Flying Conker Alert!The leaves are falling, the harvest is almost in and autumn is very much with us. The conker season has arrived but the world conker championships are in crisis because the winner has been accused of cheating! It seems that there is no aspect of modern day life that is immune from deceit and deception. Scam phone calls are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Where we get our news and information from is becoming more and more important as right-wing groups of various sorts seek to plant false stories that undermine our trust and ability to work together. Even the recent hurricane season in America was made into a political debate and global initiatives to respond to the threat of Climate Change are being undermined by false accusations. Here in Britain false stories following the Southport dance studio attack caused street riots that resulted in multiple arrests and serious local damage to shops and property. But where do we as Christians stand in all? It’s hard to keep an honest moral focus when others seem determined to win the argument whatever it costs, to put themselves first and at other people’s expense. Well, Christians believe that Jesus Christ still challenges those who would follow his way of living to “Love God and Love your neighbour as yourself”. But is the world listening? How do we stand in solidarity with neighbours who may be vulnerable and whose trust is taken advantage of in a world where the survival of the fittest seems to rule. When we try to speak for honesty and look out for others we may personally feel that our little efforts are not going very far, but together we can achieve so much more. As the well-known African saying goes “It takes a whole village to raise a child”. And in our villages the need for honesty and truth has not gone away. The complexity of AI makes a moral perspective significantly important. The assisted dying debate is highlighting the gap in moral decision making or ethics. Our churches have a crucial role in standing as beacons of hope and integrity in our villages and beyond. Those of you who work to maintain them, keep them open for prayer and worship are more important now than ever. As the apostle Paul wrote “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair ….. so we do not lose heart …. for we walk by faith not by sight …. and the love of God compels us … all things are of God who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ” (from 2 Cor 4 & 5). This is the Hope we uniquely bring to the world and to our neighbours. Take heart when all is bleak that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Roman 8). Keeping our churches open for everyone whatever their backgrounds to draw near to their maker is one of the most important things you can do. Standing together for a better way of living in tune with God’s world and all of his creatures may be a struggle but it will shine a light on the need for more moral thinking. Our churches are not out of date or out of touch; we may be embarking on our most vital mission yet! Canon Lynda BarleyPLEASE NOTE. This and all other entries in 'News and Notices' are usually listed in order of date published or amended.
Revd Jess has asked me for a Harvest reflection for the parish magazine. Before that, it might be a good idea to introduce myself.Revd Canon Shane Griffiths, previous vicar of three parishes on the Lizard peninsula. Currently I'm residing in Bude helping to cover services across the deaneries of Stratton and Trigg Major until the end of November. Just to say, thank you all for the warm welcome that has been extended to my wife Jacquie and myself. We are really enjoying our time here.So, on to my reflection. As I’m sure you all know, the idea of a special Harvest Thanksgiving service comes from Cornwall. In October 1834, the Reverend Robert Stephen Hawker decided to hold a Harvest service in his church at Morwenstow. Here is what he said to his parishioners on the thirteenth of September 1834:‘God has been merciful to us this year . . . he hath filled our garners with increase, and satisfied our poor with bread. . . . Let us offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving . . . Let us gather together in the chancel of our church on the first Sunday of [October] and there receive, in the bread of the new corn, that blessed sacrament which was ordained to strengthen and refresh our souls.’Hawker’s idea caught on, and before long the practice of holding a special Harvest Thanksgiving service had spread to all parts of the Church of England.Hawker is probably best known as the author of the Cornish anthem, ‘And shall Trelawney die?’ He was quite a character, if not an out-and-out eccentric. For example, he would take his nine cats and his dog into his church for Morning Prayer. Legend has it that he excommunicated one of the cats for catching a mouse on a Sunday.Like many vicars in the nineteenth century, Hawker was a farmer himself, and knew what an anxious time harvest could be. In a letter to a friend one year in July, he said that ‘To me it is life or death in the harvest field – and to how many more of my poor parishioners’. The weather, as always, was crucial. A good harvest was certainly something to be thankful for. Hawker had a strongly mystical side to his character. He believed that we are surrounded all the time by spiritual beings, and the whole process of growth and harvest was sustained by the presence of God. In one sermon, he told his congregation that when farmers had sown the seed, their work was done. But, he went on,‘God and his angels then enter the field – a mighty power broods over the grain, and the life below begins to move, and first the blade cometh up, and then the stalk, and then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear arises into light and growth beneath the silent touch of God’.I think that’s a wonderfully imaginative way of describing how the power of God is at work in the fields of corn that will eventually be made into the bread we eat.We are indeed richly blessed by God's grace and abundance. Harvest blessings to you all. PLEASE NOTE. This and all other entries in 'News and Notices' are usually listed in order of date published or amended.
At a lovely service at Perranzabuloe on March 3rd the Bishop of St German, Bishop Hugh, presented Verna Jones with the St Piran's Cross. These are awarded annually to people who are being recognised for their service to church and community. Verna has performed many roles over a very long period at Tremaine, Churchwarden for a long time, Treasurer even, which was certainly not a role she wanted to take on! But first and foremost Verna has served the church with music - playing not just for services at Tremaine but at North Petherwin and other churches in the area, frequently stepping in to help when churches needed someone to fill the breach. Currently she is going into Beaumont Court residential home to provide music for worship there. She is a real stalwart and a very worthy recipient of the Award for Trigg Major Deanery.PLEASE NOTE. This and all other entries in 'News and Notices' are usually listed in order of publishing date or latest amendment date.
Photo: Bill WillisThe Parish Safeguarding Officer is responsible for ensuring the coordination of any concerns about a child, young person or vulnerable adult, or the behaviour of an adult working with vulnerable groups. Their role is to ensure that these are appropriately reported both to the statutory agencies and to the Diocesan Safggeguarding Team.The North Petherwin Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) is Bill Willis. His details can be found on the church noticeboard and are repeated below.Bill Willis07581 418230nppso@icloud.com If you wish to speak to Bill, please contact him for advice, guidance or just for a chat about any concerns you have.Link to Truro Diocese Safeguarding TeamMore information on Safeguarding can be found via the following link:https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding/diocesan-safeguarding-contactsInformation on our Church Safeguarding is permanently given on the Welcome page of this website. Please follow this link:St Paternus Welcome Page. PLEASE NOTE. This and all other entries in 'News and Notices' are usually listed in order of date published or amended.
