MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

The Benefice of St Germans THE MINISTRY TEAM with Antony and Sheviock

Rector: Revd Canon Lynn Parker Tel: 01503 230676 Sunday Services Email: [email protected] 7th Mar, Lent 3 10am Sunday Worship on Zoom Curate: th Revd Laura Bushell Hawke 14 Mar, Lent 4 / Mothering Sunday Tel: 01752 851187 10am Sunday Worship on Zoom Email: [email protected] 21st Mar, Lent 5 / Start of Passiontide 10am Sunday Worship on Zoom Licensed Lay Ministers: Matt Frost Susan Irving 28th Mar, Holy Week / Palm Sunday Richard Laugharne 10am Sunday Worship on Zoom Margaret Sylvester-Thorne David Watters All Services will be online until further notice. Local Worship Leader: Steve Guffick

______SAFEGUARDING

Daily Services on Zoom: Any safeguarding concerns Monday 7pm should be passed to the Tuesday 10am Safeguarding Officer via the Vicarage: Wednesday 10am 01503 230676 Thursday 7pm Lent Course Friday 10am The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is: Saturday 7pm Sarah Acraman Email: [email protected] for the Zoom links 01872 374351

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

Introducing….. Margaret Sylvester-Thorne – Reader (LLM) Greetings from your Reader from Hessenford – I am trying to dredge my memory for distant events from my long life. I have just applied for my Permission to Officiate as a Reader – that will tell some of you how old I am, as those over a significant age have to convince the parish/benefice incumbent and PCC that they consider the Reader useful and able l to continue in ministry in the parish. Thankfully for my self- esteem Lynn and the St German’s PCC have agreed to me carrying on for a few more years.

A brief background: Born Bristol; lived there, and in Bearsden near Glasgow, and then Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire until I was married. 1975-8 Prestwick, Ayrshire 1979-90. Hartley Wintney, Hampshire 1990-2009 at Fontainebleau south of Paris; retired to in 2009

University –BA Modern History, Durham Career – 1973-78 Air Traffic Control at Heathrow Airport and Oceanic Centre, Prestwick, Ayrshire. Family – Nigel, husband (Air Traffic Controller and Head of RT Simulation Projects ATC Research and Development Eurocontrol centre at Bretigny sur Orge). Three children and five grandchildren

Faith My life walking with God has been gentle and continuous – no great Damascus Road revelations, just a growing awareness of my need for him in all aspects of my life and an increasing wish to serve him to the best of my ability. My parents were not church goers, but I was Christened as a baby as was the custom in those days, and I took myself off to church in my teens, and continued my walk with God at University. There was a lull during my working years as shift work and night duties did not lend themselves to regular Sundays off, and family commitments and an old-fashioned church which was not the place for families during the children’s early years.

My involvement in church life took off again when we went to France and I joined the worshipping community of the Eglise Anglicane de Fontainebleau, an Anglican chaplaincy being planted locally from St Michaels’ Church in Paris. It was an amazing time of new church growth, a wonderful church family led by an excellent chaplain and his wife. Over the years I become increasingly involved in the administration of the chaplaincy, being church warden for a number of years, Lay Chair of the PCC, and President of the Association which was the required legal body in France. I worked through several long Interregnums and appointments of new priests, and left the church in 2009 in, we thought at the time, the good hands of another new priest.

When we came to Hessenford in 2009 I joined the new St Germans Group Parish. After a year, the vicar suggested Reader Ministry. I was licensed in 2013 and it has been my joy and privilege to try to serve God and the parish since then. Thank you for the love, support and friendship you haves shown me since I came to Cornwall. I love our church life and family, our communities and the amazing scenery of moor, woods and sea - I wouldn’t live anywhere else……

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

Vicar’s letter

We are creatures of habit – old and young alike. We don't like change. We hang onto the things we know, the things that remain the same.

We love the fact that Jesus is “the same yesterday, today and forever”. We want that anchor of certainty in our lives. But the amazing thing about the living, risen, ascended and glorified Jesus was that he loves change! He changed from heaven to earth when he was born at Bethlehem. He changed lives through his teaching and power whilst on earth. He changed from life to death and then on to life eternal. He changed creation by pouring out his spirit on all who believe.

