April 20th

Triptych with Birth, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ by Hans Memling 1510

Easter Day

Bible Readings:
Isaiah 65:17-end;
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24;
Acts 10.34-43;
John 20:1-18

11th century mosaic of John Chrysostom Hosius Loukas monastary

Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
…You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
… O death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

[Extracts from the Easter sermon of John Chrysostom (circa 400 AD)]

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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.   Wishing everyone a blessed and joyful Easter!

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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 (please note the new meeting ID). 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 Meeting will be on zoom this Sunday 20th, at 6pm. Please note new zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88903627395?pwd=MvLZE0KHFBCIwBNg8PIe2zh5qNRFEG.1

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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Our churches supporting St Mary’s C of E School

On Friday 4^th April Family worker Molly and members of St Mary’s and St Peter’s Congregations led Easter Prayer stations at St Mary’s School. We used the Experience Easter resource from the Diocese of Gloucester. The stations covered the events from Palm Sunday (Future Hopes) to the Resurrection. Each station had Bible verses to read to the children and reflective questions. The Palm Sunday station asked the children to suggest something they thought would make the world a better place. Here are few of the responses: ‘I hope for the future to be bright and beautiful for everyone’; ‘I hope for people to stop world hunger’; ‘I hope for everyone to be kind, helpful and thankful’; I hope for people to end war’;‘ I hope for God to come.’

At the next stations the children experienced Feet Washing (the Servant King), the Last Supper (Remember me), the Cross (Symbol of Hope) – responding with decorative cross designs – and at the last station of the Resurrection (New Life), the children collected an Easter egg to remind them of the Easter Story, the shape of the stone in front of the tomb and new life.  Our thanks to everyone who helped with this event. We are thinking of a similar set of prayer stations for other points in the Christian Year that can support the school and busy teachers. – Hilary, St. Mary’s

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Redwing Community Centre Fundraiser – Success!

Redwing Community Centre is a not-for-profit social enterprise in Penzance, founded in 2011.  In 2023, it relocated to the old Humphry Davy pub (originally known as St John’s House) on Alverton Street.  As you know from previous newsletters, Redwing has been awarded a £250,000 Community Ownership Fund to go towards buying the building for the community, but it needed to raise £4,000 by 27th April to demonstrate community commitment to the centre in order to access the funding.  I’m delighted to report that they have met this target. They continue to fundraise so as to purchase the building by December this year. (The asking price is £325,000 plus VAT.)  If you would like to contribute to that ongoing fundraising, you can do so here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/redwing-forever

I would like to thank everyone who contributed individually to the fundraising, and also to the congregation of St. Mary’s, who have raised the handsome sum of £207.00 during a collection, which will be presented to Redwing this week. Thank you for your generosity! – Josie, St. Mary’s

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Easter Holiday Club

We were blessed with beautiful sunny weather for the five days of Easter Holiday Club. Monday and Tuesday were based at St John’s and filled with Easter crafts, egg hunts and exploring the recreation ground, visits to Penlee Park and care homes. For the remaining three days we were out all day. We took the train to Paradise Park on Wednesday and enjoyed finding out about birds. On Thursday, poet Sally Crabtree accompanied the group to Godolphin House where the children took part in an Easter trail and were also inspired by the forget-me-not flowers to create a poem and song with Sally (we hope to share a recording of this soon). On Friday we had an action-packed day at Lappa Valley. Thanks to Molly and all the Holiday Club helpers for looking after the children so well and keeping everyone safe and happy.

Thanks also to Penny, Sue and Vicky for preparing the hot meal on Monday and to people who gave generously to help Holiday Club and those who remembered Holiday Club in their prayers. There is ever-increasing child poverty in Penzance and our provision is vital to ensure children are fed and have fun over the holidays. Watch out for Summer Holiday Club plans soon! – Hilary, St. Mary’s

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V.E. 80th Anniversary 1940s-style Tea Party

at St. Peter’s Church – Monday 5th May

VE Day conga, photo by Frank Patten

Come along to St. Peter’s on Monday 5th May, from 2.00 – 4.00pm, to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of V.E. Day with a 1940s-style street party, with wartime menu. Come in 1940s dress if possible! All welcome to what promises to be a fun event.

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OTHER INFORMATION & EVENTS

Installation of our new Bishop at Truro Cathedral

Saturday 17th May

The Rt Revd David Williams will be installed as Bishop of Truro on Saturday 17^th May 2025.

The Dean of Truro and the Chapter of Truro Cathedral warmly invite you to a Service of Welcome at Truro Cathedral at 11am. Bishop David is keen for as many people as possible to join him on this special occasion. If you would like to come, please click on the following link by 22^nd April at the latest:

https://bookwhen.com/trurodiocese/e/ev-s0dz-20250517110000

You will be sent a confirmation email with relevant details; please bring this with you on the day. This will be a significant day in the life of Bishop David, his wife Helen, and for us all in Cornwall and we do hope you will be able to join us. Please note the service will also be live streamed on the Cathedral YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@trurocathedral7690

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‘With one voice and one heart’-

Churches Together in England and Wales

The Presidents of Churches Together in England have issued a pastoral letter to mark the joint celebration of Easter 2025 and the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea.

Icon from Mount Athos depicting the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea

They write: ‘The Acts of the Apostles records that in the earliest days, as the message of Jesus was preached and it spread across the Mediterranean lands and beyond, questions arose and there were tensions and divisions among those who came to the faith. In response to this, the apostles and elders were gathered together in Jerusalem to address these pressing matters.…As inheritors of the proclamation and the statement of faith that came from this important event, Christian leaders throughout the world gather this year 2025 to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. We come together to participate in the Lord’s unity to proclaim and affirm that – “We believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; He is, as we affirm, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of the same and one essence as the Father”…It is a special blessing from God that this year all Christians will celebrate Easter – Pascha – on the same Sunday. We are empowered by this and we draw strength to face the realities of our divisions with a new hope of reconciliation.’

To read the full letter, please see here: https://tinyurl.com/39ex857f

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Taizé! – High Street Methodist Church

Sunday 27th April

Celebrating God’s unending generosity with praise, worship and prayers of thankfulness at High Street Methodist Church on Sunday 27th April at 6.30pm. Refreshments after the service.

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Penzance Council Annual Town Meeting – date change

Please be advised that the date has changed and the annual town meeting will now take place in the Main Hall, St John’s Hall, Alverton Street, Penzance on Thursday 29th May 2025 at 7.00 pm.

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