David shared a true community day on Sunday 15th February preaching at 6 different services which included plough services, a tractor service, blessing of a permaculture project and the blessing of the fishing nets as well as presiding at a traditional benefice holy communion. A fairly normal Sunday for the Rector who looks after 9 churches virtually single handedly with 4 or 5 services most weeks!
The day began at Lanreath with continental breakfast and then the traditional village Plough Sunday Service. The first for the Bishop in over 40 years of ministry!. The bells were rung and the plough blessed before flying off to Lanteglos by Fowey the Parish Church of Polruan for a traditional choral eucharist.
Our next port of call was Sclerder Abbey in the Parish of Talland where the Rector has developed excellent links with the Chemin Neuf Community – a charismatic Anglican/Catholic Order. An interesting permaculture project is in action which the Bishop willingly blessed with the sound of ducks and geese in the background. We retired for a pot luck lunch in the abbey refectory where David was able to meet the community.
Just up the lane was West Wayland farm and another Plough Sunday Service in the barn with a large store of barley. The Pelynt Male Choir sang heartily as plough, soil and seed were blessed. There was time for a swift cider with local farmers before heading off to Trefrawl Farm the home of Peter and Margaret Hopoer and Ed and Nicola Hoper and their family. Peter is well know in these parts having been the auctioneer in the local cattle markets for all of his working life. Local young farmers brought their tractors which the Bishop willingly blessed them and their machines. The Trelawny Rev asked each driver to explain why their tractor was the best! We had John Dere’s, Massey Fergusson and New Hollands. After greeting many from the Lanreath farming community over a beer we sped down the lanes to the tiny fishing harbour of Polperro for a blessing of the nets with The Polperro Fishermen’s Choir. The Hyperactive Drama Group with a dozen local children entertained us to two sketches. The service was attended by the Polperro Mayor and Harbour Master. We are grateful to Rev Stuart the Methodist minister whom Richard works closely with and that fact that a combined Anglican/Methodist Services takes place every month on the 2nd Sunday and also on 5th Sundays. The Bishop commented he had spoken in 205 Anglican churches in Cornwall since his appointment but this was the first Methodist Church!
We packed the Bishop off at around 8.30pm with his day starting in Lanreath at 9am! The Trelawny Rev commented. I have spent most of my career at Millfield as a chaplain teaching a lot of sport. We always tried it on with new staff to see what they were made of and if they were up to it!!!!!!!! The Bishop passed his Trelawny initiation with flying colours! He was an instant hit with our farming and fishing community.
David a huge thank you for going the extra mile for us!
‘Re
Richard Allen The Rector of Trelawny