TheWay The FREE newspaper of the Church in Cumbria – Spring 2021

Do you want God County care homes with your chips? welcome chaplains PAGE 3 PAGE 7 EASTER HOPE... As we mark a year living with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, so our vision refresh prayer reminds us we truly have a God for All…

Living Lord, as we offer to you our common life, refresh our vision that we may know your will and seek to follow in all your ways. May we follow daily as your disciples, care deeply for one another in community, speak boldly your gospel words of love, and tread gently as faithful stewards of your goodness. We ask this in the power of your holy name, as Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of our lives, today and for ever. Amen

PICTURE: CUMBRIA TOURISM 2 The Way, Spring 2021 www.carlislediocese.org.uk INSIDE THIS EDITION INTO THE LIGHT... ENVIRONMENT Welcome to this edition of The Way, one which again can only be published digitally. As we mark the 12-month anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic so we look with resurrected hope to the Church future. It is a hope which speaks of vaccination, a roadmap to recovery and lifting of restrictions, achieves while also lamenting all those lives lost to the coronavirus and the challenges it created. Here gold leaders from across our denominations offer reflections on a message of Easter hope. PAGE 5

COMMUNITY The Rt Rev the risen Christ is with us and our salvation is secure in him, The Rev Dr James Travellers’ , come what may. As Jean Kerr Tebbutt, Chair of chaplain is puts it: “Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have the Cumbria county’s first isn’t permanent.” It sees what is District of the IF YOU look up the word ‘hope’ not, but yet will be. in a concordance (as I did when PAGE 8 If we really know that hope, it Methodist Church asked to write this brief article) becomes something we need to you will find it recurs dozens of live by – and share, especially at I BELIEVE in hope when peo- times in the Bible. Two of my the moment when so many ple go out of their way, put HOMELESSNESS favourite references come in are feeling fairly hopeless. themselves in harm’s way, to Proverbs and Ephesians. Offering Using a metaphor from help and care for those who are Proverbs 13.12 reads: “Hope Shakespeare (Romeo and sick or affected by the pan- food and deferred makes the heart sick.” Juliet) Steve de Gruchy says: demic. I believe in hope when support We have had plenty of “hope “Never before have we been neighbour asks neighbour, or deferred” during the last 12 more called to be midwives of stranger: “How are you?” I be- PAGE 9 months – not least as we hope.” This peculiar and unset- lieve in hope when health work- entered a third lockdown and “may know with the eyes of your tling time provides us with an heart enlightened what is the ers, scientists, manufacturers learnt how long any sort of opportunity to express what we and governments develop and CONTACT US return to ‘freedom’ was likely to hope to which he has called believe through the patient way deliver vaccines in record take. you”. That hope, which is we live (follow daily) as well as times; and especially when rooted in the resurrection of EDITOR & But the second reference, the passionate words we say ‘haves’ share vaccines with from Ephesians 1, is that great Jesus (1 Peter 1.3), is the hope (speak boldly). So we can re- ‘have nots’ around the world, ADVERTISING: prayer that the Ephesians – and that however things may look at gard it, by God’s grace, not just through governments or individ- Dave Roberts so, by implication, all of us – present, God really is in charge, as a burden – but also as a gift. ual donations in gratitude for Tel: 01768 807764 vaccinations received. Mobile: 07469 153658 I believe in hope when Email: communications@ people of difference respect carlislediocese.org.uk Andrew Dodd, President, Major Roger Batt, others in the same church or Churches Together Salvation Army Divisional community: Brexiteers and Re- The Way is the newspaper of the Church in mainers; people with different Cumbria. It is produced in partnership In Cumbria Commander understandings around sexual between the Diocese of orientation, marriage and Bible Carlisle, the Methodist District of IN A YEAR of enforced WHEN you enter The interpretation; recognising that Cumbria, the United Reformed Church in separation from family, Cumbria and Churches Together in Salvation Army college Jesus invited both zealots Cumbria. Through Churches Together in friends and church to train as a Salvation (freedom fighters) and tax Cumbria, we ensure coverage of and community, we have Army Officer, you collectors (government agents) distribution to the Roman Catholic, sustained losses in to be disciples, perhaps be- Salvation Army, Quakers and independent become part of a churches. The editorial team is made up many ways. Much has cause (only) by being together community that is given they might discover and offer of representatives from across the been stripped from us, what we call a denominations. deep sadness and hope for themselves and The purpose of The Way is to reflect the Sessional Name. That others. I believe there is hope Church in Cumbria to itself and to our resignation might be is a name you carry when we recognise we are communities more widely. present, horizons with you into ministry as We do not seek to promote any unattainable, little hope more racist or prejudiced than particular theological viewpoint, but rather you live the outworking for the future. we realised, enabling repen- aim to stimulate debate by featuring writers of your calling. tance, humility, hope to flow. from a variety of church traditions and from But this process When I went to college in 1981, I became society more widely. reveals that which was hidden. Are we seeing I believe in hope because While we are happy to consider part of ‘The Heralds of Hope’ session and, some women found the tomb in the paring back of systems, practices and unsolicited submissions, we operate throughout, I have endeavoured to be that. A empty, and because they and largely on a system of commissions and do beliefs which separate, are no longer fruitful not guarantee to publish any materials herald is described as something or someone we experience Resurrection: received. and diseased, the potential for a new future? that announces something is about to happen. unfailingly, this brings hope and The views and opinions of contributors In the week of prayer for Christian unity, many As a ‘Herald of Hope’ I am commissioned to transformation to lives, relation- and advertisers do not necessarily reflect places experienced dynamic engagements with the views and opinions of the partners. be an announcer that hope is about to hap- ships and communities. The publisher takes no responsibility well-attended Zoom daily prayers and Sunday pen, hope in Jesus is here despite whatever for losses arising from information in joint service. Many social needs and issues are is going on in life. In the knowledge of a pro- advertisements in The Way. challenged and met by Christians finding gressing vaccination programme, as trans- common cause with others. Barriers are missions fall, in the anticipation of a helpful breaking down in the name of Christ. roadmap from restriction to release, we have For some, stripping back will be painful and had hope announced. The Way temptation to withdraw into the apparent safety But above and beyond all of what is, will be, of our separate shells is present. There is or may not be this Easter in the message of hope for future fruit. Otherwise, the gardener the angels to the visitors of Jesus tomb, Newspaper of would not bother. “He is not here, He is risen” is an announced John 15.2: “He cuts off every branch in me that hope that transcends all other messages as the Church bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear the risen Jesus gives us life in all its fullness fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” and freedom. in Cumbria www.carlislediocese.org.uk The Way, Spring 2021 3 Carole’s been

