St. Brandon’s Church

St. Brandon’s Church, Brancepeth

Welcome to St. Brandon's Church

 St. Bran

St. Brandon' s is the parish church serving Brancepeth village and the surrounding area.

 

Our church building has over 900 years of history, including its recent rebuilding after a devastating fire in 1998. It is now once again the place where the church members gather to worship God each week and at special times throughout the Christian year, and where all are always welcome.

Our purpose as a church is to both worship God and to share the love of God that we celebrate here, through our activities as a church and as individual Christians.

 

This web page explains some of what happens, and when, and who to contact to find out more.

If you would like to know more about the history of the church, there is a  leaflet in church about this.

Worship

 

We meet for worship on Sunday at 10.15 a.m.

Our service is usually a Parish Eucharist. Sunday School meet during the service in their own room in church (they start and finish in church with everyone else). On some occasions we stay together for the whole service.

 

We also meet for other services on special days and festivals of the Christian year. Details of all services are printed in the monthly parish newsletter and on this website.

During the week a group meet in church to say Morning Prayer at 8.15 am, and all are welcome at these services.

As a parish church our worship also includes baptisms and weddings, for those who live within the parish or who regularly attend. Please do contact the Priest-in-Charge with enquiries about baptism or marriage.

 

Visits, Prayer and Care

 

If you are new to the area or the church, and would like a visit from a church member, please let us know, by phone or email. You might wish to write to us or to leave a note in the basket by the notice-boards near the main door, or send it to:

 

Rev. Rick Simpson, The Rectory, Brancepeth, Durham, DH7 8EL

 

Please also do let us know if you are ever unwell or troubled, and would value a visit from a church member, or home communion. To arrange this, please call Deborah Hodge, on 01388 746867.

 

Shared Ministry

St. Brandon's is a "shared ministry" parish. We believe that all Christians are important within the church family, and all have a part to play.

 

This includes the leadership of the church: as well as the Parochial Church Council, who have responsibility for many decisions about church life, we have a Shared Ministry Team. Our priest, Rick Simpson (whose main job involves working with all new clergy in Durham and Newcastle Dioceses), is a member of this team, alongside others.

 

Members of the congregation are involved in the services — reading, leading prayers, helping with communion, with flowers, with refreshments — and in all other aspects of the church's ministry: please see the list of contact names and numbers below.

Giving

 

Church members also share the costs of the church through giving; some of our giving also support the work of the Diocese of Durham and specific mission and charity projects. We do not pass a plate during our service, but gifts can be left in the plate near the door, or planned giving can be arranged directly with the Treasurer.

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Our Restoration Prayer

During the process of restoration,
the church made this its prayer:

 

Lord Jesus Christ,

you were raised to life from death;

you bring hope from despair,

and light out of darkness:

fill us, your church in Brancepeth,

with hope and vision

to trust your promises

and obey your will.

 

Grant us faith and thankfulness

that we may rebuild the house of the Church

through offering our generosity

and loving service.

Grant us a new foundation

within your saving purpose,

that we may see your church raised up

as sign and sacrament

of your truth and embrace.

 

All this we ask so that your

kingdom may come,

your will be done

and your glory be revealed.

Amen.