Weardale Pulpit

Vicar’s Letter to the Church of England in Upper Weardale
April 2026 The welcome I have received to the Diocese of Durham and the Benefice of Upper Weardale has been wonderful. As I write this reflection, I am six weeks into my new combined role as Interim priest-in-charge from Frosterley

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
22nd March 2026 Lent 5 Collect Gracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world: lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion, that we may know eternal peace through the shedding of our saviour’s

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
22nd March 2026 Lent 5 Collect Gracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world: lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion, that we may know eternal peace through the shedding of our saviour’s

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
15th March 2026 Mothering Sunday Collect God of love, passionate and strong, tender and careful: watch over us and hold us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen For Your Prayers We keep in ourprayers

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
8th March 2026 Third Sunday of Lent Collect Eternal God, give us insight to discern your will for us, to give up what harms us, and to seek the perfection we are promised in Jesus Christ our Lord Amen For

St David’s Day Sermon: Faithfulness in the Little Things
By Rev Ray Anglesea In today’s Gospel, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, curious but unsure. Jesus tells him that to see the Kingdom of God, we must be born from above — born not just once but changed by God’s Spirit.

Diocese responds to parishioners objections regarding ‘re-ordering’ of Stanhope church
SOME parishioners raised objections to the plans to ‘re-order’ St Thomas church in Stanhope,writing letters to the Durham Diocese. This is the reply – in full – they received recently: IN THE CONSISTORY COURT OF THE DIOCESE OF DURHAMRE ST.

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
1st March 2026 Second Sunday of Lent Collect Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way come to share in his glory; through Jesus

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
22nd February 2026 First Sunday of Lent Collect Heavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness, and grew closer to you in the desert: help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer that we

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
15th February 2026 Sunday Next Before Lent Collect Holy God you know the disorder of our sinful lives: set straight our crooked hearts, and bend our wills to love your goodness and your glory in Jesus Christ our Lord Amen

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
8th February2026 2nd Sunday Before Lent Collect Almighty God, give us reverence for all creation and respect for every person, that we may mirror your likeness in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen For Your Prayers We keep in ourprayers all

Laughing Vicar leaves the Dale
THE LAUGHING VICAR From All Saints Eastgate, let’s cheer, A vicar loved, a joy, a dear. With shoulders broad and hair of gold, Jesus vibes, just louder, bold A laugh so booming, rich and wide, It rolled through church and

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
1st February 2026 Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) Collect Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God and

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
25th January 2026 Epiphany 3 Collect God of all mercy, your Son proclaimed good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed: anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free to

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
11th January 2026 Epiphany1/ Baptism of Christ Collect Heavenly Father, at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son: may we recognise him as our Lord and know ourselves to be your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen

Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter
4th January 2026 Epiphany/ Second Sunday of Christmas Collect God our Father, in love you sent your Son that the world may have life: lead us to seek him among the outcast and to find him in those in need,

Weardale preparing to welcome a new vicar.
THE Parish of Stanhope is preparing to welcome a new Minister with the arrival in a few weeks of Revd Graeme Holdsworth. Rev Graeme is currently the Interim Vicar of Marsden and Slaithwaite, in West Yorkshire, but his family ties

Stanhope church hall to go up for sale
THE church hall in Stanhope’s main street is to be put up for sale in the New Year. The announcement was made during the church service on Sunday in St Thomas church, Stanhope. For months there has been speculation and