NOVEMBER 2020 90 PENCE
Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey Advertising If you are interested in advertising in this magazine the cost is £55 per annum for an advertisement eighth A4 page (landscape 90mm x 60mm) and £95 for a quarter A4 size (portrait 90mm x 130mm). Please contact Rose Grisman - [email protected] - for more information.
Magazine readers please note that we are unable to guarantee the services provided by any of our advertisers. If responding to advertisers please do mention that you saw their advertisement in the Crediton Benefice Community Parish Magazine. Thank you.
Contacts in the In this month’s magazine: Contact and Pastoral Care Crediton Benefice Community Page 2 RECTOR Rector’s Notes The Reverend Matthew Tregenza 01363 894038 Page 3 PRIEST AT SANDFORD News from around the Benefice The Reverend Paul Fillery 01363 777372 Page 4 LICENSED READERS Matthew - New Rural Dean Carol Price 01647 24468 Page 6 Sandra Collier 01363 777013 Christmas Tree Festival PARISH OFFICE Page 7 Parish Administrator: Gill Lee Yeoford Church - Help Needed (Tuesday and Friday 9.30am – 12.30pm) Page 12 The Boniface Centre, Church Lane, Crediton, EX17 2AH Reading the Bible 01363 773226 [email protected] Page 14 Website: www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk Sunday Worship CLERK TO THE CHURCH GOVERNORS Page 15 Sandra Thresher 01363 85467 [email protected] Thika Link Report Centre Pages CHURCHWARDENS The Giving Machine / Amazon Smile Crediton: Sheila Ralph, Mike May, Peter Brewer Page 16 Sandford: Linda Bennett-Smith, Chris Tucker Shobrooke: Rosemary Barber, John Lee Life in Lockdown - Part 8 Yeoford: Carol Price (Licensed Reader) Page 20 Posbury: Fiona Mortimer (Chairman), Ruth Vigers (Treasurer) Congratulations to James Mitchell DIRECTOR OF MUSIC (ACTING) Page 23 Richard Stephens 01363 775170 [email protected] Message from the Archbishops BELL TOWER Page 24 Tower Captain: Geoff Sparling 01363 776681 GROW - Lay Learning Courses [email protected] Page 26 BONIFACE CENTRE BOOKINGS Plus regular features: Robin Lavery 01363 772536 [email protected] Choir Notes – Page 22 CREDITON MOTHERS’ UNION Friends of Crediton Church – Page 17 Anne Jerman 01363 772865 From the Archives – Page 28 Mothers’ Union – Page 25 HOLY CROSS FACEBOOK PAGE Prayer Diary – Page 10 James Turner [email protected] Reverberations – Page 14 PARISH MAGAZINE Rhymes and Things – Page 18 Editor and Advertising: Rose Grisman 1 Dokkum Road, Crediton, EX17 3DJ To all contributors to the magazine 07972 028069 [email protected] The deadline for items to be included Distribution: Kathleen Hughes 01363 777371 in the DECEMBER edition If you would like a copy of the magazine delivered each of the magazine is month please contact Gill Lee or Kathleen Hughes SUNDAY 15th NOVEMBER Thank you for your co-operation Annual subscription £9 ********** © ROOTS for Churches Ltd 2002-2013. Material in Prayer Diary Distribution of the magazine will be reproduced with permission www.rootsontheweb.com by delivery and email, and hard copies will be available at All articles and correspondence in this magazine reflect the Evans Newsagents from views of the writers and should not be read otherwise SATURDAY 28th NOVEMBER
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NOVEMBER SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Please note that these services may be subject to change, depending on the guidelines in place at the time.
CREDITON SANDFORD SHOBROOKE Others YEOFORD 8.00 Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00 All Souls 1 Nov 9.30 Holy Communion 10.00 Holy Communion POSBURY All Saints 11.00 Holy Communion 6pm All Souls 11.00 Holy Communion (BCP)
8.00 Holy Communion (BCP) 8 Nov 10.15 Remembrance 10.45 Remembrance YEOFORD 10.15 Civic Service Remembrance Service Service 9.30 Holy Communion Sunday 6pm Requiem Eucharist
8.00 Holy Communion (BCP) 9.30 Holy Communion POSBURY 15 Nov 11.00 Holy Communion 10.00 Holy Communion 11.00 Holy Communion 2 before Advent 6pm Sacred Space (BCP) at St Lawrence Chapel
8.00 Holy Communion (BCP) 9.30 Holy Communion YEOFORD 22 Nov 10.00 Holy Communion 11.00 Holy Communion Christ the King 11.00 Holy Communion 10.00 Family Service 6pm Said Compline
8.00 Holy Communion (BCP) 9.30 Holy Communion 29 Nov 10.00 Holy Communion Advent 1 11.00 Holy Communion 6pm Advent Carols
Contact and Pastoral Care during the ‘Lockdown’ Gill has been able to return to working in the Parish Office but due to Covid-19 working restrictions, please don’t call at the office but continue to make contact by telephone (01363 773226) or email [email protected]. There is also lots of information and the resources for the Sunday services on the church website: www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk And don’t forget the Holy Cross Crediton Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ CreditonParishChurch/ where you can also view the Sunday service. You don’t need to have a Facebook account to view the posts that have been made. There are Pastoral Care arrangements in place. Do contact the Pastoral Care group by email: [email protected] or phone Matthew (01363 894038) or Stella Stephens (07960 388198) if you, or someone you know, needs some help or would appreciate a phone call. Please use the same contact details to offer help. There are a small number of people where we are helping with shopping in particular and the team are also maintaining telephone contact with the church family.
