A weekend of activities celebrating thirty years of stained glass at St. Clare’s Church on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th August from 10am – 4pm.
St. Clare’s Church has stood in the heart of our community for over 50 years and this year we celebrate the wonderful stained glass windows and their story. So, whether you come to church little or often, or maybe only walk past it daily – please do pop inside and take a look. The windows look so different from the inside and if we are blessed with a little sunlight – they are simply breathtaking!
We welcome those who wish to photograph or sketch the windows and those who simply would like to take some time out from a busy holiday time, sit for a while and refresh.
We begin at 10am on Saturday 10th August with our popular coffee morning, in the fellowship hall, serving drinks, bacon and sausage sandwiches and scones. A home-baked cake stall with a variety of large and small cakes, pies and seasonal produce will be on offer. For this special celebration, the weekend coffee morning will continue into the afternoon, finishing at 2pm. Meet up with friends and catch up with all that is going on. Come and choose a holiday reader from a good selection of books and, of course, take a wander into the church at your leisure. A warm welcome awaits and we are delighted to be joined by Reverend Colin Jay who will open our celebrations.
Then, from 2pm. we invite children and families to take part in some stained glass craft – sun catchers, painting on glass and card making. We have a competition for children running across the weekend to design their very own stained glass window – which will be judged by Deputy Mayor Councillor Joanne Jones, the lucky winner will receive a £25 Planet Leisure voucher. Parish Youth will be serving a sausage roll tea and strawberry scone for our afternoon visitors – concluding at 4pm.
Our doors will open once again from 10am on Sunday 11th for any early morning wanderers with a Festival Service, attended by civic dignitaries, beginning at 11am, once again all are welcome to attend. The Reverend Peter Baldwin will be our guest preacher and will share his passion and joy for the stained glass stories with us.
This will be followed by a bring and share lunch, leading into:
Quiet Open Church, between 2-3pm, where there will be an opportunity for quiet reflection and any who wish to do so are invited to place a message of remembrance for a loved one on the prayer tree – please do take this opportunity to come into the church which is YOUR church – at the heart of the community and welcomes you all.
We finally conclude our celebrations with a Relaxed Songs Of Praise where we can sing or simply listen to favourite hymns and songs. You will be greeted with a glass of fizz and nibbles to enjoy this time, beginning at 3pm. Visitors are encouraged to select their song/hymn in advance and can do so by responding to the Facebook message on the Parish of Great Aycliffe page or by getting in touch with Helen on 07716 801262 or by completing the song request sheets at the back of church.
An art exhibition will run across the weekend, featuring work from local artists – you may browse and some will be available to purchase.
We also have a Raffle of Hampers across the weekend – £1 to enter.
The church will be beautifully decorated with flower displays to view.
So, we hope you can see there is something for everyone and everyone is welcome.
Helen McCormick
Parish Warden