23rd November 2025
Christ the King
Collect
God the Father,
help us to hear the call of Christ the King
and to follow in his service,
whose kingdom has no end;
for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, one glory. Amen
What’s On This Week
| Fri 21st Nov | 6-8pm | Eastgate | Wreath Making | |
| Sat 22nd Nov | 1-3pm | Eastgate | Wreath Making | |
| Sun 23rd Nov | Christ the King | 10am | Heatherycleugh | Eucharist |
| 10am | Stanhope | Eucharist | ||
| Mon 24th Nov | 9am | Stanhope | Morning Prayer | |
| Weds 26th Nov | 10am | Stanhope | Eucharist | |
| 8pm | Zoom | Bible Study | ||
| Thurs 27th Nov | 9am | Stanhope | Morning Prayer | |
| Sat 29th Nov | 10am-4pm | Eastgate | Christmas Tree Festival | |
| 5.45pm | Eastgate | Procession, fireworks | ||
| Sun 30th Nov | Advent 1 | 10am | Heatherycleugh | United Service |
For Your Prayers
We keep in ourprayers all in our community who are in any kind of need. Prayers are asked in particular for Joe Deimel
We continue to pray for peace and justice in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.
Coming up This Week
Eastgate Church – Wreath Making Workshop
Get festive and create your own gorgeous Christmas wreath!
All materials provided, plus fizz and nibbles!
Limited places – please check availability by emailing liz@horsleyhall,co.uk
Eastgate Church Christmas Tree Festival
Bible Study Group – Tuesday 25th Oct
The 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 25th October Contact Richard via the newsletter should you wish to join us.
Faith Through Music – Tuesdays through December
The Faith through Music discussion group is having a bit of a departure over Advent. Instead of looking at popular hymns or Christmas Carols, we’ll be looking at songs (with an explicit biblical content) that made it to the coveted “Christmas Number One Slot” in the UK Singles Chart, so:
- 1976 – Jonny Mathis – When a Child is Born – Tuesday 2nd December
- 1990 – Cliff Richard – Saviour’s Day – Tuesday 9th December
- 1995 – Michael Jackson – Earth’s Sons – Tuesday 16th December
- 2008 – Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah – Tuesday 23rd December
We’ll be thinking about questions like “How does this song inform our own faith?”, “Can we use this song in our corporate or personal worship?” and “What do these songs say about the place of Christianity in the UK over the last 50 years?”
We always enjoy a lively discussion at these zoomed discussions, and we’d be glad to welcome anyone to join us. Please contact Richard Walsh (via the newsletter) to receive a zoom invite
Eastgate Village Hall Assoc. & All Saints’ Church
Christmas Tree Festival Party 29th Nov
Please note that the Church Christmas Tree Festival Party for children is ticket-only and is now full – however all are welcome to the parade, fireworks and Christmas lights turn-on.
Season’s Greetings – Stanhope Church Hall Dec 6th
An evening of festive cheer with actors Helen Longworth and Peter Rylands, with pieces from Dickens and Hardy to Pam Ayres and Victoria Wood, alongside traditional carols and festive favourites.
Saturday Dec 6th 7pm.
Tickets £15 or £10 for concessions.
More details on attached poster.
News
Request from Rev Rachael Farnham, Chaplain at HMP Frankland
Matt 25:36 “I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me”
“This Christmas, we invite churches and their congregations to consider donating small selection boxes for prisoners to receive on Christmas Day. A simple gift like this can bring a moment of joy and connection to those spending the season in custody, reminding them they are not forgotten. It’s a meaningful way to share Christ’s love and compassion, offering hope and dignity to individuals who may be feeling isolated. Your generosity can make a real difference in someone’s day and help foster a sense of community and care within the prison.
You may also like to write anonymous Christmas cards that we would give out Christmas day saying something like, ‘With thoughts and prayers at Christmas, from your brothers and sisters in the Upper Weardale group of churches’”
If you would like to take part, please leave your gift and/or card at church and we will make sure they get to Rev Rachael.
2026 Calendar
The St Thomas Stanhope 2026 calendar is now available! A snip at £5 per copy – perfect Christmas presents for all the family.
Photos are by 1st Stanhope cubs and scouts
Available from Rowells , Woodhalls , The Hub Stanhope or from Anne Hodgson
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
