As part of our commitment to following Jesus, we meet with each other and with God, and we also have times when we can learn more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
Worship is at the heart of our Christian life and witness. We usually follow the pattern of a Church of England Communion service (sometimes called Eucharist or the Mass) where the bread and wine are shared in the way that Jesus did with his disciples nearly 2000 years ago. This is usually towards the end of the service, after the priest has led the congregation in prayer. The congregation usually come to a rail at the front of the church to receive the bread and wine and take it by putting their hands out. In some of our churches, some like to kneel while others prefer to stand. In others, we all receive standing if the altar rail is not being used. If we are using the altar rail, there is no right or wrong; it’s up to you.
If you don’t feel comfortable taking communion, you are still more than welcome to come forward. If you bring a service booklet with you, the priest will pray for God’s blessing to be on you. She or he usually places their hand on people’s head when they do this.
When you come to our Church Services, you will be given a service booklet with prayers, some of which the leader (usually the vicar) says and some in bold which we say together. There is a weekly sheet which contains the readings for that specific week, any notices and a timetable of the services for the week. We often say the first and last prayers on this sheet together – the person leading the service will guide you in this. You might also be given a hymn book.
Service Pattern
This is our usual service pattern, which may change at times. See the Parish Magazine for details.
1st Sunday of the Month
9.15 All Age Morning Prayer, St John’s in the Hall, Cleator Moor
11.15 Holy Communion, St Michael’s, Arlecdon
2nd Sunday of the Month
9.15 Morning Prayer, St Paul’s, Frizington
11.15 All Age Holy Communion Service, St Leonard’s, Cleator
3rd Sunday of the Month
9.15 All Age Holy Communion Service, St John’s in the Hall, Cleator Moor
11.15 Morning Prayer, St Michael’s, Arlecdon
4th Sunday of the Month
9.15 Holy Communioin, St Paul’s, Frizington
11.15 All Age Morning Prayer, St Leonard’s, Cleator
5th Sunday of the Month
10.30 A joint Parish Service of Holy Communion
The venue will be announced in the Parish Magazine.
The churches welcome people of all traditions and are all-inclusive.
Special Services
Throughout the year we have special services such as those held in Easter Week and at Christmas. Do look at our ‘What’s on ‘ page to find out what is coming up.
Engaging with Schools
Here in Crosslacon parish we work hard to support and build relationships with our local primary schools. Just before the end of the Summer Term this year, St Leonard’s Church, Cleator welcomed over one hundred local primary school children to a series of workshops called “Life in a Day”. Pupils from Frizington, Montreal, Lamplugh and Arlecdon schools learnt about weddings, christenings and funerals through storytelling, dressing up and drama. They imagined the life of Eliza Neen; her birth in 1846, early life in Ireland, marriage in Cleator, the arrival of her nine children and the baptism of her daughter Mary Ellen. Finally the children thought about how Eliza would have been remembered after she died, aged 71 in 1917. Reverends Becky Gibbs, Nicki Pennington, Lindsay Gray and Ian Parker hosted the workshops and a team of volunteers helped behind the scenes, serving refreshments to the children at the end of each session. All the children took part enthusiastically and teachers commented that it was a “lovely, worthwhile experience”. The workshops enabled the children to see how the church was there for them and their families at special points in our life’s journey.
An Engaging Faith Community 