May 18th

5th Sunday of Easter

Bible Readings: Genesis 22:1-18;
Acts 11:1-18;
Psalm 148;
Revelation 21:1-6;
John 13:31-35

IMPORTANT: Upcoming change of Sunday service time at St. Pol de Léon Church, Paul
Please note that from Sunday 25th May, the Sunday Service at St. Pol de Léon Church in Paul will start at 11.00am (not 10.30am).

There will be no newsletter on Sunday 1st June. After the newsletter on Sunday 25th May, the next one will be on Sunday 8th June.

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. If you would like to write a reflection for the newsletter, please contact Josie.

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CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS

Celtic Morning Prayer

Each weekday morning on zoom from 8.00am-8.30am. The zoom meeting ID is 836 8507 5696. If you would like to attend, please email Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk (or call on 01736 331633) for the passcode.

Julian Prayer Group

The Julian Group will meet on zoom at 6.00pm this Sunday, 18th May. 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.

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Family Worker Job Vacancy

For a support Family Worker to work with and alongside the current Family Worker to create, develop and lead Christian-based activities for Children and young people in both the Penlee Cluster and the Schools linked to the Cluster – 15 hours per week at £12.60 per hour.

The application forms and job description and person specification can be view at www.penleecluster.org.uk/job-opportunities/

This post has a genuine occupational requirement to be filled by a Christian. Applications by completion of forms, with a covering letter setting out how you think you meet the criteria and how you are sustained by your faith, to be emailed to Eliza Sewell, St. Mary’s Church Warden, at stmaryswarden@penleecluster.com or sent by post to St. Mary’s Church, Chapel Street, Penzance TR18 4AP

Closing date: Friday 23rd May
Shortlisting: Tuesday 27th May
Proposed interview date: Tuesday 3rd June

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Notice of Annual Parochial Church Meeting

St. Mary’s and St. John’s will be holding their APCM this Sunday 18th May (after the Sunday service).

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The 4th Annual Art Exhibition

at St. Peter’s Church  

Saturday 24th May to Friday 30th May

Come along to St. Peter’s Church for their fourth annual art exhibition, running from Saturday 24th May to Friday 30th May, from 11.00am – 5.00pm (from 12.30pm on Sunday 25th May). Over 30 artists represented. Pictures, prints and cards for sale. Proceeds to St. Peter’s Church and Penlee Lifeboat. For more information contact: artexbo2025@gmail.com

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Helping out at St Mary’s

There are many small tasks to do each week to ensure our church runs smoothly and is welcoming. We are looking to increase the number of people who can serve the church in a small way and are aiming to plan rotas for the next three months. Could you help with readings, intercessions, welcoming people to the church, giving out hymn books and newsletters, learning about and helping with the sound system, helping out with refreshments after the service or general tidying up?

Giving a little bit of time as often as you can makes a positive difference and would be deeply appreciated during this time of interregnum. Please think about how you can help and look out for the ‘job lists on Sunday at St Mary’s’.  Sharing tasks and working together strengthens our fellowship.  Thank you in advance.

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Good News from the annual day for Lay Ministers

At the recent annual day for Lay Ministers (formerly Readers) in the diocese, I was excited to hear from our new Bishop, David Williams, about his faith journey and his enthusiastic affirmation of the role of all lay members of our churches. He told us the day was UNMISSABLE for him, because our work was so dear to his heart – unmissable despite having moved house only the day before and having to leave his wife to start on the boxes!!!

He said he feels unmistakably called to Truro and deeply believes that God is at work here  – ‘and God is the one who matters’ – reminding us of the vital importance of prayer. He referred to the picture Cornubia which hangs in the cathedral and is reproduced in our Celtic Chapel. He sees it as symbolising both our prayers ascending from communities around Cornwall and also heaven touching earth with God’s blessing.  Amen!

Regarding lay ministry, he reminded us that it is God-given ministry, enabled by the gifts which he showers liberally on all his people.  It is our responsibility to nurture those gifts prayerfully and practically, in ourselves and, crucially, in one another.  He suggested that we, as Licensed Ministers, take others along with us to encourage them and help them to recognise gifts they have been given – whether in parish visiting or planning worship or preparing sermons or just being available in church.  I found that a lovely suggestion and shall look forward to taking it up.

The future of Licensed Ministry increasingly involves wide-ranging leadership in communities without an ordained leader, so he encouraged us to hold our communities before God in prayer, watching for signs of hope – those green shoots –  ‘What if Revival comes again?, he said.  He himself plans to prayer-walk around the diocese during the days after Ascension Day, in preparation for celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps we might do something similar around Penzance then?

The day also involved presentations about five exciting Good News stories of parish projects around the diocese, including one from me about NightChurch Pz – but that will have to be another exciting instalment…..! – Lesley, St. Mary’s

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A big thank you to all the folks who came to prep the food on Saturday morning for our lunch last Sunday at St. Mary’s.  And thanks also for the puddings given!  A very special thanks to Sheila for making sure everything was cooked properly for us all to enjoy. – Penny, St. Mary’s

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The BIG St John’s tidy up!

If you like sorting things, labelling and general organising and tidying then come along to St John’s Church on the following dates:
Tuesday 20^th May 10.00am -12.00 noon
Wednesday 21^st May 10.00am -12.00 noon
Tuesday 27^th May 10.00am -12.00 noon
Wednesday 28^th May 10.00am -12.00 noon
We will be sorting out resources in the downstairs rooms and tidying the main church. Coffee and cake provided! Many thanks – Hilary, St. Mary’s

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Call for plants and seedlings donations

Revd Jo Thomas is going to set about tidying the overgrown and weedy planters at the front of St Mary’s School. Please contact Revd Jo on 07779785962 if you can donate small plants and seedlings to brighten the entrance.

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Help needed at St. John’s for half-term…

The bouncy castle at St. John’s will need moving away on Wednesday 28th May, so if we could have a few volunteers, that would be much appreciated.

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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.

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