SHAP community development centre is offering free one-to-one sessions to those new to using a computer, and introductory IT course for beginners, starting last week of February with both afternoon and early evening sessions. Contact Janet or Sharron at Shap CDC 01931 716447 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please encourage other church members who haven't made the step to computers to take up this offer.

10 March  Managing Churchyards for Wildlife and Wildflowers. Rydal Hall 
Run by Cumbria Wildlife Trust's Wildlife in Sacred Places adviser Simon Harlow.
The workshops will give practical advice on the best ways to manage churchyards for wildlife and wildflowers.  Entry is free, tea and coffee are provided.  The workshops will run from 7-9pm and consist of a short presentation followed by a discussion.

Booking is recommended, for more information and to book, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

10 March  Successful Fundraising: Writing Applications
10am - 4pm, Penrith (venue tbc)
The course is aimed at fundraisers or those responsible for submitting applications to funders, and covers selecting the right funders, understanding how funders assess applications, how to get hold of the information for a successful application and introducing a fundraising strategy.
To book Call Cumbria CVS Carlisle 01900 819191.

18 March  Discovering Sacred Britain Conference
Gorton Monastery, Manchester 10am - 4pm  £25 for faith groups. 
The day will cover topics such as opennes, information, interpretation and hospitality for sacred sites.  Speakers include English Heritage, Visit England, Tourist Boards, Sacred Sites and the NW Multi Faith Tourist Assoiciation. 

For details go to www.discoveringsacredbritain.org.uk or call 01768 777 671.

23 April  Sharing Your Story - Creating better visitor resources for your church
Holme Cultram Abbey, near Wigton.  10am-3pm. Led by Joanna Booth, NWMFTA
A practical day to help celebrate and share your church's special story.  To book a place, contact Joanna Booth: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 07545 580 437.

12 May  Faith in Maintenance, Kesick Methodist Church.
Led by Sara Crofts, SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings). 10-4pm
This will be an invaluable and practical day for anyone involved in maintaining a faith building.  It will help you to identify what needs to be done, how and when and also when to call in the experts.

Reviewing your Visitor Welcome
Tuesday 8th June
Location: to be confirmed
Provided by Joanna Booth, NWMFTA
Summary: This seminar is based around an ‘audit of welcome' which is designed to help you to measure your welcome. It is a tool that could help you to make some inexpensive, simple, yet effective changes to your church that will enhance and improve the experience of the visitor. It is not always easy to be objective about a place that you love and are very familiar with but this exercise is as much about giving participants the tools to identify what they currently do well as it is about enabling them to highlight the things could be improved on.
To book a place contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 07545 580437

Jan - June 2010 - Energy efficiency - how your church can help stop climate chaos
Faiths 4 Change in partnership with the Bay Eco-Efficiency Partners, can provide an adviser free of charge to visit your church to help you carry out a Sustainability Audit of your building, which will include reviewing heating and other energy needs.  There is no cost involved provided at least six people from the church take part.  The Sustainability Audit training and information session looks at four key areas: energy usage; water usage; waste; and purchasing.
Faiths 4 Change are currently looking to book free sessions in January - June 2010 and cannot guarantee to be able to provide the training free of charge after June. Free lunch and energy saving products are supplied to everyone who attends.

For more information see our Advice on heating and energy efficiency page. If you would like to organise such a session, we will help advertise it more widely to see whether people from nearby churches can join you; contact Gina This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  To enquire about organising an event at your own place of worship please contact Tom Fyson at Faiths 4 Change on 01772 521 014.
Neighbourhood Forums are an opportunity for you to get involved in issues affecting your area and to help decide how things could be improved. If your church can be used as a venue, attending a neighbourhood forum may be a good way of telling others. To find your local forum, go to http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/neighbourhoodforums/