Welcome Nicki!

On 7th March 2024 we welcomed Revd Nicki Farr as our Rector and Pioneer Minister.

Rev Nicki writes:

It is with great excitement that I prepare to serve and minister in your churches and communities as your new Rector and Pioneer Priest. I look forward to meeting you soon and getting to know you, and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself….

I grew up in Hampshire with my parents and older brother where I regularly attended Church and Sunday School. During my teenage years, I engaged in a wide variety of different activities and hobbies and did not actively make room for God in my life so gradually drifted away from church.

In 1988, I married Andrew and after we moved to Cornwall, I felt a strong sense that God was calling me back to Him, so Andrew and I started attending St Mary’s Church in Callington.

After a few years of working in Lloyds Bank, I then became a full-time mum to our four daughters, Bethany, Kirsty, Rachel and Holly. Whilst they were growing up, I began my woodwind teaching practice. I found great joy in teaching many students to play instruments, helping them enjoy the love of music-making. I enjoy playing my clarinet with friends and as part of an orchestra. My other interests include swimming and walking at the coast and in the countryside and spending time with my family.

There have been many significant events where I have felt or seen God move in my life and in the life of others, which inspires me to tell others about Jesus. In 2015, I felt a call to ordination and after much thought, wrestling, prayer and discernment, I entered the Diocesan process which led to a recommendation for training. I was accepted by St Mellitus College where I studied for a Diploma in Theology, Mission & Ministry for two years before my ordination in 2020.

We moved to Launceston to take up my post as Assistant Curate to the Launceston Parish Churches and the Churches in the Moorland and Egloskerry group. It has been a fruitful time of learning, serving, ministry, prayer and blessing.

I look forward to continuing my faith journey with the Camel-Allen Churches, as together we seek the will of God, and look to share His love amongst one another and with the wider communities.

We look forward to welcoming and seek God’s blessing on Rev Nicki and Andrew as they move home and settle into life within our group of churches, and Rev Nicki as she prepares for her service of licensing and installation and begins work with the team here.

Epiphany visitors!

St Teath church welcomed Archdeacon Kelly to lead our first service in January, complete with visual aids and an opportunity to do some playdough modelling! Who knew the reading of the Baptism of Jesus needed props of sand, a chair, a star, a dove and some water? Well now we do!

For our second service of the month we welcomed Claire Charlton, lay reader from Egloshayle. She spoke to us about how God can turn up in the less likely places and is definitely not limited to Sunday services! It was a joy to share our service with Claire who has sung with our choir at the Cathedral on several occasions.

Rev’d Jeffrey Terry was back with us for our third Sunday, talking about how God rejoices in our celebrations.

Our Rhythm & Rhyme group is very popular with local toddlers and their parents. Every other Monday, it’s a great way to start the week and get to know other local families.

We’re gearing up now for the Licensing service of our new Rector and Pioneer Priest, Rev’d Nicki Farr. All are welcome to the service on Thursday 7th March, 7.00pm, in St Teath church. If you’re planning on attending, please could you let Gareth know, so we can have enough seats and refreshments afterwards.

Services for February

Friday 2nd February 8.30 am, St Julitta, Holy Communion for Candlemas followed by Breakfast

