St. Boniface set to become Patron Saint of Devon
PLANS TO GIVE CHURCHES MORE FLEXIBILITY OVER SERVICES WELCOMED
NEW BISHOP OF CREDITON
South molton church at heart of north devon's relief effort for Grenfell tower victims
Bishop Robert opens new church primary school
St. Boniface set to become Patron Saint of Devon (May 2019)
Devon County Council has voted in favour of an amendment to adopt St Boniface as the Patron Saint of Devon.
The decision was made at a full council meeting on 23 May with a majority of councillors voting in favour.
St Boniface was born in Crediton and the Boniface Link Association has been campaigning to have him officially made the county’s Patron Saint.
The campaign has been backed by the Anglican Bishop of Exeter, Rt Revd Robert Atwell, and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, Rt Rev Mark O’Toole as well as Crediton Congregational Church, Crediton Methodist Church and the Rector of the Orthodox Parish of the Holy Prophet Elias.
The Rt Revd Mark O’Toole, said: “I am delighted to hear this wonderful news and I congratulate Devon County Council on this momentous decision. St Boniface has many lessons to teach us today and I hope the fact that he is now officially Patron Saint of Devon will inspire us to look more closely at the life of this remarkable Devonian.”
The Rt Revd Robert Atwell said: “This is fantastic news, St Boniface was an exceptional man of whom Devon can be proud and we have been delighted to support the campaign to have him made Patron Saint of Devon.”
St Boniface Day is June 5. On Sunday 9 June, Rt Rev O’Toole will be jointly leading a special service at Crediton Parish Church alongside the Bishop of Crediton, The Rt Revd Jackie Searle. Following the service, there will be a procession to the statue of St Boniface in the park followed by a second service led by Bishop Mark in the Catholic Shrine of St Boniface.
Crediton County Councillor Nick Way, who put forward the St Boniface motion, said: “I am very pleased the council supported the Boniface Link organisation’s campaign to adopt St Boniface as Patron Saint for Devon and I would like to thank all those whose efforts made this possible. This is great news for the Crediton area and the county as a whole.”
This year the Bishop of Exeter has introduced a new initiative in the name of St Boniface. The Company of St Boniface honours people who have made a substantial contribution to the life of the church in Devon. Up to six Companions of St Boniface will be admitted each year. This year there will be a service of investiture at Exeter Cathedral in September at which the recipients will be presented with a special medal designed by Devon priest and artist Father Andrew Johnson.
Boniface was born with the Anglo-Saxon name Winfrith in Crediton circa 680AD and is often referred to as the First European.
He studied at the monastery at Exeter, later travelling to Europe as a missionary. In 722AD, Pope Gregory made him Bishop of all Germany East of the Rhine. He was martyred in 754AD at Dokkum in the Netherland and buried at Fulda in Germany.
Devon County Council has voted in favour of an amendment to adopt St Boniface as the Patron Saint of Devon.
The decision was made at a full council meeting on 23 May with a majority of councillors voting in favour.
St Boniface was born in Crediton and the Boniface Link Association has been campaigning to have him officially made the county’s Patron Saint.
The campaign has been backed by the Anglican Bishop of Exeter, Rt Revd Robert Atwell, and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, Rt Rev Mark O’Toole as well as Crediton Congregational Church, Crediton Methodist Church and the Rector of the Orthodox Parish of the Holy Prophet Elias.
The Rt Revd Mark O’Toole, said: “I am delighted to hear this wonderful news and I congratulate Devon County Council on this momentous decision. St Boniface has many lessons to teach us today and I hope the fact that he is now officially Patron Saint of Devon will inspire us to look more closely at the life of this remarkable Devonian.”
The Rt Revd Robert Atwell said: “This is fantastic news, St Boniface was an exceptional man of whom Devon can be proud and we have been delighted to support the campaign to have him made Patron Saint of Devon.”
St Boniface Day is June 5. On Sunday 9 June, Rt Rev O’Toole will be jointly leading a special service at Crediton Parish Church alongside the Bishop of Crediton, The Rt Revd Jackie Searle. Following the service, there will be a procession to the statue of St Boniface in the park followed by a second service led by Bishop Mark in the Catholic Shrine of St Boniface.
Crediton County Councillor Nick Way, who put forward the St Boniface motion, said: “I am very pleased the council supported the Boniface Link organisation’s campaign to adopt St Boniface as Patron Saint for Devon and I would like to thank all those whose efforts made this possible. This is great news for the Crediton area and the county as a whole.”
This year the Bishop of Exeter has introduced a new initiative in the name of St Boniface. The Company of St Boniface honours people who have made a substantial contribution to the life of the church in Devon. Up to six Companions of St Boniface will be admitted each year. This year there will be a service of investiture at Exeter Cathedral in September at which the recipients will be presented with a special medal designed by Devon priest and artist Father Andrew Johnson.
Boniface was born with the Anglo-Saxon name Winfrith in Crediton circa 680AD and is often referred to as the First European.
