DEGIBNA PRAYER CHAPEL
Degibna Prayer Chapel and Prayer Garden
Summer Newsletter 2026
“All things are possible for one who believes”
Mark 10:27
Dear Friends,
It is good to have the opportunity to update you, even though each 3 months seems to come round much too fast!
We now have 89 Friends of Degibna Prayer Chapel and are grateful for each and every one and hope that many will join us for our Grand Afternoon Tea on August 8th.
Taketime
Taketime offers free, Bible-based, Christ-centred, mindfulness meditations which use simple, focused prayer. Recently at the chapel a few of us gathered to explore the gospels creatively in this way. We relaxed, listened to some music and were guided though a Bible story, placing ourselves in the scene. We reflected quietly on our experience and had some refreshments as well! Taketime was originally created by Reigate Methodist Church in response to the growing demand from those who have experienced the benefits of meditation. These Christian meditations are now
used extensively in Churches, Schools, Prisons, Hospital, Hospices and in spiritual exploration, discipleship and development.
Taketime meditations can help us to both speak and listen to God. In this way they help with spiritual growth and reducing stress as part of a safe and welcoming community, which focuses on scripture and experience, not teaching and doctrine. Taketime Together groups are inclusive, non-directive, and experiential. No prior faith background or knowledge is required—simply come as you are and experience the peace and stillness these meditations offer. Have a look online at https://taketime.org.uk/
At the chapel we hope to have quarterly, daytime, guided meditations like these, starting in the autumn ….look out for more details about Taketime.
Every Blessing, Rev Amanda
Events & Bookings
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Our Easter Sunrise Service was well attended and though this year the clouds obscured the sunrise it was good to greet the new day in prayer and song.
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10 of us embarked on our Spring Walk. Great White Egrets and a Holly Blue (butterfly) were seen, among others, and good fellowship enjoyed.
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Numbers at our Julian Meetings vary from 2 to 8! It would be lovely to see some new faces. Don’t worry if you cannot make it regularly. Just come when you can.
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We are delighted that WI Chair Pilates has become a weekly booking after a successful trial.
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Our recent Social (June 13) was blessed with sunshine. £130 was raised for St Julia’s
Hospice. Thanks to all who came and contributed.
Interfaith Pilgrimage
From Tresillian to St Clements, starting 2.00pm Sunday July 26. This marks the 800th anniversary of St Francis and is for Peace, Reconciliation & Care for Creation; organised by Cornwall Faith Forum and Creation Care Network. All welcome. Details from Rev Andrew.
Creation Care
Recently 5 of us attended the People’s Emergency Briefing in Helston. This film is being shown in venues around the country. It is not easy watching but a timely reminder that we all need to do more to combat the climate and environmental crisis. As an Eco Church we hope to press on towards a gold award, but this will need a small team of 3 or 4 Friends working together and encouraging others. If you are interested in joining such a team, please let me know.
No More Profit From Harm
This campaign by Transform Trade and others is pushing for a new UK law to hold businesses and the public sector accountable for human rights abuses and environmental harms in their supply chains. We can support this initiative by Signing the Petition, Engaging our MPs and Signing up a Group. As a Prayer Chapel we hope to sign too. Also we want to encourage individual action. To sign the petition or for more information, see the Transform Trade website.
Degibna News
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Sadly two of our Friends of Degibna have died this year; Rev Mary Jones (in January) and Keith Sholl (in May). We give thanks for their lives and pray for families and friends. We are grateful for a £100 gift in memory of Rev Mary.
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In April we held our Spring Garden Tidy – pruning, planting and weeding paths. Thanks to our trusty Team of volunteers. A Summer Tidy will be planned for July.
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David and Simon have begun replacing the rotting wooden edging with a more durable recycled plastic edging (see photo right). A large undertaking, but they have done such a good job that most visitors will notice no change! So let us pause and give thanks for the many who work ‘behind the scenes’ and whose efforts can often go unnoticed. Take time to consider who you could thank.
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Last year we donated £400+ to the National Trust Degibna Orchard Project and on 8th June 9 of us were shown round the orchard, guided by Laura David (see photo below). The 12 apple trees, including Cornish varieties, have been pruned and a path cleared which will improve biodiversity. The orchard is not open to the public so we felt doubly privileged. Our donation has been well spent.
Some Prayer Points
As we move through Summer to Autumn let us pray:
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praising God who is ever faithful and always loving
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giving thanks for all groups and individuals acting to limit the Climate and Environmental crisis
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for those on holiday and for times of leisure, rest and relaxation
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for those most affected by the current wave of price rises
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for God’s blessing upon all who attend our Events and Bookings or visit the Prayer Garden
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for one another as Friends of Degibna Prayer Chapel
Every blessing, as we continue to support one another in prayer.
Rev Andrew Hill (01326 569803) & Rev Amanda Stevens (01326 561792)
