What's On: Activities and Notices
For the details of upcoming services, check out the list on our home page.
Notices
Harvest Weekend 3-4 October
Our celebrations of God’s generosity to us this year will include raising money for Manna House.
There is a Coffee morning on Saturday 3rd October between 10 -12. Offers of help appreciated, tombola items, homemade cakes, biscuits, jams, marmalade or pickles. Please speak to Diane Holliday or Christine Burgess for further information.
Harvest Services - Sunday 4th October. Between our two morning services we will be having a Harvest Cake and Produce Stall. If you bring a cake, please label it and add allergens to the label. If you bring harvest produce eg apples, carrots, beans etc, please supply some bags for people to take things home in. Any questions - ask Barbara Handley.
Bring whatever you can and give whatever you can. If you don’t have cash, the card machine in the Narthex is available. All donations on these 2 days will go to Manna House.
Manna House
We received this urgent plea from Manna House, one of our Mission Partners at STK.
"I need to share with you the latest information regarding Manna House’s worsening financial situation.
Briefly, through no fault of our own, Manna House has had a 38% reduction in income in the last financial year, ending August 2025. Things have not improved over this year such that we are now facing a predicted deficit of £80,000 by end of August 2026.
Let me be clear. This is not financial mismanagement. Manna House has been, and continues to be, truly excellent. As the only homeless prevention charity in South Lakeland, we serve over 7,000 free lunches a year, hold over 700 Housing and Benefits appointments and engage in over a thousand 1x1 support sessions. We are responsible for holding dear all the people who otherwise slip through the cracks of mainstream health and social care services. Have you considered doing a fundraiser for Manna House? Do you have any wealthy and/or influential friends or relatives? What about joining Friends of Manna House for just £10+ a year?”
Please pray that they will receive the funds they need to carry on their vital work with those who are homeless, vulnerably housed, lonely or needing help.
Bible Comes to Life Exhibition — 6th to 11th October
We are excited to be hosting CMJ's interactive touring exhibition here at STK: a Bedouin tent, a display of the biblical feasts, models of the second temple and the Ark of the Covenant, a display explaining Jesus Christ — his incarnation, life, death and resurrection — and people dressed as priests, prophets, shepherds, Nazarene ladies and a Roman centurion to show you round.
School classes will be visiting from Tuesday to Friday, and there are sessions open to the public on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, 6.30–9pm, and on the Saturday, 10am–4pm.
More at cmj.org.uk/bible-exhibition
Save the date, invite your friends and neighbours, and please pray — for the planning and preparation, for the school classes and their teachers, and for everyone who comes in the evenings.
Men's work party at St John's in the Vale - Saturday 17th October
We are running another work party to continue the work started last year to build an access path to the campfire at the diocesan centre, in St John's in the Vale. We will be leaving from STK at 08:30, returning around teatime the same day.
Please let Roger Porthouse know if you can come and help.
Roger.w.porthouse@gmail.com 07768 507809
Men's Curry Night Thursday 29th October
Come and join us for the STK Men's Curry Night at STK on Thursday 29th October - Booking essential
We will be serving up the usual feast of spicy and less spicy stuff as we meet together to continue our exploration of what it means to live up to St Paul's calling for us to 'act like men'. This could be a great event to bring along a friend!
Doors open at 18:30 with food being served from 19:00. We should be done by 21:30 but come for as long or as little as you want. Guide price of £10 per person to cover costs but as usual, just pay what you can afford.
Look out for the email invitation in your inbox shortly, or to book your place, please contact Roger Porthouse on 07768 507809, or email roger.w.porthouse@gmail.com
Our next Alpha course starts on Wed 21st Oct, 7.30pm!
Alpha is a place to explore faith in Jesus and starts every week with tea/coffee and cake, followed by a video presentation and then open discussion. It’s a place where any question can be asked and folks love the conversation. You can contribute as much or as little as you like.
The course is free and will take place every Wednesday until 2nd December. There’s a special Alpha weekend Sat 5th/Sun 6th December, and then the course resumes in the new year finishing Wed 27th January.
For more details check Alpha.org
To book a place click here or contact the church office. We’d love to see you!
Foodbank update
Still needed:- tins of beans, ham, corned beef, tuna or fruit, packs of noodles, rice or pasta sauce.
Items may be left in the box in the Narthex or at collection points in Supermarkets.
Women's Refresh Day in Penrith
24th October, follow this link to find out more and book: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/110628
Caring for God's creation
Don’t stop exploring out in God’s Creation now the summer holidays are over.
Families, have you been to explore the new nature trail Paws and Claws in Craggy Wood Staveley it’s a great adventure. 10 hidden animals with rhyming clues to solve. Curiosity Cabinet with natural materials, and chalkboards for noting your spots and much more. Find out more here.
https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/news/new-childrens-nature-trail-opens-staveley-woodlands
A Date for your diary: MUSIC FOR MANNA HOUSE
Bill Holliday and Friends will be performing Blues, Rock and Roll and Classic songs in a concert for Manna House on Thursday November 12th from 7.30 p.m. at Ruskins Bar Stricklandgate. Free entry with collection for Manna House during the event.
Advent Fair 28 November 10-3
Now is the time to book a stall! For more information contact barb@computers-and-things.co.uk.
Home wanted from November: 1 or 2 bed self contained flat/house or Granny Annex or independent space in shared house. Long term rent ideally but other terms considered for single local non-smoker lady & pet. Iro £650 pcm - £900 excluding bills (depending on size). If you can help please contact the Office in the first instance and they'll pass the message on. Thank you.
Questions for life groups and personal reflection based on Sunday 13th September's sermon from George Briggs.
Mark 10.35-52
1. Our title this week is “What do you want me to do for you?” - what strikes you as you read through the passage and see Jesus responding to what different people ask from him?
2. In response to James and John in verses 35-45 Mark records Jesus gently questioning their motivation. Jesus then talks to all of the disciples together and shows a keen interest in what is forming and ordering their desires. What would you ask Jesus to shape in your motives and appetites? What ambitions might Jesus want to grow in us?
3. In the encounter Mark records in Verses 46-52 we see the courage of Bartimaeus - refusing to be silenced and crying out to Jesus. Jesus then dignifies him with the freedom to speak for himself and ask for what he wants and needs. The compassion and power of Jesus are beautifully displayed and Bartimaeus receives his sight. How do you respond to the willingness of Jesus here to meet the person and need outside Jericho? What are you crying out to God for - does this encourage you not to give up?
4. Take some time to pray and rest in God’s presence, and bring honest requests to him...
Office Hours are Tuesday 10am-1pm, Wed & Thurs 10am-2pm
Prayer & Pastoral Support
STK Pastoral Team - If you feel you need some support (or know others who do) please contact anyone on the team. All conversations and contacts will be confidential and held within the Pastoral Team. Details on how the team works and who to contact are here or by contact the church office at admin@stkmail.org.uk, or by contacting Pete Jorysz (Pastoral Coordinator) on 01539 730683.
STK Prayer Ministry Team - Individual, confidential appointments available for a deeper time of listening and prayer ministry. Speak to Lorraine Gibbard for more details. For general prayer requests contact the church office at admin@stkmail.org.uk or phone 01539 730683. For more confidential prayer please contact Julie Barker at prayerconfidential@stkmail.org.uk.