Serving the Community

The Bible has an unambiguous emphasis on God's heart for the poorest and 'on the edge' in society, and that his followers should have a similar priority. Christian faith is not just about church services on a Sunday!

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
     and provide for those who grieve in Zion -
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendour.

Affordable Housing

Housing for local people

With the Lake District becoming ever more popular for both holidays and retirement homes, the increase in people buying houses as second homes or for holiday lets has had a direct affect on a dramatic increase in house prices, resulting in hardly any properties being either available or affordable for local people, especially the younger generation. If we wish to see the local school continue, and if we wish to see local people continue to live here (especially younger families), and if we wish the villages to be more diverse in the long-term than elderly retired or holidaymakers, then there is a collective need to address the affordable housing problem.

St Patrick's Church is aware of the issue and is taking an active interest in locak developments. We are also trying to work with the Diocese to see what assistance can be brought to bear within our locality with regard to this problem.

The picture below shows a cottage owned by the civic Parish Council and rented to local people.

As a church community we need to think what we could do to support our local families who need housing.

No answers yet, but we're asking the question!