8th March 2026
Third Sunday of Lent
Collect
Eternal God,
give us insight
to discern your will for us,
to give up what harms us,
and to seek the perfection we are promised
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 the volatile situation as war breaks out in the middle east. We ask that peace will come speedily and that justice will abound. We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and Gaza
We remember with thanksgiving the farmers in our community as the time for lambing and calving draws on, asking for strength, stamina and fair weather.
What’s On This Week
| Friday 6th March | 7pm | Stanhope Hall | Weaving Stories and Baskets | |
| Saturday 7th March | At home or via Zoom | See More Details Below | Invitation to join a day of prayer for the Middle East | |
| 7.30pm | Barrington Hall SJC | Folk Night | ||
| Sunday 8th March | Lent 3 | 10am | Heatherycleugh | Eucharist |
| 10am | Stanhope-Hall | Eucharist | ||
| 7.30pm | Stanhope Hall | “We’re Not Getting a Dog” | ||
| Monday 9th March | 9.30am | Stanhope – Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| Tuesday 10th March | 12 noon | St John’s Chapel | Funeral of Ian Hedley | |
| 2pm | Stanhope – Hall | Mothers’ Union Lenten Talk | ||
| 8pm | Zoom | Faith Through Music | ||
| Weds 11th March | 10am | Stanhope – Hall | Eucharist | |
| Thursday 12th March | 9.30am | Stanhope – Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| Sunday 15th March | Mothering Sunday | 10am | Eastgate | Eucharist |
| 10am | St John’s Chapel | Eucharist | ||
| 2-4pm | Eastgate | Super Sunday |
News
World Day of Prayer – March 6th
A special ecumenical service focusing on the stories of four Nigerian women was held on Friday afternoon in Stanhope. The work that went into the preparation of the service and of those who led and narrated was much appreciated, as were those who provided refreshments afterwards.
More About This Week:
Open Invitation to Join a Day of Prayer – March 7th
Via Richard Walsh:
Phil and Ingrid host a Local House of Prayer, and have written this message to the people on their mailing list:
“As we have watched the situation in the Middle East unfold this week, we have felt God’s call to arrange some ‘zoom’ prayer times this Saturday (7th) to allow as many of us as possible to pray together for the situation.
We invite you to join us for one or more zoom prayer times to pray for the Middle East on Saturday 7th March at:
- 8.30-9.30
- 11.30-12.30
- 4.30-5.30
We will start each session with a reading, a time of waiting on God and then pray as we feel led. If you are able to join us, please obtain the link by contacting Richard Walsh via the Newsletter.
Of course, our prayers for the Middle East will not be limited to the zoom times as we would encourage everyone to pray for the Middle East throughout the day.
If you can’t manage the times above consider:
- Setting aside a specific time on Saturday to pray individually or with someone else
- Meeting up with friends/neighbours to pray
- Praying if you are out and about or in the car.
Folk Evening – March 7th
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* – March 8th
*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.
Mothers’ Union Lenten Talk – March 10th
This month’s MU meeting will feature a Lent talk by Rev Philip Greenhalgh. 2pm in Stanhope Church Hall, all are welcome
Faith Through Music – March 10th
The Faith through Music discussions are continuing their canter through hymns (broadly) based around the Songs of Ascent – Psalms 120-134, by looking at the Graham Kendrick Song “Jesus Put This Song into Our Hearts,” at 20:00 on March 10th, by zoom.
The song can be found as number 275 in the green hymnbooks the Anglicans use, and based around Psalm 128.
We will read the Psalm together to start our discussions, and then Richard will give a brief overview of the song, and the circumstances of its composition. Then he will facilitate a free and open discussion, covering questions such as “Do we like/dislike the song?” and “how faithfully does the song reflect the psalm?”
We are a friendly group, who enjoy learning from one another, and from the songwriters that serve and have served the Church, and would welcome other folk joining us. Please feel free to contact Richard (via the Newsletter), so that he can send you the zoom link and a youtube link to the song.
Looking To Next Week …
Mothering Sunday – 15th March
Services will be held at 10am in Eastgate and St John’s Chapel.
Poster for St John’s Chapel service attached. Invite others if you can!
2-4pm additional ‘Super Sunday’ event at Eastgate for Explorers to make a special present for their mum – another poster attached! Spaces limited – call .
Diocesan Fruitfulness Event – 16th March
The Diocese asks us to reflect on the question: “What Does Fruitfulness Look Like in your Parish?” Events have been held in each Archdeaconry, and now the date for our own event in Auckland Archdeaconry has been announced. Join Archdeacon Rick and the Diocesan Team at Holy Trinity Darlington on Monday 16th March at 7-9pm. Lifts may be available! Contact Sandie by replying to this email if you would like one and she will attempt to make it so!! Poster attached with details of how to book in.
Eco Church Prayer Forum 19th March 12-1pm
Praying Together as an Eco Church Community
Three of our Benefice churches now hold Eco Church awards, which is amazing! It’s an important part of our mission as churches in Upper Weardale so why not join in this online sharing of prayer on Thursday 19th next week?
Book your place HERE
Looking Further Ahead:
Save the Date – Easter Fayre
An Easter Fayre is planned for Saturday March 28th in Heatherycleugh – offers of help to Rev Heather please.
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 Rev Graeme Holdsworth
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.
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Basic information on all churches is available at www.achurchnearyou.com
