Baptism of Christ. Mosaic in Arian Baptistry. Ravenna, Italy
The Baptism of Christ
Bible readings: Isaiah 42.1–9; Psalm 29; Acts 10.34–43; Matthew 3.13–end
Gospel Reading [NRSVA]
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptised, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ [Matthew 3:13-17]
Updates
Please send all information for the newsletter/blog/website by Wed 14th Jan morning to Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk.
Printed copies of the newsletter will be limited. Please subscribe to the online version of the newsletter 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, as well as a notification when it becomes available on our website. Alternatively speak to your churchwarden. Keno
https://www.penleecluster.org.uk/category/newsgroup/blog
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. Vicky
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Group will meet online via zoom at 6:00pm on Sunday 11th and 18th January. 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 close until further notice. There will be no Worship Service and Feast for Families on Friday. Apologies for the inconvenience.
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Safeguarding Sunday
At St Mary’s church on Sunday 18th January 11am.
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.
· Meet your Safeguarding Co-ordinator
· Code of Conduct for Volunteers
· Discuss issues and concerns
· Know who to contact
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.
✨ Below is just some of what we do:
🌟 Active involvement and outreach work in the community
🌟 Free family events
🌟Working in our local church schools
🌟Assisting in worship in school
🌟Creating play and pray stations
🌟Music Mondays
🌟Feast for Families
🌟Sustainable Sunday
🌟Developing under 5’s provision within The Penlee Cluster Churches
🌟 Highly inclusive half-term holiday clubs (4 weeks over the summer, 1 week over Easter, October and Christmas)
🌟 Junior Leader Programme, building confidence and skills in young people
🌟 Food support for families facing food poverty
🌟 Intergenerational work and play therapy
🌟 Family support and one-to-one guidance covering:
• Economic wellbeing
• Mental health & physical health
• Help with appointments, advocacy & communication
• Education, training & employment
• Accessing the community
• Personal development and growth
Our work has made a real and lasting difference (further information and anonymised case studies available on request)
But we can’t continue it without your support. We have until April 2026 to raise £16,000 so that this project can continue running from May until August 2026. 💛🌈
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
Choral Evensong
Sunday, 18 January 2026 at 4pm, followed by refreshments afterwards. Saint Prisca, Virgin, Martyr at Rome, c.265. The Second Sunday after the Epiphany. The Book of Common Prayer Choral Evensong at St Pol de Leon (Paul) with the combined choirs of Paul Church and the Land’s End Benefice. Led by Bishop David Williams and the Revd Adam Thomas.
Update from Night Church
We are excited to share that with thanks to the generous support from Churches Together in Penzance Area we are able to open an additional weekly session. “It is with great pleasure that the CTIPA Executive has agreed to send a donation to NightChurch. It was with some sadness that our Street Pastor Scheme came to an end after the Covid restrictions were lifted but NightChurch has identified and caters for a continuing need. We are so pleased to be in a position to give the funding for this ministry to expand in 2026. We will be holding this work in our prayers and look forward to seeing it grow.” CTIPA.
NightChurch returns this week and from January 12th will be open every Monday and Wednesday 6pm to 9pm. Victoria
Christmas Holiday Club
Holiday Club took place on four days over the Christmas holidays. We had 15-20 children each day.
Thanks go to Paul Church, who hosted us at the church hall on the first day, providing lunch and refreshments throughout the day. The children played games, did crafts, and in the afternoon prepared Christingles and music for the service which ended the day.
After Christmas, we were based at St Mary’s Church for the remaining three days, doing crafts and games and also had trips out around the town, including the Gardener’s House and Smugglers restaurant. We also enjoyed a Rogue Theatre performance in Tehidy Woods. We finished holiday club with an interactive pantomime from John Brolly, which was thoroughly by adults and children alike.
Thank you to St Mary’s Church for hosting us, and for cooking lunch for us on the last day. Thanks too for generous donations from members of the cluster. Molly & Jenny, Family Workers
OTHER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Penwith Deanery News
Service of Christian Unity
on 18th January 2026 at 6pm. To be held at the Church of The Immaculate Conception Of Our Lady, Rosevean Road. Followed by refreshments.
Poverty Forum
Our first meeting of 2026 on January 13th at 10.30am. We are the guests of Newquay Foodbank and meeting at their office which is in Unit 2, Darbari Building, Prow Park, Treloggan Industrial Estate, Newquay, TR7 2SX
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
Support: 0300 1231 116 MARU (Multi Agency Referral Unit) for safeguarding concerns; Police 101/999; https://www.firstlight.org.uk; https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
