Seat to Street - Carlisle Diocese

In this episode of the Seat to Street podcast, host Dave Roberts talks to the Revd Lawrence Basham, Rector of Grasmere and Rydal and chaplain at Rydal Hall, about the prayer life at the heart of the hall.

Lawrence describes arriving two years ago with a simple commitment: to be in the chapel praying every morning, even if nobody else came. What began with one person has become a community of clergy, readers, children's workers, interns and volunteers who share a short daily service at 9am. He also talks about the prayer cards left by visitors to Rydal and Grasmere, around 3,000 requests this year, each one prayed for.

He reflects on Jesus the Good Shepherd and the Cumbrian sheepfold as a picture of a place where people are safe and held, on why hospitality should never be transactional, and on how praying with others changed his own prayer life.

Over the coming weeks we will share four prayers for Rydal Hall: for visitors and guests, for the chaplain and chapel assistants, for staff, volunteers and trustees, and for sacred encounters. Look out for them on our social media, our website and in the eNews.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Lawrence's role as chaplain at Rydal Hall
02:06 Why prayer matters at Rydal
05:34 How praying together changed Lawrence's own prayer life
06:42 A daily rhythm of morning prayer in the chapel
08:40 Prayer cards and 3,000 prayer requests
11:41 The impact of prayer and the importance of place
12:46 The Good Shepherd and the Cumbrian sheepfold
16:42 Hospitality, welcome and prayer
18:36 A praying diocese: four prayers for Rydal Hall
19:44 How you can pray for Rydal
21:36 Closing

Find out more at carlislediocese.org.uk

In this episode of Seat to Street, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Leyden, Bishop of Penrith, preaches on what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit rather than claiming to have all the answers. Reflecting on his own arrival in the Diocese of Carlisle, he unpacks Jesus's promise of "another advocate" in John 14 and Ezekiel's vision of the river flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47 — a picture of renewal spreading through the Church of England, Cumbria, and beyond.

Along the way: a story about crisps, a mixed-up line delivered to 350 ordinands, and why no bishop — however grateful for the calling — is the ultimate guide to God.

Seat to Street is a podcast from the Diocese of Carlisle, bringing sermons, conversations and reflections from the pews to everyday life.

Follow the show for more from Seat to Street, and find out more about the Diocese of Carlisle at carlislediocese.org.uk.

Can you successfully treat physical ailments, manage local healthcare practices, and pastor a church community at the same time?

In this episode of the Seat to Street podcast, host Dave Roberts talks with Joe Daily, a dedicated Cumbrian GP and Medical Director preparing for her deacon ordination at Carlisle Cathedral. Joe will be taking on the role of a Self-Supporting Minister (SSM), splitting her week between three days in her medical practice and one day anchored at St James, Carlisle.

Joe talks candidly about:

• The Multi-Compartment Life: Why spiritual care is so often left out of modern healthcare, and how her medical background with addiction, mental health, and chronic illness directly informs her pastoral ministry.

• Active Discipleship: Moving past a "passive" lifestyle of church attendance and entering into a season of walking so closely to Jesus that "the dust falls back onto your feet."

• The Willow Church Encounter: An unforgettable, cinematic experience during a solitary COVID-era bike ride at Kielder Water that involved a mysterious free-standing door, a living willow church framework, and a moment of total surrender in the mud.

• Keeping the Boundaries: How she intends to maintain clear lines between her medical work and her ministerial collar while providing a listening ear to those waiting in uncertainty.

Joe’s testimony is a profound look at how professional skillsets aren't cast aside by God, but are deeply enriched when we allow ourselves to become rooted and established in His love.

Scripture featured in this episode:📖 Ephesians 3:17 — "That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love..."

🔔 Enjoying the podcast? Hit the follow button to hear more inspiring stories of faith, life, and ministry from across the Diocese of Carlisle.

How do 20 years of senior charity leadership, strategic governance, and waste recycling contracts translate into rural parish ministry?

In this episode of the Seat to Street podcast, Dave Roberts sits down with Sue Wigley, who is preparing to be ordained deacon at Carlisle Cathedral this June. Sue shares her incredibly encouraging "slow burn" journey to faith, coming to Christianity later in life and eventually serving as the Diocesan Synod Lay Chair and a Board of Finance trustee.

