There's going to be a lot going on! This is a list of what's planned for the Durham Deanery; there are other events happening further afield across the rest of the Durham Diocese.
All are welcome to this service of hymns, each with a brief introduction. The service will probably last about an hour – possibly a little longer – and tea or coffee will be available afterwards for those who wish to stay and chat.
St Oswalds, Durham
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Aidans Kitchen Xtra, supported by students of St Chads college. Invite friends for 'Bacon Butties & Banter' at the Parish Hall
St Aidans Parish Hall, DH1 5BL
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The Archbishop of York John Sentamu, The Bishop of Durham Paul Butler, and the Bishops of the Northern Province will join with their Diocesan Mission Teams in visiting the Diocese of Durham between Thursday 2 March and Sunday 5 March as the seek to help churches and communities across our diocese engage in dialogue about Jesus.
This opening service at Durham Cathedral will commission the Bishops and Mission Teams as they commence their weekends work.
Durham Cathedral
The Bishop of Durham, Bishop Paul, will be joining the local community for a fun evening of bingo and an Angel Drive!
St Lukes, Cornforth and Ferryhill
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A service of readings and music, with a sermon given by member of the Talking Jesus team
The Tunstall Chapel, Durham Castle
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The Right Reverend John Hayden was consecrated a bishop in 2003, to serve in Tanzania as bishop of Mount Kilimanjaro. He now serves in the Diocese of Chester. The Reverend is an expert on Syria and has published books on this topic. He will be speaking on the situation in Syria and issues in the wider region.
Union Society, Palace Green
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We invite you to join us for a Beetle Drive & Hot Dogs at Attlee Square Community Centre. Tickets £3.00 to include Hot Dogs, available from St. Mary’s Church Sherburn or phone Brenda on (0191) 3723102
Website
Attlee Square Community Centre, Sherburn Village, DH6 1JN
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Our resident quizmaster will be leading the quiz with some assistance from Bishop Chris (who will also share very briefly what being a Christian means to him), and teams will be able to recruit extra help on the night!
Snacks provided but bring your own drinks.
Tickets (which are free) are available from the St Nics Church Office on 0191 384 1180 or office@stnics.org.uk
St Nics Youth Centre, Providence Row, Durham
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A singalong of some old favourites in a friendly real ale pub
The Elm Tree, Crossgate, Durham, DH1 4PS
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A service to mark the beginning of Lent for the 60 children of St. Oswald’s Primary school (ages 4-10) and their parents, but anyone is welcome to attend
St Oswalds Church, Durham
We're excited to have special visitors joining our regular crowd at our Community Coffee Lounge. Open every Monday-Saturday 10-12 for tea, coffee and conversation. Join us this Friday and get a taste of what's on offer nearly every day of the year!
St Nics, Durham
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Posh Nosh, a pop-up dining club event run 3/4 times a year by St Laurence Church Pittington in aid of the building fund. For Talking Jesus we have the special addition of an after dinner speaker, Bishop John Hayden, formerly Bishop of Kilimanjaro. Three course meal with wine, donations.
Contact Miranda Threlfall-Holmes to book
Belmont Parish Hall
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A debate led by the Bishop of Durham, Prof. Stewart Clark, and Prof Tom McLeish
The Debate Schedule:
7.00-7.30 Welcome & Refreshments
7.30 The Case For Religion: The Bishop of Durham
7.55 The Case Against Religion: Prof. Stewart Clark
8.20 Science and Religion Reconciled?: Tom McLeish
8.45-9.30 General Discussion
No booking necessary
The Great Debate poster [PDF]
Physics Department, Ogden Centre W., South Road, Durham DH1 3LE
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Ceilidh in church featuring our fabulous resident ceilidh band with dancing fun, tasty refreshments and two minute testimonies. Join us for guaranteed fun, laughs and thought-provoking moments too.
Tickets available from the St Nics Church Office on 0191 384 1180 or office@stnics.org.uk
St Nics, Durham
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Some of the Talking Jesus team will be taking part in Durham Park Run, or attending to cheer on the runners. We're going to hang around afterwards and chat to people in the Graham Sport Centre Cafe. If you're a keen runner it would be great to see you there!
If you haven't run before, please go to the Durham Park Run page to register
Maiden Castle
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We welcome Bishop Chris Edmondson and actress Tess Haggar to answer 'What did the Bishop say to the Actress?' in the years 1817, 1917 and 2017
Shincliffe Parish Hall
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St John the Evangelist are having an Open Church event. Come for a cup of coffee/tea, explore the church including the Stations of the Cross and some silk screen paintings, hear the organ, light a candle or leave a prayer, and you may join in the Angelus (at 12.00). There will also be a children's play activity. Outside free hot drinks will be available, as well as an opportunity to pray with individuals.
Brandon St Johns, Meadowfield
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A Walk of Blessing Prayer in Sacriston.
Organised by Sacriston Churches Together, and starting from the Methodist Church, Front Street, Sacriston
Sacriston
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Why not pop in and explore the church, and maybe meet someone new for a friendly chat over refreshments?
St Cuthbert's, North Road, DH1 4NH
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Come and explore the church and grounds, and have a chat over the snacks in the Church Hall. We'll be running free Easter craft making for children and families.
There will be opportunities to talk or pray with members of the team, and to light a candle. The church is an open space for people to come together, or to simply feel God’s presence.
