Thought for April
A Prayer for Easter
Lord Jesus Christ, as you rose victorious over death,
so may faith, hope and love continue to triumph in our lives.
May the message of your glorious resurrection
continue to stir in our hearts and change lives today.
Amen
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The service on Sunday, 19th April 2026, is Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m. at St Augustine’s. The service will be followed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the church hall.
We'd love you to join us!
Changes to the Family Service
From Sunday May 5th the 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. Family Service, on the first Sunday of the month, will be replaced with a single service of Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m.
All are warmly invited.
From September 2024 all Benefice Services will commence at 10 a.m.
PLEASE DO SUPPORT THE BENEFICE SERVICES, ALL WELCOME!
Midweek Services at St Augustine's
Please join us for our Thursday 10 a.m. Holy Communion Services on the first two Thursdays of the month.
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During February, Holy Communion will be Thursday February 5th and 12th 10am at Kirkby-in-Cleveland.
There will be a coffee morning after the service on 5th February in the Church Hall, all welcome.
Ash Wednesday is February 18th 2026
Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday 18th February, at Kirkby 10am, will be Holy Communion with the imposition of ashes.
There will be no service on February 19th ( see the Lenten challenge.)
A Challenge for Lent
During the following weeks of Lent there will be a Holy Communion service at 10am on each of the Thursdays 26th February 5th,12th,19th, 26th March and ending with the one on Maundy Thursday at 10am (2nd April).
There will be a special Lent themed short address, except on Maundy Thursday.
These will explore controversial issues facing the Church in 2026.
Speakers will include: Rev Laura Wild, The Archdeacon of Cleveland, Nick Land, Mark Sutcliffe and Gina von Bradsky.
Can you attend them all?
There will be a prize for anyone who can as a celebration of drawing closer to God in Lent?
Lent Talks: The Church in 2026 Thursday 26th February 10am
Should Christians always pay tax?
The Church’s relationship with the State (Romans 13:1-7) Rev Laura Wild
All are short talks, within a service of Holy Communion, 10am at St Augustine’s Church Kirkby .
A Challenge for Lent
During the following weeks of Lent there will be a Holy Communion service at 10 a.m. on each of the Thursdays -26th February, 5th 12th 19th 26th March and ending with the one on Maundy Thursday at 10 a.m. (2nd April).
There will be a special Lent themed short address, except on Maundy Thursday.
Lent Talks: The Church in 2026 Thursday 26th February 10 a.m. Should Christians always pay tax? The Church’s relationship with the State (Romans 13:1-7) Rev Laura Wild Thursday
5th March 10 a.m. What are Tongues? Do Christians need to speak in them? (1 Corinthians 14:1-19) Nick Land
Thursday 12th March 10 a.m. What are Bishops for? (1Timothy 3:1-12) The Ven Dr Amanda Bloor, Archdeacon of Cleveland
Thursday 19th March 10 a.m. Belief and Personal Morality: Christians and Biological Sex (Romans 1:18-27) Mark Sutcliffe
Thursday 26th March 10 a.m. Men and Women: their roles in the Church (1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1Timothy 2:11-12) Gina von Bradsky.
All are short talks, within a service of Holy Communion, 10 a.m. at St Augustine’s Church Kirkby in Cleveland.
On Maundy Thursday, April 2nd there will be a service of Holy Communion 10am.
Try to come to them all or choose ones of particular interest.
All welcome, whether regular attenders at services or not.
Bible references are given for those who wish to read the Bible reading beforehand.
Good Friday 3rd April No Service at Kirkby. Meet at the Dudley Arms at 10 a.m. to walk down to St Andrew’s Ingleby Greenhow for a short service at 10.15 a.m.
If you do not wish to walk down with the cross, please meet at the church at 10.15 a.m.
Sun 5th April EASTER DAY Holy Communion Services 9am Ingleby Greenhow,
10.30 a.m. Kirkby ,
3 p.m. Chop Gate
Thursday 26th March 10 a.m. Men and Women: their roles in the Church (1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1Timothy 2:11-12) Gina von Bradsky
All are short talks, within a service of Holy Communion, 10 a.m. at St Augustine’s Church Kirkby in Cleveland.
On Maundy Thursday, April 2nd there will be a service of Holy Communion 10 a.m.
Try to come to them all or choose ones of particular interest.
All welcome, whether regular attenders at services or not.
Bible references are given for those who wish to read the Bible reading beforehand.
Good Friday 3rd April No Service at Kirkby.
Meet at the Dudley Arms at 10 a.m. to walk down to St Andrew’s Ingleby Greenhow for a short service at 10.15 a.m.
If you do not wish to walk down with the cross, please meet at the church at 10.15 a.m.
