St Mark's Church, Barrow

Land, Sea and the Spirit of the Furness Peninsula

The Churches Trust for Cumbria in partnership with local faith communities and with the support of English Heritage and the North-West Multi Faith Tourism Association have produced a full colour leaflet called 'Land, Sea and Spirit of the Furness Peninsula'.

The leaflet highlights 15 different faith sites whose existence is linked to the history of the Furness Peninsula. These structures were built to serve the spiritual needs of all the different settlers in this part of Cumbria and through these buildings we can understand how the area has been forged by a dynamic and fascinating relationship between the riches of the land, the potential of the sea and the strong spirituality of the people.

Faith Community Online Event

Cumbria Constabulary is holding a faith community online event on Wednesday the 27th April from 1:30pm to 3.30pm for contacts who are engaged in the running of faith communities in the County.

Hosting the meeting will be Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde, Inspector Tim Ward - Chair of the Christian Police Association Cumbria, the Constabulary’s Co-ordinating Police Chaplain - Canon Graham Bettridge whose role focuses on the pastoral care of the police community and the wider community of Cumbria and a representative of Bishop James details yet to be confirmed.

The aim of the online event is to develop and improve the relationship between the police and all faith communities in Cumbria.

To join this meeting, visit the following page www.cumbria.police.uk/webchat

Cumbria's first parish nurse

CONGRATULATIONS to Ruth McDonald, who is Cumbria’s first parish nurse.
Ruth will be based at the Emmanuel Community Church (ECC) and her main focus is on Central ward, although if required she will work with anyone in the borough.
A parish nurse is an experienced registered nurse, whose existing knowledge is supported by a specialist education program. Ruth will work alongside the ECC and local health providers, and she believes that spiritual health is central to a person’s wellbeing.
The parish nurse service is free for people of any faith or none at all. It is offered unconditionally and parish nurses will not put any pressure on people to join a church. Ruth will provide information on health care, both on a one-to-one basis or in a group and help you to understand your disease or condition. She will identify the need for and set up self-help support groups, take your blood pressure, check your weight and offer support and dietary advice. She will also refer you to your GP or other health professional as appropriate.
Ruth is also happy just to provide support and listen, or if requested, to offer prayers and discuss how health and faith are linked.
There are currently over 60 parish nurses working in the UK.
Ruth is an experienced registered nurse who works part-time as a clinical leader at Furness General Hospital.
You can contact Ruth through the ECC on 01229-431926. For more information on parish nurses, please visit http://www.parishnursing.co.uk/