Category: County-wide

Association of Interchurch Families Weekend : 12-13 Oct, Swanwick

Come and join other families together for a weekend of reflection, fun and worship at The Hayes, Swanwick. There is also a parallel programme for children and young people.This year our theme is Conscience and Spiritual Conversations

The German Bishops’ Guidelines on sharing the Eucharist in interchurch families

Last year the Conference of German Bishops issued guidelines indicating that, under certain conditions, eucharistic hospitality might be extended to the non-Catholic spouse in an interchurch marriage. At the heart of their document the bishops say that any decisions to share communion should be made by the interchurch spouses themselves informed by their consciences after a “spiritual conversation” in which they should be guided by a priest or pastor. They envisage such spiritual conversations following the guidance given in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Discernment at this level is not something with which most lay people are likely to be familiar and so during the weekend we will therefore consider:

  • How such a process of discernment might “work”
  • The steps that someone might take, both in planning and in holding, that conversation.
  • What the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises are – and how they might help in the process of discernment.
  • How else a “spiritual conversation” might proceed.

The weekend will also include bible study and, as always, opportunities for joining in worship as well as time for fellowship, sharing experiences and learning together.

During the weekend we will be joined by:

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ – who will lead our discussions on discernment

Jenny Bond from Churches Together in England – who will lead our bible study

Revd Dr Callan Slipper – National Ecumenical Officer for the Church of England

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Service Commemorating the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 : 17 Aug, Bodmin

The Prayer Book Rebellion – Bodmin Old Cornwall Society in conjunction with St Petroc’s Church will be holding a memorial service on Saturday 17th August at 3 pm. This service is to remember the Rebellion which ended in 1549 with the massacre of the 900 at Stampford Courtney, Devon on 17th August. Over 5500 Cornishmen lost their lives in the Rebellion.

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Faith, Hope and Climate : 12 Oct, Falmouth

Please join us to explore together how we, as people of faith who share the hope of new life, respond to the Climate Emergency.

The morning workshop will look at the theological basis for Christian concern for the environment, briefly consider the current climate crisis and look at ways in which we can respond in a way that expresses real care for all of creation – human or otherwise.

Come and share your concerns and your aspirations for the future of the planet – and see how our lives can reflect the way we (and the rest of the world) need to change.

The workshop will include a short creation-focused act of worship, brief presentations on the reasons for creation-care, some of the practical responses we can make – and time to discuss all these matters in a friendly, mutually-supportive way.

When?                   SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER, 10.00-13.00

Where?                  EMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH, Western Avenue, Falmouth

Who?                     Open to people of all faiths, or none, but with an emphasis on a

Christians perspective

How Much?            FREE – but donations welcome to cover expenses

Detailed programme to follow.

Any questions or expressions of interest regarding this workshop to: Euan McPhee at clethrionomys@btinternet.com

Should we be saving souls or seals?: What Christianity says about biodiversity : 16 Sep, webinar

From September 1 to October 4, Christians worldwide unite in prayer and action for the Earth in celebration of the Season of Creation. This year’s theme is biodiversity and the web of life. Why should Christians care about biodiversity? What are the theological and Scriptural roots that speak to Christian concern for the myriad of creatures in the rainforests, oceans and throughout the Earth? What are the differences in how Christian denominations understand this, and where do they converge? Join us for this webinar to explore these critical questions as we deepen our commitment to care for our common home.

Speakers:
– Rev. Dr. Dave Bookless, Director of Theology, A Rocha International / Lausanne Catalyst for Creation Care
– Rev. Dra. Neddy Astudillo, Director of GreenFaith Latino America
– Celia Deane Drummond, Director, Laudato Si’ Research Institute, Campion Hall, University of Oxford, UK

Moderator:
Rev. Rachel Mash, Environmental coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and Green Anglicans

Sponsored by the Season of Creation ecumenical Steering Committee: World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Evangelical Alliance, Global Catholic Climate Movement, Anglican Communion Environmental Network, Lausanne Creation Care Network, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the European Christian Environmental Network, and Act Alliance.

 

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Diocese of Truro Vocations Day & Bishop Chris’s Leaving Service : 14 Sep, Truro

2019 Vocations Day: taking the next step

Bishop Chris’s leaving service will be an integral part of this year’s Diocese of Truro Vocations Day in the cathedral on Saturday, September 14 – and it couldn’t be more fitting.

Before his ordination, Bishop Chris spent many years as a Reader, and even longer as a disciple committed to bringing Christian values into the workplace and other areas of life – and the next step on his pilgrimage is to head up the Ministry Division for the Church of England. In this new role he will lead a team looking to encourage and increase the scale and diversity of those called to both lay and ordained ministries within the church.

Endless possibilities

Vocations Day is an opportunity for anybody to explore their calling – whatever that might be. It could be that someone feels called to the priesthood, but it could equally be that they are drawn to helping others in their community by becoming a local worship leader, local pastoral minister, a youth worker, a churchwarden, a teacher or school governor. The possibilities and opportunities for service are endless, and a calling can manifest itself in many ways. There will be people on hand to help you listen to the voice that is calling you, and to begin discerning how you can answer that call.

Both Bishop Philip and Bishop Chris will be there for the day, and attendees will have an opportunity to hear from each of them.

The day begins at 10am, with a welcome and prayer from Bishop Philip and the Diocesan Director of Ordinands, the Revd Canon Jane Vaughan-Wilson, followed by an introduction to some of the diocese’s spiritual directors who will be there as a resource throughout the day.

Bishop Philip’s personal journey

Bishop Philip will then speak about his personal, vocational journey, some of the milestones along the way in the form of both people and events – and some of the values and priorities that have become integral to his ministry as a result.

