Blog

Every year at St Andrew’s Redruth Mary & Joseph set out during advent for their journey to Bethlehem via lots of houses where they stay overnight for prayer. It is based on the Mexican tradition of Posada.

This year we have had to do it differently fearing that transferring a box of figures, candles and prayer cards from house to house would not be sensible in Covid tide we made 25 sets of small figures and my wife Lez painstakingly put together a prayer card and thoughts for each day. The quotations and prayers for each day are under the next article.

Pastoral Telephony - in praise of the telephonists!

Some people are brilliant at telephoning! Lez phones some of the ladies in the ST Andrews ‘Crafty People’ group when they would normally be meeting for their weekly social crafting in non corvid times – especially if she knows hey are on their own. Many of our Readers have almost swapped their preaching, teaching and open the book ministries for a life on the telephone and I do admire and give thanks for them. 

 

I hate making telephone calls. I really hate making telephone calls. I don’t mind receiving them…. but I am so far out of my comfort zone just picking up the phone to have a chat that it makes me put it off by tying to find other things to do. I can stand up and talk to hundreds without problem, make YouTube videos, tell stories but phoning gives me the heebie-jeebies! 

So don’t think that your ministry, whether you are a reader or ‘just’ a member of the congregation making calls to check up on folks is a little thing! It is not! It’s a gift and you are called to do it. You telephonists are wonderful! 

St Andrew’s Posada 2020

Thank you for taking part in the Posada this year. You should have received 2 Nativity characters (Mary and Joseph), a candle, a daily prayer sheet and a list of names. Below are the instructions of what to do.

 Each day:-

  • Set aside some time to spend with Mary and Joseph
  • Light a candle
  • Reflect on and pray for the topic of the day
  • Pray for an individual/a family from the list of names (there are 26 so you will be able to pray for everyone on the list by the end of the Posada)

Sunday 29th December

“A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step” (Lao Tzu)

Reflect on and pray for those walking into the unknown, those setting out on difficult journeys, your own Advent journey.

 

Monday 30th December

“The angel comes, his tidings ring on the air like bells…..and when he goes, he leaves a feather in your belly” (Steven Waling)

Reflect on and pray for pregnant women, those with a new baby, those who have suffered the loss of a child.

 

Tuesday 1st December

“All happy families resemble one another. Each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” (Leo Tolstoy)

Reflect on and pray for single parents, families who are in turmoil, children living in violent homes.

 

Wednesday 2nd December

“The wind blows over the lonely of heart and the lonely of heart is withered away” (W.B.Yeats)

Reflect on and pray for those who are lonely and isolated, those who are friendless, those separated from loved ones.

 Thursday 3rd December

“What will survive of us is love” (Philip Larkin)

Reflect on and pray for those who have never been loved, those who feel they are unloveable, those who find it hard to show love.

 

Friday 4th December

“No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear” (Edmund Burke)

Reflect on and pray for those who are fearful of life, those who are crippled by anxiety, those who see only darkness and shadows even on the brightest day.

 

Saturday 5th December

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope” (Job 7 v6)

Reflect on and pray for youngsters who have no hope in the future, those who do not know what it is to hope, those who have given up hope completely.

 

Sunday 6th December

“We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5 v7)

Reflect on and pray for searchers after the truth, people who have doubts about their faith, people who have no faith at all.

Monday 7th December

“Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism”(C G Jung)

Reflect on and pray for those struggling to overcome issues of alcohol abuse, those locked into drug addiction, those whose gambling habits have become reckless and out of control.

 

Tuesday 8th December

“He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61 v1)

Reflect on and pray for prisoners who have experienced a miscarriage of justice, prisoners serving life sentences, prisoners of conscience.

 

Wednesday 9th December

“Even the sparrow finds a nest where he can settle down” (Scottish Psalter)

Reflect on and pray for people sleeping on the streets, people with nowhere to go, people in danger of losing their home because of the current crisis.

 

Thursday 10th December

“Whenever you save 5 shillings you put a man out of work for a day” (The Observer, 31st May 1953)

Reflect on and pray for those worried about losing their job, those who cannot find work, those who are having to make others redundant.

 

Friday 11th December

“Bring me flesh and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither. Thou and I shalt see him dine when we bring them thither” (John Neale)

Reflect on and pray for parents who go hungry so their children can eat, children who know what it is to have an empty tummy day after day, users of our local Foodbanks.

 

Saturday 12th December

“By oppression and judgement he was taken away” (Isaiah 53 v8)

Reflect on and pray for those suffering oppression, those who live under the tyranny of a dictatorship, those without freedom of speech.

