News Stories
-
17 March 2026
in Latest NewsBishop visits Cumbrian farms to strengthen links with farming community
The Bishop of Carlisle has visited farms to further strengthen links between the church and Cumbria’s agricultural community.
The Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh was joined by the Rev David Newlove, Cumbria Agricultural Chaplain, as they met farmers in the Eden Valley and listened to their experiences and the challenges of current farming practice.
Read more -
17 March 2026
in Latest NewsCumbrian churches launch new pilgrimage route and book
A group of Cumbrian churches has created a near 30-mile-long pilgrimage route to promote the rich Christian heritage of their area.
The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, joined members of eight churches in the Kent Estuary Mission Community in the south Lakes for a launch event of the pilgrimage and guide.
Developed over a year by a group drawn from the churches, the new guidebook includes five circular walks and a return route which connects churches in Levens, Heversham, Milnthorpe, Beetham, Storth and Arnside. Read more -
12 March 2026
in Latest NewsIn Pics: New Bishop of Penrith's Tour
It is wonderful to be able to share some pictures taken during a tour of the Diocese by our newly appointed Suffragan Bishop of Penrith, the Rev Canon Dr Michael Leyden. o
Please continue to pray for Michael and all his family as he prepares for consecration in April. Read more -
11 March 2026
in Latest NewsWell-respected northern theological college Dean to be next Bishop of Penrith
A well-respected head of a northern theological college is to be the next Suffragan Bishop of Penrith.
This morning, a Downing Street announcement confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the nomination of the Rev Canon Dr Michael Leyden, who is the founding Dean of Emmanuel Theological College, following recommendation by the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh. Read more -
11 Feb. 2026
in Latest NewsDirector of Operations and Executive Chaplain to Bishop of Carlisle appointed
A new Director of Operations and Executive Chaplain to the Bishop of Carlisle has been appointed.
Ali Ng will take up the high-level advisory role in May, having been Acting Bishop’s Chaplain to Bishop Rob Saner-Haigh since December 2023, following the retirement of the Rev Canon Cameron Butland.
It means Ali will stand down entirely from her other current roles as the Diocese of Carlisle’s Head of Human Resources and Governance and Deputy Diocesan Secretary.
Read more -
29 Jan. 2026
in Latest NewsArchbishop of Canterbury’s Confirmation of Election is welcomed
The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, has welcomed the Confirmation of Election of the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
The special service held at St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday (Wednesday 28 January) marked the date that Bishop Sarah Mullally DBE legally became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Confirmation of Election is a legal ceremony, set within a church service, at which Bishop Sarah, the Archbishop-Elect, legally becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury. Archbishop Sarah’s first act as Archbishop was to take up the Primatial Cross and give the blessing at the end of the service.
Read more -
28 Jan. 2026
in Latest NewsKey new ministry development lead appointment is made
A key appointment has been made to support the growth of ministry development across the Church of England in Cumbria.
The Rev Jennifer Totney is to become the Diocese of Carlisle’s first Ministry Development Lead, supporting both licenced and authorised leaders, and with responsibility for spearheading two areas of the Diocese’s Ministry Development Plan: Growing Together and Growing Resilience.
She will also oversee delivery of the Northern Young Leaders Programme - our internship programme for young people aged between 18 and 30 - as well as developing mentoring and training programmes for ministers and promoting clergy wellbeing.
Read more -
25 Jan. 2026
in Latest NewsClergy husband-and-wife team head for new pastures
A husband-and-wife clergy team who have served Cumbrian communities for 60 years combined are to leave the county.
The Rev Canon Jane Maycock – currently the Diocese of Carlisle’s Acting Director of Ministry Development and Interim Diocesan Director of Ordinands – has been appointed as the new Canon Missioner and Residentiary Canon at Durham Cathedral. Her husband, the Rev James Richards, is to stand down from his role as Team Rector of the South Lakes Team.
Read more -
14 Jan. 2026
in Latest NewsRydal Hall general manager appointed to new job
The general manager of Rydal Hall – the Diocese of Carlisle’s Christian retreat and conference centre – is to step down having secured a new position.