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Rector’s Notes winter world. We find it echoed in the psalms: ‘My soul waits of the Lord like a November is the month for remembering. watchman for daybreak’ At the very beginning of the month we have All Saints and All Souls, followed by This year we shall have All Souls services Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. on Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November at Holy Cross and on In the very act of remembering we bring Monday 2nd November at St Lawrence to mind someone or an event... we draw Chapel. These services provide on the memories which we have and we opportunities for us to remember make those memories present to us. As together those who have been important human beings, remembering with our to us. By remembering we keep their minds can also evoke feelings in our memories alive and by bringing them to hearts too. Remembering can be an mind we too can somehow keep their emotional journey and it can be healing presence in our lives. too. Often we light candles as a sign of When we remember we bring to mind remembering and, like the remembrance someone or something; we draw on our of God, we do something too. As we light memories. But, of course, because we’re the candle we say a prayer for that human beings, what we remember with person. The candle light reminds us that our minds evokes feeling in our hearts we too have the opportunity to share the and in our bodies. Our memories may light of hope, that we carry, with others. make us feel warm and comforted – they When you are in a dark place, the warmth may fill us with joy, or they may fill us of a smile or a kind word can mean a lot. with sadness, sorrow and regret – they may make us feel low. It may feel that the light we offer to others is very small and insignificant in Zakar is a Hebrew word from the Old times of much darkness, but each time it Testament meaning to remember, recall, is shared it is not halved but doubled. or call to mind, but when God remembers Together we really can make a difference his people, he also does something for to each other. them such as bringing them out of exile. When God remembers us, he does Remembering is important and it is something for us as well. When Jesus important that we are gentle with took bread and wine – simple ingredients ourselves and give ourselves time and on the Passover table and commanded us space in which to do our remembering. to do this in remembrance of me, I can't Your friend and Rector help but wonder whether there was something of his own hope that he would Matthew Tregenza be remembered and his mission passed on, as well as a desire to give his disciples some way of keeping his memory alive FROM THE CHURCH REGISTERS when he was gone. OF THE BENEFICE 2020 November is a month in which the days Funerals continue to shorten and it is not September 10 Rex Rothwell-Jackson coincidence perhaps that as the days September 25 Violet Seldon shorten, human beings have found October 8 Maurice Wonnacott symbols of light to remind them of the October 9 Jean Fryer hope that lies beneath our cold and bleak
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News from around the Benefice for us all. And as Anne Tucker commented, ‘nature is the real winner Sandford here.’ with Upton Hellions A presentation took place on Friday 23rd As the Autumn colours appear October in the Churchyard and we are throughout the Parish, we are turning our delighted to have been granted this thoughts to Remembrance Day, along award. with the necessity for a much-reduced Parish Act of Remembrance. We have yet Our second item of good news concerns to finalise our plans as I write this, but it Beacon Church at Newbuildings. The roof is certain that our usual crowded time in of the church and the large windows at the Square will not be taking place this both the east and west end of the year due to COVID restrictions. That said, building are now leaking badly and the we hope to provide opportunity and ingress of water has started to damage suggestions as to how we can remember the building significantly. We decided to together as a community despite the pursue repairs this year before the winter limitations that we face. really sets in. We recently approached a number of small charities, to see if we On a brighter note, we have two items of could secure grants for the shortfall of great news from around the Parish. £9,600.00 needed to complete the Firstly, St Swithun’s Church has been essential works. To our joy and awarded the prize of Runner-Up in this amazement we have now raised year’s ‘CPRE’S Devon’s Best Churchyard £9,300.00 to date; the scaffolding is now Competition’. We are hugely proud of Jean up and the roof will be started by the Hope and her Churchyard Team who have time you read this article. We are so worked so diligently during the year to pleased to be able to make Beacon improve the churchyard as a green-space. Church dry and secure for the winter season, and like everyone we look Jean recalls that, ‘We first entered the forward to the day when we can meet competition three years ago and it again without restrictions. coincided with needing to find a new grass cutter and having an extra piece of Blessings land gifted to the churchyard. A small Paul Fillery team drew up a management plan to make the churchyard environmentally Shobrooke more diverse, more colourful, plastic-free We have continued to hold Sunday and people friendly. The very green Steve morning services every fortnight at St (McCullock) took over cutting the grass in Swithun’s and our numbers have been a very sympathetic way, and also offered slightly higher than they were before the us a lot of eco advice. And three years lockdown which is encouraging. later we have more wildflowers, spring The services are certainly enhanced by bulbs along the edges, bird boxes, bat the organ-playing of Geoff and Peter and boxes and a bug hotel. There is noticeably we are very grateful to them for fitting us more wildlife from insects to birds, small in amongst their many other mammals to slow worms. And there are commitments. It certainly was not the now 6 fine benches around the same when one Sunday we had to resort churchyard looking over the village or to the music on the church iPad! Ours has farther afield to Dartmoor. Thank you to a will of its own, and on this occasion it so many people who have contributed in was reluctant to play when we wanted it a variety of ways, this is a great accolade to, but then insisted on bursting into the
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next hymn before we were ready for it! Fiona Mortimer represented St Luke’s We entered the recent churchyard congregation at the commissioning of Rev competition for the first time thanks to Matthew Tregenza as the Rural Dean. We Lesley Browne and a team of volunteers, most sincerely congratulate Matthew on and were pleased to be awarded a his appointment, and look forward to Certificate of Merit. We send our supporting him in his endeavours in the congratulations to our friends at St wider deanery. Our second service in Swithun’s, Sandford for being the October actually coincided with the Runners Up in this year’s competition. Festival of St Luke, and Matthew took the Also in mid October some of the team of service. volunteers tackled combatting the ivy on Julie Cole has decided to stand down the cob walls and other necessary tasks, from the Committee, and we thank her and we are very grateful to them. for all her input to the work of St Luke’s Everyone in Shobrooke was sad in over many years. October to say Farewell to our loved postman Roger Davey. Roger has been Fiona Mortimer delivering post to our village for 25 of his 31 years as a postman. He always went Holy Trinity Yeoford the extra mile in getting to know us all We have celebrated Harvest at Yeoford and keeping a close eye on those who rather differently this year. The church needed an eye kept on them. We all wish was decorated with beautiful flowers and him a long and happy retirement. fruit. We had a lovely service with Rosemary Barber Antonia giving the talk. We collected for Churchwarden the Crediton food bank as usual but we Tel: 01363 773419 couldn’t sing the wonderful harvest Email: [email protected] hymns but John played the tunes and we sung in our head. We missed the harvest St Luke’s Posbury lunch but hope to be back to normal next year. The Harvest Thanksgiving Service was held on Sunday 4th October. Revd David In November we switch our services Francis, and Anna Mortimer lead the having the first service of Holy prayers relating to the offerings of Communion on the second Sunday on vegetables and roots, cereals, fruit and Remembrance Sunday and the fourth dairy produce. Numbers were lower than Sunday will be the Family Service. normal, and we were not able to offer the We are still fund raising for the Toilet and normal spread of a Posbury Harvest Tea Kitchen project through GoFundMe. [See due to the current restrictions, however page 12 in this magazine for details - Ed] Christopher Bailey did a sterling job of auctioning the window displays, that had Services for November: been specially adapted to reduce 8th November - Remembrance Sunday handling, in order to raise £123 which Holy Communion - 9.30am will be shared between the League of 22nd November Friends at Chiddenbrook and New Valley Family Service - 10am Surgeries. The service was shown live on Facebook as we still have some people Prayers: who are not able to join the services at Mondays November 2nd, 16th and 30th the church. We hope to continue to do 9.10am till 9.30am this as often as possible. Carol Price 01647 24468
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Matthew Commissioned as “How much do you get paid?” one naïve PCC member asked, not realising the New Rural Dean rewards this side of heaven amount to headaches and a quickly acquired competence in dealing with open churchyards. You don’t even get a lovely title. One feels that if bishops are Right Reverend, and deans Very Reverend, and archbishops Most Reverend, then deans rural might be Vaguely Reverend, or Rather Reverend, or a Bit Reverend. But given the lack of filthy lucre, perhaps it is for the best that one’s headed paper does not need to change.
