About St Marks Church Natland
We believe
• That there is a God who is love and who cares for us, we can know him in creation and through each other.
• That Jesus shows us the way to be in relationship with God, and how to live in positive loving relationships with other people.
• That the Spirit leads us into a prayer relationship with God and Jesus, that strengthens us and gives meaning to our lives.
• Therefore, the role of the church is to encourage, enable and support in a loving community built on a faithful prayer relationship with God, after the example of Jesus and empowered by the Spirit.
Vision
Our church Vision is in step with the wider ‘God for All’ vision in Cumbria.
The interlocking colours of the logo create a cross shape at the symbol’s centre.
The organic look represents growth and vitality.
There are four main themes:
These 4 themes are represented in the logo interlocking around a circle (rather than a list). That is because no one is more important than the other and they all relate to each other for example you can’t speak boldly without also following daily; in order to tread gently, you must care deeply, and so on.
For more details of the Vision click :
About St Marks
St Mark’s Church building sits beside the Village Green in the centre of the village of Natland. It is an excellent example of the work of Paley and Austin architects. The village of Natland is situated two miles south of the town of Kendal, and the church is part of the Diocese of Carlisle of the Church of England.
The parish is larger than the village of Natland. It is the church for the communities of Oxenholme, the Oaks, the Beeches, Strawberry Fields and Natland Mill Beck on the southern edge of Kendal.
It is a church built up of people coming from each community, and beyond, to worship God and support each other in their daily lives.
Please feel free to come along sometime and be with us, we would love to see you.
St Mark’s is a grade II * listed building but we try to cater for all ages and needs. There is a ramped entrance and a toilet with baby changing facilities. We have a sound system with a hearing loop and large print hymn books are available. We welcome assistance dogs in to our church. Glutton free wafers are available, we use Fairtrade wine. and serve Fairtrade tea and coffee.
Schools
St Mark’s Church has strong links with St Mark’s Church of England primary school with governors appointed by the Parochial Church Council and the church supporting the school financially each year.
The School regularly attends church for services such as their carol services and the year 6 leavers service. They also attend church for R E lessons such as year six learning about the Eucharist.
Both Appletree and the Natland & Oxenholme Pre School also come to the church for services during the year.
Mission Community
St Mark’s Church is part of the Helm Mission Community. The Helm Mission Community is a group of seven churches at the southern end of Kendal and surrounding villages. The five Anglican churches of Natland, Old Hutton, New Hutton, Crosscrake and Holy Trinity Kendal along with our geographical neighbours and faith partners the Salvation Army Kendal and Kendal United Reformed Church.
We are part of a Diocesan and county wide initiative to work together to reach out with God’s love to our communities – strengthening, encouraging and supporting each other as we do. Mission is a key word in the title because we’ve joined together not just because it’s good to work with others or because churches are being encouraged to merge (the latter is not the case in fact) but because our primary focus is to try and work out what we can do together in mission.
Links to the other Helm Mission Community Churches.