The parable of the ten virgins by Phoebe Traquair
Bible readings: Amos 5:18-24, 1 Thess. 4:13-18 – Gospel Reading [NRSVA] Matthew 25:1–13
‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Reflection for Remembrance-tide
I wonder what catches your attention when you stand before a war memorial?
Perhaps it is a familiar surname. Perhaps the number of names from one small village. Perhaps you find yourself imagining the people behind the lettering: someone in our family, someone who we knew at school, sang in the choir, worked on a farm, or had only recently fallen in love.Names bring us back to people. Lives with hopes and relationships, unfinished conversations and futures that never unfolded.
On Remembrance Sunday in the UK, we pause because those lives matter. We remember those who died in war, those who returned carrying wounds both visible and hidden, and those whose lives were changed by waiting, bereavement and loss. We honour courage, service and sacrifice, while acknowledging the terrible cost of conflict.
And within our remembering, a question waits: what might help us live more wisely with one another?
Perhaps as we remember and pray for those we knew affected by war, we might think of an answer to that question.
(Extract adapted from the HeartEdge Reflection)
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Celtic Morning Prayer – Each weekday morning on zoom 8:00am – 8:30am. Please email Keno for zoom details.
Breakfast and Breathe – This group for parents and carers meets every Monday at St Mary’s at 9:30am. We share breakfast, friendship and fellowship. We have craft activities and also have an optional gentle faith-related activity. Please let Hilary know if you are coming to this so we know numbers.
Fellowship Lunch at St Mary’s – Every Monday midday.
Lunch Club at Paul Hall. Every Monday at 12 noon.
Emmaus Group is a diverse, friendly group reflecting on a Bible reading every Tuesday, 5-6pm, at Paul Church Hall. All are very welcome. Kevin
Night Church at St Mary’s – 6-9pm every Wednesday, join us for dinner, reflection and singing. A warm welcome awaits. This is a place for everyone. Victoria
Psalm Prayer Group at Mary’s – Every Thursday at 11:15am we read, pray and meditate on a Psalm. Come and join us. 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
Christian Meditation and Contemplative Prayer
Last Monday of the month at St Mary’s at 7pm. We look forward to being together in silent worship. Next on Monday 30th November. Vicky
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Group meets at 6pm at St. Pol de Leon church on the first Sunday of the month, and online via zoom all other Sundays. If you would like to attend, please email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk for zoom details. Mel
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 7pm on Tuesday evenings.
If you would like to join the group and could spend a little time each week praying the list in your personal prayer time, please do contact Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk who will add you to the circulation list. Information is not shared and members’ names are not circulated within or outside the group. Mel
Holiday Club
Thank you to you all for your support of October half term holiday club, whether that was by donating food, resources, money or time and of course thank you for your prayers too. Over the four days we used Muddy Church resources ‘Let your light shine’ to lead the children in daily reflection. Each session began with amazing facts about pumpkins! One day we learnt that they are 90% water – but asked ‘where is it hidden?’ This led to discussion on things we could not see and had lost (passports, teddies and keys amongst them!) and then thought about what God would look like if we could see him… thoughts included ‘white’, ‘powerful’, ‘a glowing cloud’, a song’ and ‘a woman’! We followed the discussion with prayer daily and there were plenty of willing children to read it for us!
Over the week, we visited Helston Museum, Ferdi’s Soft Play, St Ives, Flicka Donkey Sanctuary, Helston boating lake and park, Trevena Cross garden centre and also held a light party at Madron School with crafts and games.
In St Ives, we partnered with Sally Crabtree, artist, who hosted some workshops in St Ia’s Church, where some people took the chance to light candles for loved ones as well. As it was only a short holiday club, we didn’t make thank you cards as we did in the summer, but big thanks again to you all for your support! Jenny
Penlee Socials
This is a social group for people who live alone. We arrange film visits mostly, sometimes other cultural events. If we go to an early evening film, we often have drinks and snacks in the Savoy bar afterwards to discuss the film. Members range in age from 50 to 80. We would be happy to welcome new members. If you would like to join contact Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk and he will forward your message to me.
We look forward to your joining us! Victoria Howard
St John’s Clothes Rack.
St John’s Clothes Rack is on Wednesday 11th November 2pm-5pm. Thank you for the donations so far. If there are any to collect in the churches please contact Hilary rainbowproject@penleecluster.org.uk
We have been busy this week sorting items and have some very generous donations. If you would like to volunteer to help out on the day even for an hour between 2pm -5pm, please contact Hilary. Thank you.
Cornish Christmas Giving Catalogue 2026
The Diocese of Truro is proud to reveal 2026’s Cornish Christmas Giving Catalogue with four charities featuring for the first time. This year 20 local groups and charities providing much needed help in the community feature in the catalogue. People are invited to visit the Diocese of Truro’s website and download a copy of the catalogue to see which charity they would like to help this Christmas.
