St Peter’s Church Develop Historical Experience For Children

New interactive Anglo-Saxon experience for children at St Peter's Church, Sunderland

 

The new program has been developed in order to explore the Anglo-Saxon history of the church in Monkwearmouth, writes Alice Jones.

Activities at the church involve dressing up as a monk, music and literacy, crafts and role play in order to teach children about the life of an Anglo-Saxon monk. It is hoped that the program will encourage visits from local primary schools, as the activities match the curriculum for Key Stage 1 and 2. The aim is to allow children’s education to be enhanced by hands on experiences.

Reverend Paul Child, of St Peter's Church, said the project can "help our children know they are part of a much bigger story, that where they live has such a special part to play in British history, and hopefully inspire them to strive to be the best versions of themselves they can.

"We in Sunderland can be particularly proud of having one of the oldest places of Christian worship in the UK right on our doorstep.  A group of very talented, very committed volunteers at St. Peter's realised that, if these stones could speak, they would have an amazing story to tell - of Anglo-Saxon's & Vikings, of industrial growth and decline"

The history of St Peters Church in Monkwearmouth dates back to 674AD. The site is currently undergoing a £1million renovation by Sunderland City Council, works are due to finish this summer.

Sunderland Councillor for Public Health, Wellness and Culture, John Kelly, said: "As well as facilities for the local prayer and community groups plans are well underway to encourage schools to make the most of this fantastic resource.

"The St Peter’s Educational Activities for Kids (SPEAK) project is a key stage 1 and 2 learner resource involving travelling back in time and getting a hands-on experience of life as an Anglo-Saxon monk.

"I hope that as many residents, community groups and schools as possible take the opportunity to go along get involved with and learn more about this rich historical site right here in Sunderland.”

There is a charge of £1 per child for the new exhibit, and schools can benefit from full or half day trips. Bookings can be made via the parish office. Contact Val Hughes (Available weekdays until 1pm) on 0191 5160135 or email bookings can be taken at monkwearmouth.parish@durham.anglican.org

For more information visit speakproject.co.uk

 

To see more from our guest writer Alice, follow her on Twitter - @alicejones___

Caption Competition



(c) Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire

 

 

On the 26^th January the Church of England made history by consecrating its first female Bishop, the Right Reverend Libby Lane. As the service was about to start, the press snapped two familiar faces hurrying to join the procession. The picture appeared in many newspapers and on news websites, and now makes its way onto our pages – but we need your help to caption it!

The caption needs to be short and snappy, and the one deemed the best will have the honour of seeing it on our website, social media & in next month’s magazine!

You can enter via Twitter @MonwearmouthCE, on our Facebook page, by email CanIAsk@monkwearmouthcofe.com, via the Parish office or comment below!

Entries need to be in by Monday March 9^th. The judges’ decision is final, and no cash alternative will be offered for the prize.

Get thinking!!

 

 

 

Nine Confirmed in Monkwearmouth Parish

Bishop Mark made a very special trip to Sunderland on Sunday 8th February to lead confirmation services in both St. Andrew’s and St. Peter’s.

 

Born out of a question by one person on how they could be confirmed, eventually Malcolm Drummond, Ian Edwards and brothers Edward and Elliott Keelty were presented at St. Andrew’s, while Maulid Tajir, Ashley Heatlie, sisters Georgia & Amelia Burden and their mother Barbara were all confirmed at St. Peter’s. It was an extra special occasion for Maulid who was also baptised by the Bishop during the service.

 

Bishop Mark spoke passionately about both receiving and showing the love of Christ in our lives, calling on those present to seek understanding over judgement and impressing on all the world-changing power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

 

Please continue to pray for all the candidates as they continue their journey with Christ.

Below are a selection of photographs from both services - please send any you have to CanIAsk@monkwearmouthcofe.com, @MonkwearmouthCE on Twitter or our Facebook page & we'll add them!

 

 

 

 

Picture credits:

St. Andrew's © John Pattinson

St. Peter's © Kathy Douglass

Church offers chance to experience a monastic life

 

To see the article in it's original format, visit the Diocese Newsroom.

Explore Monastic Roots at St. Peter's This Saturday!

To mark our celebration of the life of Benedict Biscop, patron saint of Sunderland and founder of the monastery and library of Wearmouth-Jarrow (feast day 12th January) we would like, very warmly, to invite as many who would be interested to a "monastic experience" led by Brothers George Guiver and Philip Nichols from the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield.

