TheWayThe FREE newspaper of the Church in Cumbria – Spring 2020

In the footsteps

of Saint KentigernPAGE 3 PAGE 6

PRAYER FOR ALL

Mother tells of

heroin tragedy

Loving God, as your Son healed the sick

And brought good news to the needy

Be with us this day.Loving Jesus as you taught us to‘Do unto others as you would

have them do to you’Be with all the medical staff

this day.Loving spirit, your gift is healing,

Bring your healing fire to our homes, our hospitals and

our county,But most of all, be with us

this day. Amen

CUMBRIA ECUMENICAL

SPIRITUALITY GROUP

As we come together across Cumbria to face the coronavirus pandemic, so you are encouraged to hold the prayer below in your hearts...

PICTURE: JONNY GIOS

The Way, Spring�2020 www.carlislediocese.org.uk2

INSIDE

THISEDITION

The WayNewspaper ofthe Church in Cumbria

The Way is the newspaper of the Church inCumbria. It is produced in partnership between the Church of England Diocese ofCarlisle, the Methodist District of Cumbria, the United Reformed Church inCumbria and Churches Together in Cumbria. Through Churches Together in Cumbria, we ensure coverage of and distribution to the Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, Quakers and independentchurches. The editorial team is made up of representatives from across the denominations.

The purpose of The Way is to reflect theChurch in Cumbria to itself and to our communities more widely.

We do not seek to promote any particular theological viewpoint, but ratheraim to stimulate debate by featuring writersfrom a variety of church traditions and fromsociety more widely.

While we are happy to consider unsolicited submissions, we operatelargely on a system of commissions and donot guarantee to publish any materials received.

The views and opinions of contributorsand advertisers do not necessarily reflectthe views and opinions of the partners.

The publisher takes no responsibility for losses arising from information in advertisements in The Way.

EDITOR &

ADVERTISING:

Dave RobertsTel: 01768 807764

Mobile: 07469 153658

Email: communications@

carlislediocese.org.uk

CONTACT US

POLITICIAN

GLOBAL REACH

COMMUNITY

PAGE 7

MP Tim

Farron

on faith

PAGE 13

Chaplains

on the

streets

PAGE 12

Local roles in

international

charity

The Rt Rev James Newcome,The Bishop of Carlisle

THE coronavirus pandemic is in one sense adisaster. It has led to a climate of uncertainty,confusion and fear unprecedented in my lifetime,and has already caused many to lose their jobs,their homes – and even their lives.But, at the same time, it has prompted an

outpouring of care, compassion and creativity ona scale which I have found deeply impressiveand heartening. Churches all over this countyhave been working on ways of ‘doing church differently’ now that (for the moment) public worship has ceased, and on-line communicationhas really come into its own. (I do recommendthe ‘Fresh Expressions Cumbria’ Facebookpage for ideas.) They have also been developing ways of

caring for and supporting the most vulnerablemembers of our society, and showing that theChurch is still at the heart of the communities weare there to serve.In particular, churches across Cumbria are

praying for the sick and lonely, for NHS staff and

for ‘key workers’ as well as those most at risk fromthe virus. I suggest too that many who would notcall themselves ‘Christian’ are being challenged tothink carefully about their priorities – their purpose –and what really matters most in life.

So, please keep on praying – caring – andmeeting ‘virtually’ while this pandemic continues:and perhaps re-read Romans 8.35-39 whichspeaks powerfully to the situation in which wefind ourselves.

The Rev Dr James Tebbutt,Chair of the Cumbria Districtof the Methodist Church

THE sudden, extensive, and neverreally expected disruption of thecoronavirus pan-demic has affectedand constrained usall, reminding us thatour lives and usualassumptions aremore precariousthan we like to remember. The crisis can

reveal the worst in each of us (the selfishpanic buy), but also the best, as recent divisions pale in a shared concern to takecare for and of one another. Not least, wedeeply appreciate those who are doing theirbest for us. In it all, faith again finds its place, that trust

in the God who loves all, who is at the bedside of the one struggling to breath; whoweeps when we weep; who knows our fearand our frustration; who holds us all, longingfor us to come through and to flourish, morekindly, more lovingly, more fairly, moreunited than we were before. May God bewith us all.

Rev Martyn Coe,Co-ordinator:United ReformedChurch CumbriaPartnership

A GOD of the good timeswould be like a fair-weatherfriend. Psalm 93 reminds us that

God is ever present.“It is good to give thanks to

the LORD,to sing praises to your name,

O Most High;to declare your steadfast

love in the morning,and your faithfulness by

night.”God is with us even in the

hardest of times. In Jesus,Godself lived on earth and sounderstands joy and love,grief, confusion, sadness andeven anger. In these changeable, even

scary times, may we find thestrength and resolve to praiseGod, and care for one anotherin the knowledge that God understands and loves us. Let us praise God for all

those who continue to workkeeping society going and caring for those who are ill.May God’s peace be with

you, and may you be a bless-ing to friend and neighbour.

Major Roger Batt,Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army

RIGHT now we arehearing from all kindsof people such phrasesas: ‘We are facing un-precedented days’,‘We are navigating ourway through uncharted waters’, ‘We are facinga time of great concernand uncertainty’.All these outpourings

come from the heartand we all need to engage with the realityand consequences of such utterings. But as a Church right now we need to be

heard uttering – no, I should say actually declaring – the authority of God’s Word over ourcommunities. Words such as this from Psalm 23 (The Pas-

sion Paraphrase): “Even when your path takesme through the valley of deepest darkness, fearwill never conquer me, for you already haveme! “You remain close to me and lead me

through it all the way. Your authority is mystrength and my peace. The comfort of yourlove takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, foryou are near.”

For the first time ever, and in response to national guidance relating to coronavirus, this edition of TheWay will not be printed; instead, it is being offered as an online edition only. Please encourage as

many people as possible to visit the link to read the stories contained in these pages. As this edition was

completed, so the situation around the pandemic remained a fast-changing one. Some of the dates foradvertised events and courses may understandably change.

This page contains messages from all four of the county’s partnered ecumenical leaders as churchesface up to an unprecedented national and international crisis...

Messages of hope

IT WAS a crisp winter’sday when the Rev ProfStephen Wright steppedout on the first leg of a new pilgrimage he’dfelt called to map out in honour of Cumbria’s ‘pa-tron saint’ St Kentigern.Setting off from Mungrisdale

parish church he couldn’t helpbut notice the small robinwhich hopped along beside him for a few seconds. It was afitting walking companion.Stephen, who is an inter-faith

minister, laughs: “The robin isa symbol of St Kentigern andso I thought to myself, ‘Well,someone is clearly speaking tome here’.”

The Way, Spring�2020www.carlislediocese.org.uk

3

Stephen Wright: ‘I became almost obsessed with Kentigern’ PICTURES: DAVE ROBERTS

By Dave Roberts

SAINT LEADS THE WAYn Minister mapsout new pilgrims’route linkingchurches thathonour Kentigern

rydal hallhospitality | tranquility | spirituality

The pilgrimage around Cumbria’s northern fells is thesubject of Stephen’s new bookThe�Kentigern�Way,�A�Life�andLakeland�Pilgrimage.It takes readers along a route

connecting churches named inhonour of the sixth-centurysaint while also providing anhistorical backdrop to both thesaint and the region, and exploring what pilgrimage is.Prayers and reflections are provided throughout eachstage.“Ever since I moved to

Cumbria, I’ve been fascinatedby Kentigern,” Stephen explains. “His story grabbed hold of

me, and I became very aware ofhis influence here in Cumbria.He’s as close to being our patron saint as anybody.

“I had no interest in Chris-tianity when I first moved herein 1996 and I didn’t start goingto church until 2004. “But, from the time I arrived

in the county, I became almostobsessed with Kentigern; I didn’t know where this impulsecame from. “I’ve been so heavily

influenced by this man aboutwhom so little is known, yetwho was such an important figure in the early Christianchurch.“I’d visit places that were

associated with him and I foundmyself acquiring more andmore material about him, visiting churches for prayerfulreflection about this man and,along the way, meeting somelovely people.”

The pilgrimage and the newbook are the culmination ofmore than 20 years of carefulresearch into the life ofKentigern. The 90-mile route is split

into nine stages, linkingchurches connected with StKentigern in places such asMungrisdale, Caldbeck, Aspatria and Crosthwaite, nearKeswick.Stephen, who is also a trustee

and spiritual director of the Sacred Space Foundation, adds:“It’s a route which takes in thebeautiful northern fells, the city

of Carlisle and the Cumbriacoast so it covers all kinds ofterrain. “It’s been wonderful to be

able to create this pilgrimage,one which, although basedaround Christian sacred sites, isopen to people of all faiths andnone to walk and explore thecountryside and their own spirituality.” The book and pilgrimage

also complement Stephen’swork as founder of theKentigern School, which supports those people who are interested in exploring the contemplative way andtheir relationship with God.He explains: “The pilgrimage

very much fits in with the contemplative way. “Contemplatives are people

who tend not to cluster, whoenjoy solitude. “They’re looking for that

direct route to God and I’d saythat a pilgrimage really offersthat opportunity.”The book also includes a

foreword by the Bishop ofCarlisle, the Rt Rev JamesNewcome. In it, he writes: “I challenge

anyone not to be inspired andintrigued by the thoughtfulnessand love that have gone into researching and producing this unusual and compellingwork.”n The�Kentigern�Way,�A

Life�and�Lakeland�Pilgrimageis published by Wild GoosePublications and is available ata special offer price of £8.99from www.ionabooks.com.

Tranquil: The church atMungrisdale is one ofseveral in Cumbria dedicated to St Kentigern

Let Go project, which was set upinitially to raise awareness of domestic abuse and provide supportfor victims and their families inrural parts of Carlisle and Eden. “Our training runs for a full dayand looks at what constitutes domestic abuse, why people stay,and the idea of power and con-trol,” Eleanor says. “We explorepatterns of behaviour: generally, aperpetrator is abusive, apologisesand then there’s a honeymoon

period. But then it starts all overagain, and gets gradually worse.“We look at what could be the

causes of domestic abuse and themyths that it is caused by, for example, alcohol, the weather ormental health issues. It’s importantto remember perpetrators can bedifferent with other people; theychoose to abuse those closest tothem. Domestic abuse in a familyhome will also affect any children. “We’ve also explored theologi-

cal issues on training days. Whatis it that we do and say in churchthat can help or hinder somebodywho needs our support?”Eleanor and the Churches Together team plan to continuetheir cross-denominational workin liaison with the Diocese ofCarlisle and Cumbria MethodistDistrict, and are looking at otherways to raise awareness and equipchurches to support victims andtheir families across the county.

