the coracle, july 2014

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News from the Diocese of Truro JULY 2014 30p Contents: A Season Of Invitation Way To Go Filling Stations Fuelling Faith New Honorary Canons Jumbles Sorted Out & About At The Royal Cornwall Show Out & About DOTE Success On Academy Funding Venues For Diocesan Autumn Roadshows 2014 ‘Where Two Or Three Are Gathered In My Name’ Coming Up A Tale Form The Tortoise Discovering God’s Kingdom the CORACLE

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Page 1: The Coracle, July 2014

News from the Diocese of Truro

JULY 2014 30p

Contents:

A Season Of Invitation

Way To Go

Filling Stations Fuelling Faith

New Honorary Canons

Jumbles Sorted

Out & About At The Royal Cornwall Show

Out & About

DOTE Success On Academy Funding

Venues For Diocesan Autumn Roadshows 2014

‘Where Two Or Three Are Gathered In My Name’

Coming Up

A Tale Form The Tortoise

Discovering God’s K ingdom

thecoracle

Page 2: The Coracle, July 2014

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A season of invitation

While fully recognising the call to go out into our communities, we sought to highlight the tremendous opportunities for witness afforded by our wonderful church buildings and to provide plenty of practical suggestions for how we might open our doors and open our faith, especially to those visitors who come while we’re out.

Informal feedback suggests that many found this helpful and have already begun to implement some of the simple changes suggested. If you’d like to read the ‘Charge’, and perhaps use it for discussion at a PCC meeting, you can download a copy from the diocesan website by using the link opposite.

These themes, though, may be more widely applied than the opportunity of the Visitations allowed and, if it is important to offer a warm welcome and hospitality in our churches throughout the week when we’re not there, how much more to do so on Sundays when we are!

During the last few years, a number of churches in the diocese have participated in the national ‘Back/Come to Church Sunday’ initiative and have put a particular focus on one Sunday in September on which to invite

‘OPENING OUR DOORS’ and “opening our faith” were the twin, closely-related themes of the ‘Charge’ that Archdeacon Audrey and I delivered at our Visitations during May.

friends and family to come along to a special service.

The emphasis has been on invitation and welcome, encouraging every regular worshipper to invite one friend to accompany them to church to experience the worship and fellowship that they enjoy each week – opening our doors in order that we may then begin to open our faith.

As with many initiatives this has met with mixed results – being most effective where the people have embraced it most enthusiastically. One drawback has been that this single opportunity has not always quite met the need, and so the idea has been expanded to a ‘Season of Invitation’ and churches are being encouraged to view the whole autumn season as a time to focus on welcoming people to our services.

The great advantage of this is, of course, that this time of year includes occasions when we regularly feature services that attract occasional worshippers, such as Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas. The next step

Sharing success storiesFOLLOWING our request in April’s e-Bulletin for stories from parishes about the mission and outreach work that is happening throughout Cornwall, we have updated our Mission Action Planning website page, so that it is now dedicated to sharing these stories.

So, for instance, an idea for those of you looking ahead – St Agnes and Mount Hawke with Mithian gave pot plants at Christmas to all those who had been bereaved in their parish – a gesture that was particularly well received.

We’d still love to hear from you with all your ideas – large or small – so please do continue to get in touch with Rebecca Evans at [email protected] .

And to read about what other people are doing, visit www.trurodiocese.org.uk/mission/stewardship/mission-action-planning-mapping/

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is simply to become more intentional about using this part of the natural rhythm of our church life to open our faith to our friends.

Research shows that people are much more likely to come to church and keep coming if they’re invited several times. The ‘Season of Invitation’, therefore, identifies five invitational moments coming one after the other:

• Back/CometoChurchSunday(Sept) • HarvestFestival(October) • Remembrance(November) • Christmasstarts(December) • Christmas(December)

The website www.seasonofinvitation.co.uk explains how to make the most of these opportunities and offers attractive invitation cards and other resources for each one.

The Gospels are characterised by invitation –

to come and enjoy the fullness of life found only in Christ – and yet we can be so reluctant and fearful of asking someone to come and experience something that we value greatly. As Archbishop Justin says on the introductory video, only two things are necessary: a prayer for God to show us who we can invite and the courage to say “Would you like to come with me?” It’s that simple.

Whether or not your church has participated in “Back to Church Sunday”, why not suggest that you try the ‘Season of Invitation’ this year – open your doors and open your faith to those who respond, and let us know how you get on.

Archdeacon Bill

Conservation Accredited for Grant Aided Projects Quinquennial Inspections, Design, Conservation and Contract Administration.Advisors for Domestic and Ecclesiastical Projects. The practice is always happy to discuss building problems or proposals.

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Chartered Surveyors and Historic Building ConsultantsQuinquennial and fabric advisors for 5 different denominations

www.trurodiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Archdeacons-Visitation-Charge-2014.pdf

Photo: Scott & Co

Page 4: The Coracle, July 2014

TWO YEARS after the launch of the Way of Life programme, a significant Waymark event, called Way to Go, took place in the Cathedral on Saturday 31 May, writes Primrose Peacock.