This will take place at St Peter's, Monkwearmouth this coming Saturday, 10th January. The order for the day is as follows:

10.00   Opening session: illustrated presentation about monastic

            life, including reference to Benedict Biscop etc;

            Learning to sing some plainsong;

            Worship: a simple form of morning prayer

11.30   Preparing a meal, including laying the tables.

            A presentation on monastic meals;

            Short midday office;

1.00     Silent meal, while a person reads from a book, and two or

            three wait at table.

            Communal clearing and washing-up.

2.00     Work (gardening, cleaning, mending, etc)

3.30     Tea in small groups, at which the experience so far is

            discussed.

4.30     Feedback;       

            A presentation on ministry and service (which today include

            hospitality, counselling, serving others, teaching and so on)

5.30     Silent prayer;

6.00     Sing monastic Evensong together.

6.30     Final questions and reflections on the day

Everyone is invited to stay for all or part of the day, if preferred.

 

Brs George and Philip will be remaining with us for the service at 11am on Sunday morning and preaching. They also are offering to lead a session of Lectio Divina 45 minutes prior to the start of the service.

 

If anyone needs further information please contact Rev Dick Bradshaw on 07753116621,

email CanIAsk@monkwearmouthcofe.com,

Tweet @MonkwearmouthCE or Find us on Facebook.

 

Look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

  

O For The Wings Of A Dove

From St. Andrew's Church to Houghall College and then Beamish Museum last year, the night skies have been kind to us till now as we joined about 80 others participating in the Centrepoint Sleepout at the Aircraft Museum in Washington on November 6th, writes John Pattinson.

It was a time to meet up with fellow "sufferers" and meet up with some from previous years as we gathered under heavy skies once again to show our solidarity with those who have so little, those for whom life has been dealt cruel blows of misfortune and reflect during a cold wet night on the "pint of life" that positively overflows, the good fortune that my life has been. Not a time to let the discomfort of a restless night take away from the positive and wonderful work that God is doing through the work of Centrepoint, the charity focussed on the homeless and disadvantaged young people in society, not least in Sunderland and the North East.

Lights around the aircraft hangar greeted us as Dick, Ralph and myself arrived to be greeted by laughter and happy faces bustling around to build shelters for the night out of cardboard boxes, string and tape. A competition for the best shelter though our efforts under an aircraft wing, held together by string did not withstand the rigours of a windy night. But food and hot drinks and a trip around the aircraft museum filled in the time as well as listening to the performance of a live band, their musical extravaganza booming and echoing around the hangar for all to hear.

Time to bed down for the night, a chilling thought as we gazed at our ruined cardboard shelter and headed down in the pitch black to sleep underneath the wings of the vulcan bomber. Dick and Ralph bedded down well under the wing on the hard ground while I moved nearer the edge, the ground seemed a bit softer, kinder on the back, so I thought. So there we were wrapped up in sleeping bags and inside the Centrepoint's own paper bags, hoping morning would not be too far away.

It was not too cold a night as one reflected upon the "mad" things one does in life. I was reminded in the night hour of Mendelssohn's famous prayer, "O for the wings of a dove." Words that seemed appropriate to the situation one found oneself in. "Far away would I rove! In the wilderness build me a nest, And remain there forever at rest." Our nest was a sleeping bag, our rest a few hours of fitful sleep till the light of the new day dawned. Under the wings of an aircraft, the wings of the dove of God's love surrounded us and kept us safe as if under the shadow of his wing.

Yet the image of the dove soaring high, for me is a symbol of the transformative and life changing work that happens on our doorstep, in Dundas Street in our parish, as the work of Centrepoint continues day by day. It was time to reflect on how these young people and the Centrepoint staff have enriched our lives through the last 12 months. From their involvement in the crib service last Christmas to the North East Passion televised event last Good Friday. The "Centrepoint's Got Talent" night in the Priestman hall and many areas of parish life through which we are truly blessed.

I woke at 5.30 a.m.to be greeted by the noise of the wind howling through the trees, not the rector snoring as I first thought, and the drip, drip, drip of the rain cascading off the wing on to my sleeping bag. Time to move further under the wing and a bit more shelter and then to leave after another hour of fitful sleep. 

 

I enjoyed and appreciated my cosy bed the next night though thoughts went out to the homeless enduring what I had endured but for them every night. May I thank everyone in the parish who has contributed financially to this sponsored Centrepoint event. It is much appreciated. Thankyou.

 

To donate to Centrepoint's Christmas Appeal, visit http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/news-events/our-appeals/christmas-appeal

John Pattinson LIVE - not to be missed!