All-age family communion with Harvest Thanksgiving was blessed with a fine morning, so the beautifully decorated church was filled with sunshine, apt after such a bountiful spring and summer.

Among the many flowers were two huge displays of sunflowers, given in memory of Gary Holden. Before the altar, the centrepiece was a magnificent harvest loaf made by a Helston master baker around which, during the first hymn, the gifts of the congregation were placed.

Later, in a combined prayers and offertory, symbols of our need to thank God were placed on the altar, including bread, milk and even a mobile phone, which represented the modern technology that fills our lives.

The Rev Dorothy Noakes presided at communion, assisted by Canon David Miller who also introduced the service.

Betty Booker, who was licensed as a lay reader exactly 21 years ago, gave a very funny, but mind-opening talk that involved sunshine meadows, where everyone was happy, and melancholy meadows, where everyone was sad. The conclusion reached was that, to have everyone living in sunshine meadows, the better off had to share with those who have nothing.

Diane Barlow read the lesson and Mary Kells led the prayers.

During communion the choir sang John Rutter’s song “Look at the world”, directed by Chris Bradbury and accompanied by Richard Berry.