February News and Notices, Candlemas, Lent
- Jan 28
- 11 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Fr Ben writes...
Everyone says that January is such a long month, and with dreary weather and flu going round, it's been pretty miserable recently. But one thing this week made me very cheerful indeed. I had a text from someone saying,
"Hello 🙋♂️ just want to say I love our church ⛪️"
Such a simple message, but it communicates so much. It tells me that what we do here together makes a difference to people's lives. It reminds me that little gestures of encouragement can brighten someone's day. And as I approach the 3-year anniversary of my first coming to St Bart's, it reminds me of how blessed I am to do be a cog in the machine that is "our church", a happy and holy place.
Continue to love our church, to love God, our community and each other, and continue to bless each other through what you do in prayer, in service, and in little, everyday messages of encouragement.
February Services at a glance
Sunday 1st February - The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)*
8am Eucharist
9am Bubble Church
10am Sung Eucharist with Candlemas Procession, with Junior Church and Crèche
12pm Baptism Service
Sunday 8th February - The Second Sunday before Lent
8am Eucharist
10am Sung Eucharist with Junior Church and Crèche
Sunday 15th February - The Sunday next before Lent
8am Eucharist
9am Bubble Church
10am Sung Eucharist with Junior Church and Crèche
Wednesday 18th February - Ash Wednesday
9am Morning Prayer
10am Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
5:30pm Evening Prayer
7:30pm Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
Sunday 22nd February - The First Sunday of Lent
8am Eucharist
10am Sung Eucharist with Junior Church and Crèche
Sunday 1st March - The Second Sunday of Lent
8am Eucharist
9am Bubble Church
10am Sung Eucharist with Junior Church and Crèche
* Transferred from 2nd February
February Worship Highlights
Candlemas (The Presentation of Christ in the Temple): We remember Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the Temple, where Simeon and Anna recognise him as the light for all people, and we look ahead to the costly love that will lead him to the cross. In the service, candles are blessed and we have a procession into church.
Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, being forty days (excluding Sundays) before Easter. Jesus himself fasted forty days in the wilderness, and Lent serves as an opportunity for self-denial, increasing our giving, deepening our faith through study and prayer, and preparation for Easter, the celebration at the heart of our Christian Faith.
At the Liturgy of Ash Wednesday there is an extended period of penitence, and we are marked on our foreheads with ash. In the Old Testament, covering oneself with ash was a sign of lament, and the practice of being marked by an ash cross on our heads (in the same way we are marked at our baptism with oil) dates from the middle ages.
The Liturgy will take place twice (both the same), so there should be a time which suits everyone.
Wednesday 18th February - Ash Wednesday
9am Morning Prayer
10am Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
5:30pm Evening Prayer
7:30pm Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
Candlemas, celebrating the Light of Christ, is a perfect time to have a Christingle service. Our Bubble Church Christingle is on Sunday 1st February.
Even if you regularly attend, please do sign up. It really helps us to prepare.
Remember our fun and informal Junior Church and Crèche run alongside our 10am Service, so children are very welcome to stay for that too, or come along on a week when Bubble Church isn't running.
Our 2026 Lent Course: The Bible Course
The Bible Course from the Bible Society is an 8-session, interactive small-group resource designed to help participants understand the "Big Story" of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The course combines video teaching, group discussion, and daily readings to improve confidence in reading the Bible and applying it to daily life.
This free, no-commitment, course will be a chance to explore, learn and ask questions in a safe and friendly space. The course will run on three different times per week, so there should be a time to suit you.
Tuesdays 7:15pm
Wednesdays 11am
Thursdays (at St Mary Magdalene NE12 8ST) 1pm
You only need to RSVP to the first session!
Promotional video from the Bible Society:
What's different in our worship in Lent?
Worship during Lent (from Ash Wednesday to Easter) is intentionally designed to be more solemn, simple, and reflective, focusing on themes of repentance, self-examination, and the journey to the cross. It acts as an annual "spiritual retreat" to contrast with the festive, celebratory nature of the Easter season.
Here are the key differences in worship during Lent:
Color Changes: Liturgical colors change to violet or purple, symbolizing penance, sacrifice, and repentance.
Simplified Environment: Churches are kept bare of flowers.
No "Alleluia": The word "Alleluia" (a joyful expression of praise) is omitted from the liturgy, including hymns and readings.
No "Gloria": The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the Highest) is not sung.
Music Styles: Hymns are generally more sober, focused on the cross and forgiveness.
