CAPTION: A number of churches are planning Come and Remember events to include a cream tea

Momentum gathering for ‘Come and See’ events at churches across Devon

Posted: 23rd October, 2023

Churches in Devon are busy planning a wide variety of outreach events for the Come and See mission weekend, supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Come and See will take place over Remembrance weekend from 10 to 12 November.

The aim is for churches to invite people in their communities to ‘come and see’ something of our Christian faith.

Events planned include Come and Remember, at St Michael and All Angel Church, Stockland – which will be a history of the village of Stockland interspersed with faith stories.

St Andrew’s church in Ipplepen is organising an outdoor ‘show and tell‘ event featuring a fire pit, food and drink.

Come and Join the Party at St Peter’s West Buckland will be a day-long event starting with a coffee morning and ending with an evening contemporary worship concert.

Several churches are planning events linked to Remembrance, including a cream tea and conversation event at St John’s Church Hall in Hooe.

The event will also feature an introduction to the Bereavement Journey, which is a short course for people who have been bereaved.

St Paul’s in Honiton is creating a poppy installation made-up of the names of loved-ones people want to commemorate.

The church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is organising a festival which focuses on different aspects of remembering.

There are also events aimed at young people, including Come and Disco – a silent disco event at Leigham Community Hall in Plymouth and a Halloween Light Party in Aveton Gifford.

There will be a Come and Science faith and science event at St Mary’s church in Totnes and a Come and Sing community scratch choir organised by Sherford church.

Exeter Cathedral is holding a Come and See Continental Breakfast on Saturday 11 November, with people invited to attend the dedication of the Field of Remembrance and the Remembrance silence on Cathedral Green afterwards.

In a sign of new beginnings, an All Souls service is being held at the previously closed church of St Michael’s, Honiton.

Rev’d Jeremy Putnam, Mission Enabler for the Diocese of Exeter, said “Seeing the variety and creativity of events being run in our churches across Devon is so deeply encouraging and inspiring.

“So many of these events show how Devon churches so often come alongside people at times of loss and heartache, and at other times for community, fun and fellowship.

“It just shows how sharing our faith in Jesus can take many forms.”

Alongside the church events, the Archbishop of Canterbury will be attending a number of events in North Devon, Torquay, Exeter and Plymouth throughout the weekend. You can see his itinerary here.

Commenting on the weekend, he said “I’m so looking forward to visiting Devon in November. It will be a great privilege to meet people from across the county, to pray with them and hear their stories.

“Over Remembrance weekend we will have the chance to give thanks together for those who have laid down their life for their country.

“I know that Jesus Christ brings hope, joy and the promise of new life, and I’m delighted to support Devon’s churches as they invite their communities to ‘Come and See’ what Christian faith is all about.”

There is funding and support available to help churches plan Come and See events. Click here for more details.

 

Date and Time	Event Location	Event Description
11th Nov 10.30am to 12pm	St Paul’s Church, Westexe	‘Finding the Mourning Light’ offers a presentation on support for those living with loss and grief.
14th Nov 6pm to 7pm	St Mary’s Church, Totnes	Come and Science: A demonstration of science and faith working together in the context of worship.
11th Nov 4.30pm to 7pm	St Michael and All Angel, Stockland	Come and Remember: A history of the village of Stockland, interspersed with faith stories.
12th Nov 4pm to 6pm	St Andrew’s Church, Ipplepen	Come and See: A community centred outdoor event. Show and tell around a fire pit, food and drink.
10th Nov 7.30pm to 9pm	St Peter’s Church, West Buckland	Come and See: a concert including contemporary and modern worship songs.
11th Nov 10am to 12pm	St Peter’s Church, West Buckland	Come and See: Coffee morning until 12pm with church open until 4.30pm for anyone who wishes to look at the display of our  local area historical/social history photos of the first world war troops and horses.
11th Nov 2pm to 4pm	St John’s Church Hall, Hooe	Come and Remember: An introduction to the Bereavement Journey, with cream tea and conversation.
11th Nov 7.30pm to 10pm	Sherford Community Church	Come and Sing: A community scratch choir event for Sherford.
From 12th Nov	Netherexe Mission Community	Come and Ask: A series of Grave Talk discussion at churches in the mission community
11th Nov 3pm to 5pm	St Mary’s Church, Dunsford	Come and Remember: An outreach event for bereaved families and local funeral directors inc. afternoon tea.
11th Nov 10am to 4pm	St Martin’s Church, Exminster	Come and Celebrate: A celebration of St Martin of Tours as an open day, inc faith stories.
11th Nov 10.45 to 11.15am	St Mary’s Church, Offwell	Come and Remember: An act of remembrance followed by refreshments.
10th – 12th Nov	St Paul’s Church, Honiton	Come and Remember: Poppy installation made up of the names of loved ones we remember.
11th Nov 11am to 4pm	Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lympstone	Come and Remember: A festival focusing on many different aspects of ‘remembering’ and Lympstone in Living Memory.
11th Nov 11am to 3pm	Meavy and Yelverton Church	Come and Remember: An act of remembrance followed by come and share soup event, and pilgrimage walk.
11th Nov 10am to 4pm	St Margaret and St Andrew, Littleham	Come and See: An open day inc. a series of events to help people to encounter Our Lord Jesus.
10th Nov 5pm to 7pm	Leigham Community Hall	Come and Disco: A silent disco event for young people.
31st Oct 5pm to 6pm	St Andrews Church, Aveton Gifford	Come and See: A light party for Halloween, games, crafts and activities for children and families.
5th Nov 5.30pm to 7.30pm	St Mary’s Church, Sticklepath	Come and Sing: An opportunity to come together to remember, to celebrate and find comfort in faith.
11th Nov 10.30am to 12pm	St Mary’s Church, Pilton with Ashford	Come and Remember: A service of Remembrance with hospitality and food provision for school children.
11th Nov 3pm to 5pm	St Matthew’s Church, Chelston	Come and See: Community cream tea to invite the neighbours at St Matthew’s Chelston.
12th Nov 1pm to 4pm	Cockington Parish Church	Come and See: Meet and greet to engage with visitors who normally just visit an empty church.
11th Nov 12.15pm to 1.15pm	St Mary Magdalene Church, Upton	Come and See: Living room cafe offering a meal to visitors.
2nd Nov 7pm to 8pm	St Michael’s Church, Honiton	Come and Remember: an All Souls service being held in a previously closed church.