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GOOD NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF | APRIL 2019 ‘ALLELUIA!’ The Right Revd A NEW ROLE Jackie Searle reflects IN CYPRUS on the ’s pilgrimage The to the Holy Land and wife Revd Anne discuss their exciting new calling… 2,000 miles to the south

Communications and BE AN AGENT OF Engagement for the Diocese, said: “I went along to Mission Shed Central last year not really TRANSFORMATION knowing what to expect. It was great to meet so many other An exciting day exploring what it means to be a disciple of people involved in fresh Jesus every day of the week, not just on Sundays, is being expressions and innovative planned and all congregations are invited to take part. projects around Devon and have the chance to share hank God stories and ideas. it’s Monday’, “I was inspired by the guest is the speakers, one in particular theme for motivated me to start a work this year’s WhatsApp prayer group. I’d spent Mission Shed Central, a theme 10 years thinking only one other ‘Twhich celebrates, affirms and vision is all about building person I worked with (in my explores the call of Christians confidence for the whole church previous workplace) was a to grow in faith and live a faith- that every single worshipper is Christian. Within days there were filled life connected with every invited to follow Jesus and be an six of us and the number has dimension of our lives. agent for transformation grown since!” Key speakers at the event on wherever they live, work or play.” Mission Shed Central is a free April 6 at St Andrews Cullompton Mission Sheds gather three event, including lunch but you (and Community centre) include times a year, usually in the will need to book a place. Why Jackie Searle, Ros Turner evening. The ‘Central’ event is a not bring a group from your from Transform Work UK and whole day gathering to add a little Mission Community and find out Father Simon Cuff from St more depth to what’s possible in why those already engaged with Mellitus College. an evening, and connect with Mission Shed are so excited Mission Shed is a local more people. about the transforming power of resource hub network across Chloe Axford, Director of local churches in Devon? 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 He said: “The Mission Shed

EXETER.ANGLICAN.ORG @CofEDevon Diocese of Exeter cofedevon REQUIEM MASS FOR NEW ROLE IN CYPRUS MOTHER SUPERIOR FOR ARCHDEACON IN The Mother CHRISTOPHER Superior of an Anglican The Archdeacon of Exeter is in the summer. It is a very order of nuns 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 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, Chaplain of St Helena’s Larnaca. we plan to return often to the in Posbury St Francis, near He has been nourishing links south-west and have many Crediton, had been Mother with the Diocese of Cyprus and friends here.” Superior for 55 years. the Gulf for the past few years “I hope that in this new role I Her requiem mass will be and has come to know the can continue to help grow the link on Tuesday, March 12 at 11am diocese well. between the dioceses, also with at His wife, Anne, is also ordained the diocese of Thika in Kenya. (Holy Cross). and will be licensed as an Placements and sabbaticals in Assistant Priest in St different parts of the Anglican STILL TIME TO SIGN Helena’s and will Communion can refresh us in serve as Cyprus our vision for the mission and UP FOR DIOCESAN Archdeaconry Social ministry of Christ’s Church.” CRICKET TEAM Concern Officer. They will be moving The Diocese of Exeter is Archdeacon to Cyprus over the planning to relaunch its clergy Christopher summer holidays cricket team this summer. And, said: “I am and Christopher’s if you love the soft thwack of the delighted to farewell service bat hitting the ball on long sunny be taking up will be in the afternoons, why not sign up? this new role Cathedral on For Church Times Cup Wednesday The Venerable matches, players (male and July 3 at Christopher female) need to be members of and wife Revd 17:30. Anne Futcher the clergy, licensed lay ministers (eg Reader, Church Army officer), paid lay ministers (eg youth HOT CROSS BUN CARD workers, vergers, musicians, The Diocesan Communications team produces a small hot diocesan officers) or any person cross bun card explaining the symbolism of the hot cross bun holding an equivalent position in which is designed to be used for services in any other denomination. schools, parishes or given away in the street with a real bun. The card can be ordered from the For more information, communications team during Lent. Please use contact the Revd Canon Michael Sansom on the Hot Cross Buns Order Form. 01626 836773

EXETER.ANGLICAN.ORG Spotlight on… CANON CHRIS PALMER

This month, we chat to Canon Chris Palmer, ’s Canon Chancellor, who says we need to be less fearful about our survival and, instead, celebrate our trust and delight in God.

