The Newsletter of the Camelford and Week St. Mary Circuit 12/20 Bethel, Boscastle, Bossiney, Brockhill, Camelford, Delabole, Living Water, Maxworthy, Rehoboth, St. Breward, St. Teath, St. Tudy, Tintagel, Tremail, Tresparrett, Treveighan, Week St. Mary 1
March already! How did that happen? The months are slipping away and I am already half way through my final year as a stipendiary minister.
It was Presbyteral synod yesterday and I had to ask for formal permission to 'sit down'. My request did rather break the mould. 'I don't want to sit down', I said. What I want to ask is more than that - remember the action song many of us sang as children 'One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, sit down, stand up, turn round, keep moving' - well, that's what I want to ask. Please let me sit down, move a finger to exit the TMCP website Online Suite for consents, returns and statistics, move a thumb to switch off the computer, stretch my arms and legs - and then STAND UP, turn round, and keep moving - moving onward to do what God called me to do - to preach the good news of the Gospel to all who will listen, both young and old, to make disciples, to follow Jesus.
My challenge to all of you is 'Will you come with me?' OK, most of us are getting long in the tooth but there's no one else to do it The future of the Christian faith in north Cornwall is in our hands!
May God bless us all as we seek to serve Him.
With love in Christ
Doreen
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On March 18th at 3pm Dimma Chapel are holding a
to be followed by one of their famous teas. Come and celebrate the years of service and witness that have been so much a part of the chapel in the District and area since 1879.
On Sunday February 3rd the congregation at Tintagel Methodist Church was joined for a united service by worshippers from St Teath, Tresparrett, Bethel, Tremail and Living Water Methodist Churches. The Chairman of the Cornwall Methodist District, Rev. Steve Wild from Truro led the service and conducted a most moving Communion Service, helped by Mr John Poorta. Sheila Flower was the organist and Naomi Sparey distributed Living and Lent sheets to observe through the period of Lent. She also read the Scriptures from Hebrew 2 and Luke 2. Kathy Rowse and Joyce Brown were the day’s stewards. Basing his service on the festival of Candlemas, when we remember how the infant
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Jesus was dedicated in the Temple, Rev. Wild spoke on how light always wins in the face of darkness.
A painting showing the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple at what we now celebrate as Candlemas
John Parsons and his wife holidaying in the area attended the service and John was invited by Rev. Wild to speak about his family’s connection with Sam Pollard from Camelford who travelled to China as a missionary introducing Christianity and creating the Miao script which is still in use today.
Last Sunday’s service was led by Mr Brian Parkman from Camelford. Visitors from Bournemouth and London were welcomed to the congregation and Happy Birthday was sung to Elizabeth Brown and David Cook. Prayers were said for the Nute family on their recent bereavement. June Burnard was the organist and Christine Alexander and Pauline Sandercock were the stewards. Brian quoted the saying ‘time 4 and tide waits for no man’ with the period of Lent commencing this week. Scripture readings were taken from 2 Kings chapter 2 and Mark 9.
Tintagel Churches Together are holding two Lent Lunches, the first this Wednesday (14th ) in the Methodist Schoolroom and after a change of date, Wednesday 21st will see the Lent Lunch organised by St Materiana Parish Church in the Old Schoolrooms. Funds raised will be for Christian Aid and Little Way.
In the evening Rev. Steve spoke at Cafe Church at Week St. Mary, sharing news from around the District and beyond that demonstrates the way in which evangelism is reaching out to those who are not connected with any churches. These insights into the way in which the Kingdom is growing help us all to be involved and encouraged in the work that we are doing in our own local fellowships.
On Saturday February 10th, the ladies of Tresparrett (with some much appreciated help from family & friends) served breakfast from 10 am – 2 pm. After a slow start the hall was soon buzzing with conversation and murmurs of appreciation from the diners. Order slips included: ‘Fruit juice, cereals, bacon, egg, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash-browns, brown or white toast, tea or coffee. 5
About 11.30 am, when we expected a lull, the power went off. No immediate panic as Edward checked the trip switch, but it was not the problem. Edward then ran to the church; the rest of us prayed just where we were and turned off non- essential appliances. Power was quickly restored and we welcomed the lunch-time crowd. We were then very busy until about 1.30pm when the workers enjoyed their well- earned meal.
We fed about sixty people. Many thanks to all those who came, and especially to all those who were involved in producing such a delicious meal. We raised £340 for church funds. ******************************** Next month, on March 10th, 10 am – 2 pm Tresparrett have their
at Otterham Hall
Family Breakfast for February (it’s on the first Sunday of the month at 9.30am, all welcome) was rather unusual. Alison Gill, the leader of the gang, and the one who organises the story, craft and activities has had a ‘nasty’ throat making it difficult for her to talk, so Rev Steve Wild said he would come and be the storyteller for the morning.
