News Stories
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20 March 2025
in Latest NewsIndependent safeguarding audit report published
An independent audit of safeguarding in the Diocese of Carlisle and at Carlisle Cathedral has praised a “strong commitment” to ensuring our worshipping communities are safer places for all.
In January a team from safeguarding specialists INEQE – commissioned by the Archbishop’s Council to complete audits of all dioceses and cathedrals in England - visited Cumbria to conduct the audit.
Their newly published report has found that a “strong sense of safety and a positive safeguarding culture are evident across the Diocese and its parishes”. Meanwhile, the Cathedral’s staff and worshipping community recognise a “robust safeguarding culture” which has been embedded. Read more -
10 March 2025
in Latest NewsDiocese of Carlisle awarded £6.8 million to fund missional growth
The Diocese of Carlisle has been awarded £6.8 million by the Church of England to help Cumbrian churches grow missional, younger and more diverse faith communities.
Over the next five years the funding will support the creation of nearly 90 new Christian communities across the county. There will be a particular focus on helping local established churches to plant new Christian congregations in Barrow, Carlisle and in rural Derwent Deanery and there will be investment to help train over 200 new leaders. Collaborative working and extra support will also be offered to young Christians (from babies to 25-year-olds) to help them spiritually flourish, grow in faith and become adult disciples.
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6 March 2025
in Latest NewsStatement - Tribute to Poppy Atkinson
Our prayers are with the family of 10-yearold Poppy Atkinson who has died following a collision in Kendal on Wednesday evening. The headteacher of Old Hutton CE Primary School -where Poppy was a pupil - has issued a statement in tribute. Read more
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6 Feb. 2025
in Latest NewsNorwegian mission partners check in on Diocesan discipleship projects
A six-strong delegation from one of the Diocese of Carlisle’s major mission partners is visiting Cumbria to see how their support is helping grow disciples in the county.
The group from the Norwegian Mission Society (NMS) is led by their General Secretary, the Rev Helge Gaard.
Their visit began today (Thursday 6 February) with a tour of a Lake District primary school, and they are set to meet church planters, Network Youth Church (NYC) leaders, interns and young people who will attend an NYC weekend at the Knock Christian centre near Appleby.
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24 Jan. 2025
in Latest NewsLake District Church's Gold Eco Award
A Lake District church is the third in the Diocese of Carlisle to gain a gold Eco Award.
The congregation of St Michael and All Angels in Hawkshead gained the top environmental honour following a detailed independent assessment by Christian conservation charity A Rocha.
It comes after the church was previously given bronze status in 2017 and silver in 2019 and follows years of hard work focussing on ‘green’ improvements to the church building and surrounding area.
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2 Jan. 2025
in Latest NewsThe Acting Bishop of Carlisle’s New Year Message 2025
The Acting Bishop of Carlisle draws on the permanence and beauty of the Cumbrian fells in his new year message.
The Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, who was filmed at Kendal Parish Church, recognises the difficulties and anxieties many people are facing as we begin 2025: due to war, unrest and financial or health problems.
However, Bishop Rob talks of the hope we have in God during times of trouble, adding: “One of the things that Christian faith allows us to do is to stare reality in the face and recognise anxiety and struggle. But our faith also does teach us that God is bigger than anything we might worry about.”
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13 Dec. 2024
in Latest NewsThe Acting Bishop of Carlisle’s Christmas Message 2024
In his Christmas message, the Acting Bishop of Carlisle focuses on the hope we have in the birth of Jesus.
The Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh was filmed at Kendal Parish Church – where he previously served as vicar for 10 years – and which is currently hosting a Christmas tree festival.
Bishop Rob draws on Jesus’ birth into a normal family, adding: “God comes to real people, in a real place at a real time, because God loves real people, in real places at real times. It happened in Bethlehem then, but it could just as well have been Egremont, Torpenhow or Appleby now. "
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28 Nov. 2024
in Latest NewsStatement from Bishop Rob - Safeguarding
I wanted to follow up on my statement and letters earlier this month which came in the wake of the Makin report’s publication and the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Too often in the past, when a shocking report has been released and we have promised to learn lessons and do better, it can appear that we say the right things but then seek to move on.
The purpose of this statement is for me to reiterate that I recognise that many in our churches and in our communities continue to have strong feelings about what has been revealed, as do I. I want you to know that we take this and our responsibility to implement change around Safeguarding very seriously.
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19 Nov. 2024
in Latest NewsReader ministry is celebrated at Cathedral service
Scores of people attended a special service at Carlisle Cathedral to celebrate lay ministry and welcome newly licensed Readers.
The Acting Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh led the annual Admission and Licensing of Readers service which took place on Saturday 16 November at 2pm.
Two people were admitted as Readers, having completed their training with Emmanuel Theological College:
• Lois Sparling to serve in the Benefice of Lorton and Loweswater with Buttermere
• Ian Wilson to serve in the Beacon Team
Meanwhile three others were licensed having moved from other Dioceses:
• Judith Morris transferred from the Diocese of Worcester to serve the South Barrow Team
• Susan Kiernan transferred from the Diocese of Blackburn to serve in the Benefice of Threlkeld with St John in the Vale and Wythburn
• Gordon James transferred from the Diocese of Liverpool to serve in the Benefice of St Aidan with Christ Church, Carlisle
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13 Nov. 2024
in Latest NewsSpecial service will mark the end of a city centre Street Pastors scheme
A special service of thanksgiving will celebrate the work of a city centre Street Pastors scheme which is to end after 14 years.
Carlisle Street Pastors was set up in 2010 through Churches Together in Cumbria, operating under the national umbrella organisation, the Ascension Trust. Initially the inter-denominational group had more than 20 volunteers. They have been taking to the city’s streets on Saturday nights from 10pm to 2am, offering help where needed to those on nights out. Read more