Matthew’s received his commission as the new Rural Dean of Cadbury Deanery on 12th October at Holy Cross L to R: Laura Armstrong, Lay Chair of Cadbury Deanery Cadbury Deanery Synod; the Ven. Andrew A couple of times recently, I have heard Beane, Archdeacon of Exeter; Matthew; people asking which parishes fall within David Brassington; and Bishop Jackie Cadbury Deanery. The Deanery is It was lovely to welcome clergy, readers currently arranged into four Mission and representatives from parishes across Communities (MCs) as follows: the Deanery to the service. Netherexe MC – Brampford Speke, Cadbury, Newton St Cyres, Rewe with Netherexe, Stoke Canon with Huxham, Thorverton and Upton Pyne Somewhat Reverend – Crediton Benefice MC – Crediton, the new Rural Dean Sandford with Upton Hellions and Shobrooke (This piece was written by a member of North Creedy East MC – Cheriton clergy elsewhere in the Church of England Fitzpaine, Kennerleigh, Poughill, who had just been commissioned as Rural Puddington, Stockleigh English (although Dean. Two of the four Mission this becomes a Chapel of Ease to Cheriton Communities (a total of 18 parishes) in Fitzpaine in January 2021), Stockleigh Cadbury Deanery are in vacancy so this Pomeroy, Washford Pyne and certainly strikes a chord!) Woolfardisworthy East My gifts as an animateur of congregations North Creedy West MC – Bow, may not be up to much, but I am about to Clannaborough, Coleford, Coldridge, learn some new skills; for I have been Down St Mary, Knowle, Lapford, made Rural Dean. Members of my PCC, Morchard Bishop, Nymet Rowland and bless them, thought this was a great Zeal Monachorum honour, and received the news with acclaim, not realising that half the A quick look at a map will give you an deanery was in vacancy, and the other idea of the spread of the Deanery and its half were too overworked to do the job, rural parishes. and so the poor Bishop had no-one to Anne Jerman pick on but me. 6
Saturday 5th December and Sunday Christmas Tree Festival 2020 6th December at 6pm – ‘Family Carols ‘Comfort and Joy’ from Holy Cross’ – Come and hear readings and carols sung by Holy Cross The Final Plan (so far) Choir (no congregational singing yet!). Thank you all for your patience in The ‘Big’ tree will be shining. As seating is awaiting the decision. As you can well limited prior booking is recommended – imagine we have thought long and hard please contact Anne Jerman – 01363 about the feasibility of a Christmas Tree 772865 or email Festival this year. We have been [email protected] to book awaiting the final decision by the your place. Governors and sadly we are unable to The Family Carols from Holy Cross will have a Festival in its usual format this also be streamed on the Church’s year. However we have plenty of Facebook page from 6pm on Sunday 6th exciting activities planned. Please see December and will include images from details below and further updates in the previous Christmas Tree Festivals along Crediton Courier, Parish Newsheet, on with words to carols so you can sing the Church Website and Facebook along at home and replay over the festive pages. period. Firstly, a massive thank you to all those As with the Flower Festival these events that have already shown a huge amount are all about YOU – so we have also set up of support especially those who competitions too – details below. volunteered to marshal. Please do not take all the dates out of your diary as We hope that we will be able to bring you Sue Lavery still requires volunteers for ‘Comfort and Joy’ during these the Boniface Centre on Saturday 5th challenging times and look forward to December – please see Sue’s notice in seeing you at the 2021 Festival. the magazine for more details. Competitions Secondly, dates for your diary….. Colouring Competition The Church is going to be floodlit from We have created a picture celebrating the the beginning of Advent on the 29th nativity and this year’s theme of ‘Comfort November until Epiphany on the 6th and Joy’ for you to colour in – anyone January 2021. The ‘Big’ tree will also be under the age of 16 can submit a picture lit up every evening to shine through for the competition. However you are from inside the Church conveying the never too old or too young to colour it in!! message of ‘Comfort and Joy’. If you Please post your finished coloured would like to help towards the cost of picture in at the Boniface Centre or leave the electricity in memory of a loved one it in the box in Crediton Parish Church. please email The pictures will then be used as part of [email protected] or the Online Crib Service which will be phone Stella on 07960388198. There aired at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve will be opportunities to display and (24th December). The winning pictures publish the names of loved ones will be published in the courier and also dependent on individual preferences. displayed (details still to be confirmed). Saturday 5th December – the Boniface Christmas Card Competition Centre will be open from 10am- 12.30pm and then again from 2.30- The Church of England’s Christmas theme 5.45pm for a Cafe and the usual stalls. this year is ‘Comfort and Joy’. For the
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competition please make a card Boniface Centre encompassing what gives you ‘Comfort and Joy’. After judging, the cards will be Tree Festival Café delivered to care homes in and around You will see elsewhere that the decision Crediton and to those that are has been made that it will not be housebound. The winning cards will also possible to hold the Tree Festival due to be printed and published in the courier the current government guidelines. and on the church’s social media. However, we intend to operate the cafe Depending on how many cards we have in the Boniface Centre on Saturday 5th depends on how many people we can December only, prior to the Family deliver to – it would be lovely to have one Carol Service. The cafe will be open for everyone in Crediton. To enter please from 10am to 12.30pm and 2.30 to make your Christmas card no bigger than 5.45pm. A5 and please write your name and contact details on the back. Please post There will be a restriction on numbers your finished Christmas card in at the as we have to follow the “Rule of 6” Boniface Centre or leave it in the box in where seating will be arranged in pods Crediton Parish Church. of 6 but socially distanced. This will mean a severe reduction in the numbers Winning pictures and cards will be that we can accommodate and there will published in the Crediton Courier as well have to be controls over movement of as uploaded to the Crediton Festivals people in the building. We want to Facebook page and Bishop Furry’s reassure people that all measures are Facebook page and church website. being taken to ensure that the The closing date for submissions is guidelines are observed. Sunday 6th December. For any other We will not be able to provide lunches, queries please phone Stella on 07960 I’m afraid, but coffee/tea/cakes/cream 388198 or email teas will be available. This will enable [email protected]. people to have tea before going to the It is free entry to this competition and Family Carol Service at 6pm. you can submit as many pictures or The usual stalls will be situated in the Christmas Cards as you like. Please feel Centre: Church shop, Bric-a-brac and free to share the competition and Bridge Books. colouring outline with all your friends far and wide. There will be a meeting for Caterers on Wednesday 4th November at 10.30am Stella Stephens in the Boniface Centre to decide on the Festivals Coordinator details of the organisation of the Cafe . Please come and be part of the planning to help us to do what we can! We shall, of course, need cakes! Please start baking and use the Boniface Centre freezer to store in advance. Life must go on and we have to adapt. We need to be part of Christmas in Crediton as usual and provide a welcome. Sue Lavery
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Prayer Diary for November 1st – 4th before Advent – All Saints – Almighty 16th – Pray for all the people that read the lessons God, give us grace so to follow your blessed Saints in or lead the intercessions throughout the Benefice. all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to 17th – Reflect on the problems experienced by those unspeakable joys, which you have prepared for people with no permanent home and the homeless those who truly love you. as tomorrow we remember St Elizabeth of 2nd – All Souls – Merciful God, on this day we are Hungary, their patron saint. called to remember those who have died, 18th – Ask for God’s blessing on all the members particularly those who have died in the past year, of Cadbury Deanery Synod as it meets this evening. and pray for their joyful reunion with you, their 19th – Pray for the work and help given by loving creator. Crediton Citizens Advice Bureau. 3rd – Give thanks for the work of Mandy 20th – Today we remember St Cecilia, patron saint Tomlinson at Holy Cross and for all those people of music and musicians. Give thanks for our church across the Benefice that keep us safe at Sunday and local choirs and the enjoyment they bring to services. both singers and listeners. 4th – This is Stress Awareness Day. Pray for 21st – Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful everyone with mental health issues as they try to people, that they bringing forth the fruit of good cope at this difficult time. works, may by you be richly rewarded: through Jesus 5th – The Church is the only society that exists for Christ Our Lord – Stir Up Sunday tomorrow 22nd the benefit of those who are not its members - November William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury who is 22nd – Christ the King – Next before Advent – remembered tomorrow. Oh Jesus, You are the King of Glory, You are the Lord 6th – Pray today for all prisoners, captives and of Lords, and King of Kings. And we pray that your slaves both at home and abroad as today we Kingdom will reign forever in our hearts and in this remember their Patron Saint, St Leonard. world. 7th – Give thanks for the return of the choir to 23rd – Prayer for Matthew and Antonia, Paul and Sunday services at Holy Cross and pray for Richard Tracey, our Readers and retired clergy as they lead ad Stella Stephens in their work to achieve this. us through these challenging times. 8th – 3rd before Advent – Remembrance 24th – Prayer is a sacred and appointed means to Sunday – Gracious God, on this day, when we obtain all the blessings that we want, whether they remember past and present conflicts, we pray for the relate to this life or the life to come – Isaac Watts divided peoples of the world, that leaders, who is remembered tomorrow. governments and each one of us may use our 25th – Ask for God’s blessing on Crediton PCC resources, our opportunities and our lives in the which meets tonight. May the members show service of reconciliation, for the sake of future wisdom and discernment in all their decisions. generations. 