John's Message

The gospel reading for the third Sunday of Advent tells of the people flocking to John the Baptist and of how he tells them to change their lives rather than rely on their heritage.

Power connection

The sun shone brightly through the sanctuary window at St John's this morning, which was just as well. Yesterday's storm had damaged the mains connection so we had no electricity. We all huddled at the front for a shorter service. The homily just had to be about reconnecting to the source of our spiritual power through Jesus and  the gospel reading was about John the Baptist calling upon his hearers to prepare to reconnect with God by repenting of the sins which break the connection. To put it another way, in Advent we prepare to reconnect with Jesus through whom flows the loving and healing energy of God. 

Advent hope

The children of St John's Otters have helped to produce this display reminding us of Advent.

Harvest

The children and teachers  of Otterburn First School walked up to St John's church and were joined by parents to celebrate harvest thanksgiving through drama, prayers and songs. Items were donated and will be added to other produce for the church Harvest Festival on Sunday. Food items will go to The People's Kitchen in Newcastle. 

Blessing of Animals

A group of parishioners and their pets assembled at St Francis Church in Byrness on the afternoon of Synday 4th October (The Feast of St Francis) for our annual service of blessing of animals. 

The stunning altar frontal for St Francis was made by local people. (We don't normally leave it out for fear the church mouse might find an alternative use for the material!)

Redesdale Show

Managed to spend an hour at the Upper Redesdale Show in the midst of a full day. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, especially the children in the races. Couldn't stay to see the (adult?) wheelbarrow race, which was a pity. The photo is of some of the entries in the carved walking stick competition. Which would you choose for first prize?

St Cuthbert Walk

Saturday 5th September was blessed with perfect weather for walking. Seven of us set off from St Cuthbert's Elsdon. The aim was to walk across country to St Cuthbert's Corsenside for lunch, then on to St Cuthbert's, Bellingham. I managed the seven miles to Corsenside I was certainly ready for lunch. Next year maybe the whole fifteen miles! At certain spots we stopped and Susan, the Team Rector, told a story from St Cuthbert's own travels through this part of the world. We heard how Cuthbert's needs were provided by his horse, an eagle and two sea otters.