Thank you to Father Doug

Transcription

1 Thank you to Father Doug All the congregations of the Roseland Cluster will be joining the congregation at Veryan to say thank you to Father Doug on Sunday 5 th June at 11am. Mass will be con-celebrated and will be sung by the Charpentier Consort, a London based choir made up of some former Cambridge choral scholars and some older choir members from a London church. Emma Pauncefort, from Philleigh, is a member of the choir. Everyone is invited to attend what promises to be a memorable service. This will also be Father Doug s last official service as priest in charge, but it won t be his leaving party he isn t leaving the parish and plans are in hand for a benefice/parish/cluster event later in the year. So while it isn t time to say goodbye it will be an opportunity to say thank you. There will be refreshments after the service. Parking has been arranged in the school playground which is opposite the Church. Revd Angela Cooper will be licenced and installed by Bishop Tim Thornton as Priest in Charge of the Parishes of Lanteglosby-Camelford with Advent, St Teath and Delabole at St Julitta s church, Lanteglos on Monday 6 th June at 7.30pm. A coach will be going from the Roseland to this service. If you would like to book a seat please contact Ken or Lois Boullier on Revd Arwen Foulkes will be ordained Deacon on July 1 st at Truro Cathedral at 7.30pm. She will be licensed to the Parish of St Just and St Mawes. We welcome Arwen and her family to the Roseland Cluster.

2 Members of the Diocesan Synod have approved ambitious plans for the future of the Diocese of Truro. At a meeting at County Hall in Truro, members heard a presentation by the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Tim Thornton who set out what the Development Plan would entail both in its reach but also the challenges that would be faced in bringing the plan to fruition. The Development Plan aims to shape the future of the Diocese for the next three years as well as laying the groundwork for a further five years. Speaking at the Synod, Bishop Tim said: Our strategy begins with Discipleship. There are areas of our county that are seeing rapid growth both with families and young people and we are not reaching them with the gospel at all. Children, families, young people and schools are all key areas we are aiming to focus on. Our plan would see youth ministers employed. This is about putting God and mission at the centre of what we are doing. We feel we are being ambitious, it might be that this plan is not ambitious enough and we should be braver. The objectives are to resource parishes with the aim of increasing the scope and quality of mission and ministry over the next three years and beyond. Following questions from members relating to how the church s work on poverty would be included, the involvement of rural churches and whether growing churches experiences were being used to develop the plan, members voted overwhelmingly to accept the proposal. The Development plan builds on the vision and strategy that was agreed by Diocesan Synod in 2013 and clearly sets out the Diocese s priorities leading up to 2018 and beyond:

3 Praying: We will make prayer and encouragement of prayer our top priority. An annual day of prayer is planned alongside pilgrimages of prayer and the development of additional resources to support prayer. Growing: We seek growth in faith, numbers and community engagement in order to be transformed into the communities God wants us to be. Among our projects, there are ambitious proposals for work among families, students and young people, and others to support and encourage environmental awareness. Leading: Churches thrive when they are led by a team with an identifiable leader. Our aims are more collaborative working within congregations as well as more authorised ministers including priests, (who will often be self-supporting). In addition, priests with oversight ministry will be appointed. Supporting: We will continue our work to ensure churches are safe places for vulnerable people with extra resources being provided for safeguarding. We will support and encourage all churches to experiment in mission and ministry. A Diocesan Assembly planned for 2018 will provide the opportunity to revise the plan and agree further ambitions as well as celebrating successes. With the plan now approved and an application for funding from the Church Commissioners underway, the work can begin on implementing the projects. You can read the plan in full on the Truro Diocesan website. The Roseland Festival Living Roots Exhibition that took place at St Philleigh church was hugely successful. Many people visited the exhibition and were very impressed with the creativity so evident in the students work. Some of the children who contributed were very young and their thoughtfulness was inspiring. The comments in the Visitors Book reflect how much people appreciated the exhibition. St Philleigh church was delighted to be able to host this event.