Was your Christian faith kindled from birth place, turned the car headlights off, got by church-going parents or was it more of out, and enjoyed the silence, the darkness, a Damascus road experience? and the aloneness. As a child, I went to church every Sunday – and Sunday School, church choir, and parish holidays. Who inspires you? When I was 13 there was a mission in our local People in whom I recognise a depth of spirituality parish, and this marked the moment I decided that and discipleship that I long for. Certainly, a lot Christian faith was for me. of people who inspired me in younger days were priests – perhaps the reason I felt called to be one. When did you first feel called to ordination? I first thought about the possibility of ordination What do you think is the most important aspect when I was 16 and spoke to my parish priest and of being an ordained minister? the Director of Ordinands about it when I was 19, Integrating the different vocations I hold – as but I only pursued it properly when I was 23. husband, father, priest, friend, human being, and more. I will only be any good as a priest if I What/who sustains you? discover a balance in my living which honours each The richness of Ignatian Spirituality. I first did of these and nourishes the gifts God gives to me. an Individually Guided Retreat when I was a curate and have done one most years since then. In Are there areas in the that 2013, I did the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in a need to be changed/adapted in the great work of 30-day retreat; that experience continues to inform growing the Kingdom in the 21st century? my discipleship. We need to be less fearful about our survival, and celebrate our trust and delight in God, confident When/where do you feel at your most spiritual? that the liturgy and parochial ministry of the church On a mountainside or on the open moor or beside has much to offer our nation. I would love to see the sea. The other night I drove home across the church being even bolder in speaking up for Dartmoor in the dark and stopped the car in a wild social justice, inclusion, and peace.

@CofEDevon Diocese of Exeter cofedevon SHOUT ‘ALLELUIA!’ PHOTOS: REVD HUW RIDEN FOR A NEW DAY HAS DAWNED

The Right Revd Jackie Searle Pilgrims from the Diocese of Exeter, in Jerusalem

he streets of old Jerusalem were their crosses on their way to be crucified. In some crowded, the market sellers keen small way, we experienced both the profound to trade, the tourists following their connection with Jesus as we walked with him, guides, people rushing to work or and the profound connection with the crowd going school, soldiers and guards on about their lives. duty at check points, and we, a band of pilgrims Two days later, I went shopping in the same Tfrom the Diocese of Exeter, in the midst of all the streets. ‘Are you looking for the stations of busyness, were walking the Stations of the Cross. the cross?’ asked a trader. So, not completely We walked slowly, deliberately. At each station unnoticed, and for me the answer is yes, and we stopped, tried as best we could to be still, out always. As followers of Christ we walk in the way of of the way of the crowds, and we read aloud the the cross. The way of the cross, and the deep love Gospel accounts, remembering the journey that of God expressed there, shapes who we are, what Jesus made to the cross. we do, our love for Christ, our love for others. ‘Is it nothing to you, all you who This month we enter Passiontide, Holy Week and pass by? Look and see if there Easter. May we, walking, day by day, in the way of the cross find it none other than the way of life of is any sorrow like my sorrow.’ peace. And when the day of resurrection comes, Lam 1:12 may we sing and shout our ‘Alleluias’ with all our There is something profound about walking the heart, soul, mind and strength, for a new day has way of the cross publicly, in the midst of a people dawned, and the way to life stands open. who pass by. They are used to it, of course; used There is still time to sign up for to Christian pilgrims who come from all over the a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in world with their different customs and emotions November. Contact Annie Church on and expressions of faith, and who walk this route 01626 873173 or Gill Still on 01803 every day. As, in fact, in Jesus’ day it was a 782301 for more information. common sight to see criminals or victims, carrying

EXETER.ANGLICAN.ORG @CofEDevon Diocese of Exeter cofedevon