Tuesday 22 March 2016

St Andrew's marks Palm Sunday in style


After a gap of many years it was good to have the presence of not one but two donkeys to head our procession of witness for Palm Sunday this year. I was informed the two donkeys were "soul mates," who never liked to be separated from one another. Not even a carrot could entice them to enter the church at the end of the service to start the procession!



 
 
So carrying our palm crosses the congregation proceeded through the lych-gate to Sidecliff Road and into the park to the consternation of passers-by and to  the delight of children whom we encountered en-route.
 

At  Bede's cross on the seafront a short act of worship was led by the Rector before returning to Church for refreshments.

Our grateful thanks to Anne Nicholson for providing the donkeys and her enthusiasm in embracing this mark of Christian witness. Also the police community support officer keeping us safe on the road. Not least her thanks for being able to take home a palm cross.

"The multitude began to praise God joyfully saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord."  Luke 19. 37

                                                                                                John Pattinson

Monday 7 March 2016

St Peter's Church Makes History Again

St. Peter's Church have joined with local schools and councils to create a little bit of history, by creating a new version of one of history's most influential books, produced in Sunderland thirteen centuries ago - The Codex Amiatinus.

Three Codex Latin Bibles were transcribed and illuminated at
Wearmouth-Jarrow monastery and left St Peter's Church for Rome in AD 716 as a gift from Abbot Ceolfrith to Pope Gregory II.

The only remaining intact copy is currently housed in the Laurentian Library in Florence.

As part of the Codex 1300 commemoration of that literary pilgrimage to Rome, a leather bound copy of the 'Children's Codex' will leave St Peter's Church in June to be presented to Pope Francis in the Vatican.

The Children's Codex will first visit Westminster Abbey to be signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, before continuing its journey to Rome.

Here it will be presented to Pope Francis, and put on permanent display in the Vatican as a commemoration of the original Codex sent from Wearmouth-Jarrow 1300 years ago.

The Codex 1300 anniversary commemorative project is being coordinated by SPEAK (St Peter's Educational Activities for Kids) in conjunction with Sunderland City Council, the Parish of Jarrow and South Tyneside Council.

The presentation of the bound volume of biblical texts and drawings, will be the culmination of a commemorative programme which includes a civic service at St Peter's Church on Saturday 4 June at 11.30am.

Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture, Councillor John Kelly said: "Certain religious historians would argue that the Codex Amiatinus is equally if not more significant the Lindisfarne Gospels, so it was important for us all to work together to create and fund this commemorative project.

"Retracing the steps of the pilgrimage led by Ceolfrith who actually died on the journey, to deliver a 'Children's Codex' created by the young people of Sunderland and Jarrow to Pope Francis is the best commemoration I can think of.

"I'd like to thank all our partners for making this possible, and our
young for sharing their creative skills with us to help produce a replica Codex, which will reside in the Vatican for future generations of Christian pilgrims to Rome to enjoy."

All 118 schools in Sunderland and 20 schools in Jarrow have been invited to be involved in this prestigious and historical event. Each school has been given a template to follow reflecting the size and design of pages, with a biblical reference for pupils to base their writing and designs on.

Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Alan Kerr, added: "This is a momentous project for our young people to be involved in. The creative talents of our young people, and the historic origins of the Codex, will be celebrated by people from across the globe when they visit the Vatican.


"I am thrilled that these new chapters will also go on permanent display in our own communities to allow people from outside and across the Borough  to be part of this wonderful project which reminds us all of the historic and religious significance of our area."

Once completed the chapters will be collated to create a new Children's Codex as a literary gift to the world from the young people of Sunderland and Jarrow.

Another three bound copies of the Children's Codex will remain at home to  be on permanent display at St. Peter's Church Monkwearmouth and St. Paul's Church Jarrow, with a third to be made available on loan for schools, libraries and community venues in Sunderland, Jarrow and South Tyneside.

A facsimile copy of the original Codex Amiatinus is currently on display at St Peter's Church on temporary loan from Sunderland City Council Library Services.

One of the schools involved in the Codex 1300 project is Dame Dorothy Primary School in Monkwearmouth, which can be seen from St Peter's Church.

Head teacher at the school in Dock Street, Mr Ian Williamson, said: “It is  remarkable to think that 1300 years after the original Codex Amiatinus was  inscribed and illuminated at the Wearmouth-Jarrow Monastery, the creative talent of our community can again produce such fantastic work.

"Our children and all the other schools in Sunderland and Jarrow involved in this project have risen to the challenge, and provided the quality of text and pictures the Monks themselves would have been proud of."