Par Parish News: 

August has been a quiet month after all the preparations for the Heritage Day in July.  We have  managed to eat our way through the month with the  popular Soup and Sweet, Men’s Breakfast and Ladies Lunch.   

The Bible Study and Prayer Group have continued through August led by  Fr Michael. The number attending Bible Study is growing with people from Charlestown, Par, Treverbyn and St Blaise.   The discussions that develop are interesting even if they wander from the specific subject at times and it is good to hear differing views. We all learn something new and find the Sunday  readings have a greater depth of meaning when we hear them again. 

Fr Michael baptised Ellis Ray Bailey during August on Ellis’ second birthday.  It was a very happy  service with lots of children present.  Ellis was a very active little boy and did not take kindly to having to be held and the centre of attention at the front, he wanted to be free to explore and to talk to everyone.  However he was  held long enough for Fr Michael to pour the  water over his head although he was not too happy about that.  When the lighted candle was given though, he was mesmerised, and happy to be there and blew the candle out as soon as he got near enough. Obviously he thought that was what you did and it was his birthday.  He was a cheerful, friendly little boy and it was a great occasion.  

Last Sunday our Junior Church Leader, Ann, told the story of Jonah and the Whale, after which an ingenious whale was made from a milk bottle with a small image of Jonah that could be caught in the mouth of the whale.  Marii was greatly taken by this and explained the story to everyone and took great delight in showing Fr Derek how to catch Jonah in the whale’s mouth .  We were then treated to some whale jokes from her.  One being, “What does a baby whale do when it cries? Answer “Just a little blubber!” Pure Christmas Cracker jokes.  She had obviously enjoyed  and retained her lesson that day and confidently read out a piece about Jonah being a moaner.  She was an  absolute delight. 

  

The Annual Songs of Praise with Par Churches Together was held in the Community Gardens in Eastcliffe Road, Par and was well attended.  The weather was kind, dry and warm but not too sunny, the threatening clouds at 2pm came to nothing and we were able to enjoy singing our praises.  The  Rev Paul Benney accompanied the singing on the keyboard and the local Ministers and church leaders all took part in announcing of the hymns and the readings,  Hopefully the traffic did not drown us out and the local residents and passers-by could also enjoy the singing. AW