Friday 2nd February 7.00 pm, St Adwena, Compline

Sunday 4th February 11.00 am, St Teath, Family Communion

Sunday 4th February 4.00 pm, St Thomas, Songs of Praise

Wednesday 7th February 9.00 am, St Adwena, Morning Prayer

Thursday 8th February 7.00 pm, St Julitta, Compline

Friday 9th February 9.00 am, St Julitta, Morning Prayer

Friday 9th February 7.00 pm, St Adwena, Compline

Sunday 11th February 9.30 am, St John, Morning Worship

Sunday 11th February 11.00 am, St Teath, Morning Worship

Sunday 1th February 11.15 am, St Adwena, Holy Communion

Wednesday 14th February 9.00 am, St Adwena, Morning Prayer

Wednesday 14th February 7.00 pm, St Thomas, Holy Communion with Ashes

Thursday 15th February 7.00 pm, St Thomas, Holy Communion and Healing

Friday 16th February 9.00 pm, St Julitta, Morning Prayer

Friday 16th February 7.00 pm, St Adwena, Compline

Sunday 18th February 9.30 am, St Thomas, Holy Communion

Sunday 18th February 9.30 am, St John, Holy Communion

Sunday 18th February 11.00 am, St Teath, Holy Communion

Wednesday 21st February 9.00 am, St Adwena, Morning Prayer

Friday 23rd February 9.00 am, St Julitta, Morning Prayer

Friday 23rd February 7.00 pm, St Adwena, Compline

Sunday 25th February 10.00am, St Teath, Breakfast Church

Sunday 25th February 11.15 am, St Julitta, Holy Communion

Wednesday 28th February 9.00 am, St Adwena, Morning Prayer

Make a Joyful Noise unto the God of Jacob

Many thanks to Kerstin Lewis for a write up of events in St Adwena, St Julitta and St Thomas.

(Psalm 81 v 1)

Throughout the months of December and January our three churches have been filled with the joyful sounds of hearty singing. It all started on December 3rd with our traditional Advent Carol service at St Adwena. What better way to celebrate Advent in Advent?! This was followed by a joint Christmas Carol Service for the congregations of St Julitta and St Adwena later in the month. Traditional Bible readings brought the message of Advent and the story of Christmas alive and both were enhanced and illustrated by the words of the well known hymns and carols. The Benefice service on Christmas morning was the next joyous gathering with some amazing singing and the familiar rhythm of BCP Morning Prayer.

Songs of Praise at St Thomas in January took the theme From Christmas to Epiphany and Beyond. We had a whistlestop tour from Christmas to Candlemass through St Stephen, St John, The Holy Innocents, St Thomas of Canterbury, New Year’s Eve, The Epiphany and the Baptism of Christ. Each had its own hymn sung to a well known tune even if the words were unfamiliar and a relevant poem or prayer – many by Revd Malcolm Guite.

On Saturday 20th we celebrated The Epiphany with another joint Carol Service, this time at St Julitta’s. Again traditional hymns and readings explored the story of The Epiphany and the other manifestations of Jesus recorded in the Gospels.

We are very grateful to our organists Gareth Stubberfield and Steve Tyrell and our team of bell ringers for all they do to enhance our worship in such a joyful manner.

All our services involved some form of hospitality from tea and delicious homemade cakes at St Thomas’, mince pies & mulled wine, sausage rolls & sherry at St Adwena to a full blown pasty and pudding supper at St Julitta’s. Congregations were delighted to stay and chat long after the end of the service and so the joy engendered by the music and readings continued long after the churches themselves returned to their peaceful, prayerful normality.

As we move on into 2024 watch out for our regular Songs of Praise services (first Sunday at 4.00pm at St Thomas’) and our planned programme of Songs of Praise and Choral Evensongs at St Julitta’s and St Adwena!

Public consultation…

….for the appointment of the new Bishop Of Truro

Good afternoon,

On behalf of Simon Robinson, Chair of the Vacancy in See Committee, I would like to invite you to join a public consultation meeting on 6 February 2024 at 7pm for one hour. This meeting is open to anyone who might wish to attend.

This meeting in on Zoom. This is the link:

https://churchofengland-org.zoom.us/j/99717171573?pwd=dXhMTHhKaE9GSXZabXVteUVNY2dnQT09

Meeting ID: 997 1717 1573

Passcode: 983305

If you would like help to be able to access this Zoom meeting, please let me know.( kate.cortez@truro.anglican.org)

The consultation meeting is chaired by Simon Robinson, and is an opportunity for Stephen Knott (the Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments) and Helen Dimmock (Crown Appointments Secretary) to hear from people across our diocese.  

The aim of the consultations is to explore from a broad range of perspectives the challenges and opportunities that will be encountered by the next Bishop as they start their ministry. The Appointment Secretaries seek to understand the opportunities to work in partnership for the benefit of the people of our diocese, and in the light of those, they can begin to reflect on the qualities that might be required in the next Bishop.

