Bishop Helen Ann to be our Holy Week preacher

We are honoured and blessed that the Bishop of Newcastle, The Rt Revd Helen-Ann Hartley, will be joining us in Benwell and Scotswood for Holy Week to be our preacher. She will journey with us at this most special time to help us reflect on Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.

She will be with us on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Holy Week, for what is traditionally known as the “Triduum”– Maundy Thursday through to the celebration of Easter.

Maundy Thursday - Eucharist of the Last Supper

2 April, 7.30pm

At Venerable Bede West Road, NE4 8AP

You are invited to have your feet washed (not compulsory!) as Jesus washed his Disciples’ feet at their last meal together. We share communion before the altar and church are then stripped of decoration and we descend into darkness.

‘The Watch’ lasts for an hour after the service for those who want to stay, just as Jesus asked his disciples to stay awake and pray with him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Good Friday - Veneration of the Cross

3 April, 2pm

At St John’s Church Benwell Village, NE15 6NW

We tell the story of Jesus’ trial and death. As we meditate on his sacrifice, a cross is brought into the church and we offer our prayers. This is a powerful service when we remember the outpouring of God’s love and how an instrument of death and oppression was transformed into a symbol of hope, joy and eternal life.

The Easter Celebration - Eucharist of the Resurrection

Sat 4 April, 8pm

At St Margaret’s Church Scotswood, NE15 6AR

We begin in darkness with a vigil around a fire, telling the story of God’s love and salvation throughout history. We light the Paschal Candle and light returns to the church with celebration and joy and singing. We baptise new Christians and renew our baptismal promises. We then celebrate the Eucharist once more, remembering that Christ conquered death, and now we share in this heavenly meal and receive eternal life.