The parable of the persistent widow
18th Sunday after Trinity
Bible readings:
Genesis 32:22-31;
Psalm 121; 2
Timothy 3:14-4:5;
Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
Open Review of Deanery Plan at Paul Church Hall
Saturday 15th November
The meeting will be from 10.00am – 4.00pm,with refreshments from 9.30am at Paul Church Hall. There will also be refreshments in the morning and afternoon break, as well as lunch. The meeting is for anyone from all Deanery churches who wish to attend. Do please consider attending this important event: there is parking at Paul Church available. The no. 5 bus from Penzance goes to Paul, via Newlyn, for those who may wish to attend but don’t have access to car transport.
The meeting will: celebrate the successes to date including the recruiting of clergy in Penwith and recognise that our plan going forward is to fill all vacant roles; agree what areas of work can be achieved through coordination and commit to an achievable plan; recognise the current and future financial position, that there is funding, including from external partners, that has been provided to help grow the church in Penwith, and ensure that we have viable plans to spend it for a sustainable future; honestly review the current Deanery Plan- the latest version will be circulated before the meeting; ensure that everything is grounded in the Diocesan priorities.
Weekly Newsletter/blog and website
Please send all information for the Sunday newsletter/blog by Wednesday evening to Josie at penleeclusternewsletter@gmail.com. For anything else specifically website-related, please contact Chris at communications@penleecluster.org.uk.
Celtic Morning Prayer
Each weekday morning on zoom from 8.00am – 8.30am. If you would like to attend, please email Keno admin@penleecluster.org.uk for zoom details.
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Group will meet on zoom at 6.00pm this Sunday, 19th October. If you would like to attend, please email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk for zoom details.
Prayer Requests
If you are concerned about someone and would like their name included in the Prayer Request Group’s weekly prayer list, please do email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk by 7.00pm on Tuesday evenings. Thank you
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Art Exhibition – St. Pol de Léon Church
There will be an exhibition at Paul Church from Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November. Local artists will exhibit their work in a selling exhibition from 11.00am to 5.00pm daily (from 1.00 pm on Sunday). All are welcome. We now have heating! More info from nigelhaward@hotmail.com.
October Holiday Club
We are running holiday club for four days in half term. To keep costs down as much as possible, we have sourced some free activities for the children: these will be visits to Godolphin House, Helston Museum and Flicka Donkey Sanctuary, care home visits with Generations United as well as cooking and crafts in St Mary’s Church supported by Sally Crabtree, artist. Could you sponsor a place for a child for a day at holiday club? A donation of £5 would cover this.
Many of you will donate to food banks – for the holiday club week (27th – 31st October) might you be able to donate food to Holiday Club instead? We are looking for the following items for picnic lunches on two days (food to be in date for 31st October): bread rolls (packs of 12 rolls) 6 packs; butter – 2 tubs; ham – 2 packs of 30 slices; cheese – 2 packs of grated cheese; crisps – 2 packs of 30 packets; fruit – apples, oranges, bananas; yogurts – Frubes 8 packs; cakes – enough for 25 people per day! If you are able to help with any of these items, please let Molly or Jenny know at molly.blewett@penleecluster.org.uk or jenny.orpwood@penleecluster.org.uk. Many thanks for your continued support to local children and thank you so much to everyone who has already donated. – Molly & Jenny, Family Workers
OTHER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Cornish Celtic Way
You will have seen in the last edition of the Deanery Newsletter, that Nigel and Penny Marns together with members of the walking team, have been developing an extension to the West Penwith section of the Cornish Celtic Way. They will be trialling this new section of the Pilgrimage by hosting a walk on Friday 24th October. The walk will start at Gulval Church and head up to Madron and on to the Madron Celtic Chapel. The section from Gulval Church to Madron Church is challenging, the afternoon section from Madron Church to the Baptistry / Celtic Chapel and back is easy. Rev. Chris Butler will be leading a service of prayer, reflection and thanksgiving at the Madron Baptistry/Celtic Chapel and it is hoped that many will join them. Please take a packed lunch. Dogs are welcome on this walk. Proposed times: 10.00 am – meet Gulval Church TR18 3BB (10.15am leave; the building will be open from 9.30am)
11.00am – Trevaylor Manor
12.30pm – Madron Church TR20 8SP for lunch (3 miles approx. in total, 2 hours walking given the challenging terrain)
1.30pm – leave Madron Church for the Celtic Chapel/Baptistry (1.75 miles round trip, 1 hour easy walking in total)
3.00pm – arrive back at Madron Church. – Penwith Deanery Newsletter
Community Action Fest at Humphry Davy School
Friday 24th October
Help and advice event for the whole community
This free, family-friendly event will bring together local organisations and residents to raise awareness of the wide range of support available in the community, particularly around wellbeing and cost-of-living challenges.
Where: Humphry Davy School, Penzance
When: Friday 24th October
Time: 12pm – 6pm
The festival will feature stalls from local groups offering advice, resources, and connections, alongside a variety of free activities and attractions. Free, freshly cooked, healthy fare will also be available for attendees throughout. This event is about bringing the community together, making connections, and ensuring people know where to turn for support. A brilliant half-term event filled with fun, food, and community spirit. Stay up to date with all the latest news, activities, and announcements by visiting and following our Facebook Event Page.
https://fb.me/e/8f5THtNa5 – Andrew George MP
Challenge Poverty Week Rural Poverty Conference
St Erme Community Centre – Friday 24th October
Challenge Poverty Week is held every October to shine a light on the realities of poverty in all its forms – fuel poverty, food poverty, housing insecurity, financial hardship, community poverty, and more. For 2025, our focus is on Rural Poverty, and we warmly invite you to a special conference dedicated to this theme.
Venue: St Erme Community Centre
Date: Friday 24th October
Time: 9.15am – 2.00pm
The conference will feature keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and opportunities to network and share ideas. Together, we will explore both the challenges and opportunities unique to rural Cornwall — including limited access to essential services, affordable housing, sustainable employment, and reliable transport. This event aims to build understanding, share solutions, and strengthen collaboration as we work to tackle the barriers faced by rural communities. Register here: https://bookwhen.com/trurodiocese/e/ev-sjbv-20251024091500 Refreshments and registration from 9.15am for a prompt start at 9.45am. Lunch will be provided. Free Parking is available on site.
Debt Advice
The Salvation Army offers debt advice services to people in this area. They are free, confidential and impartial. Please dial 01752 643955 to speak to a Debt Advisor from 10.00am until 4.00pm Monday to Friday or email cornwalldas@salvationarmy.org.uk.