The Way, Spring�2020 www.cumbriamethodistdistrict.org.uk4

n Team helpstrain clergy andpastoral workers

Eleanor Hancock: ‘Domestic abuse is very prevalent in rural areas’ DAVE ROBERTS

Raising awarenessof domestic abuse

“OVER the past 10 years wehave trained hundreds ofclergy and pastoral workersin this county, of all deno-minations and free churches,on how to be more aware ofdomestic abuse.” The Rev Eleanor Hancock explains how she and a smallteam, working through ChurchesTogether in Cumbria, have beentackling domestic abuse.And it is an issue which also affects Christian communities. In2018, researchers from CoventryUniversity and the University ofLeicester asked 438 churchgoersin Cumbria about their experi-ences of domestic abuse. Thefindings were published in a report, In�Churches�Too:�ChurchResponses�to�Domestic�Abuse.One in four of the churchgoersexperienced at least one abusiveact in a current relationship, mirroring domestic abuse in thewider society. Of the respondents,71 per cent were aware of domes-tic abuse in their community butonly two in seven churchgoersconsidered their church to be adequately equipped to deal witha disclosure of domestic abuse.It is that latter figure whichEleanor and other members of thetraining team are committed to addressing.“Domestic abuse is very preva-lent in rural areas,” Eleanor adds.“People are far more isolated andthat makes it even easier for theperpetrator and harder for a victimto access support. So, in this situation, I wanted to see how weas churches could help and offersupport to victims and their children. There’s a church orchapel in every community so wecan be there to help.”She began to take a lead on theissue in the early 2000s, whiletraining for curacy and also sittingas a member of the local Proba-tion Board. Her next-door neigh-bour at the time was a lady whoran Carlisle’s women’s refuge andEleanor identified a need for further chaplaincy work.At the same time, she drewalongside Helen Boothroyd, thenthe social responsibility officer forChurches Together. They, and afew others, teamed up with the

By The Way

By Dave Roberts

I REMEMBER ‘O Jesus I have promised’ from

my Confirmation and from school assemblies

but it sticks in my mind for another reason.

One boy in our class was friendly with a girl

named Julia. When we sang the words ‘My

hope to follow duly’ (Julie) all the boys would

point, cheer and embarrass this poor lad.

David Pendlebury, The Parish Church of

St Paul, Grange-over-Sands

RESIDENTS will be saddened to hear of the

death of the Rev Peter Hayward, peacefully at

his home, and after a short stay in the Cum-

berland Infirmary. Peter and his wife, the late

Joyce, moved to Allonby around 20 years ago,

to be near family and with them their son

Richard. Appropriately, for a Church of England

minister, the house they chose as their retire-

ment home was a former Wesleyan chapel.

Allonby Beachcomber

Monthly Village Newsletter

OUR 2019 shoe box campaign has been a

great success, thanks to the generosity of so

many who gave money, goods or even filled

their own shoe box. We completed 117 shoe

boxes – passing our 100 target… By the timeyou read this, the boxes along with some

lovely knitted blankets will be in Romania, anddistribution will be well under way.

Iris Diggle, The Stricklandgater,

Newsletter of the Stricklandgate

Methodist Church, Kendal

THIS February, Upper Eden Community FirstResponders (UECFR) celebrate 10 years sup-

porting residents of the Upper Eden Valley byattending medical emergencies. Members of

the team undertake training and assessments

by North West Ambulance Service

paramedics. This includes recognising signs of

a stroke and a heart attack, how to perform

CPR and the use of a defibrillator.

Parish News, The Parish of Kirkby Stephen

with Mallerstang, Crosby Garrett and Soulby

I AM looking forward to all that the [Mothers’Union] central chaplain role brings, to being

able to support the work of local branches,both here and around the world, and to pray

for the members and their ministries. It is such

a joy that the MU is so strong in Cumbria.

Bishop Emma Ineson, Mothers’ Union News

Last year began with one of the driest winters

in my Scotby records. December 2018, Jan-

uary and February 2019 make up the winter

period and all had much lower than averagerainfall, making the winter the third driest I

have recorded. However, that was more thancompensated for by the very wet summer.

Anne East, Pow Maughan,

The Magazine of All Saints’, Scotby and

St John’s, Cotehill with Cumwhinton

BY the time you read this, Lent will be upon

us. You may have already given something up,or taken something on, but if you haven’t why

not find out more about mindfulness, be it

Christian or secular in nature, and make it

part of your daily routine, as a means of re-

capturing the joy of life and keeping the

human tendency to worry under control.

Nigel Davies, Skelsmergh, Selside and

Longsleddale Church and Community News

GREYSOUTHEN WI. Liz, originally from the

west country, gave us a reading of a couple ofPam Ayres’ poems which are quite amusing.

She also brought a book of poems by a localCumbrian lady, some of which are in Cum-

brian dialect and also quite amusing. I have to

say her Cumbrian accent wasn’t quite as

accurate as the Devonshire one!

St Bridget’s Parish News

OUR archbishops, ++Justin and ++John, are en-

couraging us this Lent to engage in caring for our

creation. They have said this is an opportunity

for us to rebuild our relationship with our planet,and in turn with God who is Lord of everything.

Alison Riley,

Parish Magazine for Gosforth and Wasdale

Hope to follow ‘Julie’

WHERE TO TURN TO FOR HELPLOCAL SUPPORT SERVICESn Victim Support Cumbria –

0300 303 0157, 8am-6pm Mon-Fri;08 08 16 89 111, daily, 24 hours;website: https://www.victimsup-port.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/support-near-you/north-west/cumbria n Turning the Spotlight. A

countywide project supporting families experiencing conflict, violence and abuse. ContactLaraine Carr on 07919 393 311 orat turningthespotlight@victimsupport.org.uk

NATIONAL HELPLINESn 24-hour National Domestic

Violence Freephone Helpline -0808 2000 247 / helpline@women-said.org.uk n National phoneline for men

experiencing domestic violence andabuse - 0808 801 0327 / www.mensadviceline.org.uk / info@mensadviceline.org.uk n Freephone national helpline

for LGBT+ domestic abuse victims -0800 999 5428 Mon, Tues and Fri10am – 5pm; Wed and Thurs 10am–8pm / help@galop.org.uk /www.galop.org.uk/domesticabusen National Stalking Helpline -

0808 802 0300 n Respect phoneline - 0808 802

4040 / info@respectphoneline.org.uk n Action on Elder Abuse

Helpline - 080 8808 8141 / www.elderabuse.org.ukn The Revenge Porn Helpline,

Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, excludingbank holidays - 03456 000 459 /www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITESn Domestic abuse –

www.womensaid.org.ukwww.refuge.org.ukwww.safelives.org.uk

www.victimsupport.org.ukn Stalking and personal safety -

www.suzylamplugh.org n Economic abuse -

www.survivingeconomicabuse.org n Domestic violence and sexual

assault - www.uksaysnomore.org n Men, young people and per-

petrators - www.respect.uk.net n Legal help -

www.rightsofwomen.org.ukwww.ncdv.org.uk n Men’s Advice Line -

www.mensadviceline.org.uk n Report a crime anonymously -

www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Resources: An international Christian alliance called

Restored has released A Handbook for Female Christian

Survivors of Domestic Abuse,

The Way, Spring�2020www.cumbriamethodistdistrict.org.uk

5

“I COULD give Andrew abig hug,” June Proudfootlaughs. “We’ve all been madeto feel so special. It’s been awonderful experience.”June, a member of St Peter’sKingmoor, is referring to the Rev Andrew Towner, the vicar ofHoughton and Kingmoor in northCarlisle. He is the brains behind achurch ‘holiday club’ for olderpeople which has just been heldfor the first time. June was thereevery day it ran – with more than50 others.Andrew explains: “We hold ahugely successful holiday club forchildren at the end of August eachyear. We get more than 100 peoplealong and it’s fantastic. But it’sbeen on my heart for several yearsthat we do something similar forolder folk.“I was desperate to make it happen so that we, as churches,could bless all these people, manyof whom are dear friends.”The ‘Holiday at Home’ club wasdeveloped over six months withinvitations then sent out. It ranover three days at St John’s,Houghton. The format includedice-breaker quizzes in the morningfollowed by singing sessions, a

‘virtual tour’ of Lake Galileethrough Bible sessions and artsand crafts after lunch.Run on Monday, Wednesdayand Friday, there was also a spe-cial ‘Holiday at Home’ celebrationservice the following Sunday. Organisers specifically chose torun it over a week in January. Research suggests it is a time ofyear when people can feel themost isolated or lonely.“It’s a time when people can feelpoor or lonely and that they don’t

have anything to look forward to,”Andrew explains. “So one answeris to put on an event like this whichthey can positively engage with.”The organisation of Holiday atHome was overseen by Cathy andDavid Ross, both members of StPeter’s. The couple, who also runthe church’s Lunch Club, co-ordi-nated a team of 23 volunteers.David adds: “There’s been a realteam effort to get to this point. Weadvertised the club as widely aswe could, putting up flyers in the

Post Office and talking about it atchurch and the Mothers’ Union.We wanted to reach out to as manypeople as possible and we have gotsome people here who don’t go tochurch. That’s great to see.” There are plans for Holiday atHome to become an annual event,a suggestion which has been welcomed by those who have benefited from the gatherings.Mick Shaw, who helped as a carpark attendant, says: “It seems tohave gone down well. We’ve had a

good number of folks come alongevery day and there have beenvery positive comments which isencouraging for all the team.”That is reflected in commentsfrom St Peter’s congregationmember Jean Morris who adds: “Iwould not have missed it for anything. My biggest hope is thatpeople’s hearts will have beentouched by what’s gone on hereand that they will be able to thinkabout what they’ve heard and getto know more about Jesus.”