Sun 5th April EASTER DAY Holy Communion Services
9 a.m. Ingleby Greenhow,
10.30 a.m. Kirkby ,
3 p.m. Chop Gate
PLEASE NOTE THE TIMES OF THESE SERVICES
Confirmation
If any adult or child aged eleven and over would like to prepare for Confirmation please let Anne Heading know.
If you are unsure what would be involved then please do ask.
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Notes from The Parochial Church Council
1. When you come into the church porch, please do not forget the porch box for charitable donations.
These monies do not go for church funds but for some other charity nominated by PCC members.
2. If you would like to have your say in the Governance of the Church of England then the way to do it is by becoming a member of the Deanery Synod. This meets three times per year & is the local decision making body. Members of Deanery Synod can vote & resolutions may be passed to Diocesan & then further to General Synod, as the need arises.
If you would be interested please contact Anne Heading.
Members of Deanery Synod must be baptised and communicant members of the Church of England.
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Electoral Roll:
If you are baptised and resident in the parish and would like to join the Electoral Roll of the Church then please let David Chadwick or Anne Heading know.
Being on the Electoral Roll entitles you to vote in annual meetings if you wish to do so.
Many thanks to Gift Aid Secretary, Angus Sanderson for all his work for our parish and to Gill Sockett and all who helped and contributed to the Stokesley Town Hall Coffee Morning in January
Men's Coffee Morning 
SATURDAY 22 MARCH 10 am to 12 Noon Kirkby Church Hall
LADIES! This much anticipated annual event is nigh!
Who said that men cannot multi-task?
Come and witness this annual phenomenon.
Bring your friends!
Be served by the men of the Parish with the freshest coffee and a smile!
Tombola prizes and cakes to Brian Walker or Sheila 01642 712321
Coffee Morning
It's Back ! (Every First Thursday)
Monthly Thursday Coffee Mornings
The 'open house' monthly coffee mornings restarted in September,
on the first Thursday of every month.
A good opportunity to catch up with friends.
We look forward to seeing familiar faces and we hope some new ones as well.
All welcome.
Alison, Anna and Sheila
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Coffee and Cakes
We would like to thank all those who have supported the coffee mornings last year.Thanks to your generosity, we had £450 in the kitty after the last coffee morning in April. It was decided to support three charities this year: Headway, RDA and Parlinson's. They will be receiving £150 each. We hope you enjoy the summer and we look forward to seeing you again when the coffee mornings resume again in September.
Alison, Anna and Sheila.
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Steve Blake
Steve Blake, born 5th January 1970, died 14th February 2026 Steve was born in Hong Kong but returned with his family to Great Ayton when he was four. He attended Stokesley Comprehensive School and married Rachel Frew from Kirkby in St. Augustine's Church in 1997, where their children, Charlotte and Daniel, were baptised. Steve originally worked for British Steel and, after relocating to South Wales, for its various reincarnations. Steve never forsook his north-east roots, visiting often his mother in Stokesley and his sister and her family in Yarm. As his father before him and his son now, he remained a Sunderland football team supporter - not always a comfortable allegiance! Steve was a fan of, and an authority on, real ale in England as well as in America and on the continent. He was generous in sharing his insights!
FRANCES CLAIRE TAYLOR
The Taylor family, Geoff, Jean, Tim and Luke thank you most warmly for all the phone calls, cards, letters, flowers, condolences and good wishes we received following the death of our dear daughter Frances.
The sheer volume of tributes has been overwhelming and we feel grateful to have so many good friends and neighbours. We are very lucky to live in such a caring community.
We are happy to advise that the donations to the charity Crohn's and Colitis amounted to more than £1,000.
Later this year the family will be organising fundraising events in Fran’s name.
In Memory of Stewart Williamson
Ann, Clare and Richard Williamson would like to thank everyone in and outside our villages for their letters, support, flowers and messages. It has been overwhelming and we are trying to respond to as many as possible.
We are most grateful. Thank you
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Please follow our churchyard etiquette further down the page.
Thank you for complying with the graveyard rules.
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Thank you to all who organised and supported the Food Bank Collection at Harvest and the Rotary Wrap Up Coats Campaign.
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Steps
For all pre-school children and their carers
Steps Service
in St Augustine's Kirkby in Cleveland will start again onTuesday 24th March, 1.30p.m. in Kirkby Church -Steps service for all babies and toddlers and those who care for them. All welcome!
On Tuesday, 24th March, the Jump the Rainbow Steps service for all pre-school children and their carers is at 1:30 p.m. in St Augustine’s.
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Dates for your Diary
Men's Coffee Morning SATURDAY 22 MARCH 10 am to 12 Noon Kirkby Church Hall
Brains of Broughton Quiz. Friday 13th March, 7.30 - 10.00 at Kirkby Church Hall, tickets £10.00.
