Afternoon teas, sports events, church fun days and an illusionist are part of an action-packed programme of community events next week.

Churches around the county - including West Cumbria - are gearing up for a busy four-day programme as part of the Moving Mountains initiative.

The community is invited to the events which will take place from next Thursday until Sunday (March 8 - 11).

Christians including the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler and the ex-Gladiators star, known as Ace, are taking part.

The mammoth programme is being organised by the Church of England, Methodist Church, Salvation Army, and the United Reformed Church, but other churches and denominations are also getting involved.

Churches in the Central Calder Mission Community, from St Bees to Lamplugh via Egremont and Cleator Moor, will be supported by a visiting team of missioners, lead by Jill Baker, Vice President (lay leader) of the Methodist Church in Britain.

Rev Becky Gibbs, who is coordinating numerous activities, said: "Methodist and Anglican Churches across our Mission Community have worked together to create a varied programme that gives people of all ages and interests an opportunity to find out more about God and God’s purpose for their lives."

Three churches - St John's Church in Hensingham, St Andrew's Church in Mirehouse and St Bridget's Church in Moresby - have named their programme of events Come to Christ.

The Rev Simon Walker, Come to Christ co-ordinator, said: "We want it to be about people having the chance to connect with what is going on in their churches and hear a message that inspires them in their daily lives.

"Everyone’s welcome, whether or not they would say that they have faith. After all, we can all do with a positive message of hope, and in our wonderful communities, what could be better than getting everyone together?"

Moving Mountains kicks off next Thursday with a launch event at Penrith auction mart.

Thursday March 8:

- All day prayer couch at Oxenholme station

- 6pm student event with Melvyn Bragg and the Archbishop of York at the University of Cumbria, Ambleside campus

- 6.30pm Desert Island Discs event at the Mirehouse Labour Club, Whitehaven, guests will get to hear the stories of Bishop of Durham Paul Butler and former soldier Rachael Phillips, as well as some songs which resonate with them.

- 7pm An evening with Ace (Ex-Gladiators star) at St Joseph's Catholic High School, Workington

- 7pm Question Time: An opportunity to ask questions of a visiting group of Church Leaders (with cheese and wine) at The Gather, Ennerdale

- 7.30pm Quiz night at Sun Dial, Little Broughton

- 7.30pm Meet the Team - A time of music, fellowship and sharing faith stories at The Meeting Place, Egremont

- 7.30pm Q&A with the Archbishop of York at St Mary’s, Ambleside

- Evening - coffee shop pamper night at James and Sabine’s Coffee Shop, at St Thomas, Kendal

- Thursday 8 until Sunday 11 March Photographic exhibition at Carver Church, Windermere

Friday, March 9:

- 9.30am - 10.15 am Morning Prayer meditations exploring mission and discipleship at St Bees Priory

- 10am - 3pm Christian Literature at St Nicholas' Coffee Shop, Whitehaven

- 10am - 1pm Coffee morning and soup lunch at Hensingham Methodist Church

- 11am - 1.30pm 'Grill a Bishop' - ask a bishop or church leader any question at St Nicholas Centre, Whitehaven

- 12pm: Organ concert at the United Reformed Church, Whitehaven

- 12.45pm – 3pm walking football at Silloth Tennis Courts. Refreshments afterwards

- 12.45pm Zumba at the United Reformed Church, Whitehaven

- 2pm Dementia friendly afternoon tea at Crosthwaite, Keswick Parish Room

- 2.15pm Mothering Service at St Peter's, Kells, for Kells Infants and Monkwray Junior schools, Whitehaven (just for school mums)

- 2.15pm 'For our mums' schools concert at St James Church for St James' Infants and Junior schools, Whitehaven (just for school mums)

- 3pm to 5pm Tea for senior citizens, Lorton St Methodist Church

- 6pm - 8.30pm An evening of Christian healing at St Mary's C of E church hall, Harrington

-6.30pm Wine and Wisdom at St Mary’s, Windermere

- 6.30pm visit to the Tractor Shed Brewery

- Evening event at St John's Church at Hensingham, exploring the issues of anxiety and depression with stories of hope

7pm to 9.30pm Ceilidh, Christ Church, Cockermouth

-7pm Reality Check Illusion Show with Christian illusionist Todd Alexander at the Civic Hall, Whitehaven. Doors open 6.30pm

- 7.30pm Thomas a Beckett "Saint or Sinner" Speaker Ian Hill at St Bees Priory

-7.30pm Youth Event with the Archbishop of York at Hundith Hill, Cockermouth

- 7.30pm Cumbrian evening at Hutton in the Forest

- 7.30pm A vet’s life, an evening of pictures and talk at George Hotel, Penrith

- Fri 9 – Sun 11 March, Flower Festival at St Mary’s, Windermere

- Fri and Sat at 11am ‘Sofa Talk’ at Kirby Lonsdale market square

Saturday, March 10:

