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Bishop of Exeter and Devon’s Churches ‘Flying the Flag’ for the Coronation
The Bishop of Exeter has said he will be proudly ‘flying the flag for Devon during the Coronation’ as he represents the county in London. The Rt. Rev’d Robert Atwell, who is a member of the House of Lords, is one of just two bishops who has been chosen to greet the King outside Parliament en route to Westminster Abbey. Bishop Robert said: “This Saturday is going to be a tremendous day in the life…
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Primary School celebrates Open the Book Volunteer’s 104th Birthday
An Open the Book volunteer in Devon has just celebrated his 104th Birthday in a special school celebration. John Allen, from Crediton, is a regular Open the Book volunteer. He is part of the Open the Book team at Haywood’s Primary School, Crediton, and regularly shares stories either in the school, or will send video stories for the children. Open the Book is a Christian organisation, which give primary school children the opportunity to hear…
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New ‘This is My Story’ Exhibition Shares Inspiring Stories of Christian Faith
A new photographic exhibition, which tells the faith stories of Christians from across Devon, has opened. This Is My Story, which will be touring churches across the county throughout 2023, was launched by the Bishop of Plymouth on Saturday at St Pancras’ Church in Exeter’s Guildhall Shopping Centre. It features a series of black and white photo portraits taken by photographer and military chaplain, the Rev’d Huw Ryden. Accompanying each portrait is the subject’s faith…
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Meet the Funders Day ‘the perfect opportunity’ to support and encourage Devon Churches
Almost 100 people from churches across Devon gathered in Exeter recently for a Meet the Funders event. It was held at St Matt’s church and hosted by the Diocese of Exeter Mission Resources team. Representatives from funding organisations including The Benefact Trust, The National Churches Trust, The Heritage Lottery Fund, and the Church Grants database team were on hand to give advice about different grants available for church buildings and other church-related projects. The Diocese…
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Bishop of Exeter Calls for More Compassion at Chrism Service
The Bishop of Exeter called for “more compassion and less intolerance” at Exeter Cathedral’s annual Maundy Thursday Chrism Service. Clergy and lay ministers from across Devon gathered for the service, where it is traditional for them to reaffirm their ordination and licensing vows. At the service they also collect vials of consecrated oil (known as chrism oil) to take back to their own churches to use for anointing and blessing people. Bishop Robert began the…
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New Archdeacon of Plymouth Finds Hope in Small Churches Making a Big Impact
The new Archdeacon of Plymouth is the Rev’d Jane Bakker, who is currently Priest-in-Charge of a large parish in Southampton and was the former Area Dean. Rev’d Bakker grew up in Cambridge and joined the RAF as an assistant Air Traffic Controller before working in accounts and becoming a Management Accountant. She felt called to ordination soon after becoming a Christian and trained at Trinity College, Bristol, where she met her husband, Greg. She was…
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