Summertime!
It’s hard to believe that summer is here already, with folk off on holiday. This has been a challenging year for many, with churches, schools and organizations needing to navigate ever changing restrictions around Covid. In this edition of the magazine, we hear from a few of our church groups about their past year. As you read their articles, do remember these groups in your prayers as they begin to make preparations for their meetings in September. They are a sign of just some of the ways our church reaches out to our local communities. August always signals the return of our summer holiday clubs, an opportunity to help families in a fun and practical way. This year, we will also be going away for three days on camp with some of our young people aged 10-13 years old. I invite you to hold the holiday club and the youth camp in your prayers each day. At St Mark and St Cuthbert’s we shall be meeting on 1st-3rd August, 8th-10th August and 15-17th August. We shall also be running a holiday club at St Jude’s on 29th -31st August. Our youth camp, BLAZE, will be running 22nd – 24th August at West Hall Scout camp. If you are curious about what goes on, or would like to come and volunteer for any of the days, please do speak to Kate or Cameron!
One of the highlights of my time so far in South Shields has been my involvement with the Toddler Groups. It is a joy to come along and help out, often sharing a story with the little ones and their adults. There is much to be learnt from being with toddlers – the way they are often fully present when engaging with a task or exploring an item. Rolling out the play dough can become an all-engrossing task, one that is delighted in and enjoyed to the fullest. Much of my time has been spent sitting alongside little ones as they have created all manner of things at the play dough table. It is a privilege to share their joy in creating for no other reason than it is fun! What do you do that brings you joy, what enlivens you and delights you?
As you may know, this work with Toddlers and their families is a fundamental part of our Resourcing Church Project. In June, we launched a new Toddler Group based at St Jude’s Church Hall. Our work in the parish of Rekendyke is just beginning but offers so many possibilities. In the autumn, we shall be launching a monthly Sunday afternoon event based at St Jude’s Church Hall called ‘FEAST’. This informal event will seek to draw people together over food and activities to discover a little more about the gospel. Such building of fellowship and community was a hallmark of the early church as described with the Acts of the Apostles. They often shared food and fellowship as they explored what it meant to follow Jesus. There will be other aspects of this project unfolding at St Jude’s over the next few
Alongside this work at St Jude’s, we will be offering opportunities for people to grow as disciples of Jesus through learning a little more about the bible together and praying with one another. Coming together to explore our faith and wrestle with some tricky issues can help us to deepen our relationship with the Lord. There will also be opportunities to explore your own gifts and how these could be used to serve the Lord. Like toddlers, adults can sometimes be a little shy in coming forward and trying something new; we can be worried about failing, about the opinion of others. Yet, God has gifted each and every one of us with gifts to be used to share the good news with others and build up the people of God.
I conclude with these words from the First Letter of St Peter, an invitation from God to appreciate we are gifted and called to share our gifts for the glory of God.
As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s bountiful grace.
St Mark and St Cuthbert’s Rainbow
So, after an absence of 19 months, a risk assessment and the purchase of individual stationery sets and lots of hand sanitiser, we restarted Rainbows on 6th October 2021. Indigo (Rachel) and Violet (Janet) had only taken over the unit in November November 2019 and had just been getting into their stride before the enforced break but, but, we changed our meeting night ti Wednesday, were joined by Sue (Blue Sueand we were good to go.
Most of our Rainbows had turned 7 during the break so we invited them back for the first term to adjust to the routine of meetings and staggered our intake of new girls until we were comfortable with the adjustments we had to make. Parents used our ‘one door in and another door out’ policy and this reduced the risk of infection. The Rainbows quickly became expert hand sanitisers and now do it automatically without having to be reminded.
We started off by going back to basics and our crafts, games and songs followed the theme of the colours of the rainbow and at the end of term we jumped three Rainbows to Brownies. In March, another four moved up and we’ve just said goodbye to another five so we currently have eight Rainbows. We’re expecting three new girls to start in September and as Girlguiding UK has lowered the starting age for Rainbows, Two of these will be four years old.
