Upper Fal Parishes Bulletin for Lent 5, Sunday 22nd March 2026

Weekly Benefice Bulletin

Sunday 22nd March 2026

Message from the Rector

Sacred Space

Ow sos ger,

This week our focus in on the cell and I want to ask you a question: “How are you doing spiritually?”

Do you feel close to God at the moment? Are you taking time to pray daily? How do you feel about your prayer practice?

The Desert Mothers and Fathers are renowned for their wisdom, simplicity, and desire to serve God. This is one of their sayings attributed to Fr Moses, a 4th century desert hermit: “Go sit in your cell. Your cell will teach you everything”.

It is said that we cannot truly love another without first learning to love ourselves. Of course, this is neither a romantic nor narcissistic type of love, but a journey into the hidden dark places deep within where we learn how to recognise God within ourselves. If we are to believe the teachings in the Bible, we must cultivate our awareness of God’s presence with us, in us and through us. How do we do this?

Well, this is about spending time alone with God. To reach God we have to learn how to sit with ourselves; otherwise, we will be so distracted that we will never reach true union with Christ.

We are familiar perhaps with the word "cell," which is a designated space (time and place) that we set aside to rest (abide) in the Saviour’s grace (love). We learn to see ourselves through Him who loves us. Under his gaze we squirm and wriggle as we try to distract ourselves from his love and grace.

This is where we practice silence and solitude.

If silent or contemplative prayer is new to you, I suggest setting aside 5 mins each day and evening to withdraw to a quiet place. Set a timer and then quiet yourself welcoming Gods presence with you, pray the Lords Prayer and then sit waiting upon the Lord. If your mind starts to wonder, thank the Lord for bringing this to mind…is it something to pray with Jesus about or can it simply be left for later? Don’t spend time thinking about it, rather let it drift away. It may help to have a word or a verse from a psalm to say that will help focus your heart again such as ‘peace’ or ‘my soul in silence waits for thee, O Lord.’ or perhaps, more simply, "here I am, Lord."

When your timer goes off, take a few slow breaths, thank God for this time. There is no need to make more of it than it is. It is up to the Lord as to whether or not He speaks, your job here, is to be attentive and to wait.

I strongly recommend keeping a spiritual journal. Keep this special, it is between you and God. It is not for recording the weather or events of the day per se, but rather a word or a vision, it could be a dream, a scripture verse anything that has spoken to you about God’s love for you this day.

You may want to record any thoughts that come to you during your prayer time. Do not censor this. And do not force it. There is no right or wrong here. It is between you and God.

In a traditional monastery, time was spent in one’s cell private, 1-1 time with God. How and when do you make time for this in your life?

gras ha kres,

Caroline

This week’s services

Sunday 22nd March

Lent 5

Probus	9.30	Holy Communion	Linda
St Erme	9.30	Morning Prayer	Caroline
Ladock	11.00	Holy Communion & APCM	Caroline
St Crida	11.15	Holy Communion - BCP	Pat
Tresillian	11.15	Holy Communion	Linda
Probus	16.00	Café Church
Ladock	18.00	BCP Evensong	Linda

Readings this week

Psalm 130

Romans 8:6-11

John 11: 1-45

Collect for Sunday

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen

Next week’s services

Sunday 29th March

Palm Sunday

Probus	9.30	Praise and Worship	Sara/Anthony
St Erme	9.30	Holy Communion	Caroline
Ladock	11.00	Holy Communion	Linda
St Nun's	11.00	Holy Communion	Pat
Tresillian	11.15	Holy Communion	Caroline
Ladock	15:30	Rededication of Bells	Bishop David

Readings next Sunday

Liturgy of Palms

Matthew 21:1-11

Liturgy of the Passion

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2: 5-11

Matthew 27: 11-54

Home Groups

Our midweek home groups are a real blessing to be part of, a place where we share life, faith, and friendship. It’s often the first to hear when someone needs prayer or has good news to share.

We hope these groups will continue to grow and welcome new members as we journey together in faith.

For details about the different midweek home groups you can join, please contact the home group leaders.

Grampound with Creed meets on Thursday evenings (weekly) with William & Ruth Trinnick (various locations)

Probus meets on Tuesday evenings (fortnightly) with Scott and Sue Hall

Probus will be meeting Thursday evenings (fortnightly) with Liz and Chris Marshman. Please contact Liz on 07525 456434.

Tresillian - We are hoping to begin a daytime group in Tresillian, more news to follow, but if you would like to offer your home please let Rev. Caroline know.

