Vicar's message of comfort from lifeboat during this week’s national online service

18/02/2022

A vicar delivers his sermon from onboard a lifeboat in Cornwall during this week’s national online service.
Rev Richard Allen on a life boat holding open a book

The service, from the Benefice of Trelawny, focusses on the account of the calming of the storm which is the Gospel reading. 

It was pre-recorded but is premiered as the Church prays for all those in the area and beyond affected by Storm Eunice.

During the service, story is recounted by four members of the Trelawny congregation from a boat, before the Revd Richard Allen preaches from a lifeboat. 

“There are 365 'fear nots' in the Bible, perhaps one for each day,” he says.

“So, if you are feeling stressed, hassled, worried, fearful, remember that you have a wonderful rock in Jesus to stand on, who's rescued you, cast your anxiety on him, for he cares for you.... His peace can fill your hearts with the peace of God which passes all understanding. 

“Trust that Jesus will calm your storms as he has rescued you.”

The service has been filmed from across the five parishes, made up of seven churches. Contributions include readings from boats, harbours, and cowsheds. The lifeboat is from the Fowey RNLI station, and forms part of the outdoor worship style, dubbed the Trelawny Way.  

In the past, Revd Allen has hosted services on car ferries and welcomed parishioners on horseback to an equestrian service, as part of this style of worship.

During this week’s sermon, he adds: “I have a life jacket on here. Quite literally, if I ended up in the Fowey Estuary, this jacket would save me.  
“Thankfully, Jesus has done that for me in a supernatural way.”

It premieres on the Church of England website, Facebook and YouTube accounts at 9am on Sunday February 20th.