 

Sunday 13th December

“Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on thee” (Charles Wesley)

Reflect on and pray for refugees escaping from war zones, people risking lives on perilous boat journeys, asylum seekers starting life in a strange country.

 

Monday 14th December

“Slavery they can have anywhere. It is a weed that grows in every soil” (Edmund Burke)

Reflect on and pray for those experiencing modern day slavery, young girls sold as sex workers, children working in sweat shops across the world.

 

Tuesday 15th December

“Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself” (Robert Green Ingersoll)

Reflect on and pray for policy and law makers, those who work in the field of Human Rights, those who are trying to make a difference.

 

Wednesday 16th December

“I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s. I will not reason and compare, my business is to create” (William Blake)

Reflect on and pray for those who initiate change, those who challenge the accepted view, those who make things happen against the odds.

 

Thursday 17th December

“Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2 v28)

Reflect on and pray for people who look at the wider picture, people who think outside of the box, people who are visionary in their approach to issues.

 

Friday 18th December

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more you are a leader” (John Quincy Adams)

Reflect on and pray for people who inspire others to take a new path in life, people who inspire others to be courageous in their choices, people who inspire others to reach beyond their usual comfort zone.

 

Saturday 19th December

“Encouragement is free, and beyond measure in value” (William DeFoore)

Reflect on and pray for those who help to bring out others’ potential, those who offer words of encouragement at the right time, someone who has encouraged you.

 

Sunday 20th December

“The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4 v2)

Reflect on and pray for counsellors and mediators, NHS workers, those who hold the hands of the dying.

 

Monday 21st December

“Here a little child I stand” (Robert Herrick)

Reflect on and pray for children in care, children who will not know the joy and excitement of Christmas, the child inside you.

 

Tuesday 22nd December

“In the end is my beginning” (T S Eliot)

Reflect on and pray for those who are contemplating new beginnings, those who are having to start again, those whose journeys are nearing the end.

 

Wednesday 23rd December

“Whoe’er  has travelled life’s dull road, where’er his stages may have been, may sigh to think he still has found the warmest welcome at an inn” (William Shenstone)

Reflect on and pray for those who have the gift of hospitality, those who welcome the stranger, those whose arms are always open.

 

Thursday 24th December

“The peace of the Son of Peace to you” (The Celtic Blessing)

Reflect on and pray for the peacemakers, peace across the world, peace in the hearts of those you know and love.

 

Nativity Gift List

Dear God, please give me:

 

The unquestioning faith of Mary

The tolerance of Joseph

The patience of the donkey

The kindness of the innkeeper

The reverence of the oxen

The joy of the angels

The obedience of the shepherds

The perseverance of the wise men

The Christ-child in my heart today

 

It was wonderful to see so many faces on ZOOM in our Reader’sconversations with +Hugh. Some really important and interesting issues were raised and conversations and consultations have already begun on some matters. Watch this space for more on suporting Readers in a time of Transition and afterwards for example! 

Some useful links to resources mentioned in the course of discussions this week.

Here’s the ‘Letter to your future self’ website – https://www.futureme.org/

This is the national C of E phone line with prayers, hymns and reflections – https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches/daily-hope-phone-line

http://www.anglicancursillo.co.uk/

Resourcing Sunday to Saturday  Faith 

From Anecdote to Evidence Report 

The Saint’s Way- being more confident in our calling 

XR – Extinction Rebellion (Reader Lesley Mitchell) mentioned this Cornwall – XR South West (xrsw.uk)

 

I was grateful to those folk who helped with the worship, shared their experiences gave words of encouragement.

It is lovely to meet faceto face, but really I would not like to lose ZOOM once the virus crisis has abated. There are many fol who cannot travel easily in Cornwall and those who are always restricted so the convenience of ZOOM is a blessing. Our Monday morning meetings have featured folk from Penzance and the Lizard to Linkenhorne and Looe all from the comfort of their own chairs. Some drop in for a quick chat before other duties call, some stay for the morning for conversations ranging from our favourite Monty Python sketches to Racism in the Church of England. 

 

Dear All….

In the darkening days of winter as we head towards the longest night and the coldest months when we are weighed down by Covid of the threat of a lonely Christmas, the lack of hugs, of not singing carols in church, of being trapped it is easy to slip into a spiral of melancholy.

