Happy Christmas

Happy

Christmas

Christmas Lunch at Shepherd's Dene

We like our food at St Hilda's.  No sooner was one Christmas meal digested than we were off for another, this time at Shepherd's Dene,

We'd made our choice of menu some time ago and, of course, I couldn't remember.

But Ann Brown, who organised the trip, had it all down to a fine art: when we got on the bus she gave us all a note of what we'd ordered along with a quiz and a raffle ticket.

I had pate, turkey and crumble and all were excellent.

I managed a few quiz questions, but mostly I sat and relaxed after a large lunch.

Shepherd's Dene is the Newcastle Diocese retreat house. Its 2015 programme is here (.pdf) or see their events page

The staff were pleasant and efficient, the setting was delightful, and a very good time was had by all.

Paul Bagshaw

Public meeting in preparation for a new Bishop

PUBLIC MEETING: 

All are welcome to meet

• Caroline Boddington (Appointments Secretary of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York) and 
• Edward Chaplin (Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretary) 

to ask questions about the process of appointing the next Bishop of Newcastle and to express views about the needs of the Church, the Diocese and the region they serve.

The two Appointments Secretaries will be answering questions and listening carefully to views expressed as the process of identifying the next Bishop of Newcastle continues.

Date: Wednesday 14 January 2015

Time: 7.00pm (in order to avoid rush hour on the A1 and around Newcastle)

Venue: Newcastle Falcons Gold South Suite (First Floor), Brunton Road, Kenton Bank Foot, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 8AF.

The first woman bishop in the Church of England

The appointment of the first woman bishop in the Church of England has been announced.

Rev Libby Lane is to be Bishop of Stockport, suffragan to the Bishop of Chester.

There are reports in the Church Times, Guardian (and a profile), Independent, Telegraph and elsewhere.

From the Diocese of Chester:

Rev Libby Lane. The first woman bishop in the Church of England 

On the announcement being made of her new ministry as a suffragan (area) bishop,

Libby said: 

“It’s a great honour to be nominated as Bishop elect to the See of Stockport.
I am grateful for, though somewhat daunted by, the confidence placed in me by the Diocese of Chester. This is unexpected and very exciting. On this historic day as the Church of England announces the first woman nominated to be Bishop, I am very conscious of all those who have gone before me, women and men, who for decades have looked forward to this moment. But most of all I am thankful to God. 

“The church faces wonderful opportunities, to proclaim afresh, in this generation, the Good News of Jesus and to build His Kingdom. The Church of England is called to serve all the people of this country, and being present in every community, we communicate our faith best when our lives build up the lives of others, especially the most vulnerable. I am excited by the possibilities and challenges ahead.

“It is a particular privilege to be nominated to serve as Bishop among people I have come to know and love over many years; in Stockport, in the Trafford and Cheshire East boroughs. The Diocese of Chester encompasses widely diverse communities, socially, economically, geographically—and the church is here for every one of them.
“I am encouraged by the affirmation and support of colleagues with whom I shall be working. And I am very aware of how great a resource we have in the clergy and people of the churches in this diocese, who every day by their actions make a difference for good.”

The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Dr Peter Forster, said: 

“Libby has had a varied and distinguished ministry, and is currently a first-rate parish priest. She has already demonstrated her ability to contribute nationally through her representative role in the House of Bishops, on behalf of the north-west England dioceses.

“As the first woman bishop in the Church of England she will face many challenges as well as enjoying many opportunities to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ. I have no doubt that she has the gifts and determination to be an outstanding bishop. 

“I am delighted at her designation as Bishop of Stockport after a lengthy process of discernment across the Church of England and beyond.”

Channel 4 News puts Libby Lane's appointment in a global and multi-religious context: women are taking leading roles in Islam, Bhuddism, Judaism as well as Christianity, albeit generally at the very edges of each faith.

Advent 3, 2014

For this Advent we have four different preachers who are all part of St Hilda's Church. There was no specific theme or brief beyond, of course, 'Advent' itself.

Advent 3 

• Who was John the Baptist? He himself said he was not Elijah (the precursor to the messiah), nor the promised prophet. (John 1:19 and onwards)
• Then who was he? He was, he said, a voice saying: get ready for the coming Messiah.
• But what about the baptism? That was for outsiders who wished to join the Jewish faith. Not for Jews. John does not answer directly. Instead he says ''I am not fit to untie the straps of his sandals" - the most menial of a slave's tasks.

And our Advent task too is to be prepared, spiritually, to walk with Christ

Carol Ann Shields
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We'll post brief notes of the sermons each week, just to give a flavour. As the weeks go by and Christmas comes closer we'll link each post to the others.

Advent 1: November 30th - Revd Michael Bass
Advent 2: December 7th - Revd Paul Bagshaw
Advent 3: December 14th - Carol Ann Shields
Advent 4: December 21st - Revd Jon Goode