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Statement
Statement by Bishop of Durham on the Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
“The Rt Revd Paul Butler Bishop of Durham said: “The Church of England in the Diocese of Durham and people across our region joins Her Majesty The Queen, members of the Royal Family and those across the country who mourn the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. His dedication to Queen and Country born out of his Christian faith stands as an inspiration for us all.”
“He gave a lifetime of devoted public service. He was a distinguished young Lieutenant in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He was outstanding as consort to The Sovereign. An exile as a baby from his native Greece, Prince Philip committed himself and his future to the United Kingdom. He is well remembered for his love of a wide range of sports, his sense of humour, and his long and devoted marriage to The Queen. As one baptised in the Orthodox faith, Prince Philip shared in a truly global Christian faith. May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.”
“It was my personal privilege, as a bishop, to meet Prince Philip on a small number of occasions. Each time he took a keen interest in the people and setting in which we met. He listened thoughtfully and was always ready with an apposite comment or observation.”
+Paul
Photo courtesy of PA
Welcome
Message from Revd. Dick Bradshaw: 02/04/21
Hello everyone.
A Reflection for Easter.
Like the explosion of the colour of spring blossom what burst out of the tomb that first Easter morning was life. Until then the story had been about death. Suddenly all of that was turned on its head. And life, glorious life, is exactly what Jesus had always promised. Not “religion”, not “churchiness”. Certainly not “holier than thou-ness”. But life. Life in all its fulness. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. And then he proved it by bursting from the tomb. And life for the whole world. For everyone. John V Taylor, a former Bishop of Winchester, once wrote: “It has long been my conviction that God is not hugely concerned as to whether we are religious or not. What matters to God, and matters supremely, is whether we are alive or not”. Another Bishop, John Pritchard, said, “We have to look at our faith and very honestly decide whether it’s bringing us more fully to life or whether, in subtle ways, it’s actually diminishing us. If it’s the latter, we can be sure the God will not be in it. Nor will Jesus”. Trying to diminish God, keep the lid on him – perhaps much more the style of the church in days gone by when going to church was “the expected and proper thing to do”, especially if you belonged to a certain class of society – was never the way to experience the “life in all its fulness” which Jesus’ resurrection brings.Neither, though, can the way so many people in the modern world convince themselves that more money, greater status, bigger cars, more expensive face-lifts is “life in all its fulness” be anything of the sort. The life, the true life which Jesus has won for us, cost him everything – the darkest darkness of death on a cross: human life, human death, in all its stark, agonising reality. It’s when we are prepared to come alive to the vast embracing love of God as well as to the glory, complexity and tragedy of the world and allow the potential of resurrection life of Christ within us that everything is transformed…….Christ is Risen! Happy Easter!
We are continuing to have a short form of worship, prayer and bible reading each Monday and Tuesday at 9.15 am in the form of Anglican Morning Prayer on 'Zoom". This is open to everyone. All you need is access to the internet and a form of screen - computer, tablet or even a smartphone. This is one more way that we can maintain fellowship in prayer as well as conversation for a few minutes afterwards. Please let me know if you would like to join this.
Please see our Services page for more information on forthcoming Services and by checking our Facebook pages for updates. (St. Andrew's Church, Roker, Sunderland and Parish of Monkwearmouth: St Andrew's, St Peter's & All Saints)
Dick Bradshaw
Other Information
We are advised that wedding and funeral services may still go ahead but with minimal numbers of family and friends present and with appropriate "social distancing". At this time we are awaiting guidance on baptism services.
We are aware that this may be superceded by more restrictive government measures. In addition, it may be that members of clergy may have to self-isolate, either for themselves, or if a member of their family becomes unwell. If you are visiting this website to find out more about booking a wedding or baptism we strongly advise that you consider delay doing this until later in the year or until the present concern about Covid 19 is passed.
LATEST UPDATE RE SERVICES - 02/04/21
For those people who still do not wish to attend the church services I have prepared a service to be used over Holy Week and this can be found by visiting our Services Page or by clicking on the Service Details button below. The readings are exactly the same as the ones used in church.
The days continue to hold uncertainty. But please rest secure in the knowledge of God's love and in the words of Jesus to his disciples: "I am with you always, even to the end of time." (Matthew 29: 20)
Dick Bradshaw, Team Rector
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Quick View Of Our Church Services
With 3 churches in our Parish there's sure to be a service that meets your needs - whether you're an early riser or prefer a lie in so check out our Sunday service times. Services are temporarily suspended but visit our Services page for information on how you can worship at home.
Special Forthcoming Events In Our Parish
Find out what events and activities are happening this week in our Parish. You can also check out our Facebook pages which are updated regularly by visiting facebook: Parish of Monkwearmouth: St Andrew's, St Peter's & All Saints.
Weddings, Baptism, Thanksgiving Service, Confirmation and Funerals.
Getting Married? Perhaps you want to arrange a Christening for your child or you may want to explore being baptised, have a thanksgiving service (naming ceremony) or be confirmed yourself? It may be that you have suffered a bereavement and would like to find out more about what happens at a funeral service. For any of these we are here to help!
Our Churches
St. Andrew's Church
St. Andrew's was built in 1907. A masterpiece of design by Edward Schroeder Prior, it has earned the title of "Cathedral of the Art and Crafts Movement."
Check out the latest update on conservation work carried out on the building.
St. Peter's Church
St. Peter's was built in 674AD by Benedict Biscop and is one of the oldest churches in Britain where Christians have gathered to worship for more than 1300 years. It was also Venerable Bede's home from the age of 7.
All Saints' Church
All Saints' was built in 1849 five years after the Parish of All Saints' was formed to provide additional accommodation when St. Peter's had no free seats. It is renowned as the birthplace of the British Pentecostal movement.