It is going to be a busy weekend for the Diocese of Newcastle next weekend when a host of Bishops of the Church of England will be joining us to learn, pray and have fun. Led by The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, the twenty-seven bishops will be visiting Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, and parts of Cumbria, to support the “Pathways Mission”, an expression of Bishop Christine of Newcastle’s diocesan vision launched last year. In case you missed it, it is ‘growing church bringing hope’. Read more at http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/faith-and-life/Introduction.aspx
At St George’s, on Friday 7 September, we will be hosting Bishop Colin Buchanan (Bradford) and Bishop Jill Duff (Lancaster) for coffee and cake at the Friday Café, held every Friday 10-12, in the Winskell Room off the Church Hall. They will also join the Friday Singing Group at 11am in the Middleton Room off the Church Hall. This group is part of the “Dementia Friendly” Jesmond initiative and is led by Laura. It welcomes anyone who likes to sing and especially any affected by dementia.
If you are in the mood for more, Newcastle Cathedral will host a special evening on Friday 7 September, with Archbishop Sentamu, open to the public and free. Archbishop Sentamu will speak about his faith and answer questions from attendees. The Lord Mayor of Newcastle will be in attendance. The event is ticketed https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-archbishop-sentamu-tickets-48158304786
The main event at St George’s will be the much planned for, A Big Friendly Gathering, on the Green in front of the church. The team have a great afternoon planned with Irish Dancing by the award winning Celtic Angels from Blaydon, Scottish Dancing, Newcastle Concert Band, Face Painting and much more. They will provide the tables and chairs (but if you prefer to bring your own blanket, that’s good too). Bring your family, bring your friends, bring a picnic and enjoy!.
All prepared, full of cake and picnic food, runners from St George’s Church will join the thousands running the Great North Run on Sunday 9 September. Archbishop Sentamu will visit St Luke’s Church next to the starting line and will greet and pray with runners before they set off on their race.
The last day of the Pathways Mission, Sunday 9 September, will see three major services taking place in our diocese to celebrate all that has happened over the weekend. These are -Celebrating Hope Alnwick, 4-5pm at St Michael’s Alnwick with guest speaker Bishop Alison White, Celebrating Hope Hexham, 4-5pm at the Function Suite, Hexham Mart and Celebrating Hope Newcastle, 4-5pm at Newcastle Racecourse with guest speaker Archbishop Sentamu.
So, what is all this really about? Revd Capt Steve Dixon, part of the Pathways Mission steering group, sums it well for us: “We are praying that God will bless all the events that have been planned and that those who attend will be interested to find out more about Christianity and what becoming a follower of Christ could mean in their lives”.