He studied at the monastery at Exeter, later travelling to Europe as a missionary. In 722AD, Pope Gregory made him Bishop of all Germany East of the Rhine. He was martyred in 754AD at Dokkum in the Netherland and buried at Fulda in Germany.
Plans to give churches more flexibility over services welcomed (Feb. 2019)
Plans to give churches more choice about how often they hold services have been welcomed by the acting Archdeacon of Plymouth Nick Shutt.
This week the Church of England’s General Synod approved legislation increasing flexibility for worship schedules in multi-parish benefices (groups of churches overseen by a team rector) many of which are in rural areas.
The Reverend Prebendary Nick Shutt, whose churches are based in the west Dartmoor area, said: “I have been the Rector of a multi-parish benefice of 6 parishes for 11 years and the news from Synod is very welcome because it reflects what is happening in parishes.
We live with a mixed economy with different people wanting to worship in different ways: On any Sunday you may find a traditional Book of Common Prayer Service, a modern Communion Service, a lay led service happening or a Fresh Expression Service happening.
Some people move around churches to enjoy the type of service that feeds their worship style. This legislation brings much needed legitimate freedom and is to be welcomed.”
At its February meeting, the General Synod voted strongly in support of changes allowing churches in group ministry to rotate services without explicit permission.
Existing legislation had required that Morning and Evening Prayer be said each day in every church and Holy Communion be held each week in every church.
Under the new legislation, the same services need only need be held in one church within a benefice, at the same regularity.
There are numerous multi-parish benefices in Devon. The largest has 17 parishes in it.
Plans to give churches more choice about how often they hold services have been welcomed by the acting Archdeacon of Plymouth Nick Shutt.
This week the Church of England’s General Synod approved legislation increasing flexibility for worship schedules in multi-parish benefices (groups of churches overseen by a team rector) many of which are in rural areas.
The Reverend Prebendary Nick Shutt, whose churches are based in the west Dartmoor area, said: “I have been the Rector of a multi-parish benefice of 6 parishes for 11 years and the news from Synod is very welcome because it reflects what is happening in parishes.
We live with a mixed economy with different people wanting to worship in different ways: On any Sunday you may find a traditional Book of Common Prayer Service, a modern Communion Service, a lay led service happening or a Fresh Expression Service happening.
Some people move around churches to enjoy the type of service that feeds their worship style. This legislation brings much needed legitimate freedom and is to be welcomed.”
At its February meeting, the General Synod voted strongly in support of changes allowing churches in group ministry to rotate services without explicit permission.
Existing legislation had required that Morning and Evening Prayer be said each day in every church and Holy Communion be held each week in every church.
Under the new legislation, the same services need only need be held in one church within a benefice, at the same regularity.
There are numerous multi-parish benefices in Devon. The largest has 17 parishes in it.
New Bishop of Crediton (July 2018)
The next Bishop of Crediton will be the Venerable Jackie Searle, currently Archdeacon of Gloucester.
Archdeacon Jackie said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Bishop of Crediton and am excited to be joining the Church of England in Devon. I am very drawn to the Diocesan vision to deepen our prayer, make disciples and serve the people of Devon with joy. I look forward hugely to joining in, getting to know the churches, schools, chaplaincies and fresh expressions of the Diocese and all the communities they serve, and working collaboratively to share the love and grace of God.”
Jackie was among the first women to be ordained as priests when she was a curate in London. She served curacies in Harrow and Ealing, before joining the staff of Trinity College, Bristol where she was Lecturer in Applied Theology.
She moved to be Vicar of Littleover in the Diocese of Derby, serving also as Dean of Women’s Ministry and as Rural Dean. In 2012 she took up her current appointment as Archdeacon of Gloucester and Canon Residentiary of Gloucester Cathedral.
Her breadth of experience and different ministries will stand her in good stead for this wide ranging role, which covers north and east Devon.
The Bishop of Exeter, Robert Atwell, said: “Jackie is a person of wide sympathies with a deep love of Christ. Through her work with Bridge Builders, she has specialised in conflict transformation, and will bring to her new role the same mixture of compassion, integrity and professionalism that has characterised all her work. She understands the challenges and opportunities of rural ministry well and will enrich the life of the church in Devon in many ways.”
Jackie added: “Wonderfully, in the Church of England in Devon, the church is gently growing. My heart’s desire is to share the difference that Jesus makes in our lives and to encourage everyone to find their vocation and purpose. This is what church is all about – a place where all are welcome and a community who live out their faith day by day wherever they may be.”
Prior to her ordination, Jackie trained as a primary school teacher. She is married to the Revd David Runcorn and they have two grown up children, Josh and Sim.
Jackie replaces Bishop Sarah Mullally, who served as Bishop of Crediton for two and a half years before being appointed as Bishop of London in May.
The next Bishop of Crediton will be the Venerable Jackie Searle, currently Archdeacon of Gloucester.
