SHOUT SHOUT PHOTOS: REVD HUW RIDEN ‘ALLELUIA!’ ‘ALLELUIA!’ GOOD NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF EXETER | APRIL 2019 The Right Revd FOR A NEW A NEW ROLE Jackie Searle reflects IN CYPRUS on the Diocese of Exeter’s pilgrimage The Archdeacon of Exeter to the Holy Land DAY HAS and wife Revd Anne discuss their exciting new calling… DAWNED 2,000 miles to the south The Right Revd Communications and Jackie Searle BE AN AGENT OF Engagement for the Diocese, Bishop of Crediton Pilgrims from the Diocese said: “I went along to Mission of Exeter, in Jerusalem Shed Central last year not really TRANSFORMATION knowing what to expect. It was he streets of old Jerusalem were their crosses on their way to be crucified. In some great to meet so many other crowded, the market sellers keen small way, we experienced both the profound people involved in fresh to trade, the tourists following their connection with Jesus as we walked with him, An exciting day exploring what it means to be a disciple of expressions and innovative guides, people rushing to work or and the profound connection with the crowd going Jesus every day of the week, not just on Sundays, is being projects around Devon and school, soldiers and guards on about their lives. planned and all congregations are invited to take part. have the chance to share duty at check points, and we, a band of pilgrims Two days later, I went shopping in the same hank God stories and ideas. Tfrom the Diocese of Exeter, in the midst of all the streets. ‘Are you looking for the stations of it’s Monday’, “I was inspired by the guest busyness, were walking the Stations of the Cross. the cross?’ asked a trader. So, not completely is the speakers, one in particular We walked slowly, deliberately. At each station unnoticed, and for me the answer is yes, and theme for motivated me to start a work we stopped, tried as best we could to be still, out always. As followers of Christ we walk in the way of this year’s WhatsApp prayer group. I’d spent of the way of the crowds, and we read aloud the the cross. The way of the cross, and the deep love Mission Shed Central, a theme 10 years thinking only one other Gospel accounts, remembering the journey that of God expressed there, shapes who we are, what ‘Twhich celebrates, affirms and vision is all about building person I worked with (in my Jesus made to the cross. we do, our love for Christ, our love for others. explores the call of Christians confidence for the whole church previous workplace) was a This month we enter Passiontide, Holy Week and ‘Is it nothing to you, all you who to grow in faith and live a faith- that every single worshipper is Christian. Within days there were Easter. May we, walking, day by day, in the way of pass by? Look and see if there filled life connected with every invited to follow Jesus and be an six of us and the number has the cross find it none other than the way of life of dimension of our lives. agent for transformation grown since!” is any sorrow like my sorrow.’ peace. And when the day of resurrection comes, Key speakers at the event on wherever they live, work or play.” Mission Shed Central is a free Lam 1:12 may we sing and shout our ‘Alleluias’ with all our April 6 at St Andrews Cullompton Mission Sheds gather three event, including lunch but you There is something profound about walking the heart, soul, mind and strength, for a new day has (and Community centre) include times a year, usually in the will need to book a place. Why way of the cross publicly, in the midst of a people dawned, and the way to life stands open. Bishop Jackie Searle, Ros Turner evening. The ‘Central’ event is a not bring a group from your who pass by. They are used to it, of course; used There is still time to sign up for from Transform Work UK and whole day gathering to add a little Mission Community and find out to Christian pilgrims who come from all over the a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Father Simon Cuff from St more depth to what’s possible in why those already engaged with world with their different customs and emotions November. Contact Annie Church on Mellitus College. an evening, and connect with Mission Shed are so excited and expressions of faith, and who walk this route 01626 873173 or Gill Still on 01803 Mission Shed is a local more people. about the transforming power of every day. As, in fact, in Jesus’ day it was a 782301 for more information. resource hub network across Chloe Axford, Director of local churches in Devon? common sight to see criminals or victims, carrying Devon launched three years ago by Diocesan Mission Enabler Booking details are on the Diocesan website