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Devon Churches Connecting with Children, Families and Youth Through Mission and Growth Funding

Devon Churches Connecting with Children, Families and Youth Through Mission and Growth Funding

Posted: 24th March, 2023

Since its launch in 2022, the Diocese of Exeter Mission and Growth Fund has provided a number of grants for church projects across Devon. The aim of the £200,000 fund is to allow mission communities to develop projects aimed at growing new disciples amongst children, young people and families. The window to apply for a grant in 2023 opens on 1 April. Mission communities can apply for a grant of up to £20,000, though most…

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Devon Church’s Lent Bible Read-a-thon Raises Funds and Builds Community

Devon Church’s Lent Bible Read-a-thon Raises Funds and Builds Community

Posted: 21st March, 2023

A church in Devon has set itself a challenge to read the whole Bible aloud during Lent. Members of St John the Baptist Church, Plymtree, started their ‘Readathon’ with the opening chapters of the book of Genesis on Ash Wednesday. Volunteers are taking it in turns to read and the aim is to get through 35 chapters a day. The organisers are hoping to get through all 1,189 chapters of the Bible by Palm Sunday….

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Launch of St Boniface Awards for Coronation Year 2023

Launch of St Boniface Awards for Coronation Year 2023

Posted: 14th March, 2023

The St Boniface Awards 2023 are particularly relevant this Coronation year, the Bishop of Exeter has said. The Company of St Boniface, named after Devon’s patron saint, was established by Bishop Robert to honour lay people who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the Church of England in Devon. Nominations are now open for this year’s awards. They close on Friday 21 April. Please click here to nominate someone. Any regular attender…

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New Director of Mission and Ministry Brings Experience, Imagination and Flair

New Director of Mission and Ministry Brings Experience, Imagination and Flair

Posted: 6th March, 2023

The Rev’d Canon Ian Bussell has been appointed as the new Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Exeter. Mr Bussell is currently Head of Ministerial Development at the Diocese of Gloucester. His new role will see him overseeing mission and ministry across Devon, including taking responsibility for continuing ministerial development, and lay and clergy training in the Diocese. He will be leading the Diocese of Exeter’s Mission and Ministry Team, which supports…

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Widecombe Parish Field Transformed into Community Orchard

Widecombe Parish Field Transformed into Community Orchard

Posted: 28th February, 2023

A group of volunteers have planted 40 apple trees in a Dartmoor parish field to transform it into a new community orchard. The team worked in the drizzling rain on a Saturday in February, fuelled by cakes and sausage rolls, to transform the small field in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, into, what will be known as, Jubilee Orchard. The village was bequeathed the field in 1983 for the enjoyment of the parishioners. However, the space had been left…

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New Children and Families Mission Enabler Says Listening is Key

New Children and Families Mission Enabler Says Listening is Key

Posted: 28th February, 2023

Sharon Blyth has lots of experience working with children and families having been a secondary school teacher and schools and families worker for a large church in North Devon. The Diocese of Exeter’s new Children and Families Mission Enabler, who lives in Barnstaple, is also a mother of four herself. Sharon said, “I started off volunteering at Holy Trinity church, Barnstaple, and this turned into a role I did for about 10 years. “I had…

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