Following the success of last year's first event, Newcastle Diocese Generosity Week returned on Sunday 25 September 2022. This time, Generosity Week 2022 has a distinctly local flavour. Over the eight-day period, we're heading on a virtual tour of the Diocese, uncovering stories of different kinds of generosity. Watch the videos below, which will be updated each day:
Day 1 "Generous Hospitality"
We give thanks and pray for all those showing generous hospitality including members of Tweedmouth Parish Church who've opened their homes to Ukrainian families, making them feel at home, dignified and valued.
Day 2 "Generous Care"
We give thanks and pray for all those giving generous care. After nearly 30 years in teaching, during a service at St. Mary's Church in Belford, Barbara Hubbard began to realise that God was calling her to become a foster carer. Since then, she and her family have cared for twelve children in seven years.
Day 3 "Generous Judgements"
We give thanks and pray for all those who are generous with their judgements . The Oswin Project came together in 2012 to provide training, mentoring and access to employment to ex-offenders, predominantly in the North East of England. They run Cafe 16 at Newcastle Cathedral.
Day 4 "Generous with Talents"
We give thanks and pray for all those who generously share their talents and for the children in our schools involved in Generosity Week. Earlier this year, a Y5 pupil from Bishops Primary School in Ashington had an idea about how she and her friends could share their reading skills to benefit some of the younger children.
Day 5 "Generosity with Possessions"
We give thanks and pray for all those who give their possessions to others in need. The Baby Bank project started over a year ago at St. John's Church, Percy Main, when vicar, Lee Cleminson, realised how many people in the community were in need of basic baby essentials.
Day 6 "Generosity of Wealth"
We give thanks and pray for all those who give generously financially to support our churches When a member of the community in Tweedmouth left a generous legacy to his local church, members were able to install brand new audio-visual equipment which has had a transforming effect on all who worship and visit there.
Day 7 "Generous Welcome"
We give thanks and pray for all those who offer a generous welcome to others. As Covid restrictions finally lifted earlier this year, St. James' Church, like many others, were keen to re-open as much as possible. They particularly wanted to open the doors to people in the community new to church.
Day 8 "Generosity of Time"
We give thanks and pray for all volunteers who generously give up their time. Since 2019, volunteers from St. Cuthbert's Church in Blyth have given up their time every week, to host a drop-in centre for asylum seekers in the local area.
Day 1 Reflections: "Penny for the Car"
Our Giving Ministry Advisor, Dennis Fancett, looks at how giving helps us 'own' the vision.
Day 2 Reflections: "Owt for Nowt"
Our Giving Ministry Advisor, Dennis Fancett, encourages us to give without expecting anything in return.
Day 3 Reflections: "Chip off the Old Block"
Our Giving Ministry Advisor, Dennis Fancett, reminds us that we are created in the image of an overwhelmingly generous God.
Day 4 Reflections: "What Makes a Friend?"
Today, our Giving Ministry Advisor talks about how giving to God helps us deepen our relationship with him as we choose to trust him.
Day 5 Reflections: "The Fair-Weather Christian"
Today, our Giving Ministry Advisor, Dennis Fancett, acknowledges that it's easy to give when things are going well but what about when times are tough?
Day 6 Reflections: "The 50p Giver"
Today, our Giving Ministry Advisor, Dennis Fancett, encourages us to give what we can, no matter how much or how little.
Day 7 Reflections: "A Word in Season"
Today, our Giving Ministry Advisor, Dennis Fancett, reminds us that generosity is about more than money, encouraging us to be generous with our words too
Day 8 Reflections: "The Short Walk to Talk"
Today, our Giving Ministry Advisor, Dennis Fancett, encourages us to be Jesus's ears, to make ourselves available to listen and talk to those in need.