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Devon’s Newest Clergy Cheered and Clapped After Ordination at Exeter Cathedral
Eleven new deacons have been ordained at Exeter Cathedral in a service which ended with spontaneous applause and cheers for Devon’s newest members of clergy. They were ordained by the Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, the Acting Bishop of Exeter. In 2020 she became the first female bishop to ordain deacons at Exeter Cathedral in its 900-year history, when she carried out some of the ordinations under Covid restrictions. Bishop Jackie told the deacons: “You are…
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Next Generation of Clergy Prepare for Ordination at Exeter Cathedral
A cross-channel swimmer, a gaming and sci-fi fan, a psychotherapist and a former solicitor are among 12 people who will be ordained as church ministers in Exeter this weekend. They have spent the last few years doing ordination training at theological colleges in the Southwest and elsewhere. Kate Jackson is a mother of four, who began her journey to ordination 15 years ago. She said “I was a stay-at-home mum living in Birmingham. I tried…
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New Bishop of Exeter Elected in Historic Cathedral Ceremony
The Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison was formally elected as the 72nd Bishop of Exeter in an historic ceremony at Exeter Cathedral on Thursday 20 June. Since Saxon times, English diocesan bishops have been nominated by the King or Queen. The election ceremony marks the official acceptance by the Church of England in Devon of the monarch’s chosen candidate. The process has remained largely unchanged since it was established by King John in 1214. The…
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Serving with joy through Pop-Up Church, Church Door Welcome and Delta Youth Cafe
Here are three stories of people who received a St Boniface medal in 2024 and the places in Devon where they are serving with joy. Norma Fry, Pop-Up Church Norma Fry is a member of St Matt’s church in Plymouth and part of an ecumenical team that started Pop-Up Church in the red light district of Plymouth. It meets twice weekly in the forecourt of a garage. “It’s street girls and homeless people, a vulnerable…
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Clergy and Choristers from Devon take part in D-Day 80th Commemorations in Normandy
A group of clergy and choristers from the Diocese of Exeter is in Normandy taking part in commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The group includes Rev’d Sarah Mounoury, from Sidmouth, a Royal Navy veteran, and Rev’d Marisa Cockfield, from Stoke Gabriel, a former Royal Navy reservist. They are travelling with six choral scholars from Exeter Cathedral, who are singing at some of the special services and events taking place. Also accompanying them…
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Bishop Mike Inspired by Whistlestop Tour of Devon
The Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison says engaging with children and young people will be a top priority of his ministry in Devon, after being announced as the new Bishop of Exeter at a primary school, which is also home to a local church in East Devon. Bishop Mike spent the day of his announcement on a whistlestop tour of the Diocese of Exeter’s four archdeaconries (Exeter, Barnstaple, Totnes and Plymouth). He began the day…
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