Birthday lunch at the Gurnards Head after a blustery walk along parts of the cliff path,The Picture of the pub is shamelessly nicked from their website- but there is a link to it from the picture and if you have never been I can recommend it!We dropped in for coffee at 10:30 and then battled the freshening breeze and enjoying the patches of sunshine until lunchtime. Our table was in the main part of the pub rather than the restaurant by the fire and opposite us was a couple.Now Lez and I have always been people watchers often making up stories about who they are and what they have been doing and so I noticed this pair right away. He looked a businessman perhaps in his 50s and was pouring rather generous glasses of wine for himself and the young woman who shared his table. Father and daughter having a celebratory lunch perhaps or maybe a reunion. We ordered our drinks - ginger beer for me as I was driving (and actually wanted to be awake for the afternoon.) their meals arrived and more wine poured As the weather was good the pub was very busy and so lunch proceeded at a very leisurely pace and by the time our orders arrived the couple had finished theirs and were deep in conversation - he was doing much of the talking- she leaning forward and stroking his fingers as they were wrapped around the stem of his glass...... it is hard not to look when its only 6 feet away and right in front of you. Work colleagues- the boss treating his doting personal assistant - or perhaps as it was a Friday they were on the first day of a weekend 'conference' ...... While she went off to the ladies he poured the remainder of the bottle of wine into his glass and drained it and signalled to the hostess that he wanted another bottle of the same vintage to take out. "I hope he's not driving," I whispered to Lez.Their bill paid he got his car keys ready and left while we awaited our pudding.My thoughts were several ranging from: I hope he's breathalysed to I bet he's the owner of the flash silver merc parked across the front of the pub -rather than in the car park. ..........continuedI reminded myself that I was being both harsh and judgemental especially because I had decided it was most definitely an illicit affair and that someone was going to get hurt and hoped he was not going to show off in his merc with the best part of two thirds of a bottle of wine in his system. But..... there may have been a taxi waiting..... it could still have been an innocent family reunion..... but is was easier and more satisfying to judge.That was chastening as I had been taking the moral high ground all week on the story of the Shamima Begum which has stirred up so much controversy. A priest I know commented, "Oh I…
The Advent Quiet Day at Epiphany House on December 7th will be led by Reader Garth Wright who has recently taken on the task of minister to the third order of St Francis in Cornwall.The day is entitled 'Franciscan Spirituality' and I am really looking forward to it. We suggest a donation of £10 towards the cost of hiring Epiphany House and for the refreshments on arrival and at lunchtime. Please bring your own packed lunch.
I am now governors for two schools! My grandchildren pictured above (winning a young detectives event) go to schools in the Crofty Multi Academy Trust.The most recent is where I have been drafted in to help build a local governing board and prepare it for inspection sometime in the near future.At the chair’s a meeting for the multi academy trust of which both my schools are part, we asked who had vacancies for governors in their schools. Three of us had five or more vacancies which means a lot more work for those governors that we do have.Please please do consider supporting your local schools and are offering yourselves for this very important role. It can be very rewarding and a unique access to an important part of your local community.I’m particularly interested to hear from anyone within reasonable distance of Camborne-Redruth but happy to talk to anyone about the role of governor.
I now have two directees so I can call myself a spiritual director, although in all honesty the word 'director' is an inadequate title for what I actually do as I spend most of the time listening and the directing is more like the very occasional gentle suggestion of things that the directee might like to experience such as a constructing a personal spiritual timeline or a trying a style of prayer.It is however a great privilege to sit and listen to people searching their hearts for 90 minutes in a quest for a deeper understanding of their faith and certainly a vocation that I feel called to.Interestingly I find myself between spiritual directors and looking for a new one. More on the search in blogs to follow. Currently I am praying that one will just turn up!
On March 20 I have been asked to be chaplain for a prayer and painting quiet day at epiphany house with Maureen Edwards.My role is to do the opening and closing worship on a prayer and painting theme and to the available to chat to during the day.I’m hoping that there will be folks who really will want to chat so I don’t have to do too much painting that other folk might get to look at it so well as of my comfort zone. Give me a story to tell and that’s my art! A paintbrush feels quite alien even after 30 years in primary classrooms.Places can be booked through epiphany house and there’s more information on the Quiet Days page of this website (under the Prayer heading!).
