Worshippers raising their cytharas to give praise to the Lamb with joyful music. 10 the century.
The Baptism of Christ
Bible readings: Isaiah 49.1–7; Psalm 30.1-12; 1 Corinthians 1.1–9; John 1.29–42
Gospel Reading [NRSVA]
The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter). [John 1:29-42]
Updates…
Please send all information for the newsletter/blog/website by Wed 21st Jan morning to Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk.
Printed copies of the newsletter will be limited. Please subscribe to the online version of the newsletter by sending an email to Keno, with your name and surname, asking to be added to the mailing list which we send via email in pdf format, as well as a notification when it becomes available on our website. Alternatively speak to your churchwarden. Keno
https://www.penleecluster.org.uk/category/newsgroup/blog
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Celtic Morning Prayer
Each weekday morning on zoom 8:00am – 8:30am. If you would like to attend, please email Keno for zoom details.
Psalm Group
Every Thursday at 11:15am we read and meditate on a Psalm. Come and join us at St Mary’s church. Josie
Meditation Group
Every Friday a Meditation group meets at St Mary’s church at 10:30am. This is a welcoming and supportive space for everyone in the community. Vicky
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Group will meet online via zoom at 6:00pm on Sunday 18th and 25th January. 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 by 7:00pm on Tuesday evenings. Thank you.
Deanery Review Day Documents
Dear all,
Further to the Deanery Review Open Day that was held in November last year. I attach herein for your information, relevant documents that will be presented at the forthcoming deanery synod meeting on 28th January. Adam was keen that you are also provided with the information that will be discussed at the Synod.
If you have any feedback or thoughts in regard to Adam’s report to Synod and the proposals therein moving forward, please liaise with your deanery synod representative, to ensure that they are able to reflect these back when the synod meets, discusses and votes on the report on 28th January.
With every blessing,
Sarah – Deanery Secretary
St John’s Church and Playzone
will remain closed until further notice. There will be no Worship Service on Friday.
Feast for Families will be running at St Mary’s church until Friday 13th February. Play, crafts and food for families and children. Any donations of food – pasta, pasta sauce, cheese, pizza bases, fruit – are welcome. Please leave them at St Mary’s church.
Safeguarding Sunday
At St Mary’s church on Sunday 18th January 11am.
At St Peter’s church on Sunday 25th January 9:30am.
At Paul church on Sunday 25th January 11am.
We shall be holding a “Safeguarding Sunday” discussion following the Sunday Service. Please come and join us.
· Meet your Safeguarding Co-ordinator
· Code of Conduct for Volunteers
· Discuss issues and concerns
· Know who to contact
🌈 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
Choral Evensong
Sunday, 18 January 2026 at 4pm, followed by refreshments afterwards. Saint Prisca, Virgin, Martyr at Rome, c.265. The Second Sunday after the Epiphany. The Book of Common Prayer Choral Evensong at St Pol de Leon (Paul) with the combined choirs of Paul Church and the Land’s End Benefice. Led by Bishop David Williams and the Revd Adam Thomas.
Sustainable Sunday
We will be rotating the Sustainable Sundays around churches.
Sunday 1st February at St Mary’s church from 2- 4pm
Sunday 29th March at St Peter’s church from 2 -4pm
Come along for a clothes and books swap (or pay 50p per item of clothing and £1 for a book) and a seasonal family activity linked to Candlemas on Sunday 1st February and to Psalm Sunday on 29th March. Refreshments provided.
Watch this space! Details of new Toddler groups starting at St Mary’s coming soon! Many thanks, Hilary.
Rainbow Project
If anyone has any spare glass jars that we could use for a craft activity around Candlemas please could they be left in St Mary’s Church for us if possible? Many thanks. Jenny
Calling all creatives!
Artists, musicians, writers, makers, dancers! We are planning the next NightChurch workshop programme following the success of last year and we would love to hear from you.
If you have a creative practice and a heart for providing welcoming and reflective spaces, we are looking for facilitators who would be willing to offer two hours to lead a workshop as part of Wednesday NightChurch.
Whether your work is hands-on, expressive, contemplative or experimental, we are excited about workshops that invite people to explore creativity, faith and meaning in accessible and inclusive ways.
If this sounds like you and you would like to find out more, please get in contact. Victoria. Nightchurchpenzance@gmail.com
Storm Damage
We hope you are well and there is no damage on your property. We pray for those that are still without water or electricity. To get compensation of £85 if your power has been cut off for 24 hours, and an extra £45 for every 6 hours afterwards (max £2,165).
https://customer.nationalgrid.co.uk/severe-weather-claim-form
OTHER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Service of Christian Unity
on 18th January 2026 at 6pm. To be held at the Church of The Immaculate Conception Of Our Lady, Rosevean Road. Followed by refreshments.
Documentary
You might be interested to watch the documentary “The Search for the Lost Manuscript: Julian of Norwich” on BBC iplayer available for 28 days. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07l6bd0
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility…
RECOGNISE – the signs that could indicate abuse is happening
RESPOND – listen sensitively – don’t question or investigate
RECORD – what you have been told factually and accurately using the language used by the person disclosing
REPORT – immediately to your Parish Safeguarding Officer/Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser. They will refer to the police or social services as required.
