Photo by Bastian Alexander-Coleman on Unsplash
Bible readings: Romans 7:15-25a and Matthew 11.16–19, 25–end
Gospel Reading [NRSVA]
‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.”
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’
At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
A hearty welcome to Revd. Jacky
Dear Revd. Jacky, welcome to The Penlee Cluster! We’re delighted you’re here and extend the warmest of welcomes as you get to know us and our four churches. Each church has its own character and strengths, but we are all of us searching, curious, often stumbling souls, seeking the kingdom and learning from one another in fellowship. We get things wrong; we do better; we fall; we help each other up and share in one another’s joys and sorrows. We’re entirely grateful that you’re here and look forward to supporting you in your ministry as you seek to help us flourish in becoming the people God has called us to be. Welcome to this beautiful part of Cornwall!
The licensing of Revd Jacky Wise will take place on Monday 6th July at 7pm at St Mary’s church, followed by refreshments. You are all most welcome to join us as we welcome Jacky to the Cluster! Let’s give her a real Cornish welcome!!
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Celtic Morning Prayer – Each weekday morning on zoom 8:00am – 8:30am. Please email Keno for zoom details.
Fellowship Lunch at St Mary’s – Not on Monday 6th July to allow preparations for the Licensing Service.
Emmaus is a diverse, friendly group reflecting on a Bible reading every Tuesday, 5-6pm, at Paul Church Hall. All are very welcome.
Psalm Prayer Group – Every Thursday at 11:15am we read, pray and meditate on a Psalm. Come and join us at St Mary’s. 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
Christian Meditation and Contemplative Prayer – Last Monday of the month at St Mary’s at 5:30pm. We look forward to being together in silent worship. Vicky
Julian Prayer Group –The Julian Group meets at 6pm at St. Pol de Leon church on the first Sunday of the month, and online via zoom other Sundays. 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 7pm on Tuesday evenings.
If you would like to join the group and could spend a little time each week praying the list in your personal prayer time, please do contact Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk who will add you to the circulation list. Information is not shared and members’ names are not circulated within or outside the group.
Paul Church Tuesday Talks
Your shopping- your secrets
With Edward Garner on Tuesday July 7th.
Doors open 7pm, talk starts at 7.30pm. £5 entry includes nibbles. Edward was Communications Director for Kantar – part of one of the world’s largest international market research agencies. As spokesperson for the agency, Edward travelled the world and worked with all the UK grocery retailers as well as the NFU, trade and government agencies and food manufacturers.
The Rainbow Project – Breakfast and Breathe
This group for parents and carers meets every Monday at St Mary’s 9:30am-11:30am. We share breakfast, friendship and information, we have craft activities available and also have an optional gentle faith-related activity. Please let Family Worker Jenny know if you are coming to this so we know numbers.
Mazey Day
A big thank you to everyone who helped with St Mary’s Church being open on Mazey Day from 10am – 4pm. A lot of work went on before the day, sorting out goods and rearranging the church so thank you to everyone that helped with this, on the day and with clearing up afterwards. It was good to welcome volunteers from Nightchurch to help and parents from the Breakfast and Breathe Group and a junior helper from our holiday club to help make sure everything ran smoothly. There were over 100 visitors to St Mary’s on Mazey Day, many who had never been inside the church before. We received lots of positive comments about the sustainable stalls, children’s activities and the place of calm amidst the Mazey Day celebrations. Thank you to all, a great team effort! Hilary
Getting ready for Holiday Club
We have received funding towards 9 days of Holiday Club over the Summer. We plan to be based at Madron C of E Primary School for 5 days with activities and short trips and have 4 big days out on Thursdays. Although we received some funding the majority of this goes on staffing costs so we can take the children out and have a good ratio of children to adults.
I wonder if you might sponsor a child for £5 a day? Or maybe you can contribute towards food? Nearer the time (week beginning Monday 27th July) we will need cheese, ham, fruit, baby tomatoes, cucumber, yoghurts, fruit and a few sweet treats too. Or maybe you could give a contribution towards ice cream money for days out?
Please contact Jenny or Keno about any donations.
Thank you in advance for helping us continue the 13th year of Penlee Cluster Holiday Club. Hilary
Art Exhibition at St Mary’s church
Nature Through Children’s Eyes.
Children from St Mary’s and Madron Daniel CofE schools, share their photographs of nature and tell us what they love. Until Friday 9th July.
NightChurch
June has been a full and encouraging month at NightChurch. We were delighted to welcome the Mayor, Andy Law, and to host a visiting potter who led a creative workshop for the community. Two members of the team also attended the HeartEdge Conference in Birmingham, where they shared the work of NightChurch as a resource and inspiration for other churches. We were also pleased to welcome the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, who joined us for our monthly volunteer training.
NightChurch workshops continue to combine creativity with reflection. Our pottery session linked with the evening reflection, The Potter and the Clay, exploring how God lovingly shapes and forms us. We also enjoyed making bunting for Mazey Day while learning about Golowan and the origins of its name, “The Feast of St John”, connecting local traditions with the story of our faith.
As we look ahead to July, we are looking forward to gathering for shared meals, creative activities, evening reflections, and welcoming more visitors. These simple acts of eating together, exploring faith and creativity nurture a welcoming and growing worshipping community.
We give thanks to God for all that He is doing through NightChurch.
Rea’s Ordination 28th June 2026
Many of you will remember Rea Verdon, who did a placement with us here in the Cluster last summer, during her time here, she experienced ministry in all 4 churches, and in different contexts – coastal, rural and town centre – and in a very different context to what she had previously experienced.
I’m pleased to say that she was ordained deacon at Coventry Cathedral last Sunday. The service was a joyous occasion on a swelteringly hot morning. The worship was uplifting with a good mix of new worship songs and more traditional hymns.
Bishop Sophie led the service, which at its heart the liturgy signified that all Christians are called to share in God’s mission. The ministry of a deacon being a visible reminder that the church does not exist for itself, but for the service of God’s kingdom in the world.
Since Rea was here with us last year, she with her husband and children have moved house in preparation for her curacy, which she will serve in the Benefice of Edghill Churches in the Diocese of Coventry. One of 5 ordinands to be ordained Rea now puts her training into practise! Please pray for Rea and her family as they begin this new and challenging ministry and discover all the riches of parish ministry first hand. I had the privilege of attending the service to support Rea in her next phase of ministry.
It is customary at ordination services for the candidates to be photographed with their Bishop – in the case of Coventry that “photoshoot” usually takes place opposite the new Cathedral and on the steps of the ruins of the old Cathedral – however Coventry’s Gay Pride was taking place and in full force – just as the Bishop attempted to escort her new deacons to “the spot”, and was unable to cross!! Plan B was quickly put into operation!! However the good natured parade kindly obliged as they passed the doors to shout, cheer and clap (not sure that they knew what or who they were shouting for) but never the less they may a goodly and supportive sound!
