Last Updated: 1st July 2010 |
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Dear Friends, Holidays have their creation in the Holy Days of the church’s calendar. During the church’s year there are high days and holy days celebrating the great festivals of the church’s traditional and the blessed saints of our Christian history. On such days the believers were allowed ‘time out’ to go to church services and then to relax, to enjoy community and family parties for the rest of the day, and seeing everyone ‘believed’ and went to church it truly was a ‘holy day’. In these modern times such ‘holidays’ are secular days for the majority although it is good to see that such times are usually pre-fixed with a Christian festival and celebration and if ‘all the saints’ (the ‘great’ and the ‘lesser’) that are recognised in the Common Praise Revised Calendar were marked by a Holy holiday then not a lot of work would be done! At the time of writing, in the past week terrible things have happened during a half-term holiday—there was nothing holy that could be attributed to Derrick Bird’s callous and vicious killings on the West Coast of Cumbria—but something holy has been resurrected from the deaths of the twelve. Namely the strength of family and community who have come together to mourn the loss of loved ones, friends and neighbours and also the Christian ministry of comfort and consolation found in Church, Chapel and Cathedral and in open air memorial services attended by hundreds. Holiness is that which is special, set apart, different and blessed. During the time of this holiday week, a good number of holy hours were found by many and secular life was turned into a spiritual and religious life as the tragedies were re-called, lives remembered and the dead were named. As that particular half-term holiday ended, the prayer continued, vigils were kept and funerals organised. The holy moments will be still experienced as the grief moves through its stages and the ritual of passing takes its own course for every individual involved. The Bishop of Carlisle, Bishop James, spoke outside St. Nicholas Chapel in Whitehaven about God and in response to the question ‘Where is God?’ he answered “He is with you” - sharing the moment of pain and as He did upon the cross making that moment Holy. Let us continue to remember the communities of Rowrah and Frizington, Egremont and St. Bees, Whitehaven and Seascale, Wilton and Haile, the Esk Valley and Boot in our daily prayer as they move from such tragedies and may God give them His Blessings and allow them Holy days to gain strength as His healing embraces them. God Bless
Allan Mitchell
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MOTHERS’ UNION NEWS. On Wednesday 2nd June we enjoyed a delightful meeting, the highlight being Winnie Mansergh and Dot Sharp celebrating their 50 years as members of the Mothers’ Union. Congratulations once again. Shirley Carr, our speaker, brought 20 beautiful quilts she had made and gave a very interesting talk about them. After this we all enjoyed a strawberry tea, a lovely end to a beautiful day. On Monday 14th, members enjoyed a good discussion on a range of social topics dealing with Family relationships. This was followed by a faith supper which brought our programme for the summer break to a good end. We are already half way through the year and enjoying beautiful weather at long last, which should make us all feel better. We only have one meeting for July and that’s to Barton Grange on 10th July, which should be a lovely day out. Please note coach picks up at White House 8.55am Strawberry 9am Tudor Square 9.15am Greenodd approx 9.30-9.35am Brettagh Halt approx 9.45-10am Do please be on time for these pick ups, all we need then is the sunshine. If you have any problems before the trip please ring me on 462742. I do wish you all well for the rest of the Summer. Take care and see you in September SEPTEMBER DIARY: Wed 1st ‘She’ll be coming round the mountains’ with Madge Bethell Mon 13th ‘Israel’ with Edna Walmsley Wed 15th 10.15am for 10.30am Diocesan Sharing Day, Windermere Mon 27th 12.30pm coach leaves the Castle for 2pm Quiet Afternoon service at Coniston Lots of Good Wished to you all Doris Hall, Branch Leader.
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The Parish of Dalton with Ireleth and Askam |
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Deanery: Furness Diocese: Carlisle |
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New Life Magazine |
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New Life Magazine |
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Holidays I love them! A time to relax, rest and forget about work or the normal day-to-day activities of life. A time to enjoy the sunshine (hopefully), and recharge the batteries. The choice of holidays is so varied. Everyone has a different idea of what it is that makes for the best holiday. What is good for one person may not be right for another. For example, a cruise would be no good for someone who has a deep fear of water, whilst a person who loves it to be hot may not be attracted to a skiing holiday. Some people like to spend all day on the beach, then party away the night. Others like to see the sights of the countries they are visiting during the day, followed by quiet, peaceful evenings. There are even people who prefer to stay at home rather than go anywhere for a holiday. Whatever your choice, I hope you enjoy what you do. Thankfully, most of us are better off than our ancestors when only the wealthy were able to afford holidays. The only time off for the working classes were ‘Holy Days’, such as Christmas, Mothering Sunday, Easter, Ascension Day or Whitsuntide. The word ‘holiday’ comes from an Old English word ‘hāligdœg’. It originally referred to special religious festivals. Latterly it has come to mean any additional day of leisure where time is taken off from paid work, school or the normal daily routine of life. As such it could be an official day for religious, national or cultural celebrations/festivities; a vacation (to use an Americanism) which is a break from an occupation for rest and relaxation; or a special trip/journey undertaken as a tourist. For many the added pleasure of a holiday is that it can be enjoyed with either family and/or friends, and so can become a memorable, social occasion. Whether going away or staying at home, I hope that each and everyone of you has a very happy, restful summertime. Barbara Irwin |
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PARISH CENTRE
October sees the 30th Anniversary of St. Mary’s Parish Centre. Does anyone have recollections—good and bad—of the decisions to build it; the finance involved; the fund-raising efforts; the groups who have and continue to use it; the people whose lives have been changed by sharing its space with others?
Please write in or talk with Barbara, our Editor, for the September/October publications. |
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The staff and children from Dalton St Mary's school choir would like to say a very big thank you to Reverend Mitchell and Mrs Milburn for the fantastic tabards that Mrs Milburn made for us. We had a competition in school to design the tabards then Reverend Mitchell and Mrs Milburn finalised the design. Mrs Milburn handmade each tabard in a remarkably short space of time. We are all thrilled with the finished product and appreciate the immense hard work that Mrs Milburn has put into making them. We will showcase the tabards at the grand opening of phase 1 of our school garden on Wednesday 30th June at 2pm. The school choir will perform to guests including the Rt Revd James Newcome, Reverend Mitchell and Mrs Milburn. Mrs Esther Ryder Acting Deputy Head and Music Subject Leader |
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CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
The dead line for returning applications forms to reserve a tree at this year’s Christmas Tree Festival is the 30th June.
Will organisations/groups who wish to have a tree and have not yet replied please note that unless they return their forms A.S.A.P. they may lose their place to another group who is on the waiting list. It would be helpful if the schools involved could see to this matter before they end of term and the summer holidays. If your group decides they do not wish to participate please do let it be known. All forms and enquiries to Sylvia Stoker, Crooklands House, Crooklands, Dalton in Furness. Tel. No. 467173 Thank you. |
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CHRISTIAN AID
Thanks is extended to all who donated to Christian Aid Week when envelopes were left in church. The sum of £200 was collected and has been forwarded to Christian Aid. This was a good effort . Thank you very much Jean Edmondson.. |