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                                                        Degibna Prayer Chapel and Prayer Garden      

                                          Summer Newsletter 2025

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                                                                         “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit”,

                                                          says the Lord of hosts. - Zechariah 4:6

 

  Dear Friends,

  Greetings to all.  We now have 93 Friends of Degibna Prayer Chapel, exceeding last   

  year’s total by 3. Our dream of 100 Friends draws ever closer.

 

  Do try and join us at one or more of our events and why not invite a friend? We especially    hope that many will join us on August 9th for our Grand Afternoon Tea.

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  Pressing Pause

  From September 2025, I will be taking a sabbatical until Christmas as I finish ministry in

  the formal sense: time to reflect on what God wants me to be involved in during those

  future retirement years… The recent Julian Meeting ‘blog’ reminded me that we often see

  life as a series of beginnings and endings: life and death, the seasons, night and day, but

  often we are in those between times, times of transition. Sometimes we find ourselves in

  the place of transition because we have suffered loss, changed jobs, moved house or it

  could be movement into older years. These periods are threshold times, which can be

  marked by rituals like a marriage service or baptism. In other cultures there is pilgrimage,

  or ‘walkabout’. Jesus went to the desert for a period before he began his public ministry.

  I am trying to put expectations to one side. As William Bridges says of transitions ‘they

  often transform us in ways we cannot see’. This blessing of John Donohue is for us to start

  each day, whether or not we are going though times of transition:

 

May I live this day - Compassionate of heart - Clear in word,

Gracious in awareness - Courageous in thought - Generous in love.

                                                                                                                                     Rev Amanda

 

​​  A Quiet Space

  On 18th September we are holding a Quiet Day with a difference. We plan to open the

  chapel from 10am to 4pm so that people can drop in at any time for as long as they wish.

  Bring a book, magazine, craft, notebook, sketchpad etc. or just come to rest and reflect.

  Light refreshments available or bring a packed lunch. There will be time for gentle

  conversation but much of the time we shall simply enjoy being quiet together. Do come

  and give it a try.

           

  Only Connect

  What connects water-features, dogs, carers, young people, story-telling, finances,

  pilgrimage, spiritual gifts, displaying art work, safe spaces, smart meters and loop

  systems? These are just some of the subjects mentioned at our recent Vision Meeting or

  Management Meeting. At Degibna we are always keen to explore creative ways of

  connecting with people, encouraging prayer and sharing good news. If you have an idea

  for an event or a way of improving our facilities or engaging with more people, we would

  love to hear from you. And thank you for your prayers!

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  Events & Bookings

• This year 30 people attended our Easter Sunrise Service led by Rev Danny. At the close all were invited to tie a ribbon on a cross, made from dead branches shed from our ash tree (see photo above)

• In May another successful Muddy Church was enjoyed by children and adults, organised by the Central Tiddlers Group.  They had a short walk, a hunt for unlikely objects in the Garden and tried a variety of craft activities in Chapel. We hope they will come again.

• Our June Social was supported by 40 people which included several walkers who saw the door open and heard the chatter. £175 was raised for Divya Shanthi, this year’s circuit charity.

• We are grateful for all who book the Chapel, especially our regular group bookings. We also want to encourage individuals or perhaps 2 or 3 friends to consider booking the Chapel for a time of prayer or reflection. Could this be you or could you recommend the Chapel?

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   Degibna News

• In April at our Spring Garden Tidy paths were weeded, shrubs were trimmed and several large bags of clippings etc. taken to the recycling centre. Then came No Mow May. Our Summer Garden Tidy will be arranged before the Grand Afternoon Tea and an Autumn Garden Tidy later in the year. If anyone is interested in joining the small team do let Andrew know. He will then notify you with details.

• We give thanks for the life of Lyn Kibblewhite, one of our early Friends and lover of Degibna Prayer Chapel. Lyn died in May, aged 84. Rev Andrew conducted her funeral.

• Again this year we took part in the Churches Count on Nature (June 7-15) noting the flora and fauna seen during a rather wet week. With limited sunshine less insects were recorded this year but a pleasing variety of flowers, ferns and grasses. 54 species were recorded in total.

• The Helston Community Hospital at the other end of Degibna Lane holds its Annual Summer Fete at 2.00pm on Wednesday 9th July. If you live locally do consider supporting this.

• This year for our Grand Afternoon Tea we chose the National Trust for our charity so asked if there was a local project which we could support. They plan to prune & restore the old apple orchard opposite Degibna Farmhouse where Joyce Oliver, a former chapel member, once lived. Find out more on the day!

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  Some Prayer Points

  As we move through Summer to Autumn let us pray:

• with gratitude for each new day, whether sunshine or rain (and sometimes both)

• for the school holidays, for those on holiday and for those who have no holiday

• for Israel, Palestine and the Middle East, that justice and peace prevail

• for the growing number of young adults exploring faith and seeking God

• for God’s blessing upon all who attend our Events & Bookings or visit the Prayer Garden

• for one another as Friends of Degibna Prayer Chapel

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​                        Every blessing, as we continue to support one another in prayer.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Rev Andrew Hill (01326 569803) & Rev Amanda Stevens (01326 561792)

www.degibnaprayerchapel.org.uk