Harvest Thanksgiving & Creationtide
Bible Readings: Joel 2.21-27 & Matthew 6.25-33
The Harvest Moon
It is the Harvest Moon! On gilded vanes
And roofs of villages, on woodland crests
And their aerial neighborhoods of nests
Deserted, on the curtained window-panes
Of rooms where children sleep, on country lanes
And harvest-fields, its mystic splendor rests!
Gone are the birds that were our summer guests,
With the last sheaves return the laboring wains!
All things are symbols: the external shows
Of Nature have their image in the mind,
As flowers and fruits and falling of the leaves;
The song-birds leave us at the summer’s close,
Only the empty nests are left behind,
And pipings of the quail among the sheaves.
[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]
There comes a moment in September when we register a small and quiet shift – some different quality in the air, perhaps – and know that autumn is coming. This awareness often comes before we notice any outward changes in the environment; the leaves are green, the sun can still roll hot and long across the sky, yet there is an unmistakable sense of change. We start to gather in those things which need storing before the ground hardens, the leaves brown and fall and, as Longfellow writes, ‘the song-birds leave us’. Our readings today, which speak of a world of harmony, abundance and freedom from worry, can be difficult to square with the ongoing cost of living crisis and global environmental degradation. But they are not painting an unrealistic picture of their audience’s material situations; rather they encapsulate that things with us are not as they should be, precisely in the measure to which they point to the Lord’s purposes for us. Jesus speaks of the Father’s knowledge of all our bodily needs and his desire to fulfil them and the prophet Joel exhorts both the soil and the animals to ‘be glad and rejoice’(Joel 2.21). Both the prophet and Jesus are announcing the day of the Lord, when nature will overflow in its fullness and we will be free from all fear. These passages are intimations of a restored creation, from which we might take hope. For now, though, let us do all we can to steward the good gifts God has given us, gathering in that which is necessary to meet our needs, but holding to mind God’s generosity as we share those gifts with our neighbours. – Josie
Weekly newsletter/blog and website
Please send all information for the Sunday newsletter/blog by Wednesday evening to Josie at penleeclusternewsletter@gmail.com and communications@penleecluster.org.uk. If you would like to write the biblical reflection for the newsletter on any particular week, please contact Josie for details of upcoming Sunday readings. – Josie
Creation Care Gathering
Thursday 10th October
The next Creation Care Network Gathering will be on Thursday 10th October from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm. The gathering will be hearing from Ben Wood, the Churches’ Cut Carbon Officer and Faye Edwardes, Church Building Officer, who will be giving an update about their work and grants that can be applied for to help with your church buildings. To register to attend the gathering please do so here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucuGuqj0rH9KqcGmaGyuTzIaHtGALhT0d#/registration
Dates and times of forthcoming Creation Care Network gatherings for 2024:
Thursday 14th November from 10.00am -12.00pm
Thursday 12th December from 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Climate And Other Things
A Selection of Paintings by George Dow
St Mary’s are pleased to continue hosting an exhibition of George’s paintings, entitled ‘Climate And Other Things’, until Monday 30th September. The exhibition will be available to view daily from 10am-12pm. The ten paintings on show use a variety of media, and several specifically focus on the effects of the climate and biodiversity crisis which will hopefully provoke a reflective response in viewers. All sale proceeds will be donated to St Mary’s.
South West Together for the Church of England
A Gathering of Minds – Wednesday 2nd October
Together for the Church of England was formed in early 2024, bringing together members of General Synod, a wider network of Church of England members, and working with other partner organisations. They have a particular focus on encouraging participation in the governance of the Church of England at all levels to promote positive change regarding inclusion and encourage democratic engagement in church life. For more information, please visit their website:
The Devon & Cornwall Regional Conference, A Gathering of Minds – An Evening Conversation on zoom with Nic Tall, National Convenor, takes place online on Wednesday 2nd October from 7.00pm – 9.00pm. All are welcome. To join the Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85346111684?pwd=sK68XtkhyhNNF0liWc8VDwctv3aC20.1
Meeting ID: 853 4611 1684
Passcode: 782088
Fr Philip Dyson – Funeral
Father Philip’s funeral will be at the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady in Penzance. He will be received into the church during Sung Evening Prayer for the Dead at 6.00 p.m. on Wednesday 25th September. His Requiem Mass will be the following day at 12 noon, 26th September, followed by burial at Penzance Cemetery. We pray for the repose of his soul and comfort for all those who mourn his loss, particularly holding in mind the congregation of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady.
