Falmouth & Penryn Parish News

11:06am Thursday 1st May 2008

FALMOUTH:

METHODIST CHURCH: In conjunction with the spring edition of Facet, the magazine for Falmouth Methodist church, the editorial team (Ted Johnson and Ray Baker) set a photo competition under the theme "boats, trains and planes". Despite efforts to obtain the Earl of Snowdon to judge the event, shaky old hand, senior steward, Snowdrop Baker, awarded the prizes as follows: 1, Jean Northey with "Cousin Jinny"; 2, Faith Ford "Dusk in Falmouth Harbour" and joint 3, Peggy Pearce "Preparing to race at Fowey" and Jenny Bond "St Ives".WOMEN'S INSTITUTE: Looking smart in their black and pink, the ladies who attend the two keep fit classes gave a demonstration for the members this week. There were ten exercises in all with a break in the middle to draw the raffle. The music was very pleasant to listen to and the movements fitted the tunes very well.

Leader Jean Pike should be proud of her classes, she herself displaying her usual grace and the members appreciated a pleasant afternoon as expressed by Joan Burford.

As this was the last keep fit meeting of the season, Heather Thomas presented Jean with a basked of flowers in thanks for all her hard work.

For the information of members, next week's meeting will be in the afternoon to meet Les Marton for Cornish tales and poetry, guaranteed to be amusing.

On Thursday morning from 10am to noon there will be a coffee and home-made cakes morning in aid of funds, all welcome.

FRIENDS OF PRINCESS PAVILION: On a beautiful warm sunny Thursday afternoon, the friends were able to hold their free entertainment on the patio to the delight of the packed audience. They not only enjoyed the wonderful selection of music provided by Les Graham but also enjoyed the view of the beautiful Gyllyndune garden, which is a joy to see, a photographer's paradise with all the flowers in bloom.

The friends wish to thank everyone for their support, the raffle prizes donated and the purchasing of tickets. Without your support top class entertainment could not be afforded. The next free patio entertainment will be on Thursday, May 22, at 2pm.

The entertainment will be provided by a Misty Mountain line dance team who very kindly agreed to change dates with Ivor Bray and the Heather Thomas team.

Sadly Ivor has been in hospital and needs time to recover and will now come on September 18. The group wished Ivor a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him fit and well again.

As Falmouth week and the Princess Pavilion garden party is not all that far away, if any charity would like a stall to raise money, please contact Barbara Boase on 01326 313643 to reserve a space.

ASSOCIATION OF WRENS: The West Cornwall Branch met at the Culdrose community centre, Helston, on Monday, April 21.

The speaker was Peter Greenslade, RNLI of the Lizard Lifeboat, who gave a picture of the past, present and future of the rescue service in the Lizard area, beginning with the original need for seven stations from Porthleven to Coverack in the days of wooden lifeboats relying on oarsmen, to the gradual development of mechanised craft to the present self-righting vessels with all the latest devices.

The Lizard station has plans to renew the building in preparation to receive the very latest vessel (that alone will cost well over £2 million!). This will give them greater speed, all the very latest devices for safety, navigational aids and communications, also a capacity to carry sufficient fuel to enable them to cover the distance of 100 miles out to sea and back. There is also today's training: all personnel must have written proof of proficiency in navigation, electronics and first aid, etc. No bills are ever issued for rescue; the ethos is saving lives at sea. Everyone on board is a volunteer. The RNLI is maintained by voluntary contributions, gifting and special events.

The next meeting will be on Monday, May 19, at 2pm in the Culdrose centre when guest speaker will be the Rev Andrew Phillips of the Culdrose chaplaincy. All ex-personnel are very welcome.

CHURCH OF KING CHARLES THE MARTYR: The annual Parochial Church meeting was held on Thursday. In his report the Rev Stephen Tudgey thanked everyone for their help and support given to the church during the previous 12 months.

In the preceding meeting of parishioners, Alan Hobson was elected as churchwarden for a third term, while Noel Johnson Leach was elected to replace Michel Mam'Nani who was not seeking re-election. Mr Tudgey thanked Michel for his work over the past two years.

This week there will be a service of Holy Communion (1662) at 10.30am on Thursday, Ascension Day, when the celebrant will be the Mr Tudgey. In the afternoon Charlie's Angels, KCM's group for babies and toddlers and their carers, will meet from 1.30 to 3pm. This is a friendly and welcoming group; to join come to the green door to the left of the main porch.

On Sunday, there will be a service of Holy Communion (1662) at 8.30am when the celebrant will be the Mr Tudgey. He will also be the preacher at the service of Sung Eucharist at 10.30am when there will also be a baptism. Evensong will be at 6pm when the preacher will be the Mr Tudgey. We extend a warm welcome to anyone wishing to join us at any of our services.

The church floodlighting is being sponsored for two weeks from May 4 by Peggy Oliver in memory of her dear husband whose birthday was on May 13.

