GOOD NEWS FROM THE JANUARY 2015 NEW YEAR, DEVON NEW BEGINNINGS Enjoy a Devon Fair and Local T HAPPENS that for Christians. We know I’m writing this as we’ve not arrived at the full Cream Tea in I contemplate the maturity of Christ towards excesses of Christmas which we strive, and that we Fairtrade Fortnight The Rev Gary Deighton, , Paignton Mission Community from a safe distance. are always and only in the IBy the time the New Year process of becoming what S FAIRTRADE Fortnight Social Responsibility O cer Sally Farrant rolls in I will, like millions of God would have us be. This approaches (23 February – says, “We enjoy our food in Devon and others, think that I need to side of the Trump of Doom 8 March 2015) communities respect the farmers who produce ingredients get a grip: less food, less we will not reach perfection, throughout Devon are being whether here in Devon or around the world. drink, more exercise, stop and yet are called to press called to put on a special cream This is a great way to celebrate God’s heart turning into a body double on towards that prize, JONATHAN DRAPER, OF EXETER Atea event, using not only Fairtrade products of love and justice with our wider community.” for Mr Blobby! etc – we all towards the full Christ-like but also local produce. Bishop Robert says, “I am very pleased know the drill. The New maturity which will be our about fi tness of body, or The idea is to organise a Devon Fair and that we as a diocese are promoting Fairtrade Year often provides the state when we see God face even only about fi tness of Local Cream Tea in your local community and linking it with our local producers. Devon excuse and the opportunity, to face. The fundamental body and mind: our spiritual using as many Fairtrade products as possible, has some wonderful food producers and and lots of hopeful gym spiritual truth for Christians health and fi tness needs such as sugar and tea, and then try to source agriculture and food production are still key memberships will be bought is: change is all there is. attending to as well. This the rest such as milk, butter, jam to the local economy. This is my fi rst Fairtrade and resolutions made. The rhythm of the year, period between Christmas or even fl our, from local farm shops or Fortnight in the diocese and I look forward to ‘Behold, I make all things even of the liturgical year, and Easter is a good time farmers markets. sampling some Devon cream teas!” new’; ‘a new heaven and a can be a tool for that to get spiritually fi t through new earth’; ‘put o the old change, for reminding us studying the way in which self…and put on the new’. that we are not what we Jesus lives the love of God Our Scriptures are also full would be, we are not yet in the world. It’s the best way IDEAS FOR MARKING FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT: of exhortations to renewal what God would have us be. to a ‘new you’. Organise a Fairtrade cream tea after a service or during the week. Or make it an evening – of our minds, and hearts So when you’re pumping out and invite people to come round. Show a Fairtrade clip and enjoy yummy refreshments and our relationship to God iron, or running marathons, together. Try a ‘dress up your teapot’ competition. Treat your refreshment volunteers and and to each other. While it or scrambling up Dartmoor explore Fairtrade and local produce together. And do let us know how you get on. For more might seem ironic to say it, on your mountain bike (or ideas email [email protected] when it takes so long in the none of the above in my Church to change anything, case…) remember that our change is the normal state new beginnings are not only THE CHRISTIAN RESOURCES EXHIBITION is returning to Devon in February. CRE South West will run from 10am to 5pm in Westpoint, Exeter on 10 and 11 February. Alongside the 120+ Christian exhibitors, CRE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Diocesan Communications Unit DIOCESE there are books, music and resources, multimedia equipment, seminars www.exeter.anglican.org OF EXETER and the best in Christian theatre and music. CRE have teamed up with back in twitter.com/cofedevon THE CHURCH the Diocese to give away free tickets to the event. See next month’s OF ENGLAND DEVON facebook search diocese of exeter IN DEVON magazine for a full article and how to get your free tickets. Exeter Win a Lent course taster pack Free training event OOKING FOR A LENT COURSE? Here’s a chance to win a taster pack of a brand new ARISH MAGAZINE EDITORS are invited to a free training event with lunch at The ecumenical course produced by York Courses. Usually priced £17.65, the pack includes Old Deanery from 10.30am – 2.30pm on 25 February. This is an opportunity to get a course booklet and a CD with transcript booklet. Praise Him – songs some good ideas about how to make the best of your magazine. There will also be a of praise in the New Testament is the title of the fi ve-session course short session on parish websites. Places are limited. Book by 17th February. To join us written by Paula Gooder and with a host of contributors email Publications O cer Revd Nicky Davies at [email protected] Lincluding the Archbishop of Canterbury and Sister Wendy P Beckett. To enter send an email by 16 December with the subject Praise Him including your name and postal address to [email protected]. The winner will be picked out of the hat on this date.

HOST A HUSTINGS for the common good

N THE RUN UP to the General Election on Thursday adventure with God 7 May, there is a call by the Devon Church and Society Ecumenical Network for more churches a e across the county to host hustings, o ering local ’ OR KATIE DREW Katie, husband Ian and everything we have here. It MPs a chance to present their views for people to of Feniton who daughters Lara and Erin, made me realise that my faith Iquestion them. was confi rmed 10 spent three months needed to be lived out seven Martyn Goss, Director of Church and Society says, years ago, her faith undertaking voluntary work days a week. I was asking “We need to be voting mindfully with a concern for those came alive and real in Honiara the Islands’ capital questions like: How do I live who are vulnerable, and to choose what benefi ts the Fwhen she took her family and the girls attended the out my faith? How do I talk to wider community, not our narrow selfi sh interests. Let’s on a three-month trip to the Norman Palmer School which other people about this?” vote for that which promotes the good of all - not just a Solomon Islands two is twinned with their school As a result of that change, tax break that suits us!” years ago. in Feniton. Katie took on the role of In the light of the lowest turnout in living memory at She says, “I wanted to go The experience was Executive O cer for the STO the last three elections, Christians are urged to engage on an adventure with God. I one which has changed Melanesian Mission and now with the election and to think about the issues that a ect thought it would be good to them all. The girls, the only spends her time working all of us: the economy, debt and austerity; Europe and experience another culture, white children in the school, to support the work of the P PRESS immigration; the environment; the NHS and education. to compare the way we “coped and thrived” says mission and to enhance live and worship here with Katie and as for herself the links. Useful resources: another country.” she says, “I became really Sharing stories is a big T has been VOTEWISE 2015: Making a di erence at the ballot Katie, who was then close to God as I witnessed part of that work. Katie announced box and beyond is the title of a new book produced working as parish their daily dependence on fi nishes, “If we can all try to that The Bishop by The Jubilee Centre. It’s described as a ‘reassuring, administrator in Ottery God. They were asking God live our lives with a mission of Crediton the Rt accessible and enjoyable guide’. £8.50. St Mary spoke to her for things all the time and focus we can spread the Revd Nick McKinnel Visit www.jubilee-centre.org the Rev Simon Franklin grateful for everything word through our stories and Iwill be the next Bishop of who suggested Melanesia, they had.” spread the good news of the Plymouth. See the next HELPFUL TIPS: A fact sheet to help you plan an event is because of the strong links She adds, “Coming back gospel. The gospel is life edition for further details. available by emailing [email protected] between our dioceses. it made me grateful for in Melanesia.”