Bishop James has written to all clergy today with an update about Covid guidance as England prepares to move to step 4 of the Government's roadmap for the easing of restrictions.
In his letter Bishop James points clergy to the Government document Covid-19 Response: Summer 2021 which provides general details about the lifting of the remaining Covid legal restrictions in England as from Monday 19 July.
Detailed guidance for places of worship is expected early next week and the Church of England's guidance will be updated at the earliest opportunity.
He writes: "It would appear that much of the decision-making around such issues will now fall at a local level. As you prepare to work around the further lifting of restrictions may I ask that you continue to consider the views of all those attending your church buildings - particularly bearing in mind the surge in infection rates which we are again currently experiencing - and that thought is given to the continued wearing of masks and all sensible precautions are taken around singing."
Michaelmas Ordinations
Five people are to be ordained Deacon at a special service at Carlisle Cathedral in September.
The group will all serve as Distinctive Deacons and are:
Gordon Dugmore to serve Ullswater Mission Community
Andrew Gardner to serve Penrith Mission Community
Graham Tate to serve Furness Mission Community
Lucy Thompson to serve Grasmoor Mission Community
James Tyson to serve Whitehaven Mission Community
Distinctive Deacons have a full ministry in the Church of England but unlike priests, cannot preside at the Eucharist, pronounce the absolution or pronounce the Trinitarian blessing. Deacons focus on a servant ministry, particularly to the poor and marginalised and more generally in the wider community.
The service at 2.30pm on Saturday 4 September will be livestreamed on both the Diocesan and Cathedral Facebook channels. People are encouraged to follow the livestream to support those being ordained.
And please do pray for those to be ordained as well as the eight people ordained Deacon in June and the six people priested in services at their home churches.
A Special Prayer for Ordinands
A special prayer for all our ordinands and their families this year and all those who have been called to ordained ministry in the years before.
Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer God,
who you call your faithful people into a life of service,
help us to nurture and hold in love
all those who are ordained at this time in the life of your Church.
Teach us your ways,
that we might recognise your Mission in the world,
your compassion in caring for others,
and your love deep within every human heart.
We ask this in your Holy Name,
as one undivided Trinity of love,
now and for evermore. Amen
General Synod Ad Campaign
The first ad campaign to encourage people to stand for election to the General Synod has been launched in a drive to attract a broad range of voices to the Church of England’s national decision-making body.
A 90-second film, a short explanatory animation, and a dedicated webpage have been created ahead of elections later this year.
The advertising and information campaign – the first in the 50-year history of the General Synod – forms part of the Church of England’s vision of becoming a younger and more diverse Church.
William Nye, Secretary General of the Archbishops' Council and of the General Synod of the Church of England, said: “We are praying that the leadership of the Church of England, including bodies like General Synod, may become more representative of the people of England – and that means younger and more diverse.
“This campaign has a very clear message which we hope will reach everyone in the wider Church: if you want to be part of making decisions affecting the whole Church of England and debating matters of national and international importance, this is your chance. Will you stand?” Read more here.
Standing for the Synod Elections is an opportunity for you to represent the concerns of your community and your diocese at a national level. You can have a say in national legislation that affects all parts of the Church of England. You can also raise issues and contribute to debates on social and policy matters. Watch this short film for more reasons on why you should stand for General Synod in 2021.
General Synod Election Info
General Synod elections are to be conducted electronically this year, with emails sent out directly to the General Synod Electorate detailing the nomination and voting process.
The diocese has prepared a document which considers 'Qualifications for election' and 'Entitlement to vote' and which draws on the Church Representation Rules.
The Diocese of Carlisle is partnering with a Christian charity to provide free retreats for people who were frontline carers during the Covid pandemic.
Caring for the Carers is the idea of the Rev Prof Stephen Wright, spiritual director of the Sacred Space Foundation, a non-profit, non-denominational retreat centre and charitable trust located in the Lake District National Park.
The proposals would see free retreats offered for 45 NHS staff members and others from the county at Rydal Hall the Diocese’s Christian Conference and Retreat Centre, near Ambleside. The hall would offer discounted rates for those bookings.
A fundraising campaign for £20,000 has already seen £7,000 pledged to the project. Read more here.
Refresh Ladies Day 2021
…may be online once again, but it has all the ingredients that those who have attended events in person in the past have come to associate with the day – along with some added extras to keep it sparkling!
Worship will be led by Rose Hunt, who has been with Refresh for the last couple of years. This year she is joined by Denise, who was with Refresh in 2019.
The event takes place on the Refresh Cumbria YouTube channel on Saturday 4 September from 10am and will run for about 75 minutes.
Do pass on the details, or (even better!) invite others to join you on the morning as you engage with the event .
Click on the film above to meet Rose Hunt who will be leading worship at Refresh Online Ladies Day 2021.
Job Vacancy
The office of the Bishop of Carlisle is looking for an Office Administrator to join the team.
The role of Office Administrator is to:
- co-ordinate the process of clergy appointments;
- ensure all information regarding clergy changes is current, maintaining the database;
- prepare HR documentation, using MS Office
- to be responsible for clergy DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks and maintaining the records of safeguarding training on the database, and,
- work as part of a team supporting the work of the Bishop’s Office and Church House.
This role is 28 hours per week.
Salary: £21,202.00 per annum, which equates to £16,961.00 pro rata.
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Five people are to be ordained Deacon at a special service at Carlisle Cathedral in September.
General Synod elections are to be conducted electronically this year, with emails sent out directly to the General Synod Electorate detailing the nomination and voting process.
…may be online once again, but it has all the ingredients that those who have attended events in person in the past have come to associate with the day – along with some added extras to keep it sparkling!
