Some of the older village residents and church members may remember the Rev William Dick, who was vicar of Longframlington from 1929 to 1963. His niece, now in her late 80s, with her son and family were in the village in late March and happened to visit the church when I was around the building. We were able to dig out a number of items of family interest, including the chalice and paten inscribed in memory of Mr Dick, and took a photograph of the family before they left the building. While in the village they had explored and found the Old Vicarage, behind the playing field, where the niece remembered staying many years ago. She also remembered the Dr Armstrong of a previous generation as the local doctor during her visits The niece was a little embarrassed that her son was no longer part of the Church of England, but instead was active in a Baptist church in Birmingham. However, we were united in agreeing that it was great that we were all one in Christ Jesus.Roger Horne, Churchwarden
Below is a prayer for the people of Afghanistan in the midst of rapid change and much fear of what may follow - it can also be downloaded from this page.Christian Aid prayer for Afghanistan, August 2021O God of mercy and of peaceWe hold before you the peoples of Afghanistan; be living bread to those who are hungry each dayBe healing and wholeness to those who have no access to health care amidst the ravages of the pandemicBe a true home to all who have been displaced.Be open arms of loving acceptance to those who fear because of their gender, ethnicity, religious or political viewsBe peace to those engaged in armed conflict, and those who live within its shadow.Turn our hearts and minds to your ways of just and gentle peace; open our eyes to see you in all acts of compassionate care.Strengthen our hearts to step out in solidarity with your suffering people, and hold us all in your unfailing love.We pray in the name of Jesus Christ who emptied himself of all but love, in order to bring life in all its fullness. Amen
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dr The Lord Sentamu of Lindisfarne in the County of Northumberland and of Masooli in the Republic of Uganda was commissioned as Honorary Assistant Bishop by Bishop Christine at St Mary’s, Holy Island, on 14 June.Bishop Christine said: “We are very blessed with the ministry of a number of Assistant Honorary Bishops in our Diocese, and it was my pleasure to add to their number by commissioning Archbishop Sentamu to this role.“Following his retirement as Archbishop of York, he and his wife Margaret moved to Berwick, and I am delighted that he has offered to serve in our diocese as an Honorary Assistant Bishop alongside his national commitments.“Please pray for Archbishop Sentamu, and for all of our Honorary Assistant Bishops as they minister locally in parishes and on my behalf in the wider Diocese. They bring an enormous amount of experience and wisdom, and I am very grateful for their partnership in the Gospel.”We are indebted to the Diocese of Newcastle for this report, which reproduces the report on the diocesan website
