It’s a quiet (ish!) weekend as we move towards Advent which starts next week, but there are a few things to tell you about.

There is an exhibition taking place at Ingleby Barwick, ‘Souls of our Shoes’ which tells the stories of victims and survivors of domestic violence. The exhibition is open to all (for free) on Friday November 21st 12-4 pm and Saturday November 22nd 2-5 pm at St. Francis, Ingleby Barwick. Everyone is welcome.

On Saturday, 22^nd November, Stokesley Parish Church will be holding their Autumn Fair with afternoon tea, jazz, crafts, cakes, toys, prizes and refreshments. In the Parish Church from 10 am – 4pm.  

St. Mary’s, Nunthorpe are having their annual Toy Service on Sunday morning at the Church Hall at 10 am, collecting toys for the Salvation Army to distribute to children throughout Middlesbrough.

For the week beginning with Sunday16th November 2025

It’s Safeguarding Sunday this Sunday, and the Diocese of York invite you to join in from 17th to 21st November 2025 for Safeguarding Week — a rich programme of online sessions designed to help us grow in understanding, confidence, and care as we seek to be a Church where everyone feels safe and valued. You can find more information at https://dioceseofyork.org.uk/our-diocese/safeguarding/safeguarding-week-2025/

In our own Deanery this weekend there will be a Christmas Fair at St. Mary’s Church Hall, Nunthorpe, 10:00 am – 12 noon with stalls, prizes and refreshments.

Next Friday and Saturday (Friday 21^st November 12-4 pm  and Saturday 22^nd November 2-5 pm) the ‘Souls of our Shoes’ exhibition will take place at St. Francis of Assisi, Ingleby Barwick. A free exhibition where shoes tell the stories of victims and survivors of domestic violence.  

To commemorate those who have died in the service of their country there will be events taking place throughout the Deanery including some at our churches. There will be many more wider community events at war memorials as well, but these are events held by some of our parishes.

Tuesday, 11^th November – Armistice Day 

The parish of Hilton will be holding an Armistice Day Commemoration at 10.55 am. 

There will be an Act of Remembrance in Nunthorpe at the War Memorial, 10:50 am. 

Stokesley Parish Church is holding a Service of Remembrance at the War memorial, 11 am. 

St. Mary Magdalene, Yarm, has a service of remembrance at 5.45 pm with Egglescliffe School Choir.

There are many events to commemorate Remembrance Sunday (9th November 2025) – here are some of those happening at churches in Stokesley Deanery. You would be welcome at any of them, whether you’re a ‘churchy’ person or not.

Stainton Parish Church will be commemorating Remembrance Sunday at a service in church at 10.45 am.

Nunthorpe will hold an Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at 10:45, followed by service in St. Mary’s Church. There will also be a quiet Said Eucharist at 9.00 am in church. 

St. Martin and St. Hilary Kirklevington will remember in a service at 10:15 am with an Act of Remembrance, Laying of Wreaths and two minute’s silence at 11 am.

St. Mary Magdalene, Yarm will hold a service of commemoration at 9.45 am followed by a procession to the war memorial. 

St. Francis Ingleby Barwick are holding a Remembrance Parade Service at 10am.

Stokesley Parish Church will hold a service in church at 10 am, followed by a parade to the West Green for the two minutes’ silence at 11 am. 

At Ingelby Greenhow there will be a 10:30 Remembrance Day service at St. Andrew’s Church. 

At Stainton Parish Church there will be a Community Remembrance Service at 10:45 with 2 minutes silence at 11 am. 

St. Augustine’s, Kirkby-in-Cleveland will be commemorating at 9 am with a Remembrance Sunday Service in church. 

St. Cuthbert’s, Kildale will be holding a Service of Remembrance at 10:30. 

At Great Ayton there will be an outdoor Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial with laying of wreaths at 10:45 am, followed by a service in church. 

I know, it’s November – you don’t want to think about Christmas quite yet … but there are a few fundraising Christmas Fairs coming soon in Stokesley Deanery! So here are a selection of the fundraising fairs and festivities happening throughout the Deanery in the run up to Christmas.

Saturday 15^th November, Nunthorpe will be holding a Christmas Fayre, at 10 am at Mary’s Church Hall. 

Saturday, 22^nd November, Stokesley Parish Church will be holding their Autumn Fair. 

Friday 28^th November – Sunday 30^th November, Nativity Festival, Brookfield (see the image below for full details). Open to the public to vote for their favourite nativity, Friday 28^th November, 3:30-5:30, Saturday 29^th 2:00-4:00 and Sunday 30^th 4:30-5:30, when the festival will close, the winner will be announced and carols will be sung.  

Saturday 29^th November Yarm Parish Church Christmas Fair, 10 am – 2 pm in the church. Free entry, open to everyone. 

Saturday 29^th November (10 am – 4 pm) – Sunday 30^th November (12 noon – 4 pm) Churches Together Christmas Tree Festival at St. Francis, Ingleby Barwick. 

Saturday 6^th December – Sunday 7^th December Christmas Tree Festival at Stokesley Parish Church. 

Thursday 18th December – Tuesday 23rd December: Yarm Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival (9.30am-12.30pm)