To know Jesus and to make him known

Gathered around the town of Kirkby Stephen in the Upper Eden Valley, our Chapels, Churches and Worship Halls work together, witnessing to God’s love. Drawn from 15 different congregations, (Baptist, Anglican, Evangelical, Friends (Quakers), Catholic and Methodist), we share many activities through the seasons – Bible studies in Advent and Lent; daily times of worship and prayer during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Holy Week; and prayer walks around Kirkby.

We also host many community groups including a Memory Club and various drop-ins. A highlight of our year is our annual Carol Service in the auction mart – including carols led by KS Silver Band, readings, drama and a short message - with hundreds of local people taking part. Other annual events include the ‘Light up a Life’ service for our local hospices, the processing of the cross to the top of Hartley Hill on Good Friday and our joint Services of Remembrance, in the Anglican Church on Remembrance Sunday and in the market place on Remembrance Day.

We have strong links with Upper Eden Food Bank and the Upper Eden Linking Lives Groups  and also with local schools with local pupils exploring Easter, Pentecost and Christmas at the Anglican church and taking part in their leavers' services, and other activities, at the Methodist Chapel. Annual Christian Aid collections, World Day of Prayer events and a host of other community activities are also led jointly between our member churches.

At the centre of everything we do is a desire to serve God’s Kingdom in our local communities. Through it all, we pray together ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ as we aim to ‘know Jesus and to make Jesus known’.