26th – Pray for the staff and users of the Crediton 9th – Pray for the work of the Royal British Legion, Children’s Centre. the members of all the Armed Forces serving at 27th – Pray for the members of Sister Act. home and abroad and the local Cadet Force. 28th – Give thanks for the work of the 5 charities 10th – Ask for God’s blessing on all those involved supported by Crediton PCC – Connect, Christian with local charitable and voluntary organisations. Aid, CMS, Mission to Seafarers and the Farming 11th – Lord, if your people need me, I will not refuse Community Network. the work. Your will be done – St Martin of Tours 29th – Advent Sunday – God of hope and promise, who is remembered today. be with us throughout this Advent season and draw 12th – Pray for the members of Devon & Somerset us ever closer as we journey together toward the Fire & Rescue, especially at Crediton Fire Station. stable and the birth of your Son, our Saviour – 13th – Open Doors – Serving Persecuted johnbirch@faithandworship Christians Worldwide – "Our prayers can go 30th – St Andrew – Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of where we cannot" - Brother Andrew, founder. our life’s wild restless sea. Day by day his sweet voice 14th – Ask for God’s blessing on the work of all our soundeth, saying ‘Christian, follow me’. As of old Pastoral Carers and the Healing Ministry team in Saint Andrew heard it by the Galilean lake, turned Crediton. from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for His 15th – 2nd before Advent – Father, send us to dear sake – Mrs C.F. Alexander bring help to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. Prayer of the Month Send us to tell the world the good news of your He prayeth best, who loveth best healing love. Send us to those who mourn, to bring All things both great and small; joy and gladness instead of grief. Hear our prayer For the dear God who loveth us, and make us one in mind and heart to serve you in He made and loveth all. Christ our Lord. Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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Help Needed remaining £5000 to build a toilet and for Yeoford Church kitchen for everyone’s comfort. As most of you will know we have a Donate by going online to GoFundMe - problem at the church in Yeoford because https://uk.gofundme.com/f/yeoford- when the Village hall was sold we lost the church-toilet-amp-kitchen-fund facilities that we shared with the hall. Or contact Carol Price on 01647 24468. This is a particular problem when families and friends travel to Yeoford for Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms especially when they have travelled several miles. Church Shop The church is also used for a cafe on Monday mornings that is very popular The church shop now as a limited with many residents. We would like to number of items on display. As well as the expand this to a lunch club for our 2021 calendar (£7) and Christmas Cards residents. We also have a library so (£2.70 for a pack of five cards), there are anyone can borrow books. The school also some tree ornaments and Snowman uses the church for services and brooches for sale. Do have a look at the performances but maybe could make shop. Please try to only handle an item if more use of it if we had toilets. you intend to buy it as this reduces the risk of spreading infection. If you can't We have planning permission for a see an item on display that you know is kitchen and disabled toilet with baby normally stocked and that you would like changing facilities and are in the process to buy, please speak to Anne Jerman on of getting a faculty from the Church of 01363 772865. England. Since then we have been raising money for the past two years and hopefully have funding from the Churches Trust if we can match fund. Several fundraising Garden of Remembrance events we had planned this year have had to be cancelled so I am appealing for money from the village and friends to help us to continue the work of supporting the village both practically and spiritually. We are completely self- supporting and the only grant we get is from the parish council for grass cutting. So if you would like to see the church there for family events such as Weddings Funerals and Baptisms or to support the residents with the cafe or lunch clubs; Or if you have members of the family in the church yard and would like to see the grounds kept up; Or if you come to Dedication of the Holy Cross church regularly or at Christmas, Harvest Garden of Remembrance or Easter; Or even if you just enjoy the garden, please help us to raise the Saturday 24th October 2020
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Parish Link with Message from Makongeni in Thika Brian Threlfall We have recently heard from Beth I think most of Crediton knows that Mary Kinyanjui, our Link contact in Makongeni. and I are moving on. We have decided She writes:- that because of age and related health “May you receive Christian greetings from issues, it would be sensible to right size Makongeni Parish. and live closer to our second son (first We are doing very fine here and everyone son is established with wife and family in including Ven. Solomon and the other Singapore). clergy are fine. Churches were now We came to Crediton 20 years ago reopened and we have already adjusted to knowing nobody. The main attraction for the new normal although it's very us to the town was the friendliness of the expensive to conduct service due to the people. We were accepted on face value many requirements and measures that the without question. Experience told us that government has put in place to make sure as incomers to any community, county or the place is safe for our Christians. All the country, one cannot expect local people to same we are happy for the progress so far come to them; you must go to them, and hoping that this pandemic will one day be the Parish Church, along with other a history to all of us. Last month we had a agencies, provided that route for us. meeting at our diocese where all the link I am, therefore, using this space to thank secretaries were invited and they were members of the congregation for happy to hear that our link is active. We accepting Mary and me with Kirtonian thank God for that. kindness and Christian spiritual Our schools will also be opened on Monday friendship. The Rev Nigel Guthrie 12th October 2020 and since we do have described Mary as a welcome ecumenical an academy here, we are now very busy dimension! We were raised in the North preparing our classes before then. West and our marriage 60 years ago was We wish you well and I can't forget to tell labelled ‘Mixed’ and not really approved you that Rose has been sending the of by all denominations. Long live magazine every month. Say hey to her. Crediton’s approach to Christian unity! Regards Beth” We leave with regret but with many happy memories of being part Crediton See the centre pages of this magazine Parish Church. for a full update from Thika. Brian and Mary Threlfall
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Reading the Bible Reverberations I read Guideline with my husband and from the Tower during October there was a section I You might have noticed that recently the would like to share with you. The bells have been ringing slightly more comments of Peter Phillips on James slowly than is normally the case. The Chapter 1 vv 16-27 were:- reason for this is that we have gradually Reading the Bible regularly allows the been bringing the heavier bells into Bible to seep into our souls. It becomes operation, and even the tenor (27cwt) part of our thinking, part of our has now been rung. However ringing reasoning, part of our morality. We get only 6 bells including the tenor inevitably better and better at doing biblical means the smaller bells have to slow reasoning to help us to make biblical down. It is only marginal, but noticeable decisions about our lifestyle and our nevertheless. practice. And, as James says, for those As the bells have been brought into use who read the Bible intensely and after the fitting of the new ropes we have continue to do so, ‘they will be blessed in found the “Sallys” needed stretching to whatever they do’. their full length and to that end we have The next four months BRF notes, cost seen some unusual sights in the ringing £4.70 are due to start on 1st January and room with buckets full of bricks will be delivered mid-November. It will suspended from the ropes: be put in the news-sheet when they arrive. For those who already order them I will deliver them but it would help if you can arrange to collect 01363 777112. If you would like to start having BRF notes phone 01363 777112 as soon as possible. For those who can use email it is: [email protected]. Amy Bright
November Anniversaries Happy Birthday to: George Davey, David Francis, Carol Furze, Linda Heard, Bill Jerman, Amy Jones It has been good to have Antonia back (congratulations on your 16th birthday), ringing with us even though she retains Louise Jones, Gill Lee, Joan Musty, Sheila her duty of recording/broadcasting the Ralph, Clare Shelley and Brian 9.30 service. Also Susan (Meldon) has Shillingford taken to calling the changes. It is good to Happy Wedding Anniversary to: have several people able to call. Jonathan & Jenny Berg Robin Lavery
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Sunday Worship at Crediton Parish Church If you have downloaded the NHS Track and Trace app to your mobile phone, please note the necessary QR readers are on display at Holy Cross, St Lawrence Chapel and Holy Trinity Yeoford. Sunday Worship continues with services at 8.00am, 9.30am and 11.00am, and 6.00pm. For the 9.30am and 11.00am services, contact Anne Jerman on 01363 772865 or email: [email protected] if you cannot attend or wish to attend at a different time to your ‘normal’. Please note that it is now compulsory to wear face coverings when attending a place of worship, apart from those who are exempt from doing so. Everyone that has attended a Sunday service has received a service booklet to take home and bring back each week. The church toilets are available on Sundays. Please do not attend church if you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus. The 9.30am service is now being live-streamed via the church Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/ CreditonParishChurch/. It will then be available to view at any time. The readings for the week are available on the services page of the church website. If the situation remains as now, during Advent and Christmas, it is likely that there will have to be two of each for some services to accommodate the number of people wishing to attend. Please watch out for details of this in the Notices each week as booking a place will be necessary.
