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

February! It's an odd month - still dark and often cold and wet. All the fun and warmth of Christmas seems far behind us and the summer is a far distant dream. And yet the signs of spring are all around us - snowdrops push up brave spears along the banks; primroses nestle shyly among the leaves and the dancing heads of golden daffodils are a bright reminder that spring is almost here. Have you ever thought that the story of the Church is a little like the circling seasons? There are periods of life and light and growth and there are times of darkness and decline. The same pattern can be seen throughout Biblical history. The people of Israel listened to God and obeyed Him and prospered and fell away from their Covenant commitment and everything fell apart around them. Even in the history of Methodism we see the pattern repeated. Wesley's work began at a time when the church had lost any real relevance to the mass of people in this country and Wesley and his friends broke with several centuries of Church tradition to take the Gospel out of the churches to the people who needed to hear it. He didn't pull any punches and called people to change their lives around. Membership of the Methodist Church meant real commitment, regular attendance at worship, a change in lifestyle, active membership of a Methodist class and a prayer band meeting. But over the years we have fallen away from that level of commitment. When one looks at the church now it sometimes seems that a non-productive winter has really set in - permanently!

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But of course, that isn't true! There will be spring. The Church will grow and bloom again because the truth of the gospel cannot be suppressed forever. It's up to us to find the fresh shoots and nurture them. What is your church doing to raise the awareness of the people of your communities about its existence and about the reason that it is there? I would like to challenge all of our churches to do something aimed at those outside the church family every month - events which have appeal but which also contain nuggets of Christian truth so that by next Christmas you have a far larger raft of interested contacts to invite to your Christmas services. And friends, don't forget to nourish your own faith too, praying constantly, alone and together and studying the word of God. We have several prayer groups, meditation groups and Bible Study groups across the circuit - get involved! This is a basic of Christian discipleship, not an optional extra! And as we grow our own faith may we grow the church of Christ and bring many new believers into the joy of knowing God. May He bless us all! Doreen

What we find in Jesus

We find peace and The Prince of Peace, We find righteousness and The Righteous One, We find counsel and The Counsellor, We find wonders and The Wonderful One, We find salvation and The Saviour, We find the Kingdom and The King. BM

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December, as always, has been really busy – starting with the Toy and Christingle Service on the first Sunday of the month, led by Rev Bryan and Sue Wilcox. This began with Family Breakfast during which the children made their Christingles which they then took into the service where a large quantity of toys and gifts were brought forward to be distributed by the Wadebridge FoodBank. The day after a really appreciated Christmas Community Lunch, the Women’s Fellowship enjoyed a celebratory Soup and Sweet meal where the collection was taken for charity. Our ecumenical Open the Book team is now in the 7th year of weekly visits to school and we ended the calendar year by joining together with fellowship over a Christmas meal. One of the most informal events was a Scratch Nativity led by Alison Gill where anyone in the congregation, who wished to, had the opportunity to dress as a Nativity character and take part in the service.

Our Village Carol Service was held at the C of E St John’s, where the church was full and many took part in presenting the happenings of the first Christmas. 4

Perhaps the event that had most impact on the village was the 250ish knitted angels with messages of peace and love which appeared all over Delabole early in the month. The tags wished people a happy Christmas and asked them to take the angels home. As there are no longer any hanging on the railings and branches around the village - and reading the positive messages on Facebook - we think this was a successful idea. Thank you, Alison, for suggesting it. On Christmas Eve we held an hour of Carols led by Rev Bryan and Sue and then on Christmas Day itself, we met together to celebrate Christ’s birth at a service with Rev Bryan.

