Upper Fal Parishes

Weekly Bulletin w/c 15th September 2025

Ow sos ger,
Christianity offers everyone the opportunity to enlist in a cause which works for a better world, and not just for the individual, because Jesus taught “Love God. Love your neighbour”. We are not called to just love ourselves, which is why I am against some of the pressures of individualism placed upon us.
 
It is so important to care deeply for things which will not happen until we are long gone, to acknowledge that we have a debt to the past and must retain a sense of responsibility for the future. What concerns me is the fact that large numbers of people have abandoned any concern for the shape of the future and simply live for today. It is also sad that some people have given their lives to some cause or other which has exhausted itself before they have exhausted themselves. So, they hang on with nostalgia without knowing which direction to go.
 
What I see in Jesus is the daily challenge to seek the Kingdom of Heaven, now, in the immediate circumstances of our lives, shaping and transforming the future. This challenge we all accepted as Christians when we were Confirmed, and it is a lifelong commitment to work for our Lord in the special individual way to which He has called us. Because of the challenge which we accepted, we cannot let the ‘changes and chances of this fleeting world’ overcome our endeavours, nor be intimidated by human problems. Of course, I accept that there are events in our lives that are beyond our control, such as war, famine, poverty, and discrimination, but I am not going to let these events, terrible as they are, prompt me to lie down and bewail how everything is just hopeless. I may take just a tiny step, strike a minor blow, win a minute victory, all for the sake of the future, but do note, this is where the future of our Christian faith lies. The Gospel tells me that like one small hidden stone in a church building, placed in its unique position by a faithful worker in the past and which helps hold up the whole structure, so will my stubborn refusal to give in make a positive contribution to the future.
 
Jesus challenges ordinary people to accept personal responsibility for the future and make their contribution to a cause which will not exhaust itself before they have exhausted themselves. He lived and died yet rose again to prove that God’s ways are beyond ours and are great enough to deal with humankind’s every need, including any spiritual hunger. So, when you hear others discuss and question the purpose of life you will be able to present the potential of the Kingdom of God and invite them to help shape the future.
 
And also remind them we are not alone in this endeavour. God is with us.
gras ha kres,
Brian
 

This Week's Services 

Sunday 21st September

Readings for this week

Psalm 79:1-9
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
Luke 16: 1-13

Collect for 14th Sunday after Trinity

Almighty God,
whose only Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence:
give us pure hearts and steadfast wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Next Week's Services

Sunday 28th September
 

Next Weeks Readings

Psalm 91: 1-6
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Luke 16:19 to end

Ss Probus and Grace Church
I am currently looking to set up a small team of people who would be willing to open and close the church each day of the week. In the past Steve as Church warden has overseen this, however, now that he has retired from this position we need to think again about how we can manage to keep the church open. The church is widely used by everyone in the community for personal prayer, community group sessions, as well as toddler group, community larder and other things from time to time.

Responsibilities of the role would include 
Opening up: unlocking the door, and turning on a couple of lights inside. 
Locking up: ensuring that no one is inside, the toilet is locked, lights are off and doors are locked.
It would be helpful to have a small team of people who would be willing either to take a day each, or a regular day...and that you might be willing to cover each other for sickness or holidays.
Please contact me asap if you can help,
Caroline
 

Other events

Mothers' Union Wave of Prayer Service at St. Mary’s Aisle, Truro Cathedral, 2.00pm, Thursday 18th September  
The Wave of Prayer goes on throughout the year, remembering all the Mothers' Unions across the globe. Mothers’ Union in Cornwall is prayed for in September, along with MU members in other countries including Burundi, Uganda, Nigeria and India. This annual service is always lovely, with refreshments in the Chapter House afterwards. Non-members welcome!

Contact Beverly Hulme, Truro Cathedral Branch leader, for further information - BeverlyHulme@trurocathedral.org.uk

Also, people might like to know –
 
Choral Evensong recorded earlier this year in Truro Cathedral is scheduled to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Wednesday 17^th September at 3.00pm, repeated the following Sunday evening.
 
Choral Evensong is live in the Cathedral most weekdays at 5.30pm and Sundays at 4.00pm. 40 minutes of transcendent music and prayer in a beautiful setting – a wonderful way to unwind and refocus at the end of any day.