​ Our vicar is   Revd Alison Wallbank  
The Vicarage , Greta  Lodge, Middleton-in-Teesdale DL12 0BP
Contact number:  01833 641302   
Email:  Alison.Wallbank@durham.anglican.org

MORNING PRAYER   is said at 9am  to 9.30am
Holy Trinity Church, Eggleston - every Wednesday 
St Mary's Church, Middleton-in-Teesdale - every Friday   

What has the Diocese ever done for us???
​Check out  ........
GENEROUS GIVING  FOR OUR CHURCHES 
The link to the website where all the articles may be directly uploaded is:   https://thegenerousgivingproject.wordpress.com/   
The most efficient way for you  to access them is if to click ‘FOLLOW’ on the bottom right hand corner of any of the articles. You’ll then be directly informed when a new one is posted.
Look up 'The Generous Giving Project' on Facebook too, as new articles are also posted there. There’s also a twitter account you can follow: @GenGivProject and an Instagram account!

​Below you will find ...    
Other C of E information. 
    Martin's Mid-Week Missive.   
    Minutes of the Deanery  Synod.    

The Durham Diocese African Christian Partnership                is with the Lesotho Diocese known as 'The Link',           (which covers the whole country of Lesotho). 
News can be found on  www.durham-lesotholink.org.uk
​or check on the www.durham-anglican.org  website
​  

  Dear friends,
Sunday morning took me to St. Peter's, Budleigh and All Saints, East Budleigh. My sermon dealt with the necessity of repentance, being the very centre of the preaching of Jesus Christ: "The kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). If you want to read what I said just click here; http://revmartinjacques.blogsp ot.com/2018/07/all-change.html
 
Next Sunday's readings for 15th July:     Trinity 7 - Proper 10
Amos 7: 7-15. The vision of the plumb line means that God is going to set a standard for behaviour and will no longer be indifferent to how his people live. His prophesy that the Northern kingdom will be destroyed happened between 734 - 721 B.C. when the Assyrians invaded and wiped the kingdom out.
Ephesians 1: 3-14. The famous Westminster catechism states that the chief end of human life is "to glorify God and fully to enjoy him forever" and Ephesians certainly packs copious thanks and praise into the first 3 chapters of the letter. The words stress our total dependence on God. God destines, wills, reveals and accomplishes his plan which is also incidentally an assault on our western sense of independence and autonomy. The words also stress that the only response desired, proper or needful to God acting on our behalf is praise. Again to the average westerner this is hardly any proper response at all, but we are in God's debt and totally incapable of paying back anything else so let us give thanks and praise to God.
Mark 6: 14-29. The beheading of John the Baptist provides a remarkably similar set of circumstances to the demise of Jesus. Both innocently suffer at the hands of political figures (Herod and Pilate) who both see good in the accused men and left to themselves would let them go. Yet both are weak and let themselves become trapped by external circumstances and permit a violent death.

We did it!
 Our first dip in the sea on Sunday afternoon I mean!  The weather was roasting and there were people in the sea swimming, paddle boarding and water skiing.  The sea was calm and blue and looked so inviting....... and in classic British fashion we gradually and tortuously edged our way in and once we'd  weathered the perishing cold it was quite invigorating. (Friends of ours in Tynemouth - Tim and Pat - go into the North Sea almost every day... I take my hat off to you!)
 
On Friday we went on a 5 mile organised walk in Dartmoor National park starting from the Stannery town of Ashburton. (Stannery has something to do with tin apparently).  We used to love walking from Gainford in County Durham (Big shout out to the Gainford walking group!) with friends and were desperate to find a walking group here in East Devon. They are the "Otter Valley Association" and are a lovely bunch of people.  If you want more information go to their website; http://www.ova.org.uk /
 
The Lighter side!
Theological problems at the car rental office for Bill Bailey is just so hilarious. To take a look just click here;
 https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ECvwnV62pdc
 
And this one which I have just stolen from my good friend Rev. John Barker.
 
Donald Trump met up with Vladimir Putin and asked him, “Hey Vladimir, who do you think will win the World Cup?” Putin looks at his vodka and replied, “I have not decided yet!” 
 
Thought for the day
The Budleigh Salterton Music festival starts on Friday and I need to welcome people to the first concert in St. Peter's Church which is the "Wind Serenade". I feel a bit nervous because musically I feel out of my depth. We are so lucky with our cultural programme here, because we also host a literary festival later in the year (Hilary Mantel lives here) and the Sidmouth folk festival is just next door.  At this year's music festival we have renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason who shot to fame playing at the Royal wedding. He appears also with his sister Isata at the concert we are going to attend.  It looks as if culturally I'm going to have to up my game! So....with culture at the forefront of my mind - Paul's theme for Sunday's reading has "Praise" as the central theme so I want to end this email with Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" (literal Hebrew. "Praise God") played by Sheku. Just click here ;https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=RLd9PcZW5PQ     
 
Prayer for Today with praise at its heart
 Lord Jesus,
As the new day dawns, we arise with your spirit amongst us. We remember your resurrection morning and give you praise, for you are our Lord. We long to be with you this day and thank you with our voices, our hearts, and our lives.
Amen.
 
