Holy Week started with Palm Sunday and the distribution of palm crosses, which had been made by members of the Lent Bible Study Group, this service was conducted by the Reverend David Pollard. On Maundy Thursday there was a service of Agape, recreating the Last Supper and led by Steve Williams, who also led the Good Friday Hour of Meditation, all held in church. We then had something totally different, for us! Given that Easter is all about the return of the light, what better way to experience that than to be up for sunrise on Easter Day? Thirteen of us gathered at Burlerrow Farm at 6 am and walked up to the field by the windmill for our Sunrise Service, led by Steve Williams, which movingly re enacted the Resurrection and the empty tomb. Afterwards everyone repaired to the Village Hall to warm up and enjoy bacon butties and breakfast, kindly organised by Sandra and her family. The action then moved to the church for the 10 am Easter Celebration Communion, which the Rev. Canon Dave Elkington kindly emerged from his well earned retirement to lead. A much larger congregation, including several young families, enjoyed rousing music from the organ and Music Group, and Dave’s thought provoking sermon on why the events of that first Easter Day put love at the centre of everything. Special thanks to all the flower arrangers as, after the austerity of Lent, the many beautiful flower arrangements added joy and colour – and of course also to John and Anthea Lobb for the Easter Garden round the font – it really is lovely, please go and see! The young children who joined us for Easter Sunday enjoyed not only the children’s corner, with books and toys but also the Easter Egg Hunt after the service! Truly Easter Day 2017 was cause for celebration together. Why not come and experience that special St Mabyn welcome next year, or even one Sunday soon?
Monday, 17 April 2017
Sunday, 16 April 2017
Tuesday, 11 April 2017
St Mabyn Church Prayer Area
Isidore of Seville is believed to have said, “If we want to be always in God’s company, we must pray regularly…When we pray, we speak to God.” In a quote from the Archbishop, he says “We show our faith and trust in God in prayer. It is in prayer that God takes hold of our lives and works through us in ways we can barely imagine possible. Our praying is particularly transformative when it is done in the company of others. Jesus prayed at the Last Supper that we, those who follow him, might ‘be one that the world might believe. There is an invitation then, to make a lasting difference in our nation and in our world, by responding to his call to find a deep unity of purpose in prayer.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury is calling on Christians across the globe to join in a week of prayer during Pentecost, to pray for more people to come and know Jesus Christ. With the emphasis on prayer, St Mabyn Church now has a dedicated space for prayer developed by a group of people from the church community. This is a space to reflect and talk to God: leaving prayer requests, lighting a candle and praying for those in need. As Isidore of Seville said, “If we want to be always in God’s company, we must pray regularly…When we pray, we speak to God.” The Archbishop of Canterbury calls on all Christians to join in a week of prayer.
So what can we do to invite people to have the opportunity to speak to God?
Church Annual Meeting
The Reverend Sherry Bryan chaired the Annual Church Meeting where Colin Hyde stepped down after 20 years wonderful service as Churchwarden and he was warmly thanked for all his stalwart efforts over these years. Everyone was delighted to learn that he has agreed to chair the Church Fete for one further year – he will be a hard act to follow! Rob Turner was elected as Churchwarden for the first time and Carol Grigg for a further year. Liz Turner was elected as Treasurer and thanked Jo Hyde for all her support as she takes on this role. Molly Dyke has stepped down as a representative on the Deanery Synod and Jan Fisher was elected in her place and joins Penny Lloyd and Abigail Kirby-Harris as the representatives. Lists of sidesmen, readers and flower arrangers were confirmed (these are all posted in the porch) and the setting up of the new Prayer Corner was much praised, not to mention our stalwart bellringing team who give much pleasure to all residents – and not just those being summoned to worship! A very enjoyable meeting overall
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