Link to the PDF version with pictures:
Chaplain’s Blog and note to my Redruth Churches family – June 20th 2020
Monday for Readers Solomon’s Portico link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/906586752?pwd=SFdsOGZNOEFiMWxMUGFNRlpYK0ZRUT09
Daily Prayer 9am link just this week: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75893575169?pwd=WHkyTHYwOC9SbjNwNHRob3lIbFNPdz09
In this Blog:
· Fathers Day and some prayers
· Cyber crime and how to choose a good safe password
· An article found by Roy from the Church Times about the church response to Covid
· Fr Peter’s weekly newsletter which has some very useful and thought provoking material. (Apologies if you get it directly from Peter – but the pictures are in the right place in this one J )
Dear All
Next week I am deliberately taking some time out to walk and think- things have been fairly intense in the last few months and on Saturday I am hosting the ZOOM reader selection day which will require a good deal of careful listening. So if I am not about at my usual times…… I am probably walking a beach or a cliff.
Sunday is Father’s day and the longest day of the year, For some fathers in lockdown with small children – or tricky teenagers it will feel like the longest day of the year every day at the moment. (yes I know All Parents Matter – or for that Matter All People ….. but its “Father’s day” so we are thinking of them in particular).
No full intercessions this week from me just these few prayers.
For Fathers: those coping with children at home, for those that wished they had the opportunity, for those whose grown children live far away or where relationships are poor, for those who have lost livelihoods in these strange times and struggle to put food on the table, for those who wish they had more time, more skill, more motivation to play, more energy. Lord enfold and encourage and let them know your love as Our Father in heaven.
For all carers; especially those unofficial carers whose partners or spouses are seriously ill or disabled. For carers who work for minimum wage going above and beyond the call of duty. For those feeling that they risk their own health each day. Grant comfort and sustain them Lord.
Roots on the Web provide some fantastic material some free at the moment but its well worth the subscription.
As we think about resilience this week with families, and the challenges of being a disciple of Jesus, we’ll leave you with this prayer which is taken from this week’s ROOTS at home resources for adults.
Do not fear to bring your pain to God.
Do not fear to bring your doubts.
Do not fear to bring your lack of confidence.
Do not fear to bring your worst, as well as your best.
Do not fear to bring your memories and your dreams,
your hopes and your anguish.
God knows you and loves you.
God will never give up on you.
Thank you, God. Amen.
https://www.rootsontheweb.com/
Make sure you have strong passwords and try not to use the same one!
On Wednesday morning I attended the cybercrimes course on ZOOM from Devon and Cornwall Police which was really useful in updating my knowledge. I was relieved that I actually did know most of it! The most helpful thing for me was a tip in how to make a more secure password and then remember it – and have different passwords for different logins.
I have always relied on a few words with numbers instead of letters and a symbol of some sort. E.g., something like B00kofC0mm0nPray3r# but it seems password cracking machines just substitute numbers for letters anyway…. So although that password is fairly secure it’s not quite random enough.
The suggestion is to take a phrase instead such as:
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want psalm 23
Which would become TLimsIsnwp23#
And to the end add something so you will know which login it is …
e.g. TLimsIsnwp23#SS might be supermarket shopping or
TLimsIsnwp23#olb might be on line banking.
What phrase might you choose? I instantly went to change my bank one…. But ended up contacting them because their system would not accept a symbol…. But did not actually tell me that was the reason…. It informed me quite uselessly that my chosen 13 letter random string was a UK postcode. That was deeply unhelpful. I am fairly computer savvy but folks who are already wrestling with just getting on line let alone remembering password are hardly going to be encouraged to take it seriously unless the system is more user friendly!
The Metropolitan Police’s ‘Little Book of Cyber Scams’ covers everything they didn’t cover in the presentation: https://www.met.police.uk/littlemedia
– It’s definitely worth printing off to have at hand for specific guidance.
Get Safe Online: https://www.getsafeonline.org/
– A great site which gives advice for individuals, businesses and children on all aspects of internet safety.
Take Five to Stop Fraud: https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/
– Advice on financial and banking fraud
The National Cyber Security Centre: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/
– The NCSC is the governments ‘arm’ of cyber. Lots of information on latest threats, incident management and guidance and new updated resources for schools
Another useful tool is to input your email address into the ‘Have I Been Pwned’ website and the site will advise if your address has been involved in a data breach: https://haveibeenpwned.com/
– Very useful to check this if you are receiving a lot of spam email in your account. If you find that your account has been compromised, change your password immediately.