Nigel Evans will leave Rydal Hall this month after two years developing the Lake District site and helping to further shape its mission and business strategy. He has been appointed centre manager of The Franciscan Centre Ladywell in Godalming, Surrey.
Read more -
18 Dec. 2025
in Latest NewsRev Dr Raewynne Whiteley appointed Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations
Rev Dr Raewynne Whiteley appointed Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations
The Diocese of Carlisle has made a key appointment to strengthen the way it encourages and supports vocations to lay and ordained ministry across Cumbria.
The Rev Dr Raewynne Whiteley has been appointed the new Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations. Working closely with the Bishop of Carlisle, the Bishop of Penrith and diocesan colleagues, she will oversee the discernment process for those exploring ordained and lay ministry and help develop a broader culture of vocation in local churches.
Her appointment supports the ecumenical county’s God for All vision, with a focus on discipleship and encouraging the vocation of all God’s people. This work is central to the Diocese’s ambition to establish at least 100 new worshipping communities by 2030, supported by local leaders who can nurture prayer, worship and service in communities across Cumbria.
In her new role, Raewynne will combine the statutory responsibilities of the Diocesan Director of Ordinands with oversight of a wider approach to vocations, helping people of all ages and backgrounds to explore how God may be calling them. This includes supporting ordinands and Readers in training, strengthening relationships with theological education institutions, and helping develop future leaders for a mixed ecology of church in Cumbria.
Raewynne said: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the Diocese of Carlisle in this way. I’m passionate about helping people respond faithfully to God’s call, and about creating clear, prayerful and supportive pathways for those exploring both lay and ordained ministry.
“Cumbria has a strong sense of local church life and a real commitment to mission through its Mission Communities. I’m excited to work with clergy and lay leaders across the diocese to encourage vocations, to support those in discernment, and to help people connect their calling with the life of discipleship in everyday life.”
Raewynne brings wide experience in parish ministry, diocesan leadership and theological education. Since July 2024 she has served as the Diocese of Carlisle’s Vocations Lead for Ministry Development. Prior to this she was Warden and Lecturer in Practical Theology at Wollaston Theological College (University of Divinity) in Perth, Western Australia.
Earlier in her ministry, Raewynne served in the Diocese of Southwark as Deputy Director of Discipleship and Lay Ministry, and previously as Missioner for Discipleship and Vocations. She has also held academic and parish leadership roles in both the United States and Australia, including over a decade as Rector of St James Episcopal Church in New York. She holds a PhD in Practical Theology (Homiletics) from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Australian by birth, Raewynne has longstanding roots in Cumbria, with family connections in Barrow-in-Furness, and currently assists in ministry in the Appleby area, remaining closely connected to parish life in the Diocese of Carlisle.
Rachel Head, Director of Mission and Ministry Support and Innovation, said: “We are delighted to appoint Raewynne as our new Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations. This is a significant role, bringing focused leadership and additional capacity to the delivery of our Ministry Development Strategy, particularly in the areas of Growing our Own and Growing Younger.
“Raewynne is passionate about supporting people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to explore their calling, and brings both commitment and experience in vocational discernment and formation. Working with our experienced Mission and Ministry team and Assistant Diocesan Directors of Ordinands, I am excited about what she will bring to the role and how her work will contribute to our 2030 vision for developing diverse models of ministry across Cumbria.
“Our ministry development work in Cumbria is shaped by the needs of our local churches, leaders and Mission Communities. Raewynne’s ability to combine theological depth, careful listening and practical leadership will help us encourage a wider and more diverse range of vocations across the county.”
The Rt Revd Rob Saner-Haigh, Bishop of Carlisle, said: “A central part of our life together is recognising vocation, not only to ordained ministry, but the calling of every Christian to follow Jesus in the places where we live and serve in Cumbria. The Director of Ordinands and Vocations has a crucial role in helping people discern God’s call, and in ensuring that this process is prayerful, wise and supportive.
“As we work to establish new worshipping communities and strengthen existing churches across the county, we will need a wide range of leaders, lay and ordained, stipendiary and self-supporting, rooted in Christlike character and committed to serving their communities. I am delighted that Raewynne will be leading this work with us, and I look forward to all that God will do through her ministry among us.”
Raewynne will take up the role in late February 2026. Read more