People of all ages have joined together for Christingle services across the diocese at Christmas and into the new year.
Last week, a Christingle took place at Newcastle Cathedral organised by the Children’s Society, which supports children and young people facing severe challenges, including abuse, neglect and exploitation. The interactive service was attended by school children from across the Diocese and led by the Dean of Newcastle, the Very Revd Lee Batson.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
On 2 February, Bishop Helen-Ann was delighted to be invited to join Warkworth Church of England Primary School's Candlemas celebrations, helping them to light their Christingles and also taking part in a Q&A session while she was there (see main photo above).
In December, there was a good turnout at churches in the Benefice of Christ the King, where a congregation of 100 worshippers at St Matthew’s Church in Dinnington Village marked a welcome return to pre-Covid attendance levels. Meanwhile, 74 worshippers at St Cuthbert’s, Brunswick, matched the church’s pre-Covid attendance level.
Among those at Brunswick were five generations of the Skeel family. Pictured with the Revd Mark Edwards MBE is Lily and Imogen, their father Jordan Skeels, his mother Jade Skeels, her mother Maggie Sciberras, and her mother, Elsie Phillips aged 99.