Shining a light on local volunteers
- news279
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 16
A special service to thank all who volunteer in Bodmin
Rev'd Elaine Munday and Rev'd Simon Atkinson chose to align ‘Volunteer Sunday ’with Pentecost 2025 at St. Petroc’s Church, an occasion to recognise the many who give their time to serve others in our town.
Before the service, Rev'd Elaine explained the inspiration behind the event: “We’ve invited anyone who volunteers in our community to join church and Bodmin Way volunteers in celebrating Pentecost together.
We want to say a huge thank you to all who give their time, and especially to those who support Bodmin Way’s Pioneer Ministry. Your contributions are vital to everything we do.”
Pentecost is one of the great feasts in the Church calendar, celebrating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, symbolised at St. Petroc’s by a bright display of red, orange, and yellow. It marks the birth of the Church and reminds us of the power of community, faith, and service. The early followers of Jesus responded by living generously and we see that same spirit today in the many volunteers across Bodmin.
In his sermon, Rev'd Simon reflected on the first Pentecost, when Jesus ’disciples waited in an upstairs room for the promised Holy Spirit. Wind and fire, ancient symbols of God’s presence, filled the space, empowering them to leave their shelter and step boldly into the world.
“Volunteers today do something similar,” he said. “They step out of their homes and give their time, energy, and talents for others.”
And there are many. Rev'd Simon shared that 130 people volunteer across the parish and Bodmin Way, filling 51 different roles: from PCC members and wardens to bellringers, sidespersons, choir singers, Sunday School teachers, and more. With each giving an average of four hours a week, that’s a remarkable 27,000 hours of service a year!
Beyond the church, countless others serve Bodmin as scout and guide leaders, litter pickers, school governors, charity trustees, and town councillors. Their contributions may be quiet, but they are essential.
One of those volunteers, Jackie Teague, helped lead the service by reading a passage from Scripture. Jackie heads up Community Cuppa on Thursdays in St. Petroc’s Church and cooks meals for Community Space every Friday morning at the Parish Centre.
“I feel I’m in the right place,” she said. “I’m happy to help.”
The presence of Bodmin’s Mayor, Councillor Liz Ahearn, alongside church ministers, reflected a growing partnership between civic and faith communities, serving Bodmin side by side.
As the service drew to a close, all were invited to stand for a ‘Renewal of Commitment to Service’. Volunteers re-dedicated themselves to the work of supporting others and, like those first Pentecost disciples, embraced the call to be transformed and to transform.
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