Triptych with Birth, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ by Hans Memling 1510
Bishop David’s Easter message
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Grace and peace to you this Easter.
This is my first Easter as your Bishop. Thank you for the gracious welcome you gave, but much more so for the faith of the church across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – it has been a privilege to visit many of you over the last year. On Maundy Thursday I am inviting all clergy and LLMs to reaffirm their baptismal vows and ordination promises at Truro Cathedral at 10.30am. There is a warm invitation for any who would like to gather that day with me. On Easter Eve I will be baptising and Confirming candidates in Truro Cathedral, do speak to your priest if this is something you would like to take part in.
This season of Lent takes us to the oldest and truest story of hope the world has ever known. We will arrive at the great three days – at the shadow of the Cross and the dawning of the empty tomb – and we find ourselves standing within the oldest and truest story of hope the world has ever known.
On Good Friday, we see love poured out. We see Christ betrayed, abandoned, and nailed to a cross. We see darkness fall at noon. We hear the cry: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It is a cry that echoes through every hospital corridor, every graveside, every anxious heart. Good Friday assures us that there is no suffering we endure that Christ has not experienced himself.
The cross tells us that God does not stand at a distance from pain. He comes into it; He bears it and He redeems it. And yet, if the story ended there, it would not be Gospel.
Easter morning begins in silence and confusion. The stone is rolled away. The tomb is empty. Tears turn to astonishment. Fear gives way to wonder. And in a garden at daybreak, the risen Lord speaks a single word: “Mary.” Hope begins not as an idea, but as a name spoken in love. Easter proclaims that light is stronger than darkness, that love is stronger than hatred and that life is stronger than death. This is not sentimental optimism. It is resurrection truth.
Easter gives us courage in a world that can feel and often is fractured and uncertain, Easter gives us courage. It reminds us that even when we cannot yet see the full picture, God is at work. The stone has been rolled away. The future is opened. For us as a diocese, Easter calls us to be people of hope, not because circumstances are easy, but because Christ is risen.
We are called to be bearers of light in our communities: in our parishes and chaplaincies, in our schools and care homes and in our town centres and rural villages Where there is loneliness, we bring companionship. Where there is anxiety, we bring peace. Where there is weariness, we bring encouragement.
And we do so not in our own strength, but in the power of the risen Christ. Above all, Easter is the triumph of love. The cross is love stretched out. The resurrection is love vindicated. The Church is called to be love embodied. May this Easter renew your confidence in God’s promises. May it rekindle your joy in the Gospel. May it strengthen you to live as people of hope, light and love.
Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
With every blessing this Easter,
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Paul Tuesday Talks
Paul Church
Tuesday 7th April at 7pm
“Coastal Colours” featuring the photographs of Mike Newman.
Mike is well known in west Cornwall for his seascape images and can often be found on the beaches or cliffs with his camera photographing the ocean in all sorts of weather.
Doors open 7pm, talk starts at 7.30pm £5 entry includes nibbles.
IMS Concert at Paul church – Saturday 11th April 7.30pm Tickets from https://www.i-m-s.org.uk
Celtic Morning Prayer – Each weekday morning on zoom 8:00am – 8:30am. 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. 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
Julian Prayer Group – The Julian Group will meet online via zoom at 6:00pm on Sunday 29th March and in the church on Sunday 5th April (first Sunday of the month). 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.
Little Lights group is taking an Easter break, and hope to return to St Mary’s Church on Thursday 23rd April, 1.30-2.30. A new Little Lights group will be starting in St Peter’s Church, Newlyn on Wednesday 22nd April, 9.30-10.30. Please share with anyone you know who has children aged 0-3 years. Many thanks.
Easter Holiday Club 2026
Our current plans for holiday club are:
Tuesday 7th – Gardeners House
Thursday 9th – Paradise Park
Thursday 16th – Godolphin House
Friday 17th – Lappa Valley
We will have 20-25 children per day, 5 members of staff and 4 junior leaders. If you would like to sponsor a child or make a donation towards Easter holiday club please contact Molly.
Many of you will donate to food banks – for the holiday club period. Might you be able to donate food to holiday club instead? We are looking for the following items for picnic lunches. (food to be in date for 17th April please): bread rolls (packs of 12 rolls) 8 packs; butter – 3 tubs; ham – 3 packs of 30 slices; cheese – 3 packs of grated cheese; crisps – 3 packs of 30 packets; fruit – apples, oranges, bananas; yogurts – Frubes 10 packs; cakes – enough for 25 people per day! If you are able to help with any of these items, please let Molly or Jenny know at molly.blewett@penleecluster.org.uk or jenny.orpwood@penleecluster.org.uk. Many thanks for your continued support for local children- it is really appreciated. – Molly & Jenny, Family Workers
NightChurch
We would like to share an update with our NightChurch community.
NightChurch will be paused until the end of April. This time allows for Easter leave for our staff and volunteers, followed by an additional period to invest in further training and development so we can better serve everyone.
NightChurch is about creating a safe, welcoming and well supported space inspired by the love of Jesus, and his promise of life in all its fullness. We want to make sure we are doing that in the best way possible for everyone who walks through our doors.
We understand this may be disappointing, but please know this decision has been made with care and wellbeing at heart.
NightChurch will reopen on Wednesday 29th April, refreshed and ready, and we look forward to welcoming everyone again.
If you need support during this time, please reach out via email and we will do our best to signpost you to the right help. Nightchurchpenzance@gmail.com
Thank you for being part of the NightChurch community.