15 Exeter Thika Link Report - October 2020 News from Nancy, the Link Secretary in Thika, on 1st October We are all well and the Lord has been so faithful. Thika is hot, we have not yet received rains, so it’s a bit dry but we are expecting rains in mid October. Farmers have started to prepare shambas ready for planting when the rains come. We have now resumed work full time now that the Government has removed many restrictions. Many places have been opened up. We have only few Covid 19 cases being reported daily, and the curve has remained down. We really thank God for this. Everything is now taking its shape. The only area the Government seems to take time in reopening is schools and institutions. The challenge we have in the learning area is population. Our schools have enrolled many learners, space is limited and many are boarding schools thus social distancing becomes a challenge. Also public transport is widely used by students thus putting them at risk. Some schools are in places where water is a challenge and resources are few. The Government has to come up with a well defined way of reopening schools. Namrata Shah Children are doing well and in good health. (The home had to close and send children to their extended families in March as the government ordered all schools and institutions to close). They are still with their guardians. The Home Matron checks on the kids at least twice a week. At a time like now, they depend on well wishers who buy food and it’s taken to their guardians. The Diocese also assists. There is a challenge in feeding them considering that they are not at the Home and are now living with their guardians who also have other dependants and are still needy. We are happy to hear that you had ordination of priests. It must have been a memorable moment having to do it in a different way, the many services. I remember before restrictions in March, we had planned to have ordination of priests and licensing of lay readers in April this year but it never happened. We are hoping that it will be done next year. Pass our love to all our friends in Exeter and assure them of our continued prayers. Worship in Thika Churches in Thika, as here, adjusted rapidly to lockdown. Video services from clergy homes were soon replaced by live streaming from churches with just a few people present. Lobbying by all the churches had the government agree to opening places of worship much earlier than here, first to younger adults and then gradually allowing different age groups - still in reduced numbers and with services still being streamed. Brian and I have been making frequent ‘visits’ via Facebook to St Andrew’s Cathedral to the English service. The broadband signal is variable but mostly the technology works well. Signs on the pews say, ‘Praise God! Please sit here’. A praise and worship group leads the singing and the congregation, wearing masks, join in. There is, of course, a great deal of fear caused by the virus and the hardship due to loss of livelihood caused by the restrictions. However the faith of the Christians is amazing and every day encouraging scriptures and thoughts are shared on Facebook. Thungururu ‘Farming God’s Way’ Project The seasons have been very challenging. Last year’s October ‘short’ rains continued through the ‘dry’ season and kept going into February, making it a real challenge for farmers to harvest and safely store their crops, and giving little time to prepare the soil for the next planting season. When the March ‘long’ rains arrived they did not last very long and the Thungururu farmers using traditional methods had no harvest at all. The conservation methods gave the participating farmers a successful harvest. From mid- March to May no group training was possible so the field officer visited the farmers individually to offer technical assistance. With movement from one county to the other restricted and also a dusk to dawn curfew, most businesses and jobs stopped and families had to depend on what they were getting from their farms for their daily food. This showed how much help the community needs to mitigate drought and hunger. In June training resumed although in smaller groups of not more than fifteen people. The county government, in collaboration with the field officer, has resumed sinking shallow dams for farmers in the project area. By the end of July most of the shallow dams had retained substantial amounts of water, depending on the type of soil in a particular farm. A lot is also being done by the field officer to ensure proper use of the water from the dams to establish intensive kitchen gardens, and also Dam retained water in the utilization of waste water from the kitchen for those hot, dry season who do not have dams. To succeed in getting the community to be self- dependent, by empowering the Project Management Committee (PMC) through empowerment and leadership training, is a gradual process. The project has come a long way, but it may be that it could be given support for a little longer to get the PMC to the stage when it can report to the local authority and solicit for the community’s needs, in terms of food security, from the relevant government bodies and other agencies. Given the challenges that have been faced, can we, in Exeter, Vegetables planted using water continue to support the project for a little longer to give from a shallow dam the farmers of Thungururu the tools they need to become sustainable after the field officer moves on? Thanks to Devon parishes and their generous harvest offerings, the project is funded to the end of this year, but another £3,500 would enable the field officer to be employed for a further six months. What about visits? With the Lambeth Conference postponed to 2022 we are just wondering whether it might be possible to invite some folk from our linked parishes next year - maybe in September. Of course we have to wait for now to see how things go, but those linked parishes which indicated that they would like to be involved might be able to continue to make preparations and we will get in touch when things become clearer. An encouragement from the Anglican Church in Kenya to the Church in the UK A message from Rev Njogu who is the Archbishop’s lead on Umoja: “God is still on his throne. He is the Lord of every season and nothing happens on Earth without his knowledge. He is in control and desires us to fully trust and depend on him. Do not be afraid, the Lord is with us. He will not leave nor forsake us and he is God.” For more information see the Overseas Links page on the Exeter Diocese website https://exeter.anglican.org/who-we-are/companion-links/ or contact Jane Inwood, Thika Link Secretary by email at [email protected]
Help Support the Church when Shopping Online Do you shop online? As you start to Wanted! think about Christmas shopping, you Are you good with figures and have some can help to raise funds for Crediton PCC spare time? Crediton Age Concern Centre by shopping via the Giving Machine or is looking for a volunteer treasurer to join Amazon websites at no cost to you. the trustees of this valued local charity, as We have been registered with The our treasurer is retiring in December. Giving Machine for some time, but here For more information, do contact the is a reminder of how you can help: centre on 01363 775008 or email 1. Go to The Giving Machine website [email protected] or phone www.thegivingmachine.co.uk and Jenny Berg (chair of trustees) on 01363 register as a ‘Giver’. Once you have 866888. registered it is possible to change your account setting so that you appear as an anonymous donor (if you wish) on the church homepage. 2. Next you nominate up to four Results of the Elections at charities to which the donations Crediton Annual Parochial generated by your purchases will be Church Meeting (APCM) given. Crediton Parish Church is This meeting was the first held in the registered on the site (sign up code parish where people attended both in 62713) person or via Zoom. At the meeting, the 3. It is important that every time you following people were elected:- make an online purchase you go via Churchwardens – Sheila Ralph, Mike The Giving Machine website and click May and Peter Brewer the link to your online store (there are over 800 to choose from), where PCC Members – Sue Barker, Joanna you then make your purchase as Lunnon and Stephen Mitchell normal. If you don’t do this, no Deanery Synod representatives – Amy referral commission is made. Bright, Anne Jerman, Carol Price and Jack The PCC has now also registered with Shelley Amazon Smile which again makes We are grateful that they are prepared to donations to charity. The link to the serve in these important parish roles. website is https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ Existing members who will continue to ch/1129124-0 where you can select serve are Garry Adams, Gill Lee, Ted which charity to support. We are Staite, Stella Stephens and Mandy registered as The Parochial Church Tomlinson together with co-opted Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of members Ernie Heard and Glenda Hills, Crediton (rather long, but that is our and Ex Officio members Amy Bright, official charity registration name). David Francis, Anne Jerman, Carol Price At a time when the PCC is likely to have and Jack Shelley. a significant financial deficit at the end We also give thanks to John Musty for his of the year, this is a simple and effective time as Churchwarden and to Eileen way we can all make a difference. Brassington and James Turner for their time as elected members.