And when we come to know him, he delights in changing us into his likeness. So that when we face times of change – new home, new school, new job or more unwelcome times of change like redundancy, illness, or retirement - we can be assured that his unchanging love of change will inspire, comfort and equip us if we will go forward in faith – and not just look back as to how things used to be.

We cannot grow without changing; we cannot reach out and embrace all that is happening in the 21st century by hanging on too tightly to the past. We are on our lentern journey at the moment, preparing ourselves for that great celebration in the Christian calendar that is Easter. The first Easter changed the world - wouldn’t it be good if this Easter we ourselves were changed in some way – perhaps in the way we look at life, worship, church, prayer or family. The Covid restrictions and lockdowns have given us time, and in many ways have been the catalyst to look at what needs changing. And being open to change and experiencing new things in our lives, is to be more like Jesus. So, I pray that our lentern journey will start in one place – but will change us and lead us to a better place – a place that is nearer to being like Christ in our outlook. Take this opportunity, and use the “purple envelopes” I sent out, or an appropriate Lent book, or your bible, or just yourself - and in prayer and reflection use this time to see what changes you might need to make, to walk more closely with God. Yours in Christ Canon Lynn

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

Following on from our very useful prayer course that we have had online on a Thursday evening I saw this article in my UCB daily readings and thought it to be very apt. Canon Lynn

Have you prayed about it?

20 FEBRUARY 2021 ‘We fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.’ 2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT

God hasn’t made prayer difficult or complicated, but really simple. The truth is, many of us pray more often than we know. And we have a more effective and successful prayer life than we realise. The trouble is, we don’t always recognise when we’re praying. That’s because we’ve got the wrong idea about it. We’ve been taught that prayer requires a specific environment like church, or a prescribed posture like kneeling, or a particular form of words like ‘Thee’ and ‘Thou’, and that we must strictly adhere to certain religious rituals. No, prayer is simply talking to God, then being still and allowing Him to talk to you. You can pray anytime, anywhere, about anything, by just directing your thoughts, spoken and unspoken, towards God. Paul writes, ‘We fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.’ Imagine that all of God’s blessings and benefits are stored in a giant warehouse in the invisible realm; things like forgiveness, strength, wisdom, guidance, favour, and resources. Through prayer you enter God’s warehouse of blessings, and by faith you receive them and bring them back into your life. The Bible says you have not because you ask not (see James 4:2). So, whatever you need today, pray and ask God for it – believing that He will give it to you. Jesus said, ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted’ (John 15:7 NLT). So, have you prayed about it?

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

Cross of St Piran Recipients Announced – Congratulations to Jenny Bushrod

As well as being an excellent Churchwarden for St Mary’s Sheviock and an efficient project manager for recent church refurbishments, Jenny Bushrod was nominated for the work she has undertaken during the covid-19 pandemic. Every week from the first lockdown, she has written a letter to everyone on the church electoral roll, keeping them up-to-date with services and information around the parish.

She has done this in an excellent and pastoral manner, her wording being very mindful of deaths within the parish and other issues going on. As well as emailing out this letter every week, she has ensured that the contents were passed onto those without email by telephone. This has been a significant undertaking and has ensured the unity of the congregation.

As well as this she also devised a plan of seating in the church (with fixed pews) that would enable an optimum amount of people into the church for services whilst maintaining social distancing. This has enabled people to attend safely knowing that there has been strict adherence to the rules. Jenny’s care for both the church and its congregation has been exemplary and worthy of an award.

Easter Egg Appeal The St Germans Group PCC would like to donate a Real Easter Egg and copy of the Easter activity book to each child at and St Germans Primary Schools. This amounts to 200 Eggs, priced at £1 each. If you would like to contribute to the cost of the Easter Eggs, to help the young children of the parish to learn about the real meaning of Easter, please pass your donations to David Watters or Margaret Sylvester-Thorne.

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

Hessenford Hall Update By Fiona Bristow

You will all be delighted to know that thanks to the generosity of the Cornwall Community Foundation Emergency Fund we have been able to dry out Hessenford Hall after the December 2020 flooding. A grant of £774 has allowed us to buy an industrial fan and dehumidifier and to cover a small portion of the running costs for these. This will also allow us to act quickly in the future if we find the water or humidity levels rising. The Hall will be open for booking once more once Government direction allows. All of those who had bookings in the future will be contacted individually to discuss their needs and plans. A big thank you to the small band of volunteers who have been emptying the dehumidifier on a daily basis and to all of our 'customers' for their patience.