 

But there is always something we can do, something to show we are awake and alert and looking for he light, something to show that we are ready to follow our Lord’s commands and to be ready for His eventual return. You may not think what you do counts….. especially if you compare yourself with the importance of a doctor or a prime minister  or a priest but God loves everyone equally and values their contributions. So if you feel a little weighed down and despondent, that you are doing very little by being at home take heart from the true tale  from the book  Dirty Glory by Pete Grieg, about the Hebridean revival –it is worth reading. Caspar gave a copy to each of the ministry team a few years ago and although we have used this illustration before it is worth reading again……. And then thinking about what God is calling you to do.

 

The Hebridean revival began in the tiny village of Barvas on the Isle of Lewis, where two elderly sisters, Christine and Peggy Smith, were sitting by their peat fire lost in prayer. One of them was eighty-two, bent double with arthritis and the other was eighty-four and blind. They couldn’t do much, but they could certainly still pray, and on this particular night their souls were burdened deeply by the complete absence of young people from the church across the fields. Outside the moon hung high in the sky and the windswept in from the sea, but inside the fire sighed and crackled, casting gentle shadows across the room as the Smith sisters poured out their hearts to heaven in their native Gaelic tongue.

 

Suddenly one of the women received a vision of young people filling the church. It was as simple as that – the sort of thing we might gloss over in many of our meetings today. But these two old prayer warriors were not so flippant. They summoned the minister to their house the following morning and informed him quite unequivocally that he would be needing to get ready. ‘Revival is coming.’

 

‘What do you suggest I do?’ he asked a little helplessly.

‘What should you do?’ they gasped. ‘You should pray, man!’ And then these two octogenarian saints proposed a deal. ‘If you will gather your elders and pray in the barn at the other end of the village at least two nights per week,’ they said, ‘we will do the same here from ten at night ‘til three in the morning.’

 

And so a remarkable series of late-night prayer meetings began in the village of Barvas on the Isle of Lewis in the year 1949. They persevered like this, praying for five hours a night, twice a week because they were convinced that God had spoken — and that when he gives a promise it’s our job to pray it into being. There were no instant answers, no further visions and certainly no teenagers miraculously turning up at church. But they refused to relent. The Smith sisters kept praying in their cottage, and the church elders kept praying in their barn for many weeks, until a particular night when one of the elders stood to read Psalm 24:

 

Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?

Who may stand in his holy place?

The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

they will receive blessing from the Lord and

vindication from God their saviour.

 

‘Brethren,’ he said, ‘it is just so much humbug to be waiting thus, night after night, month after month, if we ourselves are not right with God.’ They nodded and he continued, ‘I must ask myself, “Is my heart pure? Are my hands clean?” He lifted his head and emitted a strange cry, then he fell to his knees and crumpled to the floor.

 

The barn was suddenly filled with the presence of God. It was a moment that would later be identified as ‘the catalyst that let loose a power that shook the Hebrides’.

The following morning the minister sent word to an organisation called The Faith Mission in Edinburgh, requesting a Gaelic-speaking evangelist to be sent to the island without delay. A preacher by the name of Duncan Campbell was duly dispatched and made his way north. By the time he reached the village of Barvas, the church was packed with inquisitive locals wanting to make sure that they didn’t miss out on whatever peculiarities might happen next.

 

‘What happened next’ is a holy thing, and I write about it even now with a sense of awe. It was as though the Holy Spirit began moving in the building. Many in the congregation actually cried out as if they were in physical pain. Some people arrived at the church after midnight, having been woken at home with an irresistible urge to come. That first meeting continued until four in the morning. Duncan Campbell himself had intended to stay in the Hebrides for just ten days but remained for more than two years, travelling from place to place, praying and preaching everywhere he went, leading countless people to Christ.

 

Dirty Glory is available from Amazon for less than a fiver.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dirty-Glory-Where-Prayers-Chronicles/dp/147363170X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495178792&sr=8-1&keywords=dirty+glory

 

 

 

I posted this originally around remembrance day because it contains some war time memories of life as a prisoner of war but I have such a positive response from those who watched it that I have reposted.  My father comes across as a phlegmatic and unflappable character even in the most difficult of situations. He comments that he might have become a minister if times had been different- I wonder what sort of a minister he would have been?

Reader, Roy Cooper, of Sundy scribblings fame sent me this  following reading the Church Times. 

Hello Jim,

 

I found this in this week’s Church Times so I thought I would pass it on. I had a look at the first few questions……. and put it aside to do later! 🙂 

 

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/20-november/news/uk/how-are-we-doing-on-faith-uk-government-launches-online-survey

 

It’s a link to a Government website that’s taking a survey about faith. I think we should all do this and wondered if you might like to include it in your blog.