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Friends of Crediton Church Friends Festival Evensong We are very pleased indeed to receive a most generous legacy from the late Joan Tolley. Joan was a life member and member of the Executive Committee for a number of years. Her interest in fabrics was of great help when repair and/or replacement was needed to our altar frontals and the like. The bequest was not restricted in any way and therefore, in line with our constitution, it has been added to our long- term investments, hopefully providing an income in perpetuity. We are sorry to advise the passing of two long serving members, both of whom will be known to many readers: Dorothy Sheppard first joined the Friends with her late husband Cdr. George Sheppard in 1968. Dorothy had been very supportive of and interested in our work even in recent years. Vi Seldon joined in 1978. She was a life member and generous supporter. Besides her own subscription, Vi donated an annual subscription in memory of her late sister. Both members will be greatly missed and we send our sincerest condolences to their respective families. Contacts: Marilyn Daw (Secretary): 01363 877238 Mike Beskeen (Membership): [email protected]
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Rhymes and Things by Bert Jewell November Whilst attending a Harvest service back in September, lots of things were said that brought back memories of my childhood. Like the fact that a lot of children don’t know where their food comes from, other than the supermarket. I learnt these things very early on, having to fetch milk from one farm, butter and eggs from another, and having to help father grow all our veg. I wrote a poem about such times a long while ago and having found it on some scrap bits of paper I thought I would include it in the November magazine. Sorry if you have seen it before. When I was young When I think back o’er yester years, Remembering all my childhood tears, When father’s voice echoed his reaction; The weeding is not to his satisfaction. I stood and listened for what seemed ages, Wishing I was looking through some comic pages. Then with bended knees I would start again, As my tears mixed with the drizzly rain. As time went on the weeding came easy, My father began to get more wheezy. The more he smoked the worse he got, I soon had to do the bleeding lot. In those days there is no doubt, My life was hard when I’d hear him shout, There’ll be no going out till this patch is dug, When all of my school pals called me a mug. How things have changed as the years have passed, But my love of gardening will last and last. As we have a garden, much bigger than he had, and the weeding I now don’t find quite so bad. Things to do in the November garden If like me you’re a fan of Gladiolus, or sword lily as they are sometimes called, now is a good time to lift them. Clean them off and store them somewhere dry and frost free. Lift them carefully with a spade so as to collect all the small cormlets. You can keep one or two to plant next spring, but they will take two or three years before they flower. Dry off the main corms and then twist off the old corm. This should leave the plate or base of the new corms clean, store them in something like a mushroom box, somewhere frost free but airy. Now if you haven’t done it already, tender plants in pots or containers should be taken into the greenhouse or somewhere light and frost free. Watering in the greenhouse should be reduced to the bare minimum and preferably carried out in
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the morning. This will allow the surface of the compost to dry out before the end of the day, when temperatures could drop. You may have Pelargoniums still flowering in the greenhouse but find that the leaves are turning red. This is caused by having hot days and cold nights. Carry on rough turning the veg garden as soon as areas become vacant, but only if it is not frozen or waterlogged. Lawns, well these may well still need cutting, if so raise the deck of the mower and only cut if the ground is dry and not frozen. If too wet, keep off to avoid compaction. Plant of the month “Viburnum Davidii” This is a small evergreen shrub, growing to about 3’ high, with strong oval shaped leaves and bunches of turquoise coloured berries that can last well into winter. The only drawback is that you need a male and female plant to get the berries. Grows best in well drained soil in sun or light shade. Enjoy your gardening
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Life in Lockdown – Part 8 phoning BMW Assist again, I went out one day after not driving it for a week and Well, another month has gone by in these you’ve guessed it, the battery was flat! So strange times in which we all live. The then I did call BMW Assist who got the sense of nothing is normal was reinforced car restarted, did some diagnostics, once more when the exercise class I advised that the adaptation for the left attend was restarted at the MS Therapy foot accelerator was draining the battery Centre in Exeter. There can only be 3 of us all the time and Q.E.D not their problem. (previously there was anything up to 12) So next day it was off to GM Coachworks with the exercise machines being cleaned where we discover that they had told the every time we move from one to another. dealer to tell me that when the car was The Centre is located at Clyst Grange in not being driven, it needed to be switched Exeter in what I believe was the to the right foot accelerator to prevent manager’s house of the old Digby this. I don’t remember being told this but Hospital: finally after 6 months, the mystery of the battery was solved! On a sunny day, but with a cold wind, I went with a friend to Bude where we spent some time on the quay and canal walk before going to the Weir Bistro for lunch. That was the height of excitement for this month!
It offers a wide range of therapies and I always feel more people in the Exeter area with MS should make use of it. The hedgehogs seem to be over their disappoint that there’s no more hedgehog muesli and from numbers going down for a couple of weeks (we think bigger ones might be hibernating), we now have one bigger and five much smaller ones visiting. The little ones could eat for England and are coming and going all night. They’ll be fine until the end of November but we’ll probably weigh them then to see how they’re getting on. Last winter, we had one hedgehog that didn’t hibernate at all and stayed in the hedgehog house throughout, coming out to eat and drink each night. But it was a mild winter. I’ve also finally taken delivery of my new Just when you thought the car saga was road legal scooter but there’s not really over….. It had been sending me messages been the opportunity to use it. Class 3 that the ‘battery was discharging when scooters like this have to be registered stationary’ but before I got round to 20 with DVLA so although I don’t have to Boniface Centre Drop-In display a number plate, you still have to complete a V55/4 and await your V5C. Tuesdays 10am-11.30am That’s arrived so I’ve got a 70 reg vehicle As I write, we are planning to restart – SY70BXB. Drop-in again on 20th October. It will be Although I have attended Zoom meetings, run on the same lines as before but we the APCM in October was the first time now have to comply with the “Rule of 6” I’ve had to set up a Zoom meeting. That This will mean that the seating will be was the easy part as it turned out. It was arranged in pods of 6, albeit socially quite tricky taking the minutes and distanced. We want to reassure people watching what was happening on Zoom that all measures have been taken so that as well. Things will get even more people will be able to socialise safely. exciting for the Deanery Synod meeting in Sue Lavery November as the speaker is attending by Zoom. This will involve linking a laptop to a projector so that everyone can see and hear them. Bill is coming to help set it up but wish me luck! Daniel – By the time you read this, Drop-In will a poem by Claire Duthie have started once more which I’m looking forward to. On TV, I enjoyed the first Claire writes: For this month's poem I episode of Roadkill even if it was a little thought that I’d focus on the character of unlikely in parts, Strictly’s back and Daniel in The Bible, using the letters in his Quizzy Mondays on BBC2 is also high on name to demonstrate his personality and my current list of favourites but I really what happened to him. The account in The must try and finish that Elizabeth George Bible mainly focuses on his interaction book…. with an ancient Leader called Cyrus. Anne Jerman One day Cyrus was confronted with a dream about giant hand pointing to words about being examined and found wanting in the balance. Puzzled and disturbed by this dream, Cyrus consulted his court's astrologers and soothsayers (an old fashioned term for a fortune teller) but Preparing for Advent and they were unable to decipher the meaning. Christmas 2020: Then news reached Cyrus of a man called Comfort & Joy Daniel who was wise enough to be able to work out the meaning of the dream. Building on the success of Having done so, Daniel was rewarded by #FollowTheStar, the Church of England being made a ruler by Cyrus. There's also a will be launching a new Advent and separate account in The Bible of Daniel Christmas theme to reflect the current surviving being cast into a den of lions. Covid context. It is hoped that ‘Comfort and Joy’ will better enable us to reflect Devoted to God where the country is and will be by the Analyses well end of this year. To find out more go to Narrator of holy truths www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/ Intrepid and wise living-out-our-faith/advent-and- christmas/preparing-advent-christmas- Enters into dangerous situations 2020-comfort-and-joy Lions cannot harm him 21
