Latest News
'Can these dry bones live?' - The November session of Diocesan Synod
09/11/2009
BISHOP MARK in his address to Synod on Saturday 7th November began by saying that at times, our churches must feel desparately in need of a miracle, rather like the steward at Cana of Galilee (John2: 1-11). He then went on to suggest that 'it is when all ... Read on
Weaving Communities - Faith In Our Community event
09/11/2009
Bernadette Askins reports
Faith In Our Community organised a learning event 'Weaving Communities' at Grindon United Reformed Church Communty Project in October.
Canon Stephen Cherry, Diocesan Director of Ministry, introduced ideas around social capital ... Read on
DURHAM INVITATION TO POPE BENEDICT
03/11/2009
A Durham consortium of University and faith leaders hopes that Pope Benedict XVI will accept their invitation to make the first ever papal visit to the North East of England.
Following a visit of Vatican representative and HM Ambassador to the Holy See, His Exellency F ... Read on
Celebrate Christingle and Support Children's Projects
20/10/2009
CELEBRATE CHRISTINGLE TO HELP BILLINGHAM CHILDREN
Go along to your local Christingle service this year and you can help The Children’s Society fund vital projects for children and young people, including The Children’s Resources Project North East in Billi ... Read on
INFORM to Transform - Resources Fair
20/10/2009
The Inform Resources Fair on Saturday 17th October was organised by the Board of Education and provided a wealth of workshops and resources for those working with children and young people.
This year it was held at Durham High School for Girls.
The day began with& ... Read on
New Bookshop at Shepherds Dene
18/10/2009
The Bishop of Jarrow will open a revamped bookshop at Shepherds Dene on 8th December.
The original bookshop was always popular browsing for Shepherds Dene's guests but was forced to close when the Newcastle branch of SPCK shut down. Housed in the entrance area a ... Read on
THE BIG READ
15/10/2009
THE BIG READ
The Gospel book for the Revised Common Lectionary Year C which begins on Advent Sunday is Luke. And next year, the BIG READ is focusing on Luke's Gospel in a variety of ways.
There are three ways into the Big Read:
(a) individual reading of th ... Read on
DFW Adoption turn things around
06/10/2009
To turn a deficit of over £90,000 to a surplus of £100,000 within 12 months is a fantastic achievement. And, as Trustee Keith Johnson (pictured right), who presented the finance report, said, this is above all down to the co-operation of DFW's 'wonderful sta ... Read on
Durham Cathedral Community Visit Lübeck
01/10/2009
David Hunt reports
As part of the Diocesan link with Germany’s North Elbian Church, in August eleven lay members of our Cathedral community paid a return visit to Lübeck, at the invitation of the Domwache, the body of volunteers whose formal task is to &lsqu ... Read on
New Readers Admitted and Licensed
28/09/2009
'God’s call is personal; he is gentle in his calling, and he waits for us to respond . . . He takes us as we are, he starts from where we are and provides for what we need. It’s not like asking someone in the street for directions and getting the answer &ldq ... Read on
Ian Cundy Thanksgiving
28/09/2009
On Sunday 27th September, Cathedral Evensong was a service of Thanksgiving for the Life of the Rt Revd Ian Cundy, Bishop of Peterborough and former Warden of Cranmer Hall in Durham who died in May. Many of Ian's friends from his time in Durham joined his wife Jo a ... Read on
Swine Flu Latest from Bishop Mark
23/09/2009
Attached is the latest letter from the Archbishops about Swine Flu.
To read it click here
You will note:
The commitment to review in October;
That this is not primarily about protecting ourselves, but avoiding transmission to others;
It is probably ... Read on
Durham Cathedral hosts the Thanksgiving Service for Sir Bobby Robson
22/09/2009
Durham Cathedral has never seen so many top footballers and managers together at the same time.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Lineker, Fabio Capello, Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoyne and many, many others who, together with his family came to remember and give thanks for th ... Read on
Installation of Mark Mcintosh
15/09/2009
On Wednesday 9th September the Cathedral welcomed Mark Mcintosh as he was installed as Canon Professor during Evensong.
Mark has moved from America to join the Cathedral community, the Diocese and Durham University, and to be the Van Mildert Professor of Theology. ... Read on
ARCHBISHOP OF YORK'S VISIT
30/07/2009
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu spent two busy days (27-28 July) visiting various projects around Durham Diocese.
