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Devon Church Holds UK’s First Block by Block Baptism
A church in Devon held the UK’s first Block Church baptism recently. All Saints’ Church in Okehampton has been running Block Church for over a year, celebrating its first birthday in September. Block Church invites people of all ages to come and experience a very different and accessible expression of church, and most of the attendees are not regular churchgoers. One of the organisers, Michelle Farrelly and her husband Angus decided it was only natural…
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Pipe Up Devon Scheme is Inspiring the Next Generation of Church Organists
A teenage musician says he values the opportunities the Pipe-Up Devon scheme has given him to learn the church organ, including playing at Christmas services. Pipe Up Devon is the Diocese of Exeter Young Organist’s Training scheme for 11-18 year olds. Samuel Whitfield, 18, had been playing the piano for six years when he started organ lessons He said he heard about Pipe Up Devon from his mum and felt it would be ‘right up…
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Prayer and Pudding on Stir-Up Sunday
A Devon church made the most of Stir-Up Sunday to organise a community Christmas Pudding-making event. Stir-Up Sunday falls on the last Sunday before Advent and is traditionally the day when people make their Christmas puddings. All Saints Church in Okehampton invited people to make their puddings in the town-centre church hall. The afternoon event was organised by Michelle Farrelly, who gathered multiple bowls, aprons, and other cooking implements together, as well as copious quantities…
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Transforming Plymouth Together Gets 750 Requests for Winter Warm Packs for People Struggling to Heat Homes
Transforming Plymouth Together has had 750 requests for Winter Warm Packs to give to people who are struggling to heat their homes this winter. The charity, which is a joint Diocese of Exeter and Church Urban Fund project, decided to create the warm packs for people who would find it difficult to travel to a church or community ‘warm space’ because of transport or mobility issues or mental health reasons. Each pack costs £25 to…
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Bishop of Plymouth Praises Work of NHS Chaplaincy Staff on Derriford Hospital Visit
The new Bishop of Plymouth has seen first-hand the pressures the NHS is facing on his first visit to the city’s Derriford Hospital since he started his new role. The Rt Rev’d James Grier visited an oncology ward and the hospital chaplaincy, meeting with the team of chaplains and a representative from St Luke’s Hospice. Bishop James praised the work of the staff he met. “In just one ward, I met staff from across the…
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Bishop of Plymouth Shares Childhood Memories of Falklands at Remembrance Service
The Bishop of Plymouth has shared his memories of growing-up in the city during the Falklands Conflict in his first Remembrance service since taking-up his new role. The Rt. Rev’d James Grier led this year’s service at the war memorial on Plymouth Hoe. The ceremony is one of the largest in the South West with serving members of the military present, as well as veterans and members of Plymouth City Council and the public. This…
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