The Difficult Journey by Fritz von Uhde
The Fourth Sunday in Advent
Bible readings: Isaiah 7.10–16; Psalm 80.1–8, 18-20*; Romans 1.1–7; Matthew 1.18–end
Gospel Reading [NRSVA]
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. [Matthew 1:18-end]
Updates…
The next Newsletter will be on Sunday 11th January.
Please send all information for the newsletter/blog/website by Wed 7th Jan morning to Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk.
Celtic Morning Prayer
Each weekday morning on zoom 8:00am – 8:30am. If you would like to attend, please email Keno for zoom details.
Meditation Group and Contemplative Prayer
No meditation group on Friday 26th December.
The next Contemplative Prayer group will be on Monday 29th December at 6pm.
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Group will meet online via zoom at 6:00pm on Sunday 21st December and at Paul’s church on Sunday 4th January. If you would like to attend, please email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk for zoom details. There will be no Julian meeting online on the 28th December and, in the meantime, we wish you all a very happy Christmas and let’s pray for a peaceful year to come for all.
Feast Night for Families
at St John’s will resume in January.
Monday Lunch Club
at Paul will resume in January.
Psalm Group
at St Mary’s will not be meeting on Thursday 25th December or 1st January, but will return on Thursday 8th January at 11.15am, as usual. – Josie
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 by 7:00pm on Tuesday evenings. Thank you.
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we gather in this joyful season of Christmas, I want to extend my warmest greetings to every member of our community. May the light of the Christ Child fill your hearts and homes with peace, hope, and love. Thank you for the many ways you make our Cluster a true family. It is a privilege to serve alongside you. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with God’s grace. Keno
Services this Christmas period in the Penlee Cluster
· Sunday Dec 21st 11am Solomon Browne Memorial Service at St Pol de Leon Church, Paul
· Monday Dec 22nd 4pm Christingle Service at St Pol de Leon Church, Paul led by the Revd Adam Thomas.
· Wednesday Dec 24th 9am Communion at Paul church.
Christmas Eve
· 7pm Early Bird “Midnight” Communion at St Mary’s.
· 9pm Christmas Communion at St Pol de Leon Church, Paul.
· 11:30pm Midnight Communion at St Peter’s, Newlyn.
Christmas Day
· 10am joint service at St Mary’s Church.
Twelfth Night evening
of song and poetry at St Mary’s church on Friday 9th January. Mark your diary!
Update from Night Church
This Saturday 20th, the team and guests will be out in Chapel Street and Market Jew Street, giving out bags of hope and festive posies. We will meet at 10am at St Mary’s Church before heading out. Please keep the team and those we meet in your prayers.
On Christmas Eve, NightChurch will meet for a Christmas movie, with mulled drinks and mince pies at the earlier time of 5.00pm to 7.00pm. All are warmly welcome to join us for this relaxed gathering.
NightChurch returns on Wednesday 7th January, 6pm to 9pm.
“Kindness that says you’re still seen.
And where love goes, hope follows.
Peace settles.
Joy flickers
even in the dark.
This is Advent work.
Waiting with those who wait.
Standing beside those who feel trapped.
Trusting that God is already at work
unlocking hearts
and making room for new beginnings.
Christ is coming.
Even here.
Especially here.”
E Hamilton 2025
We would like to thank our guests, the volunteer team, and all who support this special community behind the scenes. We are looking ahead to 2026 and have some exciting news to share in the month ahead. For now, we wish you all a blessed and joyful Christmas. Victoria
Christmas Holiday Club
We are running holiday club for four days in the Christmas holidays, one day before Christmas and three afterwards. 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 period 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 30th December please): 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 for local children- it is really appreciated especially at this festive time. – Many thanks.
Molly & Jenny, Family Workers
🌈 Please Help The Rainbow Project Continue Its Vital Work 🌈
The Rainbow Project launched in 2022 to support families in our local area through the rising cost of living crisis and increasing poverty.
✨ Below is just some of what we do:
🌟 Active involvement and outreach work in the community
🌟 Free family events
🌟Working in our local church schools
🌟Assisting in worship in school
🌟Creating play and pray stations
🌟Music Mondays
🌟Feast for Families
🌟Sustainable Sunday
🌟Developing under 5’s provision within The Penlee Cluster Churches
🌟 Highly inclusive half-term holiday clubs (4 weeks over the summer, 1 week over Easter, October and Christmas)
🌟 Junior Leader Programme, building confidence and skills in young people
🌟 Food support for families facing food poverty
🌟 Intergenerational work and play therapy
🌟 Family support and one-to-one guidance covering:
• Economic wellbeing
• Mental health & physical health
• Help with appointments, advocacy & communication
• Education, training & employment
• Accessing the community
• Personal development and growth
Our work has made a real and lasting difference (further information and anonymised case studies available on request)
But we can’t continue it without your support. We have until April 2026 to raise £16,000 so that this project can continue running from May until August 2026. 💛🌈
The Rainbow Project is currently looking for ways to sustain the vital work supporting families in our parishes. The funding will run out by May and we are actively looking for other grants to enable us to continue with our mission of reaching out together and working to transform the unjust structures in our society as stated in the Five Marks of Mission.
💛 How You Can Help:
✔️Share this message to spread awareness
✔️ Tell friends, family, organisations, and anyone who may want to support our work
✔️ Hold fundraising events
✔️ Donate — every amount helps us get closer to our £16,000 goal
Please contact: molly.blewett@penleecluster.org.uk