Reports from the frontline- challenges for the Coptic Church in Egypt. We are having a special Pub Theology on Tuesday 9th march at 7.30pm with a guest speaker and short video. David Salter is a Christian who attends St Andrews Church in Plymouth, by profession a scientist, who has done eight years of sometimes dangerous voluntary work with poor Christians in Egypt, and believes that their faith can inspire us here. He has been undertaking voluntary work in Egypt for a number of years and has been awarded the St. Mark Medal for public service in Egypt. He has briefed the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Parliamentarians in the Commons and the Lords, and in 2019 advised the Bishop of ’s review commissioned by HM Foreign Secretary. David also has a long experience in politics (from 2003 to 2016, elected and re-elected four times as a Plymouth City Councillor) and international business. He will be talking about his work and showing some of the real conditions on-the-ground in Egypt, away from what tourists see. Contact Richard Laugharne for more details.

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

As recommended by Jenny Spear Lee Abbey are running a series of online Lent retreats ……… David Runcorn reflects on five stories of Jesus and his disciples on or around the uncertain waters of the sea of faith. Each reflection starts with some short, introductory prayers and comes with a handout and suggestions for further prayer and reflection.

“For so many reasons, the times we are living through feel to me like sailing across an unknown and often hazardous sea. It is not easy to remember when this journey began. We were suddenly adrift. Nor do we yet know where it will lead. But I notice that following Jesus involved a lot of sea crossings in the gospels. And frequently what happened during the crossings was more important than getting to the other side. There, times of threat, powerlessness and danger became places of encounter, recognition and discovery. Journeys between things – their challenges and vulnerabilities – characterise all faith and life. And never more so than in our present times.”

ONE – COME AWAY TWO – DON’T YOU CARE WE ARE PERISHING THREE – THE OTHER SIDE FOUR – AGAINST THE WINDS FIVE – JUST AFTER DAYBREAK To access the sessions log onto their website leeabbeydevon.org.uk

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

A Guide to Zoom - Part Two Joining from a Telephone

It is great to see so many of you joining us online now, but for anyone who is not easily connected to the Internet it may seem impossible. However, it is possible to join us on Zoom via your normal telephone. Our buildings may be closed but every day our church community is gathering to pray and worship and we want as many of you as possible to join in.

What is the cost? This will depend on your contract with your telephone provider, please do check how much you pay per minute. The number you call for Zoom will be either a 01 or 02 standard UK number. Ask Revd Lynn or Revd Laura for that day’s telephone number.

Meeting ID Each week an email comes out from either Revd Lynn or Revd Laura which contains all of the links for that week’s Zoom meetings. For security, each day has a different link which may look like this: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84117147566

The numbers at the end, in this example 84117147566, make up the meeting ID number.

How to join the meeting 1. Dial the UK telephone number we have given you 2. When prompted enter the relevant day’s meeting ID followed by # 3. If you have joined too early and the meeting has not yet started just press # so the system knows you are a participant 4. If you are asked for a participant ID press # again 5. You will now be connected to the call 6. Remember we can’t see you, so please introduce yourself

Mute It is good practice to have your telephone on mute unless you are speaking. The microphone is surprisingly sensitive and will pick up any comments you might make to others in the house. To avoid any embarrassing mishaps put your microphone on mute by pressing: *6. To unmute press: *6 again.

Raising a hand If you want to let the host know that you want to contribute to a discussion you can “raise” your hand, which will flag up on the host’s screen. To do this press *9.

Leaving a meeting Simply hang up when you want to leave the meeting.

We look forward to even more people joining us soon!

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

LENT COURSE

THURSDAYS EVENINGS AT 7.00PM 4TH / 11TH / 18TH / 26TH MARCH

ZOOM LINKS ARE ON THE WEEKLY LISTINGs

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

Justice and Peace David Watters recently ran a prayer evening, inspired by his experiences with the Justice System. These prayers from the Iona Abbey Worship Book were used and we’ve been asked to share them with the Benefice:

Prayers of Concern

O God of all creation who has come to us in Jesus, lead us in your way of love and fill us with your Spirit. Choose us to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captive, and bring sight to the blind and set free the oppressed. So shall your new creation come and your will be done. Amen.

