Sunday 24th January 2021 - Rev'd Canon Vanda Perrett annoucement

It was announced in our worship services today Sunday 24th January that our Rector of the Land’s End Benefice, Rev’d Canon Vanda Perrett has accepted the offer of a new role as Managing Chaplain at Her Majesty’s Young Offenders Institute Werrington which is near Stoke-on-Trent. This is an under 18 male prison, which houses a maximum of 118 children. (The inmates are under 18 and so are legally known as children.)

Vanda will be leading the multi-faith department which consists of 15 other chaplaincy colleagues working together with the whole establishment to give these children the best possible chance to change their lives around. Vanda was offered the role in November but has been waiting for the Home Office enhanced clearance before it could be announced.

Bob and Vanda have loved living in West Penwith, with all the beauty and wonder of this part of the world. It has been a privilege to share in the Christian story of this land and its people, within such holy buildings.

While this new posting was unexpected, Vanda started her ministry as a lay chaplain in HMP Guys Marsh and had often felt that there was a nudge from God that this way of ministering was not yet finished. Changing from parish ministry with its work of buildings and finances, weddings, and fundraising to the work of a prison chaplain will take some getting used to, but God’s call to this ministry has become more urgent and she is convinced that prison ministry is where God wants her to serve now.

Vanda’s final service will be on 14th March, Mothering Sunday.

Please pray for the churches and communities here; St Buryan, St Levan and Sennen, for the prison at Werrington, for our Rural Dean Father Jeff as he leads the vacancy, and for Bob, Vanda, Dylan and Bella as they begin a new way of following God’s call in this new adventure.

Thy Kingdom Come O Lord indeed.
Rev'd Canon Vanda Perrett with the then Archdeacon Bill Stuart White

Photo by Kevin Hannigan

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Wednesday 6th January 2021
Dear Friends,

This week the government has put the nation into another lockdown. Once we heard this news the parochial church councils (PCCs) of St Levan, St Sennen and St Buryan were charged with the decision about whether to keep the churches open for worship, or to close temporarily until the rate of infection of Covid19 reduces. With heavy hearts, together we recognise that many of our congregation fall into a very vulnerable group, and that maintaining the pattern of worship would put both them and our worship leaders under unacceptable risk of infection. Moreover, the struggle of the NHS and our local hospitals to manage the current demand for care is almost at full capacity, and we need to do all we can to limit the possible spread of infection which would lead to a higher demand on the services of the NHS.

From this Sunday (10th January 2021) there will not be any services in our church building, however we will continue to offer services online, both on Facebook and via Zoom (please email Vanda for details of joining Zoom - canonvanda@gmail.com). In addition to the Zoom service, reflection and prayers sent out by Royal Mail, and by email to our community. This decision is, of course, not something we have done lightly. I hope you will understand.

• First: on Sundays during Lockdown we will be holding a Zoom Eucharist, please contact Vanda - canonvanda@gmail.com
  • The Order of Service for each Sunday will be available here on our website under Pew News Prayer Resources
• Secondly: Land's End Churches on Facebook on Saturdays at 6pm Worship & on Sundays at 6pm Compline on Worship at Land's End on Facebook
• Thirdly: weekly night prayer between 5-6.30pm on Worship at Land's End on Facebook
• Fourthly: if you are interested in a bible study at home via Zoom on a Monday or Tuesday please contact Vanda - canonvanda@gmail.com

Please join us in praying daily for all those most affected by Covid19, for our hard pressed NHS, for the care workers, school staff and teachers, shop workers, delivery drivers, Royal Mail posties, refuge collectors, GP surgeries, vets, and dentists, and all whose essential daily work puts them into risk for our safety.  Pray too for those who are separated from much loved family and friends, for those who are struggling with mental health issues, with anxiety and concerns: whether financial, educational or health. You can make a difference by praying during this lockdown, holding these people in your hearts as you pray to God.

Eternal Father, may your everlasting love surround and support all those in any kind of need today.

Jesus our Saviour, help us to recognise you as you walk with us today and know that we are never left alone.

Spirit of Love, fill all who are fearful and anxious with your peace and courage.

In the name of God, who is the source of Love, the Salvation of us all,

the Hope and Comfort of everyone in need, Amen.