Rainbows need to complete three clauses to gain an interest badge so we have worked for the Animal Lover badge, which involved looking after a furry friend for a week and the Healthy Mind badge, where we completed a digital detox. There are five challenges for a skills builder so we learned all about ourselves and what we need to keep ourselves healthy for the Feel Good option and further explored which things we felt were important to us for the Reflect section. Once a badge and skills builder were completed, the Rainbows were given Theme awards for Be Well and Know Myself and four Rainbows were awarded the Rainbow Bronze award for gaining two theme awards.
Our various activities throughout the last ten months included making a vivarium, sending cards and teddies to children in the Ukraineand decorating a tiara to celebrate the the Queen’s accession to the throne. We’ve explored Guiding around the world for Thinking Day, made our promise at the Christingle service and held a party to celelbrate Jen’s (Pink Pixie) sixteenth birthday. We have sung songs old (to the leaders) and new (to the Rainbows) and generally had a great time with a group of lovely friendly girls. We’re now on our summer break but roll on 5.30pm on Wednesday 14th September.
Rachel Robinson Rainbow Leader
St Mark and St Cuthbert’s Brownies
We started Brownies again on 9th November 2021 with a mixture of previous Brownies (how they’d grown!) and new members. We wanted the girls who had turned 10 during the break to settle back into the Guiding routine and then took them on a visit to Guides and 4 of them then jumped over the toadstool and joined St Peter’s Guides. Before they left us we joined the Rainbows at the Christingle Service and enjoyed our first visit to the Customs house pantomime.
During the enforced break we were unable to collect our weekly subs or fundraise but we were still expected to pay our annual subscription to Girlguiding UK. A fundraising event by Wise Owl’s colleagues helped the Brownies make their 2021 payment and the quiz night that was held by Church to raise money for the Rainbows and Brownies contributed to the 2022 payment
The Brownies entered the competition to design the Jubilee platinum pudding and although none of them won we then had fun making (and eating) our own version of the winning entry (amazing what you can do with lemon swiss roll) This then led on to the girls gaining their baking badge including making pizza and decorating biscuits.
Over the years we have gathered a large collection of cuddly owls and knitted dolls (the box was overflowing) so it didn’t take much persuasion for the girls to agree to donate them to the Ukrainian Refugee Appeal and google translate helped us write a tag to attach to them. They were surprisingly very aware of the situation in Ukraine and concerned for all children not just Brownies and Guides.
We completed the local history badge by learning about some local landmarks including the White Horse painted on the hills and Marsden Grotto and the folk tales associated with them. We also found out about famous locals and their accomplishments including Catherine Cookson, James Kirkpatrick and William Wouldhave.
We have a very long association with our friend Kay, a member of the TA. She worked with Wise Owl many years ago and we have been to the TA at Seaburn for outdoor events and are invited to their Christmas parties. Kay came to our meeting to teach us basic first aid for the First Aid skills builder. The Brownies were sent home with their own triangular bandage to keep practising and when the older Rainbows visited us they were swathed in bandages by the Brownies.
We held a lovely celebration for Eve’s (Golden Owl) 18th birthday- it just seems like yesterday she joined us as a 7 year old Brownie herself ! We welcomed 4 Rainbows to join us in March bringing our numbers up to 8 and they all get on together really well. We return on Tuesday September 13th from 5.30pm-7.00pm and are expecting another 5 Rainbows to join us
Liza Dorothy Brown Owl15th St Peter’s Scout Group
We have 3 sections, the Beavers aged 6-8 years, Cubs aged 8-10.5 years and Scouts aged 10-14 years.
The last 2 years have been both interesting and challenging and we have had to find different ways to reach our youngsters. When Covid closed the sections in March 2020, we linked the youngsters to County events online, ran zoom sessions including science with families, scavenger hunts and Guess Who. We kept in touch on our facebook page and by e mail. That September saw the leaders produce a bag of goodies including things like Diwali activities, knotting, crafts, a local knowledge quiz, amounting to an activity per week for the Autumn term, and we delivered them to all 56 members of the group. We encouraged our youngsters to take part in virtual camps-‘Camp at Home’ where they could link into a weekend of events ran by our County team and across the world and find somewhere to sleep that wasn’t their bed. Foolishly suggesting the bath, we did have two who did just that! The Cub section organised a Teddy Bear hunt where teddies were placed in windows and our families could follow maps to find as many as they could.