Support: ’s Fratry Project serving up Crucial financial lifeline thrown to Fratry Project CARLISLE Cathedral’s Fratry Project has been awarded a £250,000 grant from the Culture Recovery Fund. God and chips The money is part of a multi-million pound package of support issued through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to safeguard cultural and heritage organisa- tions across the UK from the economic impact of Covid-19. n The grant will support the long-term future of the Fratry Upper Eden Project. Work was completed on the project – which includes a new exhibition and events space, café, meeting point and priest spreads dedicated space for work with schools and special interest groups – just as the country went into the first lockdown. The , the Very Rev , said: the word in “We are delighted the grant application has been successful. This is the result of a lot of hard work by members of the cathedral team; my thanks to them and the funding body. local chippie “No one could have foreseen the impact the coronavirus pandemic would have on all manner of things; indeed that By Dave Roberts impact continues today.” The grant is one of 22 in the first round of the recovery fund. “THERE’S something about the ministry of hospitality which is so important in Cum- Michael G Maddison bria,” the Rev Canon Carole Independent Funeral Director Marsden explains. “People will take things in if there’s food involved.” • Offering a caring, dignified and professional And she should know. During the 24 hour service, 365 days a year Covid-19 pandemic Carole has found a new way in which to reach out to • Chapels of Rest, Prepayment Funeral her community… by serving in the Plans and Memorials local chip shop! The 76-year-old – who laughs when she says she has been in and out of 57-61 Newtown Road, Carlisle ministerial retirement four or five Tel: 01228 317577 Mob: 07796 102996 times – continues to serve congregations Email: [email protected] in Kirkby Stephen and neighbouring churches. But, from last June through to Christmas, Carole also helped out at the chip shop in nearby Brough which is owned by her daughter’s partner. She says: “When the pandemic started it was difficult to have the usual staff in, so in a moment of madness I said I’d help out. Initially, I was taking orders on the phone. People thought they’d got through to Coronation Street when they were talking to me! Carole Marsden: ‘People take things in if there’s food involved’ “Then I moved over to taking orders at the door as customers primary school teacher before her currently training for ordination – has weren’t allowed in. A couple of times ordination more than 30 years ago. run a chip shop in Wigton for 13 I wore my dog collar just to shock She served in Oldham for seven years years, though the business is currently people. A fair few of them asked, – the first woman incumbent in the up for sale. If a buyer is not found ‘What are you doing here?’ Diocese of Manchester – before before his ordination, later this year, “It’s really about a ministry of moving to Cumbria. Richard has vowed to wear his dog service. A lot of the customers are Her ministry of hospitality has also collar when he’s serving customers. farmers who phone in orders when seen her help run parish suppers in “More and more people have found they’re still out in the fields so it’s Kirkby Stephen, reaching out to out about my ordination when we’ve good for them to see me getting stuck people who don’t go to church. been speaking over the chip shop in and helping out. “Church is not all about being in a counter,” Richard says. “Discussions “There were also conversations big building on a Sunday morning,” about our faith shouldn’t be limited to about what was happening at church, she adds. “It’s great to be able to get a church building setting. We’ve got and at Christmas I was able to explain people sat around a table, feeling to feel confident about sharing our that we were holding an outdoor comfortable enough to open up about faith wherever we are.” Christingle service. Some people different things.” As for Carole, she jokes that the came because I’d told them about that Carole is not the only person to county’s newly refreshed ecumenical when they were in the chip shop.” have used a chip shop setting in which vision should be renamed. “I don’t Originally from Saddleworth, to spread the Gospel message. BBC know about God for All, I’m thinking Greater Manchester, Carole was a Radio Cumbria’s Richard Corrie – it should be Cod for All,” she laughs. 4 The Way, Spring 2021 www.cumbriamethodistdistrict.org.uk New project puts mental wellbeing at top of agenda n Group’s first meetings held on Zoom

