Merry Christmas from Mark & Ruth

Dear Friends

Another year draws to a close. We will all have faced some happy times and, no doubt, some have faced difficult & challenging times. I hope that through all that life puts in our way you have found comfort and fellowship from those around you

Advent / Christmas Season

Please check the News & Notes concerning the many church events taking place across the benefice in the coming weeks. I encourage you to share the joy of the nativity with your local communities and perhaps you might even feel it would be good to go and bless the other churches (from within the benefice, the Mission Community, across the county or wherever you may find yourself during the festive season. If you are staying with your kids & grandchildren, how about suggesting that they come with you to the local carol service. Showing our enthusiasm for this season & the story of Jesus can be an infectious way of sharing with our nearest and dearest.

We are all being swamped at the minute by charities asking for help with this worthy cause or that worthy cause. There are so many. However we feel about this it does highlight that across our local communities as well as on a global scale there are people who could use our help. (I have already received a hamper from a lovely parishioner who wants me to make sure it reaches a family who will probably find the sparkle of Christmas a bit dim this year. So, please take time to look at these pleas. I know times are tough but let us see how we might make the lives of some people a little better, either by adding to a foodbank or sending a donation to a charity.

Christmas Present Appeal | The Salvation Army

Perhaps you might take time to get together with others to offer a warm space for your community.

Blencathra Mission Community (BMC)

Hopefully you all know about the BMC. With our local Methodist friends and the Greystoke benefice we form a Mission Community that looks to share ways of growing closer to Jesus (something we all need in my opinion). Rev Martin is planning on holding an Alpha Course that begins in February. Alpha is a way of learning more / drawing closer to Jesus. You may want to know more or have a friend who you would like to ask do check it out. If you want to know more please get in touch with me.

Your lovely parish church is part of a wider family of churches and, no matter how you might feel we all need this support. The diocese needs some help, especially when it comes to looking after the stock of clergy houses we own. The Archdeacon’s Mission & Pastoral Cttee and the Parsonages Cttee meets 3 or 4 times a year. It tries to make sure that there are vicarages in the most effective locations and that they are well maintained. We, as a MC have been asked if anyone from within our community might consider sitting on this committee. If it is something that intrigues you please get in touch and I shall point you in the direction of the appropriate people to ask.

Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas. With all my love and thanks

Mark