40 Acts: Do Lent Generously
If you are looking for something to 'take up' this Lent, rather than 'give up', then have a look at 40 acts.
"Join thousands this Lent for a 40-day generosity challenge – building habits, deepening faith and reflecting the heart of Jesus through everyday acts. Each day offers a simple invitation to give, bless, and grow in generosity – one act at a time."
New Area Dean: The Rev'd Robert Lawrence
Bishop Helen says: "I am delighted to say that the Revd. Robert Lawrance has accepted my invitation to become your next Area Dean and will take up his duties and responsibilities on 1st February, 2026. I am very grateful to Robert for being willing to serve the people and parishes of the [Newcastle East] Deanery in this way and I know that he will have your full support and encouragement. Robert will be commissioned at St Francis Church, 66 Cleveland Gardens, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7QH on Tuesday 24th February, 2026 at 6.30pm. I hope as many of you as possible will be present on that occasion to welcome Robert to his new role."
Fr Robert is the vicar of St Francis High Heaton and is no stranger to being the Area Dean. He was a huge help to this parish when we were 'between vicars'.
What is a Deanery?
In the Church of England, a deanery is a geographical grouping of parishes within a diocese designed to foster collaboration, mission, and mutual support. Led by an ordained Area Dean and a Lay Chair, they act as an intermediary structure between parishes and the diocese, managing local strategy via a Deanery Synod.
Mothers' Union Soup and Sandwich Lunch
St Bart's Mothers' Union invite you to join them for a warming soup and sandwich lunch on Sunday, 1st March at 12pm, following the 10am service.
Everyone is welcome. If you would like to join us, please sign up on the sheet at the back of church, or speak to a branch member.
The cost is £5 per head and proceeds will be used to provide emergency hospital bags of toiletries for patients admitted to Newcastle Hospitals.
Air Cadets Sponsored Flight
Fr Ben is the Chaplain to the local Air Cadet Squadron. In February, cadets from 2344 (Longbenton) Squadron will take on a 24-hour flight simulator challenge as part of their 70th Anniversary Year. Over 24 continuous hours, cadets will attempt to:
Fly an F-35B Lightning all the way around the world
Fly a Grob Tutor T1 to every operational RAF airfield in the UK, before continuing on to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
They are raising funds to support training, equipment, and opportunities for young people in our local community. Individuals who would like to donate can do so here:
https://2344.org.uk/fundraising. Find out more about the event here: https://2344.org.uk/milesforsmiles
The Murder Mystery Evening is back! This time, at St Mary Magdalene's.
Saturday 21st February
7pm
£5 on the door or from the [St Bart's] Parish Office.
Postage Stamps
Sheena is collecting used postage stamps to raise funds for Parkinson's UK. If you have saved your stamps, please pass them straight to Sheena, who will send them off to the Charity. They accept First and Second class stamps, Foreign stamps, First day covers, Presentation packs and Stamp Albums. Please cut used stamps off envelopes, or tear them carefully, leaving a border. The stamps are sold in bulk to stamp dealers, who then sell the better specimens to stamp collectors. Non valuable stamps can be sold for crafting, paper recycling or used in artistic projects.
Temporary Light Fitting
You may have noticed a crudely affixed light fitting on the railing near the Hall main door. This is a sample of LED lighting which might be used to light up the path all the way from the car-park. The electrical design company wanted to see whether such a set-up would work (and we wanted to see too). Broader proposals to improve our lighting are being discussed at PCC.
Tent Pegs
Some tent pegs have appeared in the office. If they are yours or if you want them, let Louise know, or else they will be disposed of.
Prayers of Love and Faith
The Church of England's Prayers of Love and Faith are resources that can be used in praying with and for a same-sex couple who love one another and who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God. The Church of England's website says:
To celebrate in God’s presence the commitment two people have made to each other is an occasion for rejoicing. The Prayers of Love and Faith texts are offered to express thanksgiving and hope, with prayer that those who are dedicating their life together to God may grow in faith, love and service as God’s blessing rests upon them.
These prayers are not same-sex marriages, nor are they services of blessing of same-sex civil marriages. There has been much debate about this at all levels of church. These prayers were agreed upon by the bishops, and up until now, not much else has been.
Fr Ben says:
There are those that have argued that these new prayers seem a departure from established church teaching. But for many, including myself, they do not go nearly far enough in offering the kind of pastoral ministry to couples which we might want. Some even oppose the prayers because they fall short of marriage equality. The PCC was asked to decide whether the prayers would be made openly available to enquiring couples. At the meeting on 27th January, this was agreed.