6 SUNDAY JUNE 14TH 2026; 1-5PM KIRKBY & GREAT BROUGHTON OPEN GARDENS
Help needed to run the Church Hall
Could anyone, maybe recently retired, like to offer a few hours to the community by joining the small team who administer and run Kirkby Church Hall?
The Hall is an acknowledged asset to the village but needs another person to lend a hand opening and closing the hall for intermittent bookings, keeping an eye on tradesmen, maintenance jobs etc and ensuring everything is kept to a high standard for the many regular users each week.
Contact Anna 712797, Sheila 712321
Those of you who have been in the hall over the past month will have noticed that the main hall floor has been cleaned and resealed. We would like to thank Andy from DriNOW for the excellent finish he has given to the floor. We ask that people using the hall respect the floor and do not drag chairs or equipment over it. There is a trolly for moving the chairs in the store cupboard
Christian Aid
Many thanks to all who attended the quiz on Friday 13th March. The raffle made £225 and the total raised was £935. Thanks also to the members of the group who worked so hard to realise this sum. Funds raised are currently supporting farming initiatives in Nairobi to combat extreme urban poverty and hunger.
Christian Aid week is 10th to the 16th of May and the soup lunch is on Saturday 16th May from 12.00 to 2.00. Donation envelopes to help this initiative will be in the May newsletter. Thank you all for your continued support.
6 SUNDAY JUNE 14TH 2026; 1-5PM KIRKBY & GREAT BROUGHTON OPEN GARDENS
In aid of Christian Aid & Great Broughton Village Hall
After many years, we hope to organise ‘Open Gardens’ in the villages, with refreshments in the Village Hall.
If you would like to show-off your beautiful garden or help, please contact:
Michaela Amann: michaela.amann@gmail.com
Janice Ronsano: jronsano@yahoo.co.uk
Naomi Gate: (Cakes Donations) naomi.gate@icloud.com
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Kirkby & Gt. Broughton School 
To keep in touch with what's happening in school our website address is http://www.kirkbyandgreatbroughtonschool.uk.org
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Kirkby & Gt. Broughton School To keep in touch with what's happening in school the website address is http://www.kirkbyandgreatbroughtonschool.co.uk
In school, we celebrated British Science Week, a week of excitement, curiosity & hands-on learning! We were delighted to welcome visitors from all over the local area. We started with a visit from Mr Trotter, a STEM Ambassador, from ConocoPhillips, who demonstrated distillation & sparked lots of scientific questions about oil.
Teesside University’s Dr Ahmad Kundakhar visited Year 6 to talk about the brain and how it works & a bit about Alzheimers and dementia.
Children from Nursery to Year 6 also enjoyed a wonderful session with Colin & Chris from the Wildlife Trust, who shared their knowledge of owls & brought science to life through nature.
Rebecca Croft from Northern Gas Networks joined us to explore energy & gas in y4/5/6 . Children created their own biogas chambers & tried to build gas networks that didn’t leak - quite a challenge!
Mrs Hope, physics teacher & our Ogden Trust partner from Stokesley School worked with Years 3 & 4 on an exciting hovercraft-building activity. It was a brilliant week full of learning, exploration & inspiration for our scientists!
Everyone in school celebrated world book day. We had some fabulous dressing up from children & staff! Every child went to the library, got a library card & chose a book. The staff at the library were so helpful & caring with our children. We can’t wait to return!
Stem club has now finished for KS2, children have enjoyed: Lego, marble racing, a skittles experiment, making helicopters & using the micro-bits. Diversity in art & cooking clubs are currently happening - more on those next time! Many thanks for the lamps & bikes donated to school. This month's plea is for our quiet area & reading she.
We are in need of: plastic backed picnic blankets, board games e.g. chess, drafts, cards etc. Anyone interested in helping with the garden area at school - please contact school office & leave a message for Ms Ronsano.
Lastly, you may have heard, if you have passed school on a Friday lunchtime, the success of our Funky Music Fridays! We are looking to update board games in our quiet area, along with adding some drama props such as hats, wigs, bags, etc. Do you have any lurking in a cupboard that need a new home?
The school office can be contacted at: admin@kirkby-in-cleveland.n-yorks.sch.uk
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Organist Wanted!
We need a replacement Organist at St Augustine's, starting as soon as possible. There are two, occasionally three, morning services per month; adding in the special services at Christmas, etc., this totals about 38 per year The organ is a Copeman Hart two-manual instrument; it was installed in 1998 and is one of the best in the area. There is a considerable library of both organ and choral music. We understand that a pianist of Grade 4 standard would have the right level of technical competence to be able to transition effectively to the organ.