By Dave Roberts

A GROUP of Cumbrian churches is piloting a project to help improve Kristy Pattimore: ‘About people’s mental and being alongside people’ emotional wellbeing. exploring possible venues but Pioneer minister the Rev Kristy understand there may still be a Pattimore has developed a Renew need for digital connection as well. Wellbeing initiative in the Heart Dr Alison Fleetwood, the Dio- of Westmorland Mission Commu- cese of Carlisle’s Healing Adviser, nity – Appleby and the surround- sat alongside the group during its ing area. formation. Renew Wellbeing is a national She said: “I think it’s important charity which helps churches pro- Connection: There’s no pressure on anyone at the group meetings churches are involved in this kind vide safe spaces – often café-style of work. It’s part of serving their – at which people come together nership,” she explained. activities and you don’t have to be In March, the Cumbrian group community. This is very much to share hobbies and activities and “We currently have two Zoom an expert in prayer as this is not was featured in a social media outward-facing mission and sits to chat. Each group also has a meetings a week and we’ve had about evangelism. This is simply campaign promoting the concept so well as a part of the God for All quiet room or prayer space and up to 35 people attend at least a about being alongside people.” of Renew Wellbeing. There’s an vision. would look to build links with couple of times,” she said. “An Renew Wellbeing offers a acknowledgement that the launch “This is both a blessing and a local mental health professionals. average attendance would be rolling programme of one-hour of the initiative has been timely, provision of a place for members The coronavirus pandemic about 10 at each session, with dif- introductory webinars as well as with national lockdowns having of the community to be included meant the Cumbrian project ini- ferent people in each group. national online training which hit people’s mental wellbeing. and loved whether they have an tially launched online but Kristy “Each session lasts an hour and must be completed before ses- Kristy added: “I’m sure the interest in God or not. It’s about says numbers of people choosing a half. There’s an opportunity for sions can be run locally. Before a mental health challenges as a meeting people on their terms; it’s to join the group are encouraging. prayer at the beginning and end, project’s launch, there must result of the pandemic are going not about us, as churches, having “There are three main themes to though people are under no also be sign-off by a regional to go on well beyond this year. an agenda.” Renew Wellbeing: being present, obligation to join in. You don’t co-ordinator, while all volunteers There are people who’ve attended Kristy is happy to help other being prayerful and being in part- have to be an expert in hobbies or are required to complete safe- the group who have really needed churches explore setting up guarding training and that connection.” Renew Wellbeing groups and can have a current DBS As lockdown restrictions begin be contacted at kristy.pattimore@ (Disclosure and Barring to lift, the group is considering gmail.com. For more details, go Service) certificate. face-to-face meetings. They are to www.renewwellbeing.co.uk.

rydal hall Helping break cycle of isolation hospitality | tranquility | spirituality Andrew Brittlebank, pictured, along. It’s lovely to help people come together. is a consultant psychiatrist The slogan about Renew Wellbeing is that it is and an associate medical OK not to be OK and there’s no pressure on director of Cumbria, anyone when we meet. This is not about Northumberland and Tyne providing therapy; it’s about being there, and Wear NHS Foundation though that in itself is therapeutic. Trust. He is a member of There are some people who sit back quietly Appleby’s St Lawrence’s or read a book, whilst others join in the Church and helps co-host conversation. It’s about being together without the Renew Wellbeing any agenda or demand to do anything. initiative in Eden. He explains why the project We know mental illness thrives in isolation – Come, rest and be refreshed in the heart of the Lake District. is so important... it creates loneliness and more isolation – so anything we can do to break that cycle is a Enjoy the beautiful location, surrounded by Rydal Water, Nab Scar, I ATTENDED one of the Renew Wellbeing positive step. We’ve put posters in health Fairfield Horseshoe, Grasmere. There are pleasant walks from the webinars last year and then a core group centres and made ourselves known to came together to consider how we could make secondary care community health providers, door along lanes filled with wildflowers and wildlife something like this work in the Eden area. so if they know anyone who would welcome At that point we were in phase two of lock- companionship they can direct them to us. Special Offer from £78 pp DBB down so we debated whether to wait or try “There is no magic ingredient to this. It’s just something online. We felt people were feeling about ‘being’ and realising that part of the call Rydal Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9LX much more isolated and anxious in the second to the Church is to be the Kingdom of God; to Booking Office: 015394 32050 lockdown and so decided to go for it. be somewhere where everyone is important, We tried it and people started to come welcome and feels a part of it. [email protected] www.rydalhall.org www.salvationarmy.org.uk The Way, Spring 2021 5 Academic leads move to ‘net zero’

A LEADING academic has been appointed as the ’s new Environmen- tal Officer. Dr Richard Waller, 49, is a senior lecturer in physical ge- ography at Keele University, specialising in glaciology and polar environments. While continuing to work for the university, Richard will also lead the response to the Church of England’s call for all dioceses to attain carbon neutrality by 2030, as set out in a motion which was passed at the Anglican General Synod in February 2020. Richard, who lives in Penrith Dr Richard Waller: Lecturer and is a member of St An- in physical geography drew’s Church, said: “It’s my academic role and undertaking teaching and research in geography ‘Justifiably proud’: Rosemary Riley in the churchyard at Lorton DAVE ROBERTS that has led to a profound sense of the increasing impacts of climate change and the urgency with which we need to collectively act. “Finding a church community in which I feel settled and engaged has led to me starting to explore the wider ways in which I can be of service.” Richard will initially focus on the creation of an environmental working group, the primary aim of which will be to work towards Green-fingered the carbon net zero target set by the national church. Another focus will be around church buildings and energy use, with churches and parishes being encouraged to use an energy footprint resource which was launched last year. He added: “Using this tool will give us a better understanding of where we’re at currently in terms of our energy usage and also the team finds gold related carbon emissions. That starts to identify the ways in which we can make those initial ‘quick wins’ as part of this much longer- term journey towards net zero.” By Dave Roberts New resources and website pages around carbon neutrality will be n Community achieves top added to the diocesan website in coming months. BY HER own admission, Rosemary Riley does not do level in national ‘eco’ awards things by halves. and applied for the bronze award. was introduced to help recycle So, once she committed to We qualified for that straight away water. project managing a team tasked and so then I decided that we Tanya St Pierre, a resident of with attaining an Eco Church Gold should leap up and work towards Lorton who also works for Award, it should come as little the gold award. Cumbria Wildlife Trust as a Get surprise that success quickly “The Eco Church was Cumbria Buzzing manager, helped followed. something we could really buy survey the churchyard before the St Cuthbert’s Church in Lorton, into and get the whole community planting. near Cockermouth, received its involved with. We made a She said: “This has been an gold award last November. deliberate decision to call this absolutely fantastic project and is Nationally, it’s one of only a Eco Church/Eco Community. a way of bringing the whole handful of churches to meet the “There’s been a lot of hard work community together to do some- exacting gold standards and joins undertaken by people to make this thing positive for our wildlife. Levens Church in the south of the happen. We’re only a small church “There have been teams of county as a top award winner. so we’re justifiably proud of the volunteers who helped to scarify The awards – bronze, silver and success.” the grass before we sowed gold – are offered up through A At St Cuthbert’s, each area was wildflowers native to our hay Rocha UK, Britain’s only Chris- assigned to a different person who meadows; the local school has tian conservation charity. presented to an Eco Church panel been involved, researching the Churches must complete an as part of the bid for gold status. wildflowers; and I also ran an Eco Survey which draws on five The coronavirus pandemic meant open day tour and talk in the areas: worship and training, all meetings were conducted on- grounds looking at pollinators.” management of church buildings, line. There was a concerted management of church land, Rosemary and her team were effort to involve the wider community and global engage- able to demonstrate how they had community, helping the church ment and lifestyle. met the gold Eco Church criteria reach out in new ways. “I first became aware of Eco in all areas. Rosemary added: “In terms of Church when I attended an Wildflowers and native shrubs outreach, I think this is one of the environmental conference in and trees had been planted in the most important things we’re Keswick in 2019,” said Rosemary. churchyard; bird boxes and doing. We’ve had people turn up “I was really excited by what I hedgehog boxes had been to help in working parties who heard and brought the details back installed; a local farmer built a would never normally get to our church. new cycle rack from recycled involved in a church activity.” “We then decided as a PCC to material (to encourage people to n For more about Eco Church, look into the Eco Church awards bike to church); and a water butt visit www. ecochurch.arocha.org.uk. 6 The Way, Spring 2021 www.nwsynod.org.uk Pioneers lead the way n Students go online to begin mission journey

