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eNews 17 December, 2021
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Bishop James' Christmas Message

The Bishop of Carlisle calls for people to refocus on the Good News of Jesus’ birth, in his annual Christmas message.

The Rt Rev James Newcome was filmed at his home in Keswick this year and chooses to reflect on the importance of ‘message’.

He asks people to put to one side the headline news and the commercialisation of Christmas and consider, instead, the importance of the Nativity story.

Bishop James says: “‘Did you get the message?’ at this time of year is a question about good news, not bad news.It’s asking whether we have managed to see beyond all the trappings of Christmas (the presents; the parties; Santa’s grotto; street decorations; maxed-out credit cards) to what is sometimes called ‘the reason for the season’. Or (once again?) – has that simply passed us by?”

  • Click here to read more and for a transcript of Bishop James' Christmas message.
Click above to view Bishop James' Christmas Message 2021. Please share as widely as possible.

       Barrow Raiders Carol Service 

Hundreds of people are set to head for the Barrow Raiders rugby league stadium for a huge outdoors community carols service tonight (Friday 17 December).
 
Churches across the town’s mission community – which support each other missionally - have joined forces with the club to organise the free event at the Craven Park ground, with gates due to open at 5pm for a 6.30pm start.
 
The Rev Tony Ford, who is Priest in Charge of St Mark’s Barrow and has been a chaplain of the Raiders since 2018, said: “This is something I’ve talked with the club about for a while, but Covid meant that the plans had to be put on hold. I’m delighted that we’re now able to push ahead with things. I know it will be a lovely evening and one that is accessible for everyone. We hope to see as many people as possible at the ground.”

  • Click here to read more.
The Way Christmas 2021

A reminder that he Christmas edition of The Way - the free ecumenical newspaper for the church in Cumbria - is now available.

The winter 2021 edition can be accessed via the new God for All website, which also includes an archive of previous editions of the newspaper.

  • Click here to read the latest edition and share as widely as possible.

         Living In Love And Faith 

Along with the rest of the Church of England, the Diocese of Carlisle is currently looking at issues relating to gender, marriage, sexuality and relationships under the heading 'Living in Love and Faith'. (LLF)

There's a library of online resources, a book, a series of videos - and a multi-session course that helps those in parishes, deaneries and dioceses to navigate the theology and ethics involved in small, supportive groups.

To date the diocesan LLF facilitation group have hosted discussions at Appleby Deanery, Furness/Barrow Deanery, Kendal Deanery. At the beginning of 2022 the team are hosting four more deanery discussions and LLF will be a main item at the March Diocesan Synod.

  • Click here for more information. 
Living in Love and Faith is about encouraging people from across the church to learn and reflect together about questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. In this film, four people share their experiences of taking part in the Living in Love and Faith course.
Energy Tips And Advice

With rising energy prices and the Church aiming for Net Zero Carbon by 2030, the Diocesan Advisory Committee is providing churches with tips to reduce their heating costs and carbon emissions. 

Energy Tip 3 - User Behaviour
 • Are lights switched off when users leave the room? 
 • Are there clear notices for groups hiring church premises? 
 • Are thermostats tamper proof? 

  • Click here for more energy tips and advice from Parish Buying.

 Cumbria Coastal Community Forest       

Defra has recently announced £220,000 of funding for the Cumbria Coastal Community Forest, for tree planting along the West Coast.

This funding will see a tree planted for every resident living in Barrow, Copeland and Allerdale.

The trees can be planted in large- or small-scale projects, including a few trees in a church yard. 

  • Email here for more information. 
Boxing Day Bike Challenge

Spare a thought for Tim Burdon - Carlisle's Trinity School's chaplain - who'll be taking on a gruelling fundraising Boxing Day bike challenge this year.

Tim aims to ride 200km - during which he'll also climb 8,848m, the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest - using a specialist indoor cycle machine.

He'll be raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease charity and has been inspired to take on the challenge after one of his closest friends was diagnosed with MND. He aims to raise £1 for every metre of virtual ascent.

  • Click here if you wish to donate.

 Vacancy - Church Buildings Officer

                 

 

The Diocese of Carlisle is looking for a Church Buildings Officer to be based in Penrith who will:

  • Advise and support parishes on proposals for the care and development of church buildings
  • Attend and take notes at site visits
  • Manage the Online Faculty System
  • Advise churches how to make the appropriate changes to reach environmental sustainability of church buildings and climate change

This is a full-time position, 35 hours per week. Salary: £29,068.00 - £34,593 depending on experience.

  • Click here for more information. 
Season's Greetings

This is the last scheduled email before the Christmas break.      

May we take this opportunity to wish all subscribers of the eNews a very happy and restful Christmas and our prayers and best wishes go to you all for 2022.

The next eNews is scheduled to be distributed on Friday 7 January, 2022.
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