Stockton Road Church News June 2026
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Mark 12: 30-31 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and you shall love your neighbour as yourself”.
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We are a union of Presbyterian and Congregational churches at the heart of Sunderland city life, growing from a past rich in mission and hospitality. We embrace this heritage utilising the Five Marks of Mission to guide and enable us to take forward current opportunities for mission and service. |
June Reflection
Matthew 9: 35 – 10: 8
Jesus’ disciples have accompanied him and seen all that he does. Did they realise they were being trained for independent ministry? Jesus has built a team who can replicate his mission and increase its impact, and he commissions the twelve disciples by sharing the authority that he has won over hostile spirits (4:11). This delegated authority gives them the right to act on his behalf in supporting the goals of his mission, confronting all that brought suffering to these marginalised communities.
In commissioning them, Jesus sets out his understanding of mission in a section of teaching. For the moment, he limits their work to the Jews, identified again as ‘lost sheep’. This restriction lifts after the resurrection, and the disciples are instructed to make disciples of ‘all nations’ (28:19).
They announce good news that the kingdom of heaven is near, as Jesus has taught them to pray (6:10). This is shown by the healing that the disciples can now offer: a proof of the presence of God. Jesus commands them emphatically to cure, raise, cleanse, cast out, and verse 20 makes it clear that this happens through the Holy Spirit at work in them, a freely given gift. This is why Jesus tells them that they may not accept any money for their work – they must honour the generosity of God.
Jesus feels compassion for the lost sheep of his time – those facing illness without the possibility of a cure, ‘harassed and helpless’. It’s a telling phrase describing the powerlessness of marginalised people in the face of an authority that will not, or cannot, care. These are the people to whom Jesus sends his disciples, trusting them to share
his mission. What do the disciples feel? It’s not an easy assignment. Who are the ‘harassed and helpless’ of our day? Would Jesus invite his disciples today to go beyond their comfort zone in engaging with the needs of these people in our communities?
Questions
- What is in your comfort zone? And out of it?!
- How does Jesus prepare the disciples to share faith in difficult territory?
- Where in your neighbourhood might God be calling you to bless with peace?
A Prayer
Jesus called the disciples and gave them a job, gave them authority to carry it out, took them out of their comfort zone. Lord God, we are a fellowship, a worshipping, serving community. We are not on our own, your Holy Spirit is with us. Make us ready to follow you, stepping out in faith, going wherever you lead us.
Amen.
Lectionary Readings
31 May – 6 June – Sent: With you always
Trinity Sunday: Genesis 1.1–2.4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13.11-13; Matthew 28.16-20
7 – 13 June – Beyond hope
Proper 5: Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-12; Romans 4.13-25; Matthew 9.9-13,18-26
14 – 20 June – Out of your comfort zone
Proper 6: Genesis 18:1-15,(21:1-7); Psalm 116:1-2,12-19; Romans 5.1-8; Matthew 9.35-10.8(9-23)
21 – 27 June – No compromise
Proper 7: Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10,16-17; Romans 6.1b-11; Matthew 10.24-39
28 June – 4 July – Recognised
Proper 8: Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Romans 6.12-23; Matthew 10.40-42
Church Services
Services at 10.45am in the Sanctuary unless indicated otherwise
June 7th Revd Peter Jordan. Coffee and Croissants.
June 14th Revd Dr David Whiting
June 21st Revd Jane Rowell. Communion service.
June 28th Christine Hutchinson and Barbara Mitchell
Weekly Church Activities (all welcome)
Bible Study Group Tuesdays at 10.30am
Food Cycle Lunch Tuesdays at 12.30pm
Gardening Group Thursdays at 10.30am
Northern Synod Newsletter
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www.urc-northernsynod.org/news/newsletter
Click on a recent newsletter and scroll down till you see Subscribe.
Grant for Restoration of
the Light of the World Window
At the conclusion of the service on 26th April, Steven Swansbury, the Assistant Grand Master of the Provincial Lodge of Durham, along with other members of the Durham Freemasons, presented our Minister with a certificate recording the donation of £2555. This was for the restoration and protection of the vandalised stained-glass window in the Sanctuary.
The window is particularly beloved by Church members as it is based on Holman Hunt’s iconic Light of the World painting, which was inspired by a verse from John’s Gospel.
After restoration by Iona Art Glass, it will be rededicated in September when we will be holding a number of events planned by the Heritage Group to celebrate our stained glass.
Love, Amelia
Please see Wishlist below which is currently on their website. If you have items to donate, please bring them to Church and put them in the box in the Vestry. There is also an Amazon Wishlist on their website www.loveamelia.org.uk if you want to buy and donate items direct.
Previous Newsletters
Church Newsletter July 2025 final (1)
March Newsletter 2024