This week’s services

Sunday 15th March

Lent 4 | Mothering Sunday

Collect for Sunday

Merciful Lord,
absolve your people from their offences,
that through your bountiful goodness
we may all be delivered from the chains of those sins
which by our frailty we have committed;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for Jesus Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen

Next week’s services

Thursday 19th March

Sunday 22nd March

Lent 5

Readings next Sunday

Psalm 130

Romans 8:6-11

John 11: 1-45

Home Groups

Our midweek home groups are a real blessing to be part of, a place where we share life, faith, and friendship.  It’s often the first to hear when someone needs prayer or has good news to share.

We hope these groups will continue to grow and welcome new members as we journey together in faith.

For details about the different midweek home groups you can join, please contact the home group leaders.

Grampound with Creed meets on Thursday evenings (weekly) with William & Ruth Trinnick (various locations)

Probus meets on Tuesday evenings (fortnightly) with Scott and Sue Hall

Probus will be meeting Thursday evenings (fortnightly) with Liz and Chris Marshman.  Please contact Liz on 07525 456434.

Tresillian - We are hoping to begin a daytime group in Tresillian, more news to follow, but if you would like to offer your home please let Rev. Caroline know.

Children & Young People’s Groups

Probus - Youth Group: Sunday 15th March, 6.00pm - 7.00pm

Probus - Little Lights: Thursday 19th March, 9:30am - 11:30am

Benefice notices

New Bishop of St Germans announced by Downing Street

Downing Street has announced on Monday 9th March that the next Bishop of St Germans is to be the Revd James Treasure.

James was ordained priest in 2017 and was previously a leader in a free church before his move back to the Church of England. He brings with him a wealth of experience in community engagement and growing congregations.

From 2018, James served as Vicar and Resource Church Leader at St Thomas and St Luke’s (locally known as “Top Church”) in Dudley. In this capacity, he spearheaded a major redevelopment and mission project, supported by significant grant funding, to revitalise the historic Grade II* listed building and expand its parish outreach.

In 2023, James was also appointed Team Rector for the wider Dudley parish. In this role, he maintained responsibility for four additional churches while continuing his leadership at St Thomas and St Luke’s.

James is married to Esther, who is a curate, and they have three young adult sons.

James said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Diocese of Truro, the land of the saints, at this exciting time and cannot wait to discover all that God is doing amongst you! I am especially looking forward to discovering more of the beauty of the Church across our diocese - in its worship, its communities, and its faithful presence in every place.”

Welcoming his appointment, the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd David Williams, said: “I am so pleased to welcome James here as bishop-designate of St Germans. We are looking forward to James, Esther and their family joining us later this year.

“James has spent his whole working life in church leadership and will bring significant pastoral, preaching and strategic gifts to our team. I am delighted we have discerned a call for him and his family here.”

James and his family will move to live in the Diocese of Truro in Spring. He will be consecrated as a Bishop on May 1 in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, after which he will formally be welcomed to the diocese and will take up his seat in Truro Cathedral in a service on May 10 at 4.30pm. All are welcome. Further details will be available in the coming weeks.

With best wishes

The Bishop’s Office

Archdeacon Designate of Bodmin announcement

The Revd Dr Helen Williams has been named as the new Archdeacon Designate of Bodmin.

Helen is currently Team Vicar in the Shaftesbury Benefice in the Diocese of Salisbury.

Helen, who will be moving to the diocese with two cats and two dogs, brings a wealth of experience of ministry, particularly rural ministry and working with children and young people.

Helen’s background is in astrophysics, and after having children, she was licensed as a Reader in Winchester Diocese and also trained as a science teacher. After moving to Dorset, she became a Licensed Lay Minister in Salisbury Diocese. She continued to teach while training for ordination at Sarum College in Salisbury. She served her curacy in the parish of Wareham in Dorset, before moving to her present post.

Helen says: “I am thrilled to be invited to take up the role of Archdeacon Designate of Bodmin and am looking forward to getting to know the Christian community in this stunning area.  I am excited by what I hear that God is doing in Cornwall and can’t wait to join in.”

The Ven Clive Hogger, Archdeacon of Cornwall, said: “I am very excited at the prospect of working with Helen as she steps into this role. She will be such a blessing to us all here in the Diocese of Truro, and especially in the Archdeaconry of Bodmin.”