Please do speak to Fr Ben or any member of clergy if you have queries or concerns about this, whatever your point of view.
Did you know that you can contact the Parish Office via WhatsApp?
Add us:
01912662015
Pastoral Team
We are putting together a Pastoral Team, a group of people willing to pray, visit the sick, engage with hospital and care home ministry, and offer the church's wholeness and healing ministries, including the distribution of Holy Communion to the sick and housebound. If you have some spare time and feel that you could offer yourself in this way, speak to Fr Ben.
Health and Safety Officer
The PCC is looking for someone to volunteer to be the church's Health and Safety Officer. This person would assist the Safeguarding team to help make sure our spaces are as safe as they can be. Please speak to Fr Ben if you'd be willing to do this.
Everyday Faith App
Everyday Faith is the daily devotional app from the Church of England designed to inspire, equip and encourage you in your faith every day of the week. The app will provide you with carefully curated daily reflections, including selected Bible readings, a simple prayer to prepare you for the day ahead, and thoughts based on that week’s theme.
Search for "Everyday Faith" on your phone's app store, or click Download for iOS or Download for Android.
How often do you want to receive news about church?
Once a month (how it is now) is fine.
I'd be happy with more frequent emails.
REMINDERS
Are you new to church?
Thinking of coming along for the first time? Just go for it!
We know it can feel intimidating not knowing what to do or where to go, but here you’ll find a warm welcome on the door and someone ready to help with everything you need. Our main Sunday services are at 8am (quiet) and 10am (with music), with midweek Holy Communion on Tuesdays at 6:30pm and Wednesdays at 10am, and daily prayer at 9am and 5:30pm. Plus the church is often open for you to sit and pray during the day.
Children are always welcome: we have Junior Church and a crèche at the 10am service, plus Bubble Church for toddlers and young children. We’re fully accessible, and everything in our services is explained; there’s no need to worry about when to sit, stand, or join in, and a friendly neighbour will always be glad to help.
Regularly hearing God's word, praying, praising, and receiving communion will change your life for the better. And we'd love to welcome you.
Giving to St Bart's
Please consider a one-off or regular donation to St Bart's through the Parish Giving Scheme.
The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is a secure and simple way of giving to St Bart’s. It works by making a Direct Debit from your bank account which is then passed on to us. You can also opt to add Gift Aid which PGS claims on our behalf, at no extra cost to you, passing an additional 25% to us automatically.
There is also an option give regularly, and to automatically increase your gift annually. PGS will write to you and advise you of the new amount in advance, so you can choose to add more or to decrease the amount if you wish. If the majority of our planned givers were to opt for this, it would have a huge, positive impact on our finances.
Find out more by clicking the button below.
Morning and Evening Prayer
The Daily Offices (Morning and Evening Prayer) are the Church’s ancient pattern of prayer that punctuates the day with praise, intercession, and reflection on Scripture. From the earliest centuries, Christians gathered at set hours to pray on behalf of all creation and for the salvation of the world, with morning and evening soon becoming the principal times of prayer.
This tradition continues at St Bart's.
9am Morning Prayer
5:30pm Evening Prayer
These services weave together psalms, Bible readings, and prayers in a rhythm that unites individuals, congregations, and religious communities across time and place.
Whether prayed alone or together with others, the Offices give shape to the day, ensuring that, echoing George Herbert’s words: “seven whole days, not one in seven” are given to the praise of God and the forming of God’s people through word and prayer.
Come along and try it.
NB There are usually no services on Fridays.
Easy Fundraising
Easy Fundraising is a website which gives the church (or any charitable cause) free money. Businesses like Tesco, Argos, and Marks and Spencer pay Easy Fundraising a small commission when they direct you to their website to spend money. They forward that money onto us.
For example, if you buy your groceries online from Morrisons, go to Easy Fundraising first, and click on Morrisons. Then when you checkout, Morrisons gives us £1.30 as a thank you. You will need to make an account and select St Bartholomew's as your cause.
It may sound complicated, but once it's set up it's free money for the church!
Reminder: Home Communions
There are some permanently housebound members of our congregation who are taken Holy Communion to their home. This is bread (and wine) which has been consecrated by a priest at church, and then taken by a member of the Home Communion team to be distributed at home or hospital.
But this is not just available to those who cannot come to church at all. If you have been unwell or for any reason unable to attend for a couple of weeks, get in touch! We will visit you and bring you the sacrament.
Also, if you are unwell, or would like to be added to our prayer list, please tell us. Do not assume we know!