GOOD NEWS FROM THE MARCH 2015 Refreshing Lent DEVON

Y LENT this For me, Lent is all about month is taking time and opportunity interrupted by to refl ect, to watch Jesus a week with closely as he makes his way Celebrating friends skiing to Jerusalem and the cross. Min the Austrian Alps (it’s It’s about seeing how Jesus what Deans do, don’t you responds to the people he God’s Call know!). We’ve been doing meets, how he listens as The Very Revd Jonathan Draper, this for the past 20 years or much as he speaks, how he of Exeter so – more or less the same learns from his experiences in Devon group, often in the same and the faith of others, how Friday and Easter. The dark place. And while it may be a he hears the deeper needs places need the light of his N EVENT THIS MONTH o ers bit unconventional, it works and not just presenting truth, the desperate places the chance to give thanks for for me like a retreat. The issues. It’s about seeing his need the depths of his all the gifts God provides and combination of wonderful faithfulness and dedication; compassion, the despairing to consider ways of returning Mission Resources Adviser Katie Roscorla scenery, cold, clean air, it’s about watching him places need the hope of the this love through Christian who will be at the event, says, “This day will physical exercise and proper name hypocrisy and new life he o ers. Astewardship. The Bishop of Exeter the give people the opportunity to celebrate conversation is as deeply the unwillingness of the And that light and Rt Revd Robert Atwell will give a talk during all that God has given and consider ways physically, intellectually and religious establishment to be compassion and hope is worship at the refl ective event, entitled in which they can answer God’s call to spiritual refreshing as it gets liberated from themselves o ered to the world through Celebrating God’s Call, which is organised give sacrifi cially. We will also launch the for me. And I always need it. and their traditions (no us, his people, as we live by the Diocese of Exeter. Those present Parish Giving Scheme which is an e cient, ‘gracious restraint’ here…). his life as his people in the will be able to join in prayer and worship, cost e ective tool to support mission and Accompanying Jesus on world. And living his life is take part in workshops and listen to a encourage your parish to grow.” this journey ought to cause both our calling and our joy presentation before joining together for a The event takes place from 10am to 1pm on We live in a world us to stop and think, to as we approach the heart simple lentern lunch. Saturday 14 March in St Andrew’s Church, examine our discipleship, to of the Christian story – that As part of the day the Parish Giving Cullompton and is aimed at , parish very much in need of renew our commitment, to love is stronger than death Scheme will be launched. This has been treasurers and churchwardens. “the kind of committed deepen our engagement not – renewed and refreshed by piloted around the Diocese and already 5% To attend email Charlotte: charlotte. following and only with our God but with our Lenten journey. of parishes have joined the initiative which [email protected] or call 01392 compassionate loving our world. encourages mission communities to think 294934. For further details on the Parish that Jesus displays We live in a world very about giving with confi dence in ways that Giving Scheme visit www.exeter.anglican.org much in need of the kind are mission-orientated and not just simply and click on Church Life. The resources are on his journey to Holy of committed following paying the bills. in the stewardship and fi nance section. Week, Good Friday and compassionate loving and Easter that Jesus displays on his journey to Holy Week, Good ORDER YOUR HOT CROSS BUN CARDS THE DIOCESE of Exeter is supplying hot cross bun cards to churches and schools again this year. The cards explain the ” Diocesan Communications Unit DIOCESE CHURCH OF ENGLAND message of Easter and are designed to be given away with a www.exeter.anglican.org OF EXETER hot cross bun. Cards must be ordered by 6 March. To order yours twitter.com/cofedevon THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND email [email protected] or call 01392 294915. DEVON facebook search diocese of exeter IN DEVON A very practical faith CONFERENCES OR FARMER Christine Galvin her but then it grows and becomes service The future of rural faith is worked out in practical to the Bishop, the incumbent and all the ways as she seeks to serve people.” Church of England Schools those around her in her role as Christine has also for 14 years been FOLLOWING the release of a report by the National Society, churchwarden. Christine, 64, has cooking a full English breakfast to all those entitled Working Together: the future of rural Church of England Fbeen churchwarden at All Saints’ Church in who turn up for a monthly gathering in the Schools, its author the Revd Nigel Genders, the Chief Education All Saints parish for 18 years and follows in village hall and has joined a team going O cer, is due to visit our Diocese. The report explores the issues the footsteps of her father and grandfather into the three local schools acting out Bible facing schools and encourages collaborative thinking and working. who both fi lled the role. “You could say it’s in stories as part of the Open Book initiative. This is a very rare opportunity for headteachers, governors and the genes!” she says. She says: “I like relating to people which clergy and anyone who has an interest in their Church Schools, Family ties are certainly important for is an asset as a churchwarden. It also helps to come and listen and share ideas which may help in forming a Christine who lives on the smallholding that having a colleague who is great at all the future strategy for our schools. her grandfather purchased when he married administration stu . It means I can be free to Two FREE sessions are available 10-12pm and 2-4pm on in 1921. Christine has 45 ‘Texel’ cross ewes go and clean the gutters or something else!” Thursday 12 May in Exeter. To book contact Fran Bradley on her land and also has a part-time job “I also enjoy humour and that helps. I [email protected] or call 01392 294921 or looking after ‘Red Rubies’ pedigree north once delivered the Diocesan Synod report for details contact Richard Maudsley Richard.maudsley@exeter. Devon cattle on a nearby farm. She is also in rhyme – it was much better that way.” anglican.org or Sarah Owen [email protected] trying her hand at welding, adding to her And Christine knows that God loves her or call 01392 294938. A copy of the report can be found at already considerable skills. just as she is. She fi nishes: “I am not deep www.churchofengland.org/education/publications.aspx Of being churchwarden she says: “In lots theologically but I know that the Lord loves of ways it is a servant mentality you have to me with all my faults and that’s what I hang have. Service to God was at the beginning on to in the darker days. Keswick in Devon STEPHEN GAUKROGER will be the speaker at this year’s Keswisk in Devon, taking place from 2 – 6 March at All Saint’s Church, I am not deep Sidmouth. It’s a free event and all are welcome. Details www.keswickindevon.org.uk theologically but I know that the Lord loves me “ with all my faults and that’s what I hang on to New chaplain welcomed by the Bishop of Exeter HE REVD NICK GRIFFIN has been ” licensed as the chaplain of the University of St Mark and St John in Plymouth. He is the sixth full-time, ordained chaplain. TBishop Robert led the service. Nick says, “As a South West family, we are delighted to move to Plymouth and I am honoured to be the new Chaplain and serve the sta and students. The chapel is a place of worship, prayer and refl ection for any who wish to use it.”