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Latest COVID Guidance
The Government's Covid-19 Winter Plan, includes permission for the resumption of public worship from Wednesday 2 December.
Yesterday (26 November) it was confirmed that all of the local authority areas for Cumbria will be placed into Tier 2 restrictions, as the national lockdown is eased. You can access the Government's tier post coder checker here.
The Government Guidance Local restriction tiers: what you need to know sets out the local restriction tier system that will be in place, including what you can and cannot do and includes information on public worship, weddings and funerals.
Meanwhile, yesterday Andrew Selous MP - the Second Estates Commisioner - told the House of Commons that while indoor singing would be limited to performers only, everyone would be able to take part in outdoor and door-to-door singing, staying two metres apart or away from the threshold, and nativity plays for under-18s would be permitted in accordance with the performing arts guidance.
The Government is expected to publish new guidance for singing and nativity plays and we shall bring that to you in the next eNews.
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From Tuesday 1 December, the Diocese will start using the Online Faculty System. The system handles List A, List B, Temporary Minor Re-ordering and full Faculty applications. It brings all aspects of the application process into one place and allows multiple users to work on an application, which hopefully spreads the load!
For more information on the new system, please click here.
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Click above to view a training film provided by Anna Newlove, DAC Project Assistant, and Rosaleen Lane, DAC and Pastoral Secretary, for the Online Faculty System. The online training includes:
• The background to the Online Faculty System
• How to register
• The different application processes
• Where to find help and guidance
• The Church Heritage Record
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BBC Radio 2 Pause For Thought Debut
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The Bishop of Penrith has made her ‘Pause for Thought’ broadcast debut on BBC Radio 2 earlier today.
Bishop Emma joined DJ OJ Borg for an early morning chat and reflection time which focussed on ‘My Noble Peace Prize Winners’. She drew on those shared winners who had worked from opposite sides for peace, drawing on examples from the Middle East and Northern Ireland.
Bishop Emma said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time talking to OJ and reflecting on the peace making process and the sacrifices which both sides must make to bring an end to conflict.
“Before the reflection, OJ did ask me on air if I had ever had any stress-related work dreams and I told him about a recurring one I have in which just before I preach in a church full of relatives and celebrities, my sermon notes are destroyed. I also mentioned that the last time I had the dream a crocodile in the church transformed into the Archbishop of York!”
Bishop Emma will provide further Pause for Thoughts on BBC Radio 2 every Friday morning at 2.30am for the next three weeks.
To listen to today's broadcast click here and go to 2:34:00 on the timeline.
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Cumbria's Big Carol Sing
Special invites to join the Cumbria Big Carol Sing can now be downloaded from the God for All website.
People are being encouraged to circulate them to friends, family and neighbours. The invites are just part of a set of new Christmas resources on offer for individuals and families at home and those people you may be connecting with digitally.
Churches across the county are being encouraged to partner up with BBC Radio Cumbria as the station broadcasts a special Christmas programme on Sunday 20 December from 6pm.
As part of the programme people will be invited to take to their door steps at 6.15pm to sing Silent Night.
Click here to access the downloadable resources, warm up your vocal chords and join the Big Carol Sing.
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God for All Vision Refresh Prayer
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Please do continue to share this God for All Vision Refresh prayer as widely as possible. Thanks go to the Cumbria Ecumenical Spirituality Group for writing the prayer.
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Effective Listening Course
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St James Church Carlisle, in conjunction with Acorn Christian Healing Foundation will be running the Effective Listening Course over two mornings, on Saturday 5 and 12 December via Zoom.
Over the course of the two sessions you will:
- understand the value and impact of good listening
- identify what stops you from listening well
- discover the importance of feelings and grow in your capacity to listen to feelings
- consider non-verbal communication and the impact of technology
- recognise the difference between sympathy and empathy
- practise active reflective listening skills
There are currently four spaces left on the course. The cost per person is £25. For more information or to sign up please email simon@stjamescarlisle.org.uk.
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Reaction to Advent Refresh, which premiered last night, has been swift and hugely positive.
Several churches are planning on using the four sections (Hope, Joy, Peace & Love) as the basis for an Advent Study course – if you want the questions, email here.
And if you have not had a chance to view the main event, it is still available on YouTube – just click above.
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Pioneer Ministry Taster Events
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A reminder that special 'taster events' are set to take place in 2021 for those people interested in working towards a certificate in Pioneer Mission course at the Northern Mission Centre.
If you're interested in finding out more about the course you can do so by clicking here.
To book onto the various taster events click on the links below:
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Advent Services And Reflections
St Martin-in-the-Fields church in central London is to broadcast a national online service to mark the start of Advent this weekend as the nation prepares for a Christmas ‘like no other’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The service for Advent Sunday will be the first in a series of pre-recorded ‘worship at home’ national online Church of England Advent and Christmas services with the theme of Comfort and Joy. Read more here.
Meanwhile, people are encouraged to sign up to a series of Advent and Christmas reflections here and to download a series of Comfrot and Joy resources.
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Bereavement Journey Cumbria
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 Churches Together in Cumbria are looking to set up a third Bereavement Journey Cumbria course, to run from January 2021.
The first course welcomed 16 guests via zoom from different parts of the county. They each brought their own experiences of bereavement, some very new and raw, others older yet just as consuming. All guests completed the course and feedback was extremely positive.
Churches Together in Cumbria recently started a second course which also welcomed 16 guests from very different bereavement experiences. The technology works well and support is offered to anybody who has any issues. A number of people on the first course now wish to offer the course in their own area, and one guest is a group helper on the second course.
The third course in January would run either in the afternoon or evening, according to demand. To book a place click here.
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