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Choir Church at Devon School Equips Children Musically for Life and Worship
A Choir initiative which encourages children and young people to learn and develop musical skills has been flourishing throughout it’s first year of launching in a primary school in Devon, St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy, in Exeter, began a Choir Church scheme in January 2024. Choir Church is a national initiative, which was first planted in St George in the East Church, in East London. It is built around children’s choirs in schools,…
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Bishop of Exeter’s New Chaplain a former teacher and parish priest
The Rev’d Jo Stobart has been appointed as the Bishop of Exeter’s new chaplain. She will succeed the Rev’d Jane Chamberlain, who is retiring in February after over two years in the role. Rev’d Stobart is currently Vicar of Ilminster and Whitelackington, and Area Dean of Somerset South in the Bath & Wells diocese. Jo said “I grew-up in west London and, excluding my time at university in Yorkshire, during my adult life it seems…
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Bishop Jackie’s New Year Message
Bishop Jackie shares a New Year Message for 2025: For the last few years my husband has made a calendar, featuring photos from the past year, as a Christmas gift for family. Each month reveals a happy reminder from the previous year – a family wedding, a beautiful walk, a sunny holiday. What it can’t do is look ahead – this is where you will be in the coming year! That’s just not possible. As…
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Bishop of Exeter to Visit Exeter Prison and St Petrock’s Homelessness Charity on Christmas Day
The new Bishop of Exeter will begin his first Christmas Day in Devon by leading the Midnight Communion service at Exeter Cathedral, before visiting a prison and a homelessness centre, as well as spending time with his own family. The Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison was enthroned as the 72nd Bishop of Exeter in November. On 25 December he will visit Exeter Prison to lead a Christmas service, before travelling onto the city’s St Petrock’s…
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Bishop Mike’s Christmas Message
I love Christmas, and one of the things I most love is getting ready for it, the sense of anticipation and expectation. Whether that’s decorating trees, buying presents or cooking as a way of preparing hospitality for friends, family and other guests. Personally, I love baking, and this year I have a great new sausage-roll-with-all-the-trimmings recipe that I am trying out! That spirit of generosity to others seems to me to be at the heart…
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Two Headteachers Commissioned in their New Roles at a Church Christingle Service
On Sunday 8th December, the children, families and the local community of Ilsington gathered together for an advent and Christingle service, which saw the commissioning of two new Headteachers in their roles. Kat Williams, the new Headteacher at Ilsington Church of England Primary School who started in her post in September 2024, was commissioned alongside Russell Pearson, the new Headteacher at Blackpool Church of England Primary School who began his post in January 2024. The…
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