Moving Mountains Across Cumbria

The four-day mission, to share the Good News of the love of God across the whole of Cumbria, begins at 12.30pm on Thursday 8 March with a commissioning service at Penrith Auction Mart, where around 400 people will gather. As part of this ecumenical mission, there will be 33 teams led by church leaders from the Methodist Church, the Church of England, Salvation Army and United Reformed Church.

Over 500 local events are planned: school visits, puppet making, pub quizzes, ceilidhs, litter picks, Gospel choirs, magicians and comedians, walks and treasure hunts, art and craft, men’s breakfasts, film nights, walking football and other sporting events, dementia friendly events and services, meeting civic and community leaders, flower festivals, photographic exhibitions, a passion play.  The mission weekend also includes Mothering Sunday celebrations, with some churches giving out daffodils, putting on pamper sessions and hosting afternoon teas.

Details on the Archbishop’s programme for this mission follows:

On Thursday (day 1 of the mission) after the commissioning service at the Auction Mart, the Archbishop is to visit the Police Headquarters at Penrith.  An ‘in conversation’ event at the University of Cumbria in front of invited guests follows this, and then later at 7.30pm, the Archbishop is to give a talk and Q&A session at St Mary’s Church in Ambleside – this is open to all. 

On Friday (day 2 of the mission), the Archbishop will be visiting Sedbergh School and Ullswater Community College before visiting West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven to talk to staff and visitors.  Friday evening is set aside for Q & As with young people from the Derwent Deanery beginning at 7pm at Hundith Hill Hotel, Cockermouth.

Saturday (day 3 of the mission) begins with a men’s breakfast for the people of Maryport and the surrounding area at 8am at the Golden Lion Hotel, Maryport. For further information and/or to request an invitation to attend please contact Rev. Susan McKendrey on 01900 813077. The Archbishop will then give an address on stewardship of rural landscapes at Carlisle Cathedral at 11am, which forms part of a discussion day at the Cathedral on ‘This land is your land’. Following his address, the Archbishop will join rural broadcaster and writer Caz Graham for Q & A.  Tickets for the 10.30am to 3.30pm event at the Cathedral cost £10 and bookings can be made at: http://www.carlislecathedral.org.uk/calendar?d=343

On Saturday afternoon, the Archbishop will be out and about at the Messy Church event at the marquee in the main shopping area near Carlisle Cathedral.  Messy Church activities will be available between 11am and 4pm. Families are most welcome to come along and join in the activities and get messy!  In the evening, the Archbishop will give a talk at the ceilidh event starting at 7.30pm at The Stoneybeck Inn, Bowscar, Penrith.  Tickets are £8.00 each to cover the cost of sandwiches and chips and can be purchased from Penrith Parish Office (01768 862867) and from Penrith Methodist Church (01768 862787).   For more information email:  [email protected]  or tel. 01768 398425.

On Sunday 11 March (day 4 of the mission and Mothering Sunday), the Archbishop will be leading the Morning Service at 10.30am at Langwathby Village Hall – all are welcome to attend.  And from 11am to 3pm, all are welcome to join in Rheged Messy Church at the Rheged Centre in Penrith – where the Archbishop will be giving a talk and taking part in a Q&A session, before a final celebration service. Find out more at:  https://www.rheged.com/event/cumbrias-biggest-ever-messy-church-rheged