In January a three person evaluation team descended on the readers in training course to assess its efficacy!I met two of the team on three occasions, the management team meeting, the tutorial staff meeting and at the Saturday Day School. The picture features Jeremy Putnam leading what I thought was a fantastic day on Community.At that time of writing I have not heard anything about to the report but the process was an interesting one and, though likened to OFSTED, it was a much more conversational affair. The assessors were astute and asked probing questions that certainly got the grey cells working.I think one of the development points that might come to the fore is how we promote reader ministry, especially with younger folk.The diocesan website is a convoluted maze at best and there does need to be a clear message about what a reader ministry is and why folk should consider it as a vocation.Your suggestions please! I will collate the best and put them on the website!
Morning session – 2 options. I am really looking forward to Reader Day this year - especially as I quite fancy the walk! Hopefully Bishop Philip will be able to be there as well for our question time session in the afternoon which should be really interesting. The planning group (not me) met recently and below is there draft planning - lots of hard work and great ideas! Thank you all! Option 1 – a walk to Nanstallon. Organized by Margaret Sylvester-Thorne – led by Bishop Chris. This is a good flat walk with only little road walking involved. The walk is along the rail path. It is anticipated that the walk would take about an hour each way – walking past Bodmin Jail may be pause for a prayer either on the way out or on the return Expect to leave St Petroc’s by 10.30 and arrive about 11.30 at Nanstallon Church. (Ann to liaise with Nanstallon: have church open, to see if tea and coffee could be supplied; to find out if there is telephone reception, find out about toilets. If necessary speak to Methodist re using their facilities. Donation to Nanstallon for refreshments (out of Reader budget). To find out if there is telephone reception at St Petrocs. 11.30 to Noon: refreshments and a short service. It is anticipated that Bishop Philip will walk – but it would be good if he could join those in church rather than walk back. (transport needed). To be aware that some may need to return to St Petroc’s rather than walk both ways. Need first aid kit and telephone. Option 2 – to be a Pilgrim in St Petroc’s for those who are unable or don’t want to walk. – led by Carrie & William 10.30 to 11.30 activities in church (organized through Nigel Marns) Prayer stations with activities on the theme of being a Pilgrim. Also Together we Walk – a pilgrimage in Church. 11.30 to Noon – refreshments and the same short service as at Nanstallon Church. (this is to link both groups) Noon until Pilgrims return – Lunch On Pilgrims Return have lunch together – grace 1.45 – AGM 2pm – Witness statements on being a Reader – 4 each lasting 5 mins on own experience of being a Reader. This needs to be balanced – not a dig at parish priests. 2.20 – 2.40 over to Bishop Philip chance to speak to the Readers 2.40 – 3.00 – opportunity to ask Bishop Philip questions. (have questions sent in 3.00 – Cream Tea 3.30 – Bishop Chris – and Closing Blessing (pilgrim)
I’ve been part of a trade-off. Following the closing of Carn Brea Methodist church most of the congregation joined in with St Euny church in Redruth.That means that once a month they have a local preacher from the Methodist church who comes to do a service and the trade-off is that I get to be on the Methodist plan and going around the churches in the district at least once a month. This Sunday I had the delight of experiencing Camborne Wesley Church and although I was taking the 10:30 service, I was invited to drop in to the cafe church that preceded it.I was are welcomed with a hug from of an old colleague that I had not seen for many years and escorted across the action to the serving table for some coffee. The local preacher leading it, a (young- compared with me) teacher called Nick, was effectively using laptop and projector for the structure of the service and providing accompaniment for the singing of worship songs are from Youtube. After a short talk interspersed with a clip from Youtube from an American speaker discussion points were posted up to enable the group to talk. Nick kindly sent me the link and questions which appear below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX7HjbYOOjQHave we strayed from the church of the bible?What’s missing from the church of Acts nowadays?