The conversion of St Paul by Simon Johannes van Douw
The Conversion of St Paul
Bible readings: Isaiah 9.1–4; Psalm 27.1,4-12*; 1 Corinthians 1.10–18; Matthew 4.12–23
Gospel Reading [NRSVA]
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.’
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. [Matthew 4.12–23]
GOOD NEWS
NEW VICAR FOR THE CLUSTER
The Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd David Williams is pleased to announce that the Revd Jacqueline Joy Wise, at present Chaplain to St John’s Foundation and also Magdalen Chapel, Holloway, Bath in the diocese of Bath and Wells, is to be Priest in Charge (with oversight responsibility) of the Benefice of St Mary’s with St Paul & St John the Baptist in Penzance, the Benefice of Newlyn and the Benefice of Paul in the Diocese of Truro. This is conditional on legal formalities being completed. She will be licensed at a place and on a date to be arranged.
Updates…
Please send all information for the newsletter/blog/website by Wed 28th Jan morning to Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk.
Printed copies of the newsletter will be limited until we receive a laser printer donated to the Cluster. Please subscribe to the online version of the newsletter with your churchwarden or 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, and on our website. 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. Contemplative Prayer will be on Monday 26th at 5:30pm at St Mary’s church. Vicky
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Group will meet online via zoom at 6:00pm on Sunday 25th January and at Paul church on Sunday 1st February. 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.
St John’s Church and Playzone
will remain closed until further notice. There will be no Worship Service on Friday.
The regular Friday Morning service of Holy Communion usually held at St John’s church, has a new temporary home! So same time (11am) but different place. Same hospitality!! Please ring Revd Derath Durkin on 07962 168440 or email her for details derathdurkin@admin
We look forward to welcoming you from Friday 30th January!”
Many thanks Derath
Feast for Families
will be running at St Mary’s church until Friday 13th February. On Friday 30th January 3.30pm-5.30pm.
This week Feast for Families will have a science theme, with activities about light and candles as it is also the time of Candlemas. Also games, films, crafts for adults and children, and food. All free of charge!
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
Safeguarding Sunday
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.
🌈 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. 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
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
A new group – called Little Lights – for children aged 0-3 years and their carers will be starting at St Mary’s Church and St Peter’s Church in February. There will be stories, music, play and refreshments. The first session at St Mary’s will be on Thursday February 5th from 1.30-2.30. We will let you know when we have a starting date at St Peter’s. Please spread the word to anyone you know who would like to bring young children along. Jenny
NightChurch
We are deeply grateful to Madron PCC for voting NightChurch to be the recipient of their congregation donations which we received this week. Together we are creating a place where everyone is valued, listened to and loved. We also want to say a heartfelt thank you to the NightChurch team who give their time, care, and compassion so faithfully. Our volunteers and supporters come from across different Christian traditions, united by one shared purpose: to share the love of Jesus through welcome, presence, and kindness. It is encouraging to see NightChurch growing, both in our team and in the number of guests we welcome, as we continue to walk this journey together. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35. Victoria
OTHER INFORMATION
Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration
at Truro Cathedral on Tuesday January 27th.
11am Displays and Networking for local organisations
12 noon Ceremony with candle lighting
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 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday or email cornwalldas@salvationarmy.org.uk.
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.
Email: safeguardingconcerns@truro.anglican.org Call: 01872 274351; Website: trurodiocese.org.uk/safeguarding
