Acklington Parish

CLERGY

- PARISH PRIEST VACANCY -

Sadly the premature death of Revd Canon Janet Brearley (aged only 63) means we are without a vicar at the present time. This webpage will be updated as soon as the vacancy is filled. Meanwhile our OLM Curate Revd June Barras is in charge of the spiritual side of the parish (including all services) and she can be contacted on
01670 760650

               Revd June Barras
              our OLM Curate


Revd Aubrey Richardson lives in Acklington Village and regularly takes services in St John's Church, including the 8.00am Communion Service on the first Sunday of each month.

ORGANIST

John Davison has played the church organ for services for the past 30 years. He still cannot read the music and his repertoire is strictly limited, but he always tries his very best!

HYMNS

The hymn book that is used for the vast majority of services in the church is the very popular 'Anglican Hymns Old & New'.

There are 858 hymns and worship songs in the book making it one of the most comprehensive collections available. It contains a vibrant mix of favourite traditional hymns and the best of the new worship songs.

A message from the organist
"For each service we always try to select a good balance of hymns…· usually at least a couple from the
suggested list for each Sunday,
· often an old traditional favourite,
· often a more modern hymn,
· occasionally a children’s hymn,
· occasionally a new hymn."

A BRIEF HISTORY

The church was erected in 1861 and is one of the largest buildings in the parish. The stones of which the church is built were tooled and dressed within the walls of Alnwick Castle. All the woodwork was also prepared there. For this is one of the churches built by Algernon, fourth Duke of Northumberland, in the last few years of his life. When the stones were ready, and the woodwork was fashioned, masons and joiners were sent from the castle works to Acklington to set them in their appointed places. The Duke & Duchess were present at the consecration which was performed by the Lord Bishop of Durham.

Both the church and the old vicarage were built from the designs of Mr. James Deason. The church is in the early English style and is a fine Victorian Gothic building with a plain exterior and an unexpectedly pleasing interior. Some good modern woodwork includes an altar and reredos and communion rails, given as memorials to various members of the Milburn family of Guyzance.

The oak Lych Gate itself is very attractive and interesting. It was opened in 1921 as a war memorial dedicated in honour of those from this district who took part in the Great War 1914 – 1918.• There was quite a ceremony which was attended by His Grace the Duke of Northumberland. The Lych Gate was renovated on the occasion of the coronation of Queen

Vicars of Acklington Parish

1861     Henry Miles
1865     George Thompson
1883     William Rudge
1902     John Maughan
1903     John Robertson
1925     Thomas Dunscombe
1930     A. H. Nicholson
1938     H G Cutter
1946     W. Hume
1956     Henry Ball
1960     W. B. Hicks
1967     Gurney Fox
1974     Stephen Huxley
1979     Anthony Duncan
1987     Graham Newman
1995     Janet Brearley

You can read a fuller version of the history of the church by clicking on the book below.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Our Sunday School takes places every other Sunday from 10.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. The children produce some excellent work under the supervision of our Sunday School leaders Mrs Pam Coils and Mrs Margaret Hammond.
Each term the work is carefully planned and the teaching is based around stories usually followed up by art and craft activities. For more details please ring:
01670 760548

Some examples of the art & craft work produced at Sunday School are shown below:

SPECIAL SERVICES

As well as our Sunday Services already mentioned, we have a number of additional services on special occasions throughout the year. Two examples are shown here:
PALM SUNDAY PRAISE

HARVEST FESTIVAL

We are also fortunate that staff and pupils from our village school regularly use the church for their services of worship.

Watch out for these additional services and please support where you can. Everyone is always welcome.

THE LAST TEN.......

Baptisms

21.03.10	Adam William Spoors
21.03.10	Ryan Philip Spoors
20.06.10	Joseph Lowrie Currie
20.06.10	Finlay James Currie
20.06.10	Katy Amelia Allan
19.09.10	Isabel Grace Megson
19.09.10	Rachel Kristina Megson
19.09.10	Natalie Jo Megson
24.04.11	Rosie Alice Cowell
25.09.11	Jonah James Sampson

Weddings

12.08.07	Alex Larkman Michelle Safaie
01.12.07	Kristian Roberts Sarah Howie
09.05.09	Leigh Robinson Kimberley Henderson
23.05.09	Hender Blewitt Jacqueline Champion
20.06.09	Rory Allan Eve Walker
30.08.09	Mark Graham Julia Davison
19.09.09	Ian Littlefear Sarah Tweddell
05.06.10	Stephen Stephens Caroline Jackson
26.06.10	Mark Spoors Karen Stephenson
11.11.11	Richard Davison Carol Megson