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I should explain that one of Alison’s many jobs in the District is Rev Steve’s PA and he was leading the worship at Tintagel on that morning. So he left Truro early, dropped in to join us, told the story of the sheep and wolves in his own inimitable style - complete with puppets - and had children and adults glued.
Sadly, he didn’t have time to stay for sausages, bacon and eggs etc - but the rest of us did!
Don’t forget one of the highlights of our Circuit Ladies’ calendar on March 14th at 10.30am at Delabole, when Mrs. Sue Ede will be leading us in our annual Lent Service. It is always a thought-provoking time and an occasion when we can meet together and share fellowship. The time of worship is followed by coffee and Hot Cross Buns. If you’ve never been before, do come and share this time of togetherness.
To celebrate the 155th Anniversary of the Methodist Chapel in Delabole we’re fortunate enough to have the pleasure of an evening concert by the Holman Climax MVC. Last year we were worried that the Nankersey MVC might not know the way to the village but as Holman Climax has been visiting us 7 for so many years we feel confident that they’ll be there on Sunday 25th March at 7.30pm, in good voice and raring to go. They’ll be there and we hope that you’ll be there too, to give them a warm north Cornish welcome - by the way, programmes are £5, which I hope you’ll think is a real bargain for live entertainment.
I’ve put the cart before the horse, as the concert is the end of our day of celebrations. The beginning is at 11am with a service of thanksgiving led by Rev Bryan and Mrs Sue Ede. This is followed by a roast beef lunch at 12.45pm in the Sunday School (donations please) but we need to know how many we’re catering for so do book (212558) by March 19th.
Songs of Praise starts at 6pm and then the concert at 7.30pm. It’d be great to have your company at any or all of these events.
The pancake event held at Living Water Church on Saturday February 10th was a great success, with the schoolroom being packed with visitors both from the surrounding area and the Circuit. Savoury and sweet pancakes were served with an amazing selection of fillings and everyone enjoyed the food and the fellowship. 8
Thank you to all who helped and to those who supported us. A final total of £100-00 was raised for MAF – Mission Aviation Fellowship.
Our next community effort will be on Easter Monday which is April 2nd and will take the form of an Easter Bonnet Parade and an egg hunt, among other activities.
Other dates for special events are May 12th – ‘May-time Memories’ when we hope to celebrate things we have enjoyed in the past and June 23rd when we shall have a Pet Service, hopefully in the paddock.
All these activities are to entertain and to bring joy but each one will celebrate the relevance of the Gospel message to all.
The monthly social evening at Camelford was led this time by Rev. Doreen and Naomi on the theme of ‘Disciples of a Creative God’, examining how God equips us for His work. Doreen began by reading a passage from Exodus that encourages us to use the gifts given to us by God in His work then she handed over to Naomi who had put together the most intriguing boxes filled with clues to help us to identify some of the Gifts of the Spirit. Each of us took two boxes and opened them to try and work out which gift the clues in that box represented. Some of the hints were in picture form while others were small objects to be found in most homes. If we failed to work out the answer, a folded piece of paper at the bottom of the boxes would provide the solution. However, we managed, with a little 9 assistance from Naomi to work out most of them. The gifts we discovered included - Leadership, Prophecy, Wisdom, Healing, Tongues and Interpretation. We were then invited to say what gift or gifts we felt we had been given to further God’s Kingdom and everyone responded with some thoughts. Rev. Doreen then lit candles and asked us to spend time in prayer, bringing people and concerns in our Circuit to God.
Naomi had spent a great deal of time and thought in preparing the boxes and they certainly gave us an opportunity for reflection on issues that should be of concern to us all.
Cafe Church is a cheerful and thought provoking get-together and is to be highly recommended to everyone, so why not join us on the next occasion which will be on April 15th? 10
Brockhill Church News
The fortnightly, mid-week Bible study group is continuing to prove to be deeply inspiring with all who meet, happy and eagerly anticipating the time of fellowship together. We have carried on with Our Journey with the Apostles, by Tom Wright, exploring and debating the contents: A time for Thanksgiving, a time for Patience, a time for Humility and a time for Joy. This book is really worth studying and highly recommended. We meet together at the home of Chris and David Smith, Lundy Drive, Crackington Haven. Thank you, Chris and Dave, for your wonderful hospitality. Our next group date is Wednesday, 7th March commencing at 10.30am Please come and join us. We would love your company. We shall study and share Lent reflections. Contact Carol Teague 01566 248697 or Chris Smith 01840 230190 The Good News Train Outreach Fellowship Group at Bethel Church Hall is right on track. A lovely group of folk enjoying friendship and fellowship together. Each month we aim to welcome and appreciate the talents and wisdom of our invited guest speakers. January's group were treated to a demonstration of wool spinning using locally sourced Suffolk sheep wool plus other similarly fine wool. Adelheid (or Addi as we know her) is a local resident
11 from Trelash. Her captivating instruction and knowledgeable accounts of her craft were a delight. Please join us. You will be made most welcome. Contact Carol Teague or Hilda Hicks 01840 261514
Brockhill Church, Crackington Haven will be holding the annual egg roll and decorated egg competition on Wednesday 4th April at 6 pm. Bring your hard boiled eggs to roll down Brock Hill, a decorated egg to be entered into the appropriate aged section and your good selves. Prizes for the first and second rolled in each age group, the best-decorated egg in each group and furthest egg rolled overall. Supper to follow. Donations for Chapel funds. Contact Shirley Dawe 01840 230637, Chris Smith 01840 230 190 or Carol Teague.
