The Bishop of Durham's Visit
On Sunday 9th March, it was our great joy and pleasure to welcome Bishop Michael,
Bishop of Durham, and his wife Brenda, to St. John's on what was their last visit to us as
the bishop retires in April.
The purpose of the visit was twofold. Firstly, to say our 'farewell' as a parish church,
but mainly, for the Bishop to dedicate two new stained glass windows and a new bookcase
for us.
We had a delightful service, especially put together by Rev. Linda, in the afternoon, to
which the families who had donated one window and the bookcase, and members of the parish
council, who had donated the other window, were invited.
The bishop spoke warmly of St. John's in his address, refering to all that had been achieved
and all that we hope to achieve. He of course spoke about the long term membership of worshipper
Madge Dixon and former organist Dorothy Young, to whom the window of St. Mark and the bookcase
were dedicated.
The window of St. Luke was provided by Healyfield Parish Council to celebrate the Millenium,
2000 years of Jesus Christ.
After the service in church, we were all invited to a splendid faith tea in the church hall
in Moorside, where the Bishop took the opportunity to speak to members of the church, and they
to wish him well in his retirement. His wife Brenda was presented with a wonderful flower
arrangement and the Bishop with a rather nice single malt whiskey.
They left promising to visit in the future as they journey north to Scotland on holidays.
 | The Bishop speaking to some of the congregation. |
 |
St. Luke's window The Bishop, his wife, the Vicar and church wardens. St. Mark's window
 | On the left we have the Bishop receiving his Single Malt,
and on the right, the Bishop's wife, Brenda, with her flowers. |
 |
The New Bookcase
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