Funerals

03.04.08	Dixie Hopper Aged 82
03.01.09	Kirsty Bell Aged 36
20.04.09	Nelson McDougal Aged 80
19.05.09	Michael Woodhead Aged 73
25.09.09	Derrie Absalom Aged 65
18.06.10	Doug Thompson Aged 64
10.12.10	Pat Turnbull Aged 74
06.01.11	Edie Chrisp Aged 87
02.06.11	Jenny Walton Aged ??
17.10.11	Joan Beckett Aged ??

THE DIOCESE AND DEANERY

The Church of St John The Divine Acklington is in the Diocese of Newcastle. The Diocese of Newcastle is made up of 13 Deaneries, as follows:

   Alnwick
   Bamburgh & Glendale
   Bedlington
   Bellingham
   Corbridge
   Hexham East
   Hexham West
   Morpeth
   Newcastle Central
   Newcastle East
   Newcastle West
   Norham
   Tynemouth.

There are 27 Anglican churches in the Alnwick Deanery, as follows:

   Acklington, St John The Divine
   Alnham, St Michael & All Angels
   Alnwick, St Michael
   Alnmouth, St John The Baptist
   Alwinton, St Michael & All Angels
   Amble, St Cuthbert
   Bolton, Bolton Chapel of Ease
   Boulmer, St Andrew the Fisherman
   Chevington, St John The Divine
   Craster, St Peter The Fisherman
   Edlingham, St John The Baptist
   Embleton, Holy Trinity
   Felton, St Michael & All Angels
   Hepple, Christ Church
   Holystone, St Mary The Virgin
   Howick, St Michael
   Lesbury, St Mary
   Longframlington, St Mary
   Longhoughton, St Peter & St Paul
   Newton By The Sea, St Mary
   Rennington, All Saints
   Rock, St Philip & St James
   Rothbury, All Saints
   Shilbottle, St James
   Thropton, St Andrew
   Warkworth, St Lawrence
   Whittingham, St Bartholomew

SPECIAL GIFTS

Members of Acklington Church try to support poor communities overseas (particularly around Christmas time) by buying unusual but useful presents. So far the special gifts we have purchased include: a cow, pigs, turkeys, sacks of maize, bees, goats, bicycles, a tap, some young sapling trees and a sheep.

---------------------------------------

THANK YOU Members of St John's are very grateful to Acklington Community Team (ACT) for the very special gift of large nativity figures for use in the church. They really help to enhance our church during the festive period and are a real talking point.

ABOUT OUR CHURCH

The official title of our
parish church is
The Parish Church of
St John The Divine
Acklington
but it is often referred to locally as St John's Church.

All denominations (and those of no particular faith) are very welcome to visit the church and join in with the services and celebrations. Sunday School for children takes place every fortnight during school term times.

For details of special services please see the notice board
which is situated in the church porch.

PREMATURE DEATH OF OUR PARISH PRIEST

READ MORE
A message from the Bishop of Newcastle and a personal announcement from Janet's family (including funeral arrangements) can be accessed by clicking on the following links:

A STATEMENT FROM THE BISHOP OF NEWCASTLE

A PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE FAMILY

CHURCHWARDENS

A churchwarden has a very responsible job in the life of his or her parish church. They are expected to be leaders in the church and have many important duties to carry out. If you want to know more about the chief responsibilities of a churchwarden, please click on the logo to the right. a

The current churchwardens of St John The Divine, Acklington are Bill Rowntree and Ken Denholm. Bill and Ken are pictured below with the late Revd Canon Janet Brearley. Should you need to contact wither of the wardens then their telephone numbers are as follows: Bill Rowntree 01670 761458 / Ken Denholm 01670 760220

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC)

All Anglican churches have a Parochial Church Council. A PCC has the important responsibility of co-operating with the vicar, or priest in charge (known as the incumbent) in promoting the mission of the Church in its parish. It is also responsible for the financial affairs of the church and the care and maintenance of the church fabric and its contents.

A PCC consists of the clergy and churchwardens of the parish, together with a number of representatives of the laity elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. The incumbent is the chairman of the PCC and a lay member is appointed vice-chairman. The PCC must meet at least four times a year.

Our PCC currently meets each month and the seventeen members who make up our PCC are shown below.

