On Sunday evening 19th April, St Stephen’s Church was filled with music, prayer, andoverflowing joy as we gathered for a beautiful service of Choral Evensong with thePresentation of the Cross of St Piran to Caroline Stone. Led beautifully by James, ourReader, with the choir of St Mary Magdalene lifting our voices heavenward, and Joshleading us at the organ with style and aplomb, the service carried a rich sense of bothreverence and celebration.We were delighted to welcome Bishop David, together with Helen his wife, and it wasa joy to be joined by visiting clergy and friends from across the deanery. Some clergyrobed for the occasion, and the church was filled with colour and dignity, with everyonelooking splendid in their finest.At the heart of the service, Bishop David presented the Cross of St Piran to CarolineStone, a deeply fitting recognition of her faithful and generous service. The citation,read by Sarah Vinson, Lay Chair of Trigg Major Deanery, spoke of a ministry woventhrough the life of St Winwaloe Church and the wider benefice and deanery. Carolineis someone who simply gets on with what needs to be done, faithfully, generously, andoften unseen. During the interregnum, when things could so easily have unravelled,she became, in the words of her citation, “the glue that held everything together.” Andperhaps most of all, “Caroline brings considerable empathy and understanding.” AsPriest-in-Charge, I am deeply grateful for the kind and unwaveringly generous supportCaroline has given me as I have settled into my ministry here. Caroline knows therealities of our small rural churches and carries that knowledge with wisdom and care,shaping the way she leads, listens, and serves. Alongside all of this, she continues togrow in her calling and is now in her final year of Reader training.In his sermon, Bishop David, drawing on the words of the prophet Haggai, remindedus: “I am with you, says the Lord... do not fear... take courage.”Words that spoke deeply into the life and witness we were celebrating.It was also a joy to honour Eve Gabriel, herself a longstanding recipient of the Crossof St Piran, whose long and faithful service continues to bless the life of the church.Together with her husband John, she has given so much to St Stephen’s and to thewider community in Launceston, in ways both seen and unseen, and we marked thiswith deep appreciation, presenting her with flowers as a sign of our thanks. Eve haswalked a path of great strength and courage, and her steadfast commitment has beena quiet but powerful witness among us. In particular, her tireless work over many yearsin organising and sustaining the two Saturday Sales, raising significant funds for thechurch, has been a remarkable gift. As those commitments have recently had to bereduced to one Saturday Sale, we recognise not only all that has been given, butsomething of what it has cost.We also give heartfelt thanks to all who have volunteered and supported the salesover the years, working so hard to make them happen each month. Your generosity oftime and effort has made a lasting difference, and is deeply valued.Following the service, we gathered for some extra-special refreshments, which was achance to meet up with old friends and make some new ones. A celebratory cake icedwith “Congratulations Caroline” marked the occasion, and in a moment of shared joy,we sang a hearty rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Bishop David, whose birthday hadfallen just days before.In Caroline’s life and ministry, we see something of what it means to follow the LordJesus Christ: hers is a life of faithful, generous service, reflecting His love in the life ofthe Church and the world. It was an evening that brought people together from acrossthe deanery, and a reminder of the life we share. It was a truly special evening, onewe will look back on and remember fondly.
"While Helen's start date has yet to be confirmed, it is expected that she will be in post in the summer" More details will be available in the coming weeks.Please see the attached document for more information.
