CAPTION: This will be the Bishop of Exeter's first Christmas in Devon
Bishop of Exeter to Visit Exeter Prison and St Petrock’s Homelessness Charity on Christmas Day
The new Bishop of Exeter will begin his first Christmas Day in Devon by leading the Midnight Communion service at Exeter Cathedral, before visiting a prison and a homelessness centre, as well as spending time with his own family.
The Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison was enthroned as the 72nd Bishop of Exeter in November.
On 25 December he will visit Exeter Prison to lead a Christmas service, before travelling onto the city’s St Petrock’s homeslessness charity to spend time with the community there.
Bishop Mike said “I love Christmas and the spirit of generosity and hospitality to others is at the heart of the nativity story. The story of Christmas is that God so loves each and every one of us that he comes looking for us in his son Jesus to forge relationship with us and enable us to grow into all we can be in and with Him.
Jesus says that when we visit those who are in prison and care for those who have nowhere to live and are experiencing difficult times we are caring for him, so for me, it is a privilege to be able to go to Exeter prison and St Petrock’s on Christmas Day, as well as celebrating at the Cathedral and enjoying time with my own family.”
Peter Stephenson, the Chief Executive of St Petrock’s Charity, adds, “We gratefully appreciate the support of our Patron, Bishop Mike, and our faith community that shows so much support and compassion for our homeless community.”
Bishop Mike is a keen baker and his Christmas message video this year features him making sausage rolls to share with others.
He said he was looking forward to being together with his family, although, like many families in the South West, one of his children is away serving in the military and would not be able to join them.
Bishop Mike’s favourite Christmas carol is Silent Night, and the Church of England’s Christmas campaign this year takes the phrase ‘Calm and Bright’ from the carol as its theme.
Across Devon, churches are inviting people in their communities to carol services, crib services and other events to experience a moment of ‘calm’ in the Christmas rush and the ‘bright’ hope of the Christmas story.
“If you are feeling overwhelmed by Christmas, isolated or down, and would love to see a friendly face and gather with others for hospitality and more, then I would really encourage you to pop along to your local church,” Bishop Mike said.
You can find times and locations of Christmas services across Devon here: achurchnearyou.com/
Watch the Bishop of Exeter’s Christmas message for 2024