Love and peace,
 
Martin



 
The Examen Prayer
How do I pray? -  is a common request that people ask and here is a very simple prayer that should take no more than ten minutes at the end of every day whose raw material is your own life, that recalls the events of the past day and takes note of our feelings.     The "Examen" prayer is taken from the Jesuit tradition.     The purpose of the prayer is to become more aware of the ways in which God has been present to me during the day, and examines how the Holy Spirit has been drawing me towards life. This prayer encourages me to find God in all things. These are the stages one goes through; 

​1. Relax and feel attentive and open to God. Prepare yourself for prayer
2. Relish those moments in your day that you have enjoyed
3. Request the Spirit to lead you through your day
4. Review the day and for which moments am I most grateful.  What gave you energy and made you feel alive?
5. Repent of any mistakes or failures.   What experiences drew you away from God. What drained you and made you feel less alive?
6. Resolve in concrete ways to live tomorrow well.    End by giving thanks
 

  ​               A meeting of the Barnard Castle Deanery Synod took place at
                   Forest in Teesdale Church     at 7.15p.m. on 10th July 2018
 
Draft Minutes
 
1.    Worship: Revd Wallbank led synod in an act of worship
2.    Present:  Alec Harding, Alison Wallbank,  Eileen Harrop,  Annette Butters, Richard Bell, Brian Whitley, Christine Barnett, Lynne Lobley, Kath Caygill, Wendy Greenfield, Frances Stenlake, Geoff Taylor, Clive Newble,   
3.    Apologies: Ken Steventon, Alison Chapman, Peter Graham, Christine Beardshall, Hazel Whitehead,

4.    Minutes of the meeting held on 1.5.18 previously circulated were approved and signed.

5.   Matters arising
a)                 Diocesan synod elections Lay members elected were: Frances Stenlake, Ali Chapman, Wendy Greenfield and Maureen Gwilliam
Clergy elected were: Eileen Harrop and Brian Whitley.  There is one vacant clergy place
b)           Bishop’s Council visit to the Deanery: the date set for this listening exercise is Saturday October 13th. (Venue to be decided).
 
(After synod BC met. It was reported that staff changes at Cuthbert House and on the Council have delayed papers being sent to help prepare Parishes to take part. These will be sent out as soon as possible.)
 
6.         Feedback on Bishop Paul’s Walk through the Deanery 10-13 May:
Synod divided into groups to reflect on the questions:  What did we learn about ourselves, our communities and God at work within them?
Responses included:
            It was hard work.
            A positive experience meeting ‘real’ people
            + Paul appreciated the time spent in the deanery.
            Creating the programme necessitated us ‘going out’ to establish possible conversations
            The walk built on existing relationships and strengthened them
The walk brought a sense of affirmation: of the Dale, of individuals.
The confirmation service was very special
There was a genuine welcome for prayer
Generally enjoyable.
Final service much appreciated.
 
7.         Parish share offers:
Some parishes have already made their offers. Others are requested to do so by the end of September/beginning of October. These can be sent to Frances Stenlake as well as the diocese.
 
Lynne Lobley thanks all parishes for sending their BC deanery contributions.
 
8.         Diocesan Synod report: synod met on 23rd June 2018
a)    Diocesan Finance: a major shift in creating the budget has taken place that reflects the lag in filling clergy vacancies. On paper this shows the budget to be balanced, in reality the financial situation has not changed and is still difficult.
b)    Modern Day Slavery:  Wendy Greenfield gave some statistics concerning MDS. The number of people trafficked has doubled in 5 years from 21 million to 42 million. Of those freed from slavery in GB 41% were children.
There is currently no provision for children freed from slavery. Synod passed a motion which will be sent to General synod requesting HM Government to provide for these children.
c)    Safeguarding: Diocesan synod had heard from Professor Simon Hackett who chairs the body that oversees the Diocesan Safeguarding policy.
d)    Resource churches: a presentation was given by David Tomlinson concerning Resource Churches. David will visit our next Deanery synod.
e)    Process for the appointment of a new + Jarrow. Synod had fed ideas into the process as to why a Bishop of Jarrow was needed and what role and qualities they should have. The process of appointment is slow. The earliest a consecration can take place will be the end of February 2019.
 
9.    Deanery Walk: The Area Dean reported that Revd Ruth Stables was offering to lead a Deanery Walk.   The idea was met favourably and the preferred date would be the afternoon of Sunday September 30th.    AH will communicate this to Ruth.
 
10.     Church News:
a) Barnard Castle – new involvement at Teesdale school and ‘Peg Powler’ children’s workshop.  Armed Forces weekend concert. Chaplaincy established at YMCA.
b) Eggleston – Roof repair fund now at £6,500
c) Gainford & Winston – Bible study for newly confirmed.  Open the Book Team started
d) Upper Dale: open the book.  Opportunities at Middleton School.
Mock weddings for school children in a number of parishes.
 
 
11.Resource Churches: placed on agenda for next meeting 
 
12. AOB
Eggleston show: 15th September 2018. Synod agreed to cover the cost of the pitch. Richard Bell hoped that his ‘councillor’s grant’ might enable the organisers to give the church a reduced rate.
A trailer has been borrowed from churches in Leeds Diocese. This will house a prayer tree.
Wendy Greenfield and Alison Wallbank will co-ordinate volunteers. Synod will re-imburse any volunteers who would not normally attend the show.
 
13.Date of next meeting:        November 6th 2018 at Gainford.
​                  7.00pm for 7.15pm
 


 

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