ST MARY'S CHURCH: On Sunday morning, April 20, the mass at St Mary's, Falmouth, completed the celebration of the formal amalgamation of the parish with St Mary's, Helston. The folk group supplied joyful and celebratory music with its usual enthusiasm and Pryan Kiszczuk sang the responsorial psalm. After mass, confirmation cards and other religious items were on sale in the hall, in preparation for the confirmation service on Friday, May 2. Evening prayer was taken by Canon Richard Rutt.

The past week was book week for St Mary's school, with visits and workshops throughout the week. Building work began on Monday and to continue throughout the term at the school.

Regular parish meetings continued during the week, including circuit training on Tuesday. It has been suggested that junior circuit training for 11 to 16-year-olds should be organised after school on Tuesdays. The confirmation parents evening was held on Tuesday and the confirmation group met on Friday. On Friday, May 2, Bishop Christopher Budd will come to confer confirmation in St Mary's church.

Wednesday was St George's Day, celebrated at the evening mass. After this, the group studying the Catholic faith met in the presbytery and the choir held their practice in the church. The folk group met for their practice on Thursday.

On Friday a requiem mass was held for Dorothy Bartlett who died the previous week. On Sunday, the scripture readings from the Gospel of St John continued Jesus' words of comfort and encouragement to his disciples during their last meal together, looking forward to Pentecost.

ALL SAINTS PARISH CHURCH: Sunday Easter Six (Rogation Sunday). The end of the season of Easter as celebrated by the church was marked by the sung parish mass, presided over by Father Stephen Drakeley (priest in charge). It began with the processional introit hymn Ye choirs on new Jerusalem. After the greeting by Fr Stephen, he led the prayers of penitence and confession.

The kyrie and gloria in excelsis were sung before James Davies read the first lesson. This was taken from the book of the Acts of the Apostles chapter 17 vv 22-31. Paul on his journeying has arrived in Athens. Standing in front of the Areopagus, he tells the Athenians he can reveal the identity of the unknown God, an inscription to whom was found on one of their altars. Sheila Reeves read the second lesson from the first letter of Peter chapter 3 vv 13-22. Here he offers advice on how to behave when abused for belief in Christ. Fr Stephen proclaimed as the Gospel message John 14 vv 15-21. Jesus continues to prepare the disciples for his departure from them. He promises that in time he will again reveal himself to those who have kept his commandments.

Commenting on Paul's visit to Athens, Fr Stephen likened it to a detective story, a "whodunnit", with Paul the detective solving the riddle by revealing the mystery. Celebrating at the eucharist he was assisted by chalice assistants Helen Bancroft and Claire Drakeley. Servers were Anthea Bancroft and Claire Drakeley. Sidespersons were Della Rowe and Hazel Bennett. Guest organist was Bob Smith.

The mass ended with the hymn Praise my soul the King of heaven.

Forthcoming events: May 1, Ascension Day, 7pm sung mass; May 13, Christian Aid coffee morning.

ST GLUVIAS CHURCH: Father John Harris was the celebrant and preacher at the Parish Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Rogation Sunday. The first reading Acts chapter 17 v 22-31 was read by Roger Clarke and the second reading taken from the First Epistle of Peter chapter 3 v 13-22 by Gloria Carter. Fr John proclaimed the Gospel according to John chapter 14 v 15-21. The intercessions were led by Gillian Wright, the chalice assistants were Norton Clothier and John Hodge. The organist was Daniel Shermon.

At 6pm there was a short Rogationtide procession through the churchyard. The church continues this tradition of offering special petitions for forgiveness of sins, for protection from disasters and for bountiful crops. Evensong followed with Fr John as officiant. The lessons were read by Jason Butland and Paul Campbell and Daniel Shermon presided at the organ.

Holy Communion is celebrated on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8am, Wednesday at 9.15am and Friday at 12.15pm.

Tapestry group meet on Wednesday afternoon in church at 2pm.

Thursday May 1, Ascension Day Procession and Solemn Eucharist 7.30pm.

Services on Sunday, Patronal Festival: 8am Low Mass; 10am Procession and Solemn Eucharist, preacher The Ven Roger Bush Archdeacon of Cornwall; 6pm Solemn Evensong and Benediction.

METHODIST CHURCH: The Rev Rose Westwood conducted the Sunday service of holy communion on the sixth Sunday of the Easter season. Myra Bennett, the church organist, led the hymns from Hymns and Psalms.

Ms Westwood produced a copy of the Bayeux Tapestry to address the young people. Just as today they have favourite TV programmes, this tapestry was a famous cartoon of long ago depicting the battle in 1066 between France and England. The part that she showed the young people showed Bishop Odo giving "comfort" to the army and one particular soldier who was running away. Ms Westwood explained that the word comfort can be translated as "giving strength" which is what the holy spirit gives to us.

The first reading was from the Acts of the Apostles chapter seven, Paul and the other apostles working in Athens. The second was taken from the Gospel of St John chapter 14, the promise of the holy spirit, as spoken by Jesus.

In her sermon Ms Westwood said that during the period after Easter we have been thinking about Christ risen and the reassurance of his continuing love after his death and His words that the holy spirit would be our comforter, advocate and intercessor who would always be with us. A gift to help us both as individuals and as a community so that we can work together in his presence. What a tremendous promise!

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