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New Principal for South West Ministry Training Course
The new Principal of the South West Ministry Training Course (SWMTC) is the Venerable Dr Mark Butchers, the current Archdeacon of Barnstaple. The SWMTC is affiliated to the Diocese of Exeter and is one of two colleges in the region offering ordination training for people becoming priests, as well as training for people to become Readers (licensed lay leaders) and other forms of ministry training. Mark Butchers, who has led the Church of England’s work…
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Christian Aid Week 2020 Goes Digital
Each year during May, many church-goers in Devon go out in their communities and collect money for Christian Aid Week. This year things will look a little bit different as Christian Aid Week 2020 will take place online. Taking place from May 10th – 16th, supporters can participate in the week using Christian Aid’s online resources, such as daily quizzes and live-streamed worship. There is also guidance for individuals wishing to run their own virtual…
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Celebrating Easter like never before
Churches across Devon celebrated Easter this year in new ways in response to the current coronavirus restrictions. The Reverend Sheila Swarbrick, from the parish of Central Exeter, and some of her neighbours took to their doorsteps to sing the Easter hymns, Thine Be The Glory and Jesus Christ is Risen Today. It was part of a national Churches Together in England initiative called Sing Resurrection. Sheila said: “We began with the Easter greeting ‘He is…
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Volunteers Give Weekly Food Hampers Easter Upgrade
As it was Holy Week last week, Transforming Plymouth Together, who have been supporting St Pancras’ weekly food hamper collection, decided to give everyone who received a hamper a packet of chocolate eggs. In total, over 100 parents and children received a bag of eggs with their food hamper. The hampers are put together with food donated by DCFA and Fare Share. Hannah Fleming-Hill is a Project Support Development Worker for Transforming Plymouth Together. She…
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“Rainbow of hope” as Devon’s churches offer wide spectrum of Easter worship
The Bishop of Exeter has drawn on the image of the rainbow as a symbol of hope in his Easter message as Christians across Devon prepare to celebrate Easter weekend at home rather than in church buildings. All churches are currently closed as part of the Government’s coronavirus restrictions but church services, meetings and social gatherings are continuing online through platforms like Zoom, Facebook, Youtube, Stableyard and via phone. Bishop Robert has recorded an Easter…
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New community “coronavirus” cab is blessed
A new community “coronavirus” cab to transport people to routine hospital appointments during the pandemic has been officially blessed by the Right Reverend Mark Rylands, an assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Exeter. The former black taxi was bought second-hand by the League of Friends of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Hospital as a means of transporting elderly and vulnerable patients whilst maintaining social distancing. Taxis have a glass partition which separates the passenger from the driver…
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