“On the Crest of a Wave”
Golowan theme for 2025
Photo by Tiago Ferreira on Unsplash
A prayer for peace in the Middle East
O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land.
Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths – Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land.
While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples.
Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for to all of us you are our Heavenly Father.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
The Very Revd Canon Richard Swell, Dean of St George’s College 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. The zoom meeting ID is 836 8507 5696. If you would like to attend, please email Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk (or call on 01736 331633) for the passcode.
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Group will meet on zoom at 6.00pm this Sunday, 22nd June. If you would like to attend, please email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk for zoom details.
I have learned to love the quiet things –
the hush of morning light,
the way a books holds its breath between pages
It is in these quiet moments
I find myself again –
not in the noise of the world,
but in the spaces it forgets to fill. (The Quiet Things – K Ashley)
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.
Jack’s baptism & faith journey
We are privileged to include this item, written by our brother in Christ, Jack, who was baptised recently on Marazion beach. On behalf of St. Mary’s: welcome to the family, Jack! – Josie
For those who know my journey, you will know that faith was not always a part of my life. I came to Christianity only recently, not through tradition or upbringing, but through conviction and study – slow-burning at first, and then unmistakably real.
My journey to faith was one of wrestling with truth, purpose, and the deeper questions that the world cannot seem to answer. Over time, I began to sense a calling that was impossible to ignore—a call not just to believe, but to surrender, to trust, and to follow.
That journey reached a milestone on Friday, the day of my baptism.
First, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to support me on Marazion beach. It meant the world to have not only my family but also my church family by my side. Your presence turned an already powerful moment in front of St. Michael’s Mount into something very special.
The conditions that day were pretty treacherous. We faced a fierce swell with barrelling waves and white water crashing around us. In the fierceness of nature, I could sense God’s message to show him what it meant to put my willingness and commitment on display; that this was not a box to tick or a symbolic gesture, but a wholehearted commitment to follow Him wherever He leads.
So, we stomped boldly into the surf, each step a declaration of faith. With a quick, decisive dunk (and some sturdy support of Derath by my brother on hand) it was done—my old life buried, my sins washed away, and a new life in Christ begun. The moment I rose from the water, embraced by those closest to me, I felt the weight lift. It was emotional, raw, and deeply meaningful; a moment I will never forget. My only regret is that I only get to experience it once.
This is just the beginning of the story, and I am so thankful to God for it. Long may the journey continue and my strength in faith and closeness to Christ grow. – Jack, St. Mary’s
Civic Service and Cluster Service at St. John’s Church
Sunday 22nd June
The service this year (as last) is also the Civic Service. It is the Feast of John the Baptist. Traditionally, the Civic Service marks the start of the week-long Gowan Festival and is attended by the Town Mayor (Cllr Stephen Reynolds) and Deputy Mayor (Cllr Nicole Broadhurst) and other town councillors, together with other visiting mayors and their consorts. Joining them will be members of our congregations, children from St Mary’s and Madron Daniel schools, members of various community groups and people from our community. I am particularly excited to say that we will also have our new Bishop David Williams joining us, who will be preaching. The theme of this year is’ On the Crest of a wave’ (‘War Grib Don’). The service will be at 11.00am, which is preceded by a parade beginning at St John’s Hall, walking along Alverton Street, down Market Jew Street, left at the Longboat, then up to St John’s church. You are welcome to join us for both the parade and the service, or to come straight to St John’s for the service. If you are joining the parade, please be at St John’s Hall by 10.15am. We welcome all of you to join us for our service this year. Any queries please contact Derath on derathdurkin@penleecluster.org.uk.
Paul Church Talk
‘Trust me, I’m a journalist’
Martin Freeman
Tuesday 1st July
Martin has covered some of the world’s biggest news stories while working for newspapers, radio and TV stations in the UK and abroad, interviewing prime ministers, film and pop stars, and local heroes. The award-winning journalist looks at truth, trust, and how to judge a prize-winning potato. Doors open at 7.00pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm. £5.00 entry, includes nibbles. Drinks on sale before and afterwards.
Art Exhibition at St. Mary’s
Paintings by our very own Annie Markovich are still on view on the back panels of St. Mary’s church – please come and see them if you get a chance. Included are watercolour seascapes, oil portraits of Greek heroines and Madron Church gravestone rubbings in charcoal on paper. Proceeds from sales are shared between the artist and St. Mary’s church. View daily from 10.00am -12 noon. Additional hours are possible; please message or email Annie at anniemarkovich@mac.com
Family Event at St. Mary’s Church
Friday 27th June
Molly has planned a family event to be held at St Mary’s Church on Mazey Day Eve, Friday 27th June from 5.00pm – 8.00 pm. There will be food and activities for children and a chance to have a chilled space amidst the business of Mazey Eve and fireworks. Any help would be much appreciated. Please contact Molly at molly.blewett@penleecluster.org.uk for further details.
Mazey Day at St. Mary’s Church
Saturday 28th June
This Mazey Day, we warmly invite you to join us at St Mary’s, open from 10.00am to 5.00pm. We will be serving cream teas, coffee, and homemade cakes to the community, alongside a bric-a-brac stall. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others and share more about the outreach work we do. The day will be shared between two teams: Penny and the hospitality team will be covering the morning until 1:30pm, with the NightChurch team taking over for the afternoon session until 5pm. We are kindly asking all cluster bakers to contribute scones and cakes for the day. If you also have any items suitable for the bric-a-brac stall, we are gratefully collecting them now: just drop them off at St Mary’s.
Finally, if you can spare an hour to help serve refreshments, have a chat with visitors, or lend a hand on the stall, we would love to hear from you! Let’s make it a joyful and welcoming Mazey Day for all! With thanks and blessings – Penny and Victoria, St. Mary’s
OTHER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Churches Together in Penzance Area (CTiPA) Forum AGM
Tuesday 24th June
The CTiPA Forum AGM will be held on Tuesday 24th June at 7.00pm at the Salvation Army, Queen Street, Penzance.
Inclusive Church AGM
Wednesday 25th June
This year’s AGM will be on Wednesday 25th June at 7.30pm online. Following the AGM we will be presenting some of the Are You In survey results and launching the new strategy IC will be working towards over the next few years. There will then be the opportunity to ask questions and discuss our plans to see how you can be part of it. Please join us, we’d really value your presence. You can ensure you get the link for the meeting by signing up here: https://tinyurl.com/ynapryxx – Inclusive Church
South West Awake Coastal Path Event
Saturday 12th July at 10.30am
In the last few years, over 7000+ Christians from all traditions of churches across the South West have been standing together on one of the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path to pray Thy Kingdom Come. This year, in 2025 we’re going bigger, with more opportunities for you to be part of this big day. Invite your friends and church to be part of this historic event for the region. Join us in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset or Dorset at Standing together asking God for His Kingdom to come in the region. – South West Awake
For more information and to sign up, please see here: https://www.southwestawake.com/join-coastalpath