The URL to the actual survey is this:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/independent-faith-engagement-review-call-for-evidence

 

BR

Roy

The Redruth Ministry Team attended the bishops study day this week in place of our usual weekly staff meeting and a thought-provoking and interesting experience it was although I found the breakout room experience to be quite hard work.  

The diocesan website has a page of resources from it so if you did not go you can get a hint at what you missed,



It is interesting, who does, and who does not engage with social media.

 Firstly TWITTER: 

 I love seeing Reader @JamesWonnacott James Wonacott’s bold posts on Twitter even though we largely disagree on many of them:) I probably prefer the posts from BOD – the  Franciscan Hermit @thecarceri which are invariably uplifting and certainly spiritually thought proving as well as an excellent resource for prayer.  https://twitter.com/TheCarceri/status/1329180500829888525 Is an example for those restless nights.

Other dedicated Tweeters (Twitterati?) include the archdeacon and Bishop Philip whose posts are always interesting. 

My twitter account is @Trewirgies 

On a spiritual direction course I was on the presenter glibly described Facebook as “Facade-Book!” and dismissed it with a flick of the hand. But in these times when folks have been kept apart and are often lonely, social media can be a blessing. Yes -there are certainly things wrong with it and perhaps we should be doing something about that but if you have not used it- don’t knock it…. it is someone’s lifeline. 

Facebook is a different beast and  interesting in a different way. The images in this article are collected from Twitter where these ‘memes’ proliferate.

One of the best things are the Group pages such as the Diocese of Truro Let’s Support Each Other discussion group where the great and the good from the staff at Church house to the Bishops and from Perran Gay on Scilly to folks on and over the English border. Well worth watching. 

I have a lot of contacts who are ex-students or their parents and it is wonderful to see how they are getting on. 

But safety is an issue and it is a good idea to use some common sense and use a good password, to hide your friends list and to be circumspect about what one posts.  

You can find me here– justclick! 

"My hope to follow Julie......"

Bob’s Hymn of the Week this week is “O Jesus I have Promised”, a hymn which has particular memories for me of secondary school days especially that line in the last verse “my hope to follow duly….” 

Julie M. was in my class and all the 15 year old  boys behind her would chorus in that hymn…. “my hope to follow Julie….”  She would merely turn and and cast a disdainful and withering glance which silenced the choir. 

Imagine my delight when I was cast in Hobson’s Choice to play opposite Julie playing Maggie who I had to kiss on stage.  I was never the coolest of  lads at school, far from it…. but my street cred. rocketed the day after the first performance….   wherever they are now. Photograph at the bottom of this page!  It was nothing to do with that play (honestly!) that I left that school that year at the age of 15 to go to the local college-( the story of my being asked not to return after the Summer holiday is for another time:) ) but that was a sudden end to my friendships with any of that group so I think of all those lads who wanted to follow Julie where I went on, eventually,  to ‘follow duly in His strength alone….. ‘ and spare a thought and a prayer for Julie and the rest of that cohort 

Social Media Memes of thee week....

Mental Health and wellbeing in schools- a focus for prayer.

This week as a School Governor I attended a Webinar about Well-Being and Mental Health in Schools. Its a Government initiative – it being cheaper to send out a power-point presentation than to make sure there are enough mental health professionals available for schools to use. (Forgive my cynicism / realism) 

Although I learned little I did not already know it was certainly a salutary reminder about the stresses of working in Schools which have been amplified significantly by the Covid crisis.  It is an issue for staff and children.  The stress on staff this year is incredible – and it is enormous every year. here is a recent post from a teacher about her life – click here.

In Cornwall and other areas of deprivation (rural and urban poverty) the knock on effects to mental health in school are predictable.  If you did not see the Simon Reeve on Cornwall programme last week you can see it on BBC iPlayer  –

Imagine  how the effects of deprivation described in the programme impact on schools.  Children living in precarious housing and unstable family situations are at terrible risk of all sorts of abuse and schools are expected to be there to pick up the pieces.  Parents can quick to complain, the government is quick to unleash an inspection system designed to undermine confidence and few are there to praise and give thanks for the work they do. So no written  intercessions this week…..  my prayers will be focussed on school staff and vulnerable children and I encourage you to add yours.  

Miss Mole's class (2:1) at Harborne Hill School, Birmingham.

this was a couple of years before the Story- but I will  leave you to guess where I am in the picture and who Julie was.  Gold star for anyone who can guess both correctly. 

