Upper Weardale Benefice Newsletter

14th September 2025

Trinity 13

Collect for Trinity 13                    

Almighty God,

you search us and know us:

may we rely on you in strength

and rest on you in weakness,

now and in all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

What’s On This Week

For Your Prayers

We keep in our prayers all in our community who are sick or bereaved, or in any kind of need.   Prayers are asked in particular for Joe Deimel, seriously ill in hospital.

We pray that God will bring the advertisement for an interim priest in charge for our benefice to the eyes of the right person.

News

Eco Church Awards

During the Eco Festival last weekend we were able to announce that both St Thomas Heatherycleugh and St John the Baptist St John’s Chapel had achieved their bronze Eco Church awards!  The churchwardens received  certificates on behalf of each church.

Recycling Scheme for Medicine Blister Packs

As part of the Festival we launched a new initiative to recycle empty medicine blister packs, which at present have to go to landfill. Empty packs can be left at either of the West Weardale Parish Churches, both of which are open every day.

Dawn Walk for the Samaritans

Richard Walsh – and others – are doing the Dawn Walk to raise money for the Samaritans, and to raise awareness of suicide.  We’re starting at 06:30 (yes, in the morning) on Friday 10th October, at the South car park of the Burnhope Reservoir (so the one near the lodge: grid reference NY845392, W3W Blasted.Waddled.Zapped). 

We’ll walk to the head of the reservoir, where the Reverend Philip Greenhalgh will lead anyone who wishes to join him in prayer, and then we’ll walk back.  In part this expresses folk who, with the aid of The Samaritans, walk from the darkness of depression into the dawn of new hope.

Richard is not asking for sponsorship; a far better idea is to join the walk yourself, and get lots of people to sponsor you!  However, if (for whatever reason) you cannot join the walk, Richard’s JustGiving page is Donate to Upper Weardale Dawn Walk?.

Please do either join us or offer generous sponsorship to one of the walkers.

Coming up This Week …

Find out About our Local Bats

As a follow-on from the Eco Festival we have organized a guided bat walk with electronic ‘listening’ equipment on Monday 15^th September starting at 7.30pm, at Cowshill Village Hall.  The walk will be led by a local expert.  If the weather is too bad for the bats to be flying, there will be an illustrated talk in the hall instead.  Numbers are limited for the walk but we do still have a few spaces available –  and if the weather is bad we can have any number for the talk! Contact Sandie Barton if interested, or 07913909676

Bread Church

Friday September 19^th 6-9pm Stanhope Church Hall

 A chance to make bread and an opportunity to reflect during a simple Bible study and short prayer time while the bread cooks.  When cooked, we share a  bread based meal as a time of fellowship. 

Open to everyone, of all ages and all faiths or none.  Invite a friend! Donations welcome.

Looking Further Ahead…

Harvest Family Service Stanhope

Following the successful family service in August, St Thomas’ Stanhope will be holding a Harvest Family Service on Sunday 28^th September at 4pm,  All welcome, refreshments afterwards.  Please come along, and please invite others!

Retreat at Alnmouth Friary

You are warmly invited to come for a short retreat at Alnmouth Friary—a peaceful opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and find rest and renewal.

We’ll arrive at the Friary by 4pm on Monday 3rd November and return the following day, Tuesday 4th November, after lunch (around 2pm). During our stay, there will be time to eat and pray with the brothers, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and relax—whether that’s walking the grounds, visiting the beach nearby, or spending quiet time in the library and dining area.

The friary is situated just a short walk from both the beach and Alnmouth village. You can find out more about the friary at: https://alnmouthfriaryssf.org.uk

A recommended donation of £60 is suggested to help cover costs, but please don’t let money be a barrier—you are very welcome to come regardless of your financial situation.

There are only 11 spaces available, offered on a first come, first served basis, but if there’s enough interest, we may be able to arrange a second retreat (subject to availability at the friary).

  We’re hoping to coordinate travel using lifts from those who are able to drive. When you put your name forward, please let us know if you can offer a lift or if you’ll need one, and we’ll do our best to organise car shares.  

To book your place or find out more, please contact Carol Richardson by phone or message.

  07517560693

2026 Calendar

The St Thomas Stanhope 2026 calendar is now available!  A snip at £5 per copy – perfect Christmas presents for all the family. 

Photos are by 1st Stanhope cubs and scouts 

Available from Rowells , Woodhalls , The Hub Stanhope or from Anne Hodgson

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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