The Rt Revd David Williams, Bishop of Truro, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Helen Williams is moving from the Diocese of Salisbury to be Archdeacon Designate of Bodmin designate here in Truro. Helen’s entire adult life has seen a deep commitment to the life of the local Church including a substantial amount of time as a lay reader. I look forward to seeing all of her deep spirituality, her intellect but most of all her compassion to the life of the Diocese of Truro and look forward to working alongside her in our senior team here. Do please pray for Helen as she prepares to move to Cornwall.”

While Helen’s start date has yet to be confirmed, it is expected that she will be in post in the summer.

Schools Team

A reminder that I am trying to create a schools team that will engage with all our schools a couple of times around the year providing spiritual and creative ways for children to engage with the Christian faith and tradition. All roles will be safely recruited into in accordance with our safeguarding policy. Please contact Revd Caroline for more information.

Pastoral Administrator

I would like to ask if there is someone who would be willing to provide a little admin support in the pastoral work of our churches. This will require sending cards periodically around the year. For a role description and more information please contact Revd Caroline.

TR2 Community Hub

Monday 16th March

Digital Support Hub: 10am -12pm

Coffee Morning: 10am -12pm
Community Larder: 4pm - 4:30pm

Tuesday 17th March

Coffee Morning: 10.00am -12pm

Wednesday 18th March

More Move Group: 10am-12pm

Coffee Morning: 10am - 12pm
Community Larder: 2.30pm - 3:30pm

Citizens Advice: 2.30pm - 3.30pm

Friday 20th March

Coffee Morning: 9am - 11am
Community Larder: 9am - 10am

Saturday 21st March

Community Larder: 9:30am - 10:30am

Coffee Morning: 9:30pm - 10:30pm

Lent Lunches @ St Erme

Lent Lunches @ Probus

Be Attitudes - Lent Course

Comedy Night Church @ Probus

Restormel Concert Band @ Probus

Recruiting for three roles

The Dockyard is recruiting three part-time posts funded by the Powder Deanery Lowest Income Community Fund. These roles would suit a local person in our deanery. Details here www.thedockyardcollective.org/vacancies. Applications close 23^rd March.

Thank you for your prayers as we expand our team to support families in need.

Many thanks,

Erica

Erica Payne

Community Worker

ericapayne@dockyardcollective.org

http://thedockyardcollective.org

07872166212

Pray for peace in the Middle East from TearFund

Dear Friends,

We’re reaching out to you following the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Our hearts break to see such devastation and destruction across the region our staff and partners work in every day. Amid the debris of military strikes, people are staring in disbelief. There’s a lot of fear and uncertainty about what will happen next.

We know how much this weighs on God’s heart. Today, we ask you to lift your voice and pray for people living through this fear and uncertainty. We believe that the cries of God’s people rise higher than the sounds of conflict.

We’ve received prayer requests from our staff and partners in the region. You might find it helpful to hold Psalm 62:8 in your heart while you pray over these.

‘Trust in him at all times, you people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.’(Psalm 62:8)

Please join us in prayer.  

Prayer requests from our staff and partners

An end to war and a lasting just peace

• Please pray for the weapons to fall silent.

• Pray for a softening of leaders’ hearts to bring an end to the violence that threatens the lives and welfare of millions of people.

The safety and security of our staff and partners

• Please pray for protection for our staff and partners in the area.

• Pray that they can move safely and respond to the increasing needs of people across the region.

People who are marginalised and made vulnerable by conflict

Pray for God’s comfort and healing:

• For people already living in desperate need.

• For women and girls at risk of sexual violence.

• For children who risk losing their childhood and education because of conflict.

The local and global church

• Please pray that local churches continue to be courageous witnesses of Christ’s peace and goodness.

• Pray that the global church will be a bold advocate of justice, truth and abundant peace.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and your continued support of communities and people living in extreme poverty.

We know how difficult it can be to pray over circumstances like this, and there might be distress and worry in your congregation. To guide you in prayer, we’ve prepared a slide deck that you can present in your services.

Events and News from Mothers' Union in Cornwall

Mothers’ Union Poetry Afternoon

2.00 – 3.45pm Thursday 19 March, in the Assembly Hall, Old Cathedral School, Truro Cathedral.

Members, friends and supporters are warmly invited to enjoy Roger Bush’s inspiring, and often amusing, poems. There is no entry charge, and refreshments will be served. Contact BeverlyHulme@trurocathedral.org.ukto find out more or join your local Mothers’ Union.

