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From Syria to Ottery St My Daughter
“When I came here I didn’t speak any English at all.” These were the words of Hani Arnaout, as he addressed a Parliamentary event in London. Hani and his family have lived in Ottery St Mary since September 2017, following the bombing of their house during the civil war in Syria, and then several tragic and gruelling years as refugees in Jordan. He shared the Westminster platform with other refugees, each of whom told their…
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Exeter street procession and special service to celebrate 25th anniversary of the first women priests
Women priests from across Devon will be processing through central Exeter this Sunday (30 June) ahead of a special service at Exeter Cathedral to celebrate 25 years of women being ordained. The first women were ordained on 12 March 1994 following a long campaign to allow women to become priests. Rev’d Cathy Roberts who has organised the event said: “We will be marking a milestone for women as we celebrate ordained women’s priestly ministry. “Come…
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Home win for Exeter Cathedral bell ringers in national competition
Exeter’s bell ringers say their victory in the National 12 Bell Striking Contest earlier this month is the result of 10 years worth of preparation. The team, made up of bell ringers from across Devon, came first in the finals of the contest at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 22 June. Competing teams included ringers from St Paul’s Cathedral, Birmingham (the previous holders of the trophy), Bristol and Cambridge. Judges marked each team for their accuracy…
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Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer brings skills to new parish role
The former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England has joined the Diocese of Exeter as the new Team Vicar in the Dart and Avon Mission Community. The Rev’d Professor Gina Radford was installed by the Rt Rev’d Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter, in a special service at St Petroc’s Church, South Brent. Originally from Surrey, Rev’d Prof Radford describes herself as a life-long Christian. She heard about the vacant position in Devon from an old…
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Special guests from Melanesia will help celebrate historic links
The Diocese of Exeter will welcome two special guests from Melanesia in early July to celebrate the historic link between Devon and Melanesia and also to commemorate the Solomon Islands Independence Day. The Rt Revd Willie Pwaisiho will be preaching at Ottery St Mary Parish Church on Sunday 7 July (see poster), which is also Solomon Islands Independence Day. The church is a supporter of the Melanesian Mission UK, and a number of the congregation…
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Collation of the Venerable Nick Shutt as the new Archdeacon of Plymouth
It was a great pleasure to celebrate the collation of the Venerable Nick Shutt, Archdeacon of Plymouth yesterday (18 June) at the Minster Church of St. Andrew in Plymouth. In the picture in the pulpit, Archdeacon Nick is preaching on the Good Samaritan and in the laying on of hands (below), Bishop Robert is surrounded by the Rural Deans and Lay Chairs of the Plymouth Archdeaconry. Archdeacon Nick is a former solicitor, a keen photographer…
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