St Mary the Virgin, Whickham

06/09/2026

Please find attached our Pew Sheet for the week commencing 6th September. It contains details of upcoming services and events. Everyone is welcome.

30/08/2026

Please find attached our Pew Sheet for the week commencing 30th August. It contains details of upcoming services and events. Everyone is welcome.
Also please find attached the programme for Michael's recital which will start at 10am.

23/08/2026

Next Sunday (30th August 2026) is Michael and Jean's last service in Whickham.
Michael will be playing an organ recital which will start at 10am, before our morning Eucharist at 10:30. Please see the post attached which contains the programme that he will be playing both at the recital and during the morning service.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Please come and wish them well.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=122171175626724860&id=61571745806353&ref=embed_post

As many of you will know after 51 years at St Marys, Michael Grave is retiring as Director of Music at the end of August. He and Jean are moving south to be nearer their family.
Sunday 30th August will be Michael and Jean's last service at Whickham. Michael will be giving an organ recital at 10am, before the morning Eucharist at 10:30.

The recital will include:

Two pieces played at my audition in 1975
Elegy by George Thalben-Ball
Wachet auf (Sleepers Wake) by J S Bach

One of the first pieces I learnt for organ (my mother’s favourite)
Air and Gavotte by Samuel Wesley

With Julia Watson Cello – a chorister when I came in 1975
Prière for Cello and Organ by C Saint-Saens

Thinking of St Mary the Virgin
Prière a Notre Dame from the Gothic Suite by L Boellmann

Voluntary at end of service
Toccata in F from Organ Symphony No. 5 by C M Widor

At the 10:30 Eucharist the choir will be singing the anthem O Saviour of the world by John Goss. The hymns will include some of Michael's favourite which are Angel voices every singing, How shall I sing the majesty, and O Praise ye the Lord.

Everyone is welcome to attend both the recital and the morning service as we wish them well and say goodbye.

23/08/2026

Please find attached our Pew Sheet for the week commencing 23rd August. It contains details of upcoming services and events. Everyone is welcome.

16/08/2026

Please find attached our Pew Sheet for the week commencing 16th August. It contains details of upcoming services and events. Everyone is welcome.

09/08/2026

Please find attached our Pew Sheet for the week commencing 9th August. It contains details of upcoming services and events. Everyone is welcome.

06/08/2026

As many of you will know after 51 years at St Marys, Michael Grave is retiring as Director of Music at the end of August. He and Jean are moving south to be nearer their family.
Sunday 30th August will be Michael and Jean's last service at Whickham. Michael will be giving an organ recital at 10am, before the morning Eucharist at 10:30.

The recital will include:

Two pieces played at my audition in 1975
Elegy by George Thalben-Ball
Wachet auf (Sleepers Wake) by J S Bach

One of the first pieces I learnt for organ (my mother’s favourite)
Air and Gavotte by Samuel Wesley

With Julia Watson Cello – a chorister when I came in 1975
Prière for Cello and Organ by C Saint-Saens

Thinking of St Mary the Virgin
Prière a Notre Dame from the Gothic Suite by L Boellmann

Voluntary at end of service
Toccata in F from Organ Symphony No. 5 by C M Widor

At the 10:30 Eucharist the choir will be singing the anthem O Saviour of the world by John Goss. The hymns will include some of Michael's favourite which are Angel voices every singing, How shall I sing the majesty, and O Praise ye the Lord.

Everyone is welcome to attend both the recital and the morning service as we wish them well and say goodbye.

05/08/2026

St Mary the Virgin Whickham Churchyard

Many people in our community hold St Mary’s Churchyard close to their hearts. It is a place of remembrance, prayer and thanksgiving, where generations of loved ones have been laid to rest and where families continue to visit, reflect and find comfort.

We would like to let you know that a Notice of Proposed Closure of the Churchyard has now been published on the entrances to the Churchyard. This is a formal step in legal process when there is no space remaining for new burials.

We understand that this news may bring mixed emotions for many people. Please be assured that this is not an immediate closure. Existing graves are unaffected, families will continue to be welcome to visit and care for their loved ones’ graves, and St Mary’s will continue to cherish the churchyard as a sacred place of peace, prayer and remembrance alongside Gateshead Council who maintain the grounds.

As part of the legal process, the notice has been displayed publicly and provides an opportunity for anyone who wishes to make representations during the consultation period to do so.

If you have any questions or would simply like to talk about what this means, please don’t hesitate to contact the Rector on 0191 676 7417 or [email protected]. We are here to help.

Please keep all who mourn, and all who find comfort in our churchyard, in your prayers.

Rev’d James Scott

02/08/2026

Please find attached our Pew Sheet for the week commencing 2nd August. It contains details of upcoming services and events. Everyone is welcome.
Please note if you are attending Evensong at Gibside you do not need to pay the entry fee into Gibside.

01/08/2026

Church is open today between 10-12 for anyone who want to pop in/explore/have some quiet or a chat.

Tea and coffee available!