By Dave Roberts

“THAT sense of community and togetherness as we explore the mission of God is really great to see!” Richard Passmore, Director of the Northern Mission Centre (NMC), is talking about the student community that has come together to study on a Certificated Pioneer Mission course. Launched in July 2019, the NMC is a collaboration between the Diocese of Carlisle and Church Mission Society as part of the God for All vision. It aims to help people reimagine ministry and mission, serving Cumbria, northern England and southern Scotland, with a pioneering focus which brings together Flashback: Jonny Baker and Bishop Emma on Derwentwater for the NMC’s launch event in 2019 both time-honoured and fresh expres- sions of church. As with all organisations, the corona- have continued to send out resources. The NMC’s launch event in July virus pandemic hit the NMC’s plans for “It’s been really exciting to see what 2019 embodied that pioneering spirit, 2020, with a pioneer ‘Fiesta’ weekend the students are doing on the ground in MEET THE STUDENTS with the , the Rt Rev being cancelled, but the Pioneer Certifi- practice; whether that’s starting a new Dr , and the Director of cate course is being run digitally. community or getting to know their JULIE JACKSON is a teacher and Seventeen students are currently on community in a new and different way. part-time actor, running her own Mission Education at Church Mission theatre and education business. She Society, Jonny Baker, set to canoe to St the course – half based in Cumbria, “It’s also been really encouraging lives in Kirkby-in-Furness. Herbert’s Island on Derwentwater. with the others from the north-east and over the last crazy year to see how indi- “I’m really interested in creativity and (Sadly, a spectacular storm put paid to a Yorkshire. They include people in lay vidual churches and fresh expressions am part of a church in our village. I run full-scale paddle.) and ordained ministry: youth workers, have still been able to start their jour- several Christian groups, with one “I really like the idea of going to the children’s ministers, retirees and those neys to the other side of the lake; not called Creators Space through which other side of the lake,” Richard pioneering while holding down jobs or just online but through new connection we explore space for God, for each other, for creativity explains. “It is a key part of the vision managing family commitments. with their communities. and for creation. for the Northern Mission Centre. It’s The course reflects on Jesus as a “We’re looking forward to having a “From my experience there has not been much pioneer, with other modules considering celebration of their commissioning in encouragement for adult creativity in a church setting. about doing one mission two ways; That’s why I wanted to do the Pioneer Certificate course. how we as pioneers go to the other side theology, reading the Bible, missional July. In true pioneer style I’d love to get “We were asked to make a response to a book on of the lake but bring the church with us. leadership and entrepreneurship. Those a bouncy castle and do that in a very pioneering which considered the church being in exile. I “I also like the idea within the God who complete the course will become different way but we shall have to see really connected with that as for many years I was ill with for All vision refresh of both time- Authorised Lay Pioneers. what is possible.” ME and so was exiled in my home. I was also able to tap honoured and fresh expressions of Richard adds: “We were able to Taster sessions for the Pioneer into my feeling that creativity is in exile from the church. I church being pioneering; both looking move the course online. I was really Certificate course will run during wrote a story which finishes with a lament which I to reach out to new people and find new surprised at how well that has gone. April and July. For more information, recorded as a podcast. It was exciting to be stretched in ways of being church together.” Pioneers are a creative bunch so we visit www.godforall.org.uk. that way. “The course has touched on many different topics which are so important for leading, for pioneering, for mission and for community. I’ve made so many new connections.” PETE BLAMIRE is a software Phone: 01768 868683 engineer and attends an Anglican No organist? church in Kendal. Email: [email protected] “I’m going through a period of dis- Problem solved! cernment as to whether to go for ordi- nation, so I joined the course off the www.askins-little.co.uk The new HT-400 Hymnal Plus plays over 2880 back of that. Pioneering had never re- traditional hymns and popular worship songs ally been on my radar before but then I straight out of the box! saw an advert for a taster session and chose to join. It’s been thoroughly enjoyable. Easily create playlists, adjust the tempo, alter “I don’t think people necessarily think of church as the number of verses, change the pitch and being a place to go to if they have issues or are stuck. even choose your instrumentation. So this is very much about being in relationship with the With indexes to 10 favourite hymn books people around us. included (and many more available), the great “The course has helped me think about where the @qefYdHdmk sound of Hymnal Plus has made it the choice touchpoints could be for the community I’m part of. of churches across the UK. Lockdown has made things tough but it’s helped me We carryP honeout all: 0stonework,1786 868683 lime pointing identify where I still meet people, for instance, when I’m 0776107761 153934 153934 walking our dog. £2149 inc VAT 0800 043 0503 (Freephone) www.hymntechnology.com andwww.askins-little.co.uk lime plastering to churches, [email protected]@gmail.com “I’d recommend the course. People should definitely try a taster day. The teaching has been fantastic and the Email: [email protected] support for the small group work between the main memorials, listed buildings and homes sessions has been great.” www.nwsynod.org.uk The Way, Spring 2021 7 New chaplains reach out to older people

