News Stories
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11 May 2020
in Latest NewsCarlisle Cathedral bathed in blue for the NHS
Carlisle Cathedral has been bathed in blue in support of our county’s key workers and the NHS.
The ancient building’s north and east faces were transformed on Thursday night from 8pm to 11pm with special messages of support projected onto the façades and roof.
It came as tens of thousands of people across Cumbria also took to their doorsteps to clap for carers as part of the weekly tribute to key workers.
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6 May 2020
in Latest NewsBishops James’ statement regarding church buildings
In light of the House of Bishops’ agreement in principle to a phased approach to lifting restrictions to church access, in time and in parallel with the Government’s approach, the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, has issued the following statement.
Bishop James said: “The coronavirus pandemic has had a terrible effect across the world, wreaking death and disruption. So many people have lost their lives; so many families have lost cherished ones. I continue to pray for them all, for those who lead and govern at this time and for the NHS staff who continue to work so hard providing frontline care. It has been an unprecedented time.
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27 April 2020
in Latest NewsSpecial NHS thank you projected onto south Cumbrian church
A special message of thanks to our NHS has been projected onto a centuries-old south Cumbria church, as part of a national campaign.
Last night (Sunday 26 April), the frontage of St Mary’s Kirkby Lonsdale was bathed in blue light for an hour and the message ‘Thank You NHS Key Workers’ was projected onto its bell tower.
The projection was the idea of local audio visual and events company 1Media Ltd and had the full support of the Rev Richard Snow, Team Rector of Kirkby Lonsdale Team Ministry.
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24 April 2020
in Latest NewsBishop James thanks Cumbria’s volunteer scrubs providers
The Bishop of Carlisle - the Church of England's lead bishop on health and social care - has sent his thanks to an army of Cumbrian volunteers who are making scrubs for NHS staff and health workers.
Up to 300 people across the county have come together through the North and West Cumbria Scrub Hub to sew the scrubs, headbands and scrubs bags, which dirty clothing can be put into before washing.
The Scrub Hub was set up by Sellafield worker Claire Riley on Good Friday and has since attracted hundreds of helpers through social media platforms. It includes volunteers from across Cumbria providing a countywide coverage.
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6 April 2020
in Latest NewsBishop of Penrith records special Easter message
The Bishop of Penrith has recorded a special Easter message for people across the county as they remain in lockdown to combat the Coronavirus.
The Rt Rev Dr Emma Ineson chose to record her message from the garden of her home in Kendal, drawing on the comfort she has seen from signs of new life, how churches across the county continue to worship in new ways and the hope that Christians have through Jesus Christ’s defeat over death.
The video has been posted to the Diocese of Carlisle’s YouTube Channel and will be shared extensively on its Facebook and Twitter platforms. It can be viewed here.
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24 March 2020
in Latest NewsChurch of England church buildings to temporarily close across Cumbria
The Diocese of Carlisle has temporarily closed all its church buildings in Cumbria with immediate effect, in line with national Coronavirus guidance issued by the Government.
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions as to when people can leave their homes in efforts to further stem the spread of the virus. In his address to the nation, the Prime Minister confirmed that all places of worship are to close and that baptisms and weddings are not to take place.
Meanwhile in line with newly-published national Church of England guidance, funeral services must not be held in Church of England buildings in Cumbria. These can only happen at the Crematorium or at the graveside with only immediate family members there (if the crematorium allows) – that is, spouse, parents and children – and social distancing must be maintained.
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19 March 2020
in Latest NewsDiocese of Carlisle's Church School Closures
The Diocese of Carlisle – the Church of England in Cumbria – can confirm that all of its church schools are to close from Friday afternoon, in line with national Coronavirus guidance issued by the Government.
It follows a joint announcement made today (18 March) by the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to the House of Commons and Prime Minister Boris Johnson to journalists at the daily Coronavirus briefing
The Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) is now to write to all the headteachers of its 104 schools. Two of its church schools have already closed: St Bega’s in Eskdale and Trinity School in Carlisle.
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18 March 2020
in Latest NewsSuspension of public worship in Church of England churches in Cumbria
The Diocese of Carlisle is to suspend all public worship in Cumbria with immediate effect, in line with national Coronavirus guidance issued by the Church of England,
The decision also follows publication of a joint letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to all clergy which calls for the suspension, affecting Sunday services and other planned gatherings.
Weddings and funerals can still take place, but with limited numbers of people in the congregation to ensure social distancing rules are not breached.
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27 Jan. 2020
in Latest NewsBishop endorses new Cumbrian pilgrimage book
A new book penned by a Cumbrian interfaith minister celebrates the launch of a pilgrimage route in honour of Cumbria’s ‘patron saint’.
The Kentigern Way, A life and Lakeland pilgrimage is written by the Rev Prof Stephen Wright and takes readers along a new pilgrimage route which connects churches named in honour of the 6th Century saint, St Kentigern. It also provides readers with an historical backdrop to both the saint and the region, while exploring what pilgrimage is. Prayers and reflections are provided throughout each stage. Read more -
20 Dec. 2019
in Latest NewsCommunity pastor’s surprise BBC Christmas Star award
A south Cumbrian community pastor has been named a BBC ‘Christmas Star’ for services to her parish.
Gill Grisedale runs a Clothes Bank at St Mark’s Barrow which has had 35,000 visits since it opened in September 2016.
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