CAPTION: Bishop Robert awarding the St Boniface medal to some of the 2019 winners during a service at Exeter Cathedral
St Boniface Awards Are A Chance To Honour Unsung Heroes
The Bishop of Exeter has launched this year’s St Boniface Awards to honour people in Devon’s church communities who have gone above and beyond to “serve with joy” in the county’s churches, church schools and the wider community.
Bishop Robert said he would particularly like to see people being nominated who have been working hard to make a difference during the pandemic.
He said “The pandemic has been a traumatic time for individuals, families and communities everywhere.
Annie Jefferies is one of the judges for the awards and says nominating someone is a great way to thank them
“Here in Devon we have a golden opportunity this spring, through the annual St Boniface Awards, to honour those who have gone the second mile in reaching out to their neighbour.
“Our unsung heroes deserve to be celebrated. Help us to recognise and thank them.”
The annual awards, named after Devon’s patron saint, were launched in 2019 but cancelled last year due to the pandemic.
Winners will be admitted to the Company of St Boniface and invited to receive a special St Boniface medal from Bishop Robert at a service at Exeter Cathedral on 19 June (depending on Covid restrictions).
Nominees need to be practising lay members of an Anglican church or connected to a Church of England School. There is no upper or lower age limit.
“The St Boniface Awards offer a great way for us to acknowledge the wonderful work of some individuals and the impact on their communities.” Rev’d James Grier, Mission Enabler
Bishop Robert said he would love to see nominations for people who have been working to support others during the pandemic
Annie Jefferies, who is one of the awards judges and represents lay members of the Church of England in Devon, said “As Chair of the House of Laity, I would like to really encourage people to put forward the names of individuals who have done so much to help their local communities during the past year of lockdowns .
“It has been an extraordinarily challenging time for everyone and to be able to honour those individuals with a St Boniface medal would be a wonderful way of expressing the thanks and gratitude of the Diocese.”
The Rev’d Prebendary James Grier, Mission Enabler for the Diocese of Exeter, said “There are so many people from churches right across Devon who serve faithfully and sacrificially in normal times and all the more so in times of crisis.
“They do so as part of the outworking of their Christian faith and with no expectation of recognition or reward.
“They simply love in response to their experience of Christ’s love in their own lives.
“The St Boniface Awards offer a wonderful way for us to acknowledge the wonderful work of some individuals and the impact on their communities.
“It is also an opportunity to express our immense gratitude.”
The St Boniface nominations process closes on Tuesday 6 April.
You can download a nomination form here.
