NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Looking back and looking forward

REMEMBRANCE

Yesterday we commemorated all who died fighting for their country – especially the 31 men from Langdale who died in the World Wars.  We were blessed to be joined by a serving soldier, Emma Corrie from the Royal Engineers, who carried the Standard for us.  The tone was a mixture of sombreness as we looked again at the awful statistics of the WW1 slaughter, through the eyes of the poet: Leslie Coulson.  But also of joy as we celebrated the exact centenary of the Armistice – the making of Peace.  We sang again some of the old, meaningful Remembrance hymns.  And there was a wonderful reconnection with one of our First World War fallen, Percy Earl.   His niece, Margery Spencer, came back to the valley she was brought up in and talked about her uncle… She never met him directly, but her father would often talk about him.  And a year or two ago as a family they had taken a bit of Langdale earth (and some Grasmere gingerbread!) over to his grave in NORTHERN France.

The Kingdom Season Colour: The colour of red is commonly used in church during this month – a colour which reflects both the work of the Holy Spirit and the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. Red Poppies are used extensively at this time as a symbol of remembrance for people who have died or suffered in war or conflict.

Holy Trinity certainly had  a wonderful display of poppies, and underneath the “Roll of Honour” commemorating WW1 dead there were photographs and brief biographies of the Langdale men who died.  We gathered around the War Memorial in the Churchyard afterwards in a bit of a shower – but not much hardship compared to what they suffered in the trenches.

 

It was good to see an excellent turnout of local people, along with several visitors.

NOVEMBER DISCUSSION GROUP

The discussion group continues on Wednesday evenings in the Vicarage – the topic is The Spirituality of Later Years, where people looking forward to retirement as well as others in different phases of retired life come together to share insights, hopes and fears.  All are welcome to this – please phone 015394 37267 if you wish to come along.

WELCOME YULE

Later this month we host our wonderful visiting singers from the Harrogate Festival Choral Course.  They are a vibrant and exciting group of singers who sing a great variety of Christmas-themed songs, old and new… interspersed with thought-provoking seasonal poetry.  This is a hugely popular annual event held this year at 3pm on Sunday, December 2nd.  Come early to avoid disappointment.  There is no ticket price, but we welcome any donations towards the work and maintenance of the church

 

 

CHRISTMAS IN LANGDALE

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT:- Services continue as usual each week at 10.30am., but on Sunday the 23rd the main service will be the Community Carol Service at 3pm, followed by mince pies and hot drinks.  This is an enjoyable and well-supported occasion, highly recommended to any one who wants to hear or sing the much loved Christmas carols and follow the Nativity story through readings.  It is a candle-lit service and highly suitable for people of all ages.

SUNDAY MORNING EUCHARIST. There will still be a short, said Eucharistic service at 10.30am on the Sunday morning (23rd December) for those who wish to take Communion, but aren’t able to later in the Christmas period.

 

CHRISTMAS EVE MIDNIGHT SERVICE.  On the Monday of Christmas Eve, we shall have our carol-accompanied Midnight Communion.  This too is a candle-lit service and a very atmospheric time as we see in Christ’s birthday together.

 

CHRISTMAS MORNING ALL AGE PRAISE.  On Christmas Day itself, please join us for a happy, family occasion as we come together, and have a little foretaste of the peace and joy our Saviour came to bring.  There is a brief said Communion for those who wish to receive it, immediately after the end of the family service.

 

 

Season of Remembrance

We are in deep Autumn, and the season of Remembrance is here. Last weekend we remembered individuals we have loved but see no longer. This Sunday we join the rest of the nation to commemorate all those who died or have sustained injuries in defence of their country. Come and join us in this centenary year at 10.30am for the Remembrance service.

Change of Venue

On Sunday the 7th October this year there will be no morning service at Holy Trinity, Langdale.  Instead we shall all be joining together for a service at St Mary’s Ambleside (along with 14 other worshipping congregations in this area); this too will be a Communion Service at 11am, and the Bishop of Carlisle, the leader of the Methodist Church in Cumbria, the URC Supertintendent will all be there to celebrate the launch of “Mission Communities”.  This is a Cumbrian ecumenical venture, and it signals our commitment to work together more closely in the future.  Apologies to anyone who wanted to worship in Langdale, but we do hope, whether you’re a regular or a visitor, that you can join us in Ambleside for what should be a wonderful service.

Autumn 2018

Heritage Open Days

On Saturday 8th September and Friday 14th from 10am to 4.30pm, refreshments will be available, all rooms in the church will be open, objects used in worship will be on display, visitors can see an old 19th century coffin-carrier used to transport bodies to Grasmere, there will be access to the Vestry to view robes and furniture normally kept under lock and key, and the Belfry will be open for escorted tours in which interested people may chime the bells if they so wish (although not give them a full ring unless the Tower Captain is present – bells are heavy things and accidents can happen if they’re misused), and the workings of the church clock will be open and viewable – it is a unique, clock, tailor-made for Langdale and with certain similarities to Big Ben.  On Saturday afternoon (8th) Mr Geoffrey Sykes, a horological expert, will be happy to show visitors around and answer any questions about it.

