There are many different kinds of partnerships that we may enter into over the course of our lives, from marriages to businesses arrangements; some short-term others life-long. What they all have in common if they are going to achieve their agreed goal is mutual respect about what each partner brings to the relationship. The Church cannot claim an unblemished record in Education but it has also, throughout its history, done a great deal to positively foster learning. The Church provided the first free schools in this country and that commitment to education being available for everyone remains the foundation of the partnership we enjoy locally between the Church and Church Schools today. Recently the Church of England has produced a document entitled Vision for Education. This document is not just for those involved with Church Schools but is intended to contribute to a much wider conversation within our society. What should education for life in the 21st century look like?
Not surprisingly, for a Church Vision Statement at its centre is the promise Jesus made, that he had come to give us ‘life in all its fulness’. The vision unpacks what this abundant life might look like for people in Britain today by focusing on four goals for education which it suggests will equip people to live well. It says that education should be;

• for wisdom, knowledge and skills
• for hope and aspiration
• for community and living well together
• for dignity and respect.

This ‘vision document’ is being very positively received both in Church and state schools throughout the country. It articulates what many good teachers believe and is finally affirming the importance of what they do, by creating the bigger picture in which education debates can be understood.
In the coming months both the Church and our Church Schools hope to be able to engage in a conversation with our local communities about what excites us about teaching and learning today and what values our communities believe important enough to pass on to our children to equip them for life both now and in the years to come. Gill

Christian Aid Week 13th -19th May

Christian Aid is a charity working throughout the world. Rather than sending large numbers of aid workers into a country, it focuses on supporting local staff to manage and organise the help that's needed. Recent campaigns include work with the United Nations agitating for help for people who are forced from their homes and into camps in their own countries. They have also given seeds and tools to victims of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, worked to tackle malnutrition in South Sudan and provided blankets and kitchen sets to 10,000 families displaced from Myanmar.

In Drigg, Ravenglass, Eskdale and Waberthwaite Christian Aid envelopes will be in the church magazine. These can be handed back to your deliverer or returned to the following places:

• Drigg: Spindlecraft or Tynedale,
• Irton: Tynedale
• Ravenglass: Wednesday coffee morning,
• Waberthwaite: Woodall's shop
• Eskdale: The Stores in Eskdale Green

If you don't receive one in your magazine but perhaps by post, then these drop off points can be used if you wish.
You can also support the Afternoon Tea which is in aid of Christian Aid at the Rectory in Bootle 19th May 3.00.pm - 5.00.pm when you would be made very welcome.

Please consider supporting this essential work.

BlackCombe Churches

Coffee Morning
Every Wednesday morning there is a Post Office at Silecroft Village Hall and coffee is served. Everyone is welcome to pop in and meet up with neighbours and friends.

Bootle Women’s Institute
The WI is hosting a 93rd Birthday Party on the 8th May at Captain Shaw’s School Hall in Bootle at 7.15am. They will be joined by Charlotte Sharphouse and the evenings competition will be a mug of wild flowers.

Plant Sale
In readiness for the spring planting season local gardeners may purchase their Plants at a sale in Kirksanton Village Hall is on the 20th May at 2.00.pm. Get there in good time for the cream of the crop!
Summer Evening Services
From May to October afternoon services across the Benefice begin at 6.00pm. This year Corney and Waberthwaite Churches are sharing the fourth Sunday evening slot. The services at Corney will be informal services of Songs of Praise and the ones at Waberthwaite will be BCP Evensong.
• May 27th Waberthwaite Evensong 6.00pm
• June 24th Corney S of P 6.00pm
• July 22nd Waberthwaite Evensong 6.00pm
• August 26th Corney S of P 6.00pm
• September 23rd Waberthwaite Evensong 6.00pm
• October 28th Corney S of P 6.00pm

Everyone is welcome to support these services in either church.