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 in our community who are in any kind of need.
We pray for peace and justice in our turbulent world.
We pray for all victims of abuse and all those leading us in the safeguarding of the vulnerable, including our own Benefice safeguarding team.
We pray for Rev Graeme Holdsworth as he prepares to join us in Upper Weardale.
We pray for Bishop Sarah as she contemplates a move to Ely, and for the new Bishop of Durham as we await news of an appointment.
What’s On This Week
| Sunday 8th February | 2 Before Lent | 10am | Heatherycleugh | Eucharist |
| 10am | Stanhope-Hall | Eucharist | ||
| Mon 9th February | 9am | Stanhope – Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| Weds 11th February | 10am | Stanhope – Hall | Eucharist | |
| Thur 12th February | 9am | Stanhope – Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| Sunday 15th February | 1 Before Lent | 10am | St John’s Chapel | Eucharist |
| 10am | Stanhope-Hall | Eucharist |
News
Rev Brenda Bloomfield
News of Rev Brenda’s passing was mentioned in the Diocesan Newsletter with a message from Bishop Sarah:
“Bishop Sarah was saddened to hear of the death of the Revd Brenda Bloomfield on 15th January. Born in 1941, she completed a Cert Ed in 1963. Later in life she trained for ordination and was made deacon in 2007 and priest a year later. She served as a self-supporting minister in Upper Weardale 2007-2011, and then held PTO until 2020. Please remember her family and friends in your prayers.”
Her funeral will take place on Thursday February 19th at 11.30am at St John the Baptist, St John’s Chapel.
Rev Michael Baldwin
A good number of us gathered at the Cross Keys in Eastgate for an informal farewell to Michael last Friday.
On Sunday 1st Michael presided and preached at a joint Eucharist in St John’s Chapel with Bishop David as deacon.
At the end of the service he was presented with gifts including a fine hand-carved shepherd’s crook with ‘Upper Weardale’ inscribed on it. (Pictured left)
Rev Graeme Holdsworth
Rev Graeme Holdsworth will be licensed at St John’s
Chapel on February 17 th at 7pm. 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.
Coming Up Soon …
Faith Through Music over Lent
Over Lent, Faith through Music will be looking at songs based (loosely) on the “Songs of Ascent” – Psalms 120 to 134. These psalms reflect a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and since Lent is often considered a period of spiritual pilgrimage (and, of course, Richard is involved in planning the new “Way of Hope” pilgrimage route in Weardale), this ties in well.
Richard has picked songs that we could use in our own personal or corporate worship, and can be mostly found in the green hymn books used by the Anglican congregations.
So the plan is (not starting on pancake day, because we’ll all be busy welcoming The Reverend Holdsworth):
As always, Richard will give a brief introduction to the background to the hymn, and then chair a freeflowing discussion, covering questions such as “do we like this
song,” “how does the song speak to us” and even “does this song accurately capture the spirit of the psalm.” So it probably wouldn’t do any harm to read the psalms before we get going.
The folk who come to the Faith through Music discussion group have a varied church background, and we always enjoy learning from one another in friendly, fruitful and
open discussions. It would be great to welcome more people to these zoom meetings, which last for about 45 minutes, and start at eight o’clock in the evening.
If you want to join the fun, please contact Richard via the newsletter
An Evening with Philip Greenhalgh:
Weaving Stories and Baskets
The Friends of St Thomas’ Stanhope invite you to what is sure to be a special evening. Friday 6th March 7pm in St Thomas’ Church Hall. £5 entry to include tea/coffee and cake. Poster attached
Folk Evening
The next Folk Evening will take place in the Barrington Hall St John’s Chapel on Saturday March 7th from 7.30pm. Tea and coffee available, all welcome.
We’re Not Getting a Dog*
*A show mostly not about dogs
See the attached poster for details of this show (described as clever, moving, and true) by the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme, at St Thomas’ Church Hall Stanhope on Sunday March 8th.
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 if needed.
Associate Priest: The Rev. Heather Ross
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
