What a difference a week makes – pre Christian Aid Week Road Shows to inform, inspire and equip you and your church.  Led by Christian Aid North West Staff. All welcome.  Food provided at all events.

Thursday 23rd February, 6pm-9pm at St John the Evangelist, London Road, Carlisle

Friday 24th February, 6pm-9pm at St Johns Church, Washington Street, Workington

Saturday 25th February, 10:30am-1:30pm at Kendal United Reformed Church, Highgate, Kendal

This year the Keswick Film Festival will include two films with speakers which focus on themes which have concerned the Keswick Peace and Human Rights Group: child detention and the treatment of the Kurdish minority in Turkey. The Kid’s Britain Doesn’t Want, 9.30 am on Saturday 25th February; The Children of Diyarbakir, 9.30 am on Sunday 26th February Both at the Theatre by the Lake. For more information click here.

Eden Credit Union Study Group will be in the Devonshire Arcade, Penrith on Saturday 25th February to share information about the development of the new Eden Credit Union, answer questions and signpost to advice. If you live in the Eden area go and talk to them and sign-up with your local Credit Union, which plans to be operational by autumn 2012. A great way of saving and borrowing and keeping money in the local community.

Once and For All – Saturday 25th February, 6pm-9pm at Millom Baptist Church, Crown Street, Millom

An exciting multimedia event using personal stories, stunning images and beautiful original songs.  It reveals how our prayers, actions and donations are bringing hope and healing to those shackled by poverty across the world. All welcome. Food will be served from 6pm the presentation to begin at 7pm.  Please book for catering purposes, call Millom Baptist Church on 01229 774 601.

Two very different events are taking place at Grasmere St Oswald's Church on Feb 25th, presented by students from Durham University's Hatfield College.
4pm  Choral Evensong (Book of Common Prayer) sung by the Chapel Choir. 2012 is the 350th Anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer. All welcome.
7pm Music by Kinky Jeff (Big Band). Admission on the door £5 or £3 concessions.

For ideas and information see the website of the Fairtrade Foundation. Francis Chisuse from Malawi, who supports Fairtrade tea growers will be in Cumbria; contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to find details of where he is speaking.

Barrow Foodbank is being set up by the Barrow Churches to respond to those in the community who are struggling, showing God's love through practical help. The open evening is a chance to find out more about being part of this help  - donating food, volunteering at collections, talking to clients. 7.30 pm, Abbey Road Baptist Church Hall.

Carlisle Cathedral – The Poverty Over Sculpture Tour

Over the next two years, Christian Aid's 'Poverty Over' exhibition will be touring cathedrals all over the UK giving our supporters the opportunity to learn more about our work and deepen their understanding about the issues behind poverty and how we can over come them. The tour will be educational and engaging and is ideal for school trips, individual supporters, parish outings and church members. Visitors to the cathedrals will be invited to reflect upon the nature of poverty and how to respond.

Carver United Reformed Church, Windermere, 9.30am-3.15pm. This conference is open to people who look after, use or live in historic buildings including church councils and church architects. There will be opportunities to speak to major funders, hear others' experiences of heritage projects involving churches and why it is becoming increasingly important to invest in the training of heritage skills. Co-hosted by Churches Trust for Cumbria and North of England Civic Trust (NECT). Subsidised fee for church representatives: £15 including lunch and refreshments. To book: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , NECT; t: 07557 399239.

Led by Rev Dr Janet Wootton, Director of Studies for the Congregational Federation, this day conference is

organised by Kendal Ecumenical Group. Castle St Community Centre, Kendal. All welcome; entry by free ticket:

e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; t: 01539 737432.

Kendal Parish Church, 9.30a.m.-2.30p.m. This Churches Trust for Cumbria (CTfC) seminar will help you to create your own trail, explain how to get your local community involved and how to promote it. Free of charge.  Contact CTfC This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details or to book: t: 07501 469373.

An event run by Cumbria Rural Forum. 9.30 am - 4 pm; Stoneybeck Inn, Penrith. Programme & booking.

Eden Credit Union Study Group will be in the Devonshire Arcade, Penrith on Saturday 24th March to share information about the development of the new Eden Credit Union, answer questions and signpost to advice. If you live in the Eden area go and talk to them and sign-up with your local Credit Union, which plans to be operational by autumn 2012. A great way of saving and borrowing and keeping money in the local community.

Kendal is to have its own Passion Play in 2012. This will be like the medieval mystery plays still being performed after hundreds of years, and will take place over two days at Easter at several sites in the town centre on Friday, when the last day of Jesus’s life will be enacted during the afternoon and Castle Hill on Saturday with choirs and fire sculptures to accompany scenes of the Resurrection. For more information visit http://apassionforkendal.blogspot.com/

Eden Credit Union Study Group will be in the Devonshire Arcade, Penrith on Saturday 21st April to share information about the development of the new Eden Credit Union, answer questions and signpost to advice. If you live in the Eden area go and talk to them and sign-up with your local Credit Union, which plans to be operational by autumn 2012. A great way of saving and borrowing and keeping money in the local community.