social meeting or camaraderie, Choir Notes particularly for the adults, as the social distancing that seeks to divide us.... ‘Behind the scenes’ is all too often a subtle reference to those who work The Choir Committee also convened for hard and without reward to make things the first time in nearly 8 months with work – our church is full of them! I much discussion on how to plan for the wrote last month that the Choir is back future. Cathedral trips and overseas and I rejoiced in live singing again. What visits are out for the time being, I underestimated is the degree of although the Chore am Fuldaer Dom exterior help we had during the interim (Fulda Cathedral Choir) have left their lock down and how many people helped invitation to us open for 2021. On a us. There were undoubtedly a few more sombre note, the Committee held smiles at our ‘karaoke’ style Hallelujah a two minute silence in memory of Chorus put together in ‘Zoom’ form by Dorothy Sheppard, who died last month. our Acting Director of Music Richard Dorothy was the Church Organist and Stephens for Easter Day, but few could Director of Music for many years back in have realised how much work and help the 1960/70s and is accredited very he received in overcoming the technical much with the choir’s success it has difficulties of synchronising recordings been ever since. Only two people of her made by 20+ people separately in their era are still with the choir – our homes! The subsequent ability to Chairman Joe Ward and my good lady produce two items regularly for the 15 wife Jennifer, who was a young teenage minute services on YouTube each week chorister under her. She cut the choir’s is commendable not just for those who first disk (‘With Merry Voice ‘ – an LP 33 sing in comparative isolation, but also in 1973 I think) and as a strong people like Stephen Mitchell and Mike supporter of events, she would turn up Brett who did so much to help the fine at our concerts right into her 90s. She tuning of the many audio tracks was also a family friend – her daughter required to create an end piece for each is my daughter’s Godmother and service. Can you imagine one of our Dorothy was hugely helpful and leading altos Penny Little, who is not on instrumental to my girl’s own career in the forefront of computer literacy, being music. She will be missed by us all. recorded on the pavement outside her For the rest, despite the many restraints house on Dean Street? Yes, I thought not least the division of singers, short that too! But that degree of commitment practices, copyright restrictions and and accompanying assistance clearly width of acoustics, perseverance has registers, not least because despite the won over and we were able to produce a seemingly barren summer, we did respectable resume for our Rector manage to recruit half a dozen new Matthew’s successful appointment and choristers! To that end we welcome commissioning as Rural Dean by the Paul & Esther, Debs & Peter along with Bishop of Crediton. Peter Gilks Eva and Kim – great to have you. continues to fill in with a special touch Crediton Holy Cross Choir has a long as the Assistant Organist and also helps history of success and good fun – I can at Sandford/Shobrooke. There are plans but echo our DOM’s assertion that the in hand for the future and the things may have been difficult, but they appointment of a new Director of Music are getting better all the time and the to coincide hopefully with a recruitment efforts by all and sundry are as much a
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drive for some new young trebles. We ‘James Mitchell, winner in the under 25 have Remembrance, Advent and the Carol years category is based in Devon. He has Services to work on – a new Head recently graduated with a Double First in Chorister to appoint after Louise Jones music from Girton College, Cambridge. highly successful tenure – there is much James has also held posts at Ely and to do. I am glad to be able to report that Manchester Cathedrals. Gerard Brooks the choir is very much back and forward writes: “We all enjoyed James’s eminently thinking for better times ahead. playable work: it is well-suited to the Philip Stallard organ, convincingly constructed, consistent in its musical language and it maintains its interest throughout.” The winner in each age category will have their work played at College concerts and events, recorded and made permanently Congratulations to James available on iRCO (the College’s digital Mitchell content hub), and published by the RCO. Details will be announced as soon as The Royal College of Organists (RCO) has possible.’ just announced the winners of the RCO Composition Competition 2020. We are Congratulations, James on this success. It delighted to announce that James would be lovely to hear your composition Mitchell has won in the under 25s played at Holy Cross at some point! category with his composition Festival Toccata. The official press release says ‘Entries Recipe for were invited of previously unpublished and unperformed compositions for organ November solo or organ and one instrument or voice. The competition jury was chaired Waldorf salad by Gerard Brooks, the RCO President, 4 sticks celery who was joined by Judith Weir CBE, 2 russet apples Master of the Queen’s Music, and Thomas Trotter, international concert organist 50g (2 oz) chopped walnuts and organist of Birmingham Town Hall. salt and pepper Mr Brooks reports: “The RCO Composition Competition has proved to cider vinegar be a very successful event. Perhaps the mayonnaise restrictions of Covid-19 were partly Slice the washed celery, chop cored responsible for prompting an impressive and quartered apples, and sprinkle outpouring of compositional talent, for with a few drops of cider vinegar, add no less than 64 entries were received: 16 the walnuts, season and mix together in the under 25 years category and 48 in with mayonnaise. Garnish with the 25 years and over category. I would watercress and sprinkle with like to pay tribute to all the composers pomegranate seeds for extra colour who entered the competition: without and flavour. exception we encountered music that had been carefully and sincerely thought out, Paul Cleave and what a variety of styles, forms, and expression we found.
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Message from the The poor, the elderly and isolated are Archbishops especially vulnerable. There will be growing nervousness about Christmas, Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ about mental health and many other It is clear that we now have to gear up issues that cannot be considered in this for a second wave of the coronavirus. very short letter. This is hard. Many people were starting We are called to be responsible, but we to believe things could return to normal. are also called to resilience and They can’t. But neither are we in the prophetic speech. We have the same place as before. We have learned a networks, long since mobilised, and the great deal. In our leadership of the partnerships to serve especially the Church and in the witness we show to hungry and homeless. Our schools are a our nation we need to be determined, particular treasure. resilient and hopeful. We will need to be more critical in our response to However, there will also be a sense of restrictions that are above and beyond tiredness; the weariness which comes government regulations, helping the with dealing with yet another threat church at the local level, in parish and and difficulty. To face this, we must diocese, steer a course that is marked by continue to encourage one another and responsible action towards each other, bear one another's burdens. We must in care for the most vulnerable, and our meetings be transparent with each witness for the poor and disadvantaged other, able to say difficult things in a who are suffering disproportionately. way that avoids mistakes being made All this is the nature of love. through unwilling acquiescence to the perceived view of the majority. Our national situation is much more complicated than it was in March. The Most of all we need to draw close to divisions are deeper. There is public and Christ and continue to offer the hope reasonable concern about hunger – and stability of the gospel. It is this especially amongst children – and gospel joy, even in the darkest times, homelessness, with an expected rapid that alone can help us through this rise in evictions. Domestic violence crisis, bringing hope and an eternal remains a major issue which is perspective to the very pressing trials of concealed. the moment. We are also in a situation which We are so grateful for our partnership threatens the recovery from the huge with you in this work. Do feel free to decline in the economy in the second share this letter as you see fit. And quarter. The most vulnerable to this please be assured of our prayers. second wave are the small companies In the peace of Christ, who employ the most people, and especially those in the hospitality The Most Revd & Rt Hon Justin Welby, industry. It will be for us and others to Archbishop of Canterbury encourage the banks, who received such The Most Revd & Rt Hon Stephen help in 2009, to be equally merciful to Cottrell, Archbishop of York others as the nation was to them. St Matthew 18:23-35 seems highly relevant.