The Annual Quiet Day for Readers in December.

The quiet day at Epiphany house has been cancelled this year due to the problems of Covid. 

Would anyone like an online / ZOOM quiet day on Saturday December 12th? I would envisage beginning at 9:45 with time to chat, opening prayers at 10 and  a reflection followed by time for quiet or to have a one to one conversation. Further reflections and breaks to follow and finishing with prayers at 3:45. Let me know what you think.

Forthcoming Zoom for Readers

There is still time to join in the Bishop’s study day on Tuesday on Setting God’s People Free,  just click here and book a place. 

Don’t forget that Bishop Hugh will be in conversation with readers on Monday 23rd November at 6pm and Wednesday 25th at 10:30 a.m. More on that next week.

 

Live Streaming the Service.....

Remembrance is not just about the fallen...

I added some pictures and captions and turned the audio interview into a video – it includes some pictures he took whilst a prisoner of war. 

Remembrance_Day – a link to some more stories 🙂 

 

I was lucky enough to find a cassette tape of an interview my father did for the South Birmingham News paper for the Blind which he edited for many years after he retired from training teachers. In it he describes his experiences of being a prisoner of war following his capture while holding back the enemy forces while the evacuation of Dunkirk took place.  

My father spent from 1938 to 1946 serving in the Royal Cameron Highlanders, my mother, who gave up a career as an operatic dancer served in the WRAF as a radar operator….. and my Aunty Betty (a nurse) remained unmarried  for her long life time following the death of her beloved “Scotty” – an ANZAC who dies in WW1 – they are representative of millions who sacrificed much and we remember them as we commemorate the fallen on Remembrance day. 

Do have a look at Peter Coster’s thought-provoking reflections on Remembrance and the evening prayer readings for Sunday…… https://www.readers-chaplain.org.uk/peter-costers-thoughts-for-each-day/ and….

Bob’s hymn of the day for Remembrance …. here!

 

More Stories Here-  Some more about Betty and Scotty, mother’s move from dancer to radar operator  etc from a powerpoint I did for a service a couple of years ago. 

What Do Readers need form the CMD programme -
and...... what Might they offer?

At last Monday morning’s Reader’s Zoom we were pleased to welcome Rebecca Evans the Diocesan Ministry Development Officer who listened patiently while we talked about what we needed for CMD / courses / training. 

Rebecca writes: 

We are currently planning our CMD programme within Truro diocese from January 2021 onwards.  You may be aware that currently we are delivering this training via Zoom and it is open to Clergy and Readers to attend.  We would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to deliver a session, perhaps if you have experience or expertise in a specific area you might like to be involved.  Details of our current programme are available here: https://trurodiocese.org.uk/resources/ministry/cmd/ you will notice along the top the various themed headings under which the different CMD topics fit.  If you would like to be involved or just find out a bit more please do get in touch – Rebecca.Evans@truro.anglican.org

 Kind regards  Rebecca

 

 

The Development and Support of Reader Ministry in Cornwall

The Readers committee meets once every six months and the readers in each deanery are represented by their Deanery Reader Stewards.  Some deaneries like St Austell have a very lively group of Readers who meet on a regular basis, other deaneries where they might only have a few readers, or a lot of readers on light duties do very little and the DRS is largely superfluous.  I posed a question asking if there was any place in modern reader ministry for the DRS considering that with electronic communication (ZOOM etc) one could operate across the diocese.

This led to a wider discussion and the steering committee that meets in December will speak more. Bishop Hugh writes: 

We agreed that we would look at this when we next meet, and this comes as we are also starting to think about the Everyday Faith agenda and how we best describe the specific calling and role of Readers. The next Wardens Group meeting is not until the 1 December and rather than just waiting until then, I think it would be good to do some preparatory work, so we get this work up and running and use that time well.

With that in mind, this email is a conversation starter about how we might best bring together the themes that we are identifying around Readers, including:

– The national CRC vision for Readers as ministers who encourage and equip the gathered church to live as the scattered church

– The very significant changes that the Church of England needs to engage with to engage with a post-Christendom world

– The specific challenges of Covid

– The changing needs of our Readers, including in their discipleship, support, training, role clarity and partnership with clergy

Any thoughts, reflections or ideas gratefully received.  

Monday Morning discussions will definitely contribute- it would be great to  hear a few more voices contributing to the debates. Jim

Just a draft at the moment!! 

