Devon Historic Churches Open Day 14 September
For a list of participating churches, click here
Identity Course
If you are new to the Christian faith, still exploring what you believe about Jesus, or wanting to prepare for adult baptism or confirmation, then the first step is to take part in the 7-week Identity Course. The course works through John’s gospel and also makes time to answer some of the most common objections to the Christian faith; such as what about suffering? Do I have to go to church? Etc. The course starts on Tuesday 17th September.
Adult Baptism
We are planning to hold another service with adult baptism by immersion at Abbotsbury Church on Sunday on 3rd November. If you haven’t yet been baptised and would like to be baptised in this way, you’ll need to book on the Identity course above! Please contact Dave rector@newtonabbotparishes.co.uk for more information.
Next Evensong
An early date for your diary – our next Evensong will take place on Sunday 29 th September at 5:30pm. Venue still to be decided.
Mission Shed: Growing Faith
Saturday 28 September, 10am-4pm at St John's Newport, Barnstaple
“Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord” Psalm 22:30
“Young people aren’t just the future of the church, they ARE the church!”
A day to consider how our churches can put children, young people and families at the heart of their mission and ministry.
Our next Mission Shed gathering is in Barnstaple on the topic of Growing Faith. Growing Faith is the movement that exists to put children, young people and families instinctively at the heart of all the mission and ministry of the Church by changing the culture of the Church of England.
Our main contributors include Sharon Blyth (Diocesan Children and Families Mission Enabler), Sue Lockwood (Diocesan Director for Education), and Chris Curtis CEO ofYouthscape. Chris has been working with young people for more than forty years. His work has focused recently on helping churches get going in youth work and finding ways of placing young people at the heart of church life.
Paul Friend, also joins us for the day. Paul leads South West Youth Ministries (SWYM) and has been involved in leadership roles in charity and church for the last 25 years. He is passionate about team leadership and developing a healthy leadership culture.
Click here to sign up for your free ticket.
Evangelism Mission Shed 16 November at St Jude's Plymouth
Speakers include Rev'd Canon Chris Russell, Advisor to Archbishop of Canterbury for evangelism & witness, and Rev'd Dr Ben Aldous, Principal Officer for Evangelism and Mission at Churches Together in England.
Click here to book your place.
The New Bishop of Exeter's Service of Welcome and Installation: 2nd November
The Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison will be installed as the new Bishop of Exeter at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 2 nd November. Bishop Mike will become the 72 nd bishop in a service which has traditions stretching back hundreds of years.
The service is also expected to have personal touches chosen by Bishop Mike, and will include representatives of Devon’s schools, uniformed organisations, community groups and charities, other Christian denominations and representatives from world faiths. Read the full story.
November’s Installation service will be a ticketed public event. Booking details will be available shortly through the Exeter Cathedral website.
Foundations
Foundations is the introductory course for everyone in the Diocese of Exeter who is exploring their vocation (both lay and ordained). The course is designed to help people grow in their discipleship, and flourish as part of the Church. It is the foundational course to train as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader), for ordination training or to train for one of the new Commissioned roles. It is run by the Diocese of Exeter as part of our commitment to lifelong learning and development for all, and is open to everyone who is a member of a church community.
The topics covered are: Theology, The Bible, Spirituality and Ministry. The Foundations course is a mixture of in person and online teaching. There will be several intakes a year and it will run in different locations to make it as accessible as possible for a wide range of people across Devon. If you apply to do the course in 2024/5, you will be invited to join one of the three regional groups, in the following locations:
- Plymouth (St Jude’s Church) running from October 2024 to March 2025
- North Devon (location tbc) running from January to May 2025
- Exeter (location tbc) running from January to May 2025
Click here to find out more about Foundations.
Watch the video for more:
Confirmation Service
A Confirmation Service is likely to be held in the spring of 2025. Please contact Dave rector@newtonabbotparishes.co.uk if you are interested.