Reporting fraud and Cyber Crime to Action Fraud: Telephone number 0300 1232040: www.actionfraud.police.uk
“Learn lessons of Covid crisis in Europe, say Christian charities”
A discussion in the Readers’ group on Monday makes for very interesting reading all about life in church as things reopen and how churches in Europe are responding.
Fr Peter’s Weekly Letter
SUNDAY JUNE 21 2020. SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
COVID 19. NEWSLETTER 14. 079 038 079 46
FATHER’S DAY
Dear friends throughout the world,
This letter comes to you with the assurance of the prayers of
The Rev’d Carole Holmes (Methodist Superintendent Minister,
The Rev’d Caspar Bush (Rector of Redruth)
Pastor Jenny Lockwood (Methodist Minister, Lanner)
Together with all the Readers, Lay Preachers and Ministers within the Redruth area.
The U.K. is releasing its lockdown, but how is it in Peru, Canada, Germany,
New Zealand, Hong Kong, Dubai and any other country that this letter reaches;
send an email to baptism66@gmail.com and your lockdown stories, poems, thoughts, hopes and dreams can be printed. This week a poem has come in from Sheila in Cornwall:
MY DREAM
I had a dream, the world was new,
Untouched, with peace, serene.
I had a nightmare, man was born,
Destroying all he’d seen.
With open eyes, the dreams and nightmares end,
And all is clear.
The world would once again revive,
If man would disappear.
But no! That’s not the way to feel.
With guidance from above,
We’re learning to protect this world we live in –
Now with love.
With open eyes, my dream is now,
Respect for all we see,
Then man will share the world revived,
To live in peace – and harmony.
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TODAY’S GOSPEL READING: Matthew 10 vv24 – 39
It’s all about letting your life speak of God’s love for the world.
It’s all about not letting others, even if they are your family or your friends, turn you away from the path that God has set before you
It is all about remembering that in the end, the truth will emerge and whatever you have done or not done will become clear.
During the present time so many people have let their lives speak. We all have seen the work of those in the face of danger, those whose work has become essential for each one of us. Maybe today we pause to remember and give thanks for those who have ‘just got on with it’ and have done what they could to “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives”. There is a TV advert for a food delivery firm who are delivering meals to households where there is a need. They deliver to the heroes of the NHS, to the heroes of all the jobs we have applauded, but also, they deliver meals to the heroes who stayed at home.
God calls us to do what we can, wherever we are. To change someone else’s darkness, sorrow or despair with a kind word, a generous action, a friendly wave. As the lockdown eases and things seem to be a little more normal, each one of us can become a hero to someone else, through just being aware of their need. Through each one of us, God’s love can not only change lives, but also save them.
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A TENT FOR LENT
The £400.00 needed to support SHELTERBOX in its Lent 2020 appeal,
A TENT FOR LENT has been reached, and the cheque has been sent. The money will be used to provide a tent for a Syrian refugee family. THANK YOU so much for your donations, especially in such troubled times.
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A TREE FOR PENCOYS SCHOOL
The Red Windsor apple tree, so generously donated by the Lelant Garden Centre and planted on zoom last Sunday on World Environment Day has found its way into Pencoys Primary School. It will eventually have a plaque with the words:
PENCOYS CHILDREN CARE FOR THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
THIS TREE CELEBRATES THAT CARE, AND, THE CARE
GIVEN TO EACH OTHER IN THE 2020 LOCKDOWN
See the tree below, with Alex the headteacher.
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WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
Although the applause and the torches have stopped, we can still come together at home, each Sunday at 6.00pm., to pray for those whose names are listed within this sheet and those whom you carry on your hearts. You may also wish to remember those whose journey is over and those whose lives have supported you on your journey.
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Catherine, Iain, Phil., Donald, David, Terri, Terry D., Shirley, Max.,
Zoe, Helen, Brian
RIP.: Mavis, Vicky,
Although some churches are finding ways to open safely for ‘supervised private prayer’ formal services are not yet possible. If you would usually receive the Blessed Sacrament, you may wish to sit quietly and have some bread beside you. This prayer will help you to remember the events of the Last Supper and beyond:
A PRAYER IS OFFERED AND THE BREAD IS EATEN
As the seed falls into the earth and dies to give life to the grain,
As the corn is cut and crushed to make flour,
As the flour is baked and the yeast dies to give life to the dough.
As the bread is broken and eaten to give life to the body.
So Jesus, sitting with the disciples, took bread, broke it and said:
THIS IS MY BODY BROKEN FOR THE WORLD
Eat this bread and remember Jesus.
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THIS WEEK’S FAMOUS LIVES
ALBAN, first martyr of Britain. 250. Monday June 22
Alban, known as the protomartyr of Britain, was a Roman citizen who lived in the third century. Alban became a Christian through the witness of a priest that he helped escape from persecution. Alban then disguised himself as a priest, was arrested and executed.