The following term proved difficult to keep engaging the youngsters, and we were glad to take the decision to start back in May 2021, albeit with reduced numbers to meet covid regulations. The Cubs split, with half meeting alternate weeks, the Beavers reduced numbers and met outdoors at West Hall for the whole term and the Scouts had a variety of activities. Fortunately, we didn’t lose members.
Since September we have been able to resume normal running, and the Cubs are finally back to the whole section meeting on one night.
Our programme is varied. Scouts have been focussing on badge work particularly their Outdoor Challenge, map reading, navigation and compass skills, first aid and basic scout survival skills. They recently kayaked and went to the climbing wall at Simonside activity centre. One hike was a night hike, from Souter across Marsden Crags and the Golf Course and eventually back to the hall. Listening to our youngsters chatting, makes you realise how important it is to get outside, look at the night sky, see how dark it is away from street lights.
The Cub section has a very varied programme. As part of their jubilee celebrations each cub was given 70p and challenged to do something with it to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency fund for Ukraine. Cake making, crafts, car washing and a variety of other great ideas raised £898.77.
You may also have noticed that the Cubs have been cultivating some of the area around the hall, they have made planters as part of their DIY badge and cleared an area which they have developed into a small garden. The wall behind will eventually have some mosaics made by the Cubs added to it
The Beavers programme has included navigation skills, hikes, experiment badge, and learning about space. They love being outdoors and have recently been introduced to fire lighting, cooking bananas in foil with chocolate and toasting S’mores . They love learning new songs and are equally engrossed in craft activities. They made collages of the Queen with left over material, though we are still puzzling as o when the Queen was ever seen in velvet trousers wearing her crown!
For the first time in 2 years we had held a group camp at West Hall. We had 58 youngsters on site, nearly our whole group. All sections went to Sunderland Marine Activity Centre , activities had to be changed due to the high winds but all had fun. Beavers had no co-ordination when paddling their bellboats, one boat ending up under the jetty and another careering towards some of the larger boats in the marina. Cubs and Beavers got to jetty jump, which was enormous fun and even the most timid had a go.
Back on site the Beavers made twig rafts and balloon powered boats and tested them in a paddling pool, the Cubs worked on shelter building, fire lighting and had an incident hike to test their first aid skills. Scouts made their own shelters and on the Saturday night slept outside in their shelters. Amazingly they all did well . We finished with a jubilee tea party lunch, though the winds did try and steal the cakes! We asked the youngsters what they liked best, and water activities and camp food won.
We always welcome help and currently need a leader or two to help support the Scout section, as working patterns don’t always allow leaders to be their every week. Can you help even every other week, yes there is basic training in safety and safeguarding but it is not onerous and we would love to have you on board.
Cubs Garden Project
Last summer our Cubs started work on their Environmental Conservation badge.
One of the tasks we set them, was to transform a piece of garden at the top of the church hall next to the sheds. When they started this piece of land was overrun with ivy and brambles and had a lot of rubbish on it. After cleaning up the land, the Cubs set about planting lots of plants and hope to continue looking after and adding to it. They have also added 6 pieces of artwork they have made to hang on the wall and hope you all enjoy them.
Beavers, Cubs and Leaders joining in the Festival parade
More than a cup of coffee…..
We all know that when life is hard, one could easily feel stuck, not knowing where to turn to, and alone. Here at our Friends Together afternoon, we work together to change this, inviting all those that feel lonely (and those that do not) to a lovely afternoon of coffee, tea, and treats. Over the past few months, we have also enjoyed so many home baked goodies from those who attend.