There was a varied programme, including different forms of worship, workshops covering aspects of discipleship and prayer, together with ‘market stalls’ laden with materials and useful resources.

Fr George Guiver, Superior of the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield was the keynote speaker. In his address, entitled ‘Feeling our way forward’, he asked a series of rhetorical questions about Christian discipleship today, and then concentrated on three themes in the modern world – Community, Story and Fidelity.

Fr George suggested that ‘Community’ is all too often abandoned in favour of making decisions to affect one’s own life and then arranging it to suit ones self. He contrasted the ideals of the Way of Life and the attributes of monastic life in the Mirfield Community with the new Brownie promise to “be true to myself and develop my beliefs”.

The latter, he said, may well reflect modern thought, but something is disappearing – the bonds of living together are shrinking and together with our “need to sit under things that are much bigger than us”. We are losing the sense of community in the church too and this should be addressed.

Fr George illustrated the concept of ‘Story’ using his school photograph from 1960. At that time, our society had still largely retained values from Victorian Society when the Bible and prayer were central. There was a shared story. “There were problems with it, but it worked,” he said. “Now, there is often no sharing, little group Bible reading or study in many Anglican churches, and people struggle to find a shared story.”

Turning to the subject of ‘Fidelity’, Fr George spoke about the value of prayer, how at one time during his early ministry he had stopped praying and was brought up with a jolt under very simple circumstances during a pastoral visit after a funeral.

“Today group prayer has all too often

been replaced by Law, Rules and Contracts causing a loss of the community spirit. We are losing the sense of living together … of trusting people in the community to do their work to the best of their ability. We are not sure who we are or where we belong. Society is out of balance,” he said.

Fr George emphasised the imperative of setting out a specific time for daily prayer that coincided with similar devotions with other Christians everywhere.

Bringing the three subjects (Community,Story&Fidelity)together,FrGeorgepointedout how each of them is found in the Church, which is a community organisation based on the Gospel and faith in God. “A strong church is not based on money, numbers or power, but one that is spiritually strong,” he said. “We have become the nurse to a weak church, although admittedly this is patchy. Society needs us to be the spiritual powerhouse with Christ at its heart.

“What are the young people who come to join us looking for? Not buildings or

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Way to Go

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liturgy, but the people – communities drinking deep at the wells of God’s Grace” he continued. “The routine of daily prayer is no longer with us. We need to develop routine practices that become second nature and engender a sense of trust with fellow Christians.”

Fr George drew attention to patterns in practices in Jesus’ life – such as teaching, prayer, shared meals, travel, being apart, baptism and the Eucharist. “Do our parish practices match up to Jesus?” he asked. “Maybe there is no such thing as private prayer. When we say the Lord’s Prayer, for example, there is always someone else praying with us somewhere in the world. Every time we pray, we are bringing together heaven and earth.”

He concluded his lecture by outlining methods by which the local churches and the Diocese could make a ‘prayer covenant’ for daily prayer, not as individuals, but as something we do together – maybe at a set time?

“We have to ‘plot’ against ourselves to get things done,” he said. “Become a company of persons whose life touches something deep down in people. We cannot achieve this by trying simply harder. It is only through praying with each other, we begin to sense that God is doing it for us.”

The delegates then dispersed in order to participate in workshops dotted around the Cathedral, before and following a lunch break. The closing worship and commissioning was conducted enthusiastically by Bishop Chris and the Kea Church Worship Band who led community singing and the introduction and commissioning of a group of Way Guides – people prepared to give practical and spiritual help to others.

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This was followed by the presentation of some interesting examples of group work currently in progress and illustrating the four journeying ‘directions’ of the Way of Life.

• TheRevdHilarySamson(StEnoder)who organises monthly evening Communion services for primarily teenagers represented the ‘Journey Up’.

• The ‘Journey In’ focused on the reading of Psalm 139. 1-13.

• Canon Tony Ingleby(Liskeard)explained the ‘Journey With’. He engages in a programme of shared meals, discussion and prayers.

• The ‘Journey Out’ had two representatives. Barbara Pollard from St Austell showed how money obtained from the Bishop’s Den was being used for ‘Pamper Evenings’ involving manicure, make-up and time for ladies to share testimonies. David Smith described the evolution and success of the Giving Shop in Penzance, which since opening had received 5,000 gifts, helped hundreds of people and raised £2,000.

Experienced providers of CDM support to the Cathedrals at Wells and Exeter and to the PCC’s of over

120 Churches and Chapels since 1995.

Holders of Framework Commission with English Heritage since 1998 and appointed by National Trust on many large and prestigious Projects.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY ASSOCIATES

CDM Co-ordinators

Health & Safety Advisors

Fire Risk Assessments

Page 7: The Coracle, July 2014

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THERE ARE Filling Stations popping up in surprising places across Cornwall. For instance, two opened recently – one in Falmouth and one on The Lizard.