Please contact Anne Heading for further details
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Our Eco Group Gains Bronze Award
St Augustine's is part of an initiative by the Church of England to Care for God's Earth called Eco Church. The aim is to engage Christians of all denominations with stewardship of God's creation, the earth we all share. At St Augustine's the green team have been working towards achieving the Bronze Standard through interaction with the local community especially the Primary School, increasing the biodiversity of the churchyard and encouraging involvement in green issues in the Benefice. Thanks to all who have supported us in any way as we achieved our Bronze Award on the 5th October. Many congratulations to the Eco Group on the Bronze Award!
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Church Flowers Love Flowers?
We would welcome anyone in arranging flowers once a year.
Please contact Gill Sockett 712432
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Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital 
Stamps – Francobolli – Timbres – Sellos – Briefmarken – Stampaichean
I am still collecting used postage stamps for the Darlington Memorial Hospital voluntary drivers' expenses
Can you please save used stamps to help fund their Voluntary Car Service. Just post them through the letterbox of 46 Kirkby Lane, opposite Gt Broughton School or leave them in the Church Porch.
Also check their website for cheap postage stamps offer.
Thanks Heather Stamp
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Recycling at Gt Broughton Village Hall
Please use the allocated recycling bins in the entrance hall for stamps and plastic milk bottle tops (only)
Two charities are being supported by these recycling schemes:
Stamps - Parkinson’s UK
Plastic milk bottle tops - Marie Curie (Cancer Care)
Thank you, GBVH Committee
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The Churchyard
The Churchyard is a tranquil, peaceful and welcoming space for all who visit and we encourage the placing of floral tributes on individual graves in memory of those who are no longer with us. However, please do not use glass containers; biodegradable materials are preferable, where possible. Flowers (and their containers) should be removed when they are past their best and we are grateful to those who do this. We ensure that the grass is cut and trimmed regularly during the summer months and a small team puts a lot of effort to keep the whole area tidy and the paths clear of debris. We would only move containers if they obstruct grass cutting. Please could you ensure that any item that does not comply with these guidelines is removed. With many thanks. We are always happy to welcome volunteers to help us look after the Churchyard and keep it in good order for future generations in our parish.
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Kirkby Church Hall
Is there anyone living in Kirkby or Great Broughton with a few hours to spare who would like to join the small (but very friendly) team of volunteers who run Kirkby Church Hall? This is a well appointed hall that is popular with our regular hirers and we are only able to keep the rental charges down because it is administered by volunteers. Duties would include occasional opening up or closing the hall for one-off hirers, being a key holder, helping with Christmas decorations etc. If are interested please contact Sheila (01642-71232
Kirkby Church Hall is available for hire. Contact Sheila 712321
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Church Warden Needed.
The PCC is seeking a churchwarden - if you can serve as Warden then please contact Ros Tomlinson to discuss the role Tel. 01642 711796.
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(Church) Electoral Roll
There is occasional confusion between the Civil Parish and Church Parish. The Civil parishes of Kirkby and Great Broughton are quite separate and anyone on the national Electoral Register is entitled to vote in elections for the Civil parish, in which they reside, as well as County Council and General elections. The Church Parish of Kirkby, based on St Augustine's church, however, covers all the area of Kirkby and Great Broughton civil parishes. Anyone who is baptised and resident in that area and, subject to certain conditions, living outside the area may apply to be included on the church Electoral Roll, which entitles you to vote in annual meetings of the church.
The church Electoral Roll is renewed every 6 years and everyone who was on the previous roll must apply in the same way as those wishing to be included for the first time. Of course you can apply at any time during the currency of the Roll. This is the start of a new Electoral Roll 6 year period and you will find an Application Form enclosed with March News Letter. If you wish to be included in the Church Electoral Roll please complete the Form and leave or send it as stated at the foot of the form in the newsletter.
Many thanks to our Gift Aid Secretary, Angus Sanderson for all his work for our parish
Electoral Roll Enrollment Form
Please consider joining the Electoral Roll for our parish, it gives a stake in the local Christian community and supports the wellbeing of the parish church. A person enrolled in this way may vote in our church meeting and is eligible to take on certain responsibilites such as that of Churchwarden. The criteria for joining the Roll and details of who to contact may be found in the Application Document (click on the link below.)
You are welcome to join us! Rev Dr Anne Heading, Vicar.
The Parish Newsletter for April 2026 has been published and can be accessed here
The Book of Psalms can be a great source of comfort and inspiration; Psalms 16 - Preserve me, O God, 23 – The Lord is my Shepherd - and 121 – I will lift up mine eyes to the hills – are commended.
The Church has a Facebook page - St Augustine’s, Kirkby & Great Broughton - which, like the website, is regularly up-dated