Geordies have a formidable reputation. On the football-field, in the ship-building yards, in the early history of Christianity in these islands, the North-East can claim a place in the front rank – even if Manchester and Chelsea supporters and Korean ship-builders might have something to say about that. Monkwearmouth parish church very properly finds itself at the heart of things. Its history is replete with names and movements of some distinction. Benedict Biscop, Bede, a double (i.e. male and female) monastery, Handley Moule, J.B. Lightfoot and, yes, Pentecostalism are amongst them. Few southern parishes have a better pedigree.
Alexander Boddy was Vicar of All Saints, one of the three parishes now in the team at Monkwearmouth. He was deeply influenced by the Azusa Street revival at the beginning of the 20th century and received the gift of tongues. With his wife similarly gifted, he found his parish becoming the centre for British Pentecostalism. We might almost see him as being in line with Caedmon, who as an inarticulate herdsman in a local monastery in the seventh century, received from God a gift of poetic creativity and sang of the Creation. His song began: ‘Nu we sculan herian heofonrices Weard, Metodes mihte’. Truth to tell, Caedmon’s gift found expression in his native tongue (not altogether familiar to today’s English-speaking citizen) rather than an equally strange language of Zion but the point remains. And, who knows, perhaps some further achievement has yet to come out of the North-East to the benefit of the Christian Church.
Monkwearmouth has one of the best websites in the country. It has superb photographs, clear guidelines for a visitor looking for information on the three churches and a business-like air of going about things that makes it something of a pace-setter. Team Rector Dick Bradshaw comments: ‘Trying to diminish God … was never the way to experience the “life in all its fulness” which Jesus’ resurrection brings.’
GOOD-BYE, DAVID
After 12 years as Rector of Chester-le-Street David Tully retires this month. A Geordie through and through, he has ministered in the North-East in various parishes and now faces six months on the bench in line with the Bishop of Durham’s ruling that retired clergy must abstain from ministry for six months when they retire.
SJL AT GOSFORTH
Care boxes are being contributed by members of Holy Trinity Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in line with a SJL (Social Justice Lass) project in the area. The boxes contain toiletries, household cleaning or toys and comes at £10-£15 a time. SJL has a good many other irons in the fire in its scheme to help those in need.
HARTLEPOOL TOUR
An aerial tour of the parish church (which occupies a widespread area) is a starring feature of the H. parish church website.
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