Latest Diocesan News
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A timely call to care better for God’s creation
Chris Keppie, Diocese of Exeter, Church and Society Officer, writes: Never has it been more timely! From 1 September to 4 October, Christians around the world join together for the Season of Creation, a festival of prayer and community action to help protect the natural world. Creationtide was launched in 1989. It was given a major boost by Pope Francis in 2016 when, speaking before nearly 2 million people at the World Youth Day in…
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Exeter church pews for the chop in the name of charity
A church in Exeter which is undergoing renovation has donated its pews to a Devon charity which works with prisoners nearing release and those at risk of going to prison. Around 20 pews from St Matthews (St Matts), in Newtown, have been given to the Landworks charity in Dartington. The charity said the pews, which are thought to date from the 1930s, would be made into chopping boards, cookbook holders, turned bowls, plates, garden benches…
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Gerda gears up for ordination
For Gerda van Ommeren, her ordination at Exeter Cathedral on 14 September will be the culmination of an unexpected journey. Originally from the Netherlands, Gerda felt prompted to move to Devon 5 years ago, a place she had never previously been to. She says she found a home at St John in the Wilderness Church in Exmouth: “I was made to feel welcome but it went deeper than that, it wasn’t just ‘surface nice’” Gerda…
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Bishop of Exeter signs letter raising concerns about no-deal Brexit
The Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Robert Atwell, is among 25 Anglican bishops who have signed an open letter raising concerns about the potential cost of a no-deal Brexit for the most vulnerable in society, including those in Devon. The letter voices support for the Archbishop of Canterbury who, at the invitation of a group of senior MPs, has agreed in principle to chair a Citizens’ Forum on Brexit. The bishops state: “As bishops…
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We are all part of one family, says new Interfaith Advisor
Devon’s new Interfaith Advisor says her new role is about “building good relationships.. and meeting where we can”. The Rev’d Deborah Parsons is a Totnes team vicar and area Rural Dean and has recently taken on the new responsibility. As Interfaith Advisor she will communicate with people of other faiths and faith leaders and help connect people planning interfaith activities locally and nationally. She will also work with people from a range of different traditions…
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New website to help Devon’s churches get funding
Devon’s Anglican churches will be able to use the new Church Grants database to search for possible funding for their building and community projects, following a collaboration between the Diocese of Exeter and the team behind Church Grants. The website describes itself as the “only church and faith-based focused online grant search engine.” It lists hundreds of local and national funding sources relevant to churches as well as resources to help churches plan a fundraising…
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