19th April 2026
3rd Sunday of Easter
Collect
Risen Christ,
you filled your disciples
with boldness and fresh hope:
strengthen us to proclaim
your risen life
and fill us with your peace,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen
For Your Prayers
We keep in ourprayers all in our community who are in any kind of need. Our prayers are asked particularly for Kathleen Kirby at this time.
We pray for the continuation of the fragile ceasefires in Israel, Iran and Lebanon, and for diplomacy and negotiation to take the place of violence.
In this season of Annual Meetings we pray that God would give the churches in our Benefice clear guidance on how to go forward into the future with deepening faith and confidence.
What’s On This Week
| Saturday 18th April | 9.30-10.30 | Frosterley Village Hall | Breakfast Church | |
| 10-12 | St John’s Chapel | Churchyard Working Party | ||
| Sunday 19th April | Easter 3 | 10am | St John’s Chapel | Eucharist |
| 10am | Stanhope-Hall | Eucharist | ||
| Monday 20th April | 9.30am | Stanhope-Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| 7pm | Cowshill Village Hall | Oh God, It’s the Vicar! | ||
| Wednesday 22nd April | 10am | Stanhope-Hall | Eucharist | |
| 7pm | Eastgate Village Hall | Oh God, It’s the Vicar! | ||
| Thursday 23rd April | 9.30am | Stanhope-Hall | Morning Prayer | |
| Friday 24th April | 7.30pm | Stanhope-Hall | “Behind Enemy Lines” | |
| Sunday 26th April | Easter 4 | 10am | Heatherycleugh | Eucharist |
| 10am | Stanhope-Hall | Eucharist |
A full, constantly updated calendar can now be found on our new Benefice website, together with lots of news, events and information. Do take a look here
More about this week …
Working Parties
Help still needed!
There will be another working party tidying the church grounds St John’s Chapel this Saturday. Many hands make light work – everyone welcome.
A soup lunch will be offered in the Barrington Hall afterwards for the weary workers.
Graeme is planning to offer a series of one-night events throughout the Upper Dale for those who perhaps don’t attend church regularly but would like to know more about the Christian faith. Come along and bring a curious friend!
Poster attached, please do publicise if you are able.
20th April Cowshill Village Hall
22nd April Eastgate Village Hall
26th May Stanhope Church Hall
27th May Frosterley Village Hall
1st June Barrington Hall, St John’s Chapel
All at 7-8.30pm
Electoral roll News From Sue Andrews
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting for the parish of Stanhope, Rookhope and Frosterley will be held on Sunday 17 May after the service in the church hall. All most welcome.
Last year we had to delete the existing electoral roll under the 6 year cycle and everyone was invited to join the new roll. If you are unsure whether you are on the roll or would like to join, please contact Sue Andrews (). Two weeks before the meeting the roll will close, so don’t leave it too late! Being on the electoral roll entitles you to vote at the APCM.
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:
Stanhope: Katharine Adams 07783659089
Eastgate: Liz Curry 07921 176012
West Weardale: 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
