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Churches Encouraged to Plant a Tree for the Jubilee
Churches in Devon are being encouraged to plant a new tree in their churchyard as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. The tree planting initiative marks Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee this year and people from across the United Kingdom are being encouraged to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”. The aim is to encourage sustainable tree planting and to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the UK, which will benefit future generations….
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Exeter Diocese Working With Citizens UK to Sponsor Ukrainian Refugees to Come to Devon
The Diocese of Exeter is working with the charity Citizens UK to act as a key sponsor in Devon to co-ordinate providing homes for Ukrainian refugees and help ensure ongoing community support. Around 150 people have already filled-out an expression of interest form saying they would be willing to host a Ukrainian family or individual for at least six months. Citizens UK is part of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme and will be working alongside…
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Community Drama About Torquay’s St Mary Magdalene’s Church Wins Award at Cannes Short Film Festival
A Christian community theatre group based in Torquay has won the Best Original Screenplay Award at the Cannes Short Film Festival for its film The Rich and the Pure. The film, which was made by Unleashed Theatre Company at the height of the pandemic, is a costume drama depicting the gap between the rich and the poor in 1840s Torquay as it became the richest resort in England. It tells the story of St Mary…
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“More Than the Day”: The Importance of Keeping in Touch After Christenings, Weddings and Funerals
Rev’d Canon Sandra Miller, Head of Life Events for the Church of England, says churches often underestimate the importance of keeping in touch with families after a christening, baptism, wedding or funeral. She was speaking at the Diocese of Exeter’s recent Life Events Conference in Tiverton and Newton Abbot. Referring to research done by the Church of England Life Events team, Sandra said, “The number one thing we found that makes the difference between whether…
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Bishop of Plymouth Reflects How Prayer Stops Us Being Powerless in the Face of War in Ukraine
The Bishop of Plymouth, the Right Reverend Nick McKinnel, shares his reflection on the situation in Ukraine and the power of our prayers at this time: Writing as I am in mid-March, the world is overshadowed by the war in Ukraine. With Russian troops closing in on Kyiv and Western politicians powerless to intervene, the news is dominated by devastating pictures of violent destruction. Tanks are on the streets, refugees flooding across borders, frightened old…
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Devon Churches Hold Prayer Vigils and Collect Donations for Ukraine
Churches across Devon have held prayer vigils for peace in Ukraine, with many Christians in the county also choosing to mark Ash Wednesday as a day of prayer and fasting for Ukraine. A prayer vigil was also held at Exeter Cathedral, where the columns were lit up in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag. It was attended by the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev’d Jackie Searle, who said “We lit candles…
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