Jesus and Nicodemus by Henry Ossawa Tanner
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son
Bible readings: Romans 4.1-5,13-17 and John 3.1–17
Gospel Reading [NRSVA]
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Updates…
by Wed 4th March noon. Send to Keno.
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Celtic Morning Prayer – Each weekday morning on zoom 8:00am – 8:30am. If you would like to attend, please email Keno.
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
Feast for Families will be on Friday 6th March at St Mary’s, 3:30-5:30pm. The theme will be Cornish as St Piran’s Day is on the Thursday. Free food, crafts and games. All welcome.
Sustainable Sunday
at St Mary’s on Sunday 29th March, 2:30-4:30pm. Free activities, clothes, toys, book swap.
Little Lights Group
for children aged 0-3 years and their carers at St Mary’s church on Thursdays 1.30-2.30. Jenny
Julian Prayer Group and Prayer Requests
At St. Pol de Léon Church at 6:00pm on Sunday 1st March and online on Sunday 8th March. If you would like to attend, please email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk for zoom details
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 Implementation Team
Please consider prayerfully, whether you are able to offer service to the wider deanery by volunteering your experience and/or knowledge/expertise and serving on either the Deanery Synod Standing Committee or one of the designated ‘arms’ of the new Deanery Implementation Team. Information from churchwardens.
Penwith Deanery Synod
Submission of Interested Party – Information Form
We are seeking volunteers to join our Deanery Synod Implementation Team. The proposal is to have three task groups or ‘arms’ that specifically concentrate on each of the priority areas that resulted from the Away Day consultations, and which are detailed below. (NB: bullet points are given for guidance in thinking about each priority area, they are not set!)
We will be pleased to receive submissions of interest, (a maximum half page of A4), detailing what experience and skills you can offer to support the work of the Deanery Synod in this way. Please email to penwithdeanery@gmail.com. To be received no later than 3rd March 2026.
1. Intergenerational Church Growth
Focussing on the ability to bridge age gaps and to foster “whole-body” community.
- Cross-Generational Mentoring: Experience in facilitating “spiritual parenting” or peer-to-peer mentoring between different age groups.
- All-Age Worship Planning: Skill in designing services that engage children, youth, and seniors simultaneously without isolating any group.
- Age-Specific Sensitivity: Understanding the unique spiritual needs of Gen Z, Millennials, and Boomers.
- Conflict Mediation: Ability to navigate traditional vs. contemporary preferences in a healthy way.
2. Better Use of Resources
Focussing on stewardship, efficiency, and maximizing the “assets” of the church.
- Facility Management: Experience in maximizing building use for community outreach or energy efficiency improvements.
- Efficient use of resources: what available resources, both people and material, do we already have, that can be shared or ‘loaned’ more widely?
- Financial Stewardship: Proficiency in budgeting, fundraising strategies, or grant writing for ministry projects.
3. Improved Patterns for Ministry
Focussing on what we do, when and where? Leadership flow, and sustainable practices.
- Volunteer Management: Skills in identifying, training, and deploying lay leaders effectively.
- Strategic Planning: Where are the gaps? Setting clear missional visions, creating actionable 1-5 year growth plans.
- Change Management: Skill in leading a congregation through transitions or “mid-mortem” project evaluations.
- Collaborative Leadership: Ability to work within team-based ministry models rather than top-down structures.
Into the Wilderness: A Lenten Reflection
As we enter the season of Lent, in the Epistle to the Romans, Paul lays out the theology: through one man’s disobedience came sin and death; through one man’s obedience comes grace and life. In Matthew’s Gospel, we hear the story in action, obedience lived out as Jesus stands hungry and exposed in the wilderness.
Adam’s story is not far from us. We know our limitations. We know how our best intentions can fall short, how easily trust gives way to fear, hope to anxiety. The temptations Jesus faced, to grasp, to control, to doubt, are wilderness temptations we recognise. Lent begins by naming our human fragility.
Paul is unflinching about the human condition, but he does not end there. He speaks of Christ. Where sin increased, grace abounded. Led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Jesus stands where we stand. In the face of temptation he roots himself in Scripture: “It is written…”. If the Son of God stands upon the Word of God, so must we.
Throughout scripture, the wilderness is not only a place of testing, but also a place of encounter and formation. Isaiah reassures that the desert will be transformed into a fruitful and fertile place. Israel learnt in the wilderness that the God who delivered them could be trusted. False security fell away. Identity was refined.