On other days of both weekends information will be available on all the objects of interest, but on Saturday 15th the church will be closed because of a Wedding.

Summer 2018

The school holidays and height of the visitor season are upon us!  And this coincides as usual with the Keswick Convention – a gathering of Christians from all over the country and beyond, who have gathered together annually for over a century.  There is some wonderful teaching from internationally renowned speakers, introduced by worship led by Stuart Townend and others.  Going over for a day can be a most refreshing and inspiring experience which we would highly recommend.  For more details see the attached link:    https://keswickministries.org/convention/2018/week-3

Church services continue at 10.30am each Sunday at Holy Trinity, with Communion on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.  We are currently following the Lectionary Readings which take us through Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians with its great themes of reconciliation, transformation and unity in Christ.  Do join us for these if you are able to.  Walkers are most welcome, as are dogs; and there are activities for the children at the back of the church.  The talks are not overly long and designed to be accessible to a wide audience.

On Sunday 19th August there will be a more informal service aimed at families with young children: after some action songs and a Bible story, there are activities and crafts which all can join in.  It is a cross between “Cafe Church” and “Messy Church”.  Do come and join us there (at Little Langdale Chapel) at 9am, if you are able to.  Services last about an hour.

Various parish walks are also planned during August but we don’t pre-plan too far ahead because of the unreliability of the weather – notice will be given at Sunday services or via e-mail.

HOLY WEEK 2018

25th March – Palm Sunday
10.30 a.m. – Mark 11, 1 – 11 Thanksgiving for the birth of Jasper Thomas combined with a traditional celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey to the praises of his people.

29th March – Maundy Thursday
7pm Celebration of Tenebrae with Communion in the Upper Room at Little Langdale Chapel, (150 yards past the Three Shires Pub on your right). Tenebrae is an ancient service of the church using the growing darkness as a symbol of the forces
3oth March – Good Friday.
9am – Meet up by High Close Youth Hostel to carry the cross to Ambleside via Loughrigg Terrace and Under Loughrigg. At Ambleside we meet up with others in Churches Together at 11am as we tell the Passion story in Bible readings and hymns around the village.

1st April – Easter Sunday
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed, alleluia!
Join us to commemorate the most important day in the Church’s year.

6am – Dawn Service: entering the darkened church by candlelight and emerging at dawn to celebrate communion on the front porch as the sun rises. Breakfast for all who want it in the Vicarage afterwards.

10.30 am – All-age service with Communion, followed by an Easter egg hunt for children in the churchyard afterwards.

HOLY WEEK 2018

9th April – Palm Sunday

10.30 a.m.  – Mark 11, 1 – 11 Thanksgiving for the birth of Jasper Thomas combined with a traditional celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey to the praises of his people.


13th April – Maundy Thursday
7pm Celebration of Tenebrae with Communion in the Upper Room at Little Langdale Chapel, (150 yards past the Three Shires Pub on your right). Tenebrae is an ancient service of the church using the growing darkness as a symbol of the forces

 

 

14th April – Good Friday
9am –
 Meet up by High Close Youth Hostel to carry the cross to Ambleside via Loughrigg Terrace and Under Loughrigg. At Ambleside we meet up with others in Churches Together at 11am as we tell the Passion story in Bible readings and hymns around the village.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-Christmas blues

Who really wants to say goodbye to family togetherness, parties, a precious time of leisure… before the hurly-burly of “ordinary life” takes over again?  It’s sometimes a sad task to take down those Christmas decorations, but it’s got to be done… in churches as well as homes.  A huge thank you to the Langdale Women’s Group for all they’ve done again this year to make the church look so beautiful: both to those who put up decorations, crib scene, candles etc and have now just taken them all down.  It really was worth it!! Loads of appreciative comments, and it felt so much easier to enter into the atmosphere of those special, night-time services.  They say January is the worst time for depression as people struggle with getting back to work again, BUT we’ve most of us got some good memories (though spare a thought for several families in the valley who have been bereaved very recently, for whom Christmas was particularly tough), and there are things to look forward to – even in January!

 

 

The woollen Nativity Set

 

 

 

 

For instance the week of prayer for Christian Unity is a wonderful and important occasion, when local Anglicans, Baptists, Catholics, Methodists & Quakers meet together in each others’ worship buildings to pray in that tradition’s style for more of the unity which Jesus himself prayed for.  Here are the times when we shall meet together:-

Churches Together in Ambleside District

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

18th to 24th January 2018

We are holding a service each day to mark the week. This year’s theme is “Liberation”.

