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 praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen
For Your Prayers
We keep in ourprayers all in our community who are in any kind of need.
We pray for peace and justice in our turbulent world.
At the close of this week of prayer for Christian Unity we pray that Christians of all denominations will be united in love and goodwill, and work together for God’s kingdom.
What’s On This Week
| Fri 23rd January | 7pm | Stanhope- Hall | Quiz Night | |
| Sat 24th January | 10.30am | Heatherycleugh | Big Birdwatch | |
| 1.30pm | St John’s Chapel | Big Birdwatch | ||
| Sun 25th January | Epiphany 3 | 10am | Heatherycleugh | United Eucharist with Archdeacon Rick |
| Mon 26th January | 9am | Stanhope – Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| Tue 27th January | 8pm | Zoom | Bible Study: Mark 4: Jesus teaches in parables | |
| Weds 28th January | 10am | Stanhope – Hall | Eucharist | |
| Thur 29th January | 9am | Stanhope – Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| Fri 30th Jan | 7pm on | Cross Keys, Eastgate | Michael’s Farewell “do” | |
| Sunday 1st February | Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) | 10am | St John’s Chapel | Eucharist |
| 10am | Stanhope-Hall | Eucharist | ||
| 3pm | Stanhope-Hall | Informal Worship |
Coming up this Week
Big Churchyard Birdwatch – TOMORROW!
No doubt many of you will take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in your own garden over the weekend of 23rd-25th January, but in the parish of West Weardale as part of our commitment to the Eco Church scheme we are going to be counting birds on Saturday 24th in the churchyards of St Thomas Heatherycleugh (10.30-11.30am) and St John the Baptist, St John’s Chapel (1.30-2.30pm).
Feel free to join in – hot drinks and snacks can be bought at Cowshill Village Hall in the morning and Chatterbox Café in the afternoon. More info from Sandie by replying to the newsletter email or phone 07913909676.
A bird ID chart is attached – feel free to use it at home if you don’t come to the churchyard counts!
Zoom Bible Study
The somewhat intermittent Upper Weardale Bible study group will this week be reading Mark Chapter 4, verses 1 to 34: Jesus teaches in parables. As ever, we’ll read the passage together, then ask “What stood out to us in the passage” and “How does this apply to us today”.
We will be addressing these questions over Zoom at 20:00 on Tuesday 27th January
Contact Richard via the newsletter should you wish to join us.
Rev Michael’s Farewell
Rev Michael’s last Sunday service with us will be on February 1st at St John’s Chapel (10am) but he would also love everyone to feel welcome to come and say farewell informally at the Cross Keys in Eastgate on Friday 30th January – drop in any time from 7pm onwards. Nibbles will be provided.
Looking Further Ahead …
Arrangements for Rev Graeme’s Licencing
Rev Graeme Holdsworth will be licensed at St John’s Chapel on February 17th at 7pm. Arrangements are still being finalised, but the service will be followed by a faith supper in the town hall. Please bring offerings of food to the town hall before the service. The Barrington Hall will be used for clergy to robe.
“Called to Fruitfulness”
is a 10-year vision for transformation and renewal across churches in Durham Diocese.
There are four key strands:
Growing Churches
Growing Younger
Growing Leadership
Growing Mission
What would these strands of growth look like in our parishes? To help you consider the options available for you and your church, the Diocese is hosting three Archdeaconry roadshows to present the vision, pray together for our diocese, and think about the next steps. These will be hosted by Bishop Sarah and the Archdeacons early in the spring.
The roadshows will be held on
Tuesday 3 February 2026 at Cuthbert House in Durham (Durham Archdeaconry)
Monday 2 March 2026 at St Chad’s, Sunderland (Sunderland Archdeaconry)
Auckland Archdeaconry – date to be confimed
All events run from 7pm to 9pm and you can sign up for any of them, not just in your own Archdeaconry.
Follow the link here for more details and to sign up.
In Other News…
St Thomas’ Stanhope Closure
St Thomas’ Stanhope is undergoing major reordering work which will last several months. The church is now CLOSED. Most services will be in the hall. Posters will be displayed to keep the community informed.
General Information
To add any items of news to this newsletter please contact Sandie Barton at . Photos of church events etc. would be lovely (but do make sure any people in the photos have given their permission!)
The deadline is 3pm on Thursday for issue by email on Friday. Sandie is also happy to add people to the circulation list, on request.
Durham e-News: a regular email from the Diocese for worshippers and people with an interest in the diocese. It contains the latest news and features from the Diocese, and can be delivered directly to your inbox. To sign up simply fill in your details via this link: Diocesan newsletter.
Contacts
Priest-in-charge: The Benefice is currently in an interregnum. Please contact Rev. Heather or Rev Michael if needed.
Associate Priest: The Rev. Heather Ross
Assistant Curate: The Rev. Michael Baldwin
Parish Safeguarding Officers:
Liz Curry 07921 176012
Jan Wright 07415 046392
To arrange a baptism, marriage or funeral please contact Rev Heather Ross as above.
Facebook Weardale Parish News: to keep up to date, join
Weardale Parish News on Facebook
Basic information on all churches is available at www.achurchnearyou.com