Children & Young People’s Groups

Probus - Little Lights: Thursday 26th March, 9:30am - 11:30am

Probus - Youth Group: Sunday 5th April, 6.00pm - 7.00pm

Benefice notices

A Call to Prayer

This week, a call has gone out to Christian Communities across the world to join together in praying for the peace of the world. There is a story that comes from WW2 where a whole city took to prayer for just one minute per day to pray for peace, safety and protection. The result was so astonishing that soon after the bombings had stopped. Christian communities in the UK are being asked to pause for one minute at 8.00pm each day, set an alarm on your phone, to join the world in prayer. Please pray for peace for the whole world, for wars and conflicts to end, and for the safety of all people.

APCM's

We are now in the season of Annual Parochial Church Meetings which will be held at each parish church.

Ladock Sunday 22nd March: 12.15pm
St Michael Penkevil Monday 23rd March 5.15pm
Grampound with Creed Tuesday 14th April 7.00pm (St Crida's)
Probus Sunday 19th April 4.00pm (with pasty)
Tresillian Sunday 26th April 12.00pm
St Erme Thursday 30th April 7.00pm

During the APCM reports will be shared, if not before, so that all members of the church can learn what the PCC have been working on over the past year, to understand the priorities set and to work out together what the priorities might be for the coming year. This is an opportunity to ask questions and to offer support. You are most welcome to attend these meetings.

Schools Team

A reminder that I am trying to create a schools team that will engage with all our schools a couple of times around the year providing spiritual and creative ways for children to engage with the Christian faith and tradition. All roles will be safely recruited into in accordance with our safeguarding policy. Please contact Revd Caroline for more information.

Pastoral Administrator

I would like to ask if there is someone who would be willing to provide a little admin support in the pastoral work of our churches. This will require sending cards periodically around the year. For a role description and more information please contact Revd Caroline.

TR2 Community Hub

Monday 23rd March

Coffee Morning: 10am -12pm
Community Larder: 4pm - 4:30pm

Tuesday 24th March

Coffee Morning: 10.00am -12pm

Wednesday 25th March

More Move Group: 10am-12pm

Coffee Morning: 10am - 12pm
Community Larder: 2.30pm - 3:30pm

Citizens Advice: 2.30pm - 3.30pm

Friday 27th March

Coffee Morning: 9am - 11am
Community Larder: 9am - 10am

Saturday 28th March

Community Larder: 9:30am - 10:30am

Coffee Morning: 9:30pm - 10:30pm

Lent Lunches @ St Erme

Lent Lunches are here again in 2026.

Wednesday 25^th March

Time: 12.30 pm.

Place: St. Erme Village Hall

Suggested Donation - £3.00

Everybody welcome!

Lent Lunches @ Probus

Be Attitudes - Lent Course

Comedy Night Church @ Probus

Restormel Concert Band @ Probus

Recruiting for three roles

The Dockyard is recruiting three part-time posts funded by the Powder Deanery Lowest Income Community Fund. These roles would suit a local person in our deanery. Details here www.thedockyardcollective.org/vacancies. Applications close 23^rd March.

Thank you for your prayers as we expand our team to support families in need.

Many thanks,

Erica

Erica Payne

Community Worker

ericapayne@dockyardcollective.org

http://thedockyardcollective.org

07872166212

Pray for peace in the Middle East from TearFund

Dear Friends,

We’re reaching out to you following the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Our hearts break to see such devastation and destruction across the region our staff and partners work in every day. Amid the debris of military strikes, people are staring in disbelief. There’s a lot of fear and uncertainty about what will happen next.

We know how much this weighs on God’s heart. Today, we ask you to lift your voice and pray for people living through this fear and uncertainty. We believe that the cries of God’s people rise higher than the sounds of conflict.

We’ve received prayer requests from our staff and partners in the region. You might find it helpful to hold Psalm 62:8 in your heart while you pray over these.

‘Trust in him at all times, you people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.’(Psalm 62:8)

Please join us in prayer.

Prayer requests from our staff and partners

An end to war and a lasting just peace

Please pray for the weapons to fall silent.
Pray for a softening of leaders’ hearts to bring an end to the violence that threatens the lives and welfare of millions of people.

The safety and security of our staff and partners

Please pray for protection for our staff and partners in the area.
Pray that they can move safely and respond to the increasing needs of people across the region.