These included meeting some of the staff at the Diocesan Office, visits to two local councils - Gateshead and Hartlepool, and celebrat ... Read on
Swine Flu Guidelines
23/07/2009
Swine Flu - latest national guidance from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
On the advice of the Department of Health the Archbishops have written to all diocesan bishops with the following:
'The Department of Health have recently advised us that 'in a pandemic i ... Read on
Time Matters for Clergy
07/07/2009
The theme for the annual summer gathering for clergy this year focused on the subject of time TIME MATTERS - a very relevant and fascinating subject. And the organisers managed to put together an excellent programme with some very in ... Read on
Bishop's Ceritificates for 2009 Awarded
04/07/2009
On Tuesday evening, 16th June, those who have been working towards the Bishop's certificate in Youth Work and Children's Work gathered in the Chapel at Auckland Castle for the award ceremony.
After presenting each of them with their certificate, Bishop Tom Wrigh ... Read on
Thin Spots for God's Light - new Priests and Deacons ordained
29/06/2009
Over the weekend of 27 and 28 June, 11 new Priests and 12 new Deacons were ordained to parishes in Durham Diocese by the Bishop of Durham in Durham Cathedral.
The photograph (above) is the new priests being presented to the Bishop and making their declaration ... Read on
St Columba's Centre Dedicated
26/06/2009
On Sunday 14th June, Bishop Tom joined the congregation of St Columba’s and their invited guests from the mother church, St Aidan’s, and Hartlepool Deanery for the special dedication service. Fr Jonathan Rhodes, the Priest in Charge, welcomed everyone to thi ... Read on
Zurburan Costume Exhibition
24/06/2009
The Long Dining Room in Auckland Castle has an additional attraction at the moment with an exhibition of the costumes worn by the patriarchs, Jacob and his sons, in Francisco de Zurburán’s famous series of paintings.
The costumes were designed and made b ... Read on
Shepherds Dene rededication
22/06/2009
Shepherds Dene entered a new phase of its life on 17 June with a service of rededication in the chapel and a supper to celebrate its reopening after the recent refurbishments.
Welcoming friends and guests to the ceremony was the chair of the Shepherds Dene ... Read on
Stranton Sponsored Abseil
15/06/2009
In 2007 the youth group at All Saints, Stranton in Hartlepool, organised a trip to Moldova with the help of a charity called Urban Saints. The purpose of the visit was to help serve a small community there by running children's clubs and renovating a house. Since t ... Read on
Lines of Continuity
15/06/2009
An astonishing task in an astonishing place.
Sunderland calligrapher Susan Moor is seen working on a full size copy of an opening from the Codex Amiatinus in St Peter’s, Monkwearmouth where it was created at the turn of the 8th century. Susan is at work in fro ... Read on
CSI for the day
15/06/2009
On Thursday 7th May police chaplains in the Diocese, with chaplains form other forces in the region, became Crime Scene Investigators for a day.
They put their investigative skills to the test, in an exercise in a blood analysis room at the forensic training centre a ... Read on
Walking Bede's Way for Christian Aid
15/06/2009
On Saturday 6th June, around 150 people joined Bishop Tom for the 12 mile scenic walk between St. Peter’s Church at Monkwearmouth, Sunderland and St. Paul’s Church, Jarrow.
This is the 'Bede’s Way Walk' and the purpose was to raise money for Christ ... Read on
Challenging Day on the Buses
15/06/2009
THE GREAT NORTH BUS CHALLENGE - Wednesday 6th May
For some of the participants the Great North Bus Challenge was more aptly named than the organisers realised! Many of those who participated commented on how much they had enjoyed the whole experience, of taking part in ... Read on
To Russia With Love
12/06/2009
After a few false starts the parishioners of St John the Divine at Stillington had almost given up hope of finding a home for their elderly piano. By chance the Reader at St John's, Pam Russell, had a friend connected with the Chernobyl Children’s Project (UK).
A ... Read on
Parachuting for Pat
12/06/2009
Pat Hardy was described as 'an inspirational woman who touched the lives of many people, not least in her roles as Head Teacher and Ordained Local Minister in the church'. And in, what Revd John Barron, Curate of St Mary’s Church, Whickham, says was 'a moment of m ... Read on
16th Century Chalice Saved for Cathedral
12/06/2009
Quick action by Cathedral's Friends secures unique 16th century artefact
The Matthew Chalice and Paten
On Friday 8th May, the Curator of the Bowes Museum alerted the Librarian of Durham Cathedral to the fact that a pewter chalice that had belonged to a Bishop of Durha ... Read on
First for Hartlepool Deanery
12/06/2009
In a first for Hartlepool deanery, St Hild’s Church of England school hosted the annual confirmation service on Sunday 10th May. Nineteen candidates were confirmed by Bishop Tom and these included members of staff: English teacher, John Wild and the school’s ... Read on
Trauma Teddies
23/04/2009
Did you know that the fifth object of Mothers' Union is to help those whose family life has met with adversity?
MU members around the world take this very seriously and spend a great deal of time, effort and money to help those in need.