- Daytime Walking the Cistercian Way at Cartmel Priory

- Daytime Golf tournament at Kendal Golf Course

- 8am -9.30am Men's breakfast at St Bees Priory

- 8am to 10am Men's Breakfast, Christ Church, Cockermouth

- 8am- 10am Men’s Breakfast with Archbishop of York at the Golden Lion Hotel, Maryport

- Morning Craft Making Stall at Orton Farmers’ Market

- Mother's day card making sessions at United Reformed Church, Cockermouth (morning) and Christ Church, Cockermouth (afternoon)

- 9am Men's Breakfast at St Mary's and St Michael's, Egremont

- 9.30am - 10.15 am Morning Prayer meditations exploring mission and discipleship at St Bees Priory

- 9.30am Litter pick at Baron Wood and Longdales

- 9.30am-12pm Family fun mornings at St Andrew's Church, Whitehaven, St John's Church, Hensingham and St Bridget's Church, Moresby

- 10am - 12pm Coffee morning, with speaker on Ethiopia at Kirkland Mission Church

- 10am - 12pm Quiz the Clergy at The Meeting Place Egremont

- 10am-3pm Christian Literature at St Nicholas' Coffee Shop, Whitehaven

- 10am Big Brekkie with Ace (ex Gladiators) at St George’s Barrow

- 10am John Bell, Iona Community will be speaking about the love of God and global warming at Market Hall, Hawkshead

- 10.30am Discussion Day: What does it mean to be “Stewards of the Land in a rural county”? with Caz Graham (Radio 4) and Archbishop of York at Carlisle Cathedral.

- 11am - 1pm Messy Church at the Civic Hall, Whitehaven

- 11am ‘Pets in the Park’ blessing service at Harris Park, Cockermouth

- 11am until 3pm train rides at Threlkeld Quarry Museum

- 12pm - 2pm Lent Lunch at St Bees Priory

- 12pm - 4pm Cleator Moor Family Fun Day at St John's Church Hall

- Keg and Kitchen - Six nations rugby

- 1.30pm until 4.30pm Book binding event at St John's Church, Hensingham, Whitehaven

-1.30pm John Bell, Iona Community will be speaking about keeping faith in an age of consumerism, at Market Hall, Hawkshead

- 2pm - 4pm Mothering Sunday crafts for children (while mum enjoys afternoon tea and has her nails done) at The Meeting Place, Egremont

- 2pm to 4pm Ladies' Afternoon Tea, St Bridget's, Brigham

- 2pm - 4pm Afternoon Tea at St Peter's, Kells Community Hall, Whitehaven

- 2pm - 4pm Afternoon Tea at The Salvation Army, Catherine Street, Whitehaven

- 2pm Celebration of marriage at Long Marton Church

- 2pm Sports afternoon at Highfield Community Centre, Cockermouth. This will be a fun afternoon for kids and parents; the games reflecting the idea of moving mountains. For example: tyre tipping, tug of war, building a cairn stone relay, etc. Refreshments will be provided

- 3pm until 5pm: a football event at the Copeland Stadium

- 3.45pm Pizza Church at St James' Community Centre, Whitehaven

- 7pm Sports quiz at Hensingham Rugby League Club

- 7pm Stories and songs, Lorton Steet Methodist Church, Cockermouth

- 7pm Whitehaven Male Voice Choir concert at St James' Church, Whitehaven

- 7pm Ladies pamper evening hosted by Moresby church, at St Bridget's Church hall

- 7pm Evening of jazz and chat at United Church, South William Street, Workington

- 7.30pm Tom Elliott comedian show at Netherhall School

- 7pm -9pm Exploring Mountains: Luke talks about his exploits climbing in the UK, Alps and Yosemite, followed by a quiz and Pizza and ice cream at The Meeting Place Egremont

- 7.30pm Bras for Ghana: donate your pre-loved undies and enjoy Cheese an Wine and a raffle. Tickets £3 and going fast! event at St Bees vicarage

Sunday, March 11:

- 10.30am Mother's Day service at St Andrew's Church, Whitehaven

- 10.45am Mother's Day service at St Bridget's Church, Moresby

- Mothering Sunday Services at St Paul's Frizington, St Mary's and St Michael's Egremont, St Bees Priory, St Leonard's Cleator, Cleator Moor Methodist Church and Kirkland Mission Church

- 11am Mother's Day service at St John's Church, Hensingham

- 11am Jill Baker will lead worship at The Meeting Place, Egremont

- 11am – 3pm Rheged Cumbria’s biggest Messy Church

- 11am – 3pm God thinks you’re gorgeous - Selfie shoot at the Rheged centre

- 11am Pets in the Park, short service in Harris Park, Cockermouth

- 12pm Mothering Sunday open air service with Bishop Pete and The Salvation Army Band at the Market Place, Whitehaven

- 5pm - 6pm Cafe Church 'Quiz the Clergy' at Costa Coffee, Whitehaven

There will be an opportunity to question one of the invited mission team when they take the chair. Doors open at 4.30pm for 5.00pm start. Why not join in the cafechurch mountain quiz then ask that question you always wanted the answer too?

If your church is involved in the Moving Mountains mission, contact us with event details at news.wn@cnmedia.co.uk