The day will be punctuated by the opportunity to talk in small groups with facilitators. This will help those who come along to explore the call they might be experiencing and what the next steps might be for them.

A Q&A session with a panel of people including both bishops, and others who have responded in different ways to God’s call in their lives, will also be a core part of the day.

Video screening

There will also be a screening of two videos, which tell stories of call. These feature the work of Natalie Gavan with Christians Against Poverty and Christopher Gray’s work with music and young people at Truro Cathedral.

Over lunch, visitors will have a chance to look at the many stalls around the cathedral, each with ideas for different expressions of vocation.

Service of thanks for Bishop Chris

After lunch, people will come together at 1.30pm for worship and the service of thanks for Bishop Chris’s time in the diocese. Bishop Chris will preach –  and it is hoped that others from across the diocese who might not have been able to make it for the full day will come along for this.  After the service, there will be presentations to Bishop Chris and his wife, Ellie, who also served as a minister in the diocese, followed by tea and cake and the chance for everybody to socialise.

Jane Vaughan-Wilson said: “Vocations Day is open to everybody, and I would encourage anybody who feels they have a calling to serve God in any way to come along. There will be plenty of food for thought, as well as opportunities to start discerning the shape that a vocation might take in their life. There will be experienced people there to help with this – not least the spiritual directors, who come from both ordained and non-ordained backgrounds.

Welcome to come along

“I’m delighted that Bishop Chris has chosen to have his leaving service as part of the day – it is a very natural fit, not least because of the role he is going to take on and the fact that he has been active in the church both as an ordained minister and a lay person.”

“People are welcome to come along for as much or as little of the day as they would like, and we do hope that lots will join us at 1.30pm for the service to say thank you to Bishop Chris and to ask for God’s blessing on his and Ellie’s future ministry.”

Church Leaders’ Prayer and Lunch at Creation Fest : 3 Aug, Wadebridge

Church leaders – you are invited to join for a lunch opening day of Creation Fest! Joining will be Bishop Chris Goldsmith, Bible Society, and Advance with Ben Jack. This will be a time of gathering and encouragement for the leaders serving our county.

When: 11 AM; 3 August
Where: Showcase Café; Royal Cornwall Showgrounds

RSVP to office@creationfest.org.uk to save your space and your PASTY order.

Christians at Pride : 24 Aug, Newquay

This year there will be a group of Christians taking part in the Pride parade in Newquay.

Newquay’s new curate, Revd Lee Chantler, said: “It’s my first year in the town and I think it’s really important that everybody is represented in the parade! There’s already a small group of us from both Anglican and Methodist backgrounds, but we would love to have more people on board from any background or denomination.

“The Christians at Pride website (https://www.christiansatpride.com/) has great advice, banner ideas and sells official tee-shirts should people wish to purchase one. Anyone who wants to join us can contact me either at leechantler@hotmail.co.uk or through Facebook.”

Cornwall Pride is in now in its 12th year. The parade will move off from Beach Road Car Park at noon on Saturday, August 24. People joining the parade are advised to be there from 11am.

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What is a ‘church of sanctuary’? : 18-19 Sep, Salisbury

What does it mean to be a ‘church of sanctuary’? This conference will explore the theology of sanctuary by looking at the biblical, historical, and ecclesiastical foundations of the practice of hospitality and provision of refuge. It will be of interest to church leaders, community groups, activists, and anyone else interested in exploring the theory and practice of sanctuary in the United Kingdom and Ireland in a Church context.

The event is supported by Churches’ Refugee Network – Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).

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The Dome of Human Kindness : Installation : 4 Aug, Truro

The Dome of Human Kindness – it’s finished!!
After many months of hard work and determination Tom Henderson-Smith and team have completed the Dome. There was a chance to view the Dome recently at an initial installation at St Columb Major. It looked absolutely amazing.

It is now ready to be installed in the performance area of the Dor Kemmyn Peace Field. This exciting event is to be on Sunday, 4th August at 2.00 pm at Penmount, Truro. All are very welcome to attend. There will be refreshments available.

For more information please contact either Tom 01637 498106 or Rita 07775 937485.

To find out more about the Dome click HERE.

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Windows into Christian Art : 16 Sep-24 Oct, Truro

Mondays 16, 23 & 30 September, and 7, 14 & 21 October, 10am-12noon, repeated 2-4pm and 7.30-9.30pm.

A survey of Christian art embraces much of the history of art in the West, and in other parts of the world where the Bible has played a major part in local culture. In six sessions it is clearly impossible to achieve comprehensive coverage of such a large subject, but Windows into Christian Art will give participants a flavour of the scope of the subject by exploring a range of ‘snapshots’ of Christian Art through the centuries. The role of art in Christianity, in exploring and commenting upon its meaning, digging deeper into the text, teaching, inspiring devotion and providing a focus for contemplation and prayer has stimulated a rich Christian cultural heritage and it is through these lenses that the course will aim to encourage participants to consider the art and artists offered. There will be time both for discussion of the ways in which art responds to Scripture in different periods and social contexts throughout history and also for a shared appreciation of the spiritual responses that we, and others, may make to Christian works of art now. As usual, sessions will be 2 hours long with a half-time break for coffee and all will be welcome.

The course has been written by Professor Emerita Michelle Brown FSA, former Curator of Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Library, and will be delivered by members of the Window’s team.

The course will take place in the Old Cathedral School on Mondays 16, 23 & 30 September, and 7, 14 & 21 October.

All are welcome and there is no need to book. The course is free to attend with donations greatly appreciated.

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