The Filling Station is not a new independent church movement, but rather a model of how existing churches can work together to bring new spiritual life to their areas and, in the process, bring many people to faith in Jesus Christ. One of its fundamental principles is to promote Christian unity and the project received endorsement from the Bishop’s Den panel earlier this year.

On Monday 19 May, the Falmouth Filling Station – under the guidance of Reader, Charles Neate – opened its doors at the Penmorvah Manor Hotel on the edge of Falmouth. The hotel owners very kindly offered this venue to the Filling Station team free of charge and over 60 people turned up, some of whom were currently not attending any formal Church.

The second meeting was on Tuesday 20 May on the Lizard peninsula. Mike and Liz Tate, plus a team drawn from a variety of church traditions in the area, hosted this inspiring event in a newly re-conditioned cafe/pizza restaurant on a caravan park site just south of Helston.

Mike said they had been praying and thinking for some while about undertaking some new spiritual initiative in the area and were excited when they saw the Filling Station website and heard about this particular model of ‘being church.’

Their opening night speaker was operations director at the Filling Station, Sarah Stockinger.

The Filling Station mid-week meetings are presented in a manner that those outside the existing church feel comfortable in experiencing. Meetings are held on a monthly basis and aim to be short, sharp and focussed in character. Many church leaders find them an excellent addition to their existing local efforts.

The Filling Station Trust has been set up to facilitate any local group wishing to start a meeting in their part of the world. It can provide human and practical resources, guidance on how to establish a successful local meeting, liaison with local clergy, background prayer support, prayer ministry training workshops plus tried & tested speakers for meetings.

Filling Stations fuelling faith

To find out more, visit www.thefillingstation.org.uk

The Falmouth Filling Station meets every 3rd Monday, contact Charles Neate at [email protected], 01326 372742; and the Lizard FS every 3rd Tuesday,

contact Mike & Liz Tate, at [email protected], 07789579948

Mike Tate and the worship band at the launch of Filling Station on The Lizard.

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New Honorary Canons

Revd Geoffrey Bennett, Rural Dean of Carnmarth South and Vicar of Budock. He occupies the Stall of St Necton.

Revd Andrew Gough, Priest in Charge of Halsetown and Priest in Charge of St Ives. He occupies the Stall of St Ia.

Christopher Batt, Chaplain to the Markets, Agricultural Chaplain and Rural Chaplain; Assistant Co-ordinator for the Farming Community Network and Chairman of the Cornwall Emergency Feed Fund. He occupies the Stall of St James the Less.

Esther Pollard, Diocesan Secretary. She occupies the Stall of St Matthew.

Dr Jonathan Rowe, Director of Accompanied Ministry Development. He occupies the Stall of St Peter.

FOLLOWING the Office of Evensong on Sunday 18 May, five new Non-Residentiary Canons were installed as Canons of Truro Cathedral and members of the College of Canons.

For his sermon, Bishop Tim took as his text Jesus’ words: “Abide in me as I abide in you”, taken from John 15.4. He described the new canons as five very different people who, apart from their humanity, had little in common and were very different characters who had lived very different lives. “Yet we can rejoice at the possibilities this brings,” he said, “the opportunities for engaging in new and challenging conversations.”

Bishop Tim pointed out that the word ‘abide’ is not often used in everyday conversation but does go some way to explaining the role of the new canons. “They have all been around a bit!” he said. “So they have all experienced life’s ups and downs, and have stuck to

their tasks such that they can share that experience with us.

“They are five people who have some understanding of this place and what is going on in the outside world too,” he added. “They are examples to us this evening of what it means to abide. Through their adherence to the Christian faith they have discovered the reality of the Gospel and

Phot

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can help us to mediate it in the world and our lives; to bring integrity into our discipleship. To stick with it. To abide.”

Revd Olive Stephens, Rural Dean of Carnmarth North and Associate Priest of Redruth with Lanner and Treleigh and Bishop Mark O’Toole, Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, will be installed on Sunday 12 October atEvensong(4pm)

PicturedwithBishopTim(fromleft)are:DrJonathanRowe,EstherPollard, Revd Andrew Gough, Revd Geoffrey Bennett and Christopher Batt.

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Primrose Peacock writes…

I DON’T KNOW who organised the first one, but she or he started what for many people has almost become a way of life.

I have experienced over 70 ‘jumble years’, commencing during the Second World War in an isolated Dartmoor Village. ‘Off coupons’ food was a main attraction when we grew it, grubbed it up or swapped.

Over the years, the Jumble Sale has waxed, waned, changed and reduced in popularity owing to online selling and affluence. But there is still a hard core of addicts and a well-advertised circuit to follow – usually in connection with either a local NGO, a specific need such as building improvement, or a short-term multinational public appeal.

These all attract a regular following – including dealers – and are attended under conditions in which the sharpest elbows win!

