CHILDREN CAN TEACH

ADULTS A THING OR GOOD NEWS FROM THE | FEBRUARY 2019 TWO ABOUT FAITH SPOTLIGHT DIOCESE APPOINTS ON BISHOP NEW DIRECTOR OF MARTIN COMMUNICATIONS The Right Revd Nick McKinnel SHAW Bishop of Plymouth Revd John Fisher to join diocesan team in April as new Director of Ordinands unday by Sunday, a small (but usually willing!) the disciples try to protect Jesus from parents eager for army of volunteers give their time to looking him to touch their babies (Luke 18:15-17), his response after and teaching the children and young is to say, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God FOND FAREWELL TO BECKY... people in our churches. Some run crèches in as a little child will never enter it.” the back of the church, others lead children Luke sets the story alongside that of the rich young WARM WELCOME FOR NEW DDO Sout from the service to special activities in the hall, often ruler whose wealth and responsibilities so entangle him bringing them back in at the end to show the rest of the that he is unable to respond to the call, “Come, follow A new Diocesan Director of congregation a variety of artistic creations. me”. As we thank God for those who look after our Ordinands has been announced, Through the week, youth leaders will be working children and young people, we too are not to lose the succeeding Canon Becky Totterdell with teenagers and afterschool clubs, teams run Messy eagerness, curiosity and trust that Jesus commends. who had been in the post since 2010. Church with craft activities and games, The Revd John Fisher is currently and Open the Book flourishes across Patronage Secretary at Church the Diocese. And that is not to mention Pastoral Aid Society, and is expected the holiday clubs and youth camps to be in post in early April. held in the summer, or organisations He was ordained in 1994 and like South West Youth Ministries and served his title in the Diocese CATALYST with their involvement in of Chelmsford. He was then an schools across the county. incumbent in Nottingham for 10 There is rarely a church that doesn’t years. During this time, he was also want to “bring in the young people”, Rural Dean and Chaplain to the East but much of this work is largely unseen Midlands Ministerial Training Course. working with others in the Diocese as a residentiary canon of Exeter - though hopefully it is prayed for and He said: “To be a follower of Jesus to encourage more vocations to the Cathedral. given a budget by the PCC. As is often is a wonderful journey of discovery, ordained ministry.” “John joins us from the Churches said, young people are not the church discipleship and witness to God’s In the meantime, Canon Andrew Pastoral Aid Society, a mission of tomorrow, they are the church of faithfulness. In the Church, all of Godsall, who has also previously agency in the . He today. us are called to serve others with worked as a DDO, will act as interim is well used to discerning who best In fact, for Jesus, children can teach joy, but I am really looking forward DDO. fits where because his current job is adults a thing or two about faith. When to coming alongside those people He said: “It has been a real basically helping churches find a new in the Diocese of Exeter who are privilege to work with Becky. For vicar. We look forward to welcoming prayerfully exploring if God may be eight years she has conscientiously him as leader of the DDO team and calling them to serve as deacons and guided countless people through having the best job in the Diocese of priests. Building on Becky Totterdell’s the discernment process. Happily, Exeter.” EXETER.ANGLICAN.ORG work will be a privilege, as will she will continue her own ministry @CofEDevon Diocese of Exeter cofedevon EXETER.ANGLICAN.ORG @CofEDevon Diocese of Exeter cofedevon In this month’s interview, the former DIOCESE APPOINTS BBC JOURNALIST Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, the Right AS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Reverend Martin Shaw, gives us a glimpse The Diocese of Exeter has appointed an accomplished into his spiritual life and what he needs to broadcast journalist as its new Director of sustain it. Communications and Engagement. Chloe Axford has spent the past decade working as a reporter and producer at BBC South West. She also spent two years working in creative arts, drama and Spotlight on video ministry at the Church of the Ascension in south London before moving to in 2007. Chloe said: “I am honoured to be appointed to this role, and I am really looking forward to starting the job. Bishop Martin “I am passionate about telling the stories that need to be told in a way that is creative and newsworthy, whether it is sharing the