Dear All, 2024 was another busy year in the life of St Paul’s. We began the year by welcoming the Rev’d Alan Milne to assist in the ministry in our church. Alan is the retired Vicar of Murton. In February we entered the season of Lent and welcomed the Rev’d David Goodacre back to the parish to preach for us. David was the Vicar of St Paul’s in the 1970s. In March we took a parish outing to the Faith Museum at Auckland Castle which was enjoyed by all. Our friend Rev’d David Kennedy also returned to St Paul’s to preach throughout Holy Week. As ever, we were inspired by his wisdom and humour. We also made the decision to restore the wine during Holy Communion at Easter. It’s great to have servers back in the sanctuary to assist with the service. April saw the commencement of a new partnership and ministry: the introduction of a monthly Holy Communion service at Bede House Care Home. Our link with the Care Home has been fruitful since it opened. In June our Church Shop celebrated its 10th birthday. We marked the occasion with a special service of Evensong during which volunteers were thanked for their dedication and hard work. In many ways, the shop is the jewel in our crown and it serves the parish during the hours when the church is closed. The beginning of July was special for St Paul’s and the people of Ryhope generally in that we all boarded buses and made the journey to Beamish for the opening of the restored Grand Cinema. We were delighted to watch a film about Ryhope featuring St Paul’s and it was great that Ryhope Choir (who meet in our church) were fully involved in the celebrations. Things continued to be busy after the Summer. We appointed new Artists in Residence who began work on our 2025 Calendar and we convened for a Bible study on the Book of Daniel, led by the Rev’d Dr David Bryan, another new friend of the parish. Elaine Shanks was also accepted for training as an Authorized Lay Minister of the Word. One of our most notable events was the dedication of a World War 2 Memorial Plaque in November. This had been lost from Ryhope Grammar School before being returned to the parish in recent years. We were delighted to be able to use a copy of the original dedication service from 1949, ably assisted by Ryhope Choir. A great night was had by all. We concluded our year with a Christmas concert from our friends at the NASUWT Brass Band and a pantomime from our friends at Theatre Space North East. I really feel that our church is loved and valued within our community. We have great support at key times in the year, at our Summer and Christmas Fayres, on Mothering Sunday and Remembrance Sunday and throughout the Christmas season. It’s at these times that we especially feel the benefit of our links with our local schools. We’re also blessed with the presence of a good number of young people in the congregation, filling us with hope for the future. We were able to present a bumper number of candidates for Confirmation in the Summer, all of whom make a vital contribution to the life of our church. As ever, the work of the Church depends on the generosity of our parishioners, in money and in time. Special thanks must be made to our Churchwarden, Treasurer, Secretary, Magazine Editor, PCC members, organists, vergers, cleaners, readers, flower ladies and all else who give so freely of themselves to make things happen. It is a great privilege for me to serve you as your vicar. Sadly, the passing of another year also entails the passing of parishioners and friends. In 2024 we said a fond farewell to Ella Graham, a dedicated member of our congregation for many years. In recent weeks we have also lost Peter Hedley and Miriam Gregson. May they rest in peace and rise in glory. Your friend and vicar, David.