A SERVICE of thanksgiving hasmarked a Barrow church’s moveto a refurbished former cinema inthe town.Congregation members fromSpring Mount Church gathered inFebruary to celebrate the move tothe town’s former picture house,the Salthouse Pavilion, which became a bingo club in later years.It marks the culmination of afive-year project for the churchafter money was raised to buy thebuilding at auction.Pastor Jonny Harrison said: “Wehad to start looking around fornew premises because we simplycould not fit everyone into our old building on Abbey Road if everyone was to turn up.“We looked at a couple of options for relocation but, as achurch, we really believe we need to be in the heart of the community and that’s exactlywhat this building gives us.”After purchasing the Pavilion in2015 for just under £100,000,

phased refurbishment work began.The original sloping floor was levelled, and the building was insulated and refurbished. Churchmembers decorated the interior.Jonny added: “When we’d com-pleted the first phase of buildingwork we met with our builder andsaid, ‘We want to be completelyhonest with you; we don’t have allthe money in yet for the secondphase of works’. In that meeting,

the builder – who is not a Christian – turned around andsaid, ‘Don’t worry. We want tojourney with you’. That’s an incredible display of faith.”The necessary money waspledged, and the congregationmoved to their new building lastJuly. Up to 250 people now regularly attend the church, manyof whom gathered for the serviceof thanksgiving in February.Jonny added: “Throughout thisprocess we have never had to stopthe building work; the necessarymoney has always been found. “God has shown us again andagain that he doesn’t just providewhat we need, he goes beyondthat. “It’s exciting to have seen achange of building but it’s evenmore exciting to have seen thechange in the people who worshipthere on a Sunday morning, whoare part of small groups who meetthere or who volunteer. It’s a suresign that God is at work.”

n Vicar takes kids’ event and turns it into gathering for older people

Clockwise, from above: Dozens attended the Holiday at Home club at St John’s, Houghton; the Rev Andrew Towner with

organisers Cathy and David Ross; club-goers enjoying the activities DAVE ROBERTS

Decorating: Church

members turn the old bingo

hall into a church

‘Holiday club’ with a twistBy Dave Roberts

Former cinema and bingo hallnow packed with church-goers

The Way, Spring�2020 www.nwsynod.org.uk6

n Bereaved parents Philippa and Graeme use experience to help other families

Philippa Skinner: On a journey following Jim’s death DAVE ROBERTS

Happier times: Jim with dad Graeme and, right, mum Philippa

‘Does evil exist? It doesin the form of heroin...’

“IF YOU remember theMilky Bar kid, then you’llknow what our Jim lookedlike when he was young,”Philippa Skinner smiles.“He was a very affectionatechild, a very cheeky littlechap with the glasses onwhich he’d worn from a really young age. “As he got older, he was quitequiet, but he was also very funnyand pretty sporty. We just had lotsof fun together.”Jim Skinner was one of fourchildren born to Philippa and herhusband Graeme, who is the vicarof Eden Churches and team leaderof the Eden Wild Goose MissionCommunity. Tragically, Jim died of a heroinoverdose aged just 21. His bodywas found in a flat in Hong Kong,where he’d been working in support of those battling drug addiction.The exact circumstances surrounding his death in Novem-ber 2007 are still unclear, as arethe reasons why he turned todrugs in the first place. He’dstarted to smoke cannabis in his late teens, despite being challenged by his parents.“I honestly believe that if Jimwere to be in this room now, hewould say he didn’t know whyhe’d taken drugs,” Philippa says.“I think he’d say, ‘It just happened. I was stupid. I made amistake’. That’s the same for himand so many others.”She is clear, however, as towhere the root of the problem lies.“I have a visceral hatred ofdrugs,” Philippa says. “Peopleask: ‘Does evil exist?’ Well, yes, itdoes in the form of heroin. It ruinsso many lives and it doesn’t carewho it hurts along the way.” Philippa chose to write abouther experience of loss, grief andhope in her book See�You�Soon. Itis a mother’s personal reflectionon her son’s life and death, andthe unanswerable questions it creates. The title draws on the last letterJim wrote to his parents, whowere due to travel to Hong Kongto visit him: “See you soon (rela-tively)”. The chapters explorehow Jim’s death affectedPhilippa’s faith and relationshipwith God.She explains: “I suppose my relationship with God did breakand I had to rebuild it. I remember

picking up the Bible soon afterJim had died and feeling atremendous vibrancy comingfrom the pages, as if Jesus wasspeaking to me. But that latergave way to a railing, an anger, anutter lostness and despair. Andthat is what grief is like; it is acomplete mixture of emotions allbundled up together like a bowl ofspaghetti. That was what my relationship with God was liketoo.”She is at pains to stress that sheand all her family remain on ajourney following Jim’s death.Her book, published in 2012, is apart of that journey.Philippa also continues to

provide help to other bereavedparents as a telephone befrienderfor the Christian charity, Care forthe Family.She adds: “Obviously Jim willalways be a huge part of our family, but I think the work givesme an ongoing connection withthat aspect of my life. I’ve learntso much through Jim’s death andthe way it happened, and at least Ican use this to support others insimilar situations.“Because we have been throughwhat we have, I’m able to betterunderstand what these other parents are experiencing. It’sbeing a listening ear. For somepeople that may be one conversa-

By The Way

By Dave Roberts

tion; for others it becomes quite along-term relationship.”She and Graeme have also spoken about bereavement, lossand hope at various conferencesand seminars. At a New Wine North event, aman entered the room as Philippaspoke to those gathered. He laterexplained he’d been running acharity stall and had unexpectedlystumbled over their seminar aboutdrugs. He’d heard Hong Kongmentioned and felt moved to gointo the room. Introducing himself as Bill, herevealed that he’d known Jim inHong Kong and had counted himas a dear friend. In fact, the couple had found a letter of encouragement from him in Jim’spossessions when they’d flownout to Hong Kong, but hadn’tknown who ‘Bill’ was.“It gave us both an incrediblesense that God was in all of this,”Philippa adds. “It may feel like ahuge mess, but meeting Bill likethis reminded us we were notalone. It was such a phenomenalthing to happen. It was God’stouch saying ‘Press on. It’s okaybut it’s not okay. Just rememberthat I’m here’.”n See�You�Soon�is availablefrom www.careforthefamily.org.ukand on Kindle.

DO you ever long to live in a world a bitless dominated by technology? Some-times I get really frustrated with life whenit seems it’s impossible to exist withoutbeing connected to the internet; I have tolog into this, remember passwords forthat, find a ‘product key’ to activate some-thing else. Computers drive me crazy.

Michael Woodcock, Two Valleys Parish News, Cartmell Fell,

Crosthwaite, Crook, Helsington, Winster,Witherslack and Underbarrow

A NEW slot in services – Family Time –will be introduced to encourage peoplepresent to share news and talk abouttheir faith journeys in an informal way.This will only take about five minutes andat some point in the future it is hopedthat volunteers will lead the session. Newideas about music in the services wereasked for in the Church Review, so, in addition to our choir, it was suggestedthat a praise group be started to introducenew music, songs and modern hymns.

The Grapevine, Newsletter of the Methodist Churches of

Coniston, Swarthmoor and Ulverston

WE can’t explain what happened on thatfirst Easter, how exactly the resurrectioncame about… that was between Jesusand his Father in those cold dark hours inthe tomb. But we can celebrate thepromises of God that death is not an endbut a new beginning in Christ. What greathope we have in him!

Lucie Lunn, Church of Low Furness Community Magazine

WHEN Jesus came out of the wildernessit was to fulfil all that had been prophe-sied and to proclaim the Kingdom of God.We too, in meeting people, can do thesame – proclaim the kingdom of God andshow what a marvellous God we havewho cares for everyone.

Andrew Gardner, Penrith Beacon, The Magazine for St Andrew’s, Penrith,

Christ Church, Penrith, St John’s, NewtonReigny and St John’s, Plumpton Wall

ALTHOUGH we have had two storms re-cently there is something comforting inseeing the garden covered in a wonderfulcollection of snowdrops and crocuses.(There are even some daffodils floweringalready). We sometimes forget how luckywe are to have God’s creation despite theawful weather. However, those experiencing flooding may not feel so andthey are in our prayers.

Sandra Ward, The Link, The United Benefice of Lorton

and Loweswater with Buttermere

AROUND the Churches. The chapel of StAnselm on the Victoria Park campus ofManchester University has become thefirst university chapel to become a corporate member of the Prayer BookSociety. The society has funded twochoral scholarships ands donated 50 newpew editions of 1662 to the recently refurbished chapel.

Proclaim, The Parish Magazine of the North Barrow Team Ministry

SPRING is around the corner, the snow-drops are out in abundance and I haveeven seen some brave daffodils showingtheir bright yellow colour. The days aregetting longer and we have the firm hopethat things will improve.

In our church of St John the Baptist, weare now looking forward. We have a newvicar; he is our sign of spring, of newhope when we can all start working together, to reach out to our friends at StElizabeth’s and to our friends in the mission community.

Brenda Gear, The Observer, Saint John the Baptist, Upperby

So much technology!

The Way, Spring�2020www.nwsynod.org.uk7

A DELAYED train journeyhome provided the perfectopportunity for CumbrianMP Tim Farron to start writing his recently pub-lished book.“I was on the train coming back

from our Party Conference inSeptember 2017 – the first conference after I’d stepped downas leader – and we were hideouslydelayed somewhere aroundWolverhampton,” he explains.“I got my lap-top out and started

to write. I rattled off 10 to 12,000words which essentially becamethe arc of the book which, I guess,was the story of the 2017 electioncampaign.”

A Better Ambition: Confessionsof a Faithful Liberal was published last autumn. It provides a fascinating insight into the challenges faced by this Christianpolitician during his time as Liberal Democrat leader.The book documents his child-

hood, coming to faith as a teenagerwhile in Singapore, and his risethrough the political ranks: winningthe Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in 2005, becoming LibDem president in 2010 and partyleader five years later.It also explores media reaction to

answers he gave when askedwhether he believed gay sex was asin. Ultimately, the media focus became so heightened that it led tohim quitting as leader after the2017 General Election.“I had a story to tell. I’d been

through a very interesting time andI thought it should be writtendown,” Tim says. “There’s obvi-ously an issue about the place offaith in politics. In America itseems that you’ve almost got to invent a faith to be taken seriouslyas a politician, while in the UKyou’ve got to pretend that youhaven’t got one. In both casesthat’s nonsense!“I fear that in Western society

liberalism has eaten itself; it’s be-come tolerant of everything apartfrom the stuff it does not agreewith. In which case it’s not liberal.I am a passionate liberal whostands up for the rights of peoplewho are very different to me.”His book concludes that politics

and faith can sit alongside one another and that having a faithshould not preclude a person fromholding a high political office. Tim is also adamant that the

political arena is not simply a dog-eat-dog one. He says there iscross-party Christian fellowshipand support in Westminster.He says: “My time in Parliament

has not made me think desperately

well of the political classes but,having said that, you do comeacross huge amounts of kindnesswhere you might not expect it. “Life on planet Earth is a mucky

business and politics is just a part ofthat. So, it’s important as a Chris-tian within the political arena that Idemonstrate grace, be forgiving ofothers and show kindness. And, ofcourse, I mess up regularly!”My interview with him comes

some months after we’d first beendue to meet; campaigning for the2019 snap general election had putpaid to that. It was an electionwhich saw Tim’s majority increasefrom 777 in 2017 to 1,934. He isnow one of only 11 Lib Dem MPs.