Connection: Babs delivering knitted crosses to the Risedale Retirement and Residential Home on Abbey Road, Barrow Mum’s illness gives Babs awareness of challenges Babs Lowes, a member of Spring Mount Church, explains her role as one of the county’s four Anna Chaplains, serving the community in Barrow...

MY MUM passed away three years ago. She had dementia and Alzheimer’s. In caring for her I became much more aware of the challenges the illness brought. From there I became the Dementia Enabler at St Paul’s Church, which I attended then. I also did a lot of pastoral work, ministering in a care home in Alding- ham, following training by Rev Lucie Lunn of Low Furness Church. I had hands-on experience with the residents and felt a real affinity to them. I was commissioned as a lay minister with particular calling for dementia. I facilitated a monthly ecumeni- cal Dementia Tea Service in Barrow. The Anna Chaplaincy is for all older people. It sprang up before me really. The Katherine Froggatt: ‘We’re all spiritual beings...’ DAVE ROBERTS Dementia Enabling programme was coming to an end and so there was discussion about what should follow. I felt By Dave Roberts called to be in the Anna Chaplaincy team n Pandemic forces project to find new ways to and went to some information days. In Barrow it doesn’t work through one “WHAT I’m really looking church but instead many churches, of all operate as first four Anna Chaplains appointed denominations. It’s been raised from the forward to is actually ground by God and, bearing in mind the meeting the Anna Chap- Church. We’re all spiritual currently offered includes “The Dementia Tea Service in pandemic, it’s been an absolute miracle. lains I’ve been working beings, and whilst religion and recorded services for older Kendal has now gone online and Our focus is in care homes at the with,” laughs Katherine church is one expression, it is so people in care homes in Barrow, worship resources are being pro- moment. We’re trialling different things much broader than that. Low Furness and Kendal, a vided to the care home staff to en- with two care homes in particular. We’re Froggatt. “It comes from an acknowl- monthly Dementia Tea Service – sure that can continue. In Barrow Since last October Katherine also working with assisted-living places, edgement that there is a wisdom building on the work of Cum- they created a ‘Messy Vintage’ hostels and sheltered accommodation – has been employed by Churches that’s 18 homes in total in the Barrow Together in Cumbria to lead on a and depth in the journey that bria’s Dementia Friendly Church craft pack for Candlemas that area. two-year project to introduce older people are making towards Project – and a telephone support went to care home residents.” Each of them gets a monthly service Anna Chaplaincy to the county. the end of life. It starts to hone service for older people in the Individuals interested in provided on DVD. We’re trialling craft But coronavirus restrictions your thoughts; there may be East of Eden Mission Commu- becoming Anna Chaplains must packs which link to the monthly services mean she’s yet to have any face- questions that you’ve not thought nity. The plan is to increase the work alongside their church and and we’ve produced reminiscence videos to-face meetings with colleagues. about or there may be unfinished number of chaplains to 12. have to complete all necessary as well as developing read-aloud Bible business to reflect on. Katherine adds: “Anna safeguarding and governance stories with our two homes. Set up 10 years ago by the Bible Reading Fellowship, Anna “Anna Chaplaincy is about Chaplaincy will vary in different procedures. They could be either We’re developing a team of Anna being alongside older people for locations. What it may look like lay or ordained. A six-week Friends too. There’ll be training for them Chaplaincy offers spiritual after Easter. We want to develop a prayer support to older people in care whom that is becoming more in Barrow – providing spiritual online course exploring Anna network in care homes. The start was a homes and sheltered housing real, be that as a result of moving support in a care-home setting – Chaplaincy will run after Easter. knitted-cross campaign for Christmas and complexes, their relatives and the home, moving into a care home, may well be different to a more Katherine says: “I see God at 1,000 people received the hope of Jesus. staff who look after them. It also experiencing bereavement or rural location where the issue work in this project. People are It’s not just about care homes though; promotes the spiritual welfare of even retirement.” may be how to address isolation coming forward to discuss how it’s also about reaching out to older people older people in the wider com- Katherine, who works three at home.” they can help and the Anna in the community, of faith or none. I’ve munity, particularly those facing days a week, comes to the role The pandemic has forced Chaplains currently in post are been taking out food parcels via doorstep challenges living independently. following a professorship in changes as Anna Chaplains have continuing to provide support.” visits, and listening to what’s bothering ageing and palliative care at been unable to enter care homes. n To find out more about the them, then offering them a prayer. I’ve “Anna Chaplaincy is a ministry been thrilled that virtually everyone has which meets the spiritual needs Lancaster University. Before that “Our Anna Chaplains have project in Cumbria, email accepted that offer. The hope of Jesus is of older people,” Katherine she was a nurse. been incredibly creative during [email protected] or visit so heartwarming! explains. “That’s all older people, There are now four Anna lockdowns in looking to meet www.facebook.com/ not just those who are in the Chaplains in the county. Support people’s needs,” says Katherine. annachaplaincycumbria. The Way, Spring 2021 8 www.nwsynod.org.uk