Dear All, Why do we call Good Friday good? It certainly wasn’t good for Jesus. In fact, he sweated blood the day before it, in anticipation of it. But that was nothing in comparison with the horrors of the day itself. This is how it unfolded: After midnight, on Friday morning he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was betrayed by his friend Judas. The rest of the disciples ran away. Between 4am and 6am he was bound and taken to Annas and Caiaphas the High Priests. Peter followed close behind but denied that he ever knew Jesus when questioned. Between 6am and 8am he was tried by Pontius Pilate. He was mocked and scourged, and a crown of thorns was placed on his head. Barabbas the robber was released instead of him. At 9am he was crucified. The nails driven into his hands and feet made any movement excruciating. The charge over him read ‘The King of the Jews.’ Between 9am and 12 noon the soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothing while the passers by and religious leaders mocked him. He was also mocked by the criminals being crucified alongside him. At 3pm Jesus gave a last cry and died. A lance pierced his side to prove he was dead. The crowds left the scene beating their breasts at the misery of it all. The day was a victory for all who hated Jesus. If the story had ended there that day can only have been called Bad Friday. However, there was a sequel that no one expected which changed everything. That sequel was Easter. Because of Easter the bad things that happened on that day took on a new light. They could be seen as the lengths that God would go to for love. That was how that Friday became Good. Easter shows us the limits of betrayal, mocking, violence and death. They cannot exceed the extent of the love of God. They did their worst on Good Friday and could not prevail. The Resurrection of Jesus defeated them all. That means that there is nothing to fear on the days when Good Friday comes to us. The presence of Jesus will be with us. The light of the Resurrection will cast away our darkness. Lord, bring us through the darkness to the light of your Resurrection. Your friend and vicar, David.
Of Kindness and Compassion Jesus demonstrated compassion wherever he went. He taught that must care for the least among us (Matthew 25:40) The New testament church continued this by doing away with racism, ageism and classism, and sexism. There is neither Jew nor Greek or slave or free or male or female. For we are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3 : 28) To follow Christ means showing compassion to everyone whether you like them or not. You are called to practice compassion wherever you go. Jean Henri Dunant couldn't bear the sound of soldiers crying out in pain on the battlefield after being wounded. So, he dedicated his life to helping them in Jesus name. As a result, he set up the red cross in the 1860s. A Lutheran pastor in Germany called Theodore Fliedner taught a group of peasant women to nurse the sick. This led to the development of hospitals all over Europe and inspired Florence Nightingale to dedicate her life to tend the sick. Jesus said of every act of kindness shown towards someone, including those that don't deserve it "You did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Today we live in a multi-cultural society. Even in religion there are so many different faiths and religious leaders. It was the same in Jesus’ time. Jews, Romans and Greeks; Sadducees, Pharisees and Herodians. However, this does not mean we lose our identity or faith. If we persevere, believe and follow God's only begotten son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection and by his grace, we are brought to salvation. Our Lord Jesus taught us to pray and we have much to pray for in our world today. For the poor and needy, those that are homeless and living on the streets in this really cold weather. For children and families living in poverty, for the sick and lonely and for the salvation of others. Father Help us to be better witnesses and Christians. Bless the work and service of the Mission as they lead many to our Lord Jesus Christ, bringing salvation to India. Bless the teachers of the bible schools and literacy classes as they teach children and adults the gospel, also the planters as they spread the gospel, opening new churches to the saving of souls in India. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen By June Davis
On 15th December Ryhope choir, based at St Paul’s church, were invited to perform in the chapel at the pit village in Beamish Open Air Museum. We sang a selection of carols in the chapel in three sets throughout the afternoon to an audience of passers- by, enthusiastic participants and Peter’s grandchildren - the latter joined in the songs and were invited up to sing alongside us such was their enthusiasm. The chapel filled up each time we sang with people walking past the usually almost empty chapel being attracted in by our voices like Sirens which was very encouraging. It was an emotional experience and felt quite special singing in such a venue at a magical and special time of year. We enjoyed exploring the museum in the breaks between sets, especially the elf village in the woods with elf homes and buildings scattered along the path surrounded by fairy lights and Christmas music. They had even recreated the Grand cinema which previously stood in Ryhope, but which was recently rebuilt in Beamish. Santa was there in a horse drawn carriage too delighting both small children and middle-aged women! The Christmas trees around the museum and stalls selling decorations and sweets and treats for Christmas stockings really added to our festive spirit. We all had an amazing time and we sincerely hope we are invited back to sing at Beamish in the years to come. Many thanks to Tony Bowler for leading the choir and organising such a wonderful experience for us all. By Elaine Shanks