Upper Fal Parishes

Weekly Bulletin

Dear Friends,

As we prepare for this most significant week in the Christian calendar we will each approach it differently. There is no 'right or wrong' way, we must each walk the path before us as did Jesus.

Just before the schools broke up for their holiday I went to visit one to share in their collective worship. As part of that little act of worship I shared with them the terribly sad story of the road from nowhere to everywhere as Jesus walked to the cross. It is a hard story to tell because people do not like to sit with the unease of sadness or cruelty or grief. But these are very real emotions that form part of the human experience and we must learn how to live with these things as we see them going on in our lives and in the world. At the recent 'breakfast for women' held in Probus we discussed amongst other things the impact of compassion fatigue. It is no secret that when we watch the news or read the papers that 'bad' stories dominate and rather than resolving any issues by naming and shaming they effect they seem to have on us is that they drain us and if we are not careful lead us to the path of despair and cynicism. 

The Easter story shows us that we do not need to give in to despair because we believe in a God that is full of surprises! Jesus experienced first hand all the wickedness that could be flung at him, it was not easy for him, he experienced conflict and turmoil, angst and brokenness and yet even in the midst of all that he was able to see the person before him and to offer compassion and hope. Death did not have the final say over Jesus, God did. Jesus was raised to new life and this is what gives us hope and confidence because God does not abandon us at the moment of our deepest need -we may not be aware of his presence but he comes alongside us and helps us through. 

It has been my privilege to attend school and Little Lights to share this story that is the cornerstone (or foundation) of our faith. Linda has also taken 'end of term' services taking place in various churches or school halls. At St Ladoca's we installed interactive prayer stations called "Experience Easter" which the school brought their children along to participate with. This will be relocated for Holy Week to St Probus and St Grace, please do come along and see what it is all about. Other special services or acts of remembrance will be taking place across the Upper Fal Parishes, you are warmly welcome to attend any of these. Please see below for timetabling.

And don't forget Maundy thursday and the Chrism Service at the cathedral. You are warmly welcome to attend, in my previous experience this has always been a very uplifting service, where those in ministry  both lay and ordained are renewed for their ministry.

And last but not least!

Thank you to all you wonderful knitters, sewers and artists who have put together some of the stories of Jesus into wonderful creative story sacks for sharing with Little Lights. I shared with the children plus their grownups the sad story of Jesus's last week as he walked along the road...and then we said bubble prayers together before hunting for Easter eggs that tell us that Christ is risen!

Here are a few photo's as you contemplate what Holy Week means for you:
grace and peace,
Caroline


This Week's Services 

Wednesday 16th April
Probus 12noon - Holy Communion with Rev Caroline

Thursday 17th April
Ladock 7pm - Holy Communion and Stripping the Altar with Rev Linda

Friday 18th April
Ladock 10am - Hour at the Cross with Rev Linda
Probus 11am - Messy Church
Creed 2-4 -  Stations of the Cross with Rev Pat
St Nuns 4:30pm to Sunday - 24/7 prayer room with William
Probus 7pm - Tenebrae with Anthony


Sunday 20th April - Easter Day
Probus 9:30am - Holy Communion with Rev Pat 
St Erme 9:30am - Holy Communion with Rev Linda
St Michael Penkevil 10am - Holy Communion with Rev Caroline
St Nuns 11am - Parish Communion with Greg and Joyce
St Crida11:00am -  Holy Communion with Rev Linda
Ladock 11:00am - Holy Communion with Rev Pat
Holy Trinity 11:15am -  Holy Communion with Rev Caroline
Probus 7pm - Easter Praise Service 


Next Week's Readings
Acts 10 34-43
John 20:1-18

Collect for this Sunday

God of glory,

by the raising of your Son

you have broken the chains of death and hell:

fill your Church with faith and hope;

for a new day has dawned

and the way to life stands open

in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Next Week's Services

Wednesday 27th April
Probus 9:30am - Holy Communion with Rev Linda
St Erme 9:30am - Morning Prayer with Rev Caroline
St Crida11:00am -  Matins with Rev Pat
Ladock 11:00am - Holy Communion with Rev Caroline
Lamorran 3:00pm -  Holy Communion with Rev Linda
Probus 4pm - APCM
Ladock 6pm - BCP Evensong


Next Week's Readings
Exodus 14:10-end
Acts 5:27-32
John 20: 19-end

 Join us for a Tenebrae Service on Good Friday 

This Good Friday, we invite you to a reflective Tenebrae service, meditating on the crucifixion of Jesus. "Tenebrae" is the Latin word for darkness, and in this solemn service, we will journey through the last hours of Jesus' life. As we listen to the story, candles will be extinguished, symbolizing the enveloping darkness.

The service will combine biblical texts with contemporary music, chants from Taizé, and moments of silence, marking the solemnity of the occasion. In response, we will find our voices in song and prayer.

 Date: Good Friday  Time: 19.00]  Location: Probus

Come and be part of this meaningful experience as we reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and find hope in the midst of darkness.

#GoodFriday #TenebraeService #ReflectiveWorship #TaizeChants #HopeInDarkness

Probus' Song of the Month
is Forever by Kari Jobe. It's a song all about the Easter story, and it'll form part of the Easter Sunday service in Probus. 

In an interview Kari talks about how she kept thinking about the word 'Forever' and how forever Jesus will be lifted high, worshipped and glorified - and how she wanted to paint a poetic picture of Jesus coming to earth to die for our sins. 
You can listen to the song here
https://youtu.be/s6duzVn5M6E?si=916vj-Pw3GWC1e8K

I am pleased to share with you the details of the Growing Faith Discovering Chaplaincy Course, piloting this Summer Term. We invite applications for a limited number of spaces on our free pilot of this brand-new course. Is this for you? Can you encourage a colleague or friend who might be interested?

This 'Discovering Chaplaincy Course' is our contribution to encourage more people to consider the vocation of school & college chaplaincy, to enable individuals to have a solid foundational understanding of chaplaincy, and to help potential chaplains understand chaplaincy through the unique lens of 'Growing Faith'. If you are thinking about chaplaincy in education (or in the very early days of taking up your first chaplaincy post) you are very welcome.

Please see the brochure attached, or you can find out more by clicking here, and apply for a space on the pilot by clicking here. 

If you have further questions, please contact Josh Hunt (Chaplaincy Specialist at Growing Faith Foundation): joshua.hunt@churchofengland.org

Generosity and Stewardship Matters

Financially Supporting your church

The Parish Giving Scheme is our preferred method of receiving regular giving within the churches of Probus, Ladock and Grampound. If you haven't already transferred from other forms of giving then do check out how it works through the link here or by contacting your treasurer.

Please do consider whether this is a good time to review your regular giving at the church, or perhaps you would like to plan for a future donation and leave a gift in your will.  The Church of England has produced guidance on legacy giving  which you can find at https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-life/church-legacy.