GYPSIES FOLLOWED Travelling community ON FROM DROVERS gets its first chaplain n Move follows General Synod vote to challenge discrimination

By Dave Roberts

IN A FIRST for the county, an Appleby vicar has been Wash time: Horses in the appointed honorary chaplain River Eden at Appleby Fair to the Gypsy, Traveller and F CAMERON WILSON Roma communities. PHOTOGRAPHY The Rev Clive Hicks, who is Rector for the Heart of Eden Andrew Connell, who has com- benefice, takes up the post in pleted detailed research and pub- response to an Anglican General lished a book about the Appleby Synod debate in February 2019 horse fair, explains its history... and a subsequent vote to challenge discrimination against APPLEBY FAIR evolved from a the groups. local drovers’ fair which was set up The market town of Appleby is by landowners in the late 18th century to enable the buying and famed for its annual horse fair selling of cattle, sheep and some which attracts thousands of horses. members of the travelling There is no evidence to suggest community and other visitors each the early events had any associa- year. tion with Gypsy, Traveller and Clive said: “I’ve been asked to Roma dealers and their families. take on this role because of the For them, nearby Brough Hill Fair focus there is around the horse fair in September was more important. and I’m delighted to do so. However, with the coming of the “Part of the General Synod railway, so the droving of animals stopped and it became an event at resolution was also for every which to buy or sell horses. Gypsy diocese to have such a chaplain. travellers became a more impor- “My intention is to ensure we tant element as they were horse do the right things both to support dealers. the local community – through By 1900 it was coming to be appropriate liaison and engage- known as a Gypsy and Traveller ment – whilst ensuring those Tradition: A horse-drawn caravan in Appleby F CAMERON WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY occasion. people who visit the area are The owners of the 38-acre site treated with the utmost dignity where it was based then chose to get rid of the land and handed it and respect. over to the town council. The land “I’ve already attended training was locked for 50 years but people sessions – particularly around the still came and camped on roadside Irish travelling community seeing verges, as they were allowed to do how Roman Catholic colleagues then. The land was finally re- have worked so well alongside opened in the 1960s, with horses them – and I am also in touch with being traded anywhere in the town. the national church chaplaincy Most who visited the town were co-ordinator.” Gypsy travellers as well as visitors Before ordination, Clive worked to see the sights. It’s hard to put numbers on these other than to in local government and then say they greatly outnumbered the spent 10 years in Turkey where he town’s population. came into contact with nomadic The fair is not so much an event groups. as an occasion – when large He was a member of Coventry numbers of people, mostly Cathedral before being ordained identifying as Gypsy, Traveller or Deacon in 2011. He completed his Roma, converge on the town for curacy on the edge of Warwick an intense holiday to trade, meet, and then served for five years in a Historic: Andrew Connell, right, has welcomed the appointment of Clive Hicks, left mingle, drink and be merry. parish in Ossett in West Yorkshire. DAVE ROBERTS As changes in the law have He moved to Appleby in Novem- made their traditional lifestyle more getting to know people, working careful listening. That will be an he clearly understands what is difficult, Appleby Fair has assumed ber 2019. greater spiritual and cultural The coronavirus pandemic out the best way possible to emphasis in this ministry.” needed. I’m sure he will be made importance for those who, for a meant the horse fair did not take connect with the community and Clive’s appointment has been very welcome by those within the few days, reclaim their identity. place last year. It’s still unclear as how best to relate to them,” he welcomed by Andrew Connell, Gypsy and Traveller community In the 1970s, Gypsy families to whether the event – which said. “That’s not just the travelling who has lived in the town for and a lot of local people will revived the practice of presenting would normally last for six days – community; it’s also about seeing nearly 50 years and is a member appreciate it too.” their children for baptism at St will go ahead in 2021. the horse fair through the eyes of of St Lawrence’s Church. He is a As well as covering Appleby, Lawrence’s Church during Fair Clive feels his experiences in Appleby people. trained historian and has written a Clive’s honorary post takes in the Week. book about the horse fair. n For more, read Andrew Turkey and at Coventry Cathedral “I also hope to become a south of the county. The diocese is Connell’s “There’ll Always Be Ap- – a centre of reconciliation – will member of a strategic planning He said: “I am delighted Clive also looking to appoint another pleby” Appleby Gypsy Horse Fair: help him in his new role. group for the horse fair. I do carry is taking on this responsibility. honorary chaplain for the travel- History, Mythology, Evaluation. “I envisage the first couple of on my bookshelf a book about With his background he is ling community with responsibility horse fairs will be about me peace-making and the need for admirably suited to the role and for north and west Cumbria. www.nwsynod.org.uk The Way, Spring 2021 9 Relief in a time of crisis n Sight of rough sleepers acts as catalyst for drop-in centre for the vulnerable

