Summer Update for the parishes of St Marys & St Johns - 2024

Dear friends of both St Marys and St Johns.

I've been in post since early March.  There has been quite a lot of 'getting stuck in' as well as a fair bit of sitting back & watching what is already going on.  As a family we have obviously been hit with the death of my father at the end of May (& if I have said to you before - A huge thank you for your cards, kind words, prayers etc, they have meant a lot).

So, what is this update?  There is already quite a lot of information being circulated and I am not trying to compete with any of that.  I will be trying not to duplicate information (although inevitably that will happen).  In my last job I would usually send out something, probably on average once a month, and it usually came to me at a random period in the week so would get emailed out as and when.  Paper copies would be prepared for anyone who doesn't use the Internet, which could be collected from church.  I am, however, conscious of information overload so, please, if you would rather not receive this email from me please let me know.

Here is a list of services due to be happening across the 2 churches in August:

Date                    St Marys                                          St Johns                                     

4/8                        HC – Mark (10am)                         HC – Rev Beverley Lock (10am)

11/8                     SoW – Mark (4pm)                         HC – Mark (10am)

18/8                     HC – Mark (10am)                         Church Fellowship from 3.30

25/8                     JOINT @ St Johns                          SoW with Christening – Mark (10am)

My good pal Rev Beverley is stepping in to preside at the Common Prayer Communion service at St Marys on 21 August.

In September I will have clocked up 6 months here in the parishes of St Marys and St John the Baptist.  The legal process of  re-ordering the Cartmel Team Ministry into individual benefice groups will hopefully be nearing completion.

It is also my intention to hear from you.  I have simply tried to follow what was already in place with regards to our Sunday worship and so, in September (all being well!) I shall have something in place which will allow you to share with me your likes/dislikes/hopes for our ongoing journey together etc.  It will most likely be some form of questionnaire which will take shape over coming weeks.  Please take part in this when it comes.  I may not able to give each of you a bespoke church service but if I can get the feel of the majority it will give us something to work towards.

There may be opportunity for some midweek group study available to both churches if there is a desire for such a thing during the early autumn before we head into the 'busy' of Advent/Christmas prep etc.

Some of church life may take a bit of break during the summer months.  If you are heading away on holiday I hope that it is a time of great fun and relaxation.  We set off to Scotland in the morning for a week.

The Keswick Convention is running for a few more days.  I am planning on going for the day on Monday 29th ...there is a concert I'm hoping to catch.  If anyone would care to join me then please get in touch (via email - houstonmark15@gmail.com) which I'll pick up once back from holiday.

This will do for now.  Watch out for more (if you want to! in September).  

God bless and I hope to see you all soon

Mark