The Bishop of Penrith will lead the national Church of England online service this weekend, offering reflections around Bible Sunday.

The Rt Rev Dr Emma Ineson was filmed at her home in Kendal and in the Parr Chapel at Holy Trinity church for the online service which also includes contributors from across Cumbria.

Bishop Emma’s sermon focuses on the need to “read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the scriptures”, whilst praying for those without access to a Bible. She is also able to share with viewers her family’s welsh Bible, that given to her by the Archbishop of York when she was consecrated and the Gideon Bible given to her at school as a teenager.

Bishop Emma said: “It is a wonderful honour to be asked to lead this national online service, one which has proved so amazingly popular since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit.

“It offers people a chance to come together across our country, to praise God and to learn more about how people are living out their lives in different areas in Jesus’ name.

“This weekend we will be celebrating Bible Sunday, so there’s an opportunity to hear personal reflections from people in Cumbria and beyond as to why the Bible is so important to them.

“I know that I’ve personally been really encouraged and energized by hearing what our wonderful contributors have had to say about the power of God’s written word on their lives.”

The Rev Madi Simpson, a curate at Ulverston Parish Church who was ordained as Priest only a few weeks ago, leads the personal reflections about the importance of the Bible in her life and how that’s helped her during the coronavirus pandemic. A second reflection comes from the Rev Cathrine Ngangira, a friend of Bishop Emma’s who is originally from Zimbabwe but is now Assistant Curate at Holy Cross Bearsted in Kent.

PC Dave Henley, from Cumbria Constabulary, is filmed delivering a Bible reading above Tarn Hows in the South Lakes, whilst Abbi Lawson, a PCC member at St James’ church, Tebay, offers a Gospel reading and Solway Network Youth Church member Connor Wilson reads from the Psalms.

Bishop Emma added: “It’s wonderful that we’re able to show how Jesus is moving in people’s lives here in Cumbria as well as showing off some of our wonderful scenery as a tremendous backdrop for some of the filming locations.”

The Lake District fells take centre stage during the filmed intercessory prayers which are led by members of Mountain Pilgrims, an emerging community of people that seek to re-imagine the mountain experience.

People can watch the national online service on the Church of England’s Facebook and YouTube accounts from 9am on Sunday.

ENDS

For further information please contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Communications Manager, on 07469 153658, 01768 807764 or atcommunications@carlislediocese.org.uk.