News Stories
-
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.
Read more -
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.
Read more -
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.”
Read more -
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. "
Read more -
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.
Read more -
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
Read more -
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 -
12 Nov. 2024
in Latest NewsStatement - The Archbishop of Canterbury
The following statement can be attributed to the Acting Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh:
“The details contained within the Makin Report make for extremely difficult reading. My prayers are with all those affected by the actions of the late John Smyth. I cannot begin to imagine their pain and anguish. As I have previously said, we should be angry at what has been done to them and wrongly justified in the name of God. We should equally be angry at the failures of the church’s response over so many years and the further harm this causes victims and survivors. Read more -
11 Nov. 2024
in Latest NewsStatement - Makin Report
It is hugely distressing to learn of the hurt and anguish which is suffered as a result of the historical serious abuse perpetrated by the late John Smyth and which forms the focus of the independent Makin report. We should feel angry at what has been done to those people and wrongly justified in the name of God.
To our knowledge the report does not directly affect the Diocese of Carlisle, but we are conscious that the high-profile nature of safeguarding publications can impact survivors and victims. If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of this report and want to talk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk. Alternatively, you can also contact our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Joanna Van Lachterop at 07458 016884 or at safeguarding.adviser@carlislediocese.org.uk.
Read more -
7 Nov. 2024
in Latest NewsChurches collect quarter of tonne of candles to support Ukraine
More than 30 churches across Carlisle have come together to collect nearly a quarter of a tonne of candles to help people in Ukraine.
Over two months, congregations across the city and in rural parishes within the Carlisle Deanery have worked together to collect the candles which have now been transported to a special project in Wiltshire
Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP) oversees the shipments to Ukraine, to help those people who are struggling without power and heat.
Read more