4 The Queen has served our nation all her adult life with an amazing consistency of character, concern for others and clear dependence on Christ. So in honour of her 90th birthday, the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC), Bible Society* and HOPE have partnered to write a book which demonstrates and celebrates both her faithfulness and her faith, with a foreword written by the Queen herself. Pick up your free copy at the Royal fete on Gerrans Green on 11 th June or the Royal Birthday lunch at the Roseland Inn on 12 th June. *Her Majesty the Queen is Bible Society s Patron. Bible Society works all over the world but here is Salma s story. Salma lives in Jordan where Bible Society is providing Bibles and other essentials to refugees fleeing was in that region. Alan Kember met Salma when he visited the country.

5 He writes I visited Salma in a poor suburb of Jordan. Plastic bags, crumpled bottles and rubbish piles cluttered the outside of the building. Salma smiled broadly as she welcomed me into her first-floor apartment. Her only furniture was a thin foam mattress on the floor. We sat together for an hour on that mattress as she told me her story. Salma and her husband ran a local shop in Syria. They lived a comfortable life with their seven children. But then the bombs were dropped. Salma and her family left everything they had and fled for Jordan. They intended to wait until the fighting settled, then go home. But that was two years ago. Their home town is now rubble. Salma has been living in Jordan ever since where she s relied on help from Bible Society to survive. Bible Society found Salma her flat. They gave her food and essential supplies. Salma also began attending a local church where she received a Bible from our team in Jordan. I began attending the women s group every Wednesday, Salma said. We studied the Bible and shared our worries. We spoke freely from the heart. It was at this group that I really met Jesus. It was also here that I received a Bible. The belief in Jesus makes life worth living, even though I own nothing, she said. The Bible is everything in my life. I ve changed. I believe God brought me here from Syria, to go from dark to light. Bible Study Our next Benefice Bible Study is at Philleigh at the Old Forge on Wednesday June 8 th 2.15pm. We continue our study of the letters of St Paul. Everyone is welcome.

6 Beating the Philleigh Bounds was a damp(!) but fantastic experience again this year as Jim Pascoe led us along parts of our boundary where members of the public could never usually access by themselves. The views were stunning and the scenery breath-taking. We took time on the walk to be thankful for God s amazing provision and to remember those who work on the land on which we stood and on the sea along our boundary. We prayed or our neighbouring parishes and our neighbours throughout the world. When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn t change my nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn t change the town so I tried to change my family. Now as an old man, I realise that the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realise that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family, the town and the nation. That is how to change the world. (12 th century unnamed monk)

7 The Roseland and Indian Queens Community Choirs joined together to give a fabulous and thoroughly enjoyable concert at St Gerran s. Almost 700 was raised from donations for two Wadebridge organisations working to bring relief to refugees in Syria and Calais. All are welcome to join the Roseland Community Choir, practices are on Wednesdays at 7pm at St Cuby Church Hall, Tregony. Further details from justin@justin.heasman.name Christian Aid Week Many thanks to the chefs, the Friends of St Philleigh Church, Wing of St Mawes, the Philleigh Community Centre and all who supported the St Philleigh Barbecue. 156 was raised for Christian Aid.

8 Roseland Community Transport Roseland community transport was established at the end of 2006 with a community bus for individuals to be able to access healthcare, other services and to link up with the major bus routes. RCT also organises excursions. After much help and funding from Cornwall Transport Partnership and The Lottery enough money was raised and a minibus was obtained. However all the administrative and maintenance costs that are accrued every year have to be funded by RCT s own endeavours and donations. There is also a Car Share Scheme for people who need to get to hospital or a surgery appointment. Local voluntary drivers pick up and convey passengers to appointments. If you would like to book a car or to find out how you can become a voluntary driver, please contact Dawn St Gerrans next charity lunch will be on Thursday 16 th June from pm Donations invited for Roseland Community Transport Offers of help always welcome. Please contact Margaret Davis on

9 Puppet Making Workshop and Lunch Thursday 2nd June till 1.30 St Gerrans Church we'll be getting ready for a puppet show at the fete to celebrate the Queen's birthday Puppet making workshop and lunch at St Gerrans for older children and young people. (Year 5 and above)

10 A light-hearted tea-time concert with the Charpentier Consort. Everyone (including children) welcome Saturday June 4 th 4.30pm Refreshments from 4.30pm. Concert at 4.45pm St Philleigh Church. (with retiring collection)

11 Royal fete 11 th June pm Gerrans Green Charity stalls, activities for children (many free), Royal books, music and much more. Refreshments served at The Royal Standard in aid of Cornwall Air Ambulance. Event sponsored by St Gerrans Church