St Lukes, Ushaw Moor
Facebook event
A series of activities held around the church on the theme of communication. Passers by on Framwellgate Bridge will be invited to decipher semaphore messages from the top of the church tower, and in the south porch of the church a Ham radio will be sending greetings to people around the world. Various other activities will explain ways in which the Gospel has been communicated over the centuries, and how effective they have been. Refreshments will be available in the church.
St Margarets, Durham
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A free community breakfast, with a talk from Bishop John Hayden, and afterwards a chance to meet him.
St Lukes Parish Centre, Church Lane, Ferryhill, DL17 8LT
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Experience the peace and quiet of this ancient village church and discover the faith that inspired the mathematician, astronomer, scientist and and 19th Century Vicar of Esh the Rev. Templeton Chevalier.
St Michaels, Esh & Hamsteels
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Fun for families!
A Messy Church event held in the beautiful Wharton Park.
Wharton Park, North Road, Durham
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'More tea vicar'....
Come along to sit on our comfy sofa in the Marketplace and have a chat with one of our Bishops.
Inside the church join us for fun on our giant inflatable slide, create some fabulous carnival crafts, light a candle and leave a prayer in our chapel and enjoy some yummy refreshments too. A fantastic fun FREE day for all the family.
St Nics, Durham
Facebook event
Craft, Textiles & Spirituality
Demos, Have a Go, Teas, Talks
A 5 minute talk every half hour:
12.30 - The Mary Magdalene Banner (Jean McGranaghan)
1.00 - Photography & Memory (Mark Tatton)
1.30 - Quilting Prayerfully (Miranda Threlfall-Holmes)
2.00 - Music & Faith (Gerald Ions)
2.30 - Craft & Spirituality (Elise Peterson)
3.00 - Bible Journalling (Rebecca Kemp)
St Mary Magdalene Church, Belmont, DH1 1AB
Facebook event
A series of activities held around the church on the theme of communication. Passers by on Framwellgate Bridge will be invited to decipher semaphore messages from the top of the church tower, and in the south porch of the church a Ham radio will be sending greetings to people around the world. Various other activities will explain ways in which the Gospel has been communicated over the centuries, and how effective they have been. Refreshments will be available in the church.
St Margarets, Durham
Facebook event
Basket weaving and handbell ringing, led by experts. Come and be creative!
St Michael and All Angels, Witton Gilbert, DH7 6SU
Facebook event
Gilesgate Big Sing:
3pm Rehearsal
5pm Buffet Tea (Provided)
6pm Free Performance
Come along to St Giles Church for an afternoon of song! We will be joined by the choir of St Giles Church and music groups from the local community. We will be singing music from the church, stage and sceen.
Everyone is welcome to this family friendly event and it is completely free to come along. Whether you’ve sung in a church choir, or never sung before, this is a chance to come and sing some wonderful music in a very informal setting. With music from Sister Act, Toy Story, Godspell, Lord of the Dance, Johnny Cash and much more, there’s something for everyone at the Big Sing!
The day will be led by our Director of Music, Andrew Robinson and our curate, the Revd Richard Briggs. We are also delighted to welcome the Rt Revd Christopher Edmondson (Retired Bishop of Bolton) to our early evening performance.
To register, please visit our website.
St Giles, Durham
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Bring your pets to this service at which all creatures great and small will be celebrated. We're hoping to be joined by Durham Guide Dogs for the Blind, as well as other local groups. Bishop John Hayden, who has had an exciting career including ministry in Africa, will lead the service. All animals can receive a blessing. There will be an opportunity for photos with the bishop at the end of the service.
All Saints, Langley Park
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Family Film Time, with hot dogs and burgers
All Saints, Newton Hall, DH1 5LT
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A talk by Jean Stokes, former Head of Art and Design at South Tyneside College
Cheese and wine refreshments, £3 (pay on door)
St. Cuthbert’s Church, North Road, Durham
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A comedy evening with comedy clergy and pie and pea supper.
Rev'd Kate Bruce and Canon John Sinclair
Tickets £10 – contact St John’s Neville’s Cross Parish Office, office@sjnx.org.uk, 0191 384 2433.
Durham School, DH1 4SZ
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Join us at St Cuthbert's for an evening of hymns with the Salvation Army Brass Band. We will be singing some of your favourite hymns accompanied by the wonderful music of the band. The Songs of Praise is free to attend and we are delighted to be joined by Bishop John Hayden, former Bishop to the Maasai people of Tanzania.
St Cuthberts, Shadforth
Facebook event
Join Bishop Chris Edmondson and the Steve Taylor Band for an evening of jazz.
There will be a modestly priced bar for drinks, and light snacks available.
Tickets £5, available from:
Steve Taylor (3783117)
Sue Morgan (3781172)
Rick Simpson (3780503)
St Brandons, Brancepeth
Facebook event
St Aidans, Newton Hall
Ferryhill
St Michael and All Angels
Langley Park
St Johns, Nevilles Cross
Waterhouses
St Aidans
All Saints, Newton Hall
The service will last about an hour and is to be followed by a 'bring and share' buffet lunch in the Parish Institute (across the road from the church). All are welcome to both service and lunch.
St Oswalds, Durham
Cornforth
Join us for this special 'Talking Jesus' celebration service. You are warmly invited to come and bring friends and family.
Featuring Archbishop Sentamu 'Talking Jesus', stories shared, Durham Cathedral Choir, Contemporary Worship band, and an opportunity to consider the difference Jesus can make to your life.
Bishop of Durham Paul Butler, other Northern Bishops and many friends from throughout the churches of our region will be there to welcome you.
Durham Cathedral