For some months, the preaching plan of the Lizard and Mounts Bay Methodist Circuit have shown an entry as Review and Renew (R&R) at different chapels.

On Sunday we learnt more, put simply R&R has commenced for us at Breaney. Sunday morning we had the minister, the Rev Beverly Turner, who gave the call to worship and introduced the subject. The senior circuit steward was Roger Richards who led most of the service and whose task at the beginning was to inform the congregation what was to take place on Monday evening. Over the course of the morning service he announced three hymns written by F Pratt Green.

The first “God is here as we His people meet to offer Praise and Prayer”; the second “What shall our greeting be: Sign of our unity? Jesus is Lord!” The third was “The Church of Christ, in every age beset by change but Spirit led”; the fourth “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee”.

There was a large wooden cross, which had been used at other churches in the circuit during R&R and most of the congregation signed their name on the crossbar. The readings were Deuteronomy chapter 30 v 11-20, Psalm 51 was read with alternative portions by including the congregation, with John’s Gospel chapter 15 v 1-17 from the New Testament.

Sermon time was led by the minister; holy communion was served with both minister and Roger; Peter Gordon collected the offering and the organist was Paul Jenkin and flautist Mary Louise Combellack.

The final hymn was “O Jesus I have promised to serve thee to the end”. Meanwhile downstairs Julie Swann, circuit children’s worker, led a programme especially for the children. Esther and Penny prepared the fellowship coffee time.

Monday evening the R&R was held at Breaney function room. A number of normal worshippers attended a meeting which was led by the Rev Steve Swann from Mullion, eight members of the Circuit Leadership Team also attended. After prayers and a scripture reading from Philippians, question papers were handed out to each attendee, most of the questions were not easily answered.

Members of the leadership team were there to help us when advice was needed. We will hear later what queries, if any turned up, as a result of R&R. The meeting ended with excerpts from the Covenant Service Book, a hymn and blessing.