12 The Philleigh Parish meeting and St Philleigh church have got together with the Roseland Inn to organise a Philleigh Royal Birthday Lunch Sunday June 12 th 12.30pm at the Roseland Inn. Please book your place with the Roseland Inn Further info from Rob Wing or Jill Edwards. Choral Evensong Sunday June 12 th 6pm St Gerrans Church With the Roseland Churches

13 Penhalgon s Friends are a Cornish charity supporting bereaved children, young people, parents and carers throughout the county. They offer children and young people the chance to meet others and share their experiences, as well as practical resources for children and parents. The charity also delivers an extensive programme of training and advice for other childcare professionals and those interested in becoming a volunteer. Over the years the organisation has grown and there are now 3 full time and 3 part time staff members and a dedicated team of over 50 volunteers. For Penhaligon s Friends Wednesday June 1 st noon. Portscatho United Church

14 They said to me, Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4 In the daily onslaught of news about terrorism, death, famine and injustice, what really touches us? What moves us to pray and weep and to act? Or have we become so used to the constant round of 24-hour news that the world s problems no longer have as much impact on us as they once did? Yet, if we are close to the heart of God we will feel something of his pain over the state of the world, something of how Jesus felt when he wept over Jerusalem, and understand why Nehemiah reacted to this bad news as he did. The story of Nehemiah opens in the year 445 BC. Nehemiah was working as a senior official in the court of Artaxerxes, the Persian king, when news came that moved him to tears and to wait on God in prayer. The walls of Jerusalem, the great city of his beloved homeland, had been broken down and the city gates had been burned with fire. But Nehemiah began to realise that God was calling him to do more than feel sad about the situation. He saw the need and was moved to tears by it, but he also knew he was in a position to do something about it, and he responded. He went on to lead the people in the rebuilding of the broken-down walls and, perhaps more importantly, he led the long process of rebuilding a broken-down people, restoring their sense of identity and purpose as the people of God. In all the needs that confront us and leave us feeling down and heavy-hearted, what is it that God wants us to do? Obviously we can t fix all the problems of our broken world, and we re not required to carry everyone s loads. But we can all do something. We can all be part of God s work of rebuilding and

15 restoring broken lives and families, broken churches and communities. So how do I know what particular task God might be calling me to do? When does a need become a call? The account of Nehemiah suggests that a need becomes a call when the problem really starts to matter to us, and when we realise that we are in a position perhaps a unique position to do something about it. Why don t they do something? becomes Why don t I? Concern becomes waiting on God in prayer, and prayer results in the action God show us he wants us to take. Graham Hooper, London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC). Congratulations to Charlotte Duck and George Rendall who are to be married at St Gerrans church on 11 th June. Revd Johanna Clare- Hoyland will officiate. We pray for God s blessing on their wedding day and on the whole of their life together. Holy Baptism. Jack Oliver Hext will be Baptised at St Gerrans Church on Saturday 4 th June at 1pm. Please keep Jack and his family and friends in your prayers. Our benefice website is now live. Thanks to Russell Curvengen for building the site and to Peter Evans for being the webmaster. It is still a work in progress as the pages are populated more fully so keep logging on. St Gerrans have a Facebook page. (Thanks to Karen Green who edits it). Anyone like to set one up for St Philleigh?

16 A good read... A love worth giving. Max Lucado. ISBN Max Lucado is a prolific author of children s books, fiction, and inspirational books. A love worth giving is in the latter category and takes the reader on a devotional study of what has been called the greatest chapter in the Bible, the chapter that speaks about love,1 Corinthians 13. The author explores why we find it difficult to love some people and suggests that we are only able to love others completely because God first loved us. (I John 4.19.) Simply put, we cannot give what we have never received. If we are to love others then we need to experience the love of God ourselves first. The reader is encouraged to believe that God loves us personally, powerfully and passionately with an unfailing love and that His love, if we let it, will fill us and leave us with a love worth giving. I leave you with a quotation from the book. Jesus asked the faithless generation around Him, How long must put up with you? Jesus actions answered His own question... Until the rooster sings... And the sweat stings... And the mallet rings.. And a hillside of demons smirk at a dying God. How long? Long enough for every sin to so soak my sinless soul that Heaven will turn in horror Until my swollen lips pronounce the final transaction: It is finished How long...? Until it kills me. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13.7) Jill has this book if you would like to borrow it.