Sue opens up about:

• The 20-Year Nudge: Recognizing a persistent "itch" for ordained ministry that began decades ago while leading children's work as a young mom.

• Kingdom Outcomes in Secular Spaces: How her career running community hubs (like the Appleby Hub) and social enterprises taught her how to bring people from the margins into a non-judgmental community.

• Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: Navigating the vulnerability of the vocations process and moving from the idea of a distinctive diaconate to embracing a call to full priesthood.

• The Practical Realities of Training: Balancing the academic rigors of Emmanuel Theological College with family life, and why she offers a "word of warning" to protect your relationship with your spouse during discernment.

Sue will be serving across a busy, rural setting of 13 parish churches in the Northwestern Penrith team ministry within the Appleby Deanery. Whether you're balancing a busy career or wondering if a long-held nudge from God is worth pursuing, Sue's story is a beautiful reminder that you are enough, and it is never too late to step into your vocation.

Scripture featured in this episode:📖 Jeremiah 29:11 — "For I know the plans I have for you..."📖 John 1:39 — "Come and see."📖 John 20:21 — "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

🔔 Enjoying the podcast? Hit the follow button to hear more inspiring stories of faith, life, and ministry from across the Diocese of Carlisle.

Rachel Milburn has lived quite a life. She's grown up on a farm, raised three daughters, made ice cream for a living, and spent two decades pouring herself into children's and youth ministry across the Eden Valley. But for years, she couldn't shake the feeling that God was asking her to go further.

In this episode, Rachel tells Dave Roberts about the moment at Soul Survivor camp when two young people — independently, on the same night — gave her vivid pictures that stopped her in her tracks. She talks about the long road through the Church of England's vocations process, including a high-stakes Zoom selection panel she had to pause to go and lamb a sheep. And she shares why she turned down a pioneer pathway in favour of ordained ministry — and what a selection panel member said that completely surprised her.

Rachel also opens up about the walking group, the ladies community born out of shared grief, and the messy, beautiful, Holy Spirit-filled moments that have convinced her this is exactly what she's called to do.

Honest, warm, funny and rooted in real life. This is what vocation looks like in rural Cumbria.

📖 Scripture: Proverbs 3 — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."📍 Rachel will be serving at St Andrew's and Christ Church, Penrith.

Recorded at Rydal Hall, this episode brings together voices from across Cumbria reflecting on discipleship, leadership, and mission.

You’ll hear from Rachel Head, Revd Jo Trickey, and local church leaders as they explore a simple but important idea: following Jesus is not just something that happens on Sundays, but in everyday life.

This episode forms part of ongoing work to support Mission Community Leaders and develop healthy churches across Cumbria.

Episode Guide

• 00:00 Introduction and setting the scene
• 00:50 Supporting leaders across Cumbria
• 04:45 What is “whole life discipleship”?
• 05:32 A simple framework for everyday faith
• 08:06 One practical step leaders can take
• 10:32 Stories from local churches
• 17:40 Reflections and encouragement

How do we lead without causing harm?

In this session from the 2026 CMDD Day, Amy White (Diocese of Carlisle) challenges the modern tendency to separate "leadership" from "pastoral care." Drawing on her unique background—growing up on an Australian sheep farm and conducting doctoral research on the shepherd metaphor in John’s Gospel—Amy provides a grounded, biblical framework for using authority in the church.

This episode isn't just for clergy; it’s for anyone who carries the weight of influence. Amy dives deep into the "messy" reality of the flock, the true nature of sheep (hint: they aren't stupid), and the urgent need for leaders to protect, provide, and bind up wounds.

Key Topics in This Episode:

• The Ezekiel 34 Rebuke: Learning from the wreckage of toxic leadership.

• The "Shepherding Sheep" Identity: Why our first call is to follow, not to lead.

• Tools of the Trade: How to use the "rod and staff" of scripture and prayer for rescue rather than control.

• Power Dynamics: Shifting the focus from personal gain to the flourishing of the flock.

About the Speaker:Amy White is a doctoral researcher specializing in leadership theology and the shepherd metaphor. This talk was recorded for the Diocese of Carlisle’s Continuing Ministerial Development and Deployment (CMDD) Day.

Seat to Street — Episode 4: Rev Dr James Tebbutt (Cumbria Methodist District)

What does partnership look like when it’s lived out across churches and communities? In Episode 4, Rev Dr James Tebbutt—Chair of the Cumbria Methodist District—joins us to reflect on ecumenical working, the God for All vision, and the shared journey of faith in Cumbria.

