Organisations and services offered
These
pages are pointers to various Christian organisations or groups serving the
public in the Darlington area.
There are many church organisations serving the needs of their own
congregations but this listing is for groups offering a service to the general
public and across the churches.
- School Uniform Shop
- The used school uniform shop formerly hosted by King's Church is now at
Northgate URC
(DL1 1QU: entrance next to Big Kids, Little Kids)
The shop will be open ocasionally through the school term: see the Uniform Shop Facebook page: page for up-to-date details.
Note that this is complementary to the service offered through
our MP's office.
- 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 Mission
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 07943251357.
- 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?
- Rev. Tom Gibbons, Rev. Catherine Minor and Deacon Jürgen Muller work
in Darlington Memorial Hospital. Colin Jay and Jürgen Muller work in
West Park Hospital for the Mental Health Trust.
Colin & Jürgen 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 http://www.opengate-ne.org.uk/
E-mail: Rachel Waller opengate@btconnect.com