 Thursday  18th Jan     10.30am    Holy Trinity, Langdale

Friday  19th Jan                2.00pm        Baptist Church

Saturday 20th Jan           10.30am       Methodists in parish centre

Sunday  21st Jan             11.00am    United Service, St Mary’s

Monday  22nd Jan           10.00am       Holy Trinity, Brathay

Tuesday 23rd Jan            10.00am       Quakers, at Glenthorne

Wednesday 24th Jan      6.30pm        Mater Amabilis

 

Sunday 21st January 11.00am  United Service at St Mary’s Church, Ambleside. (NB There will be NO separate service in Langdale on that day)

All the local churches will be taking part in this service.  Do come along and support any of these you are able to.

 Wishing all our readers a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Year 2018

Services will be as usual this January, except for Sunday 21st January, when there will be no service in Holy Trinity Langdale. Instead, we shall meet our fellow Christians for a combined service in St. Mary’s Ambleside, at 11:00AM.

We shall be hosting the other denominations to a service of Morning Prayer on Thursday 18th January at 10:30AM. Please support this important event during this week of prayer for Christian unity.

A winter wonderland

December 2017 – The Christmas Season in Langdale

Sunday 3rd December
Welcome Yule at 3pm – an Advent Concert with a variety of seasonal music including interesting arrangements of traditional carols to contemporary settings by modern composers, interspersed with readings and solo items
From the Harrogate Festival Choral Course
Refreshments afterwards
No charge; donations to church funds gladly accepted

Sunday 10th
Communion Service at 10.30am as usual

Sunday 17th
No service at 10.30am
But please come to the Candle-lit Carol Service at 3pm
Followed by tea and mince pies
Collection for the children in South Sudan and Burkina Faso –
two of the world’s poorest countries

Saturday 23rd at 6.30pm
We meet at the Bus shelter in Elterwater at 6.30pm before singing around the village. Visitors most welcome to come along.

Sunday 24th
At 10.30am – Last Sunday in Advent, Communion Service as usual – a quiet reflective service before the Christmas rush
At 11pm – See in Christmas day up at the Church with carols and readings at our Midnight Communion Service

Christmas Day
At 10.30am – Come and celebrate our Saviour’s birth by joining in the all age worship on Christmas morning, followed by a short said Holy Communion.

Lent and Easter 2017

1st March 2017
Ash Wednesday
To be celebrated with our brother and sister Christians in Ambleside with a Communion and imposition of ashes at 7:00pm in St Mary’s Ambleside.

8th March  2017
12 – 1.30pm
Simple lunch at The Baptist Church on Compston Road. All welcome. No charge; donations to the work of Christian Aid among Refugees.

“Lectio Divina” Fr Kevan Dorgan leads a course in this ancient monastic practice which is becoming more appreciated again in today’s world – in Mater Amabilis, Wansfell Road at 7pm every Tuesday during Lentunder the auspices of CTAD – Christians of all denominations welcome.  

Also “Different ways of receiving Christ”, a York Course series organised by Churches Together – all are welcome. This will be held every Thursday during Lent up until 6th April from 7.30 to 9pm in the Ambleside Parish Centre (in the Brathay Room)
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26th March
Fourth Sunday in Lent.
Mothering Sunday. Luke 2, 25 – 40. The childhood of Jesus and insights into the life of the holy family. The service will be shorter than usual with accessible songs and liturgy. We hope this will have something to say to people of whatever age. Children present will be able to bring their mothers (and other ladies present) the gift of a posy. Our deep thanks to the Meschino family for providing these in memory of Jilly. This year we will also be thanking God for the safe birth of Eden White, who will be baptised during the service.

2nd April Passion Sunday
Fifth Sunday in Lent

9th April Palm Sunday

Luke 19, 28 – 44, with the opportunity for those who wish to carry branches around the church building in the traditional re-enactment of The Triumphal Entry.
13th April – Maundy Thursday
7pm Meeting with Communion in the Upper Room at Little Langdale Chapel. (150 yards past the Three Shires Pub on your right).

14th April
Good Friday.
Meet up by High Close Youth Hostel at 9am to carry the cross to Ambleside via Loughrigg Terrace and Rydal Hall. At Ambleside we meet up with others in Churches Together at 11am as we tell the Passion story in Bible readings and hymns around the village.

16th April
Easter Sunday

6am Dawn Service – entering the darkened church by candlelight and emerging at dawn to celebrate communion on the front porch as the sun rises. Breakfast in the Vicarage afterwards.

10.30 am – all-age service with Communion, followed by an Easter egg hunt for children in the churchyard afterwards.