Why watch

• Hear what James will be doing during the Enthronement of Bishop Rob Saner-Haigh at Carlisle Cathedral

• Learn how Methodist and Anglican churches in Cumbria have grown together in shared ministry

• Discover how God for All began and where it’s heading

• Explore the joys and challenges of working across traditions in practical local mission

• Listen to James’ personal hopes for the next chapter of leadership and cooperation

Whether you're in a local church, part of a shared ministry, or curious about faith in Cumbria, this episode gives a thoughtful and grounded perspective on unity, presence and purpose.

If this encourages you, please like, comment, subscribe and share. Your engagement helps more people in Cumbria connect with stories of faith and partnership.

Read the related post
Blog: https://godforall.org.uk/blog/

Find out more / stay connected
Diocese of Carlisle: https://carlislediocese.org.uk
God for All: https://godforall.org.uk
Diocese of Carlisle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofcarlisle

#SeatToStreet #GodForAll #CumbriaChurches #MethodistChurch #BishopRob #EcumenicalChurch #CarlisleDiocese #Enthronement2025 #EverydayFaith

What does it look like to walk together in mission across borders? In Episode 3, Bishop AnneLise Ådnøy from the Diocese of Stavanger shares how long-term friendship, shared values, and rooted faith shape the ecumenical partnership between Stavanger and Carlisle.Why watchHear how the connection between Carlisle and Stavanger began more than 25 years ago—and how it has grown into a relationship of mutual encouragement, learning and trust.Discover what Bishop AnneLise will be doing during the Enthronement service of Bishop Rob Saner-Haigh, and why being present in person matters deeply to her and her team.Learn how cross-cultural friendships with young people, clergy and congregations have impacted both dioceses—through prayer, youth exchanges, and shared experiences of leadership.Explore Bishop AnneLise’s vision for partnership: not just symbolic, but rooted in real community, humility and service.Hear her hopes and prayers for Bishop Rob’s ministry, and her reflection on how global and local faith communities can support one another in a time of uncertainty and change.If this encourages you, please like, comment, subscribe and share. Your engagement helps more people across Cumbria and beyond connect with stories of faith and partnership.Read the related postBlog: https://godforall.org.uk/blog/Find out more / stay connectedDiocese of Carlisle: https://carlislediocese.org.ukGod for All: https://godforall.org.ukDiocese of Carlisle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofcarlisle

What does it mean to carry prayer from the cathedral seat to the city street? In Episode 2, retired priest and lifelong Carlisle local Eleanor Hancock shares how faith, resilience and everyday care shape her part in Bishop Rob’s enthronement.

Why watch

• Hear why Eleanor calls presenting the pastoral staff on enthronement day “a privilege” — and how her long friendship with Bishop Rob began when they were ordained in the same year.

• Discover her journey: RAF service, received into the Methodist Church at 17 (in uniform), coming to faith in the early 1990s, and twelve years serving Holy Trinity and St Barnabas in Carlisle.

• Learn how surviving domestic abuse led to advocacy and leadership with Safety Net (post-traumatic therapy for women, men and children), and years of awareness-raising and training across churches.

• Find out what Cumbria Cursillo is, why it’s shaped so many lay vocations, and how “word of mouth” helps people discover their gifts.

• Get Eleanor’s plain, practical take on connecting church and community: be present, work with local services, walk and pray the streets, and invite people to pray even if they feel “not good enough”.

• Join her prayer for Bishop Rob: wisdom, protection, and thanksgiving — and her call to raise the spiritual tempo through prayer and worship across traditions.

If this encourages you, please like, comment, subscribe and share. Your engagement helps more people in Carlisle and across Cumbria find these stories.

Read the related post
Blog: https://godforall.org.uk/blog/

Find out more / stay connected
Diocese of Carlisle: https://carlislediocese.org.uk
God for All: https://godforall.org.uk
Diocese of Carlisle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofcarlisle
God for All on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GodforallCumbria
Enthronement information: https://carlislecathedral.org.uk/68th-bishop-of-carlisle/

#SeatToStreet #Carlisle #Cumbria #GodForAll #DioceseOfCarlisle #BishopRob #Cursillo #EverydayFaith #Prayer