Through Lent many of us have been considering the refreshed vision, across a wide range of churches, for Cumbria. It is summed up in the logo, and is now featured on the God for All website. Tread Gently refers to our care of creation and many churches are already completing audits to see what more they can do to be recognised as Eco Churches. What has become clearer to me is that during the next few months of transition beyond the third Lockdown, we have opportunities, especially to Care Deeply – for the mental health and wellbeing of all in our area, by going deeper to understand how healing is possible in the twentieth first century, and giving special attention to those who have suffered most – the isolated, the elderly, those in caring professions, and of course children and families. The freedoms which become possible with the vaccination programme are balanced by the responsibility we all share in adhering to the guidelines as they shift over the next ten weeks.Our Anglican churches will be reviewing their risk assessments, with many reopening from 18 April, but others wishing to take a little longer. Details will be found elsewhere, including on these A Church Near You pages.Many churches are grappling with loss of income from various streams, so we hope that both members and communities will be especially supportive in the remaining months of 2021.It is hard to come to terms with the huge amount of suffering for so many individuals and families through this past twelve months, but I hope all of us can rally and respond deeply, and gently, for our next steps. Much is uncertain, anxieties may take time to be allayed, but I am seeing some small signs that we are up for the challenge, if we stick together.It is Good Friday, today, and Easter is coming this weekend. As I have been sharing with some local schools the transition made by a caterpillar, to a chrysalis, to a beautiful butterfly, is a very good way of considering the journey Jesus makes – from life, to the tomb, to resurrection – and Rev Peter Boyles and myself are visiting each of our churches and communities on Easter Day, praying for everyone, blessing each place we visit, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. as an Easter Pilgrimage.
As you will be aware, new government legislation means that our churches are closed to services of worship, with a few exceptions, between 5th November and 2nd December 2020.It would be possible to hold a funeral and open for individuals to pray, subject to adequate risk assessments being in place.This comes at a time when we would be holding Remembrance Services, and while open air acts of remembrance may be going ahead in your area, we have decided to support with a shared Service of Remembrance on YouTube, you will find this on the Heart of Westmorland Mission Community page.As churches reopen on specific days for private prayer, please check back back for details, or call me.Revd Clive HicksRectorHeart of Eden BeneficeTel 017683 62436
Two months ago we were declaring our intention to re-open churches across the Eden Valley, and ten of our churches will have opened for services by early October. In July we opened for four services, but by October it will be 27. This is good news, and we are also happy to see some weddings and baptisms/christenings taking place in a number of churches.Wherever you look there are both positive, hopeful, signs, but also challenging evidence that we must still remain vigilant and careful about health protection."Following indications that the number of people permitted to take part in a social gathering is to be reduced from 30 to six in England, we understand the new regulations will not apply to public worship or individual prayer in church buildings." Issued by Church of England at 10.42am on 9th September 2020.It has been good to start to hear about fresh initiatives and ideas for community development in our area these past few weeks, and we hope that Christians and those of faith and no faith locally can share a desire to help others, and especially those who are anxious and struggling as a result of Covid-19.We hope to share further updates on these pages about new initiatives, and also continue to support communcations like the Heart of Eden Magazine and Asby Matters. Thank you to everyone who is contributing to care in our communities.As ever, I welcome your suggestions and thoughts, and have started to make more face-to-face pastoral visits where this is possible.Revd Clive HicksRector, Heart of Eden Benefice
