May 2025 was a full month of activity at St Gabriel’s!
Friends of St Gabriel’s held their spring coffee morning with games and a raffle and cake! It was a happy, busy, successful morning, very well supported by the Friends, congregation and community. The final total raised towards St Gabriel’s projects was £609.
Shine On , the local charity that works to support older people to live independently, held their first of a regular coffee morning in the Vestry. The next one will be on the morning of Wednesday 11th June in the vestry. All are welcome!
We held the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and thanks those who have served the church over the last year, elected new members to the P.C.C. and celebrated the work of the many groups at St Gabriel’s over 2024.
Mothers’ Union held a Pie & Pea Supper in aid of the Away From It All Fund who support families who need a break.
June saw the annual Summer Garden Party! This year it was held inside the church after a look at the weather forecast! But it was a great success! Thanks to all who helped, donated and visited on the afternoon. A fantastic £2591 was raised (after minor costs deducted). This meant we were able to donate £750 to each of the 3 charities chosen this year with the remainder being held by the missions group for future disaster appeals.
The three charities chosen this year were:
www.guidedogs.org.uk – A national charity helping those with sight loss and the only organisation to breed and train guide dogs in the UK.
www.nourishfoodschool.co.uk – A local charity that run classes and community projects to help to remove food related illness from all communities in the North East of England.
www.dec.org.uk – The Disasters Emergency Committee works to bring together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of humanitarian crisis overseas.
The next big event for Missions fundraising would be the Winter Wonderland in November – however this year they are planning a special Christmas Tree Festival instead! More details to come later in the year but it is all sounding very exciting!
Last year we were approached with the opportunity to have a reclaimed Peal of Bells installed in the tower. The PCC has overseen the investigations to see if this would be a viable project over the last few months.
At the Parochial Church Council meeting on Thursday 19th June it was agreed to go ahead with the Bells project and move towards having the Bells installed.
This will involve a great deal of work, not least in finding the funds for the project, applying for a faculty and consulting the local neighbourhood. Please hold this project in your prayers.
Jeni Skinner, Parish Administrator