Archdeacon Jackie said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Bishop of Crediton and am excited to be joining the Church of England in Devon. I am very drawn to the Diocesan vision to deepen our prayer, make disciples and serve the people of Devon with joy. I look forward hugely to joining in, getting to know the churches, schools, chaplaincies and fresh expressions of the Diocese and all the communities they serve, and working collaboratively to share the love and grace of God.”
Jackie was among the first women to be ordained as priests when she was a curate in London. She served curacies in Harrow and Ealing, before joining the staff of Trinity College, Bristol where she was Lecturer in Applied Theology.
She moved to be Vicar of Littleover in the Diocese of Derby, serving also as Dean of Women’s Ministry and as Rural Dean. In 2012 she took up her current appointment as Archdeacon of Gloucester and Canon Residentiary of Gloucester Cathedral.
Her breadth of experience and different ministries will stand her in good stead for this wide ranging role, which covers north and east Devon.
The Bishop of Exeter, Robert Atwell, said: “Jackie is a person of wide sympathies with a deep love of Christ. Through her work with Bridge Builders, she has specialised in conflict transformation, and will bring to her new role the same mixture of compassion, integrity and professionalism that has characterised all her work. She understands the challenges and opportunities of rural ministry well and will enrich the life of the church in Devon in many ways.”
Jackie added: “Wonderfully, in the Church of England in Devon, the church is gently growing. My heart’s desire is to share the difference that Jesus makes in our lives and to encourage everyone to find their vocation and purpose. This is what church is all about – a place where all are welcome and a community who live out their faith day by day wherever they may be.”
Prior to her ordination, Jackie trained as a primary school teacher. She is married to the Revd David Runcorn and they have two grown up children, Josh and Sim.
Jackie replaces Bishop Sarah Mullally, who served as Bishop of Crediton for two and a half years before being appointed as Bishop of London in May.
South Molton church at heart of North Devon's relief effort for Grenfell tower victims. (26th JUNE 2017)
St Mary Magdalene church in South Molton was the centre of a local response to the fire disaster at Grenfell Tower in London. It organised the collection and delivery of a van-load of food, clothing, toys and toiletries to the emergency centre in Kensington, which the Red Cross were delighted to receive.
Churchwarden John Tucker and PCC secretary Lyn Winter, launched an appeal in the town. Aided by publicity from the local schools and Facebook, within 48 hours there was enough to fill the van. John’s son, David Tucker, of U-Move (Devon), kindly offered his services for free in delivering the donations
The organisers were overwhelmed by the response. People came from all over North Devon to donate, but the majority of donations were from South Molton residents keen to be of practical support. A local chemist offered to sell toiletries at a reduced price, if donated to the cause and Community Connections South Molton also helped collect donations.
People told of their reasons for donating, including a lady who had lost everything in a fire only 12 months ago, so was able to understand some of what the survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire were suffering.
Rev Dr Michael Grandey, Rector of the Parish Church, said: “Our hearts and our prayers go out to the hundreds of people whose lives have been affected by this awful tragedy. Our town has pulled together and at very short notice been able to provide at least a little bit of practical and much needed help. Our thanks go to all those who generously gave donations and helped organise the collection and delivery.”
St Mary Magdalene church in South Molton was the centre of a local response to the fire disaster at Grenfell Tower in London. It organised the collection and delivery of a van-load of food, clothing, toys and toiletries to the emergency centre in Kensington, which the Red Cross were delighted to receive.
Churchwarden John Tucker and PCC secretary Lyn Winter, launched an appeal in the town. Aided by publicity from the local schools and Facebook, within 48 hours there was enough to fill the van. John’s son, David Tucker, of U-Move (Devon), kindly offered his services for free in delivering the donations
The organisers were overwhelmed by the response. People came from all over North Devon to donate, but the majority of donations were from South Molton residents keen to be of practical support. A local chemist offered to sell toiletries at a reduced price, if donated to the cause and Community Connections South Molton also helped collect donations.
People told of their reasons for donating, including a lady who had lost everything in a fire only 12 months ago, so was able to understand some of what the survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire were suffering.
Rev Dr Michael Grandey, Rector of the Parish Church, said: “Our hearts and our prayers go out to the hundreds of people whose lives have been affected by this awful tragedy. Our town has pulled together and at very short notice been able to provide at least a little bit of practical and much needed help. Our thanks go to all those who generously gave donations and helped organise the collection and delivery.”
Bishop Robert opens new church primary school (19th JUNE 2017)
Bishop Robert officially opened the new school site for South Molton United Cof E Primary School last week. Having previously been a Junior School, the relocation to its new site has meant the school can now serve all children from the ages of 5 to 11. This has enabled the school to offer the community a local church school for the full primary age.
The school, which will initially accommodate 210 children will eventually expand to cope with the extra housing planned for the town. As South Molton grows, so will the school. The building project started on site during the summer of 2016 and was completed in Easter 2017 with the contractor (BAM) completing on time and on budget.
The new school will provide a 21st century learning environment with new opportunities to provide the children and staff with a very rich learning resource.