(How can we make "insert church name here" about Him)What would make God Pleased most in "insert your area"Should we change our services/Change our hearts.When was the last time you were awestruck to be a part of God’s church?What could you give to the church?Pray for the church. (world wide, Local)I’m afraid the American speaker did not really inspire me at all, I prefer my preaching live, but the questions are certainly of interest and some are probably those that are asked in churches of all denominations throughout the land in one way or another. Some of the questions also grated somewhat in their language being rather loaded, but the one that pricked my interest was "should we change our services or change our hearts?" My first thought was that this should not be an either or question, after all we can change both services and hearts just as we can change one of them without the other. And….. if you change hearts they might just want to change services….. or not! I’ve now been a reader for 30 years and an active worship group and house group leader for half a dozen years longer than that and change is something with which I have wrestled more or less zealously for all of that time. I used to think that need to throw out the old staid services and replace them with lively, attractive, entertaining offerings that folk from outside the church would want to attend. These days I hope I’m a little more pragmatic and understanding of the needs of both those in the church and those outside. Let’s delve a little more.The service I lead on Sunday was…
Lay Ministry Officer The Church of England’s Ministry Division is looking for an experienced lay minister, or person who has worked closely with lay ministers, to take the lead on the Church’s efforts to renew lay ministries across the country. This is a substantial role and a wonderful opportunity to make a real impact on the shape of the Church’s ministry. Bishop Martyn, lead Bishop for lay ministries, comments: “Given the flourishing of lay ministry within the church over recent years, it is now vitally important that every part of the church, local, regional and national, celebrates and integrates this work in to every other area of ministry. We are looking for someone who can help coordinate this work nationally, and enable further growth in both the numbers of lay ministers and their development as theologians, practitioners and key partners in ministry." We are looking for someone with strategic project management experience who can develop a clear narrative on the place of lay ministries in the life and witness of the Church, and act as an advocate for lay ministry in influencing Bishops and Diocesan Officers. As a member of our senior management team, you will share in the strategic leadership of Ministry Division, working efficiently to ensure lay ministry remains a key component of our thinking, planning, and resourcing. You will need to have a clear grasp of the variety of lay ministries, both authorised and commissioned; the structure of the Church, with an ability to negotiate with ease the relationship between parishes, dioceses and central structures; and a willingness to work across the full breadth of traditions within the Church of England. Promoting lay ministries is a major component of Renewal and Reform, the Church’s vision for change. This role will require all of your enthusiasm, confidence, authority, sensitivity, maturity, teamwork and emotional intelligence. You will be supported by a hardworking team of colleagues with a variety of skillsets, including research, communications, finance, events, and pioneer ministry. If this sounds like you then we would urge you to prayerfully consider putting your name forward. Applications can be made through Pathways where a full job description and person specification is available.
The Bible - Friday 22nd March at St Petroc’s Church Bodmin -from Reader William Hazelton Do you sometimes find the Bible a perplexing – if a fascinating – book; how does Genesis relate to Romans; or Leviticus to the Sermon on the Mount etc? The Bible Society has prepared a course – called somewhat originally “The Bible Course.” This course attempts to answer the big questions about the Bible. To promote the course the Society is going on tour. At 7.30pm on Friday 22nd March at St Petroc’s Church Bodmin there will be a multi-media presentation on the course under the title “The Greatest Story Ever Toured”. Paul Karenson (stand-up comedian and script writer for “Miranda”) and Andrew Ollerton (creator of the Bible Course) will give a lively and humorous whistle-stop tour of the Bible. There will be live music with Susie Lopez. To find out more, and to book a ticket (we hope for a full house), go to https://biblesociety.org.uk/biblecoursetour If you would like then to do the course – or to encourage members of your church to do so – you could form a group. Or you could join up with others in a combined course. At St Petrocs we are running the course on Wednesday evenings starting on 3 April and finishing (with a break over Easter) on 29 May. You would be most welcome to join us. To find out more please contact William Hazelton on w.hazelton@btinternet.com or 07757 444066.
https://www.trurodiocese.org.uk/bishops-blog/tesco-ergo-sum-but-not-in-the-kingdom-of-god/
I have been using the Parable of the Lifesaving station in sermons for longer than I care to remember although I have not for some time. On my walk this morning pondering on upcoming sermons in some Methodist Churches where I have not been before I thought I might revisit it. Imagine my surprise when I turned to the Book the Rector gave me for Christmas (Bishop Michael Curry's 'Crazy Christians' and found it staring me in the face. Definitely worth a read as a book.... and the parable is excellent sermon material.... Parable of the Lifesaving Station