via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mission-shed-central-2019- Revd Barry Dugmore. tickets-56555318480, or call 01392 294973 EXETER.ANGLICAN.ORG He said: “The Mission Shed @CofEDevon Diocese of Exeter cofedevon EXETER.ANGLICAN.ORG @CofEDevon Diocese of Exeter cofedevon REQUIEM MASS FOR Spotlight on… NEW ROLE IN CYPRUS MOTHER SUPERIOR FOR ARCHDEACON IN CREDITON The Mother CHRISTOPHER Superior of CANON an Anglican The Archdeacon of Exeter is in the summer. It is a very order of nuns CHRIS preparing for an exciting new exciting opportunity for me and in Devon has chapter in his ministry as he for Anne, especially as we have died at the PALMER moves 2,000 miles south to come to know the diocese well age of 92, take on a new role. over the past few years, leaving only one member of the The Venerable Christopher particularly through attending order left. Futcher has been appointed the annual synod meetings. It Mother Hilary of the Franciscan Archdeacon in Cyprus and will be sad to leave Exeter but Servants of Jesus and Mary, This month, we chat to Canon Chaplain of St Helena’s Larnaca. we plan to return often to the in Posbury St Francis, near Chris Palmer, Exeter Cathedral’s He has been nourishing links south-west and have many Crediton, had been Mother Canon Chancellor, who says we with the Diocese of Cyprus and friends here.” Superior for 55 years. need to be less fearful about our the Gulf for the past few years “I hope that in this new role I Her requiem mass will be survival and, instead, celebrate and has come to know the can continue to help grow the link on Tuesday, March 12 at 11am our trust and delight in God. diocese well. between the dioceses, also with at Crediton Parish Church His wife, Anne, is also ordained the diocese of Thika in Kenya. (Holy Cross). Was your Christian faith kindled from birth place, turned the car headlights off, got and will be licensed as an Placements and sabbaticals in by church-going parents or was it more of out, and enjoyed the silence, the darkness, Assistant Priest in St different parts of the Anglican STILL TIME TO SIGN a Damascus road experience? and the aloneness. Helena’s and will Communion can refresh us in As a child, I went to church every Sunday – and serve as Cyprus our vision for the mission and UP FOR DIOCESAN Sunday School, church choir, and parish holidays. Who inspires you? Archdeaconry Social ministry of Christ’s Church.” CRICKET TEAM When I was 13 there was a mission in our local People in whom I recognise a depth of spirituality Concern Officer. They will be moving The Diocese of Exeter is parish, and this marked the moment I decided that and discipleship that I long for. Certainly, a lot Archdeacon to Cyprus over the planning to relaunch its clergy Christian faith was for me. of people who inspired me in younger days were Christopher summer holidays cricket team this summer. And, priests – perhaps the reason I felt called to be one. said: “I am and Christopher’s if you love the soft thwack of the When did you first feel called to ordination? delighted to farewell service bat hitting the ball on long sunny I first thought about the possibility of ordination What do you think is the most important aspect be taking up will be in the afternoons, why not sign up? when I was 16 and spoke to my parish priest and of being an ordained minister? this new role Cathedral on For Church Times Cup the Director of Ordinands about it when I was 19, Integrating the different vocations I hold – as Wednesday The Venerable matches, players (male and but I only pursued it properly when I was 23. husband, father, priest, friend, human being, July 3 at Christopher female) need to be members of and more. I will only be any good as a priest if I and wife Revd 17:30. Anne Futcher the clergy, licensed lay ministers What/who sustains you? discover a balance in my living which honours each (eg Reader, Church Army officer), The richness of Ignatian Spirituality. I first did of these and nourishes the gifts God gives to me. paid lay ministers (eg youth an Individually Guided Retreat when I was a curate HOT CROSS BUN CARD workers, vergers, musicians, and have done one most years since then. In Are there areas in the Church of England that The Diocesan Communications team produces a small hot diocesan officers) or any person 2013, I did the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in a need to be changed/adapted in the great work of cross bun card explaining the symbolism of the hot cross bun holding an equivalent position in 30-day retreat; that experience continues to inform growing the Kingdom in the 21st century? which is designed to be used for services in any other denomination.