Monthly news and views of Christian Churches and community in the Rainbow Parish area; a Rainbow Parish production October 2019 Big Vision Update Many thanks to everyone who has responded so far by completing the questionnaire either online or through the paper version delivered through letterboxes. It is not too late to add your views and opinions about how the Church build- Ten Competitions ings and their surroundings in the town can be used for Kirkby Lonsdale’s Chamber of Trade is joining in a community greater community benefit in the future. effort to stage ten competitions next year to benefit local We are very grateful for the feedback and responses which charities. It’s been proposed that the winners of ten different express a wide range of ideas and which will be put together competitions could nominate their favourite charity for a with the comments made by our congregations. It is clear that £500 donation. Various ideas are already being explored. the Church’s work and buildings hold a central part in the lives Some involve young v old, but the latest to surface is a fire of many in our community and it is our hope that The Big engine pull. Anyone interested in taking part, or who has a Vision can play a major role in helping to secure their future suggestion to make about a competition, should email Allan and broaden their use, for the benefit of all who all live in the Muirhead at [email protected] or leave a written town, or visit it. suggestion at the Visitor Information Centre at The Old Bank on Main Street, Kirkby Lonsdale. Our vision is that ‘the Churches, the surroundings and the Rectory buildings are creatively and sustainably utilised for KL WI the benefit of the local community, visitors and the Ministry and Mission of the Church’. Great News! Brand New WI for Kirkby Lonsdale. You may have seen The Big Vision team at the Kirkby Lonsdale Come and meet like-minded women at our second open Market in August. We held many interesting conversations afternoon which runs from 3pm to 8pm on Wednesday 2nd with visitors and locals and there will be further opportunities October 2019 at the Bective Room, Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby over the next months around the town to give us your views. Lonsdale. We will be welcoming new enquiries any time Our next step is to look at all the feedback, identify the key between 3pm and 8pm when you can chat to our WI Advisers themes and narrow these down to a range of options to inves- who will let you know all about what the WI has to offer and tigate in more detail, considering feasibility, sustainability, help get your new WI up and running. If you came along in affordability, and appropriateness amongst other factors. September, join us again at 7pm on 2nd October when we will be voting to open the WI. Further details from Our website www.thebigvision.org.uk contains information [email protected] WI Office: 01539 720921. about the project—we will add to this in the coming months. If you wish to make any further comments or enquire about Deadline for Nov AKL: Midday Tue 15 Oct any aspect of The Big Vision please have a word with one of the members of the Project Team- Rev Richard Snow, Rev Please email submissions to [email protected]. Editorial matters: Contact the editorial team at Wendy Thornton, Rev Anne Pettifor, Anne Foulerton, Merlin [email protected] Advertising: For classified Hibbs, David Dalgoutte, Mike Cunningham and Peter Gregson accounts, email [email protected]. For colour ads and all other advertising matters: email (chair). [email protected]. 1 Monthly news and views of Christian Churches and community in the Rainbow Parish area; a Rainbow Parish production Harvest Home It’s that time of year again– the season of harvest Long standing charitable institutions such as the Royal festivals and harvest suppers – a time to pause and be Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), more recent thankful – thankful to God and thankful to those who charities such as the Farming Community Network (FCN) work hard to ensure our successful common life. A time and the Addington Fund, even more recent ones such as to realise that we are relatively fortunate in this part of Forage Aid and the Cumbria Agricultural Chaplaincy – all the world and relatively fortunate at this point in history of which have arisen to meet a particular need at a - that we are not at the mercy of the weather, not likely particular time and which have developed as those to be affected by major natural disasters– there will still needs have changed. All are there to be called upon in be food in the supermarkets, still be water coming out of times of trouble and are able to help in various ways – the taps, still be light and warmth at the flick of a some financial and practical, others by providing a listen- switch….. ing ear and an ongoing walking alongside into an uncer- tain future…..if you need any information about any of That is not to say that we do not still feel the effects of these or want to help, please let me know and I’ll point adverse weather – too much rain (like this summer) or you in the right direction! too little rain (like last summer) can affect when our local harvests occur and how successful they are – and we can And if you are reading this early in October, one place to still be affected by the forces of nature in this country– come together with others to express our joint gratitude by flood and fire– remembering storm Desmond and and to celebrate our common life is the Harvest Supper the after effects that we are still rebuilding from and the (Hog Roast) and Ceilidh in St Mary’s Church on Saturday flash flooding in the Yorkshire Dales this August – and 5th October – come and see the Church in a whole new remembering the fires on the moorlands in Derbyshire light and make the most of the unique space – a space in and on Winter Hill last year. We act as though we are in which our community has gathered to give thanks for so total control at our peril!! But in the grand scheme of many things over the centuries and will hopefully contin- things, we are not as much at the mercy of the weather ue to gather for centuries to come. Tickets available as our forefathers were or as people are today in other from the Tourist Information Shop in Kirkby Lonsdale parts of the world, and that is something to be grateful and there will also be a chance to donate on the night to for. a couple of the charities mentioned above – FCN and the Cumbria Agricultural Chaplaincy. And when things here are not going so well there are support mechanisms to call upon – good neighbours and I look forward to seeing you there – bring your thanks charities, local and national. For our local farming com- and your dancing shoes! Anne Pettifor– Team Vicar munities there are several particular sources of help. 2 Monthly news and views of Christian Churches and community in the Rainbow Parish area; a Rainbow Parish production Community Calling The Family Project always enjoys the start of a new term The basic structure is to have a variety of different activi- as it means the return of different school-based projects ties all related to a story in the Bible. The Bible story is and the renewal of good relationships, exciting conversa- retold throughout the activity time and then is acted out tions and the familiarity of the steady rhythm that school during the celebration time. The celebration is a time life can bring. Drop-In at St. Mary’s School in Kirkby Lons- where we share our achievements; what we are proud dale begins on the 16th September. This is a space for of making during the Messy Harvest event. After these any parents or guardians of children at St. Mary’s to things have been celebrated and the story has been act- come and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake at the end ed out, we gather together to share a meal. As I have of Monday afternoon from 2-3pm. mentioned in other blogs, I believe something special happens when people sit and eat alongside one another; We hope this space feels like a haven, a place where you barriers of shyness and awkwardness often disappear can come for a chat knowing someone is happy to see once a meal begins. It is at meals that golden conversa- you and is ready to listen. We are in the family room, tions occur. Kirkby Lonsdale Churches are known for located near the nursery and some of the family project providing good food and this will be no exception! Please team are there every Monday during term-time. If you come along and give this event a go. Afterwards, we are a new parent to the school do come along and say would welcome your insight into how to make this event hello. Drop-In can be a great way of getting to know oth- better as we hope to launch other forms of Messy events er parents and hear about family activities that are hap- soon. If you have always found church difficult but are pening locally. looking for a way of connecting with your local commu- Messy Harvest is also coming up on October 13th 3.30- nity and engage with faith in a new way this might be 5.30pm in Kirkby Lonsdale Methodist Church.