On a glorious spring morning, Bodmin Team Ministry gathered in St. Hydroc’s for a joint service, led by the Rt. Rev’d Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro.
On the first Sunday in Lent, Bishop Philip drew our attention to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. He highlighted some sharp contracts, close parallels and rich resonances of this account with the Garden of Eden, Moses’ 40 days on Mount Sinai and the 40 years God’s people wondered in the wilderness.
The bishop expressed these accounts as callings. It was only Jesus, God’s beloved Son, who chose to obey and fulfil his vocation when he was put to the test. Jesus was obedient even to death. After his resurrection he was given the kingdom, power and glory from God the Father.
Today, the Church is the body of Christ and just like Jesus it needs to be obedient to God’s call. For those yet to know God, the good news is everyone can come to him. The bishop said: "It’s only through Jesus’ unflinching obedience to his Father, and his faithfulness to his calling, that his Kingdom and our salvation, will come."
The service also was a Commissioning of Rev’d Geraldine Ashton as Bodmin’s Parish Nurse. Rev’d Geraldine is both nurse and priest and is fulfilling her calling to serve God and those around her, within the protocols of parish nursing.
It was a joy to see the beauty of the church as we worshiped together.
St. Hydroc’s is open for Sunday worship at 9.45am weekly and, although not part of the National Trust estate at Lanhydrock, it is also open daily when the house is open, from 1st March to 31st October. Everyone is welcome to visit the church.