The Parish of Coniscliffe
St. Edwin’s Church, High Coniscliffe
St. Mary’s Church, Piercebridge
CHURCH SERVICES in DECEMBER
Sunday 4
Advent 2
10.30am
Holy Communion BCP
St. Edwin’s
Morning Prayer BCP
Christingle Service
St. Edwin’s
St. Mary’s
Carol Service
St. Edwin’s
Crib Service
Holy Communion
St. Edwin’s
St. Mary’s
Sunday 25 Christmas Day
10.30am
Holy Communion
St. Edwin’s
Sunday 11 Advent 3
10.30am
4.00pm
Sunday 18 Advent 4
10.30am
Christmas Eve
5.00pm
8.00pm
Upcoming events
Come to Our Party CONISCLIFFE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE We are holding our Christmas
Party at 7.30pm on Thursday 8 December 2016 in the Village Hall when we will be singing
Please note we have a small play area within St Edwin’s church
along to festive songs and carols played by the Cockerton Brass Band. This will be followed
so young
children
can playquizzes
comfortably
duringthe
theusual
service.
by festive nibbles,
mulled
wine, Christmas
and, of course,
chance to chat
with old, or meet new, friends. All very welcome so please come along and bring your
friends and family.
Contact Carolyn Hardy on 07724 508299 or [email protected]
Play and Praise Service Friday 9 December 11.30am in St. Edwin’s Church Hall. A short act
of worship for pre-school aged children and their parents / carers. All welcome.
Parish Christmas Lunch 11 December, a few places left, names to Jill 374317
Beer and Carols Friday 16 December 8pm at The Spotted Dog, High Coniscliffe.
School Christmas Service Friday 16 December 10am in Church – all welcome.
Carol Singing at 19 Low Coniscliffe Monday 19 December 6.45pm
Coffee Morning at the Spotted Dog, High Coniscliffe, Wednesday 21 December at
10.30am. Everyone is welcome.
The Annual Lunch at the Spotted Dog will follow the Coffee Morning on Wednesday 18
January 2017. For more information contact Sue Mills 374758
W.I. New Year Lunch at The Spotted Dog Thursday 19 January, details from Carolyn Hardy.
Burns Supper Saturday 21 January 2017, all the usual trimmings, names to Jill or Liz.
A Christmas Message
Where do we look for the true meaning of Christmas? Christmas cards appear in the
shops seemingly earlier and earlier each year. Christmas menus appear in pubs and
restaurants, party planners are printed in newspapers and magazines, and guides on
buying presents are in the Sunday supplements, all encouraging us to indulge at Christmas
– indulge in food and drink, indulge in partying and present buying. Is the success of our
Christmas measured in how many parties we go to, how many presents we get or how big
our credit card bill is in the New Year? Where is the real meaning of Christmas amongst all
of this commercialism?
For us to engage properly with the true meaning of Christmas doesn’t mean we have to
overspend and overindulge. This isn’t a plea for austerity and denial, rather a desire that
we should look beyond the material, and beyond the self-indulgent.
During the Christmas season, we remember the birth of Jesus Christ. There wasn’t a party,
and he wasn’t born into lavish surroundings. The Son of God came into this world as a
baby, frail and dependent, born in humble surroundings and as a refugee from the
authorities. And yet he was heralded as the Messiah, and went on to become the most
significant figure in history.
Approaching this season with the cold eye of commercialism, with the cynicism of today’s
hedonistic society, denies us the chance to experience the wonder and magic, the mystery
and awesome significance of the birth of Jesus – of God coming amongst us.
So my prayer for us as we come to celebrate Christmas this year, is not that we will deny
ourselves, not that we don’t give gifts or have a party, but that we will all approach this
magical season with the eyes of a child – as we look beyond the pressure, the partying and
the spending, and look instead in wonder and awe at the gift God gave to us all on that
first Christmas morning. Slow down, take a breath, pause and think about where we find
the real meaning of Christmas – in Jesus Christ, Son of God, who came among us at
Christmas time.
The Revd. David Railton
Vicar
Parish Information
Riddle of the month:Why are Christmas trees like bad knitters?
There will be NO services at St. Mary’s Church, Piercebridge during January and February.
Flowers in Church We would like to better organise the decorating of the
church. Would you like to be a flower arranger, be involved in decorating for
festivals or just contribute either arrangements or money for flowers for
others to arrange in memory of loved ones or to celebrate a special occasion?
Please contact the Wardens to be part of the team or for further information.
Keep up to date with what is happening in your local church
and community via Facebook.
'Like’ us on www.facebook.com/SaintEdwins' or search
Facebook for “Coniscliffe Parish and Community”
Pastoral Care in Coniscliffe. St Edwin’s church serves the whole community of
Coniscliffe. As part of our care, we have a small team of volunteers who offer
support and friendship to anyone in the area who is housebound, ill or in need
of support for whatever reason. If you are someone you know would benefit
from a visitor, then please contact the Vicar or a member of the pastoral
visiting team. The pastoral visitors in Coniscliffe are Liz Steel (483592), Jill Burt
(374898) and Jill Snaith (374317)
High Coniscliffe Pre-School Monday's 9.15am - 12.15pm; Tuesday to Friday's
9.15am - 2.45pm in St. Edwin's Hall. Contact Sandy 07817 413138
Quiz Nights at the Spotted Dog, High Coniscliffe every Wednesday at 8pm. More
teams needed. Please come along and support the pub plus it is a really good quiz!
Who’s Who
Vicar
The Revd David Railton
104 Blackwell Lane,
Darlington,
DL3 8QQ
email: [email protected]
Tel: 01325 494003
Mobile 07528 248671
Associate Minister
The Revd Deborah Robinson,
c/o The Parish Office.
Parish Office
All Saints’ Church, Ravensdale Road,
Darlington DL3 8DT
Tel: 01325 469891 e-mail address:
[email protected]
Churchwardens
St. Edwin’s
Mrs. Jill Snaith
Mrs. Liz Steel
St. Mary’s
Mrs. Shirley Chalmers
Mrs. Pat Stephenson
01325 374317
01325 483592
01325 374716
01325 374484
Hall / Church Bookings
St. Edwin’s Hall, High Coniscliffe
Mrs. Jill Snaith: 01325 374317 or Mrs. Katie Hollis email: [email protected]
St. Mary’s Church, Piercebridge
Mrs. Shirley Chalmers: 01325 374716
Newsletter
If you would like material including in this
newsletter, please be in touch with Nicky before
the 15th of the previous month - Mrs. Nicky
Waller (Parish Secretary) - 01325 469891
Parish Surgery
To arrange a baptism or wedding, the Parish
Office in All Saints’ Church, Ravensdale Road is
open on Wednesday 6.45pm – 7.15pm
during school term time – or contact the Vicar.
Answer to this month’s riddle - they both drop their needles