Holy Rood House

31/10/2025

For you, for us …

These days invite us into memory and hope—and sorrow and joy and, most of all, love. In everything we carry, may we keep figuring out what it means to live fully and wholeheartedly here and now, in this world and in this life. Wherever these days find you, may they hold solace and mysterious grace. This blessing is for you.

ATTENDED

We are attended.
We are accompanied.

We are asked to open
our eyes, our hearts,
to the grace of it,

that we might bear witness
not only to the fall of the sparrow
but also to what follows it:

the aching mystery that
comes to sing in our bones,
the presence that releases us
into this living and into this world

but also,
with wondrous strangeness,
goes with us still,
making a nest in us
and helping us
find our way
home.

—Jan Richardson
from Sparrow: A Book of Life and Death and Life
janrichardson.com/books

28/10/2025

A weekend of mindfulness and song!
23 - 25 January
Come and join us for a fun and engaging weekend, where Shaun and Mike will combine mindfulness and spiritual practices with beautiful and simple songs.

Shaun is a highly experienced mindfulness practitioner and is the writer of a number of books on the subject and Mike brings years of experience in running workshops and groups that encourage people to sing that are both beautiful and life giving. Together they combine with a sense of joy and playfulness as they speak of the mindfulness of God and share songs which will open our hearts to connect us to ourselves, to God and to one another.

Please note - you do not need to read music or be a “singer” to take part in this weekend - we offer this weekend to anyone who would like to join in - all are welcome!

25/10/2025

Our Community Leader Sue Hammersley is one of the speakers at this event. Cheering on WATCH and her from Thirsk …

‘A group of WATCH supporters and members Newcastle and Durham Dioceses are putting together this event on behalf of WATCH, and it would be great to see you there.
A chance to understand more about the ways in which women are still not equal yet in the Church of England, and what we can do about it.
You don't have to be female or ordained to attend, because the limitations placed on women's ministry affect the life of the whole church. So whether you're already fired up about this issue, or just curious to find out more, do join us at Newcastle Cathedral on the morning of Saturday 25th October. The (free) booking link is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1752974677449...
Women And The Church

Come and learn more about how and why women are still in the Church of England - and what we can do to change that.

19/10/2025

“And so I think my prayer for the day, the one that is addressed to The Hands That Hold Everything That Is Forever And Falling, is to remind me to save a place in my heart for the small moments, for the daily miracles, for the love made visible in autumn leaves.”

beautiful words from Carrie Newcomer

18/10/2025

Please support this event:

In a week's time, on Saturday 25th October, there will be a gathering in the morning at Newcastle Cathedral for the WATCH Not Equal Yet Roadshow. As well as an update from WATCH, there will be thought-provoking input from Sue (Hammersley) and Jenni Beaumont, some time for group discussion and reflection, and some creative and inclusive worship.

Check out the blogpost below for more about why we still need to be talking about gender justice in the church, and book your free tickets for the Roadshow here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/not-equal-yet-roadshow-newcastle-tickets-1752974677449?aff=oddtdtcreator

“Do we really need to still be talking about this stuff here? We’ve got a female bishop, two female archdeacons, two female canons at the cathedral. Is this still a conversation we need to be having?”   This was the reaction of a local colleague, who is fully supportive of women’s minis...

18/10/2025

Here at Holy Rood we cook with love ❤️ isn’t this squash - grown in our garden- just beautiful? Tasted delicious, too 😊

11/10/2025

Morning sunrise over the Flatts - looking out from Holy Rood House. An awesome view.