A Better Ambition: Confessionsof a Faithful Liberal is his firstbook. Tim has enjoyed writing it somuch that he now regularly contributes pieces to publicationsincluding The Spectator, and theChurch of England and CatholicUniverse newspapers.He adds: “My fundamental

mission as a Christian is to servepeople, primarily the people here inthis constituency. But I’m also verykeen to use my profile to talk toChristians about politics, so thatthere’s greater understanding.“And I want the opportunity to

talk more about the Gospel. WhenI write in the secular media aboutmy faith, I’m doing something thatvery few people do and so, yes, itfeels like a calling.”He and his family continue to be

supported by the congregation ofParr Street Church in Kendalwhere they worship.“The elders of the church have

been great,” Tim says, “but oftenpeople don’t talk to me about poli-tics at all because I’m just a regularpart of the church membership.“It’s important for me as a Chris-

tian in Parliament to find fellow-ship. There’s regular cross-partyfellowship on a Wednesday morn-ing which I go to. The political lifeis such a busy one but it’s so important to make time for that.”And as he embarks on a further

five-year term as a Cumbrianconstituency MP, what would behis prayer?“I want people to consider

Jesus,” he says. “We’ve all beenput off by Christians at some timeor other, but I’ve never been letdown by Jesus Christ. My prayerfor everyone would be that theydon’t shrug him off.”n A Better Ambition:

Confessions of a Faithful Liberalis available from bookstores and online, priced from £9.99.

SPECIAL training days exploringchange and conflict are to be rolledout in support of mission commu-nities across Cumbria.The sessions will consider

‘Growing Through Change andConflict’ (July 7), ‘Scripture, Spirituality and Conflict’ (June 16and July 2), ‘Further Skills inGrowing Through Conflict’(September 24) and ‘Bullying andHarassment’ (October 20). Brec Seaton, a Methodist lay

officer who helped develop andlead the training, said: “When mis-sion communities were first talkedabout there was a recognition thatwith change can come tension. So,a group of us worked on develop-ing resources to enable people towork through any differences.”The days are facilitated by the

Cumbria Growing Through Con-flict Network and are run under theumbrella of the Methodist Churchprogramme, Positive Working Together and through ChurchesTogether in Cumbria. The Rev Jane Maycock,

continuing ministerial develop-ment and leadership enabler in theGod for All team, has also helpeddevelop and lead the training days.She said: “We would encourage

any mission community who maybe interested in holding a trainingday to contact us.”To arrange specific training for

your mission community, emailseatonb@methodistchurch.org.uk.To book one of the training days,email Rob Glassonbury atNWMannNetwork@gmail.com.

n MP Tim Farron concludes in book that politics and faith can go together

By Dave Roberts

Tim Farron: ‘I am a passionate liberal who stands up for therights of people who are very different to me’

Liberalism has ‘eatenitself’ says ex-leader

Training addressesconflict

Working together: Left, Brec

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8 The Way, Spring�20209

DOWN YOUR WAY... WITH #MyCalling

WHEN we moved up here, all people wanted to know was if I wasa local preacher and when I said,and still do, ‘No’, they’d say, ‘Oh!’I have struggled with that.I think that what I felt when Imoved to Cumbria was that I had alot of experience and some skills –particularly listening skills – whichI feel are really important. I asked the question, ‘What hasGod got in store for me now?’ andafter a little searching around andsome conversations, I discovered acourse to train to be a spiritualcompanion. When I looked at the content, Ifelt really excited and I still feelthat.If I had to give everything up except for one thing, the spiritualdirection would be the thing I’dwant to keep going.I think vocation is somethingthat’s relevant to everybody; it’snot just for young people or middle-aged people or people of aworking age. It’s for everybody.

That’s an important message forchurches where the congregationprofile age is older; God has notfinished with them, there’s still acalling in their lives if they chooseto follow it.It’s a wonderful privilege to be afellow traveller with people onthese journeys and I have learnt an enormous amount. It’s not aone-way thing.

HAVING come to faith in my 30s,I’m quite mindful of the fact that Ihaven’t got a big background in thechurch. And so, I’m also mindful ofthe fact that other people whomight be interested in exploringtheir faith will be the same.

There is so much diverse material that can help people intotheir faith, be it works of art, poetryor Celtic saints, to name a few.

There are a lot of things we don’thear much about in church, wehave to do our own research andprivate reading. I felt excited bythis and wanted to pass it on toothers.

I felt nudged in the direction ofmaybe having some extra knowledge and some authority,

really, to be able to talk to people. I decided that doing the Reader

course would be the right pathwayfor me to follow.

Having been a vet, I’ve spent mywhole life explaining quite difficultconcepts to people: helping makethem understand about diabeticcats, or dogs with hormone condi-tions. To put that over in a simpleway which people would under-stand was, I felt, something transfer-able and would help explain Gospeland Bible messages to people.

I’D BEEN worshipping at StMike’s (St Michael’s Stanwix) forthree years. I started when I cameto university here in Carlisle.

At the end of uni, my vicar cameup to me and said: “Heh, Sarah,what would you think about beingan intern?” And I was like: “Nigel,I’m not going to lie; I’ve got a loton right now! Come back and askme in a month’s time!”

As the weeks went on, thingsjust sort of fell into place. It wasreally being put on my heart. I feelthat, if something is being put onyour heart that much, then maybeit’s meant to be there.

People have put a lot of trust inme to plan stuff and achievethings. It’s really cool to be doingthat in a Christian environmentbecause there’s so much support.It’s really built my confidence andmy trust in God.

A lot of the things I’ve donehave gone in directions I couldnever have thought of myself. It’sbeen really cool to see how Godis working through the internship,

through me and through others.I’ve really wrestled with the

word ‘calling’ as time has gone onbecause was this me being calledand following God’s calling, orwas this me thinking this was theeasy way out of whatever else Ihave to do?

In the run-up to making the de-cision to become an intern, Godput me in situations and changedmy situations so that it would fallinto place. I truly believe Godcalled me back to Carlisle.

SIX ecumenical roadshowsare to be staged acrossCumbria this summer tohelp people explore whatGod is calling them to.The #MyCalling events will runin June and July, with two sessions each (a mid-weekevening session and a Sunday afternoon) to be run in the north,south and west of the county.The two-hour roadshows will in-clude worship as well as talksfrom speakers about how they dis-cerned what their calling was andhow they are living it out now. Vo-cations advisers will be on hand tochat with those who attend.The Rev Canon Peter Clement,director of vocations in the Godfor All team, said: “These road-shows won’t just look at a narrowfield of ministry; the opportunitiesare wide. We want people to beenthused and inspired to exploremore. Where is it that God wantsto take you?“But the roadshows are also notjust for people who are wonder-ing what God is calling them todo; they are very much also for

church leaders and other key people who can learn more aboutwhat is going on and then returnto their church to do a ‘ministryof nudging’ of others.”The roadshows have been developed in partnership with theCumbria Methodist District andthe Diocese of Carlisle. There areup to 30 vocations advisers acrossthe county who can draw along-side those exploring their calling.The work is overseen by co-ordi-nators in the north, south and west.A series of special #MyCallingfilms has been produced to sitwithin the roadshows. These willalso be rolled out through socialmedia.Sarah Hulme, an outreach and

Fresh Expression enabler with theGod for All team who is alsoworking with the vocations pro-ject, has helped produce the films.She said: “It was an honour tointerview people and hear howGod has moved in their lives. I hadtears in my eyes listening to oneparticular testimony. The peoplewe interviewed were able toclearly articulate what their callingis. I was certainly challenged tothink more about what I’m doing,how I’m doing it, why I’m doing itand how I should be listening toGod. I’m sure others who see thefilms will feel the same.”A selection of testimonies fromthe #MyCalling films appear onthese ‘Down Your Way’ pages.

Where does God want to take you?

Name: Fiona WilkinsonLocation: CarlisleVocation: Foster carer

Name: Paul GibsonLocation: Warwick BridgeVocation: Worship group leader

Name: Sarah NixonLocation: CarlisleVocation: Intern

Name: Joan WagerLocation: LangwathbyVocation: Spiritual director

Name: Nick GrayLocation: BeethamVocation: Reader

JUNE 2020:n Sunday 7, 2-4pm: North dis-trict, Brampton Methodist Churchn Wednesday 10, 7-9pm: Westdistrict, Christ Church Cocker-mouth (with Bishop James)n Sunday 14, 2-4pm: South dis-trict, Ulverston Methodist Churchn Monday 22, 7-9pm: North district, Penrith Methodist Church(with Bishop James)

JULY 2020:n Sunday 5, 2-4pm: West district, Seascale St Cuthbert’s(with Bishop Emma)n Thursday 9, 7-9pm: Southdistrict, St Thomas Kendal

People are encouraged to bookon to one of the #MyCalling road-shows by visiting www.carlisle-diocese.org.uk/vocations/.

WHEN Stewart, my husband, and I got marriedlater in life I joked one day in the car that if we didn’thave a family of our own that maybe it was a signthat we should foster.

Children didn’t happen. We built an extensionand we had two empty bedrooms. The extensionwas finished in the February and by the November Ihad given up my job and we had been approved asfoster carers.

Since then we have had 14 children: some justfor one night, some for a few years. You can seethe difference you make in children’s lives. Theycome to you frightened and upset; some of themnever knew where their next meal was comingfrom. Some are angry and have behavioural problems.

But it’s amazing to see the difference that ismade by having a loving family and some supportand structure. It’s so rewarding. I couldn’t imaginedoing anything else now.

The support we get from our church family is invaluable. We have had difficult times with someof our placements, but we know that they are always there for us, always praying for us. Therecould be a knock at the door, and then someonecomes in to offer support. We could not do it without our faith or our friends in church. Stewartand I don’t have any family locally. We call themour Carlisle family. They keep us going!

By Dave Roberts

By The Way

I GUESS I’ve been given a gift to playmusic, to sing and generally help peoplejoin together and move forward together ina co-ordinated manner.

It’s a privilege and a pleasure when I’mhelping people encounter God, which isprobably what my role entails, be that withthe singers and musicians I play with, thecongregation as a whole or anybody whocomes into the church, whether they knowthe church and the hymns or whether theydon’t know what to expect.

I don’t want people to feel alienated. Iwant them to feel able to sing and read thewords, feel moved by the music and get acloser understanding of God’s love for usand all he can do in our lives.

It enables me to search more of the truthand try to get more of a heart for God sothat when I’m leading, it is a genuine, authentic leadership; that I’m leading fromthe heart and I’m looking for Jesus to guideme in terms of hymn and song choices andhow we put those together into a service tocomplement what’s being talked aboutthrough that service.

ROADSHOW DATES

LIFE is far from black and white. We live on aspectrum of colour and are called to lovepeople all across that spectrum, whetherthey are the same colour as us or not. I praythat, as we face the future, we may do so together, embracing every shade that Godhas graciously given us, not dividing ourselves from ‘the other’ but uniting our-selves in the rich kaleidoscope of life.

