If you attended the St Euny community BBQ yesterday we would like to extend a huge thank you to you all. What a good time we had and, despite the slightly mizzly weather, were delighted to host over100 people during the course of the evening. It was heart- warming to engage with people from all five churches in the parish and a joy to welcome our near neighbours – some for the first time. We would like to make special mention and thanks to: Charles and Lavinia for supplying and cooking the meat; Linda for the Pimms and strawberries and so much more; Joan, David and Chris for the yummy salads, fantastic bunting and for setting up; Clive for fetching and carrying chairs and tables and for being so reliable; Mrs Pascoe and Juliet for the cream teas and amazing jam; Sylvia and ??? for being on standby and helping with just about everything; to Rodda’s for donating the clotted cream and to Father Peter for his energy, enthusiasm and support throughout – also for interacting with one and all and for tidying up at the end. (Sarah and Andy – Secretary and Church Warden)
Saint Euny established this sacred space dedicated to Christ’s message in the sixth century and it still stands today as part of the parish of Redruth. We are open to all and for the service of all. Situated on the edge of the main town of Redruth, near Carn Brea and Carnkie, the church building of Saint Euny has a rural feel to it. This disguises it’s past at the centre of enormous industrial activity, innovation, development and change. The church has adapted to change and remains a gateway to the exploration of what it means to be close to God and what that demands of its currently small but growing congregation.
Lockdown hit us hard, and many activities and people associated with the church have not returned. However, with faith and hope we aspire to offer love and friendship to all who come here and to demonstrate the care of Christ in our lives. We feel that God is working in this place and that our growing activities provide support and succour for the people of this parish as well as the many visitors that we welcome every year.
We are blessed with a beautiful building which lends itself to community activity. The interior space is flexible and friendly. People love to come into this space for quiet and reflection, for celebrating the sacrament of marriage, baptism and funerals, often reflecting long-held family association with this church. Many who come are not comfortable with the routines of traditional worship, so our church community is considerably larger than the electoral roll.
The ring of eight bells has a Bellringers Tower committee and membership which is managed my members of the bell ringing community. We are a focus for visits from other ringers. Several interest groups ask to have a tour or guide to the church as part of a visit (eg The Methodist Pilgrimage, local history groups).
Our regular opening on Wednesday afternoons, for the celebration of Holy Communion at 1.30pm followed by Open Cafe from 2-4pm has become increasingly popular, providing laughter, conversation and a no-strings welcome over tea, cakes and biscuits. The expanding numbers of people who attend look forward to this and we hope to offer more on a regular basis in future.
We continue to hold social activities that reach out as often as we can. At Christmas our tree festival, wreath-making and craft afternoons are popular and we have reinforced our link with the Cornish speaking community by holding an annual service in Cornish on the First Sunday after Christmas Day. Easter craft, summer BBQ, St Euny Feast, the Annual Mining Festival are all part of our church’s year and in all of these we are grateful to be supported by members of the whole benefice. We have been a centre for whole benefice growth, hosting the Alpha course, confirmation lessons and open to other events as desired.
This summer (2024) we have decided to open the church every day and a group of volunteers from our congregation do this from approximately 10.00am to 4.00pm. We are also participating in the ‘Celtic Quiet Spaces’ initiative of the Diocese of Cornwall, advertising these ancient Christian centres to anyone who wishes to come. This will be active soon (website: https://celticquietplaces.com/ ).