But there is also the ‘Relaxed’ Jumble Sale. It is lesswellattended(oftenowingtoinsufficientadvertising).Itismoresedate,andmayinclude

‘stalls’ of items – not specifically just second-hand jumble. It may be in the morning, and include cakes, hobby items, ‘better’ books, and garden produce.

Churches and chapels are particularly good at this type of sale. Some are held at regular six-monthly intervals, others just when a need occurs. Mount Hawke Chapel is in the first category, (lovely ‘veg’ inautumn) St John’s Church

Mount Hawke and St Gluvias Church in the second one.

Others may call themselves ‘bazaars’, to include raffles, bottle stalls and ‘teas’; but the outcome is about the same – financing a specific short-termneed.Itcouldbeupdating(orinstalling)alavatory, repairing a boiler shed or, as recently at St Gluvias, providing disabled access to a very good but awkward-to-get-into hall.

So look out for the ‘Relaxed’ Jumble Sale and patronise it. You may find a personal treasure, a ‘Princess Margaret-on-a-bad-day, hat’, or a book you have ‘wanted for ages’. You will also be helping a local church and its people.

Jumbles sorted

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Page 10: The Coracle, July 2014

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Out & About at the Royal Cornwall Show

Noah’s Ark

Niamh

Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Show chaplains

Page 11: The Coracle, July 2014

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Churches tent

Live 2 Love stand

Page 12: The Coracle, July 2014

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Out & about

Celebrating 50 years of ministryTHE CONGREGATIONS of St Anta and All Saints, Carbis Bay, and St Uny, Lelant, joined together for a united thanksgiving service on 25 May to celebrate Gordon Gibson’s 50th anniversary of ministry as a Reader, writes John Culver.

The church, which was full to capacity for the occasion, hosted members of Gordon’s family, friends and colleagues, including Chris K i n g s h o t t , diocesan chaplain to the Readers and Caroline Tucker, secretary of the Readers, who both brought warm greetings from the Warden of Readers, Bishop Chris.

Priest-in-charge, Revd Suzanne Hosking, paid tribute to Gordon’s long and faithful service, which has included a great deal of encouragement of others. Then assistant curate, Revd Carlyn Wilton, presented to Gordon a gardening gift voucher from the two parishes.

Gordon, a former headmaster, recalled the first service at which he officiated in 1964, a day after his licensing, when to his astonishment he found the Provost Emeritus of Coventry Cathedral in the front pew. Since then he has officiated at a variety of services – including funerals, Remembrance services and regularly taking communion to residents at a local retirement home.

A celebration cake and wine were shared at a reception after the service.

Readers are lay people in the Church of England, from all walks of life, who are called by God, and theologically trained and licensed by the Bishop to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work.

The office of Reader is the only lay ministry in the Church of England that is voluntary, nationally accredited, episcopally licensed and governed by Canon Law. There are now over 10,000 Readers, with men and women represented almost equally.

In the Diocese of Truro, there are currently over 120 Readers exercising ministry in the parishes.

Gordon cuts his celebration cake, watched by his wife Jean.

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Revd Suzanne Hosking was licensed and installed as priest in charge of the United Benefice of St Anta & All Saints, Carbis Bay with St Uny, Lelant, at St Anta Church on 22 April. Pictured with her are:(left)BishopChrisandArchdeaconBill.

New priest incharge Very special

licenceON 8 MAY, Revd Ellie Goldsmith was licensed by Bishop Chris as team vicar of the parishes Ladock, St Erme, Grampound with Creed, and Probus, writes Shirley Soper.

It was a very special service at Ladock Parish Church which may well have been made even more special – unique even – in that we wonder whether a Bishop has ever licensed his wife before?! Be that as it may, all the parishes extend a very warm welcome to Revd Goldsmith and very much look forward to sharing her ministry.

A NEW SET of ‘pulpit falls’, created by long-time parishioner, Win Cothey, were dedicated by the by Revd Andrew Gough, Vicar of St Ia Church, St Ives, on 18 May, writes Colin Sanger.

They were made possible by a collection and donations from the funeral of a local St Ives woman, the much-loved Winnie Lane, who died aged 92 early last year. The project, which was a “labour of love”, took three months to complete and the ‘falls’ will remain in situ on St Peter’s Altar in the church.

Pictured(fromleft)are:MissSylviaDunn,firstcousin of Miss Lane, and Win Cothey, who spent “many happy hours” with needle and silks creating the four cloths depicting the four seasons in the Church Year.

Speaking after the dedication, Miss Dunn said: “Winnie so loved this church from the day she was christened here over 80 years ago.”

Dedication to dedication

Page 14: The Coracle, July 2014

[email protected]

01566 785440The Whisperings, Petherwin Gate, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8LW

• Sound Reinforcement

• Induction Hearing Loops

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14

A NEW SET of ‘pulpit falls’, created by long-time parishioner, Win Cothey, were dedicated by the by Revd Andrew Gough, Vicar of St Ia Church, St Ives, on 18 May, writes Colin Sanger.

