The Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Norma Redfearn CBE recently visited St Mark’s to welcome the church’s new Priest in Charge, Revd Dr Rae Caro, to her role.
Rae, who joined St Mark’s in June, says she has been welcomed to St Mark’s with ‘open arms’: “It has been a wonderful three months meeting people in Shiremoor. I really look forward to serving the community here. I’ve had such a warm welcome from everybody, including the Mayor Norma Redfearn and the local councillors.”
Like many churches, the pandemic has been difficult for St Mark’s. Rae said: “St Mark’s is such a special church and the way they have kept each other going through the pandemic has been amazing. Things are starting to look more normal in church and we have some great events coming up. Our Late Create group returned at the end of September, which is very popular.”
Alongside her role at St Mark’s, Rae is serving as Mission Enabler for New Estates in Tynemouth Deanery. She added: “Churches provide so much for their communities. As well as Sunday worship churches offer all sorts of activities such as toddler groups, coffee mornings, and lunch clubs for older people. With all the new housing in Tynemouth Deanery, the deanery is discerning how we can best serve these new communities and meet the changing needs of the area.”
Rae, who is keen to collaborate with individuals, groups and churches in the deanery, as well as those living in new estates across North Tyneside, said: “It has been such a difficult time for so many people in our area. I pray that by working together we can build a sense of energy and hope, both in Shiremoor and our new estates.”
You can contact Rae at rscaro87@gmail.com or 07884192923.
Services at St Mark’s Church, Shiremoor, are at 9.30am on a Sunday morning and all are most welcome.