A tradition that has continued for many years at Tintagel Methodist Church is the Gift Tree service when new and good used toys are brought and donated by many kind supporters and placed around the Christmas Tree. This year for the first time they will be donated to the local Food Bank for distribution. Monetary donations are also collected and given to Spectrum a Cornish charity working with Autism, this year donations amounted to £181. Sheila Flower was the organist and Elizabeth Brown and Raymond Sleep the stewards. Sue Ede led the service and was helped by Molly and Henry Kestell to light the first candle on the Advent ring. Lynn Spurdens and Graham Hobbs read from John chapter 1 and Psalm 139 was read together by the congregation. The Chapel was beautifully decorated with sixteen plus Christmas trees, which over the weekend had 5 been admired by visitors. All donations given were for the work of the Cornwall Air Ambulance. Refreshments were served in the schoolroom throughout. Trees were decorated by Stuart and Jenny Patterson – Joy to the World; St Materiana’s Parish Church – While Shepherds Watched; The Harris sisters chose – Cradled in a Manger; Come and Join the Celebrations was the choice of Open the Book; Mary Uglow and Kathy Rowse portrayed the Holly and the Ivy; Tintagel Pre-School – Away in a Manger; Jingle Bells was the choice of Edwina Broad; Tintagel Orpheus Male Voice Choir chose – God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen; Janet and Graham Hobbs – I Saw Three Ships; Jean Whiting – It Came upon the Midnight Clear; Joan Turner chose – Like a Candle Flame; Bridget Hollingsworth– Ding Dong; Sue and Bryan Ede – Love Came Down; Trevena-Tintagel WI – Angels from the Realms of Glory; Cornwall Hospice Care – Hark the Herald and Messy Church also had a tree. Sheila Kenner

A great time was had at messy church which was well attended by familiar faces and some new. Some people were local and some travelled from further afield. The main craft for the day was making lanterns that could be lit up and carried on sticks. This activity was wonderful to watch as it really was an all age activity that bridged the generational gap. Everyone worked together to get the lanterns built. The activities were followed by the crowd gathering in Living Water church where Rev Doreen began to tell us the Nativity

6 story. She was interrupted by some very excited shepherds, who told us they had seen angels and asked us to go with them to the stable. We all went out of the church where the lanterns lit our route as we followed the shepherds to the stable.

That was an amazing sight and several people commented on how special that moment was. In the stable we found Boisey the donkey quietly eating hay and a beautiful baby boy with his mother. Rev Doreen finished telling us about how Jesus was born in a stable and that the shepherds and wise men worshipped him. We joined together and sang carols then returned to the Sunday school room for refreshments. I believe everyone who attended felt that we had a really special time together. A special thank you goes to the Feltham-Clarke family for allowing Boisey to join us plus Hilda and Michael Hicks for assisting in his travel arrangements. Also thank you to Amy who stepped in for Mary and to her gorgeous baby who played the role of Baby Jesus.

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Report by Alison Hoather and photos by Sarah Clarke-Feltham

Wesley Cottage Wesley Day Celebrations 2018

Our Wesley Day Celebrations this year will take place on Sunday 27th May 4pm Preach from the Porch 5pm Tea at Altarnun Parish Church Hall 6.30pm Worship at Altarnun Parish Church Our Preacher for both services will be the President of Conference Rev Lorraine Mellor

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Worship will be led by Cornwall District Chair Rev Steve Wild and the account of Wesley’s Conversion will be read by Methodist Youth President Mr Michael Pryke Wesley Cottage Study, Prayer and Quiet Days January to March 2018 Places are limited on these days so advance booking is essential telephone: 01566 880265 or email: [email protected] Although there is no set charge to attend donations are welcome and a buffet lunch is provided unless indicated otherwise.  Wednesday 24th January 10am-3pm Prayer Day:  ‘Shall we Pray’ with John Hogarth A brief teaching time on prayer will be followed by putting prayer into practice to allow individual opportunity for worship, confession, intercession, and silence. As some people may wish to fast a simple lunch of soup and sandwich will be provided.  Thursday 1st February 10am-3pm Study Day: ‘The Lord’s Prayer in New Testament Greek’ with Mr Tony Carter of Wesley Cottage Management Committee.  Saturday 10th February 10am-3pm Study Day: ‘Discipling Presence’ with Rev Elizabeth Clark. Wesley Cottage is delighted to welcome Elizabeth our National Rural Officer as she introduces us to a new resource for those working in rural situations.  Tuesday 13th March 10am-3pm Quiet Day: ‘Enjoying God’ with Rev Sandy Osgerby. Following our excellent day in the autumn Sandy returns to lead us in another of our popular quiet days. 9

