2nd Sunday of Easter
Bible Readings:
Exodus 14:10-end; 15:20-21;
Psalm 118:14-end or Psalm 150;
Revelation 1:4-8;
John 20:19-end
Gospel Reading (extract)
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ [John 20:24-29]
A Prayer for Pope Francis (1936-2025)
We give thanks for the tender heart of Pope Francis: his solidarity with, and advocacy for, the poor, the displaced, the ignored, the migrant; his steadfast commitment to the inestimable value and dignity of each person; his concern for the degradation of the environment, evidenced by his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’; his humour and his attentive listening, as witnessed to by those who knew him. We rejoice that this devoted servant of Christ was able – in his final public appearance – to bless the faithful in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday before he was called to the Father’s house. Eternal rest grant unto him, our Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Weekly newsletter/blog and website
Please send all information for the Sunday newsletter/blog by Wednesday evening to Josie at penleeclusternewsletter@gmail.com. For anything else specifically website-related, please contact Chris at communications@penleecluster.org.uk. If you would like to write a reflection for the newsletter, please contact Josie.
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Celtic Morning Prayer
Each weekday morning on zoom from 8.00am-8.30am. The zoom meeting ID is 836 8507 5696. If you would like to attend, please email Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk (or call on 01736 331633) for the passcode.
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Meeting will be on zoom this Sunday 27th, at 6pm. The link is below, as are the prayers if you are unable to join and would prefer to reflect at a time convenient for you:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88903627395?pwd=MvLZE0KHFBCIwBNg8PIe2zh5qNRFEG.1
Revd R S Thomas
Photo by Geoff Charles
Opening reflection
Moments of calm, kneeling before an altar
of wood in a stone church
in summer, waiting for the God
to speak; the air a staircase
for silence; the sun’s light
ringing me, as though I acted
a great role. And the audiences
still; all that close throng
of spirits waiting, as I,
for the message.
Prompt me, God;
but not yet. When I speak,
though it be you who speak
through me, something is lost.
The meaning is in the waiting. [R.S. Thomas]
Sentence
The meaning is in the waiting
Closing prayer
Risen Christ, watch over us this night
And keep us in the light of your presence
May our praise continually blend
With the song of all creation
Deep peace of the setting sun,
Deep peace of the forgiving heart,
Deep peace of the lakeside Christ
Be ours tonight, forever. Amen
Prayer Requests
If you are concerned about someone and would like their name included in the Prayer Request Group’s weekly prayer list, please do email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk by 7.00pm on Tuesday evenings. Thank you.
Notice of Annual Parochial Church Meetings
St. Peter’s and St. Pol de Léon Churches will be holding their Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCMs) on Sunday 4th May, directly after their Sunday services. St. Mary’s and St. John’s will be holding their APCM on Sunday 18th May (also after the Sunday service).
V.E. 80th Anniversary 1940s-style Tea Party
at St. Peter’s Church
Monday 5th May
Come along to St. Peter’s on Monday 5th May, from 2.00 – 4.00pm, to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of V.E. Day with a 1940s-style street party, with wartime menu. Come in 1940s dress if possible! All welcome to what promises to be a fun event.
Paul Church Talk:
‘Luthier to the stars’
Julyan Wallis
Tuesday 6th May
Julyan is a regular on the BBC1 Repair Shop programme as its guitar expert. He’ll tell us about his life growing up locally and how he became a guitar restorer (luthier). It’s taken three years to pin him down to speak to us, so don’t miss his recollections about caring for the instruments of the stars and restorations achieved in seemingly ‘no hope’ cases. Nibbles/wine from 7.00pm, talk at 7.30pm, followed by debate and more nibbles/wine.
OTHER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Churches Together in Penzance Area Fundraising
Thanks to everyone who hosted, attended and contributed to the Lent Lunches and Walk of Witness for 2025. The wonderful news to celebrate is that the sum raised was an outstanding £1,474.83. The cheques will be sent out in due course to Christian Aid and CAFOD towards the wonderful work these two international organisations provide to tackle worldwide food poverty. Thank you again and we now look forward to Lent Lunches in 2026. – CTiPA
Taizé! – High Street Methodist Church
Sunday 27th April
Celebrating God’s unending generosity with praise, worship and prayers of thankfulness at High Street Methodist Church on Sunday 27th April at 6.30pm. Refreshments after the service.
Cornwall Faith Forum Gathering
Sunday 27th April
Our next CFF gathering at the Dor Kemmyn Peace Field, Penmount will be on Sunday 27th April at 2.00 pm (please note if there’s heavy rain or wind we will relocate to the Lychgate Room, Kenwyn Church, Kenwyn Church Road, Truro TR1 3DR. Text Philomena on the day, 07811 853639, if you wish to check but bear in mind it might be a last minute decision!). The Baha’i Faith Community will be leading us with ‘Three Holy Days’. Philomena Clifford, from the Baha’i Faith Community, writes ‘April and the beginning of May marks 12 days of the holiest period of Ridvan in the Baha’i calendar. Three specific days are marked out from this period as special Holy days, the 1st, 9th and 12th day of Ridvan.’ (Info at bahai.org for anyone who is interested!). We have been lucky enough to share a couple of these Holy days with friends at CFF with Readings and Prayers – usually accompanied by music from the Bahai Ukulele Band and not least in the making of a flower carpet together from real petals at Cafe Chaos! Plenty of music and pot luck food. Looking forward to seeing you there! – Cornwall Faith Forum
Befriending Open Evening at High Street Methodist Church
Tuesday 6th May
A proposal has been put forward to Churches Together in Penzance Area for perhaps a NEW Project. The Kernow Gateway of Social Prescribers and other community groups are telling CTiPA of a huge unmet need for befrienders in our West Penwith community. Those who live alone, or are housebound through illness or frailty, would find it difficult or impossible to walk into a church or to join any activity group. If you are interested in finding out about volunteering to become a befriender, there will be an open evening at High Street Methodist Church on Tuesday 6th May at 7.00pm, where we can discuss further, and if feasible, have a steering group to take this idea to the next stage. To find out more, please email Karen Morozova (Chair) at secretary@churchestogetherinpenzance.co.uk and leave your contact details for a call back.
Debt Advice
The Salvation Army offers debt advice services to people in this area. They are free, confidential and impartial. Please dial 01752 643955 to speak to a Debt Advisor from 10.00am until 4.00pm Monday to Friday or email cornwalldas@salvationarmy.org.uk.
Penzance Council Annual Town Meeting – date change
Please be advised that the date has changed and the annual town meeting will now take place in the Main Hall, St John’s Hall, Alverton Street, Penzance on Thursday 29th May 2025 at 7.00 pm.
