer tokens here Watch a 6 minute video explaining how to use the prayer tokens Read the blog about prayer tokens here If you want to find out more about using prayer tokens, or about what else is available, please get in touch with Rachel Jobes, Project Manager for Developing Stewardship, on [email protected], 0191 2704128.

We recognise that taking collections in church can sometimes be off-putting for visitors. We recently attended a presentation by the The Generous Giving Project in Durham that addressed this issue. They have produced a short guide for visitors about 'What is the Offering?' that should help put their minds at rest. It's a useful handout to keep at the back of the church, so we'd like to share it with you: Download the guide here Watch a 2 minute video about this resource Read the blog about the guide here If you want to find out more about this visitor guide, or about what other resources are available, please get in touch with Rachel Jobes, Project Manager for Developing Stewardship, on [email protected], 0191 2704128.

A few of you have been asking about setting up a website for your church. There is now a handy new 'how-to' guide on the Diocesan website that covers the basic points to get you started. There's an image of the guide below, but to read it properly and download it, please visit the Communications page http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/mission-and-ministry/communications.aspx. The Communications Team at church house are also more than happy to advise you, and help out where we can.