There is a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and we’re seeing a real group of regulars building – people just like having somewhere to meet up again. Celebrating birthdays, Jubilee, showing off paintings, listening to poems, singing and music all forms part of Friends Together. We also have fun and loads of laughter while giving our best at quizzes from time to time.It is also more than just a cup of coffee. It’s a safe place for people to just let down and be yourself. Building friendships, meeting new people and finding support. Here are a few words from some of our regulars.
“You will be sure of a warm welcome when you come along to friends. Our Friends Together meetings are of particular value and opportunity for those who may find themselves alone or those who are bereaved. Our homely and friendly environment is ideal for Seniors, but all will be made welcome to our light-hearted “Friends Together” afternoon.” – Lillian
“It was with a certain trepidation when I was introduced to a meeting at St. Marks & St. Cuthbert’s Church. Was I too old & set in my ways to join a group of unknown individuals? The first meeting was a case of meeting members from unknown backgrounds. With a good selection of food & drink supplied by all, I have grown my circle of friends through these meetings and thoroughly look forward to the meetings and would recommend any one to consider attending” - John
“Friends are the best day of my week, and I am looking forward to each get together and will not miss it for anything. I have made new friends, we meet for coffee or go for a meal during the week, and it gives meaning to my life. – Roger”
Friends come together at St. Mark and St Cuthbert’s Church on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month, 1:30pm to 3:30pm and all are truly welcome.
Crafternoon was set up approximately 3 years ago by Reverend Kate for ladies and gentlemen to meet up and do crafts, knitting, crocheting etc., it started with just a small group who made items to sell at the Christmas Faye.
Within a few months Covid hit and so people were brought together to the Crafternoon via zoom which more people were able to join in as some were working from home and so the group grew. Karen along with myself first joined Crafternoon via zoom during lockdown and saw old and made many new friends who we were delighted to be able to meet when restrictions were lifted. Karen primarily did knitting but her plan is to learn to crochet at some point. She loves the chat and to see everyone projects be it knitting, crocheting, sewing or any number of other crafts going on. She finds it a most relaxing and enjoying afternoon and recommends it to all. Like Patti and Gill say its a brilliant group so welcoming. It’s lovely to chat and share ideas, see the work of others and be inspired by them and help each other as well (a big thank you too for Patti for pulling out rows and rows of my scarf for me where I had done a big boo boo!) . Sometimes we don’t get very much crafting done, but we do manage lots of chatting and quite often share cake!
During the year a few of us joined in a zoom Needle Felting Course which was quite fun, Claire Finley supplied all the items we needed and we made Easter Eggs, Pictures and Easter bunnies.
Thankfully it’s nice that we can now meet face to face and we enjoyed a Crafternoon curry evening last August and we had a “Time to Talk” afternoon which Amanda arranged and cake was supplied by the Co-op. Trevor reckons he gets nagged by the all the ladies (but he loves it!) and it is great to communicate with other people and is accompanied by Anthony, Leanore’s husband and enjoys as he says “trying” to do cross stitch but he does well and perseveres with the help of Christine.
Margaret and Cecilia sew, they make use of the all the long tables and pick the brains of sewers in the group when they get stuck so everyone helps each other. We celebrated a surprise birthday for Margaret too!
Anne recently lost her husband and was at a loss, so I encouraged her to join the group if only for a natter and a cuppa. She took the courage to come along and joined the group of “nice ladies” and found she actually had an interest to learn to knit and it helped her de-stress. Since then Anne has knitted a number of squares which have been sewn together to make blankets and sent off to Battersea Dogs Home.
Sarah joined the church after the first lockdown and Crafternoon has been a great way for her to get to know some of the congregation whilst doing crafts she loves. Sarah says everyone has been so welcoming and it’s a lovely group of a cuppa and chat while crafting.
I think Amanda has summed up Crafternoon.... “For me Crafternoon is like a big hug, it is a warm and welcoming group of people who enjoy crafting, but more importantly being together. I have gained friendship, support and lots of fun by finding the courage to walk through the door. I would encourage anyone who is wondering if it is for them to it a try. You might find a new crafting skill to enjoy, but you will certainly find new friends to treasure.”