They were made possible by a collection and donations from the funeral of a local St Ives woman, the much-loved Winnie Lane, who died aged 92 early last year. The project, which was a “labour of love”, took three months to complete and the ‘falls’ will remain in situ on St Peter’s Altar in the church.

Pictured(fromleft)are:MissSylviaDunn,firstcousin of Miss Lane and Win Cothey, who spent “many happy hours” with needle and silks creating the four cloths depicting the four seasons in the Church Year.

Speaking after the dedication, Miss Dunn said: “Winnie so loved this church from the day she was christened here over 80 years ago.”

ON FRIDAY 23 May, the annual St Cleer Well Dressing took place, writes Duncan Paul Matthews.

Two hundred and forty-nine children from St Cleer Primary School, walked to the well, each bearing a posy of flowers, which would later be distributed to residential homes in the area.

The St Cleer Well – adorned with St Piran’s flags and bunting for the occasion – is reputed to be the site where St Clarus brought Christianity to the village 1,000 years ago and where he baptised his converts in its waters. The water is reputed to cure epilepsy and madness.

Following a series of welcomes, the school choir sang Trelawny and were joined for a

second rendition by all. Jennifer Matthews, then had the reception class children offer the musical treat of Camborne Hill and Trelawny on the bell plates.

Revd Keith Lanyon Jones, Vicar of St Cleer, led the worship and spoke on the reading from 1 Peter 3 that was read in Cornish by Mike Smith, followed by The Lord’s Prayer in Cornish, and then repeated by all in English.

The ceremony concluded with the Blessing by Revd Lanyon Jones – while the newly elected Mayor, His Worship, Cllr Philip Seeva, gained much attention from the children who all wanted to get their hands on Liskeard’s much-valued and ancient mayoral chain.

No one noticed the rain!

Well dressed

For more information and to book a place at any of these events, contact Epiphany House, Kenwyn, Truro TR1 3DR Tel: 01872 272249 E-mail: [email protected]

Epiphany House www.epiphanyhousetruro.co.uk

The Eucharist is celebrated on Tuesdays at noon.On the first Tuesday of the month there will be Prayer for Healing.

Morning Prayer is said in the Chapel at 10.45 am Monday to Friday.

Meditation Groups meet on 1st Monday of the month 2.30 pm - 4 pm & 3rd Monday of month 7.15 - 9.30 pm.

Quiet Space: we warmly welcome individuals seeking Quiet

Space for prayer, rest, reflection or study. We have a number of small rooms available as well as use of the beautiful grounds and can offer refreshments

and food. Overnight accommodation with breakfast is available as well as facilities for self-catering.

Page 15: The Coracle, July 2014

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DELIVERING EXCELLENT education in sub-standard buildings can be a challenge, writes James Hetherington.

So it is good to report that the school buildings team at Diocese of Truro Enterprises (DOTE) have workedsuccessfully with a number of Academies to secure grants for repairs from the Department of Education Academies Capital Maintenance Fund programme.

The schools involved are:

• St Michael Primary School, the Pilgrim’s Way Multi- Academy Trust – refurbishment of the Junior School

• Grampound with Creed Primary School, St Piran’s Cross Multi-Academy Trust – replacement windows

• Veryan Primary School, St Piran’s Cross Multi- Academy Trust – refurbishment of classrooms

• Grade Ruan and St Keverne Primary schools, both part of the Keskowethyan Multi-Academy Trust – replacement modular classrooms.

The schemes all address significant condition issues and will see much-needed improvements to the teaching environment to be delivered in the year to April 2015.

For further details, contact James Hetherington, School Buildings Officer at Diocese of Truro Enterprises on 01872 247215 or e-mail [email protected]

DOTE success on Academy funding

Tuesday 23 September

Falmouth School Trescobeas Road

Falmouth TR11 4LH

Tuesday 30 September

Launceston Town Hall, Dunheved Bar & Kitchen

PL15 7AR

Thursday 9 October

Liskeard Town Council Public Hall &

Refreshment room 3-5 West Street

Liskeard PL14 6BW

Tuesday 21 October

Penwith College Zennor Refectory

St Clare Street, Penzance TR18 2SA

Thursday 23 October

Shire House Suite, Bodmin Town Council Mount Folly Square Bodmin PL31 2DQ

Tuesday 4 November

St Erme Community Centre, Castle Field, Trispen.

Some ‘before’ pics from St Michael’s Primary School,Helston(nowthe Pilgrims Way Multi-AcademyTrust).Welookforward to seeing the ‘afters’.

Venues for Diocesan Autumn

Roadshows 2014

Page 16: The Coracle, July 2014

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Revd Christopher Newell writes…

ON ONE of the mental health wards the other day, I met a patient who, after 40 years when church and what happens in church hadn’t meant anything to him, felt very strongly that he needed to share Holy Communion with me.

I am in the habit now – do not mention this to senior staff will you – of not bringing my holy communion set on to the wards anymore; but, instead, send the patient(s)on a search for the ‘offertory’ of ‘bread & wine’ on the ward itself. More often than not, we find bread; and although alcohol is impossible to find, we do discover all manner of fruity drinks that may not be ‘fruit of the vine’.

