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New Director of Mission and Ministry Brings Experience, Imagination and Flair
The Rev’d Canon Ian Bussell has been appointed as the new Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Exeter. Mr Bussell is currently Head of Ministerial Development at the Diocese of Gloucester. His new role will see him overseeing mission and ministry across Devon, including taking responsibility for continuing ministerial development, and lay and clergy training in the Diocese. He will be leading the Diocese of Exeter’s Mission and Ministry Team, which supports…
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Widecombe Parish Field Transformed into Community Orchard
A group of volunteers have planted 40 apple trees in a Dartmoor parish field to transform it into a new community orchard. The team worked in the drizzling rain on a Saturday in February, fuelled by cakes and sausage rolls, to transform the small field in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, into, what will be known as, Jubilee Orchard. The village was bequeathed the field in 1983 for the enjoyment of the parishioners. However, the space had been left…
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New Children and Families Mission Enabler Says Listening is Key
Sharon Blyth has lots of experience working with children and families having been a secondary school teacher and schools and families worker for a large church in North Devon. The Diocese of Exeter’s new Children and Families Mission Enabler, who lives in Barnstaple, is also a mother of four herself. Sharon said, “I started off volunteering at Holy Trinity church, Barnstaple, and this turned into a role I did for about 10 years. “I had…
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New Disability and Additional Needs Advisor Advocates for Welcome and Inclusion
A new Disability and Additional Needs Advisor has been appointed by the Diocese of Exeter in a voluntary role. The Rev’d Claire Reynolds is a curate in the Brixham Mission Community and will carry out her new role alongside her parish one. She is a parent to a young adult with additional needs, which she says makes her aware of the challenges that people with disabilities and additional needs face when trying to access church…
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Ukraine Anniversary A Time To Keep Praying for Peace
A Ukrainian woman who is living in Tavistock has said she is grateful for the “warm welcome and constant support to Ukraine” as the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of her country on February 24 approaches. Tania Kovalchuk helped arrange for a number of other families to find homes in Devon as well as volunteering as a translator for the Diocese of Exeter Refugee Support Programme. She said “There are now more than 30 Ukrainian…
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Ukrainian Living in Devon Describes How ‘Time Stopped for Us’ on February 24
Victoriia Klimashevska, 21, is a Ukrainian Translator who came to Exeter through the Diocese of Exeter’s Ukraine Refugee Support Scheme. She lives with a host family in the city. This is her account of the last 12 months: On February 24, at 5 a.m. Kyiv time, we woke up in a new Ukraine and a new world. The world that was forced upon us. A world that does not live according to the laws, but…
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