Spirit of truth and judgement, who alone can cast out the powers that grip our world at the point of crisis, give us your discernment, that we may accurately name what is evil, and know the way that leads to peace, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Spirit of Integrity, you drive us into the desert to search out our truth. Give us clarity to know what is right, that we may abandon the false innocence of failing to choose at all, but may follow the purposes of Jesus Christ. Amen.

God of history, you share our joys and crushing sorrows, you hear the cries of the afflicted, you fill the hungry and you set free the oppressed. We pray for the end to all injustice. Inspire us with the all-embracing love of God, challenge us with the sacrificial love of Jesus, empower us with the transforming love of the Spirit, that we and all God’s children may live and be free! Amen.

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

Lent Litter Picking

For four years now I have carried out Lent Litter walks around the St Germans Group Parish. I often try to give up chocolate and coffee for Lent with varying success, so find it easier to do something practical and positive and outdoors. Equipped with high visibility Tabard, wellies, rubber gloves, bin bags, and litter picking device, off I go!

This year the litter in St Germans has been very different! Cigarette packets, cigarette ends, silver paper and cigarette papers have been Top of the Pops for the last three years. However! In 2021 there is a big change! Only one tobacco pouch! no cigarette filters, No cigarette papers, boxes, silver paper or discarded matches. WOW!

CHILDREN may have taken over as top litter droppers with a plethora of tiny Harribo sweet bags and lollipops sticks with a much smaller number of Coke cans and crisp packets. However, the Community Shop stocks only large bags, non of which were found! SO FAR, - A MYSTERY, IN THE ST GERMANS LENT LITTER PICK

And then, TODAY, Sunday, February 21st LENT 1.

I parked at the bottom of Buttlegate in Downderry collecting up to the top of Tregunnus Lane as far as the B3247 and then back down on the western side of the lane. Three heavy black sacks later I returned home for the count. 20 beer cans, six soft drink cans, 10 plastic bottles and hundreds of crisps and sandwich packets. Tregunnus Lane would appear to be the snack capital of the parish so far. However, the A387 to Hessenford Road is a close second! Nevertheless, Tregunnus Lane wins by presenting the most number of empty super-strength lager cans! Hopefully, thrown by refreshed passengers rather than drivers!

Bill Woods

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

Daily Hope is a free Church of resource that is available 24hrs a day. It has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind; to provide comfort and spiritual nourishment to the most isolated in our society.

Make the Phone Call I wonder how many of us feel lonely, but feel we can’t ring someone. Perhaps we feel we are always the one doing the ringing, and that can make us feel either that we are a nuisance or aggrieved!

I spotted this recently and it resonated. We don’t need to keep count of who rings who, who invites who. We can keep things uncomplicated and make the phone call when we want to.

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MARCH 2021 ISSUE 5

Thanks to Fran for these photos of the prayer tree and pebbles at St Anne’s.

And finally …… Three chaps went out to play golf at China Fleet. Moses teed off, and his ball landed in the lake. He walked to the lake, held out his club, and the water parted. He hit his ball onto the green. Jesus teed off, and his ball went into the lake. He calmly walked on the water, hit his ball and watched it land on the green. The third player teed off, and his ball headed straight for the same lake. It landed on a lily pad, where it was grabbed by a frog who mistook it for dinner. Before he could swallow it, an eagle swooped down and grabbed the frog. As he flew off, the frog dropped the ball. The ball landed on a car driving out of the car park, bounced off the bonnet of the car, back onto the golf course. It then bounced off a tree and went straight into the cup for a hole in one. Moses turned to Jesus and said, “I hate playing golf with your Dad!”.

Newsletter Deadline If you have any articles or information for the April newsletter, please email it to: [email protected] by 24 March.

The Benefice of St Germans with Antony and Sheviock

Newsletter email: [email protected]

 www.stgermansparishes.com www.achurchnearyou.com St Germans Church – The Priory

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