Well I had the opportunity to join the Open the Book team in St Tudy and St Maybyn at the end of January. It was really nice to be made so welcome - thank you team. The children joined in and helped us tell the story of The Widows Coins. This story shows us that you may be very wealthy and give a lot or you may be poor and give a small amount but it is all you have. Who has given more? More recently I have joined the Camelford team where we visited the school and told the story of Moses in the bulrushes and Brazacott (North Petherwin) school where we were joined by the children who helped make the story of The Spies in Canaan a lively time. I really enjoy Open The Book.
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I’ve enjoyed spending time, as always, with the young people and volunteer leader and helpers at St Tudy Youth Club. They’ve had some great games, crafts and film nights through the winter. I know they are looking forward to the lighter evenings so they can get outside and play football. Kids Club at Living Water, Canworthy has started well. Numbers are increasing and parent support is great. Due to discussion with parents we have had a slight time change. We now meet weekly (term time) Wednesdays 4.30pm – 5.30pm. I have tried to start a youth club on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month. We haven’t got off to a very good start so sadly it’s now a question of use it or lose it. I continue to support Elevate on the 1st Sunday of the month at Camelford 7pm. This is aimed at 18 – 30 year olds but I find it a great time of worship, fellowship and learning. Please support Grace and Kerri with Elevate through prayer or a visit. They put a great deal of thought and effort into each evening, and do a cracking job. Finally I am becoming increasingly aware of the pressures our young people are under due to assignment deadlines and exams. Please remember them all and their families in our prayers. Love and blessings, Alison.
A reminder of the two services which are taking place in our Circuit on Friday, 2nd March. One is at St. Teath Parish Church and the other is at Week St. Mary, also in the Parish Church, both beginning at 2-30. 13
The theme this year is ‘All God’s Creation is Very Good’ and it was prepared and written for us all by the Christian women of Suriname which lies on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean between Guyana and French Guiana in South America.
A reminder that the next Circuit Meeting is at Tintagel on March 8th, beginning at 7-30. Minutes should have reached the members who are on the Circuit meeting list. If not, please contact me by e-mail [email protected] or by ‘phone on 01566 781205.
Bright Sparks at Week St. Mary are presenting a variety show on Saturday March 10th at 7 pm and again on Sunday 11th at 3-30. Entry is free but by ticket, obtainable from Jeremy on 07940818104.
Advance notice of a forthcoming visit of our new Superintendent Rev. Linda Barriball so that everyone has a chance to meet her before she comes to us in September. Members at Week St. Mary have kindly agreed to host this occasion on May 3rd with times to be advised later. Rev. Linda’s welcome service will take place on Sunday September 2nd in the morning and we will let you know where later on.
Also rather a long way off, but it might be a good idea to write it in your diaries, is an opportunity to meet the President of the Conference, Rev. Loraine N. Mellor on May 26th. Times and venue are to be confirmed later.
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Barbara Marsh contributed this anonymous guide to prayer and wrote the original in her own fair hand.
Thumb Nearest to me – Pray for Mum and Dad, Brothers and Sisters, Grandma, Grandad, Family and Friends
1st Finger Pointing finger Pray for those who point the way – Ministers, Teachers, B.B. Officers and Helpers
2nd Finger Biggest Finger Pray for those in High Places – The Queen, the Government
3rd Finger Weakest Finger Won’t stand up on its own Pray for those who are sick, lonely and afraid
4th Finger Little Finger Pray for myself
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Contacts
Superintendent Minister – Rev Doreen Sparey-Delacassa 01566 781854 [email protected]
Supernumerary Minister - Rev. Bryan Ede 01840 214818 [email protected]
Safeguarding Officer – Naomi Sparey 01566 181854 [email protected]
Tidings Editor – Glenys Poorta 01566 781205 ‘The Swallows’, Canworthy Water PL15 8UW [email protected]
Other contact details are to be found in the Camelford and Week St. Mary Circuit Plan
All articles to be submitted by the 22th of the month please.
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