News Stories
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18 Dec. 2023
in Latest NewsThe Bishop of Penrith’s Christmas Message 2023
The Bishop of Penrith focuses on a theme of hospitality in his annual Christmas message.
The Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh was filmed at Rydal Hall, the Diocese of Carlisle’s Christian Retreat and Conference Centre near Ambleside, where staff are preparing for their usual busy Christmas period.
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15 Dec. 2023
in Latest NewsArchbishop of York Statement on the Crown Nominations Commission for the next Bishop of Carlisle
At the conclusion of a lengthy process of discernment, culminating in two days of interviews on 13 and 14 December, the Crown Nominations Commission considering the nomination of the next Bishop of Carlisle has, very sadly, not been able reach the level of consensus required to nominate a new Diocesan Bishop.
Over the course of the next months, the Crown Nominations Commission will need to reflect, and make a decision about which stage it wishes to re-commence the discernment process. This is not likely to be before the Spring of 2025. Read more -
4 Dec. 2023
in Latest NewsChurches help support hundreds of people stranded by heavy snowfall
Churches in the South Lakes have helped come to the aid of hundreds of people stranded by heavy snowfall over the weekend.
On Saturday evening Cumbria Police declared a major incident after the wintry conditions left about 200 vehicles stranded with people forced to find temporary accommodation.
In Ambleside up to 150 people were given shelter in the Parish Centre and St Mary’s church building, with local businesses rallying to provide hot food, drinks and bedding.
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30 Nov. 2023
in Latest NewsService of celebration for Reader ministry
Dozens of people attended a special service at Carlisle Cathedral to celebrate lay ministry and welcome newly licensed Readers.
The Bishop of Penrith, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh officiated at the annual Reader and Admission Licensing Service which took place on Saturday 18 November at 2pm.
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17 Oct. 2023
in Latest NewsStatement - St Monica's Maternity Home
The following statement from the Diocese of Carlisle has been issued following accounts received from Mr Stephen Hindley about historical abuse suffered by his wife, Judith, and which focus on the Diocese of Carlisle's former St Monica's Maternity home.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Hindley and his family after he came forward with accounts of historical abuse suffered by his wife, Judith, and which centre on the Diocese of Carlisle’s former St Monica’s Maternity Home.
It is shocking to learn of such mistreatment, and we offer our sincere apologies and deepest sympathy to Mr Hindley and his family. Huge trust will have been placed on those who supported the young women and girls at St Monica’s, and we are truly sorry if that trust was breached in the care of Mrs Hindley and her baby, Stephen, leading to her long-term mental health issues.
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29 Sept. 2023
in Latest NewsCharity director takes key role to support county’s God for All vision and strategy
A charity director and vicar’s daughter is to take on a key role helping Cumbrian churches grow in new and exciting ways.
Rachel Head, currently the Head of Children and Young Peoples Services at the Brathay Trust, has been appointed Director of Mission and Ministry Support and Innovation at the Diocese of Carlisle.
The externally funded role is a new one for the Diocese and will see Rachel oversee a central team supporting local churches to grow God’s Kingdom in Cumbria through the ecumenical God for All vision and strategy. That team supports the 34 mission communities that have been created across the county – groupings of mutually supportive churches which have a mission focus and are mainly cross-denominational.
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28 Sept. 2023
in Latest NewsCumbrian congregation cheers on Great British Bake Off contestant
Members of a Cumbrian congregation are cheering on their deputy churchwarden as she competes in this year’s Great British Bake Off.
Abbi Lawson, aged 27, is a member of St James’ Tebay and was one of 12 contestants to feature in the first episode of the hit programme’s new series, broadcast last night.
Viewers saw Abbi take on the challenge of Cake Week, with the aim to bake a perfect vertically layered cake. She drew on her foraging skills using wild blackcurrants and poppy seeds for the cake and foraged gorse petals for its decoration
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22 Sept. 2023
in Latest NewsFormer senior police officer is new Diocesan Safeguarding Panel chair
A former Detective Superintendent has been appointed the new independent chair of the Diocese of Carlisle’s Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP).
Allan Harder comes to the post having worked for North Yorkshire Constabulary for more than 30 years, serving as the force’s lead on safeguarding for four years. Since retiring from the police in February 2022 he has also acted as the independent DSAP chair for the Diocese of York.
He takes over the role after previous DSAP chair, Carol Holt, announced she was to step down. Carol had also acted as an independent reviewer for the Diocese of Carlisle as part of the Church of England’s national Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2).
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19 Sept. 2023
in Latest NewsHistoric church’s modern art exhibition
A historic Lakeland church is exhibiting stunning modern sculptures which will be celebrated in a forthcoming art trail.
Christ on the Cross - a six-foot-high wooden cross including the figure of Christ, fashioned from copper wiring and piping - a smaller version of the cross and an interpretation of The Creation of Adam are all on show at St Anthony’s Cartmel Fell.
They are the work of self-taught artist Mark Hunt, who church officers contacted after reading about the sculptures in The Way, the county’s ecumenical digital newspaper.
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14 Sept. 2023
in Latest NewsArchbishop of York praises Christian teamwork in Cumbria
The Archbishop of York has praised the Christian teamwork he witnessed during a tour of churches, schools, and a charity shop.
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell spent 24 hours in the city of Carlisle, attending an Evensong at the Cathedral on Tuesday and delivering an address for the University of Cumbria on ‘Things that I learned on a very long walk – Pilgrimage unpacked’.
Yesterday, he visited St Luke’s church in Morton for morning prayer with church leaders before joining pupils and staff at Bishop Harvey Goodwin School for collective worship and a question-and-answer session.
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