On the first Sunday of Christian Aid Week, 10th May 2026 in the Institute after Parish Eucharist, we will offer a Christian Aid snack (not lunch!) of soup and a bun to prompt us to remember people who are living in extreme poverty throughout the world, and to open our wallets! There will also be a plants table for people to bring, buy and swap, for a donation of course.

All are very welcome.

***Please click on 'MORE INFO' below to watch the Churches Film, a short video visualising the message of Christian Aid Week, from Christian Aid's YouTube channel.***

***Further information can also be found by visiting Christian Aid's website: https://caw.christianaid.org.uk***

A Prayer for Christian Aid Week 2026:

Gracious God,
when we stand on the plains of uncertainty,
with no path before us,
we look to you.
We remember what you have done before
and our anxious hearts are comforted.
Showing mercy, you delivered us then;
in your love and faithfulness, you will do it again.
Give us the strength to step forward in hope.
Give us faith that changes us,
hope that feeds us,
love that moves us.
In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Bob Kikuyu - Christian Aid’s Global Theology Advisor, Nairobi

Join the County Durham Faiths Network for an evening of interfaith encounter on ‘“Love your neighbour”: what does this mean to you, and how do you put it into practice?’

Speakers from various traditions: Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh.

Please confirm attendance: [email protected]

All are very welcome.

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We celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord together with our friends from the various churches in the Durham Deanery, at a service of the Eucharist which takes place at Finchale Priory, Durham.

Preacher:
Ms Joanne Nicholson - Lay Minister and Chaplain at County Durham and Durham Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

All are very welcome to join us for this special service.

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

(Luke 24:50-53, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

The Collect of the Day:

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we in heart and mind may also ascend and with him continually dwell; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

God our Father, you have raised our humanity in Christ and have fed us with the bread of heaven: mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual blessings, we may set our hearts in the heavenly places; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

All are very welcome to join us and our friends from across the Deanery for this year's Deanery Confirmation Service which will take place at St Nics, Durham.

Preacher:
The Right Reverend Frank White - Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Durham

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’

(John 3:1-8, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

The Collect for Baptism and Confirmation:

Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give your faithful people new life in the water of baptism. Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit, that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love, and grow into the full stature of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion for Baptism and Confirmation:

Eternal God, our beginning and our end, preserve in your people the new life of baptism; as Christ receives us on earth, so may he guide us through the trials of this world and enfold us in the joy of heaven, where you live and reign, one God for ever and ever.

Amen.