Diocese gives out £400,000 to help Devon churches grow

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The Church of England in Devon has announced the latest grant winners from the Million for Mission fund.

The diocese of Exeter drew £1 million from its reserves to resource its parishes to work in their communities, with young people and with those in need.

The second and final slice of money from the fund amounts to £400,000 and has been given to community and youth projects.

Churches Together in Ottery St Mary has been awarded £25,000 for a detached ecumenical youth worker who will engage with young people in and around Ottery St. Mary.

Revd Mac Dick said the grant was an amazing vote of confidence. “This is an opportunity to work alongside young people, especially those who are disadvantaged and on the fringes of society, outside of church and in their own environment.”

Salcombe and Marlborough with South Huish was awarded £20,000 to transform Holy Trinity Church, Galmpton  into a spirituality hub for outreach to tourists and pilgrims, just ten minutes’ walk from picturesque Hope Cove.

Revd Daniel French said he was delighted and excited about the funding: “The retreat centre and spiritual garden should be ready by the summer.”

Littleham cum Exmouth with Lympstone Mission Community was awarded £70,000 for a families outreach worker.

The Mission Community has established excellent links with local schools and has set up clubs and activities for all ages.

This grant will fund a new, part-time families outreach worker in Lympstone over several years whilst continuing to develop the existing work in the Mission Community as a whole.

Torquay St Mary Magdalene has been awarded £15,289 for a café outreach centre in the Torquay town centre called The Living Room that is run by volunteers with apassion for sharing the Gospel.

And £15,182 was awarded to Exeter Trinity Church to start up a toddler group and enable youth work in The Rydons, a new housing development area.

Revd Johnny Elvin said he was delighted with the grant. “It is an affirmation of the work we are doing already in Clyst Heath and an opportunity to kick start serving people locally and enable people to know Jesus Christ.”

A foodbank in Holsworthy Mission Community has been awarded £10,000. Rural dean Kathy Roberts explained how the foodbank was modelled on Okehampton and run by the Bude Christian Fellowship.

“It is fantastic news and a wonderful affirmation of what is happening in the Holsworthy Mission Community,” she said. “The grant enables us to give food to local people from all walks of life.”

The Right Reverend Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, said the response to the Million for Mission Initiative had been fantastic. “The sheer breadth of Million for Mission projects shows that churches across Devon are working with their local communities to respond to need, both spiritual and physical; and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.”