Phil Jackson, Link, Aspatria Methodist

Church, St Kentigern’s Aspatria, St Mary’s

Gilcrux, St James’ Hayton

MESSY Church is getting bigger and better, soa huge thanks once again to Deacon MelBeaven who leads our Messy Church withsuch enthusiasm and such creative ideas.Each one has different activities to challengeeveryone. Everyone is kept involved and encouraged to join in. The children alwayshave something to take home to remindthem of what they have heard, althoughsome of it is eaten before they leave.

The Messenger,

Wigton Road Methodist Church

WHEN life is rubbish - when it’s unfair, whenyou get let down, left out, ignored, knockedback and forgotten – when all that happens,you’re not on your own. Jesus will stick around.I could talk for a long time about joy and howgreat it is to be a Christian. I could. But some-times, what we really need to know is thatJesus will stick with us when things are bad.

Andy Murphie,

Crosthwaite Parish, Keswick

SMALL daily sacrifices are like a field in theopen valley, filled as far as the eye can seewith beautiful wild flowers. One flower islovely, but when we commit ourselves tothese small acts of love, each day and everyday, we present to God a flowing field ofendless beauty and magnificence.

Robert Jackson, The Parish of Whitehaven

OUR ongoing conservation works – anyonewho has been into St Oswald’s recently willhave seen the scaffolding up the west wall –is still in place. Unfortunately, the secondlayer of lime plaster applied to the wall is drying out more slowly than we had hoped.The weather, both temperature and rain,have not helped. We are discussing with ourarchitect and our contractor the way for-ward. Fortunately, the church is still useable.

Dean Parish News

MY NAME is Andrew Callaway and, fromJune 28, I will be joining you as a part-time,self-supporting assistant curate in trainingwithin the Solway Plain Parish, a title thattrips off the tongue with ease. This is an exciting time for me and my wife Carol as itmarks the end of one part of our journeywith God and the start of another.

Andrew Callaway,

Solway Plain Team Magazine

EDEN Wild Goose has launched a new craftgroup called ‘Crafty Gaggle’. It will be for allabilities to come together with their owncrafts but with the opportunity to see and tryothers. The aims are to enjoy ourselves,meet new people and build community.

Al Lee, Focus on Eden,

Holme Eden and Wetheral with Warwick

WE can be quite uncomfortable with the ideaof 'following Jesus'. Indeed, some people getuneasy if Jesus is mentioned too often in ser-mons. But, of course, it is there in our bap-tism. As the 1662 Prayer Book has it, we are to“obediently keep God's holy will and com-mandments, and walk in the same all the daysof [our] life” and our 'profession' is “to followthe example of our Saviour Christ and to bemade like unto him”. Whatever our Christianbackground, promises like these were madeat our baptism and affirmed by us (if we wereconfirmed) at our confirmation.

James Richard,

Parish of St Martin’s, Windermere

Monochrome world?

The Way, Spring�2020 www.godforall.org.uk

10

‘If God can find me andbring me back, then hecan bring anyone back’

WHEN it comes to learningto drive, steering a vanaround a field in Kathmandubefore heading into thechaotic city takes some beat-ing.But that’s exactly how Mark

Singleton came to master gearchanges and clutch control.It was the early 1980s and, aged

20, he’d signed up to join Operation Mobilisation (OM)which offers Christian missionacross the world. Mark, 56, laughs: “Initially I’d

thought about going to Pakistanbut then it became clear that therewas a need for drivers in India.The only problem was that Icouldn’t drive!“I ended up learning in this

clapped-out Transit van, drivingaround a field dodging potholesand a mongoose before then heading into the city to dodge tuk-tuks. I was nicknamed Stirling, after Stirling Moss!”His trip came after he’d vowed

that he wanted “to go on an adventure with God”. Havinggrown up on a council estate inKeswick, Mark came to faith aged18, after joining the Keswick Crusaders, an interdenominationalyouth group.Giving up his job at the local

Co-op and after spending eightweeks at Capenwray Bible School– where he met Ruth, the womanhe was eventually to marry –Mark joined OM. He would spendtwo years in India and Nepal.“I was very young and very

zealous in my faith,” Mark says.“I went out there as a young evangelical Christian, wanting totell as many people as I couldabout Jesus and support the workof the team. We’d trek off to villages for days at a time takinglittle with us, but ensuring we carried leaflets, and then look todraw alongside people.”Returning from his work with

OM in 1985, Mark renewed contact with Ruth. The couplemarried in 1988 and moved toWorkington where they began toworship as well as in Cocker-mouth.But, by the 1990s, Mark had

begun to question his faith and hisrelationship with God. “I can remember thinking

there were a lot of words beingspoken about how things werehappening in Church; peopleclaiming all kinds of ridiculousthings, as I thought then. But Ididn’t see anything happening. Itall began to sound like rhetoric tome. “I’m keen not to lay the fault

with anybody else. I know that thiswas my decision but I questionedeverything. It became a real crisisof faith. Going to church becameincreasingly sporadic, and then Ileft completely.“I became very bitter about

faith, really bolshy. Our kids wereof the age when they began to askmore about God and I really triedto get them to turn against him.”For Ruth, they were difficult

years. She continued to go tochurch and regularly prayed forMark’s faith to be rekindled, despite his protestations. It wouldbe more than 10 years before thathappened, with Mark eventually

returning to church to support hiswife.“Ruth asked me to go with her,

but I also very arrogantly wentback just to prove to someone elsewho had challenged me aboutchurch, that I could go back and itwould not affect me at all,” Markadds. “I was confident it wouldmean nothing to me.”The couple attended Westfield

Church with Mark eventuallydrawing alongside other congrega-tion members. He then went tochurch on his own one Sunday.A few days later, it was Remem-

brance Day. Mark had parked upthe mobile library he drove for thecounty council to observe the twominutes’ silence.He recalls: “I was listening to

Classic FM and, after the silence,they played a choral version ofMake�Me�a�Channel�of�YourPeace. It’s such a beautiful pieceand the words are so profound.“I was meant to hear the music

that day. I realised that, once upona time, I had known what thewords of that hymn meant and I

just wept. Months before, when I’dbeen at a desperate point, I can re-member driving the mobile libraryand shouting ‘Help me God’. Herehe was. He’d never left me.“I now know that the whole

time I called myself an atheist, itwas actually me trying to suppressthe voice of God that was stillwithin me. He’s drawn me back.” Mark’s faith has returned. He

continues to worship at Westfieldand has recently launched a newMen’s Breakfast Fresh Expressionof church which meets at theCarnegie Theatre. The ChurchesTogether group meets monthly andalso offers support to particularlyvulnerable people, including thosebattling drug and alcohol addictionand the homeless.“People have come along and

felt blessed by it,” Mark says. “It’sa friendly group which very gentlytalks about faith.“I feel in my heart God’s love

for mankind. I know how stupidand stubborn I have been. If Godcan find me and bring me back,then he can bring anybody back.”

By Dave Roberts

By The Way

n Man behind new Fresh Expression of church in Workington tells of anearly ‘adventure with God’, losing his faith and his joy at rediscovering it

Mark Singleton: Recently launched a Men’s Breakfast group DAVE ROBERTS

NOTHING lasts forever... and it was withheavy hearts we held the last ever meetingof the Second Seascale Methodist Brown-ies. It was not an easy decision to make norwas it one we came to lightly. Joan and I feltthe time had come for us to retire afterserving 15 years and 22 years respectively,and our two younger leaders felt, with theircareers, that they didn’t have time to commit fully to running Brownies. Thegood news is that all girls who want to areable to transfer to Gosforth Brownies asthey were struggling with numbers, so thishas given them a much-needed boost.

In Touch, The Magazine ofSeascale and Gosforth Methodist Churches

BOXES of Hope. Last year was brilliant aswe sent 136 boxes. We are also the drop-off point for others and, hopefully, we canget more people to collect the boxes. Wehave already started collecting for this year.We need pencils, pencil cases, pens etc. Abig thank you to everyone who helped todonate items, pack them and collect them.

Vickie Lipton, Living Stones, Whitehaven URC

BECAUSE it is a long season Lent gives ustime for things too. Time for God, time forthe needs of others, time for prayer, time forsilence. It is a time to think spiritually aboutthe needs of the world – a world which is always with us and always pressing in on uswith its demands; and the world is alwayswith us in the bad sense of the temptationsand testings of ‘the world, the flesh and thedevil’. If we can turn these realities into ourprayers and our hopes then we will show inour lives whose side we are truly on.

Geoffrey Ravalde, St Mary’s, Wigton

LIFELONG commitment is not what every-one thinks it is. It’s not waking up earlyevery morning to make breakfast and eattogether. It’s not cuddling in bed togetheruntil both of you peacefully fall asleep. It’snot a clean home and a homemade mealevery day. It’s someone who steals all thecovers, who sometimes slams doors, and afew harsh words, disagreeing and the silenttreatment until your heart heals. Then forgiveness!

The Villager, Seaton Churches

AS I write this letter we’ve just squelchedour way through Storm Ciara and are nowanxiously watching the rise of the riverwater levels during Storm Dennis. The coronavirus is spreading to different countries and the number of homelesspeople on our streets is increasing. It allpaints a bleak picture. Yet despite all thisthe snowdrops are in full bloom all aroundwith their promise of new life and newhope.

Jean Radley, Parish News, St George’s, Kendal

IF you are such a good Christian that you donot need church, then please come alongto teach us how to be as good as you. If youare more like me, a bit of a sinner, a little bitbroken, seeking improvement, then pleasecome along to receive God's forgivenessand healing. Dalston church is made up oflovely welcoming people – it is a great placeto be on a Sunday morning.

Ben Phillips, Dalston Parish Paper

EXPOSED: The Church’s Darkest Secret wasa documentary aired on BBC2 in January,looking at the Church’s handling of the circle of abuse surrounding Bishop PeterBall. What made it shocking, even forsomeone like me who had read all the reports, was hearing the abused speakingin their own words and, with great dignityand courage, telling a story I could recog-nise, even if I had been blind to it before. Itleft me heartbroken for the victims and (forthe first time) ashamed of the Church.