Today, this patient wished the ‘elements’ to be ‘offered’ from his personal store of food and drink. He did not have any bread but wondered whether offerings from his packet of fig rolls and his blueberry sparkling water would do? I said they would be ideal and, possessing two fig rolls, a plastic cup of sparkling water and kitchen towels to make our offering and our altar, off we went to a quiet place in a hectic, ‘manic’ ward.

He offered, I ‘consecrated’ and our empty hands and souls were filled.

I cannot begin to describe how transformational that moment was for both of us and, for him, it was sanctifying and converting beyond words. He had met Jesus in the fig rolls and the blueberry sparkling water just as profoundly as in the bread and wine I might have brought him. But it seemed that his offering made ‘sacrament’

– if sacrament it was – had made such a powerful difference.

Through the earthly material – fruit of the earth, if not vine – and which human hands had made, the materiality of his own self, body, mind, spirit, met the body and the blood of Christ and what manner of possibilities for his life may flourish from that encounter?.

Was this Eucharist or Agape and does the language matter? What am I, a priest of Holy Church, doing, ‘consecrating’ fig rolls and blueberry water? Am I consecrating? It seemed important to him that I was a priest and this was communion. What implications may this act of offering out of people’s own ‘store-cupboards’ have for the Eucharistic/agapaic life the church in community?

I do not want to decry in any way the wonderful act of bringing out from the church’s celebration of Holy Eucharist, the consecrated elements to the homes of our communities. But is there a place for a complementary act of ‘sacramental’ sharing, whatever we may call it; when, with empty hands, the priest and people enter homes and schools and places of work, and search and find the ‘offerings’ from the ‘store-cupboards’ to be full of them, making ‘sacraments’ of them and us?

May I leave you with these questions? Whilst I wait nervously for a call from Lis Escop!

‘Where two or three are gathered

in my name’

Photo

: Wiki

pedia

Page 17: The Coracle, July 2014

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COMING UP

Cathedral Services in the Cornish Language

Revd Jane Kneebone writes…

From the end of July, we shall be including occasional services in Cornish as part of the round of worship in the Cathedral, particularly on the feast days of some of our Cornish Saints. Although services in Cornish have taken place in the Cathedral before, this will be first time, as far as we know, that special saints’ days will have been marked with the Eucharist in Cornish.

The first such service will be held on the Feast of St Samson, Monday 28 July – a said Eucharist

at 1pm; and on Wednesday 1 October, there will be a solemn Sung Eucharist at 5.30 pm on the Feast of St German. At this service there will be hymns sung in Cornish to well-known tunes, and the choir will sing the Mass setting in Latin – there will be no English spoken at all.

This seems particularly fitting when we remember that before the advent of the Prayer Book in English, all church services in Cornwall were conducted in Latin, with probably the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer said in Cornish. In the 1549 Prayer Book Rebellion, it was the cessation of services in Latin that the Cornish were protesting about!

We hope that our venture will attract speakers and non-speakers of Cornish alike. If you don’t speak the language, don’t worry – the service book will be reproduced in both Cornish and English, so you will easily be able to follow the liturgy.

I have been involved in leading services in Cornish for some time now, and I find every time that they are very prayerful and uplifting. It may well be that these special Cathedral services will offer other people a similar experience, such that they can encounter God through liturgy in a new way.

Open afternoon for Tower

AS A WAY of helping to raise money for Veryan Church’s new heating system, the bell-ringers are proposing to open the church tower to visitors on Saturday 16 August from 2.30 to 5pm, writes Douglas Reece.

Through the auspices of Truro Diocesan Guild of Ringers, all its members will be circulated and encouraged to come and enjoy ringing our bells during the afternoon. It is hoped that the sound of the bells will arouse the curiosity of visitors to the area too who will be able to enter the tower, watch the ringing and have some of the technicalities explained to them.

Our church is blessed with a lovely ring of six, which have been overhauled to modern standards and are a joy to ring. If you or your tower team would like to come along, it would be helpful to know – a quick phone call to 01872 501203 or email to mailto:[email protected] [email protected] will be fine.

Page 18: The Coracle, July 2014

A taste of LYCIG

Saturday 20 September, 9.30 - 4pm, Shire House Suite, Bodmin, PL31 2DQ

‘LEADING Your Church Into Growth’ (LYCIG) isahighly successfulandpopularcourse, specifically designed for Anglican clergy and lay leaders who are looking for help and encouragement in leading their churches into growth.

The main LYCIG event is a four-day residential course, about which Bishop Stephen Cottrell wrote: ‘Central to the Transforming Presence agenda is the priority of learning how to evangelize effectively. The ‘Leading Your Church into Growth’ course offers tried and tested practical advice, wisdom and experience so as to help the local church get evangelism into the bloodstream’.

The day in September is a free ‘taster’ event, put on by a team of people who have attended the main LYCIG course and been inspired to bring something of its essence to Cornwall. We are also privileged to have Revd Dave Elkington – who is a member of the main LYCIG team – to bring a wealth of experience to this event.

