Recently our Vicar alerted us to a new report saying that, for the first time, there were more people in Britain who did not profess any religion, than those who did. If this trend persisted, he warned us that we would continue to see declining church attendance unless measures could be found to reverse it.

A few days after hearing this gloomy prognosis, our church council at St Anthony’s, Cartmel Fell, were presented with some plans which had been prepared by a member of our church, who is an architect. He proposed that the 16th Century stone font at the west end of the church should be equipped with a new glass and oak cover, and the design of this would be coupled with a redesign of the little arched window in the west wall, behind the font. His designs were beautiful and thoughtful, and included the words “You are mine and I love you with a perfect love.”

Christians have worshipped in St Anthony’s for over 500 years, and continue to do so. Like any Christian community we seek to welcome everybody of any age, whether of different, little, or no faith. The proposals for the font and the window are a powerful reminder of the wonderful renewal that comes from baptism, and God’s love for us all, whoever we are. The church may be old, and some congregations may be declining, but this act of commitment to the future of the church is a reminder to us all that, whatever the future holds, this church is far from dead, and God’s love can still bring new life for us all.

Julian Lambton, St Anthony’s Church , Cartmel Fell