St. Peter’s Newlyn
Church closure for September maintenance works
St. Peter’s will be closed for approximately four weeks from Monday 9th September while rewiring and lighting works take place. During this time, people from St. Peter’s (and anyone who wishes to join them) will be meeting every Wednesday at about 10.30am at Duke Street café, for coffee, a catch-up and to keep in touch.
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.
Celtic Morning Prayer
Each weekday morning on zoom at 8am. The zoom meeting ID is 815 4586 0947. If you would like to attend, please email Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk (or call on 01736 331633) for the passcode, which you will need as well as the meeting ID given here.
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 7pm on Tuesday evenings. Thank you.
Penwith Deanery Newsletter
TODAY…
11.30am: Meet at Murley Hall, Ludgvan Churchtown
1.00pm: Marazion Church for pasties
1.30pm: Walk across causeway to St Michael’s Mount
No dogs allowed on St. Michael’s Mount
Please let us know that you are coming and if you would like a pasty – meat or veggie: https://www.cornishcelticway.co.uk/
Penzance Orpheus Ladies Choir Concert
Sunday 22nd September
With guest artist, Rhys Wynn-Jones (the NightChurch Mystery Pianist!), at 7.30pm at St. Mary’s Church. Free Entry with retiring collection to support NightChurch Penzance.
THIS WEEK…
Julian Meeting
The Julian Meeting will be on zoom this Sunday, at 6pm. Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84734636130?pwd=NkMrMDNjTGpzb norZEUrYVRJUTBkQT09
‘Talk the Walke’
Father Bernard Walke at St. Hilary 1913-1936
A talk by Fr Jeff Risbridger – Tuesday 24th September.
Fr Bernard Walke was the remarkable vicar of St Hilary who wrote the Christmas play which formed the first BBC outside broadcast, from St Hilary, in 1926. He also opened an orphanage and commissioned leading Newlyn School artists for St Hilary church. Cornish Heritage are hosting the talk and it will take place at Cornish Heritage in Penzance (in the former public library building, 62, Morrab Road, Penzance) at 7pm. Entry is free with donations towards Cornish Heritage in Penzance taken on the door.
Creation Care Celebration Service
Saturday 28th September
Several churches have qualified for Eco Church and Kernow Green Church Awards this month. Awards will be presented by Bishop Hugh at this year’s Creation Care Service of celebration which takes place at 2pm on Saturday 28th September at St Andrew’s Church in Redruth. There will be musicians, cake and chat!
COMING SOON…
Paul Church Talk
“A Magical Mystery Tour”
The English Miniature from the Tudors to the Victorians’ – Mark Cottle – Tuesday 1st October
Mark is a regular contributor to ourtalks. He has a wide range of interests and research, professionally presented and always fascinating and unexpected. This year’s promises to be no exception, providing a tour through three centuries of wonderful portraiture and the ages they represent, seen through the eyes of its miniaturists. £5.00 entry. Nibbles/wine 7pm, talk at 7.30pm, followed by debate and more nibbles/wine.
Psalm Group – Thursday 3rd October
The psalms have been called the ‘prayerbook of the church’, an extraordinarily rich resource of texts covering the full range of human emotion and religious experience. They are notable for their depth and their honest engagement with struggle, despair and joy. Starting on 3rd October, following the Thursday morning communion service at St. Mary’s, you are invited to a group where we’ll take one psalm per week to read and discuss. Some weeks it may be a meditative experience and on others it may be a general discussion: we’ll be led by the group and the psalm itself. Everyone is welcome. – Josie
Christians Against Poverty Talk
Sunday 27th October
St. Mary’s is delighted to invite Alison, from Christians Against Poverty, to give a talk about a Christian response to poverty during our service on Sunday October 27th. For more information on Christians Against Poverty, please see here: https://capuk.org/