Lunch will be provided; but places are limited, so booking is essential. For full information, contact Revd Anne Brown on 01566 770649 or e-mail mailto:[email protected] [email protected]

18

COMING UP Cont/d

Some members of the LYCIG team.

HOW MANY of us can truthfully say that they have no misunderstanding or some difficulty with their relations – be they uncles, aunts, offspring or spouses? Are you able to take a deep breath and sigh with relief and say none whatsoever?

Or perhaps the same question may be asked about your friends, and even – dare I say it – members of the congregation in the church you regularly attend.

So far, I have lived a fairly long and varied life. When I came into my wife’s life, I was knocking on a bit, at 69 years. We had different backgrounds, but shared a tremendous love of music and the arts. We are both Christians and I think that link is the most important bit of all.

Why this preamble? Well I did meet with some objections from certain relations and friends on my wife’s side. We had no doubts about our future. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life. But what follows is interesting…

Having proposed marriage, I had to return home by train. It was going to be quite a long journey. It was early evening and I found myself sitting in a compartment with a petite Welsh lady. It was apparent that she also had a long journey ahead of her.

She was warm and friendly and so I told her about my proposal of marriage; and also that my wife-to-be’s brother and some family friends were against any idea of a serious relationship.

When I had finished, the little Welsh lady said: “Those who worry don’t matter, and those who matter don’t worry.”

The train stopped and I had to leave in a hurry for a connection; so I quickly made my farewell and thanked her for her company.

Afterwards, I reflected on our conversation. I have come to the conclusion that the little Welsh lady was a ‘messenger of God’. It was such an extraordinary piece of wisdom; and perfectly apt.

A Galapagos Tortoise whose name is Mr Nobody.

A Tale from the Tortoise

Page 19: The Coracle, July 2014

19

Announcements

The content of this publication is believed to be correct at the time of going to print, but its accuracy is not guaranteed and does not form part of any

offer or contract.

The Revd Juliet Susan Joyce Williams at present Assistant Curate of St Agnes with Mount Hawke and Mithian to be Priest-in-Charge of Boscoppa and Deanery Evangelist for the Deanery of St Austell in the Diocese of Truro. She will be licensed by the Bishop of St Germans at 11am on Saturday 1st November at Boscoppa.

The Revd Brian Anthony McQuillen who has Permission to Officiate in the Truro Diocese to be the new Secretary of the Cornwall Retired Clergy Fund with effect from 15th May.

The Revd Canon Vanda Sheila Perrett, at present Team Rector of Bourne Valley Team and Rural Dean of Alderbury in the Diocese of Salisbury; to be Priest-in-Charge of St Buryan, St Sennen and St Levan, the Land’s End Benefice in the Diocese of Truro. She will be licensed by the Bishop of Truro at 7pm on Friday 26th September at St Buryan.

Retirements

The Revd Owen Blatchly who has Permission to Officiate in the Truro Diocese retired from his post as Secretary of the Cornwall Retired Clergy Fund with effect from 15th May.

ST ENDELLION CHURCH Sunday 13 July 6pm Evening Worship with Taize chants by candlelight. Sunday 10 August 6pm Evening Worship with Taize chants by candlelight.

CORNWALL ORGANISTS’ ASSOCIATION Penzance Roman Catholic Church 19 July 3.30pm Organ recital by Bramwell Bourne on the Tucker organ 6pm Talk on history of the church and rebuild of the organ by David Gridley, with musical performances by talented musicians from the locality. Details [email protected]

What’s on

St Paul’s Church, Chacewater

Celebration of Flowers, Crafts & Music

‘SUMMER IN CORNWALL’

Daily 10-12 July 10.30am - 5pm. Entry £2.

Special opening 12 noon on Thursday 10 July by BBC Radio Cornwall presenter,

Donna Birrell

Concert on Friday evening at 7.30pm Stythians

Ladies Choir entertain with light summer music and show songs.

Tickets £5 including tea/coffee & biscuits available from local organisations and

church members.

Enquiries or reserve tickets, call 01209 891059, 01872 560709

or 01872 560421.

St Paul’s Church, Charlestown

Annual Flower Festival

‘THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC’

Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 July

Throughout the Festival

Art & Craft Fayre in the Hall

Light lunches, cakes, teas, coffees & soft drinks

SONGS OF PRAISE 6.30pm in St Paul’s Church.

Egloshayle Church, Wadebridge Come and explore the history of Egloshayle at

EGLOSHAYLE HERITAGE WEEKEND Friday 25th July to Sunday 27th July

Friday and Saturday, 10am - 4pm. Sunday 12.30 - 3pm

Light refreshments served all day. Admission free to exhibition

SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT Popular music of the First World War

Cornish Bard Hilary Keam’s Stories and Anecdotes

RAISE THE ROOF! St Enoder Church, Summercourt, off A30

Three summer concerts to celebrate the new roof at MEEAGARS ENSEMBLE

Youth Girls’ Choir Fri 27 June 7.30pm

Tickets £6 adult, £4 over 65/under 16, £16 Family of 4. CORNWALL YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Fri 4 July 7.30pm Tickets £10 adult, £8 over 65/under 16, £18 Family of 4.