People who are marginalised and made vulnerable by conflict

Pray for God’s comfort and healing:

For people already living in desperate need.
For women and girls at risk of sexual violence.
For children who risk losing their childhood and education because of conflict.

The local and global church

Please pray that local churches continue to be courageous witnesses of Christ’s peace and goodness.
Pray that the global church will be a bold advocate of justice, truth and abundant peace.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and your continued support of communities and people living in extreme poverty.

We know how difficult it can be to pray over circumstances like this, and there might be distress and worry in your congregation. To guide you in prayer, we’ve prepared a slide deck that you can present in your services.

View Prayer Slides

Events and News from Mothers' Union in Cornwall

Mothers’ Union Lady Day Service

11.00 – 12.00 Wednesday 25 March, at Truro Cathedral

Join Mothers’ Union members for a special Lady Day service in the cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro. This touching service commemorates the Annunciation – the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, in which he announced that she would become the mother of Jesus.

This service is open to all, and refreshments will be served in the Chapter House afterwards. Judith Tutin’s exhibition ‘Stations of the Cross’ can also be viewed during your visit to the cathedral. There is no entry charge.

Dates for your diary

Mothers’ Union Open Afternoons

23 April at St Endellion (near Port Isaac) – 14:00 – 16:30

18 June at Truro Cathedral – 14:00 – 16:30

Mothers’ Union Quiet Day

23 July St Endellion (near Port Isaac) – 10:30 – 15:30

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Mothers’ Union Banner Hunt

Please can you look for your Mothers’ Union Banner? Most churches had one and many still do even though their MU branches, sadly, may no longer exist. Some of them are incredibly beautiful.

We are holding an exhibition of MU banners in the Cathedral in August as part of our 150th anniversary celebrations and it would be marvellous if we could include your banner. We are hoping to collect 150 of them.

If you would like to join in, please send your contact details (and if possible, a photo of your banner) to Kerstin Lewis mu.truro.dp@gmail.com

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Free Worship Resources from Mothers’ Union

From prayers to service outlines, bible studies to posters, Mothers’ Union offers a range of resources to enrich spiritual life and support your church. Whether you are a member of Mothers’ Union or a member of clergy, we have something for you – www.mothersunion.org/resources

For example, a prayer for Lady Day from the Mothers’ Union Worship Book

O Lord Jesus Christ

give us, we pray, the graces of Mary:

faith, patience, ready obedience,

thankfulness and courage.

As Mary said ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’

so give us the gift of thankfulness and joy.

As Mary ‘kept all these sayings in her heart’

so may we be faithful in hearing and reflecting on your Word.

As Mary said ‘Do whatever he tells you’

grant us readiness to do the work to which we are called.

As Mary stood by the cross

grant that we may never be ashamed to confess you

as our crucified and risen Saviour.

Amen

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Thank you very much for letting your congregations know about Mothers’ Union. To find out more about us, visit https://www.mothersunion.org/diocese/truro/

Best wishes to you and everyone at your church,

Judith

Comms, Mothers’ Union, Diocese of Truro

Age UK coach trip to the Royal Cornwall Show, Saturday 6^thJune 2026

Age UK Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly are offering a coach trip to this year’s Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge on Saturday 6^th June.

They are providing transportation to & from the showground, entry ticket to the showground and a pasty lunch in our marquee, at the reduced inclusive cost of £16.50 per person. To meet the criteria for this offer, an attendee must be aged 50 or over and live in postcode areas TR1, TR2, TR3, TR4, TR5, TR6, TR6 TR7, TR8, TR9, as coaches will be picking up people and groups from locations in these postcode areas.

If you would like to apply for this offer, please email bulletin@probus.church for an application form. Applications and payments need to be made by Friday 24th April.

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 here

Your Benefice Bulletin needs you!

Our weekly Benefice Bulletin is a vital way we share news, services, and events across our churches and we’re looking for someone who would be willing to take on publishing it each week.

The role involves preparing and sending the bulletin email using Mailchimp, so confidence with computers and basic software is essential. That said, full start-up support and guidance will be provided, so you won’t be thrown in at the deep end!

If you enjoy working with emails, like things to be clear and well-presented, and would like to offer a valuable service to the benefice, we’d love to hear from you.

If you’re interested, or would like to know more before deciding, please get in touch via bulletin@probus.church. Matthew Hodge

Newsletter Submissions

Please send your items by 5pm on Tuesday 24th March at the latest to Matthew at bulletin@probus.church and make sure the subject line clearly indicates that it is a newsletter submission.
Thank you.