Here in West Penwith, we do not have to travel far to experience a wilderness landscape. The coastline opens wide, sea and sky stretching beyond us, wind pressing against us, the horizon reminding us of our proper scale. In such landscapes we can be reoriented towards what truly matters. We are shaped in humility, in less of me Lord and more of you, remembering that we are not the centre, not in control of all things and that can be quietly healing.
Lent invites us into such a wilderness, not necessarily geographical, but a spiritual returning, to preparation and ultimately to hope. A stripping back, a renewed attentiveness to listening, to prayer, to scripture, and to the searching of our hearts. Our story may begin with Adam, but it is fulfilled in Christ. Lent is leading us toward resurrection hope.
Three thoughts to hold this Lent:
We are dust and that is where grace meets us.
Christ has already stood in our place.
The wilderness is not where God leaves his people, it is where He forms them. Victoria Hodgkinson
Lent Lunch and Stations of the Cross
St Peter’s church invites you to a Lent Lunch on Saturday 7th March at 12 noon. Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays at 11.30am. Lynda and Diane
Lent Book: Lent Scapes
A book with daily reflections for the period of Lent has been prepared by HeartEdge together with The Society of St Francis and it is available from Lesley Michell at St Mary’s church. Price is £10.
This book is a beautifully crafted 40-day reflection book that helps us see Lent not as a season of burden, but as a time of honesty, healing, and renewed hope. Rooted in the Gospel of John and shaped by voices from around the world, it encourages us to look again – at God, at ourselves, and at the world we share.
St John’s Church and Playzone
will remain closed until further notice. 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@penleecluster.org.uk.
Truro Diocese Lay Ministry Development Day
for commissioned Worship Leaders, Pastoral Ministers, Pioneers and Local Leaders on Saturday 21st March, 9:30-4:30 at Truro Lifehouse, All Saints Church, Highertown, TR1 3LD. The day will start with worship together before we offer several workshops across the day to help you develop new skills, find out about new ideas, and enjoy fellowship together. We are planning workshops on different styles of worship, pioneering and support for pastoral care. Contact Revd Derath Durkin derathdurkin@penleecluster.org.uk
Night Church Penzance
At NightChurch we are in a season of writing workshops, and it has been a joy and privilege to see what has emerged. We began by exploring haiku poetry. Out of just a few lines came beautiful words, one guest wrote: “I look to the stars, God’s own heavenly candles, and I know I am not alone.”
The following week we reflected on presence. Setting aside thoughts of yesterday and tomorrow, we wrote words of gratitude and encouragement for today on balloons and released them from the church gallery, an act of trust and letting go.
Last week we read aloud together The Well, a poem written by one of our volunteers. Each person highlighted a word, phrase, or verse that resonated, then folded the page into paper aeroplanes and released them into the church space, moments of shared reflection and hope.
These evenings are gentle, creative, and prayerful. They offer space to listen, to write honest words, to reflect, and to discover the quiet courage of participation.
We are continuing the writing workshops throughout Lent and are grateful for your prayers as we journey through this season together. Victoria
Wellbeing Vending Machine at St Mary’s– Snacks for the Soul
Participants aged 2 to 102 shared stories and ideas that inspired “Snacks for the Soul” for the world’s first wellbeing vending machine—playful, practical items such as “Thankies” gratitude hankies, a kazoo to encourage calming breath and humming, resilience-themed mini books and zines, “Zesties” lemon stress balls that also spark active games, and “Wonder Specs” to help people see the world with fresh eyes. Get your free token !
Contact Sally Crabtree at sally@artconnexion.co.uk.
World Day of Prayer Service
“Rest for the Weary” By Gift Amarachi Ottah
will be on Friday 6th March at 11am at Chapel Street Methodist Church, Penzance. Prepared by the women of Nigeria.
CTiPA weekly lunches
will start at 12 noon. Money raised will go towards Christian Aid and CAFOD projects.
Sat 28th Feb – High Street Methodist.
Sat 7th Mar – St Peter’s church, Newlyn.
Sat 14th Mar – Chapel Street Methodist
Sat 21st Mar – Roman Catholic Church, Penzance
Sat 28th Mar – St Thomas’ Church, Heamoor
CTiPA Walk of Christian Witness on Good Friday 3rd April.
CTiPA Coffee Morning in aid of Open Doors on Monday 2nd March 11-12:30 at High Street Methodist Church.
