News

ELM RIDGE:
We were delighted to take part in the national Heritage Weekend and open our buildings and grounds, explaining the history of the buildings and how a Victorian Villa in the West End of Darlington became a Methodist Church. Under the direction of Christine Kent exhibitions were prepared, guided tours arranged, and everyone had the opportunity to meet Tiffin the Butler, Sarah the Governess, the Laundress and Mrs. Hodgkin herself who welcome visitors into her 19th century Dining Room. Even the top floor was open to view (a rare occurrence) to enable the visitors to see the views up Teesdale which attracted John Pease to the site in the early 1860's. A fruitful weekend, the results of which are already apparent by new faces at the Sunday morning service.

We were also pleased to host the launch of Journey to Bethlehem — further details of this are being made extensively available by the publicity team. All we can add is do please offer to be involved — this is a very exciting project for the whole Circuit and we are privileged to be able to provide our premises to enable it to take place.

Our Harvest Festival weekend took place on 28th and 29th September, supporting Compassion UK.

A date for the diary — Saturday 30th November 2019 in the Church Hall. Our Christmas Coffee Morning supporting the work of the Great North Air Ambulance Service. The churches in the Circuit have been invited to bring their own stalls to this event, as have Cardiac Risk in the Young, so make a note of the date and come along and support everyone! This is always a happy and festive occasion.

Following upon the success of the Monday Morning Coffee Drop-in this work has been extended to include the former Craft & Chatter Afternoons — a further "Drop-in" now taking place on a Thursday afternoon from 2-4pm. All are welcome to call in for coffee, tea and refreshments, and to enjoy fellowship. There is no charge, but donations are welcome.

COCKERTON:
Cockerton Ladies Choir are celebrating 50 years of song and we are really looking forward to their concert evening on Saturday 19th October at 7.30pm at Cockerton Methodist Church. Tickets are £5 and available from Carole Birbeck and choir. The proceeds are for St Teresa's Hospice and Pancreatic Cancer care.

HAUGHTON:

We held our Harvest Festival on Sunday 15th September and, this year, our traditional display of produce was incorporated into a varied selection of wonderful hand-crafted items produced by members of the Craft and Chat Group that meets in our Garden Room on alternate Thursday afternoons. The display also included three stunning panels of handstitched flowers, birds and poetry.

We are now turning our minds to preparations for our Christmas Fair which will be on Saturday 16th November from 10-12noon — please put the date in your diaries.