Stewart Fyfe, North Westmorland News

Brownies group folds

The Way, Spring�2020www.godforall.org.uk

11

n Michelle takeson super-toughcharity challenge

Ten marathons, tendays – all for charity

Brian takeson key URCrole in NW

AS PERSONAL challengesgo, running ten marathonsover ten consecutive daystakes some beating.In fact, the ‘Brathay 10 in 10’

is considered one of the UK’stoughest running events, withathletes completing an undulating course which circumnavigates Windermere.But that’s not deterred a south

Lakes minister who is set to takeit on this year in support of theBrathay Trust, a Cumbrian charity which supports youngpeople through outdoor learning.The Rev Michelle Woodcock

explained: “Every year I’veseen the ‘10 in 10’ runners making their way round Win-dermere and thought to myself‘They are amazing, I couldnever do that’. Then I askedmyself, ‘But why can’t I dothat?’ So, I decided to apply andsee what would happen.”By Michelle’s own admission

she completed her applicationmore in hope than expectation.A keen runner who had previously completed the London Marathon and the GreatNorth Run, she’d hung up hertrainers for a few years.Runners must apply online,

detailing the last threemarathons they’ve completed;that created a bit of a headachefor Michelle.She laughed: “I’ve only ever

done one marathon before – theLondon Marathon in 2016 – so,at a push, I also included theGreat North Run which is ahalf-marathon. “For my third marathon I

wrote down ‘Brathay 10 in 10 -2020?’ Perhaps the organiserswere looking for someone witha bit of humour because I waspicked to do it.“I cried when I found out that

I’d been successful. I had to tellthe person on the other end ofthe phone that they were happytears!”A team of 18 runners will

take on this year’s 10 in 10challenge. The team is evenlysplit between men and womenand those who have completedthe challenge before and others for whom it will be anew experience. The team issupported by a running coach

THE Rev Brian Jolly has been appointedas the moderator of the North WesternSynod of the United Reformed Church(URC). He assumed his office at the beginning of January.Born in 1956 in north London, Brian

moved to the north west in 1978 for hisinitial ministerial formation at the University of Manchester and the Congregational College.He was ordained in 1982 and has

served pastorates in Blackburn, Bolton,Stockport and Altrincham. Most recently,he was clerk of the North Western Synod.He has served extensively in the wider

church and as a trustee and chair of theboard of the UK Christian charity Embrace the Middle East (formerlyBibleLands). Brian and Denise, who is a specialist in

the residential care of children with special educational needs and disabilities,have three adult children, Sam, Peter andHannah, and a baby grand-daughter.Brian said: “I am looking forward to

continuing to serve the North WesternSynod and the wider church in this newrole, and especially to supporting minis-ters and churches as they engage with theMissional Discipleship strategy. “And I am excited by the prospect of

close co-operation and partnership withecumenical colleagues and churchesacross the north west.”The Rev John Proctor, General Secre-

tary of the URC, said: “Brian has done animmense amount to sustain the life of ourNorth Western Synod, in his role as clerkover the last three years, and in carryingmany of the moderator’s responsibilitiesin the recent months of vacancy.“He impressed the nominating group

with his long ministerial experience inthe synod, his extensive knowledge of itspeople and churches, his commitment toservice and the high level of respect andtrust that he has gained from manyaround him in the context of complex andweighty responsibilities within the URCand beyond.”The North Western Synod of the URC

has 125 churches – from Bewcastle inCumbria on the Scottish border to Macclesfield in Cheshire, all supportedfrom the synod office in Manchester.

and physiotherapists. Each runner must raise £3,000 forBrathay; Michelle is alreadywell on target to beat that totaland has set her sights on pullingin £5,000 for the trust.After successfully applying

last summer, she began runningagain, initially completing threemiles every day. That has gradually increased until she isnow running a marathon aweek. She also does a regular13-mile loop from her home inCrosthwaite, near Kendal,which takes in plenty of climbs.Having stepped back from

full-time parish ministry a fewyears ago – though she stillleads a monthly service atWitherslack – Michelle nowteaches RE and music at LevenValley CE Primary. It meansshe has had to add in trainingtime to her already busy sched-ule.The mother of two added:

“I’m often out training from sixin the morning. It can be reallytough to force yourself out inthe wind and rain, but you’vegot to do it. “It’s more of a mental chal-

lenge than a physical one when

I’m out in weather like that.“When I’m running, I also

pray a lot and I listen to choralevensong regularly through adownloaded podcast. “Quite often I will see people

I know when I’m out running,and I will be aware of thingsgoing on in their lives so I’mable to pray for them and forthe farms which I run through.It brings a real sense of creation, being alive, beingfree.”The 10 in 10 takes place from

Friday October 23, with thefinal run coinciding with theWindermere Marathon on Sunday November 1.Michelle, 45, added: “I’d

ask that people pray for protection against injury. “Also, others who have done

it before speak of the sheerphysical exhaustion you feel, soI’d ask that people pray for meto have the mental strength tokeep going each day.” To sponsor Michelle visit

www.justgiving.com/fundrais-ing/michelle-woodcock262.

By Dave Roberts

In training: Michelle Woodcock PICTURES: DAVE ROBERTS

New moderator: Rev Brian Jolly

Reminder:Michelle’s trainers have been personalised

The Way, Spring�2020 www.churchestogethercumbria.org.uk12

Flying global missionsfrom her garden shed

A ‘POSH shed’ in a Carlisleback garden may seem an un-usual place from which tosupport the world’s largesthumanitarian airline.But this is Janet Busk’s

workplace; it’s where she keepstabs on numerous spreadsheets, accounts and emails in her role asinternational finance manager forMission Aviation Fellowship(MAF) International.The Christian charity – which

celebrates its 75th anniversary thisyear – provides flights for morethan 1,500 aid, development andmission organisations which bringmedical relief and life-transforminghelp to vulnerable people living inthe world’s most inaccessible places.Janet has worked for MAF since

2005, initially for 18 months as a finance manager in Kenya. She waschief finance officer from 2007 to2016, before she stepped back fromthat role to her current position,which allows her to work more regularly from Cumbria.“Though I’m sat here in my

garden office in Carlisle, I’m connected to the world,” Janet explains. “I’ve been emailing people in Kenya and Uganda thismorning about aircraft parts. “But that’s still a part of MAF’s

overall mission, one which I feelvery much connected to. My jobmeans I can be having phone conferences at all times of the daybecause of time differences. Itmakes me realise that the world is asmall place these days.” A handful of RAF men founded

MAF in 1945, acquiring their firstaircraft three years later. Their firstmission base was established inSudan in 1950 and the charity nowoperates 131 light aircraft in 26 developing countries.Janet helps oversee finances for

13 overseas programmes – half of

By The Way

Janet Busk: ‘I feel I’m part of a worldwide family’

Michael G MaddisonIndependent Funeral Director

57-61 Newtown Road, Carlisle

Tel: 01228 317577 Mob: 07796 102996

Email: mgm.funerals@outlook.com

Plans and Memorials

• Offering a caring, dignified and professional

• Chapels of Rest, Prepayment Funeral

24 hour service, 365 days a year

‘Flying bus’ took us to jungle parishTHE Rt Rev Peter Ramsden isthe retired Bishop of Papua NewGuinea (PNG). He and his wife,Sue, live outside Brampton, innorth Cumbria, and he chairs theDiocese of Carlisle’s Partnershipin World Mission committee.

Before Peter was installed asbishop, the couple were in parishministry in a remote part of PNGfor 10 years, supported by MAF.

“Sue and I first travelled toPapua New Guinea in 1983,”Peter recalls. “We were based inthe Highlands area of the countryin a mission posting calledKainambe and this is where wefirst came into contact with MAF.

“They took us into our newparish in the jungle. There wereno roads so we had to fly in, in asix-seater, one-engine Cessna206. They became a sort of busservice for us because it was theonly way in and out of the parish.

“We’d driven from the capitalPort Moresby up to Mount Hagenwhere MAF had its regional head-quarters. The flight to our parishwould take about 20 minutes.

“I’d speak to MAF every day at7am when we were in Kainambe,giving them weather reports sothey could safely plan their day.All our Anglican mission stationsin that area had little air strips. Itwould have taken me two days towalk to my neighbouring parish

but it was five minutes in a plane.“MAF would fly into our mission

station every week. Supplieswould be brought in and the localfarmers’ coffee beans would betaken back to town to be milled.MAF were absolutely critical forthe churches, health centres andschools in that area.

“When I contracted malariathey flew me out to Mount Hagenas an emergency evacuation andwhen Sue was due to give birth toour first son, Nicholas, they flewher to hospital.

“There’s still no road to themission station we were in soMAF continues to provide all ofthis support. Flying in PNG canbe very dangerous due toweather and terrain. Three MAFpilots were killed while we werethere.

“My prayer would be for thecontinued safety for all their pilots and passengers, and thatthe organisation continues to attract the dedicated professionalsand Christians needed for this remarkable service.”

n As the world’s largest humanitarian airline celebrates its 75th anniversary, The Way meets two local people with close links to Mission Aviation Fellowship

MAF’s workload – in countriessuch as Chad, Madagascar,Bangladesh, South Sudan andPapua New Guinea. The MAF International team she works withhas a fleet of 62 aircraft.“It’s encouraging to work with

fellow Christians,” she adds. “I receive regular prayer points andthere’s a real sense of fellowshipeven though we may be geograph-

ically so far apart. I feel I’m partof a worldwide family. I’m able todial in to the MAF Internationaloffice in Ashford in Kent everyTuesday morning for a short devotional time.”Janet attends St Michael’s Stan-

wix, a Carlisle church which hasconnections with global missionsincluding MAF and OperationMobilisation which has Christian

mission in more than 110 coun-tries. She values the support shegets from her congregation.She adds: “My prayer is that we

continue to find the right peoplewith the right skills to serve withus at MAF. That’s not just the pi-lots but also our engineers andmanagers.”The value of MAF’s mission is

perhaps best demonstratedthrough one of Janet’s highlightsduring her time with the charity.She recalls: “I flew out from

Dhaka in Bangladesh on our floatplane which meant we were ableto land on water. We were thencarried by boat to a Friendshiphospital ship, which provides life-saving surgeries for vulnerablepeople living on the river islands.“I can remember seeing patients

in tents – both waiting for treat-ment and those in post-op recov-ery – and realising that it wasMAF that had helped to fly in themedics and other staff to the shipsto help these people.”n For�more�about�MAF,�visit

www.maf-uk.org.

Lifeline: A MAF plane in Papua New Guinea

ON Sunday March 29 at 3pm in St

Michael’s, Dalston, there will be a special

service to launch the new Carlisle Rural Mis-

sion Community. This is an exciting way for-

ward where our local ecumenical churches

commit to working together to make God

for All a reality in our communities. Do

come along and be part of the future.

St Mary’s Church, Wreay

MANY thanks to Catriona Messenger for

making small cotton bags using recycled

material. These little bags will be available in

church. They are colourful and pretty. We all

have loose change in our purses and trouser

pockets. We ask you to join with us and save

your ‘pennies from Heaven’ small change to

support the work of Raughton Head Church.

Elizabeth Martin,

Raughton Head Parish Magazine

OVER the last few months it’s been a plea-

sure to welcome new people from differ-

ent parts of the country making their new

homes in Tebay. To them I would say there

is a variety of organisations which would

be pleased for you to join in. It is very

encouraging to those who, like myself, have

been involved over the years. New people

bring new ideas and enthusiasm.

