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
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 Rev Graeme Holdsworth and his wife Carol as they prepare 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 15th Feb | 1 Before Lent | 10am | St John’s Chapel | Eucharist |
| 10am | Stanhope-Hall | Eucharist | ||
| Mon 16th Feb | 9am | Stanhope – Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| Tue 17th Feb | 7pm | St John’s Chapel | Licensing of Rev Graeme Holdsworth | |
| Weds 18th February | Ash Wednesday | 10am | Stanhope – Hall | Eucharist |
| 7pm | Heatherycleugh | Eucharist | ||
| Thur 19th February | 9am | Stanhope – Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| 11.30am | St John’s Chapel | Funeral of Rev Brenda Bloomfield | ||
| Sunday 22nd February | Lent 1 | 10am | Heatherycleugh | Eucharist |
| 10am | Stanhope-Hall | Eucharist |
Rev Graeme Holdsworth
Rev Graeme will be licensed at St John’s Chapel on February 17th 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.
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 Graeme 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.
Save the Date – Easter Fayre
An Easter Fayre is planned for Saturday March 28th in Heatherycleugh – offers of help to Rev Heather please.
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 (not for much longer!) 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