ETHELDREDA, Abbess of Ely. 678. Tuesday June 23
ETHELDREDA, 636 – 679 was an East Anglian princess, queen of Northumbria and Abbess of Ely. She is also known as Audrey. Her father was King Anna and her siblings were Wendreda and Seaxburh of Ely, both of whom left secular life and both founded abbeys.
THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. Wednesday June 24
JOHN THE BAPTIST was the son of Elizabeth, a cousin of Mary and Zechariah. His birth, announced by the Angel Gabriel resulted in Zechariah being rendered dumb for disbelieving the angelic messenger. His youth was spent as a hermit in the wilderness , surviving only on locusts and wild honey. His charismatic personality attracted great crowds when he left the wilderness and began to preach. His words focused on preparing for the Messiah and it is John who baptises Jesus in the river Jordan. The end of his life came when he denounced the marriage of Herod Antipas and his niece Herodias, whose daughter, Salome called for John’s execution as a prize for her dancing.
WE PRAY ESPECIALLY TODAY FOR THE BISHOP OF ST GERMANS ELECT, HUGH.
TODAY WAS TO BE THE DAY OF HIS CONSECRATION AS BISHOP. COVID19 HAS STOPPED THIS MOMENT IN HIS LIFE AND THE LIFE OF THE DIOCESE OF TRURO
As Hugh prepares himself for the moment of his consecration which will happen, the words of the consecration will be similar to this prayer …….
Almighty Father,
Fill your servant Hugh with the grace and power which you gave to your apostles,
that he may lead those committed to his charge in proclaiming the gospel of salvation.
Through Hugh increase your Church, renew its ministry, and unite its members in a holy fellowship of truth and love.
Enable Hugh, as a true shepherd, to feed and govern your flock; make him wise as a teacher, and steadfast as a guardian of its faith and sacraments.
Guide and direct Hugh in presiding at the worship of your people.
Give him humility, that he may use authority to heal, not to hurt; to build up,
not to destroy.
Defend Hugh from all evil, that as a ruler over your household and an ambassador for Christ he may stand before you blameless, and finally, with all your servants, enter your eternal joy.
May God bless Hugh, the Bishop of St Germans elect, and all his family.
EMBER DAY. Friday June 26
AN EMBER DAY is a day set aside for prayer and fasting, often with a particular emphasis on prayers for vocations, bot lay and ordained. They occur four times a year, but dates may vary through local tradition. The traditional dates are the week of the first Sunday in Lent, the second week of June, the third week of September and the week before Christmas Eve. The word EMBER is thought to be formed from the Latin QUATUOR TEMPORA which simply means FOUR TIMES, hence the four periods of Ember Days each year.
CYRIL, Bishop of Alexandria, teacher. 444. EMBER DAY. Saturday June 27
CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA 376 – 444 was the Patriarch of Alexandria from 412 – 444.
Cyril wrote extensively and led the opposition to heresies of Christian Faith at the Council of Ephesus.
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READINGS AND PRAYERS FOR THE COMING WEEK
SUNDAY JUNE 21. Trinity 2. FATHER’S DAY
“You are a forgiving God, and show us the way forward. ” Psalm 99 vv8
PRAYER: Loving and forgiving God, help me to remember that you forgive me even when I cannot forgive myself
PRAY FOR ALL FATHERS, AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN A FATHER TO US. ESPECIALLY WE PRAY FOR NEW FATHERS AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO BE A FATHER. MAY ALL FATHERS GIVE LOVE AND PROTECTION TO THOSE IN THEIR CARE
MONDAY JUNE 22. St Alban. First martyr of Britain. 250
“Devote yourself to the Lord your God, keep God’s laws day by day”
1Kings 8 vv61
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I need to love, help me to love with all my heart; then, help me to love with the same energy when I am not inclined to love.
PRAY FOR THOSE WHOSE LIVES LEAD THEM INTO DANGER
TUESDAY JUNE 23. St Etheldreda. Abbess of Ely. 678
“The sisters of Lazarus sent a message to Jesus: “Lord, the one you love is ill”
John 11vv3
PRAYER: Healing God, be close to those who suffer at this time, surround them with your healing arms and sustain those who care for them, and those who would be with them.