HOLMAN CLIMAX MALE VOICE CHOIR Fri 18 July 7.30pm

Tickets £10 adult, £8 over 65/under 16, £28 Family of 4. Hot bites, cakes & licensed bar.

Details & box office 01726 862599,

Cornish Riviera 01726 87900 also at Tourist Info in Bodmin, Truro, St Austell.

Page 20: The Coracle, July 2014

thecoracle

Printed and Distributed by Nationwide Print. Holmbush Ind. Estate,

St Austell, Cornwall PL25 3JL.

Design: Karen Jackson Design, Falmouth www.karenjacksondesign.com

The Coracle is published with the authority of the Bishop of Truro.

Editor & advertising: David Watson [email protected]

Diocesan House, Kenwyn, Truro TR1 1JQ Telephone 01872 274351 www.trurodiocese.org.uk

Last day for copy to Editor 27th June

(for August issue)CFriday 18 1.10pm.CarlJackson(HampsteadPalace)freelunchtimeorganrecital.Saturday 19 11-2pm. Messy Table Fun for families and children. Free. 1pm. Four Tunes Saxophone Quartet informal concert, free with collection. Sunday 20 11.30am. Fairtrade Table after Morning Eucharist in North Transept.Noon. ‘Sing and Discover’ Choir informal lunchtime concert, free with collection. Monday 21 5.30pm. Solemn First Evensong of Mary Magdalene. Tuesday 22 5.30pm. Solemn Eucharist of Mary Magdalene. Thursday 24 5.30pm. First Evening Prayer of James the Apostle.Friday 251.10pm.JeffreyMakinson(ManchesterCathedral)freelunchtimeorganrecital.5.30pm Solemn Eucharist of James the Apostle. Saturday 26 1pm. Cornwall Community Choir informal concert, free with collection7.30pm Reinis Zarinš Piano Concert. Latvian Musician of the Year Award in 2011 and 2013 plays Liszt’s Sonata in B minor, Die Forelle, Gretchen am Spinnrade and Bach’s well-known Chaconne for violin solo, in Busoni’s majestic transcription for piano. Tickets HfC, www.hallforcornwall.co.uk or 01872 262466 For details www.reiniszarins.com Sunday 27 4pm. Solemn First Evensong of Samson, Bishop, Missionary. Monday 28 1pm. Eucharist in Cornish in St Mary’s Aisle.5.30pm. Solemn Eucharist of Samson, Bishop, Missionary. Wednesday 30 7.30pm. The Tempest: Shaken and Stirred Miracle Theatre uniquely brings to life Shakespeare’s great masterpiece of forgiveness, generosity and enlightenment. Outdoor performance, so dress warmly, no chairs available. Tickets HfC www.hallforcornwall.co.uk, 01872 262466.

July DatesTruroCathedral

Saints of Cornish Churches Exhibition by Cornwall’s Quilters. 35 original designs inspired by stories of Cornish Saints and Parish Churches of Cornwall. Free with collection. Contact Jo Morgan 01872279063(until14July)Open10-5(Mon-Sat)12-4(Sun)Freebutdonationstooffsetcosts.Wednesday 2 5.30pm. Solemn First Evensong of Thomas the Apostle. Thursday 3 5.30pm. Solemn Eucharist of Thomas the Apostle. Friday 41.10pm.CameronLuke(Cheltenham)Freelunchtime organ recital.Saturday 5 12-2pm. Messy Table Fun for families and children. Free7.30pm. Handel’s Israel in Egypt performed by Three Spires Singers and Orchestra. Written a few years before Messiah this sumptuous oratorio highlights Handel’s vivacious musical palette. Tickets HfC, 01872 262466, www.hallforcornwall.co.uk Wednesday 9 Friends’ Coffee Morning in Pearson Room(10-12Noon).Allwelcome.Friday 111.10pm.MarkSwinton(StMary’s,Warwick)freelunchtimeorganrecital.Saturday 12 All day Truro Carnival.Sunday 13 from Noon. Sunday Carvery Lunch in CathedralRestaurant.Onecourse(£8.50)ortwocourses(£10.50).Mustpre-bookon01872245011or [email protected], 4pm. Evensong: Valediction of Choristers & Scholars8pm. Open to Question Informal opportunity to reflect on issues of Faith with Revd Canon Dr Stephen Dawes in Pearson Room.Tuesday 15 10-5pm. Cornwall’s Schools Remember: Personal stories and reflections on the First World War – major exhibition seeing the centenary through the eyes of pupils from schools in Cornwall. Free10-5pmdaily(Sunday12-4pm)Until21November.Thursday 17 2pm. Mothers’ Union Quiet Day at Epiphany House.