Welcome to the newest issue of the Northern Synod e-newsletter

This fortnight’s edition is full of notices of upcoming events being hosted around Northern Synod from Amble to Hartlepool. Whether you’re looking for a deep dive into the New Testament or some musical evening entertainment, churches around the Synod may have something for you.

We are also blessed as ever to have received news stories from several churches so we can keep you up to date with some of what others have been up to, including Easter celebrations in Wallsend with some seasonally appropriate bread (though perhaps not in the way you would expect!).

Towards the end of this edition, you can find information about several environmental and social justice themed events which are being hosted by our ecumenical partners in Newcastle in the coming weeks.

We are always looking for news of interest and events so, if you have any items that you would like to be included in the newsletter, please send them in to Andrew Cooke or Wendy Watson. Please remember that if you are including photographs, you need to gain the permission of the people in them for it to be shared.

We hope you enjoy this edition. The next e-newsletter is due to be published on Friday 8 May 2026. 
Until next time …
Andrew and Wendy

Morning Prayers 

Everyone is invited to join the Northern Synod morning prayers.
Join at 9 am for 15-20 minutes, Monday to Friday, through Zoom.
To join the zoom meeting click here
Meeting ID: 959 7959 4334
Passcode: worship
 

Click here to read the April 2026 Eco News article from Charles Jolly, Synod Green Apostle. 

Church of the Good Shepherd, Battle Hill – Easter Celebrations
Submitted by Rev Julie Mooney

Sometime in the 1970’s there was a TV advert about eggs, encouraging people to eat more of them and cook them in a variety of ways. The tongue-in-cheek line from the advert was “How do you like your eggs? Fried or boiled?” And then with the crème eggs today we are asked “How do you eat yours?” There has been another challenge for Church of the Good Shepherd at Battle Hill – how to make use of hundreds and hundreds of coloured mini plastic eggs!

These were kindly donated to us just before the Covid pandemic and we passed a few hundred on to local churches. We’ve done our best to make good use of those remaining ever since. With school visits to church on the run up to Easter, a visit to the Brownies and Rainbows, a service of Kidz Rock, and a service of Forest Church in the Rising Sun Park, we have been rolling eggs, having fun and listening to the Easter Story. The eggs were even used to create a simple poster for the Wallsend Churches Working Together Good Friday Witness Service.  At Church of the Good Shepherd Battle Hill we like to offer something to all ages, to church goers and those who don’t attend, so we even gave away plastic eggs at the local shops. Each one of these contained an invitation to church as well as a chocolate or fruity sweet.   

As is the decades-long tradition in Wallsend churches we held our Good Friday witness in Richardson Dees Park and this time we gave away hundreds of donated chocolate crème eggs. These were well received by the 300 people that made up our ‘outdoor congregation’ and well-deserved given their participation in the Easter Story. There were a few left over for breakfast in church following the Dawn Service on Easter Day – this year it was held in the Vicarage garden and in church, rather than on the Rising Sun Hill, owing to Storm Dave. We won’t ever let a storm stop our Easter celebrations! And on the holiest day of the year we were blessed with ‘holy’ bread for our morning toast. 😊

So all in all, with the joy of the Risen Christ, the variety of our Easter services, and with plastic and chocolate eggs, we’ve had an eggcellent easter. 😊 Thanks be to God.

Horsley URC – Second Sunday in Easter
Submitted by Revd Ray Anglesea

It was such a joy and privilege to lead worship among friends and members of Horsley United Reformed Church, Northumberland, on the Sunday after Easter.

We reflected together on the life and times of St Thomas, the patron saint of architects and builders, with familiar Easter bible readings, poetry, and unaccompanied music helping to shape our worship. One of the most moving moments was the beautiful anthem ‘All in the April Evening,’ sung so wonderfully by the Glasgow Orpheus Choir.

After the service—and a cheerful photo shoot—it was lovely to gather with friends over refreshments, catching up and sharing news. These simple moments of conversation and fellowship felt just as special as the service itself.

Monkseaton URC – New Testament Live

Amble – Variety Show for Christian Aid

A variety show is being held at the Masonic Hall in Amble (NE65 0LN) on Saturday 16 May at 7pm. Entry is free but donations for Christian Aid will be taken on the night. There will be a raffle and refreshments available. All ages are welcome and there will be something on for everyone so do come along and show your support. 

Upcoming Events at Jesmond URC

Below, you can see posters for two upcoming events at Jesmond URC, Newcastle. You can also click here to find out information about the Wednesday Meeting (a series of talks being held at the church).
 

St George’s Venue – Hartlepool

Two of the UK’s most iconic voices have finally combined as a duo and will be touring once again in 2026.

Miranda Sykes and Jim Causley have known each other for over 20 years and in 2024 they united with John Palmer to create and tour a show celebrating the centenary of the death of the song collector and author Sabine Baring – Gould. They enjoyed working together so much and audience feedback was so positive that they recorded and toured an album together.  

Back on the road again in 2026 you will enjoy a feast of traditional, self-penned and contemporary songs bringing their magical voices together. 

The duo are performing at St George’s Venue, Hartlepool on Thursday 14 May. Click here to find out more and book tickets.

Jesmond URC – Big Questions Café

You can see below posters for upcoming sessions of the Big Questions Café held at Jesmond URC. Click here to RSVP.

St Cuthbert’s Centre – April Artist in Residence

The St Cuthbert’s Centre on Holy Island is hosting a series of workshops being delivered by their current artist in residence Stephanie Bindeman. All materials are provided but attendees are advised to bring a cushion and coat. Click here to find out more.

Wallsend Churches Together – Environmental and Social Justice

Below is information on two upcoming events being promoted by Wallsend Churches Together. 

Tyne & Wear Citizens – Newcastle assembly 
There will be a Newcastle assembly on 28th April at Newcastle Cathedral at which the current campaigns – Community Safety, Dentistry, SEND and Young People – will be presented to candidates standing for local elections on May 7th. You can find out more about Tyne & Wear Citizens here. To book your place for this event click here. 

National Emergency Briefing Presentation
On 9 May 2026, at the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle Justice & Peace AGM, Prof Hayley Fowler (Professor of Climate Change Impacts, Newcastle University) will introduce the National Emergency Briefing followed by a discussion as to how we should respond as a society. This event is being held at St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle. You can find out more about the National Emergency Briefing here.

The formal AGM will take place after lunch with reports and elections of officers for next year. Please book your place by clicking here.

Events at Gladstone’s Library
 

Gladstone’s Library is hosting a three-day residential course engaging with the works of James Baldwin. The course is being led by Professor Anthony Reddie, Professor of Black Theology at the University of Oxford, and Professor Greg Garrett, Hanks Professor of Literature and Culture at Baylor University. Click here to find more. As part of the course, there is a public lecture being held in person and online. Click here to find out more. 

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