One of the particular pr ... Read on
St Andrew's Church reordered at last
23/04/2009
St Andrew's Church, Haughton le Skerne has also been undergoing some reordering. The new dias and furniture were dedicated at a special service in January, followed by a champagne reception.
With such an ancient and historic building, dating back to the 12th century, ... Read on
Sowing the Seeds
23/04/2009
Sheila Bamber reports on various aspects of the Sowing the Seeds project.
We have had a very positive response from across the diocese as we continue to explore what outreach and contact with young people may look like in your setting. Not only have we been involved in ... Read on
DFW Adoption is school's chosen charity for 2009
23/04/2009
The staff and puplis of St Mark's Elm Tree Primary School in Stockton, have chosen DFW Adoption as their special charity for 2009. And in March two members of staff from the diocese's adoption agency visited the school.
Dave Harrop is one of DFW Adoption's social wor ... Read on
Deanery First
23/04/2009
John Dean reports on a first for Darlington deanery when Eastbourne Church of England Academy hosted one of the annual confirmation services on 24th March.
Three of the candidates are members of staff at the Academy. Although they all live in different par ... Read on
Hart Project encourages community
22/04/2009
Since Hart village lost its Post Office, the streets have been much quieter in the mornings. People no longer walk on a daily basis to buy newspapers and find those chance meetings where they stop to exchange news and views.
Hart Curate, the Revd Janet Burbury (pict ... Read on
Coundon Church's Learning Porch
22/04/2009
To mark the completion of the work, St James' held a Preview Evening in March to thank all those who have been involved with the project.
The Church now boasts kitchen facilities and disabled toilet. The jewel in the crown is the new exhibition area entitled ‘T ... Read on
Christian Aid's David Pain interviewed
22/04/2009
David Pain, Christian Aid's head of Africa, was back in the North East on Saturday (28 February) to take part in the Newcastle office's Stories of Hope event at St. Mary's Church, Heworth, Gateshead.
John Clay reports
David talked to local people about the chari ... Read on
Cathedral reaches out through music
22/04/2009
A recent Concert given by 250 children from 8 Durham schools was a celebration of the partnership between County Durham Schools, the Durham Cathedral Choristers and the Cathedral Music Outreach Programme.
Since January the children have been working hard under the d ... Read on
25 Years of Mission to Seafarers
22/04/2009
Seaham Seafarers Centre recently celebrated twenty five years of Ecumenical Service to the seafarers who visit the Port of Seaham Harbour.
A service of thanksgiving was held at the Mission on Sunday the 15th February. The Preacher was the Rt Revd Mark Bryant the Bis ... Read on
Skipping Angel
09/03/2009
'Skipping Angel' created by Jacqui Tyson at the recent Living Theology Today residential weekend at Ushaw College.
Twenty students came together with course leader Canon Jim Francis and chaplain Mary Barr to explore the relationship of creativity and spirituality with ... Read on
New 'Rain Tax' is Drain on Church Finances
09/02/2009
Changes to the charging schemes for surface and highways water drainage have already begun to affect churches and there is growing concern over this. It was debated during Parliamentary Questions on 9 February and there was also a private members bill put to General Syn ... Read on
Archbishop maps social change for Britain
18/01/2009
The Archbishop of York has called for Britain to use the credit crunch as a time to reassess its priorities as a country and to rediscover its vision as a nation.
Dr. John Sentamu said: “With the global financial crisis, we have seen a sudden and traumatic i ... Read on
Bishop expresses shock at Nissan job cuts
15/01/2009
Following the announcement that 400 temporary workers at the Nissan
plant in Sunderland are to be made redundant, the Bishop of Durham, Dr Tom
Wright expressed his concern and support for those who have lost their jobs,
as well as those who may face redundanc ... Read on
HMS Bulwark leaves its mark
12/12/2008
HMS Bulwark is one of two Amphibious Assault Landing Platform Dock ships in the Royal Navy and has strong associations with the County and Diocese of Durham.
During the ship's short visit to the region in early December, Bishop Tom was invited to lead a specia ... Read on
Lesotho has new Bishop
03/12/2008
Even as the sun rose on Sunday 19th October they started to arrive - a thin trickle of enthusiasts, which rapidly swelled to a large multitude of about 3,000 people hoping to gain some of the better seats at what promised to be one of the most significant even ... Read on
Journey Unveiled
23/10/2008
Fenwick Lawson's bronze sculpture of the monks bearing St Cuthbert's coffin now sited in Millennium Square, Durham, was unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal on Friday 26th September.
During the cermony, The Dean spoke St Cuthbert and his importance to Durham. ... Read on
Sowing the Seeds Project launched
23/10/2008
The Board of Education's new 'Sowing the Seeds Project' was launched with three separate events, one in each Archdeaconry. During each event, the newly appointed Development worker for each Archdeaconry was commissioned, the new Board of Education website was ... Read on