St James Church Riding Mill

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Inspiring, equipping and enabling every church across the UK to meet the spiritual needs of older people

Anna Chaplains Commissioned in Newcastle

The Anna Chaplaincy has reached the north-east of England. No fewer than twelve Anna Chaplains, including Lynda Padgett, were commissioned on Sunday 17 February at Newcastle’s St Nicholas Cathedral.

The Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Revd Christine Hardman, led the ecumenical service to commission Anglicans from Newcastle, and Durham Diocese on behalf of the Bishop of Durham. Church leaders from Methodist, Baptist and Hexham Community churches also commissioned members of their own congregations.
Most of the Newcastle contingent were Readers (or Licensed Lay Ministers, LLMs) many of whom, with others, had successfully completed a Spiritual Care Course.
Anna Chaplains mainly work ‘in care homes or in their community with older people whose lives are challenged through dementia, physical restrictions or isolation as well as being a chaplain to their families and to staff.’

Click this link for more information about Anna Chaplaincy in our Parish.

Summer Fayre - 2018

Many thanks to all those who supported our Summer Fayre.

We raised a magnificent £3,000 to be divided between the charities we are supporting as a church this year and the church itself.

Elaine & Peter Ruder - Farewell

On Sunday 28th of April we said "goodbye" to Elaine and Peter Ryder.

Elaine is to be ordained at Petertide (Sat 30th June at 4pm) and will serve her title at St John the Evangelist, Otterburn.

Peter, who has been a Reader here at St James', for many years will also continue his ministry there.

We send them our prayers and good wishes as they continue their journey as Christians in this new place.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Each Tuesday evening, from 6.30 – 7pm, in the Church Cottage, we meet to meditate together.

Life today for many is lived at such a frantic pace and accompanied by so much background noise it is good simply to sit in silence together and to make space for God in our midst.

The practice of meditation teaches us to be more aware of where God is working in our lives. It speaks to openness, hospitality and refraining from judging ourselves or others.

Meditation is a discipline which is better learned in community.

After a short introduction to meditation we sit in silence together. At the end of our meditation we have the opportunity to speak briefly about how our practice of meditation is developing, day by day.

You would be welcome to join us any Tuesday evening. We are an ecumenical group. You do not need to be a member of the congregation at St James’ to join us.

Revd Lesley Chapman.

Men's Breakfast - January 2018

Our Churches Together Men’s Breakfast is growing steadily in popularity and we were delighted to welcome yet more new faces to our January breakfast. The breakfasts are held early on a Saturday morning, four times a year and welcome all men from in and around the village. Our January meeting welcomed our own Bob Eldridge who fascinated us with his very personal and indeed poignant story of his coming to faith and the practical application of this strong conviction in his professional and voluntary life, particularly through his leadership of the amazing People’s Kitchen in Newcastle. Bob made a considerable impression on his audience and engendered much conversation immediately after his presentation and subsequently. Thank you Bob. Remarkable.

Our next breakfast is on April 21st, 8.30 am in the Parish Hall. Our guest speaker will be Peter Ryder, wordsmith, songsmith, performer, poet and Reader at St James’s. This will be the last opportunity to spend breakfast time with Peter before he and Elaine make plans to move to pastures new. The invitation is open……

David and Stan

Men's Breakfast - Saturday 14th October 2017

Practical Compassion

Our Churches Together in Riding Mill Men’s’ Breakfast was privileged to welcome Revd Malcolm Jones as our guest speaker. For the last eleven years, Malcolm has been heading up the Charity Practical Compassion for Destitute Children, which cares for the educational and medical needs of destitute children in ‘the lands of the Bible’, irrespective of race, background or faith. The early risers filled the Supper Room in the Parish Hall to hear truly inspirational stories of how Malcolm responded to God’s call to minister in the most practical of ways to children and young adults in Palestine, at the same time as holding the demanding role of a Parish Priest in the north east. Now retired, Malcolm maintains as much momentum as his strength will allow to provide the inspiration for this extraordinary work. To hear Malcolm speak about his truly transformative work leaves the audience in no doubt about the source of his strength and motivation. Malcolm is in no doubt that God provides the money and the means whenever it is needed. He is a remarkable man.