Agape outdoor service on the 2nd August.

St Mabyn church was pleased to offer an Agape outdoor service last Sunday on the 2nd August.

An Agape Feast has a long history in our Christian faith. They are mentioned both in Paul’s letters and in the Letter of Jude in the New Testament. Many churches have been using this style of service (particularly over Zoom during Lockdown) as it's an informal meal of love during which bread and wine are shared as symbols of fellowship with God and with one another.

Comments were very positive by those who attended. What a beautiful service!! It was so thoughtfully and professionally taken by Jenny Coltart and the rain held off for us! It was lovely to have Robin Thwaites, our new curate to the Benefice, there to read the Gospel, and to add his cheerful, sincere and very approachable presence. We are so fortunate.

The reflection on the feeding of the five thousand was one we had never heard before - and was fascinating: the generosity of the young boy with his 'lunchbox' being an example to so many others who had also got their lunch, but were keeping it hidden, was such an interesting thought.

Jan Fisher led the Intercessions, very lovely prayers, so apt and inclusive, and thoughtful. Lay Reader, Peter Coster reminded us in his Thought for the Day - last Sunday was Lammas Day - how appropriate was that service in every way!

Thank you very much to Jenny, for also creating a sacred atmosphere with the little table set with pretty flowers on a white cloth, and the praying hands. Thank you David Coltart, Tower Captain for the ringing of the bell to concentrate the mind - a welcome sound after months of silence.

OUTDOOR AGAPE CHURCH SERVICE

OUTDOOR AGAPE CHURCH SERVICE - Sunday 2nd August, 2020 - 10am

We are holding a short 30 minute Agape service outside of the church at St Mabyn this Sunday at 10am.

Please bring your own hand sanitiser, a blanket to sit on and umbrella if the weather looks dodgy! You will need to bring a cube of bread and your own drinking vessel. (The wall also makes an ideal place to sit on and there will be a couple of spare chairs if you want one or the grass bank for the more agile!)

When you come to the churchyard, we will be noting your name and contact phone number as per government recommendations for track and trace.

Do not come if you are ill. Although we will be doing all that we can to make things safe, please be aware that there is still a low risk of Covid-19 in the outdoors, especially for those in vulnerable groups and you should continue to follow government guidelines. If you wish, you can of course wear a face mask. Regrettably their will be no hymns, and must be no handshakes or hugs!

We would be delighted if you would like to come and it would help us to plan, if you can please let us know if you would like to attend, by telephoning Jan 01208 852182 and we will send you a copy of the service before hand.

Renovated gates!

You may have noticed the church porch gates have been renovated. We would like to thank Nick Henderson for his sterling work on the gates which now look brand new, and make the church look even more welcoming.

We are looking forward to opening the gates for services very soon.

JF

Sad news from Rev'd David Pollard.

I expect David Seymour has passed on the news that my time at St.Mabyn has drawn to a close. My decision was based on the Lord's leading to spend more time with Barbara and the family and lockdown confirmed that my season of public ministry had naturally ended. David now has Steve's help in addition to a new curate and with a supportive congregation St. Mabyn will go forward in good heart.

Barbara and I can reflect on many happy times spent with you all and are so grateful for all your support and the opportunities you gave us to share the Gospel. When the time is right we will come over for a service and stay for a coffee and a chat afterwards.

Please pass on our thanks, love and prayers to everyone,

God is good!

David and Barbara

Church services

As St Mabyn church remains closed, the following services are taking place within our Benefice

Sunday 26th July

9.30am Matins at Michaelstow

10.00am Morning Prayer at Blisland

11.05am Holy Communion at St Tudy

News from our new Curate

Hello everyone,
Family Thwaites have finally moved in, everything is unboxed and apart from rearranging the furniture several times I think we can say we are settled. Having spent the whole of lockdown and its glorious weather in a third floor flat at Ripon College we have been very much looking forward to enjoying the garden here and the beautiful Cornish landscapes. Of course, as soon as we arrived we have been gifted with rain everyday! At least it is good for the fields and crops though. We have managed to go for some lovely walks and been to a few beaches in the snippets of sun that we have had.
Other than the couple of years at Oxford where I was studying, we originally come from Sussex with the south downs behind us and the sea in front, so the rural and coastal life is one where we feel very much at home. As a family we love nothing more than long walks and days on the water. Emmy and I are keen kayakers and have really missed the sea while in Oxford. Our eldest son Vaughn also loves the sea and is desperate to start surfing (having done it once on a school residential and caught the bug). Eastern our second son is very much at home in a cave or rock pool, or just looking at anything he can find in the mud and fields (walking takes a very long time as he is constantly looking down for interesting rocks etc.). Finally our youngest Meadow, in keeping with her name, loves all things nature, flowers and animals of any description although not particularly keen on the eight legged kind that can be found on bedroom walls!
Originally the plan was that I would have been ordained by now at Truro Cathedral, but unfortunately Covid put a halt to that. At present the plan is that this will now take place towards the end of September and possibly not at the Cathedral. Whilst disappointing, it is a necessary and understandable precaution and because of this I attended a Zoom service a couple of weeks ago with the other Truro Ordinands and Bishop Phillip where we were all commissioned with the ‘Cure of Souls’ which allows us to start our work as Curates in the parishes we have been placed.
As the churches across the Benefice slowly start to open and prepare you will see me more and more. I have already been able to assist David with a couple of services in the Benefice and look forward to meeting everyone as and when the Lockdown lessens. This has been and continues to be a very difficult time for many people and you are all very much in my prayers.

Church Opening Update

You may have read that current guidelines have suggested that churches may now reopen for worship. The risk of coronavirus has as we know, however, not gone away. 

The doors of some of our churches in the Camelside Benefice have reopened. Since many people in our St Mabyn congregation, however remain vulnerable to Covid-19, we have taken the careful decision to remain closed for the time being.

If you wish to find out more about the churches that are open for prayer and worship, please contact our Rector, David Seymour: 01208 850088, likewise if you wish to receive his weekly service to read, private prayer or pastoral support.

Church services are on the horizon here but we will be waiting a bit longer before we reopen.

Any change is unsettling especially when it is not of our own choosing, but it brings opportunities as well as threats. If you wish to join us for our online Bible study and prayer meeting, we 'meet' every Tuesday at 7.30pm via Zoom! Please contact David for information and he will send you the necessary link. In the meantime, please stay safe!

JT