By Dave Roberts

IT WAS a trip to see a West End show which proved the catalyst for the Rev Alun Jones and Methodist Deacon Debbie Wilde to start a new drop-in centre supporting the homeless and vulnerable. Both were so shocked to see the number of rough sleepers in Lon- don that they felt moved to write to the about their plight. That was in November 2019 and a few months later the country would be in lockdown. Then, last March, Alun, who is the vicar of St Herbert’s Currock in south Carlisle, was told that a Community Chef project – provid- ing food and sustenance to those in need – was looking for a base. “I’d decided that as a church it was important for us to stay open as much as we could during the pandemic,” Alun explains. “People were in crisis. They weren’t just suffering because they couldn’t see their families; there was also extreme financial hardship. “These parishes are in the bottom 10 per cent nationally on depriva- tion indices. We started by deliver- Providing sustenance: The Rev Alun Jones, left, with chef Mike Cullen in St Herbert’s church hall DAVE ROBERTS ing bags of food to people’s homes. There are people out there without any food, who are sitting in the dark and cold because they don’t have any money to pay bills. Project is ‘a necessity’ “I felt we had to remain open to support these people and so that they knew we were praying for Mike Cullen has been involved with them. Then Debbie and I found out providing help for homeless and vulnerable people for six years. He about the Community Chef project. previously served in the Royal We thought to ourselves ‘We were Signals in the Army and has been the ones writing letters to the a chef for more than 40 years. He Archbishop, now we can help!’” explains his role as chef for the On average, 100 people a week Community Chef Project... are served by the ecumenical project which runs from St I MOVED back to Carlisle in 2015 Herbert’s church hall. Six days a after my wife died. I had a meeting week, people are offered free with a veterans’ chairman and I breakfasts and evening meals. The was introduced to people from the team of 14 volunteers who help run Supporters: Alun with Carlisle United striker Lewis Salvation Army’s Foodbank. I the initiative also provide Sunday Alessandra, left, and club captain Nick Anderton started there by making 300 meals lunches, while neighbouring a week. Then I progressed to St Aidan’s allotments are used to grow food local Morrisons supermarket. weather and when schools have Church and other churches in the for the project. Alun has successfully applied for been closed and school meals are community. Eventually I was “It’s vital we have a place like grants from bodies such as the not available. On Christmas Day, introduced to Alun and Debbie; we Mike Cullen: One of a this because homelessness is such a Cumbria Community Foundation, about 40 local and homeless people had a chat and then we set up here team of four in the kitchen serious problem which tends to get Carlisle City Council and the Big enjoyed a three-course meal in the just under a year ago. overlooked,” one of the volunteers Lottery to help pay the hall’s utility hall. A similar meal is planned for I’m not a churchgoer, but I do as giving out food parcels when says. “What Alun is doing here is bills and purchase a new industrial Easter Sunday. see how important it is for the we can. giving people a sanctuary. cooker for the kitchen. Volunteers also advise people on church to be involved in this work. Three people work with me in “It’s not just that people are com- “It’s amazing to see how a hot how to fill in forms for Universal The people in the church have the kitchen; we all join in together ing here for food, there’s also the meal can boost someone’s spirits,” Credit and other benefits. There’s backed us 110 per cent, which cooking, washing up, doing the social dimension, so that’s helping he adds. “We also deliver hampers now wi-fi connectivity in the hall means we can reach out to the laundry. It’s a great team to be a people’s mental health too.” and, in the last few months, we’ve to help with that. homeless and vulnerable in this part of. We’ve created a community Alun’s other ministerial roles provided tents, sleeping bags and Alun concludes: “Though this way. within a community. have proved invaluable too. As From 10 to 11 o’clock in the It’s wonderful to see people walk clothes to people who are passing started during the pandemic, morning, people can drop in for out of the door with a decent meal chaplain to Carlisle United, his ties through the area or who are perma- Debbie and I hope it becomes a breakfast and then there’s an inside them, with some with the club have seen the players nently homeless. It’s shocking to permanent project. It’s vital that the evening meal from 4 to 5pm. nutrition. make regular food donations. One know of the number of people who Church engages with people in People can have takeaways too. We’re also helping them in other of the club’s main sponsors, are living in tents around the city.” crisis; that’s not just as a witness to We also wash and dry ways with the tents and sleeping Pioneer Foods, also makes substan- Organisers have seen surges in our Christian faith but to show people’s clothes for them as well bags. This is such a necessity. tial weekly donations as does the demand, particularly during cold respect for the dignity of all people.” 10 The Way, Spring 2021 www.godforall.org.uk Silence can be golden n New book looks into background and methods of the contemplative way

By Dave Roberts

“IT’S ABOUT freeing your mind of everything – all your worries and concerns – and being in the moment with God. That’s immensely liberating and freeing.” The Rev Canon Cameron Butland, the diocesan spirituality adviser, is talking about practising the contemplative way – taking time to pray silently each day. Cameron has just written a book which draws on his years of teach- ing and coming alongside others as they explored this form of prayer. Soul Desire is the result. Over 170 pages he explores how the contemplative way has developed, from its foundations with Antony of Egypt in the fourth century, and the subsequent teachings of the desert fathers and mothers, through to its influence on Augustinian, Benedictine and Franciscan communities, the early Celtic saints and later people such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Ger- man Lutheran pastor who opposed the Nazis and was executed. Central to this form of prayer is St John’s gospel and the relation- ship of love. “People on the various courses Cameron Butland: ‘People want to join a positive space of silence and stillness’ and retreats I’ve run explained to me that the stories I was telling on a positive side of the silent, encouraged to think of how they “Jesus’s command is to love of Antony were great but they contemplative way; it’s about can best enter into the prayer one another. That obedience to couldn’t find any books about being awake, alert and attentive. form, there’s help offered for love is crucial to the whole him,” Cameron explains. “So my The only way to do it is to try it. Lectio Divina (scriptural reading, thing. idea of writing this was to make “I’ve been staggered at how the prayer, meditation and contem- “People say to me all the time these so much more accessible to pandemic has seen more and more plation) and a ‘holding prayer’ that they don’t have time to pray people and pull together the people turn to the contemplative exercise suggests how readers can and my response to them is that various sources.” way. I tried an online retreat last ‘walk out’ from their place of their life should be a life of At the book’s heart is a call to November; originally it was for prayer to be alongside those they prayer in which you slot in all the turn to a daily discipline of silent 30 people but we had 64 join us are praying for. busyness.” prayer. It’s aimed at people who online and another 12 who There’s acknowledgement, too, n Copies of Soul Desire are want to go deeper in their prayer worked alongside us. People want that the contemplative way available from Cameron Butland life. to join a positive space of silence revolves around an obedience to at £12 each (including postage). “Especially during lockdown, and stillness.” love. To order a copy of the book, email silence has weighed heavily on Towards the end of the book, “Silent prayer is all about your [email protected]. many people,” Cameron adds. Cameron also includes five relationship with God and your Cameron also plans to provide “That’s quite a negative view exercises to help exploration of relationship with God through copies to Christian bookshops in of silence. But the book focuses the contemplative way. People are Jesus,” Cameron continues. Cumbria as restrictions allow. Accessible: Soul Desire Online meetings provide lockdown connections