amazing work already being done by the Shaw Diocese and churches in Devon or illustrating Bishop Robert’s vision for churches to grow in prayer, make new Was your Christian faith kindled from birth by church- disciples and serve the people of Devon with joy. going parents or was it more of a Damascus road “I am excited about working alongside the rest of experience? the diocesan team to help Devon’s churches to be as My childhood church-going was about the words ‘no’ What do you think is the most important aspect of being engaging, life-transforming and relevant as possible to and ‘don’t’. At 14, I came across Anglo-Catholicism: where an ordained minister? the communities they serve.” priest and people were inspiring, with earthy jokes. The practice of the priesthood of Christ: carrying the The Rt Revd , , said: “We suffering of others. Presiding at the Eucharist, priest and are very pleased that Chloe will be coming to work of churches in Devon. She has worked as the producer for When did you first feel called to ordination? people offer to Divine Love that which is being carried. with us. There is so much good news, and so many adult and youth venues at Spring Harvest and has been Two Franciscan priests, in my late teens, were invigorating opportunities to share it through traditional and digital the Prayer House Coordinator. Chloe also contributes preachers, lived simply and loved deeply. I wanted to be Are there areas in the Church of England that need to be media, but also through social media which gives us a worship resources to engageworship.org. like them. I still do! changed or adapted in the great work of growing the different, perhaps more direct relationship with people. Chloe lives in a south Devon market town with her Kingdom in the 21st century? “I am sure Chloe’s knowledge, experience and clear husband, their two children, and a cat called Crumble. Who or what sustains you? Some liturgy has little wonder and imagination; often enthusiasm will be of great benefit to the Diocese.” She will start her new role in mid-February 2019. Elspeth, my wife, whom I love deeply and who gives love lacking in the treasures of art and literature. Chloe has led all age and creative worship at a number and strength to me; Spiritual Direction, along with the I’m concerned about propositional projects in the writings of the great mystics and poets; the practice of delicacy of intercultural discourse. The task isn’t to take prayer, listening, watching and loving; skilled musicians. Christ out to ‘grow the Kingdom’, but to realise that he’s PULLING OUT THE STOPS FOR DEVON already out there waiting for us to join him. Two leading organists in the South West are hosting a day with the Royal College of Organists. When or where do you feel at your most spiritual? Safety and security now have pride of place, but they of gentle encouragement for Devon church organists. The sessions will be held in Emmanuel Church, In the early morning and, also, among the ‘carceri’ above mustn’t dilute the risk and costliness of the Christ-like life. The two-hour sessions will cover topics such as hymn Mannamead, on March 9. The cost for RCO members is Assisi, the cell where Francis prayed. Mostly my praying is registrations, leading the congregation, playovers and £25 (£10 observer only) per session and £35 per session inner dryness, with the occasional ‘rumour’ of God in the What do you do to relax? choosing seasonal voluntaries. (£15 observer only) for non-members. love I ‘catch on the breeze’. The Movies. Reading daily. Walking the South West The tutors are Ian Curror and Bramwell Bourne, the For further information and to book online please go to Coastal Path. Listening intently to music. Hearing good South West’s first and only accredited organ teacher https://www.rco.org.uk/events/hymns-and-voluntaries Who inspires you? jokes, particularly Billy Connolly. Richard Holloway. I was his in Edinburgh. He faces with courage the difficulties with belief in a world of What book are you currently reading? GRAB A PEW! uncertainty. ‘Redeeming Time’ on T.S.Eliot’s ’The Four Quartets’ by A number of pine pews are for sale at St Paul’s Church in January so please act fast if you would like one! Simone Weil. The disturbing French mystic who wrote a Kenneth Paul Kramer, the essential life of contemplative Tiverton. For more information, contact the churchwarden, book that goes with me everywhere: ’Waiting on God’. prayer intensified by the poetry. Ideally, they will all have been removed by the end of Peter Day, on [email protected] or 01884 230752. St Francis of Assisi. His simple prayer: ‘Deus meus et Omnia’. [My God, My All]

EXETER.ANGLICAN.ORG @CofEDevon Diocese of Exeter cofedevon