Epiphany at Shap.

The monthly family worship in St. Michael’s church, Shap took the form of a Christingle service to mark Epiphany. Worshippers were welcomed by the Revd Carole Marsden, and the organist was Janet Wood. The bible reading telling of the visit of the Wise Men was read by Katie Hale.
Children from the Sunday Club took an active part in distributing the materials to make Christingles. First everyone received an orange symbolising the World, then a red ribbon fro the blood of Christ then cocktail sticks and a variety of fruit and nuts for the fruits of the earth, the final item being the candle representing Christ - The light of the World. The candles were all lit and in a darkened church the Christingle hymn was sung, and Mrs Marsden explained the history of the Christingle, before the children gathered on the chancel steps sang Away in a Manger. Mrs Marsden read a prayer for children everywhere in the world; this was deeply moving as she prayed for children in the affluent west who get up to mischief and have choices and those in war torn and famine stricken areas who have no homes little food and no love. The final hymn was one of reflection and Hope –Lord for the Years.
This is a time of great change for the local churches, as this week the Revd Carole Marsden becomes priest in charge of Orton, Tebay and Ravenstonedale in addition to her existing parishes of Shap and Bampton. Revised times of worship were distributed to worshippers as they left the church.