I have had a ZOOM break this week though obviously not a break from the computer altogether. The last few months has been full on and as my wife will readily testify I have always found small talk and social situations something of a challenge. 🙂  Having said that I have counted the morning 9am daily ZOOM prayer a blessing and ZOOM Sunday services I have found surprisingly thought-provoking, moving and spirit-filled whereas the couple of  services I have attended in church have proved less efficacious because of the masks and odd situation. So I shall be back zooming at the weekend – hopefully at home relaying the service from St Andrews…… but if I have to be in church… well as all readers, I will do what’s needed. 

Last Saturday morning we had the six monthly meeting of the Readers committee with +Hugh in the chair. It is the committee when the Deanery Reader Stewards meet with the Warden, deputy warden, secretary, and assorted others including the chaplain.  We covered some interesting topics this time. More on the role of the DRS next week…. but at the bottom of this page more on the annual survey- including a better formatted version of the anonymised comments section. 

 

Results of the Annual Reader Survey 2020

2020Annual Return Report 2

Click the title to see the statistical side of the report. What conclusions would you draw?

More importantly, how do you think church policy should change in response to the report.?

2020 comments summary readers annual survey r2 – a link to the comments section which is really worth reading. 

Reader Graham Downes (St Austell DRS) asked if anything happened as a result of the survey. My answer was that it was certainly talked about a good deal in all sorts of situations Probably sorting out the plight of an individual has more tangible results than maters of policy or universal issues. However, clergy not understanding readers is hopefully being addressed in the long terms with Readers training alongside clergy these days. 

Saturday marks the first post licensing training event for those recently licensed which is being organised by reader Martin Adams with the rather grand title of Director of Post Licensing training. As chaplain I shall drop in towards the end of the day on ZOOM but I am leaving them to it for the fist sessions so that I can go to Trebah gardens for a socially distanced walk with the grandchildren.  

 

Last Sunday I preached…. at the Ecumenical ‘Café church’ service hosted by Camborne Wesley Methodist Church for the local Methodist circuit.  It was wonderful to see so many churches from both communities worshiping together for Bible Sunday and I was relieved to get some good feedback afterwards from a number of them. We readers pour a lot of ourselves and our energy into the services we do often without any comment at all and it is so refreshing when people say that it made them think, or that it helped. 

 With that thought in mind, I think it is important for us to comment and give feedback to other ministers, both lay and ordained (or even worship leaders !) and encourage! It is an important part of building the church. 

Social Distancing with the Grandchildren at Gwithian beach.

God, who for the world’s new framing
set his Son as corner-stone
Builds a temple, shining, gleaming,
with the men he calls his own!
Piran, Petrock, Paul Aurelian,
Euny, Samson, Winwalloe

All these Cornish shores are holy,
Here the Saints in prayer did dwell,
Raising font and altar lowly,
Preaching far with staff and bell.
Piran, Petrock, Paul Aurelian,
Euny, Samson, Winwalloe

Now the Church in fervour founded
Honours here those Saints of old,
Mighty they, their pow’r abounded-
God himself had made them bold!
Piran, Petrock, Paul Aurelian,
Euny, Samson, Winwalloe

Lord of Cornish Saints! Their story
cheers our faith and warms our heart,
Bids us tread the way of Glory,
to this age they truth impart
Piran, Petrock, Paul Aurelian,
Euny, Samson, Winwalloe

So may we, with Saints rejoicing,
won by grace from every land
Praises of our God still voicing,
round our Lord in brightness stand.
Piran, Petrock, Paul Aurelian,
Euny, Samson, Winwalloe

Words by The Rev Canon H Miles Brown
Tune: Westminster Abbey
by Henry Purcell (1658-1695

On Challenge and Common Sense….

Reading the news seems a minefield these days and when it is filtered by Social Media the possibilities for disastrous conclusions are amplified many times over. Only this morning, the Times reported that it had uncovered a Russian Fake News plot to discredit the Oxford Covid vaccine trials by spreading false rumours in the countries where it hoped to sell its own vaccine.

Each day friends of different political persuasions express opinions about  from how we deal with the current pandemic and the likely consequences to the efficacy of wearing a mask etc etc and many of them quote ‘scientists’ and other ‘experts’  to back up their often contradictory arguments. Without grinding any particular axe or position in the debate I would suggest that it is as well to remember that scientists and other experts are human too and just because science says something now does not mean that it will not be disproved in the future ….. or it might be confirmed. Take some of the following famous quotations from experts:

  • “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” — Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
  • “While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility.” — Lee DeForest, inventor
  • “Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” —  M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927.
  • “It will be years — not in my time — before a woman will become Prime Minister.” — Margaret Thatcher, 1974.
  • “I see no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone.” — Charles Darwin, The Origin Of Species, 1869.
  • “There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will.” — Albert Einstein, 1932
  • “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” — Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
  • “Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous fiction.” — Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872.