ELLA Waine, 13, lives in Kendal Shanthi Thompson, and Ann and bead, depending on its colour and and the countdown to Easter,” she and is a member of Ignite Steve Holton,” she says. shape, helps you to think about, explains. “We really enjoyed Network Youth Church. “We’ve changed from meeting remember and pray on different making the pancakes. It was good Like thousands of young people each week on Zoom to meeting parts of our lives. A purple bead fun to see each other’s tasty across Cumbria, she had to con- every few weeks as many of us or shell helps you to remember to attempts and to see the toppings – tend with home schooling during spend most of our days in front of rest and recharge, for example.” from Nutella and honey to lemon, lockdown. At the same time a screen due to home schooling In the week of Shrove Tuesday, sugar, strawberries and cream! though, regular Network Youth etc. It is great that we continue to members met and made pancakes “We talked about Lent and why Church online meetings became meet and still have this important together on Zoom. people give up things or take up an important part of her life. link with each other.” “Ann and Steve dropped off a new things during the 40 days. “Our Soul Youth Group has She says she enjoyed making goody bag to each of us contain- “I look forward to our next continued to meet during lock- ‘look after yourself in lockdown’ ing all the things we would need meeting and the next game of Ella Waine: ‘Important link’ down led by Chris Mason, bracelets earlier this year. “Each to participate in pancake making Five Second Rule.” www.salvationarmy.org.uk The Way, Spring 2021 11 Ex-Dominican friar prepares to step down from key role n In our Focus on Faith, we meet Charles Proctor, the outgoing Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

Please tell us a little bit about Why is safeguarding so Qyourself. Qimportant within a faith setting? I’m a Lancastrian – born and If people who want to harm children schooled there – and was brought up or vulnerable adults come across a Ain a Catholic family. At Durham Asetting where there are few proce- University I read history, then studied law dures in place, where there’s little vetting and was called to the bar in 1980. I worked to understand someone’s background in banking for a few years but then felt I before they volunteer for something, then wanted to do something completely differ- those are the settings where people are at ent with my life. risk. We know, in particular, that sex I went into religious life in 1983 and offenders will be attracted to those settings. became a Dominican friar, living at Black- Whilst it’s important to spot if a child or friars in Oxford where I studied philoso- vulnerable adult is unhappy, it’s equally phy and theology. It was a fascinating important to give the message to those bunch of men to live with and there was who may want to hurt others that this is a great debate around theology. The Domini- setting which takes safeguarding seriously cans are heavily involved in social action – – there will be checks and people will be one reason why I went there – and I spotted. This is not about turning a parish became involved in Christian CND. I was safeguarding officer into a social worker, also trained up in counselling. but it is about conveying the message that Despite loving the life so much – and all the necessary checks will be made. having already been ordained a deacon – I left before I was made a priest. Since then What have you enjoyed most in I have married my wife Pauline and we your career? have a wonderful son so I have no regrets. Q Rather than moving into the law, I I have loved working with other worked for the mental health charity Mind people. There are many complaints and then trained as a children’s social Amade about social workers but I worker. I spent most of my career in have never met a more admirable bunch of Cumbria first as a social worker, as a team people than the colleagues I worked with; manager and then as a manager of services it was a privilege to work with them. across the county. That has been the same during my time I left Children’s Services in 2013 and working for the Church. I have huge regard became the independent chair of the for so many clergy and lay people I’ve diocese’s safeguarding group. At the same worked alongside in all denominations. time I was approached by Bishop Michael An achievement is that I feel I’ve developed Campbell in Lancaster to be the indepen- relationships whereby someone can pick up dent chair of his safeguarding commission, the phone and ask me for help and advice. so almost simultaneously I was working for both Anglican and Roman Catholic How has your faith helped you in dioceses. In May 2015, I stepped down your role? from the Anglican chair role to become the Q Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser in 2016. It’s easy for a social worker who has a faith to recognise that victims What does your role entail? Aare all God’s children. That’s a driver and it turns social work into a Q vocation which I’ve looked to bring to the The Anglican church now has a very role in the diocese. It can be less easy to well developed set of policies and recognise offenders are also God’s Aprocedures around safeguarding. It’s children, but as a Christian my faith says my job to have read, understood and that no one is beyond redemption. conveyed all of that information. That’s really important but more so is the support As you prepare to step down in I offer to bishops, archdeacons and other the spring, what will be your senior leaders to ensure we get safeguard- Qprayer? ing right. As a Catholic the Hail Mary is the It’s equally important to support the prayer which would come to me, but volunteers in the parishes who look after AI’ve also been pointed in the direc- safeguarding issues. They must feel that tion of Mother Theresa and the ‘unspoken they know what they need to do in any prayer’; to feel, to sense and explore rather given situation. I advise on safer recruit- than to speak. I’m drawn to one of Mother Charles Proctor: ‘It’s important to give the message to those who ment and safeguarding training. It’s about Theresa’s sayings: “Be happy in the mo- supporting our parish communities as well ment. That’s enough.” So my prayer would may want to hurt others that this is a setting which takes as our leaders. be “Lord, let me be happy in the moment.” safeguarding seriously’ DAVE ROBERTS