Churches Together in Gainford Report for 2014
Our year started by marking the Week of Christian Unity by a Service in the Village Hall with the theme of Social Justice. We had a collection of tinned food for the local Food Bank, which is well supported by St Osmund’s and St Mary’s. We had an interesting talk about the Darlington Credit Union and passed on details of a saving scheme to the school. We made some alterations to the Constitution at the AGM.
We held four Lent lunches, one in the Vicarage, the second at the Caton’s, another at the Taylor’s and the other at St Osmund’s Centre. They all went well and made more money for Water Aid than in previous years. Thank you to all who came and all who helped. It’s good to get together.
There was a small congregation for the Stations of the Cross, but all appreciated the work that Father Grieves had done to change some of the texts and keep it fresh. Everyone thought it was a thought provoking service. There were good comments about the Good Friday Service on the Green although numbers were slightly down.
We held a joint service in the marquee on the green at the Big Weekend for the third year. This had a slightly more serious tone as we were remembering the men who fought in the First World War and those at home. Music was provided by our brilliant folk music group Gegenforde. The central act was tying prayers on a small tree that was planted near the war memorial in the Churchyard. Unfortunately the Ordinariate could not join us, but there was still a good sized congregation.
In September the Methodist’s and Catholics joined the Anglican’s for a St Mary’s Day Service. At our September meeting we decided to send a gift voucher to the Revd Selby White, who has been on our committee for many years, to mark his retirement. We sent a letter thanking him for all his work to further our Covenant. The Minister who will now represent the Methodists is Revd Andrew Stobart, but as they have fewer ministers in Darlington Circuit he is likely to be very busy.
We held the Remembrance Service in November. The singing by the War Memorial was strengthened by the Ordinariate Choir and trumpeter and Father Grieves said a prayer at the outside service. We asked Dave Pullen to lay a wreath as he has been researching the stories of those who are remembered on our war memorial. It was good to have the new Beavers parading for the first time and a lesson read by a girl scout. The church was full.
We asked the Parish Magazine to print and distribute our CITG Christmas card again which they do free for us as a Christmas gesture. Thanks to all their team.
The CITG Carol Service was a great success. The Church was packed with young families and we had to get out extra chairs for the first time. Children took part bringing the nativity figures to the crib and singing confidently. We all enjoyed a solo with piano and flute accompaniment. Not too many stayed for refreshments as it was quite late. The large collection was divided between the three churches children’s charities as usual.
Our year started by marking the Week of Christian Unity by a Service in the Village Hall with the theme of Social Justice. We had a collection of tinned food for the local Food Bank, which is well supported by St Osmund’s and St Mary’s. We had an interesting talk about the Darlington Credit Union and passed on details of a saving scheme to the school. We made some alterations to the Constitution at the AGM.
We held four Lent lunches, one in the Vicarage, the second at the Caton’s, another at the Taylor’s and the other at St Osmund’s Centre. They all went well and made more money for Water Aid than in previous years. Thank you to all who came and all who helped. It’s good to get together.
There was a small congregation for the Stations of the Cross, but all appreciated the work that Father Grieves had done to change some of the texts and keep it fresh. Everyone thought it was a thought provoking service. There were good comments about the Good Friday Service on the Green although numbers were slightly down.
We held a joint service in the marquee on the green at the Big Weekend for the third year. This had a slightly more serious tone as we were remembering the men who fought in the First World War and those at home. Music was provided by our brilliant folk music group Gegenforde. The central act was tying prayers on a small tree that was planted near the war memorial in the Churchyard. Unfortunately the Ordinariate could not join us, but there was still a good sized congregation.
In September the Methodist’s and Catholics joined the Anglican’s for a St Mary’s Day Service. At our September meeting we decided to send a gift voucher to the Revd Selby White, who has been on our committee for many years, to mark his retirement. We sent a letter thanking him for all his work to further our Covenant. The Minister who will now represent the Methodists is Revd Andrew Stobart, but as they have fewer ministers in Darlington Circuit he is likely to be very busy.
We held the Remembrance Service in November. The singing by the War Memorial was strengthened by the Ordinariate Choir and trumpeter and Father Grieves said a prayer at the outside service. We asked Dave Pullen to lay a wreath as he has been researching the stories of those who are remembered on our war memorial. It was good to have the new Beavers parading for the first time and a lesson read by a girl scout. The church was full.
We asked the Parish Magazine to print and distribute our CITG Christmas card again which they do free for us as a Christmas gesture. Thanks to all their team.
The CITG Carol Service was a great success. The Church was packed with young families and we had to get out extra chairs for the first time. Children took part bringing the nativity figures to the crib and singing confidently. We all enjoyed a solo with piano and flute accompaniment. Not too many stayed for refreshments as it was quite late. The large collection was divided between the three churches children’s charities as usual.