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Heart Edge inspiring Devon’s church communities to take journey of growth and discovery
The writer, broadcaster, theologian and Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London, Rev’d Dr Sam Wells, swapped his usual city centre location for rural Devon this week as he led the Heart Edge Mission Shed day in Swimbridge, near Barnstaple. He said “We introduce some mission ideas to local churches and invite them to think about how they can use them in their own context. Our mission statement at St Martin’s is ‘At the heart,…
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‘To Have and to Hold:’ Couples Celebrate Faith in Church Vow Renewal Service
A special celebration recently took place in a church in Devon, which saw couples from all walks of life come together to reaffirm their wedding vows in during a Sunday service. Six couples, all at different stages in life, decided to renew their vows in the service held at St Paul’s Church in Barnstaple. For one couple who were celebrating their first year of marriage, the service was an opportunity to not only to celebrate…
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New Worship Song Encourages us to Make Room for Others
A new song based on the welcome and hospitality of God has been released by the Devon-based singer songwriter Andy Flannagan. Making Room was originally written for the Thy Kingdom Come Pentecost Service at Exeter Cathedral in June and sung with a congregation of over 900. Beginning “There is room at the table/a place at the feast/a space for the lost/ the last and the least” its lyrics reference the way Christ made room for…
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Devon Vicar takes on Medieval Walk to Honour Friend and Support Suicide Bereavement Charities
A unique pilgrimage took place on the 11-12 October, which saw Rev’d Stuart Huntley, Priest-in-Charge for Offwell, Farway and Widworthy, leading a two-day walk in full medieval attire. The pilgrimage was inspired by the ancient journey of Queen Ethelburga and the Royal Kentish Camino, as it started at Canterbury Cathedral and concluded at St Mary and St Eanswyth Church, Folkestone. During the route Stuart visited ten local churches along the Royal Kentish Camino. Stuart decided…
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First Pioneer LLM Breaking Fresh Ground for Diocese of Exeter
Liz Dunbar is a pioneer in every sense of the word. On Saturday 4 October she became the first person in the Diocese of Exeter to be licensed as a Pioneer Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) in a service at Exeter Cathedral. The Church of England defines pioneers as “People called by God, who are the first to see and creatively respond to the Holy Spirit’s initiatives with those outside the church; gathering others around them…
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Diocesan Synod Meets to Reflect, Plan and Pray
The Diocesan Synod gathered to meet last Saturday 11 October. The matters under consideration included the annual report of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel, through which members learned about the significant increase in work being carried by the Safeguarding Team, in part generated by events external to the Diocese but with a major impact in parishes and the diocesan safeguarding service. Finances were also very much on the agenda, both the annual report and accounts…
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