What a weekend the second weekend in February was! Snowdrop Saturday at Lanteglos was a wonderful occasion for friends to gather and look at God’s beauty bursting out in the churchyard. We all enjoyed a cuppa and some cake, with time to chat and catch up on all of each others’ news.
Sunday’s psalm was 136, and at St Teath we celebrated its great message 20 times (yes, we cheated we left some verses out) “His Love Endures For Ever”. How blessed we are! Thank you Claire for your great message to us all. At St Adwena, Jeffrey led a reflection on the Gospel, accompanied by some reflective music (our musicians were busy at the cathedral!)
Mary Pearce writes:
The snowdrops seemed very reluctant to make their appearance in the churchyard at Lanteglos this year, but on 11 February they were at their very best for our Snowdrop Saturday. It was a fine day, so the more intrepid visitors followed the Snowdrop Walk exploring the old, higher part of the churchyard where they are most prolific. Tables were laid out in the Lady Chapel for our delicious cream tea and cakes. People stayed chatting for ages accompanied by Gareth, who had just called in but was persuaded to play the organ! A regular visitor from St Austell said he comes because we put on the best Afternoon Teas in any church in Cornwall….
None of us believed Angela was old enough to retire but she assures us she is! Sunday morning communion at St Teath was her last service. We extended a warm welcome to our church and chapel friends from Delabole, Lanteglos-by-Camelford and Advent. Rousing singing of well known tunes was interspersed with readings and a short talk by Angela, all reflecting her ministry among us and
encouraging us in our future journey. Our choir sang “May the Road Rise to Meet You” by Bob Chilcott, and organ music before and afterwards included some of Angela’s favourite choruses.
At the end of the service our Curate, Rev’d Jeffrey Terry, thanked Angela for her support in his training period. Churchwarden Gareth Stubberfield spoke of Angela’s constant demonstration of humility, gentleness and patience, and read a poem especially commissioned by Pearl for the occasion. Reader Claire Salzmann finished our farewell remarks by speaking of the great joy Angela had brought us. Archdeacon Kelly was delighted to join us for the first time in St Teath and assured us she’s keen to worship with us again!
The groaning tables in the Church Hall beckoned us for a bring and share lunch (many thanks to Barbara and Anne for preparing things whilst we were in the church). This gave us an opportunity not only to say goodbye to Angela, but to meet Rev’d Geraldine Ashton (more on Geraldine’s role next month) who along with Jeffrey and Claire will be assisting in our services whilst our next Priest is appointed. Between them, it will be as close to “business as usual” on Sundays. Archdeacon Kelly is keen to get the interview process for a new Priest going and told us all about it at a recent meeting (more on that later in the year).
In the meantime, if you need any help, please don’t hesitate to contact Jeffrey on 07562 700170 or Claire on 01840 212713, or the Warden of your local Church.
