Dear Friends,

Reading: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” – Mark 6:31

The summer holidays have officially arrived. For parents, grandparents, and businesses in our community, it is a bustling, high-energy season. But for many, the holidays represent a deeply ingrained human need: the desire to break the routine, pack a bag, pack up the car, and escape the daily grind. We long for a change of scenery and a chance to pause.

This urge to step away is not a modern luxury; it is a spiritual necessity designed by God.

In Mark’s Gospel, we find Jesus and his disciples in the middle of an intense, chaotic period of ministry. People were coming and going in such huge numbers that the disciples did not even have time to sit down and eat. It sounds a lot like modern life.

Jesus looks at his exhausted friends and does not give them a lecture on productivity. Instead, he issues an invitation: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Jesus knew that human beings cannot pour from an empty cup. He understood that to sustain a life of love, service, and faith, we must regularly practice the sacred art of stopping. He models this throughout the Gospels, frequently slipping away to lonely mountainsides or quiet lakeshores to recalibrate and connect with his Father.

The secular world often views rest as something we must earn—a reward at the finish line of burnout. But the biblical concept of Sabbath flips this entirely on its head. In Genesis, God creates humanity on the sixth day, meaning our very first full day on earth was a day of rest. In God’s kingdom, rest is not a reward for finished work; it is the foundation from which all good work flows.

Whether you are going away on a grand trip this August, enjoying a quiet staycation in our beautiful Cornish surroundings, or simply trying to survive the school holiday rush, Jesus extends that very same summer invitation to you today.

True rest is not just about stopping physical activity; it is about changing our focus. It is about letting our souls catch up with our bodies. This summer, give yourself permission to step back. Turn off the mental to-do list. Spend five minutes sitting quietly in the garden, walking on the beach, or sitting in the stillness of our ancient churches.

As the pace of the world changes around us this month, let us accept the Saviour's invitation to find a quiet place, pull up a chair, and rest awhile in His presence.

Prayer:

Lord God, thank you for the gift of summer and the blessing of holiday seasons. Quiet our busy minds, ease our heavy burdens, and help us to find our true rest and refreshment in you this month. Amen.

If you need to know more about. This I would recommend reading “The ruthless elimination of hurry” by John Mark Commer.

August brings an influx of holidaymakers and visitors to Cornwall. This seasonal rush presents us with an opportunity to reflect on the warmth of our own church welcome. Let us all make a conscious effort to ensure that anyone visiting or stepping into our services for the first time feels completely at home and included in our different church families.

Looking back at July, I want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who supported the Church Fete at Madron and the Cream Tea and table-top sale at Gulval. Both events were highly successful, drawing in many visitors from our communities and sparking rich conversations which we hope will lead to further engagement.

This month also signals a season of profound transition and new chapters for our ministry team:

• Farewell to Kay Alexander: On Sunday 30th August at 11:00am, we will gather at Gulval Parish Church for a special Benefice Communion Service. Kay, our wonderful Reader, will be preaching her final sermon before she relocates to Scotland to be with her husband, Hugh, as they begin an exciting new chapter in their lives together. Kay has been an absolute pillar of support, leading ministry across all three of our churches and faithfully serving Night Church at St Mary’s in Penzance. Please join us to celebrate her incredible ministry and wish them both well.
• A New Chapter for Revd Jo Thomas: After seven years of dedicated service across our three churches, Revd Jo is moving on to take the lead at the churches of Towednack and Zennor. These two departures represent a time of significant change for our entire benefice, and it will likely result in adjustments to our regular service patterns in the future. We hold both Jo and Kay in our prayers as they step into these new callings.

Because August is traditionally a time for doing things a bit differently and stepping back to rest and recharge, please note that there will be no Heart to Praise services or Families@4 during this month.

However, there are two fantastic upcoming events in the wider Penwith Deanery to add to your summer calendar if your other commitments allow:

• Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St Hilary Church (Thursday 13th August at 7:00pm): We are honoured to welcome the Bishop of Truro, The Rt Revd David Williams, who will serve as President and Preacher. A light buffet supper will follow. To assist the organisers with numbers, please RSVP directly to Churchwarden Roger Calfe at [email protected].
• Sancreed Evensong & BBQ (Sunday 23rd August at 5:00pm): Led by local Lay Reader Richard Westcott, this special service will welcome the local community. It will be followed by a community BBQ. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own alcoholic or soft drinks, alongside a contribution to the BBQ.

As we navigate these times of change and celebration, I wish you all a safe, restful, and joyful August.

Warmest blessings,

Chris