The agenda for this public meeting is:

  1. Introduction from the Chair of the Vacancy in See committee
  2. Introduction from the Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments and the Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments
  3. Information on the process & timetable from the Archbishops’ Appointments Secretary
  4. Questions on process invited at this point
  5. Attendees then invited to comment on the needs of the Diocese and the characteristics and qualities needed in the next Bishop*

*If you will attend the meeting and would like to speak, please be aware that the Secretaries will be in ‘listening mode’ and will ask you the following questions, so please prepare your responses accordingly:

  1. What gifts, qualities and experience do you think are needed in a new Bishop?
  2. What fills you with joy and hope about the ministry and mission of the Church in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and two parishes in Devon?
  3. What are the challenges and frustrations and what would you like to change?
  4. What opportunities do you see are open to the Church in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and two parishes in Devon?

Please note that only a very short amount of time can be given to each speaker, to enable all those who wish to speak to do so.

If you are unable to attend the Zoom but would like to contribute you are welcome to submit comments in writing to info@truro.anglican.org.

This consultation is in addition to a series of interviews with individuals and groups reflecting the life of the Church and beyond in our diocese. Invitations for which are being sent our separately.

If you have any questions about this meeting or the wider process, please contact me on kate.cortez@truro.anglican.org.  There is information, which is updated, is here on our website: Vacancy In See – Truro Diocese : Truro Diocese.

Please note that this email has been sent to everyone for whom we hold contact details for in the diocese. We will send a paper copy to those people without email.

Best wishes,

Kate Cortez

Head of Operations

Services for January

Friday 5th January 8.30 am, St Julitta, Holy Communion followed by Breakfast

Sunday 7th January 11.00 am, St Teath, Family Communion

Sunday 7th January 4.00 pm, St Thomas, Songs of Praise

Wednesday 10th January 9.00 am, St Adwena, Morning Prayer

Friday 12th January 9.00 am, St Julitta, Morning Prayer

Friday 12th January 7.00 pm, St Adwena, Compline

Sunday 14th January 9.30 am, St John, Holy Communion

Sunday 14th January 11.00 am, St Teath, Morning Worship

Sunday 14th January 11.15 am, St Adwena, Holy Communion

Wednesday 17th January 9.00 am, St Adwena, Morning Prayer

Thursday 18th January 7.00 pm, St Thomas, Holy Communion and Healing

Friday 19th January 9.00 pm, St Julitta, Morning Prayer

Friday 19th January 7.00 pm, St Adwena, Compline

Saturday 20th January 5.30 pm, St Julitta, Epiphany Carol Service with Pasty Supper

Sunday 21st January 9.30 am, St Thomas, Holy Communion

Sunday 21st January 11.00 am, St Teath, Holy Communion

Wednesday 24th January 9.00 am, St Adwena, Morning Prayer

Friday 26th January 9.00 am, St Julitta, Morning Prayer

Friday 26th January 7.00 pm, St Adwena, Compline

Sunday 28th January 10.00 am, St Teath, Breakfast Church

Sunday 28th January 11.15 am, St Julitta, Holy Communion

Wednesday 31st January 9.00 am, St Adwena, Morning Prayer

Diary Dates for November and December

Please note, we’ve just spotted an error! 8.30 St Julitta, 11.30 St Thomas!

Sunday 24th December 11.00 am Seaview Farmshop Carols

Sunday 24th December 5.00 pm St Teath Crib Service

Sunday 24th December 8.30 pm St John Bethlehem Mass

Sunday 24th December 8.30 pm St Julitta Bethlehem Mass

Sunday 24th December 11.30 pm St Teath Midnight Mass

Sunday 24th December 11.30 pm St Thomas Midnight Mass

Christmas Day 10.00 am St Adwena Christmas Morning Worship

Sunday 31st December 10.00 am St John Holy Communion

What do you see?

On Sunday 27th August we were considering what we see. How well do we see God working in our lives? Do we stop to consider how God is changing us? How can we tell when God is speaking and we’re just making it up? All things to think about……..

Many thanks to all who contributed to our services at St John’s, St Julitta’s and St Teath, including the baptism party at St Julitta’s and the worship band at St Teath (bigger and better than ever….)