Message from Churchwardens

It was good to see the church so full at Treverbyn for their Patronal Festival at service for our group of parishes, and good to join with St Blaise at their first joint service with us.

We were pleased to welcome Abigail Russell and Neil Clark to celebrate their marriage at St Mary’s. Neil grew up in Par and attended the Good Shepherd, being the son of Jean Clark who was a faithful member in Par Parish for many years and was the sacristan at St Mary’s for some time until she moved to be nearer to Neil. It was a glorious sunny day and the church, decorated by Lorna, was filled with beautiful arrangements of blue hydrangeas with pink roses and carnations. We were very grateful to the wedding couple for leaving the arrangements to enhance our service the next day and to enjoy during the following week. Abby looked stunning in an oyster coloured dress as did the flower girl and bridesmaid in dresses of deep midnight blue. We wish Abby and Neil every happiness in their married life together.

Carnival Week in Par started with the Fete on the Sunday in brilliant, hot sunshine when many gathered at the Running Track for all the fun of the day. The Duck Race on the Wednesday was a bit of a damp occasion but did not deter those coming to enjoy the refreshments on offer and the fun of the duck race, although a few of the ducks managed to escape their designated route! The Saturday of the Carnival dawned grey and dreary with rain and thunderstorms forecast. The rain held off until just before the start of the procession and then continued for the rest of the evening. It was such a shame as people had put a lot of effort into the many good entries and although they were very wet stayed the course to the delight of those who had come out to watch. There were not so many as last year lining the streets, but everyone was in jovial mood. The Songs of Praise in St Mary Methodist Chapel on the Sunday evening led by Bridget Wells, was a good sing of well known hymns chosen by the different churches and organisations in Par area. Thanks must go to the Carnival committee for all the hard work they do through the year to bring the community together for these events.

Members of our Pastoral Team attended the Cathedral for A Service of Celebration of Lay Ministry, where many newly trained Local Worship Leaders and Local Pastoral Ministers were commissioned by Bishop David and each one was given a holding cross to carry with them in their work and to remind them of their calling. Archdeacon Kelly Betteridge then invited Local Pastoral Ministers, Local Worship Leaders and Local Lay Leaders present to stand and renew their commitment to their ministry.

I hope you all enjoy the summer days of August whatever you are doing, hopefully the badly needed rain will come at night and the sunshine by day, so we and all visitors can enjoy the life and beauty of Cornwall. 

AW