Not only are people fallible, they are  also influenced by the world around them. A study on respiratory diseases by a tobacco company sponsored research project might lead us to be rightly sceptical of its findings, just as would a an environmental impact report by a Brazilian logging company.

My point? Let’s encourage people to question, to challenge and to use common sense. Arguing ourselves into a corner is not helpful and we need to be open to challenging ourselves and our own stances too. 

Is there a knock-on effect for preaching?

Licensing Service(s)

 

The Annual Service for the Readers (licensed Lay Ministers) of the diocese was very different this year being entirely online using ZOOM.  It proved to be a heart-warming and thought-provoking experience with much joyous chat both before and after the service.

Bishop Hugh led the service and licensed Roy Cooper from the Calllington Cluster and reaffirmed the licenses of those who had been able to attend the small service in the Cathedral the week before.

  • Debbie Crocker to the Tamar Valley Benefice
  • Matt Frost to the Benefice of St Germans and Sheviok
  • Penny Leach to the Roseland and St Mawes
  • Sandy Massie to St Keverne, St Ruan, St Grade and Landewednack and
  • Debbie Mitchell to All Saints Highertown and Baldhu.

Two Readers came into the diocese and were also part of the service

Chris Clark (PTO) and Michael Waring who is licensed to serve in Poughill & Killhamptonn with Morwenstowe as well as Stratton and LAucells.

Liz Lane, who was herself licensed as a Reader only last year preached the sermo and new Reader Roy Cooper led the intercessions.

It was also good to be able to thank the Readers who have served in the Diocese but whose services have been lost in the last twelve months. In the last year two Readers have died; Graham Hindle and Lesley Boyden  and a number of Readers are, through varying circumstances, no longer ministering 

  • Brenton Blandford,
  • Gloria Street,
  • Margaret DuPlessey,
  • Nina Batley,
  • Angela Hooper,
  • Molly Brown,
  • Tess Dean,
  • Miriam Jones,
  • Lyn Curnow,
  • Chris Kingshott and
  • Garth Wright.

Penzance.flyer.12.19 –  Link to an event in Penzance – Exploring mission, sharing ideas and finding support in Cornwall – A day with Sam Wells, +Hugh Nelson, Michelle Brown and guests.

 

 

The picture above is at the end of the service – the happy faces as Roy puts on his newly awarded Reader’s Scarf. (Roy is 2nd from the top on the far right! 

To the left is the video of the whole service. 

At about 12:30 I breathed a huge sigh o relief that the service had gone well, poured myself a beer and collapsed in the conservatory.  There were no major technical hitches, the internet, my wi-fi and my computer had all behaved themselves and the service seemed to have been well received with many cheery faces at the end. It is one of the delights of ZOOM that one can see faces rather than the back of people’s heads.

The next bit is the official ‘what happened and to whom’ section!

The Annual Service for the Readers (licensed Lay Ministers) of the diocese was very different this year being entirely online using ZOOM.  It proved to be a heart-warming and thought-provoking experience with much joyous chat both before and after the service.

Bishop Hugh led the service and licensed Roy Cooper from the Calllington Cluster and reaffirmed the licenses of those who had been able to attend the small service in the Cathedral the week before.

  • Debbie Crocker to the Tamar Valley Benefice
  • Matt Frost to the Benefice of St Germans and Sheviok
  • Penny Leach to the Roseland and St Mawes
  • Sandy Massie to St Keverne, St Ruan, St Grade and Landewednack and
  • Debbie Mitchell to All Saints Highertown and Baldhu.

Two Readers came into the diocese and were also part of the service

Chris Clark (PTO) and Michael Waring who is licensed to serve in Poughill & Killhamptonn with Morwenstowe as well as Stratton and LAucells.

Liz Lane, who was herself licensed as a Reader only last year preached the sermo and new Reader Roy Cooper led the intercessions.

