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

What’s On This Week

For Your Prayers

We keep in ourprayers all in our community who are in any kind of need.   

We pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and Venezuela, and respite for all who suffer.

Coming up this Week

Faith Through Music

The Faith through Music group will be looking at the very fine and traditional Epiphany hymn “Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness” at 20:00 on Tuesday the 13th January.  We meet by Zoom (so snow should not stop us), and, after Richard’s brief introduction, we will enjoy a lively, informative and fruitful discussion about the hymn, and how it speaks to us.

You are all very welcome to join us; contact Richard (via the Newsletter) for more detail and joining instructions

Looking Further Ahead …

Quiz Night

The Friends of St Thomas’ Stanhope invite you to a Quiz Night in St Thomas’ Church Hall on January 23^rd from 7pm.  Tickets are £5 which includes refreshments.  There will also be a raffle drawn on the night.  More details from Anne Hodgson 07789066574 – poster attached.

Appointment of Interim Priest-in-Charge

Most of us will have heard by now the good news that the Rev Graeme Holdsworth has been appointed to the post of Interim Priest in Charge of Upper Weardale, and Diocesan Rural Ministry Lead.  This means that he will divide his time between enabling rural ministry best practice across Durham Diocese, and overseeing ministry in our benefice.

Rev Graeme comes from another post as interim priest in charge in rural Yorkshire.  He will be licensed at St John’s Chapel on February 17^th at 7pm.  We look forward to giving him and Carol a warm Weardale welcome!

Farewell to Rev Michael

Sadly, just as we rejoice at the news of the appointment of Rev Graeme, we have also to prepare to say goodbye to our much-loved curate, Rev Michael Baldwin.  Our loss is HMP Deerbolt’s gain, as Michael prepares to take up a prison chaplaincy post there in Leeds Diocese.

Michael’s last Sunday with us will be February 1^st.

St Thomas’ Stanhope Closure

St Thomas’ Stanhope will be undergoing major reordering work from 12 January and lasting 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

01388 537439, 07713 388106,

Assistant Curate: The Rev. Michael Baldwin

Tel 07716065012  

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.

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