Newsletter - Advent 2
07/12/25 (Year A)
Your weekly e-newsletter from the Benwell & Scotswood Team.
Services this week
Sunday
10am - St John's Holy Communion
10am - St Margaret's Holy Communion
11.15am - St James Parish Eucharist
Tuesday
4.30pm - Farsi Bible Study at St James
Thursday
12pm - Ven Bede Holy Communion
Next Sunday
10am - St John's Holy Communion
10am - St Margaret's Holy Communion
11.15am - St James Parish Eucharist
Dates for your diary
Tues 16 Dec
12pm Christmas dinner at St James
Wed 17 Dec
4-9pm Charity Auction at St James
Sun 21 Dec
6pm Carols at St John's
Wed 24 Dec
5pm Christmas eve Crib service at St Margaret's
11.30pm Midnight mass at Venerable Bede
Thurs 25 Dec
10am Christmas day service at St James
Sun 28 Dec
11.15am Team Service at St James (no other services in the team this Sunday)
News
New website
You may have noticed things might look a little different!
We have a new web provider but we have tried to keep everything as similar as possible to before.
Please use the red buttons above to find weekly info for worship, including the text for this week’s sermon.
Please explore and let us know if there is anything incorrect or missing. Some new features include an online form to book our halls. And an updated form to request a Christening.
St James Charity shop - now open!
This week we have opened our new charity shop at St James! This is to raise money to keep our community work going. Have a browse and grab a bargain!
It will be open whenever the church is open, this is usually:
Tuesday 10-4
Wednesday 10-1
Thursday 10-3
Delivery can be arranged for larger items.
Please speak to Kath McIntyre or Chris Foskett if you have donations of good-quality household items.
Please note - we will not be accepting donations of clothes and soft goods.
Christmas Dinner
Tues 16th Dec, 12pm
Join us at St James for a warm and welcoming Christmas meal shared with friends, neighbours, and families. Enjoy good food, festive cheer, and friendly company — all are welcome, come and celebrate Christmas together!
£3 a ticket
Speak to Chris Foskett or Shirley if you would like to come. Or drop us an email to book.
The Christmas Charity Auction
Wed 17th Dec, viewing from 4pm, bidding begins at 5pm
This Christmas season will also see the return of our charity auction at St James to raise money for the church to keep us open and caring for our community.
There will be plenty of lots, big and small for all budgets. Grab a bargain and join the fun!
All are welcome whether your bidding or not. There will also be mulled wine, festive snacks and some carol singing as well.
Help needed:
If you have good quality items to donate please speak to Kath McIntyre.
If you have connections to local businesses and venues that could donate something, then please ask them and let us know!
We need volunteers to help with refreshments, set-up, tidy-up, taking payments, and carol singing.
Carols at St John’s
Sunday 21 December 2025 6pm
St John's Benwell Village, Ferguson's Lane, NE15 6NW
Step into the warmth and wonder of Christmas as we gather together for an evening of traditional carols, festive music, and the timeless story of the Nativity. Whether you are a regular churchgoer or simply love the magic of Christmas, you are warmly invited to share in this celebration of hope, peace, and light.
Come and lift your voice, enjoy the glow of candlelight, and be part of a cherished Christmas tradition for all ages. Afterwards, stay for mince pies and refreshments as we continue the festive cheer together.
All are welcome — we look forward to celebrating with you!
Christmas Eve at St Margaret’s
Wednesday 24 December 2025
St Margaret Scotswood, Armstrong Road, Tyne, NE15 6AR
Join us for our Family Crib Service on Christmas Eve!
A warm and magical Christmas Eve celebration for children and their families, our Crib Service brings the Nativity story to life in a joyful and accessible way. With well-loved carols, simple storytelling, and an opportunity for children to help build the crib scene, this service is perfect for little ones to experience the wonder of Christmas.
Come and share in the excitement, dress up as a shepherd or angel if you like, and enjoy a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where all ages can take part.
Everyone is welcome — a lovely way to begin your Christmas Eve celebrations together!
Midnight Mass
Wednesday 24 December 11.30pm
Venerable Bede, West Road, NE4 8AP
Celebrate the wonder of Christmas at Midnight Mass
Join us on Christmas Eve for our traditional Midnight Mass — a peaceful and reflective service that welcomes the arrival of Christmas with joy and reverence. As the clock approaches midnight, we gather in candlelight to hear the timeless story of Christ’s birth, share in Holy Communion, and sing much-loved carols that usher in the hope of Christmas Day.
This beautiful and atmospheric service is a treasured moment of stillness and celebration in the midst of the festive season.
All are warmly invited to share in this sacred beginning of Christmas.
MODS - returns in the new year
MODS (Made of Diverse Stuff) is an ongoing mental health peer support group — helping us to help ourselves!
We will take a break over Advent and Christmas and return on Wednesday 14th January.
St James Benwell hall, NE15 6RS
Wednesdays
Group starts at 1.30pm (arrive from 1.10pm).
Finish by 2.30 pm