17 Messy Church Saturday 11 th June at The Fete on Gerrans Green Sunday 26 th June at 10.30am (St Philleigh) Monday 27 th June at 3.30pm (Gerrans School) THE CALLING - INFORMAL CLUSTER WORSHIP ON THE ROSELAND. The Calling, a fresh expression of worship, is an opportunity to get together and worship in an informal contemporary style. First Sunday at St Cuby, Tregony and third Sunday at St Just. 6pm. The Royal Cornwall Show The Royal Cornwall Show will take place on the Wadebridge Showground from 9 th -11 th June. The pre-show service is on Wednesday 8 th at 6.30pm in the Pavilion. The guest speakers are Bishop Tim Thornton (President of the Royal Cornwall Show) and Bishop Mark O Toole (Bishop of Plymouth). Music will be by the St Minver silver band and Pelynt Male Choir. Thank you to the Gerrans Knitters Thank you to all the ladies who have been busy knitting animals for the new Noah s Ark story sack for use with the children. The animals are fantastic but there is still room on the ark for any more. So if you can knit and would like to help please speak to Haley or Margaret

18 Telling our faith Stories. You may remember that we are being encouraged this year to share our faith stories both with each other and with everyone we know. This month, Heather Tylke from St Gerrans reflects on her experience of God during her current period of ill-health. Give them patience in their sufferings I m afraid my patience has left much to be desired during my current period of ill-health. At one point I could not see the end of the road, but of course that thought was proved wrong. I have been sustained throughout by God s love manifested through the compassion and kindness of my friends. Nothing has been too much trouble in their care of me. I have been overwhelmed by their love and my gratitude knows no bounds. The Lord is granting me a happy issue out of all my afflictions. Environment News. Please keep collecting... We welcome spectacles for recycling, items for Truro foodbank, used stamps for the RNIB, postcards for MAF and ring pulls for the Purple Community Fund in the Philippines to make jewellery.

19 Wave of Prayer Both St Gerrans and St Philleigh took part in the Archbishops Wave of Prayer initiative in the week before Pentecost. St Philleigh s interactive window displays took their inspiration from The Lord s Prayer and invited reflection and response. St Gerrans stations offered the opportunity to experience prayer in different creative forms. In both churches there was an atmosphere of peace and the presence of God in both individual and corporate prayer. A key feature in both days was the time we spent waiting and listening to God. To be continued...! As part of the week, Epiphany House hosted an event called Streams Together Prayer. People from all over Cornwall gathered to pray for a whole host of innovative and imaginative outreach projects. Some of these were traditional and some were not, but all were marked by the passion and commitment of the organisers who each had 60 seconds to describe the event before we prayed together. For each event we asked that as a result of it, God s kingdom would come. There will be more events like this, watch the calendar for details. Open for Prayer The next Benefice Prayer Group is on Tuesday June 14th 2pm at St Gerrans. Join with others to wait on God and to pray for our community, our nation and our world. If you would like prayer for a specific situation you can leave a message in the prayer books at the back of both our churches. If it is personal and you would like private prayer, please contact Jill ( ). Thy Kingdom Come.

20 Prayer Diary Please give thanks for For the Wave of Prayer initiative and for God s amazing faithfulness. For the gift of the Holy Spirit, remembered particularly at Isabella s confirmation and at the Feast of Pentecost. Please pray That our prayer lives will be deepened and we shall know God more fully as we wait on Him in prayer. For Father Doug, Revd Angela and Arwen as they begin new phases in their ministry. Pray for all who are moving on to new things. For all those who are on holiday in our Benefice that they may find rest and have time to relax. Pray too for those who are employed in the hospitality industry, that they will have energy as the season gets busy. For all the events taking place 11/12 th June to celebrate the 90 th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. For the work of Bible Society of which the Queen is Patron. For children who are bereaved, especially remembering the work of Penhaligan s Friends. For those who are isolated and lonely and for Roseland Community Transport. A Prayer from the C of E for the referendum on 23 rd June God of truth, give us grace to debate the issues in this referendum with honesty and openness. Give generosity to those who seek to form opinion and discernment to those who vote, that our nation may prosper and that with all the peoples of Europe we may work for peace and the common good; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN