A weekend of activities is being held to celebrate the stained glass windows in a County Durham church.
St Clare’s Church has stood in the heart of Newton Aycliffe for more than 50 years and this year is a celebration of the building's stained glass windows and their story.
Anyone who wishes to photograph or sketch the windows and those who simply would like to take some time out, sit for a while and refresh are all welcome.
Events at the church, on St Cuthbert's Way, start at 10am tomorrow (Saturday, August 10) with a coffee morning in the fellowship hall, serving drinks, bacon and sausage sandwiches and scones, continuing into the afternoon finishing at 2pm.
From 2pm, children and families are invited to take part in some stained glass craft activities, with a competition for children running across the weekend to design their own stained glass window. Judged by Deputy Mayor Councillor Joanne Jones, the winner will receive a £25 Planet Leisure voucher.
Parish Youth will be serving a sausage roll tea and strawberry scone for afternoon visitors until 4pm.
Doors will open again from 10am on Sunday (August 11) with a festival service, attended by civic dignitaries beginning at 11am.
This will be followed by a bring and share lunch leading into a quiet open church session between 2pm and 3pm, where there will be an opportunity for quiet reflection and to place a message of remembrance for a loved one on the prayer tree.
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Celebrations will conclude with a relaxed 'Songs Of Praise' from 3pm. Visitors, who will be greeted with a glass of fizz and nibbles, are encouraged to select their song/hymn in advance by responding to the Facebook message on the Parish of Great Aycliffe page, by getting in touch with Helen McCormick on 07716-801262 or by completing song request sheets at the back of church.
An art exhibition will run across the weekend featuring work from local artists and there will be a raffle of hampers across the weekend.
Parish warden Helen McCormick said: "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."
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