 Thursday March 22nd 10am-3pm Study Day:‘Some Methodist Cornish Saints’ with Rev Ian Haile.

On a miserable Sunday evening at the end of January a few of us braved rain, fog and wind to attend Cafe Church at Camelford in order to hear Pauline and Keith Horobin talking to us about their work as evangelists in Cornwall.

After singing ‘To God be the glory’, unaccompanied and in true rousing Methodist tradition, everyone was invited by Rev. Doreen to choose one account from the Bible of an example of evangelism and a hymn to illustrate it. The results were varied and very appropriate, ranging from the account of Paul’s preaching in Athens, to two examples of the apostle Philip, in Samaria and on the desert road. Pauline and Keith then began to describe, with the aid of a power point presentation, the work that they have done throughout Britain and are now continuing from their base in Marazion. Their organisation is called ‘Micah Mobile

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Ministries’ and they seek to reach people wherever they encounter them, including family, friends, neighbours and workmates. In this they are following Jesus’ commission to take the Gospel into even the remotest parts of the world and Cornwall certainly qualifies for this geographical description! Micah Mobile Ministries has six main aims.

1. We have to be prepared by listening to God and to what other people have to say and to pray, which involves both talking and listening. 2. We can pray while undertaking a prayer walk, by supporting others in prayer, both public and private, in particular outreach work such Messy Church and by continuing to pray for ongoing initiatives. 3. By sharing our own personal stories of faith – what we were like before we met Jesus, how we met Him and the difference that Jesus has made in our lives. 4. By using God’s gifts – spiritual gifts are tools that God gives to us to further His Kingdom and are not to be used for our own fulfilment. 5. By working together with others in teams, for in this way we can support each other and be more effective. 6. We then need to ask ourselves where we go from here. How can we help new Christians to grow?

At a meeting a few days ago it was felt that, in order to grow our church we need to be continually active, with events to appeal to people in our communities – young and old –so that

11 people perceive an active church in their area, and hopefully become drawn in. All the events that we are planning have a Christian element for that is what we are here for.

Events planned for the next months (Details to be finalised nearer the time)

February 10th ‘Frying for Flying’ - a pancake event to raise money for MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) the low profile Christian charity which provides the planes to transport personnel and supplies for much of the Christian outreach work across the world. Pancakes will be available with sweet and savoury toppings from 10am until 12.30pm.

April 2nd Easter Extravaganza – An Easter egg hunt in the paddock or church (depending on the weather); an Easter Bonnet competition; egg decorating and a cream tea. 2.30pm -4.30pm

May 12th Maytime Memories – a celebration of things we have enjoyed, weaving favourite Sunday School and Church activities from past decades with games, quizzes and competitions, but celebrating the relevance of the gospel message to all generations.

June 23rd 3pm Pet Service – in the marquee in the paddock, followed by picnic tea (or tea in the hall)

As I write this, I’m feeling very excited as things are slowly starting to get back into a routine after the Christmas and New Year Break. With the Spring Term now started for all 12 the children I know youth club has started back for St Tudy seniors and juniors. I’ve been to a very enjoyable Open the Book session at Brazacott School and I’m looking forward to our future visits. Yesterday saw the first Messy Church for Living Water, Canworthy. We spent time looking at what an amazing job God did when he created the world. Rev Doreen told the Creation story as we looked at the beautiful freeze loaned by Tintagel Church. Various activities reflected the different days of Creation. We finished with some lovely food and a rousing chorus of ‘Our God is a great big God’. I’d love to say a big thank you to everyone who helped. Your support is greatly appreciated. Our next Messy Church at Living Water is Saturday 17th February at 3.30 – 5pm. We are planning to celebrate how amazing humans are as we try some winter Olympic Sports. Please come and join us. For the people that don’t know much about Messy Church I have copied below the values of Messy Church from the Messy Church website. Please read them and if you feel you and your family would like to join in or help. You are more than welcome.