Bernard Thornnarrow, The Link,

Parish Magazine for Orton, Tebay and

Ravenstonedale with Newbiggin-on-Lune

WHEN Deacon Kina Saunders preached in

Egremont she mentioned the book So

What’s the Story? by the president and

vice-president of conference, Barbara

Glasson and Clive Marsh. As a result, mem-

bers of Open House Fellowship decided to

study the book together. The idea of the

book is that we think about and share our

own stories in the light of God’s story.

Egremont Methodist Church

SINCERE gratitude is extended to Andrew

Oldham retiring from the post after three

dedicated years of meticulous work keep-

ing the priory accounts in order and advis-

ing on budgets and finance. At their

February meeting, the PCC welcomed their

new treasurer Norman Killip who is settling

into this responsible role and appreciates

the support of the vicar and church council.

St Bees News

PATTERDALE WI Walk. A short route was

planned for our November walk. Five of

our members, plus the lovely Alice, set out

from Watermillock Church to walk to Aira

Force, with magnificent views all the way.

Still lots of autumn colour on display, and

Cross Fell, covered in snow. Soon we were

looking down onto Lyulph’s Tower, built in

the 1780s by Charles Howard, the 11th

Duke of Norfolk, and beyond to Aira Point.

Then a late lunch in the warmth of the café

at Aira Force.

Jan King, Together Community

Newsletter, provided by the churches of

Matterdale, Watermillock, Patterdale,

Greystoke, Penruddock and Mungrisdale

‘Be part of the future’

The Way, Spring�2020www.churchestogethercumbria.org.uk

13

0303 333 1216 cumbria.gov.uk/fostering

Become part of Cumbria’s

biggestfamily

Could you

Do you have a spare room? Are you looking for a exible home-based role?We offer excellent training, support and generous payments.

But the biggest reward is to see the change in the children you care for.

IT’S A cold, grey, winter’s morning inKendal but that’s notput off a spirited bunchof neighbourhood chaplains.Six volunteers are workingtheir way along a road on theSandylands Estate, knockingon doors and offering thosewho answer a reassuring‘hello’ while checking thateverything is okay.This is the Kendal Neighbourhood Chaplaincyteam and is made up of eightpeople who attend the town’sGateway Church. Led by the Rev JonnyGios, a church planter andlong-time resident of thesouth Lakes town, their aimis to combat loneliness andisolation. A recent survey of Kendalhomes has identified these as particular concerns forresidents.Jonny explained: “We’refaced with a growing numberof lonely and isolated people. “Age UK figures suggestthat 800 people in Kendal areaffected. This is not just theelderly; it’s younger peopletoo. In this digital world people are losing the art ofconnecting with others,meeting up to have a coffeeand a chat.“So we want to reach outand help people by doingsimple things: offering to dosome gardening for them, orjust sitting down to listen tothem over a brew. As a

church we felt that this wasthe right thing for us to be involved with.”It’s a relatively new venture for members of theGateway Church congrega-tion. The church launched inMarch 2018 as a ‘housechurch’. As the congregationgrew, so services moved tothe Fleece Inn in Kendaltown centre every Sundayfrom 2pm.Neighbourhood chaplainsis a ‘recommended project’of the Cinnamon Network –which helps churches get involved in social action. Ithas grown from the charityCounties UK which trainsand helps start every project. The Kendal team attendedan information day inKeswick last September before signing up to thescheme and completingtraining and safeguardingThe chaplains focus onthree estates in the town:Sandylands, Hallgarth andKirkbarrow. Initially, oneroad on each estate is visitedto build up relationships withresidents.A week before the door-knock, leaflets areposted out explaining that thechaplains will be callinground. Residents can placethe leaflet in their front window if they don’t want tobe visited.The visiting chaplains split

By Dave Roberts

Meet the neighbours!n Chaplainsaim to address

social isolation

On the streets: Above, Jonny Gios, far right, with other members of the

Kendal Neighbourhood Chaplaincy team; and, right, talking with people

living on the Sandylands Estate in Kendal PICTURES: DAVE ROBERTS

Reaching out: Two of

the volunteers chat with

a local resident

into teams of two. Whenspeaking to residents theyunderline that they had previously posted theleaflets, check that everything is okay and askthose they meet if they needhelp to combat loneliness orisolation issues or if theyknow of others who may bestruggling. A further leafletis posted at homes wherethere’s no answer.“This is a really importantway we in which we canshare God’s love in wordand deed,” Jonny says. “About 30,000 people livein Kendal but 28,000 are farfrom God and while this isnot about inviting people tochurch, perhaps it’s a way

we can invite people into arelationship with Jesus.“First and foremost, this isabout befriending peoplewho may need support; it’sabout offering them genuinefriendship. It would also belovely to be able to sit andpray with people and sharethe gospel.“We’d love other churchesto get involved with this. Ido believe that churchesgrow stronger together whenthey’re involved in thingslike neighbourhood chaplaincy.”If you are interested injoining the Kendal team,please contact Jonny atHello@Gatewaychurchkendal.org or 07584 052102.

along to look after the buildingand to tend the graveyard. There’s been tremendous financialsupport. There’s a real love forthis building.”A team of five people oversee

the champing operation. Bookingsare dealt with centrally by theCCT which takes a percentage tocover its overheads.

Generally, the champers areself-sufficient, although campingbeds, comfortable seats and lamps are provided. A nearbycommunity hall provides kitchenfacilities and there are public toilets next door.Nearly 90 champers have visited

so far, generating an income ofmore than £5,000. Profits are splitbetween the church and commu-nity hall. Champers usually stayfor one or two nights, though onegroup stayed for five nights. John adds: “This has been

nothing but a positive experiencefor us. It’s brought people into ourcommunity and of course there’sthe financial aspect; £6,000 represents a lot of church coffeemornings!“I’d encourage other churches

to think about what champing

could mean for them. I thinkthere’s real mileage in creating achamping church pilgrimage inthe Lakes that people could follow. I’m sure we’d have peoplequeueing up to walk that.”And the church’s champing

experience has brought new people to Longsleddale, in turncreating new friendships. “We had one guy who laid out

candles around the church andproposed to his girlfriend,” Johnexplains. “We also had a couplestay from the mid-west in America. They were touring fromone champing church to anotherfor their holiday.” Champing season runs from

March 30 to September 29. Adultrates cost from £49 to £59, whilechildren’s rates start at £25. Fordetails, visit www.champing.co.uk.

The Way, Spring�2020 www.salvationarmy.org.uk14

Carry on champing!

AS RURAL churches go, St Mary’s Longsleddale ispretty remote. Tucked up aLake District valley, it commands beautiful viewsof the nearby River Sprintand surrounding fells.So it is a perfect location for a

‘champing church’. Launched bythe Churches Conservation Trust(CCT) in 2017, there are now 27champing churches across theUK, providing people with the opportunity to camp overnight inone of the historic buildings.Back in the summer of 2017,

The�Way�reported that St Mary’shad become Cumbria’s firstchamping church. Three years on,it remains the county’s only one.John Farmer, the chair of

Friends of St Mary’s Longsled-dale, believes other churchescould benefit from the scheme.“Champing has brought people

to our church who would not otherwise have come,” he explains.“It’s been great for our valley andthe people living here, many ofwhom are now on a rota to helpmake this work.“It’s encouraged new people to

visit our community; we’re gettingincreasing numbers of cyclists andwalkers staying with us.”St Mary’s is now a Festival

Church meaning it is not used forweekly services but instead opensat Easter, Christmas and Harvestas well as for baptisms, funeralsand weddings.When the church had faced

potential closure the small ruralcommunity – only 66 people livein the valley – rallied. “It’s sad that it took the threat of

closure for people to be stimulated,”John remarks. “But they havebeen. New people have come

By Dave Roberts

By The Way

n Remote community benefits from church accommodation scheme

Holiday: A family enjoy a stay at St Mary’s Church JENNY WOOLGAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Cathedral visitors go to Moon and backUP TO 5,000 people visitedCarlisle Cathedral to witness aspectacular light and sound show– Space: God, the Universe andEverything.The historic building was the

centre-piece of the first ever ‘Cityof Lights’ project in Carlisle, organised in conjunction withCumbria County Council andCarlisle City Council.The art installation ran over

three nights in February and wasinspired by the 1969 Moon landings. Visitors experienced ajourney through the cathedral, revealing the universe, galaxies,space and creation.

Peter Walker, artistic director ofLuxmuralis, the award-winningarts collaboration behind theevent, said: “Members of thecathedral staff loved it when they

saw the preview show and there'sbeen a similar reaction from allthose people who have seen itsince. For people who may neverhave been in a cathedral, this is anopportunity to open up to themwhat these spaces are about.”The installation took several

months to develop. It had previ-ously toured other cathedrals and isslightly redesigned for each venue.Peter added: “Carlisle Cathedral

is not the biggest but that creates avery intimate feel. In such a sacred space it gives people theopportunity to think about a few things: the fragility of ourplanet, what else is out there and

what will our next steps be.”Nine light shows were held on

each of the three nights. Eachlasted 10 minutes with visitorstreated to a further installationprojected on to the north transept. The Dean of Carlisle, the Very

Rev Mark Boyling, said: “It waswonderful for the cathedral to beable to host such an amazing event.“We know there will be some

people who came into the cathedral for the first time. Ourprayer is that their hearts wouldhave been stirred by the vivid imagery and wonderful music andthat they were able to reflect uponan amazing creator God.”

Spectacle: Visitors enjoy the

light show LUXMURALIS

‘Real love’: John Farmer

WE decided to embark on becoming aneco-church... Everyone can do something.Wear last summer’s clothes again this summer, or find someone your size to swapwith, instead of buying new. Plan to eat onefewer meat-based meal per week this year,and make it two fewer next year. Change isvery often unwelcome but if the world is tobe inhabitable for our grandchildren, itmust come soon, led from the grassroots.

Ian Parker, Contact, Lamplugh, Kirkland

and Ennerdale Ecumenical Parish

A PRINCIPLE of life is that we tend to become what we think about. So perhaps itwould be worthwhile to start to journal/listour blessings instead of problems, to activelylook for good news instead of taking onboard the negatives we are often exposedto. I think you will be glad that you did!

Peter Gilroy, Binsey Link, The magazine of

the Binsey Team Mission Community, the

churches of Allhallows, Bassenthwaite,

Boltons, Embleton, Ireby, Isel, Plumbland,

Setmurthy, Torpenhow, Uldale and Wythop

HEART of Westmorland Bereavement Sup-port Group will meet at The Hub Cafe in Ap-pleby on the first Monday of each month,between 2 and 4pm. This is an informalgroup and anyone who has suffered the lossof someone close to them, either recently orsome time ago, is invited. We will not followa programme and will not offer counselling –simply the opportunity to talk about what ison your mind and share your feelings withothers who may have felt the same.