This event is preceded by a free organ recital in Truro Cathedral, starting at 1.10pm, and there is also the chance to view an exhibition of paintings, ‘Stations of the Cross’, by artist Judith Tutin.

Mothers’ Union Lady Day Service

11.00 – 12.00 Wednesday 25 March, at Truro Cathedral

Join Mothers’ Union members for a special Lady Day service in the cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro. This touching service commemorates the Annunciation – the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, in which he announced that she would become the mother of Jesus.

This service is open to all, and refreshments will be served in the Chapter House afterwards. Judith Tutin’s exhibition ‘Stations of the Cross’ can also be viewed during your visit to the cathedral. There is no entry charge.

Dates for your diary

Mothers’ Union Open Afternoons

23 April at St Endellion (near Port Isaac) – 14:00 – 16:30

18 June at Truro Cathedral – 14:00 – 16:30

Mothers’ Union Quiet Day

23 July St Endellion (near Port Isaac) – 10:30 – 15:30

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Mothers’ Union Banner Hunt

Please can you look for your Mothers’ Union Banner? Most churches had one and many still do even though their MU branches, sadly, may no longer exist. Some of them are incredibly beautiful.

We are holding an exhibition of MU banners in the Cathedral in August as part of our 150th anniversary celebrations and it would be marvellous if we could include your banner. We are hoping to collect 150 of them.

If you would like to join in, please send your contact details (and if possible, a photo of your banner) to Kerstin Lewis mu.truro.dp@gmail.com

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Free Worship Resources from Mothers’ Union

From prayers to service outlines, bible studies to posters, Mothers’ Union offers a range of resources to enrich spiritual life and support your church. Whether you are a member of Mothers’ Union or a member of clergy, we have something for you – www.mothersunion.org/resources

For example, a prayer for Lady Day from the Mothers’ Union Worship Book

O Lord Jesus Christ

give us, we pray, the graces of Mary:

faith, patience, ready obedience,

thankfulness and courage.

As Mary said ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’

so give us the gift of thankfulness and joy.

As Mary ‘kept all these sayings in her heart’

so may we be faithful in hearing and reflecting on your Word.

As Mary said ‘Do whatever he tells you’

grant us readiness to do the work to which we are called.

As Mary stood by the cross

grant that we may never be ashamed to confess you

as our crucified and risen Saviour.

Amen

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Thank you very much for letting your congregations know about Mothers’ Union. To find out more about us, visit  https://www.mothersunion.org/diocese/truro/

Best wishes to you and everyone at your church,

Judith

Comms, Mothers’ Union, Diocese of Truro

Age UK coach trip to the Royal Cornwall Show, Saturday 6^th June 2026

Age UK Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly are offering a coach trip to this year’s Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge on Saturday 6^th June.

They are providing transportation to & from the showground, entry ticket to the showground and a pasty lunch in our marquee, at the reduced inclusive cost of £16.50 per person.  To meet the criteria for this offer, an attendee must be aged 50 or over and live in postcode areas TR1, TR2, TR3, TR4, TR5, TR6, TR6 TR7, TR8, TR9, as coaches will be picking up people and groups from locations in these postcode areas.

If you would like to apply for this offer, please email bulletin@probus.church for an application form.  Applications and payments need to be made by Friday 24th April.

Generosity and Stewardship Matters

Financially Supporting your church

The Parish Giving Scheme is our preferred method of receiving regular giving within the churches of Probus, Ladock and Grampound. If you haven't already transferred from other forms of giving then do check out how it works through the link here or by contacting your treasurer.

Please do consider whether this is a good time to review your regular giving at the church, or perhaps you would like to plan for a future donation and leave a gift in your will.  The Church of England has produced guidance on legacy giving  which you can find here 

Your Benefice Bulletin needs you!

Our weekly Benefice Bulletin is a vital way we share news, services, and events across our churches and we’re looking for someone who would be willing to take on publishing it each week.

The role involves preparing and sending the bulletin email using Mailchimp, so confidence with computers and basic software is essential. That said, full start-up support and guidance will be provided, so you won’t be thrown in at the deep end!

If you enjoy working with emails, like things to be clear and well-presented, and would like to offer a valuable service to the benefice, we’d love to hear from you.

If you’re interested, or would like to know more before deciding, please get in touch via bulletin@probus.church. Matthew Hodge