   Vicar & Chairperson
   Churchwarden
   Churchwarden
   Vice Chairman
   Treasurer
   Minutes Secretary
   Deanery Synod Representative



   Ex-Officio Member
   Ex-Officio Member

- vacancy -
Mr Ken Denholm
Mr Bill Rowntree
Mr John Davison
Miss Joan Davison
Miss Barbara Lamb
Mr David Hammond
Revd June Barras
Mrs June Davison
Mrs Margaret Denholm
Mrs Margaret Hammond
Mrs Pat Hawkins
Mrs Audrey Lamb
Mrs Moira Peden
Mrs Vera Taylor
Revd. Aubrey Richardson
Revd. Margaret Hobrough

Minutes of the latest PCC meetings can be viewed by clicking on the appropriate date opposite.

Our next PCC Meeting will be held on:
Date to be arranged

     s 14th December 2011
s 15th November 2011
s 19th October 2011
     s 21st September 2011

SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

Members of the church of St John The Divine marked the 150th anniversary of their church during a weekend of celebrations on 24th and 25th September 2011. Events included a craft fair, music, various displays and an art exhibition in the church, plus a photographic exhibition and refreshments in the village hall. The weekend of celebrations culminated with a church service of Praise and Thanksgiving on the Sunday evening. Below are some photographs from the occasion.

More photographs of the memorable Sesquicentennial celebrations (including pictures of the many pieces of craftwork which were on display in the church) can be viewed by clicking on the red balloon below.

CHURCH NEWS AND EVENTS

Church members are kept well informed of church events and activities. There is a busy noticeboard in the church porch (pictured left) and the parish magazine "The Pelican" is extremely popular with parishioners.

Members of Acklington Church need to raise substantial funds each year in order to meet their expenditure, including:

- paying their parish
   share (quota);
- maintaining and
   heating the large
   church building;
- upkeep of
   churchyard;
- insurance
   payments;
- charity giving;
- missionary work.

Fundraising events are usually well supported and varied in their nature. The pictures to the right show (1) a Coffee Morning on the lawn at Brainshaugh, (2) a Summer Fair in the village hall, (3) the beginning of a Sponsored Walk, and (4) the usual church raffle which seems to happen at most events.

Over recent years, the following fund-raising events have taken place:
Cream Teas
Soup Kitchens
Coffee Mornings
Table Top Sales
Wine & Cheese Evenings
Sponsored Slims
Art Evenings
Harvest Suppers
Alnwick Fair Stalls
Steeplechases
Christmas Fairs
Harvest Bounty Days
Summer Fairs
Musical Concerts
Sponsored Walks

    OUR LAST FUND-RAISING EFFORT......

ARTEFACTS

Housed in the church of St. John The Divine, Acklington, are the four ancient relics pictured below. The sanctus bell came from the old Brainshaugh Priory. It is thought this was the bell that the nuns rang to signify a death in Guyzance village - and it was frequently used during the great plague of 1349 which killed off two thirds of the local population. The bell survived the plague (although it has been fitted with another handle at a later date) but the priory and its inhabitants never recovered and the buildings fell into ruin. The second picture shows a mortar which has also come from the priory. It was used in the preparation of food. The frog like picture on the right is in fact a 16th century breastplate of Italian design which was ploughed up not far from the priory. the final picture shows the Acklington Warrior Stone which was discovered in the garden of the Old Vicarage.

There is still considerable mystery around the Acklington Warrior Stone and its discovery. It is believed to be linked to the famous medieval Lindisfarne Warrior Stone which was found on Holy Island.

More can be read about the Warrior Stone on the history pages of this website. Just click the "Pelican" link below and you can get more of the story.

GALLERY - SOME PHOTOGRAPHS FROM IN AND AROUND THE CHURCH

The churchyard is always kept very tidy and attractive. Above - Volunteer Jack Taylor at work.

Disabled Access was created in 2005

The Ordination of Revd June Barras

ART WORK DEPICTING THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE, ACKLINGTON

The church of St John The Divine, Acklington, has been sketched and painted many times.
Below are just a few examples.

St John's Snow Scene by Sarah Sells

Acklington Church by Charles Evans

Line Drawing by Dennis Sweetman

Sketch of St John The Divine by Hazel Charlton

Church Lych Gate by June Pirie

St John The Divine by Charles Evans

During April 2008 there was an exhibition of art work by inmates from Acklington Prison held in the Parish Church. Click on the art palette to see a flavour of the excellent work that was on show.