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There is no news from the local Crediton with Newton St Cyres branch as once again, we are unable to meet. The following items emanate from the diocesan or national level. 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence – Global Day falls on Saturday 5th December, in the middle of the 16 Days period of 25th November to 10th December. This year, it will not be possible to hold open-air silent protests or vigils, as we have done in this diocese for some years now, but online activities and protests are planned. There are also discussions taking place about the possibility of holding a service at a major venue, such as the Cathedral. The ‘strap line’ of the 16 Days campaign this year is “No More One in Three”. It is a fact that around the world one woman in three will be a victim of domestic abuse or violence and Mothers’ Union is an organisation committed to stopping this. No more one in three – it is not okay! The full resources for the 16 Days campaign are available on the Mothers’ Union website – https:// www.mothersunion.org MU Webinars – nationally, the MU has set up a series of webinars on subjects such as Social Media; Identifying our strengths; How to plan a project; How to show the difference and Fundraising. Members can register for any webinar that interests them. Further details from Anne Jerman on 01363 772865. Midday Prayers – members of the MU who don't have access to the internet at home can hear our MU midday prayers thanks to the Church of England's Daily Hope line. Just call 0800 804 8044 from a UK mobile or landline and press option 4, then option 8. Anne Jerman 25
GROW There will be further courses to follow in Lay Learning Courses 2021: January – March 2021 Grow: Equipping God’s People to Serve with Joy Children’s work Grow is an exciting new series of courses Stewardship designed to enable people to grow in Preaching – requires FiCM or their faith and service to God and the equivalent church. If you would like to express an interest in Every follower of Jesus is called into attending one of these sessions please ministry. That word often makes us think email [email protected]. You will of people who stand at the front of church be contacted by early December to and do particular jobs, but as St Paul confirm the details. writes: “There are different kinds of April – July 2021 working but in all of them and in everyone Pioneering – requires FiCM or it is the same God working.” (1 Corinthians equivalent 12:6) Youth work To help you explore this, the Diocese of Evangelism and Mission – requires Exeter is creating a suite of online FiCM or equivalent courses that provide basic learning in a number of different roles. You may have If you would like to express an interest in completed the Foundations in Christian attending one of these sessions please Ministry (FiCM) course and are email [email protected]. You will wondering what to do next. You may be be contacted by early March to confirm fulfilling a really vital role in your local the details. church, or you may have been asked to Who do I contact to find out more? think about where you can use your time Jon Curtis, our Lay Discipleship Project and energy in a local context. The Grow Manager, is organising the training series of learning aims to help you with courses. You can email Jon at those things. [email protected] Some of these sessions require you to have been part of FiCM (or an equivalent) Is there anyone I should discuss this first, while others stand alone. The with before I book a place? schedule and breakdown of these courses We strongly encourage you to speak to are below: your church leader or another Christian Autumn 2020 leader at the beginning of this journey. It is important to note that completion of Pastoral Care (4 evenings online) these courses does not guarantee a role Leading Worship (5 evenings online) – at the end; the learning itself will support requires FiCM or equivalent your journey as a disciple, but your local Small Group Leadership (2 evenings church may well want to use you for the online) mission of the Church. Administration (2 evenings online) You may be also be considering whether You can follow this link to book in for you are being called to ordained ministry these courses: or Reader Ministry. For information https://exeter.anglican.org/ministry/lay- please go to the Exeter Diocese website ministry/lay-learning/#COURSE https://exeter.anglican.org/
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From the Archives 90 years ago - November 1930 From the Cadbury Deanery Magazine: Crediton – 11th November, the anniversary of Armistice Day approaches. This day is now recognised as a day of Remembrance on which every individual is given an opportunity of expressing his or her feelings by buying poppies and thus increasing the fund available for relieving the distress of ex-service men of all ranks and the widows and children of those who fell in the war. Every effort is being made in Crediton and district to arrange an efficient organisation, the work being carried out by voluntary organisers and helpers, who give considerable time and trouble in the cause. To ensure an increased total in the district, it remains only for everybody to buy a Poppy on Nov. 11th and to pay for it as much as he or she can afford. Sandford–Hellions – special thanks to the Vicar of Lamerton and Mrs Edwards in coming over for Harvest. Mr Edwards sang in his usual vigorous style and was ably accompanied by the organist, Mrs Raymont. His fine rendering of selections from Haydn’s “Creation” was the crowning glory of our Festal Evensong. The proceeds of the Festival yielded close on £10, so our PCC can now easily face the pressing problem of a new Heating System for the Church. Shobrooke – parishioners extend a most hearty welcome to the Rev. Conrad Finzel, Rector-designate, and Mrs Finzel, who are now in residence at Pak Cottages, thanks to the kindness of Sir John Shelley, Bart. pending the carrying out of necessary repairs to the Rectory.
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Harvest Thanks! The Covid Fall It has been a strange time with Harvest (This poem was written by Liz, a friend of Festival celebrations having to be Chrissie Rapsey’s, who kindly agreed for it cancelled. Nevertheless, we went ahead to be reproduced in this magazine) with the appeal for Send a Cow and provided a basket for donations. With summer cooling, this autumn creeps The magnificent sum of £616.18 was Into the corners where winter sleeps, raised for the Send a Cow project for Awaiting that first chilly dawn Ethiopia. Where trees and branches, now sadly This will provide families with shorn training and materials for rainwater Of golden leaves with brilliant hue harvesting and in building super Cast silhouettes against a sky still blue. stoves that use less fuel and so help to But this year comes with the added prevent deforestation. threat Many thanks to all those who gave. I Of quarantine and rules not met, know that the team at Send a Cow will be Of wearing masks and holding back highly delighted! They will be able to Of washing hands and keeping track continue their work in Ethiopia and Someone might call from Check and provide hope for the struggling people Trace there. This sum will be able to help a Telling me I may have been face to face whole community. Thank you. With a Covid source, so stay safe and alert Sue Lavery Must avoid going out and causing hurt. So the joys of watching leaves in the fall Are now tainted with worry of getting a call.... Where did I go, where have I been Who have I met or even seen? St Swithun’s Church, What day did I venture up into town Sandford – Runner Up in And chat to that lady who wore a frown Devon’s Best Churchyard I wore my mask and used the gel And kept my distance from the worried Competition well. On Friday morning Penny Mills from But it seems my trip to the local shop CPRE Devon came to Sandford with Ivan May bring my life to a sudden full stop. Buxton, one of the judges and trustees of But was it this week or last or the week CPRE, to present us with a handsome oak before plaque celebrating our success. It was all That I stopped to chat outside the store? the more special as we entered the I just cannot remember, the weeks look competition before lockdown in March the same and then heard nothing so assumed it And I am sure she never told me her was not happening this year. Ivan’s name. comments were, “The scarecrow in the So here I am, as Autumn takes hold porch, the water bowl for dogs, a well used Having taken a call and my life is on hold bug hotel, plenty of benches … these were Back home on my own ‘cause I went into just some of the things that were evidence town of this being a nice welcoming churchyard And spoke to a woman who wore a for both people and wildlife.” frown.
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30 Crediton Parish Church Music Endowment Fund Registered Charity 1136033 President : The Bishop of Crediton We aim to raise a capital sum of at least £250,000. The interest from this sum will be used in the following ways: To help pay for existing or newly created choral and organ scholarships To provide financial assistance to children in the choir or music groups to pay for instrumental tuition To supplement Parochial Church Council expenditure on music staff salaries To enhance singing tuition within the choir We hope not only to maintain our standards but to broaden our musical range and outreach How You Can Help: By making a one off donation or a regular direct debit gift, by making a donation under the Gift Aid scheme or becoming a Patron or Supporter For further Information please contact Robin Thomas 07834 556532 [email protected]
The Choir of Crediton Parish Church
Due to Covid-19 restrictions there are currently three choir practices for three different groups - please contact Richard Stephens for details.
Further information available from the Acting Director of Music
Ever thought of joining a tradition Richard Stephens dating back 400 years? 01363 775170 Why not become a bellringer and [email protected] join the ultimate team activity? or visit the choir section If you are aged ten or over and would of the Crediton Parish Church website be interested in learning here at www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk HOLY CROSS CREDITON we would very much like to hear from you. For a no obligation enquiry please contact the Tower Captain Geoff Sparling 01363 776681 [email protected] Practice Night Tuesday 7.30 – 9pm at Crediton Boniface Centre Church Lane, Crediton A flexible, multi-purpose hall suitable for 10 – 200 people Ideal for: Business meetings Fund raising events Private functions Training seminars Well equipped kitchen Hearing loop/public address system Level access Free parking within 100 metres Premises licence for public entertainment and sale of alcohol For bookings please contact: Robin Lavery 01363 772536 email: [email protected]
THE FRIENDS OF CREDITON PARISH CHURCH President: The Bishop of Crediton Registered Charity no: 268236 Founded in May 1937 Have you ever considered becoming a ’Friend’ to help secure the future of our magnificent church? You can become a ‘Friend’ from as little as £5 per annum or you can become a ‘Life Member’ for a one-off payment of £125. Should you be a UK taxpayer we would encourage you to Gift Aid your contribution. For further information why not pick up a booklet at the church or have a look at the ‘Friends’ section at www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk Marilyn Daw (Secretary: 01363 877238) Mike Beskeen (Treasurer/Membership: 01363 774017)
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