“Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19 Have you done anything new this summer? Have you tried a new sport or hobby, read a new book, or met new people? Whatever you have tried, hopefully it has been an interesting experience. If you’ve not had a chance to try something new this summer, why not pop into one of our churches for the first time? Spend a little time sitting in the space, enjoying the cool and calm, looking at the history all around you, or wander round the churchyard and enjoy the beauty of nature in this sacred space.
Here in Moorland, Egloskerry & Lanstephan, we are very excited about new things. By the time this goes to print, our new full time Priest, Tina Parry, will have arrived and been licenced to serve the people of Davidstow, Egloskerry, Laneast, North Petherwin, St Clether, St Stephen’s in Launceston, Tremaine, Tresmeer, and Trewen. Having been muddling along for almost 18 months with the assistance of some very generous and wonderful people, you can imagine that James and I are very much looking forward to Tina’s arrival and all that she will bring to us as she serves the people of the Benefice (the 8 churches in our area that work as one). It is a time of great excitement and change as we wait to see how Tina’s ministry will lead us forward, and, to steal a garden metaphor, we are looking forward to growing and harvesting projects already begun, sowing and planting, and trimming out (possibly weeding thoroughly?) in places where it has become a little untidy.
Throughout the Bible, gardening imagery is important for helping humans to understand a little of the way God works in us and through us. Through our connection with the cycles of the year and the sowing, growing, pruning, weeding and harvesting, we can come a little closer to seeing what it is God is doing, and what our role is in what we often call “The Kingdom” - a place where all should feel loved and welcomed by the God who loves us, and the people God calls (which is everyone!) Everyone should feel that warmth of welcome in our communities and especially in our churches. If there is a lack of welcome, then we need to be better gardeners and find out what is stopping good growth and nurture. Jesus does not shy away from telling us that a hard pruning will happen if it is needed (in one story, the pruned out2 / 2branches are rather graphically thrown into the fire to burn!), and we should always be prepared to look to find for ourselves where we are failing. This is already happening nationally as well as locally, and we pray will lead to a much healthier church over the coming seasons.
Jesus told us that “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will people say, 'Look, here it is,' or 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." - Luke 17:20. This tells us that we can already find God’s love here on earth and as Christians our job is to help others to find that love and welcome, so that everyone can experience the forgiving, freeing love of God for us as his precious creation. With Tina’s arrival, it is time to try new things, and to make ways and paths to help signpost people to the love that exists here in Moorland, Egloskerry & Lanstephan. Watch this space for details as we grow!
Throughout September and October our usual rota pattern has been reshuffled to allow Tina to get round all 8 churches and meet everyone. Your new thing this summer could be to get to one of those services, see how warm the welcome is, and try church for the first time? All are welcome!
Blessings,
Reverend Jess
Here in Moorland, Egloskerry & Lanstephan, we are very excited about new things. By the time this goes to print, our new full time Priest, Tina Parry, will have arrived and been licenced to serve the people of Davidstow, Egloskerry, Laneast, North Petherwin, St Clether, St Stephen’s in Launceston, Tremaine, Tresmeer, and Trewen. Having been muddling along for almost 18 months with the assistance of some very generous and wonderful people, you can imagine that James and I are very much looking forward to Tina’s arrival and all that she will bring to us as she serves the people of the Benefice (the 8 churches in our area that work as one). It is a time of great excitement and change as we wait to see how Tina’s ministry will lead us forward, and, to steal a garden metaphor, we are looking forward to growing and harvesting projects already begun, sowing and planting, and trimming out (possibly weeding thoroughly?) in places where it has become a little untidy.
Throughout the Bible, gardening imagery is important for helping humans to understand a little of the way God works in us and through us. Through our connection with the cycles of the year and the sowing, growing, pruning, weeding and harvesting, we can come a little closer to seeing what it is God is doing, and what our role is in what we often call “The Kingdom” - a place where all should feel loved and welcomed by the God who loves us, and the people God calls (which is everyone!) Everyone should feel that warmth of welcome in our communities and especially in our churches. If there is a lack of welcome, then we need to be better gardeners and find out what is stopping good growth and nurture. Jesus does not shy away from telling us that a hard pruning will happen if it is needed (in one story, the pruned out2 / 2branches are rather graphically thrown into the fire to burn!), and we should always be prepared to look to find for ourselves where we are failing. This is already happening nationally as well as locally, and we pray will lead to a much healthier church over the coming seasons.
Jesus told us that “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will people say, 'Look, here it is,' or 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." - Luke 17:20. This tells us that we can already find God’s love here on earth and as Christians our job is to help others to find that love and welcome, so that everyone can experience the forgiving, freeing love of God for us as his precious creation. With Tina’s arrival, it is time to try new things, and to make ways and paths to help signpost people to the love that exists here in Moorland, Egloskerry & Lanstephan. Watch this space for details as we grow!
Throughout September and October our usual rota pattern has been reshuffled to allow Tina to get round all 8 churches and meet everyone. Your new thing this summer could be to get to one of those services, see how warm the welcome is, and try church for the first time? All are welcome!
Blessings,
Reverend Jess
PLEASE NOTE. This and all other entries in 'News and Notices' are usually listed in order of date published or amended.