Heart of Eden, The News

Magazine of the Heart of Eden Benefice

MY parents had a magnet on their fridgewhich read: “I believe in the sun when itdoesn’t shine. I believe in God when he issilent.” Why do I mention this? Well, because as I write this letter it feels like it issome time since we have seen the sun. Thedays are dark and cold and wet. Spring andsummer seem a long way off. Do I still believe in the sun? Of course I do. Though Icannot see the sun much, though I am coldand wet, the evidence for the sun is stillpresent in the fact that I continue to exist.

Rob Saner-Haigh, Parish Life,

Holy Trinity Parish Church, Kendal

OUR countywide Christian commitment isthat God is for all, that everyone in ourcounty gets the opportunity to know that insome way and respond to it. The peoplewho lived in Jesus’s time saw the hurts oflife healed by compassion and the woundsof misunderstanding healed by forgiveness.The rule Jesus left us was a new command-ment; love one another as I have loved you.We need to put this into practice!

Ruth Crossley, New Life,

In the Parish of Dalton-in-Furness,

Newton and Ireleth with Askam

WHEN everything is going well, I do well toremind myself of words from Deuteronomychapter 8: “Take care that you do not forgetthe Lord your God … when you have eatenyour fill and have built fine houses… for hebrought you out of the land of Egypt, out ofthe house of slavery”. That quickly keepsme from feeling any false sense of pride orarrogance.

Jennet McLeod, Newslink,

South West Cumbria United Area

PLEASE keep snipping stamps from your‘snail mail’ and leave in the box at Holy Trin-ity or pass on to Alison at Holy Trinity orJoan at St Barnabas. They will send yourstamps either to the Leprosy Mission StampExchange or to Embrace, who use them tosupport the Helen Keller School for theBlind. Thank you to everyone who has givenme stamps in the past few of weeks, espe-cially Irene Frizzel and Frances McKnight. Ihave sent off two large packages recently.

Alison Sayer, The Link, Holy Trinity and

St Barnabas with Sandsfield Fellowship

Time to think ‘green’

The Way, Spring�2020www.salvationarmy.org.uk

15

Mike AngeloPhotography

PRESS – PUBLICITY – PRESENTATIONS

Lakeland Seasons, Lakeland Life, Lakeland Calendar and Lakeland Events are four 50-minute

audio-visual shows about Cumbria.

These FREE entertaining and informative shows maybe booked in advance by WI, MU and village clubs.

Music, poetry and narration accompany the spectacular images which have already been

appreciated at hundreds of venues.

For details, phone/text 07904 275763, email mikeangelo@edenonline.net or

visit www.edenonline.net

Jennie has first poemspublished at age of 92

A WEST Cumbriangreat-great grand-mother’s poetry hasbeen published for thefirst time, followinghelp from a member ofher church.Jennie Doran, 92, has been

writing verse for well over20 years, with hundreds ofher works collected in a ‘bigblack book’ which she keepsat her home on the Mire-house estate in Whitehaven.Now, thanks to the efforts

of Jackie Wilkinson – herfriend and fellow congrega-tion member at St Andrew’sMirehouse – the poems havemade it to print in a self-published book, Poems�onLife,�Faith�and�a�Widow’sLove.Jackie said: “Sometimes

Jennie would read her poetryin church and when I cameto visit her at home. She’doften tell me that she hadwritten another poem andasked if I would listen to it.“I realised there were all

these poems – really goodpoems – which she had writ-ten at various stages of her lifeand people needed to enjoythem. There are some reallyfunny ones in there too.”Jackie first typed out all

of Jennie’s poetry beforechoosing the 78 works whichform the book. The threesections draw on Jennie’slife, her faith and her marriage of 53 years to herhusband Billy, a formerminer at Haig Pit.“I don’t know why I’ve

been able to write poetry,”Jennie said. “I’m not particularly clever in otherways but I’ve been given thisgift. It’s such a pleasure forme to know that other peoplehave got enjoyment fromreading my poems.“I can remember when my

Billy would be sat readinghis paper and I’d kneel downnext to him and say, ‘BillyI’ve written another poem,just have a listen!’ He’d putthe newspaper down with a

sigh and after I’d read it,he’d say, ‘Aye, that’s al-right’. So I know that he’dbe delighted with this book.“I don’t think you can ever

come to terms with losingyour partner of so manyyears but writing poemsabout Billy has certainlyhelped. My biggest hope isthat other people enjoy mypoems. I’ve already had aletter from another widow tosay that the poems havehelped her. That’s lovely.”As well as reflecting her

life and marriage, 25 poemsalso focus on her faith. As agirl, Jennie was confirmed atSt Peter’s Kells, where shewas also married. She hasbeen a member of St Andrew’s Mirehouse formany years. She added: “I thank God

for the gift he’s given me tobe able to write these poems.”The first print run which

went to family, friends andcongregation members hasalready sold out.“Everybody in church

loves the book,” Jackie said.“They’ve been selling likehot cakes. In fact, we’ve hadto print some more. Oftenpeople have ordered one butthen bought three!”Copies are available in the

Cornerstone Christian Bookshop and the BeaconMuseum in Whitehaven andThe New Bookshop in Cockermouth as well as online, priced at £5.99.

Friends: Jennie, left, with Jackie DAVE ROBERTS

Blushing bride: Jennie

and Billy on their

wedding day in 1947

Success: Ester Chindamba

in her grocery store bought

with pigeon pea profits

Farmers beatdrought withpigeon peas

THE three-year commitment ofCarlisle Diocese to ChristianAid’s pigeon pea project inMalawi has made a big impact. With more than 80 per cent

of Malawians depending onfarming, they are vulnerable todroughts and floods.Christian Aid is supporting the

Nandolo (meaning pigeon pea)Farmers Association of Malawi(NFAM) to encourage people togrow the drought and flood-resilient pigeon pea as a cashcrop. NFAM has provided seedsand training to more than 6,000farmers, and helped them toform co-operatives and receive ahigher price for their crop.Despite Cyclone Idai, the last

harvest was 14 per cent up onthe previous year. Farmers re-ceived an average of 280Kwatcha per kilo as compared to2018’s 50 Kwacha per kilo.A group of Christian Aid sup-

porters from Cumbria visited inMarch 2018. The farmersshared their initial successes andshowed how profits from pigeonpeas were helping their familieswith items such as a corrugatedroof, livestock, school uniformand investing in new businesses. Later this year, a new factory

will open. Owned 75 per cent byfarmers, this will enable them toremove the shells from the peasand, consequently, earn morefrom the crops.

By Dave Roberts

n Great-great-grandmum’sverse tells of life, faith and

love for late husband Billy

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07761 153934johnav24@gmail.com07761 153934johnav24@gmail.com

By Laura Jones, Christian Aid Regional Co-ordinator

The Way, Spring�202016

QPlease�tell�us�a�little�bit�aboutyourself.

A I’m 35 years old and am married to Becca. We have twoyoung boys: Ben, four, and

Thomas, one. I’m originally fromSomerset but I moved to Liverpool tocomplete my music degree and thentaught at a school on the Wirral,where we still live.

I started working for the SalvationArmy three and a half years ago. Thisis a new role and I have free rein tosupport all our churches, our Life-house homeless centres and our olderpeople’s centres through music andcreative arts. I cover from Carlisle asfar south as Crewe and Buxton andsupport 62 churches, 10 Lifehouses,two older people’s homes and a number of prison chaplaincies. I grew up in the Salvation Army. I

started learning to play the cornetwhen I was six years old, so I’vedone 29 years of Salvation Armybrass banding. I found a really deeppersonal faith in my first year at uni-versity. It was a difficult time, but theLiverpool Corps really supported me.

QHow�important�is�music�toyou�in�terms�of�your�faithjourney?

AMusic is massive for me. Aswell as playing the cornet, wehad a piano and old acoustic

guitar in our house and, as a child, Iwas always dabbling with those.Music is something that’s in me whichhas to get out! It doesn’t really matterhow that happens; it could be throughplaying, composing or singing.The fact that music is a great vehi-

cle to express what my faith means tome is a huge bonus. I met Becca, whoplays the tenor horn, when we bothplayed in the university brass band.She came to faith playing in the Salvation Army brass band. So I knowthat music plays an important part inbringing people to faith. It changeslives and I love being a part of that.

QHow�does�music�and�creativearts�affect�the�people�youdraw�alongside?

ASinging can have a particularlyprofound effect. We do some-thing called Singing By Heart

which is the Salvation Army’s dementia singing group programme,which I wrote with a colleague. Ihave done 80 or 90 sessions allaround the country and, each time, Ihave seen someone have a ‘spark moment’. They may not have beenable to connect through conversation

but suddenly, through singing, yousee their true self. It’s incredible.When I get a few of the guys who

are supported through our Lifehousesto sing together, you can instantly seerelationships formed. You might thensay, ‘Let’s have a look at this songwhich has got some religious lyrics init’, and before you know it, they areworking alongside you on it.

QHow�does�your�ministry�feedyour�faith?

AEvery day I see people experi-encing God through music andart. You can’t fail to be sparked

and reignited every time that happens.When I play, I see people connect-

ing or reconnecting with God in awhole new way. I drive home a happyman; it keeps me going for weeks.

QWhat�challenges�do�you�facein�your�role?

A If I’m invited somewhere, thenI go; so, covering the patch Ido means I cover some miles.

Where there may be specific requestsaround areas that aren’t my specialitythen it can be a bit more of a struggle.I can lead drama but I’m not particu-larly an artist – though I can designusing a computer.So, I’m on a journey, linking people

up with others who may be more capable in those areas. I have theprivilege of travelling around andworking with lots of different people.That gives me the opportunity to takeaway things I’ve learned and to passthese on to other people. For instance,there is a fabulous artist at a church inSale who runs Bible journeying sessions. I have been able to use herskills with other groups I’ve met.

QWhat�would�be�your�prayerfor�your�ministry?

AAs a teacher, I worked with 11to 18 year olds every day. Inthis role I’m privileged to

spend time with children and youngpeople of that age range and younger.But I still feel there is an age gap inour churches, so I would pray to findsome way to fill that gap.I want to work with the Salvation

Army’s other specialists in children’sand family ministry as much as possible so that we can continue toreach out and say to people: ‘Let uslook after your children. We can givethem something which is far morethan just entertainment. We can bringthem to a new life.’ Dan Elson: Grew up in the Salvation Army DAVE ROBERTS

‘Music changes lives, andI love being a part of that’n In our latest Focus on Faith, we speak to Dan Elson, the SalvationArmy’s regional music and creative arts specialist who covers Cumbria