Rev. Tina Parry has been licenced as Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Moorland, Egloskerry and Lanstephan by the Bishop of Truro, the Rt. Rev. David Williams. The service at St Paternus’ Church North Petherwin was a joyous occasion with many people having travelled from Rev. Tina’s former parishes in Wales to support her. Canon John Connell, from Newport Cathedral, who had been involved with Rev. Tina’s training, expressed regret that she had chosen to leave Wales and said that Cornwall was gaining an outstanding priest and person. The service was full of symbolism and the churchwardens of the eight parishes in the Benefice, carrying their wands of office, escorted the Bishop as Rev Tina was presented with a Bible by our Reader, James Wonnacott, and then moved to the font where Bill Willis presented water from the Holy Well in the meadow below the church that still supplies water for Baptisms. Then the procession returned to the front of the church and Dorothy Banks of Trewen presented a prayer book. The Archdeacon of Bodmin, the Ven. Kelly Betteridge, and the Rural Dean, Rev. Canon. Lynda Barley installed Rev. Parry after she had been formal licensed by the Bishop. The Bishop put aside the sermon he had prepared and talked about the links between Wales and Cornwall stretching back to the early saints, many of whom came from Wales to establish churches in Cornwall. And he entreated the congregation to go away and read the New Testament reading chosen for the service, Philippians 4:4-9, saying that reveals what Rev. Tina offers the parishes. The Old Testament lesson was read by the Rev. Canon James Henley, leader of the East Cardiff ministry area and the New Testament lesson was read by Miss Caroline Stone, the Benefice Administrator. With such a large Welsh contingent in the church the final hymn ‘Guide me O thou great Redeemer’ was sung with particular gusto. The organist was Mrs Sarah Vinson, Lay Chair to Trigg Major Deanery and in that capacity she presented Rev. Tina with flowers and the Mayor of Launceston, Cllr Nicola Gilbert and representatives of local schools also welcomed Rev. Tina. After the service refreshments were served in the Parish Hall with the Welsh visitors especially enjoying the pasties that made up part of the generous spread of food.
<b>Hello to the beautiful churches of Moorland, Egloskerry, and Lanstephan...</b><br>As I prepare to join you as your new vicar, I wanted to share a little glimpse of the goodbye that’s just unfolded here in East Cardiff, a moment full of love, laughter, music, and prayers. I’m so looking forward to joining you soon as your new vicar.<i> What a send-off! </i> Over 100 people from across the churches gathered for Mother Tina’s final glorious Songs of Praise - a celebration filled with faith, family, friendship, and phenomenal music. Our Director of Music, Nathan, played magnificently. Fr James, Tina’s much-loved training incumbent, spoke movingly of a curacy marked by joy, compassion, and her prayerful generous heart. The singing was rapturous. The cake was size of a cathedral step (And delicious.) The tears were many - of laughter, of gratitude, of love. Together we laid hands, offered our prayers, and sent Tina off to Truro Diocese wrapped in blessing. Her licensing to the Benefice of Moorland, Egloskerry and Lanstephan will take place on: Tuesday 19th August at 7pm St Paternus Church, North Petherwin (PL15 8LR) All are welcome. Tina, thank you for the joy, the wisdom, the warmth, and the wonder you’ve shared. May this next chapter unfold with grace and kindness, and may you always know how dearly you are loved.
First the rain began dripping through the ceiling. Buckets and bowls collected drips but when the wind changed direction the drips ran along the roof and entered new holes. Tarpaulins were attached over holes and when the wind blew stronger it lifted the covering and the rain continued to enter the roof. Eventually newer tarpaulins covered older tarpaulins in a patchwork pattern across the roof and the rain continued to drip and form puddles on pews, on chairs, in cupboards and on the floor. Finally rain got into the organ and the organ got very upset and began to refuse to play certain notes.All this time the congregation and residents of St Stephen’s worked hard fund-raising. Coffee mornings, book sales, summer fetes, winter bazaars, Christmas wreaths, concerts, even several funerals offered generous donations. The money gradually grew over the years but always fell far short of the massive sum needed to repair the roof.A roof committee was formed and met online during the first year of covid. Planning and dreaming, they put together applications for funding grants, a faculty to replace the roof and tenders for an architect. Work began in 2021 when the final funds were secured. It was a tense time. The main contractor was ready to begin work, the scaffolding firm engaged, insurances in place, health & safety, quantity surveyor, all set to go. Funding was promised but work could not begin before a press release. Days of waiting lengthened into weeks. The roof team prayed. The congregation prayed. Anxiety grew. Eventually the go-ahead was announced. With a lot of work and goodwill scaffolders put up a temporary roof in record time, the contractors worked long hours, funding deadlines were met and the roof was finally completed in the summer of 2022. The congregation were welcomed back in with a service on October 2nd 2022.Grateful thanks go to everyone: to neighbours who helped out; volunteers who ran countless jumble sales; and of course all those who gave in anyway great or small. These included the National Churches Trust / Historic England / Department of Culture Media and Sport; All Churches Trust; Cornwall Historic Churches Trust; and Transformation Cornwall.