PRAY FOR THOSE KNOWN TO US WHO STRUGGLE AND FOR WHOM WE PRAY. HELP US TO ACCEPT GOD’S PURPOSES FOR THEIR LIFE AND TO REMEMBER THAT YOUR LOVE CAN BE REVEALED IN WAYS WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND
WEDNESDAY JUNE 24. The birth of John the Baptist
“The Lord heard the sighs of the prisoners and those appointed to die”
Psalm 103 vv20 – 21
PRAYER: God of peace and justice, hear the cry of those who suffer as they speak words about a new society where all people are honoured and your love surrounds
us all
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO WORK IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND FOR THOSE WHO WORDS HAVE LED THEM INTO THE PRISONS OF THE WORLD. BE CLOSE TO ALL WHO PROTEST AT THIS TIME, THAT THEIR CRY MAY NOT BE OVERSHADOWED BY VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM
“Many came to be with Mary and Martha and to console them for the loss of Lazarus, their brother” John 11 vv19
PRAYER: Rest Eternal grant unto them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST TO COVID19, FOR THOSE WHO GRIEVE FOR THEM BUT COULDN’T BE WITH THEM; FOR FUNERAL DIRECTORS, CEMETERY & CREMATORIUM STAFF
FRIDAY JUNE 26. Ember Day
The prophet Elijah said “I have been zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts”
1Kings 19 vv10
PRAYER: Blessed and eternal God, be close to those who struggle to know your will for their lives
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SEEK TO NURTURE VOCATIONS; FOR THOSE WHO WILL MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OTHERS, GUIDE THEM ALL AS THEY SEEK TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND GOD’S WILL
SATURDAY JUNE 27. Cyril of Alexandria. Teacher. 444. Ember Day”
Jesus said to Martha “I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me even though they die, will live” John 11 vv25
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, so often, you knew that what you did and what you said would draw you ever closer to the cross, but, you did and said it anyway. Help us to do the same.
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PUT THEMSELVES IN THE WAY OF RACISM, PREJUDICE AND INTOLERANCE. GIVE THEM AND US, THE COURAGE TO LIVE, SPEAK AND WORK FOR THE GOOD OF ALL PEOPLE
SUNDAY JUNE 28 TRINITY 3
The Lord forgives all your sins and brings you healing. The Lord redeems your life and crowns you with kindness and mercy.
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THE WALKERS
The painting below of walkers travelling across water could be a vision of the release of the lockdown. If you look closely some of the walkers are walking together, perhaps intent on following the same path, perhaps the path they have followed before. Others have turned away from the group and are seeking new directions.
Perhaps each of them are reading carefully into unknown. Even what should be familiar is different, and the new pathways must be travelled with care. Some of the walkers will be anxious, some full of confidence. Some wanting the security of the past, some excited to be starting a new journey.
As the lockdown is gently released where will you walk? The same pathway? Or will you like Graham suggested in last week’s sermon step out into the unknown and find new ways of reflecting God’s love out into the world.
The Walkers is painted by Margaret Neve
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CHURCH OPENING
Following the recent government guidance:
ST ANDREW, REDRUTH
will be open each Tuesday & Saturday: 10.00am – 2.00pm
Christchurch, Lanner and St Andrew, Pencoys will be open from MONDAY JUNE 22
CHRISTCHURCH: Monday 2.00pm – 4.00pm / Friday 4.00pm – 6.00pm
ST ANDREW, PENCOYS: Tuesday 2.00pm – 4.00pm / Saturday 4.00pm – 6.00pm
You are very welcome to call in for private prayer, to sit and think or maybe just to come back to church. All the required safety precautions will be in place. If you come along, don’t be surprised to see hazard tape, sanitiser and the scent of disinfectant.
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UPPER ROOM STUDY GROUPS
The study groups are continuing:
WEDNESDAY / 9.30am with Margaret
WEDNESDAY / 11.15am., bring a sandwich, with FP
THURSDAY / 7,00pm with Graham
THURSDAY / 7.30pm with Caspar
The theme is ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL and this week’s encounter is with the Samaritan woman at the well.
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FATHER’S DAY
Half way through Lent, the church celebrates Mothering Sunday, or Mother’s Day. This year it was on March 22 and our churches were locked. Now, on June 21, just three months later, the churches are slightly open, but for some reason, Father’s Day, or you could say Fathering Sunday, isn’t given the same importance.
Since the Middle Ages, this special day was kept on March 19, and was known as
Saint Joseph’s Day. In 1910, the USA kept the day on the third Sunday in June, and we in the UK have followed on. Other nations keep the day at different times.
In the UK the day came into an increased importance after the Second World War.
Perhaps as you look back on your life there will be people who have had the qualities of a father for you.
A PRAYER FOR FATHERS
God our father, in your wisdom and love you made all things.
Bless those fathers who have accepted the responsibility of being a father.
Bless those who are being a father alone.
Strengthen all dads by your love, that they may be loving and caring.
Grant this prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
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