Organisations and services offered

Aglow International - Darlington Chapter: Aglow is a caring Christian Ministry; In Aglow you will find a safe, happy atmosphere where you will be accepted just as you are. You will have the opportunity to make new friends and hear personal stories of tremendous hope and change in the lives of women. You will experience the love of Jesus Christ and the difference He can make to your life.; We welcome women from any denomination and those who do not have any particular belief. So why not come along to one of our evenings and see for yourself.; Local Contacts, Margaret Wade, 01325 482078.
E-mail: suzannejwood@talktalk.net; Outreach Meetings:; Bondgate Church, Darlington - every 4th Monday in the month (except August)
7.00 for 7.30pm. Door charge of £2, includes tea/coffee & biscuits.

The Bondgate Centre: Bondgate Methodist Church operates a cafe service to the public from 10am to 2.00pm. Normally open every day from Monday to Saturday at the church, the centre offers morning coffee and snacks. From 11.45 cooked meals are available. The food is cooked on the premises and offers excellent value for money. Bondgate church sees this not just a meal service but a place offering friendship, support and pastoral care to all who seek it.

Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry: The Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry is run by Martin & Mel Stand as a service to young people and the churches in the Darlington Area. This innovative project was started when Martin & Mel moved into Darlington in the Autumn of 2007. See their page on this site or contact Martin & Mel on 01325 710203.

Darlington Town Centre Chaplaincy: The Chaplaincy is run by Malcolm Coates, who is a member at Bondgate Methodist Church, and is the new Town Centre Chaplain for the Retail Sector of Darlington. He represents all the town centre churches in this venture and works with the Tees Valley Ministry (who represent industrial chaplaincies across the churches of the North East). Malcolm writes:

"I am spending one day a week away from my role as an Administrator with a mortgage company to offer Chaplaincy services to the Town Centre. This will be on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. Working on behalf of all the churches, this project offers practical and spiritual support to all who are working in Darlington town centre irrespective of their faith.

I hope to visit the shops on a regular basis so I can talk and build relationships with those working in the retail sector. I will be contacting you in the near future to see about visiting your business. If you do want to contact me earlier my details are below".

Contact Details:-
Mobile no: 07599968074
E Mail: Darlingtonchaplaincy@hotmail.com

The Mission was formed in 1838 by two Quakers and a 'churchman', to meet the needs of people suffering hardship - which in those days was mainly one of poverty.

The needs of today are more in alleviating loneliness or giving practical help, especially when relatives who might have helped live out of town, sometimes many miles away.

The Mission visits all who request us, regardless of religion, race, age or gender. Our services are free.

For full information visit their website at http://darlingtontownmission.org.uk/ or telephone 01325 734995.

Kings Church Furniture Re-use Scheme: Kings Church in Whessoe Road run a furniture re-use scheme. The church collects used furniture and distributes it to those in need.

Anyone who lives in the borough of Darlington not just the town itself and is on income based benefits is quite welcome to come along and choose whatever items of furniture they would like. They will then deliver these items to you if you require or you can collect them yourself straight away (opening times only). They also accept referrals from third party agencies i.e.. Social Services, EMMA project, Sure Start etc.

For more information visit their web site at www.kingschurchdarlington.org/Furniture.html, telephone 07591 623469 or email furniture@kingschurchdarlington.org

Hospital Chaplaincy in Darlington: So what's the chaplaincy for?
To provide pastoral and spiritual support for the hospital community.

Who are the chaplains at the Darlington Hospitals?
Brian Selmes, Linda Peal and Jurgen Muller work in Darlington Memorial Hospital. Colin Jay and Jurgen Muller work in West Park Hospital for the Mental Health Trust. Colin & Jurgen also work in Auckland Park which is a hospital for older people with mental health problems and also takes patients from Darlington.

And what do they do?
They visit the wards and take services, They give pastoral support and counsel to individuals and groups at the bedside and at the chaplaincy centre.

Can anyone in hospital use the chaplaincy?
Yes, patients, relatives, staff, volunteers – chaplains are there for everyone.

Do you have to be religious to talk to a chaplain?
No, chaplains are happy to discuss the issues that are important for each individual person. Every conversation is totally confidential?

How about other faiths??
Chaplains offer personal support to people of all faiths and can, on the patients behalf and with the patients permission, contact their own faith leader.

How does the chaplaincy work with the churches?
The chaplaincy receives referrals from the churches – from individuals and their clergy and pastors. We in turn are happy to refer people to local churches (with their permission of course).

Who administers the sacraments, Holy Communion & Baptism, in hospital?
Normally the chaplains. All the sacraments of the church are administered in hospital at one time or another, at the bedside or in the chapel. Holy Mass is celebrated in chapel on Thursdays at 10.30am, Holy Communion on Sundays at 11am.

Are church members directly involved in hospital visiting?
Yes. We have a small ecumenical / multi-faith team of visitors.

How might I be able to help the chaplaincy?
* By your prayers.
* By considering joining the team of ward visitors.
* By coming to help take patients along to the Sunday Service.
* By joining the chapel flower-arranging rota.

How do I get in touch?
For Darlington Memorial chaplaincy phone 01325 743029. The contact number for the chaplaincy at West Park Hospital is 01325 552045.

HEALING ON THE STREETS - DARLINGTON: Healing on the Streets, Darlington, is an informal association of Christians from many churches in the town who offer prayers for healing to anyone who would like it, within the context of the town centre. Helpers come from the Anglican, Apostolic, Baptist, Elim, Methodist, Kings Church, Salvation Army and Roman Catholic churches; No information is gathered from anyone being ministered too, and there is no formal follow up to those who ask for prayer. HOTS meets fortnightly on a Saturday from 11am to 1pm alternating between Northgate and the performance area beside the Joseph Pease statue.
: Prayer is offered by trained and accredited helpers who have the approval of their own church ministers. So if you would like prayer, come along and "take a seat".

Forthcoming dates:

The dates for HOTS are listed on our "Whats On" page.

For more information telephone 07813 271722.

Open Gate: Open Gate is a community chaplaincy project which works with women who are released from Low Newton prison in Brasside, Durham, returning to the North East region.; We support them as they resettle in the community through practical help and 1:1 mentoring support.
The project aims to aid resettlement and help reduce the risks of re-offending, so building safer communities for all.
For information on how to get involved please visit www.opengate-ne.co.uk
E-mail: Rachel Waller rachel.opengate@btconnect.com

Organisations and services offered

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