Harvest Thanksgiving
Bible readings:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11;
Psalm 100;
Philippians 4:4-9;
John 6:25-35
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO PSALM GROUP ON THURSDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER AND NO NEWSLETTER ON SUNDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER*
Call to Prayer – 21st September
Churches Together in England is supporting our member Churches and partner organisations in the call to prayer for peace in the Middle East on Sunday, 21st September 2025. The General Secretary of Churches Together in England, Bishop Mike Royal, said: ‘There is a growing consensus amongst the churches and also Christian organisations engaged in the Middle East that it’s high time we act together as one. Our message is simple. On Sunday 21 September 2025, Churches Together in England is supporting Christian Aid and other partners and is encouraging congregations across the nation to hold a minute’s silence and to pray for the following: an end to hostilities; the unfettered humanitarian access to Gaza; the release of Israeli hostages and for work to continue to secure a lasting peace.’ Christian Aid, Tearfund, CAFOD, Embrace the Middle East, Sabeel Kairos, Amos Trust, All We Can, Reconciling Leaders Network, Difference, Friends of the Holy Land, USPG, Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World, and Commitment for Life have joined the campaign along with Member Churches United Reformed Church, Quakers in Britain, and Church of England. Please include prayer for peace in your services on or around 21 September. You can use these suggestions or the links to resources from the joint Christian Agencies: consider holding a minute’s silence in the service; use the prayer below from Archbishop Hosam of Jerusalem; join the #FastForGaza (see here): https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/dec-middle-east-humanitarian-appeal/fastforgaza – Churches Together in England
A Prayer for the Holy Land for 21st September
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: In your mercy, provide for all those in Gaza and beyond who suffer from hunger and starvation, that they may be given both physical bread to nourish their bodies and heavenly bread to sustain their souls.
By the power of your Spirit, bring a speedy end to this cruel war, the release of all captives, care for the sick and wounded, comfort for those who have lost loved-ones, and the opening of a pathway for a just and lasting peace here in the very homeland where your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ministered during his earthly life;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. – The Most Reverend Dr. Hosam E. Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem
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.
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Celtic Morning Prayer
Each weekday morning on zoom from 8.00am-8.30am. If you would like to attend, please email Keno admin@penleecluster.org.uk for zoom details.
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Group will meet on zoom at 6.00pm this Sunday, 14th September. 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.
St. Peter’s Annual Fundraiser
Saturday 4th October
Come along and support St. Peter’s annual fundraiser for MacMillan Care on Saturday 4th October from 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Delicious cream teas available and all welcome!
Sustainable Sunday at St. John’s Church
Sunday 5th October
Save the date! An exciting new initiative at St. John’s will happen between 9.00am – 11.30am on Sunday 5th October, involving play sessions for children, a clothes bank and book bank. More details next week… Watch this space!
Children’s Play Area – St. Mary’s Church
Do you have spare bean bags, cushions, wicker baskets, carpet/mats, throws or anything that you think would help to create an inviting children’s area within St Mary’s Church? We are looking to transform the area into a space where children and families can spend some time, and incorporate an area for reflection that we will aim to change with the seasons. To be kind to the environment, we are looking to rehome and repurpose where possible. If you have anything that you think might be helpful, please let me know, at jenny.orpwood@penleecluster.org.uk
Many thanks in advance for your help. – Jenny, Family Worker
NightChurch Tote Bags available to purchase
We are excited to share that NightChurch now has its very own tote bags available! These sturdy, reusable bags are perfect for everyday use and every purchase helps support the ongoing work
of NightChurch. Tote bags are available for just £7 each. Pick one up at St Mary’s and carry a little piece of NightChurch with you
wherever you go. Your support makes a difference, thank you! – Victoria, NightChurch Coordinator
OTHER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Season of Creation 2025
This year’s Season of Creation runs from 1st September to 4th October 2025. From the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Website: ‘This year’s theme is ‘Peace with Creation’ and a celebration guide is available to download from the Season of Creation website. The Biblical text for this year is Isaiah 32:14-18.’ For more information, please see here: https://tinyurl.com/4ahm4336
Service of Reflection at Truro Cathedral for those affected by suicide
Sunday 14th September
This service provides an opportunity for all those affected by suicide to come together in a safe and supportive space to remember those they have lost. All are welcome – of all faiths or none – to this special event, from 2.00pm – 3.00pm and held on the closest weekend to World Suicide Prevention Day, under the shared umbrella of ‘Time Together’ with a similar service held on the same weekend at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, Manchester Cathedral and in Leicester, in recognition and support of a wider community of those who are bereaved. The Celtic Male Ensemble will provide choral music, with a performance by the Singing for Wellbeing group for those bereaved by suicide. Refreshments will be provided after the service in the Chapter House where there will be an opportunity to meet with those who offer support services in the community. This service is a collaboration between Truro Cathedral, Cornwall’s Suicide Liason Service, and all agencies in Cornwall that work towards preventing suicide and offer support to those who are left behind.
Concert at High Street Methodist Church
Cornwall Faith Forum
Sunday 28th September
The next event at Penmount will be on Sunday 28th September at 2.00pm and will be led by the Christian Community. There will be two themes: one will be Creationtide which all churches observe between 1st September and 4th October. The second theme is angels. On 29th September churches keep the Feast of St Michael and All Angels. This day is relevant to Cornwall because of a legend linked to St Michael’s Mount – do come and hear this moving story. We are aware that ‘angels’ are a feature in many religions and so we are asking those who will be attending the worship on 28th September to bring something linked to angels, either a reading or prayer from your faith tradition or a personal experience of angels from your life. As always drinks – hot and cold – will be available and please bring some vegetarian food to share. – Andrew Yates