It was also good to be able to thank the Readers who have served in the Diocese but whose services have been lost in the last twelve months. In the last year two Readers have died; Graham Hindle and Lesley Boyden  and a number of Readers are, through varying circumstances, no longer ministering 

  • Brenton Blandford,
  • Gloria Street,
  • Margaret DuPlessey,
  • Nina Batley,
  • Angela Hooper,
  • Molly Brown,
  • Tess Dean,
  • Miriam Jones,
  • Lyn Curnow,
  • Chris Kingshott and
  • Garth Wright.
The slides of the service can be found in PDF format at the following link. 

reader service 2020 PDF Slides

 

Liz Lane’s Sermon for Readers’ Service – 20th September and 10th October 2020 – St Neot and Zoom

 Romans 8:31-39 and Luke 12:22-34

 Lord, guide my lips, Lord open my heart, let written and spoken words reveal to us your Word.  In the name of our redeemer, teacher and friend, Jesus Christ.  Amen

 When I was first approached to preach this sermon, in Truro cathedral for the Readers’ Service, it was January.  Lots of ideas came into my head; I asked the class of 2019, all with strong opinions, for their thoughts on readings, and I had nearly made my mind up about what this sermon would be about.

 

Then…the world shifted on its axis, and I stopped thinking about a sermon to be preached in October and started worrying about shortages of flour and tinned tomatoes…

 

And when the first panic died down, we all began to find new ways to do stuff, new ways to be…I began to look around me and to think and what I saw was gaps.

 

Gaps between people. Great big six foot gaps.  On the street, in the shops, in our diaries (once full of things we had to do) and in families and between friends and neighbours.

 

And…in church.  For so many months I think we all of us had a gaping gap in our Sunday mornings – nowhere we had to be…And now we are here…but it is different.  No longer can we act as Anglicans are wont to do and all cluster towards the back – we have to distribute ourselves – carefully – minding the gaps.

 

If we were in the cathedral  –  there would be far fewer of us, and we would be far flung into the corners, chairs would be empty between us. Our bubbles would not bump against any other bubble, no gathering together in the undercroft, no processing.

 

And now I can see many many boxes, with smiling friendly faces shining out of them, but we are apart. Your bookshelves, your kitchen cupboards, your domestic backgrounds occupy more of the screen than most of you do.  There are gaps.

 

God of the gaps…I knew I’d heard that phrase somewhere, and it pinged into my brain like a text message somewhere around the middle of May.

 

I knew I’d heard it, but I’d no idea what it meant, so I turned to Google; most of you are much better theologians than me so you will be nodding sagely, but for the benefit of those who are as ignorant as me, the theology of the God of the gaps is not theology at all, but the idea that human beings use the idea of God to fill in where we don’t understand something, and as human knowledge increases, mankind no longer needs God, and faith is squeezed out.

 

But…look around us.  We are here both physically and virtually, with gaps between us, but we are not separated by them.  Churches may have been closed, we may not have been permitted to be together in the way we want to be, in our Christian communities, inn our groups of families and friends, but we are still here in the most important way, in the presence of God.

 

Separation.   One of the most painful elements of living with a pandemic during these long months has been separation, from family, from those in hospital, from loved ones in residential care.  We have not been able to be together in times of joy or in times of sorrow, but ..through it all we can hear the voice of St Paul:

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

So what have the gaps been full of?  Taking care of our neighbours with shopping and a friendly word, doing stuff for each other, appreciating the best of what we have (remember clapping for the NHS on a Thursday night) slowing down, noticing the birdsong and the changes of the seasons.  Realising that people can make a difference where politicians are slow to – a young footballer can make sure that children do not go hungry. 

 

And we are living differently; maybe rethinking and realising that the lengthy commute to work is not the way we want to live – sales of smart suits have plummeted, but the comfy elasticated waist….! Consider the lilies….

 

And we have had time to, and it has been a joy, and a healing, and a coming back to being able to live just a little bit closer to the way that we always knew we should, but had forgotten how.

 

And with churches closed, we found different ways of being church, by joining together online, by watching and listening via lots of different mediums, and the sales of Bibles have jumped by 143%!

The message of hope to be found in the Gospels has been grasped, and read, and downloaded, and listened to, and taken to heart by those who have never found true nourishment from Sunday morning worship.

 

So maybe the gaps between us are nothing new, but it has taken a worldwide crisis to make us really see them.  And to get a glimpse of what God is doing in the spaces between us, and to begin to join in.

 

Faith begins when we realise we need salvation – this is what the gaps have shown us.

 

So…holding in our hearts the bereaved and the broken, and trusting that God will continue to show us the work we have to do, we will go on in faith and with faith.  And it will be different, and sometimes that will grieve us.  Mind the gap…bring to mind that the gaps are not an absence, a loss, or a lack of understanding  –   but are filled with the presence of God.