Messy Church is a church, not a craft club that helps people encounter Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Messy Church is part of The Bible Reading Fellowship which believes, with the historic churches, in one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Messy Church is for adults and children to enjoy together. Every element should be relevant and accessible to all ages. Messy Church uses hands-on activities to explore Bible stories, to reflect a God of creativity and to give people a chance to play together. Messy Church reflects a God of unconditional love and is a church for people outside church, providing an oasis of welcome and a safe space in which to thrive. Messy Church is about hospitality, expressed most evidently by eating together – whether it’s a plate of sandwiches to share, or sausage and mash. Messy Church reflects a God of joy who wants 13 his people to have life in all its fullness. If you want to read more about these values, and how we express them look across the site at content tagged with Values. Each Messy Church must adhere to health and safety and safeguarding laws and guidelines and have established health and safety and safeguarding policies in place that it can provide on request. BRF cannot be held responsible for any matters relating to health and safety or safeguarding in respect of any Messy Church. Children are an integral part of the congregation and are both models of discipleship and disciples themselves, as are the adults who play the same dual roles. You’ll see an experienced Christian learning from a less experienced one and vice versa; a child teaching an adult; sometimes one family learns from another en masse; sometimes the Christian community demonstrates how to live for Jesus to those who don’t yet know him; sometimes a parent teaches a child something.

If discipleship needs a mixture of formal learning, informal learning and social learning, Messy Church has elements of all three as it (formally) explores the Bible through activities and storytelling, provides opportunities for informal conversation and observation and encourages different levels of social learning both at the gathered Messy Church and in encouragement to take that learned faith back into the home during the rest of the month. Of the three styles of learning, Messy Church is stronger on the social and informal ways of learning. I’m looking forward to the start of Kids Club on Wednesdays 24th January at 5.30 – 6.30pm and Youth Club on Friday 26th January from 7 – 8.30pm at Living Water. Please pass this information onto any primary aged children for kids club and senior aged young people for youth club. If you are over 18 years and feel you could help at either club and are willing to do the Safeguarding foundation training and willing to have a

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DBS check (funded by the church) please let me know. Without volunteers I will be unable to run these clubs. For further information or to volunteer please contact me, Alison Hoather on 01566 781418.

Tintagel Section Women's World Day of Prayer Service, Friday,2nd March will take place at St Teath Parish Church. The service has been written and prepared for us by the Christian Women of Suriname. The title of the service is:- All God's Creation is Very Good.

The interactive content, deep, loving fellowship and overall enjoyment of our annual services are a joy. We all look forward to the first Friday of March, each year to come together. Churches in the Tintagel Section are: St. Teath Methodist and Church of England, Delabole Methodist and St. John's C. of E, Tintagel Methodist and St Materiana C. of E, Boscastle Methodist, Forrabury and Trevalga Church of England, Bossiney and Brockhill Methodist and St Paul's Roman Catholic Church. Everyone is welcome, men and children as well as women. Please come along. It would be lovely to have your good company among us.

The service on Friday, 2nd March starts at 2.30 pm ending with refreshment and happy conversation.

A planning meeting for the WWDOP service is on Friday, 26th January, 2 pm at St Teath Church. 15

Contact Carol Teague on 01566 248697 email address: [email protected]

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

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All articles to be submitted by the 22th of the month please.

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