The United Benefice of Dolphinholme, Quernmore & Over Wyresdale is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the edge of the Forest of Bowland.
Worship at our three beautiful churches aims to reflect and celebrate our surroundings and the wonder of God's creation. Each of the three churches that make up the benefice has a distinctive character, but we celebrate all that we share in a joint service whenever there is a 5th Sunday in a month.
We hold a number of joint Benefice clubs and activities throughout the year. Whether you are a local or a traveller, you are very welcome!
The Lunch Bunch
The Lunch Bunch is a joint venture with our Methodist friends in Dolphinholme. A wonderful two-course lunch is served, for a modest fee, on the 1st Thursday of each month at midday at the Methodist Chapel in Dolphinholme. The meal is followed by a hot drink and after dinner mints and is staffed by volunteer representatives of both churches. The Lunch Bunch provides an excellent opportunity to meet with others and share some fellowship together. Please get in touch if you would like to come and transport may well be available!
Mothers' Union
Branch meetings in Dolphinholme are held in the small room of the Village Hall, on the 4th Thursday of the month at 2p.m. We offer a warm welcome to anyone who would like to come to any of our meetings.
The Social Club
The Social Club meets on the afternoon of the first Monday in the month at Abbeystead Village Hall, from September until April. Come along for coffee, a chat and a game of 3 – sided dominoes!
Safeguarding
We take Safeguarding in the Benefice very seriously. If you have any concerns then please contact our Safeguarding Officer, Catherine Worthington.
Come along to a one-off Bible study in the home of a Benefice church member or come to them all! The choice is yours!
The Prayer Cell
The Prayer Cell meets, usually on the first Monday evening of the month for a time of quiet prayer but, especially, to pray for the needs of each of the three parishes of the Benefice.
Safeguarding Statement
REPORTING A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN
Should you have a Safeguarding concern, please contact our Benefice Safeguarding Officer, Catherine Worthington : Tel: 07973 428 308
Should you prefer to contact a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding team, please ring 01254 503088
We recognise that you may wish to contact an appropriate body outside the Church, in which case, please see the contact list below:
· Childline on 0800 1111
· ParentPlus on 07799 602858
· NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).
If you have immediate concerns about a vulnerable adult, but wish to speak to someone outside the Church organisation you may wish to call the Police (either as an emergency 999 or non emergency 101) or you can ring Adult Care Services on 08450530009.
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm). · National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
Safe Spaces: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone, over 18, who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. {Helpline: 0300 303 1056}
Statement from Canon Cindy Rigney, Chair of the Benefice PCCs:
As a Benefice, we are committed to keeping children, young people and vulnerable adults safe. All of the PCCs of the churches of the United Benefice of Dolphinholme, Quernmore and Over Wyresdale have adopted the House of Bishop’s ‘Promoting a Safer Church’
This means we follow the Church of England’s:
Parish Safeguarding Handbook Safer Environment and Activities Code of Safer Working Practice All 3 can be downloaded from the Church of England’s Policy and Practice Guidance page.
Policy and practice guidance | The Church of England
Training and DBS
All who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults, within our churches, have enhanced DBS clearance, which is regularly updated. They also have appropriate safeguarding training, provided by the Diocese of Blackburn Safeguarding team, as do members of our PCCs.
Signed by Cindy Rigney, {Vicar} On behalf of the PCCs of St Mark’s, Dolphinholme
