Upper Fal Parishes

Dear Friends,
Over the past few weeks we have been a bit of a shakedown as we have been hearing the Word of God through our Sunday services. The prophets Hosea and Isaiah have been challenging us to consider the myriad ways in which we allow all sorts of things to distract us from the pursuit of God and the quest for holiness. It sometimes makes us feel very uncomfortable, vulnerable, protective or even feisty as we seek to clutch those errant ‘fig leaves’ closer around ourselves denying others to know us truly but also barring God from all aspects of our lives. God doesn’t take us by force, he doesn’t insist that we do things his way, however, God does look for willing hearts and minds who will co-create with him in this world. When we are ready to ask God to refine us, to make us holy, we have to be prepared to accept that God will do this for us, he will help us shake loose the fig leaves, and though it might feel terribly exposing, God brings healing but it is not a sticky plaster! God’s way of healing is far more complete and will leave us with a sense of new found confidence and belief -of course, these are gifts / graces from God. There are many ways that God works with us, directly through words and speech, through the written word, through dreams, through other people…how will we know if this is from God or just our imagination? I would encourage you to keep a journal, a spiritual journal or prayer journal. I advocate a plain one so that you might doodle or draw if so led, ensure it is a book that you will want to come to i.e not a tatty envelope or scrap of paper. Either at the end of the day or the beginning, set aside 10 mins or so to record your dream if it is distinctive including any feelings, or the things that stand out from the day- a verse from your bible reading, or a word from your prayer, or from the conversations of the day.
 “ Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 NIV
Grace and peace,
Caroline
 

This Week's Services 
Thursday 14th August
Probus 12noon - Holy Communion with Rev Linda

Sunday 17th August
Probus - 9:30am  Connect with Anthony
St Erme 9:30am - Holy Communion with Rev Caroline
St Nuns 11:00am - Parish Praise with Rev Caroline
Ladock 11:00am - Holy Communion with Rev Linda
Lamorran 3pm - Celtic Prayer with Rev Caroline

Readings for this week

Collect for this Sunday

God of glory,

the end of our searching,

help us to lay aside

all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom,

and to give all that we have

to gain the pearl beyond all price,

through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Next Week's Services

Sunday 24th August
Probus - 9:30am  Holy Communion with Rev Linda
St Erme 9:30am - BCP Morning Prayer with Rev Brian
St Crida 11:00am - Matins with Sara
Ladock 11:00am - Holy Communion with Rev Caroline
Tresillian 11:15am - Holy Communion with Rev Linda
Ladock 6pm - BCP evensong with Rev Caroline

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ

It was announced today by Downing Street that the King has approved my nomination as

the next Bishop of Worcester.

As you can imagine it will be a bitter-sweet move, as it means leaving all of you

wonderful, faithful, brilliant people and the glory of God’s creation that is Cornwall, and

it means not being able to serve with Bishop David, who is such a gift to this diocese.

In the Diocese of Truro, we have a clear vision for a fruitful and sustainable future, with

so many faithful and godly people serving their church and their communities, often in

creative and sacrificial ways. And with a new focus on children and young people, and

Bishop David leading you on, you can be full of hope for the future.

I will not be starting in Worcester until the New Year, so there’s lots of time for me to say

the things I want to say to you all. Please do pray for my family and I, as we certainly shall

for you.

I have made a video and you can view it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT49MepzmGY

With my love, in Christ,

+Hugh

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

Digital Giving
This month I would like to focus on digital giving. Several churches in the Upper Fal Parishes already use a contactless giving device, but if you don’t perhaps you may want to consider getting on board!
Many people these days no longer carry cash, or if they do they only carry a little. Having a contactless machine in your church enables these people to give, or to give more than just the small change in their pockets.
Whilst I would encourage the use of the Parish Giving Scheme for regular givers in your congregation, a contactless device is extremely useful for those people who are not regular attenders on a Sunday morning but value their local church and want to support it. The devices are most useful for visitors, special services such as Christmas, Easter and harvest, occasional offices such as baptisms and weddings, and special events such as fayres, concerts etc. Those people who do not usually attend church on a Sunday morning are often very keen to support the church in whatever way they can and a contactless device is a good way to facilitate this.
If you already have a contactless device, are you making the most of it? I can help you to create special campaign screens to attract givers at different occasions. I can also help you to set up an online campaign so that people can click on a link on a website or “A Church Near You page”, and you can download a QR code to put on a poster or notice sheet so that people can donate using their phones.
Our recent edition of stewardship news includes a variety of interesting articles as well as several updates on contactless giving, including a brand new economical device which is available through Parish Buying. You can have a read HERE
Do get in touch if you would like to explore any aspect of digital giving further and I would be very happy to help.
Christine Salaman
Generous Giving Advisor