Exe Valley Mission Community
The 9 churches in the Exe Valley Mission Community

About Us

For many years the churches of the Exe Valley have worked together as a group, sharing staff and resources, but in 2009 a new phase of our life began when we became a mission community.

We are a MISSION community because we believe that the Lord Jesus has given his church the mission of making known the good news of peace with God through faith in him (Matthew 28v19).

We are a mission COMMUNITY because we believe that we are stronger together and that our different churches all have something different to contribute to our common life (Ephesians 4v16).

Our mission strengthens our community and our community strengthens our mission.
Many different people play their part in the life of our Mission Community.

StephOur Rector: Stephanie Gordon-Jeffs

Steph has lived and worked in and around Tiverton since 1989. She felt the call to ordained ministry, left her teaching job at Blundell’s Prep and went to study at Trinity College, Bristol. After serving her curacy she was appointed Rector to the Exe Valley in December 2016. She has recently married (hence the double-barrel!) and is now mother and step-mother to six children and two grandchildren. She knows from experience that God is full of wonderful surprises!

Hi! I’m Steph and I am delighted to be the Rector of the Exe Valley Mission Community. Welcome to our website. I hope you can find your way around it. I also hope you can see how much is on offer in the Exe Valley and come and join us wherever and whenever you can.

ClaireOur Curate: Claire Curtis

Our new curate Claire Curtis joined us from September 2021. You can contact her by calling 07873 575276  or by emailing claire @exevalleymissioncommunity.org. However, she doesn't work on Tuesdays and Fridays!

Tim Gorringe

Tim Gorringe was ordained in Leeds in 1971, taught theology in India from 1979-1986, in Oxford from 1986-1995, in St Andrews, 1995-98, and was Professor of Theology at Exeter 1998-2014. For 14 years he and his wife Gill ran a smallholding in Cheriton Bishop, moving to Tiverton in 2022. He is a beekeeper, bellringer, and member of the Iona Community and of Landworkers Alliance.

The Rector's PA and the Church Office

Steve Hirst is the Rector’s PA. The Exe Valley Mission Community Office is in The Rectory at Withleigh. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10.00 -12.00 noon.

Dave EdwardsDavid Edwards: Worship leader and singer-songwriter

David is married to Nikki and they have four children aged between 15 and 28. David has worked in Christian song and worship ministry for over 35 years and was involved as a worship pastor/ musical director at St Andrew’s Cullompton for about 25 years. As well as leading worship, David is also involved in one-to-one discipleship and mentoring and is part of the CCMN mentoring network. David also runs worship retreats, so do let him know if you are interested in attending one.

David loves being part of the Exe Valley team and leads worship at one of our nine churches most Sunday mornings. Quite often he travels with one of his musically gifted friends but, if you play an instrument and would love to use it to help others in their worship, do let him know. David’s email address is- davidedwards815@gmail.com

What do we do?

Sunday Services

The Exe Valley is a lively, worshipping community. Services take different forms from Common Worship, Holy Communion, Service of the Word, Morning and Evening Prayer, Morning and Evening Praise, Informal Worship.

Cluster Services – Holy Communion

Cluster Services are services of Holy Communion. They take place across the Mission Community, in three different geographical groupings: Cruwys Morchard, Withleigh and Templeton; Calverleigh, Loxbeare and Washfield; Rackenford, Stoodleigh and Oakford. Cluster Services always take place at 11.15am. Everyone is welcome to come to any of the Cluster Services. Please see the services section of the website or the Today magazine for details.

Group Services

On the fourth Sunday of every month the Mission Community meets to worship together at 10.30am, in one of our nine churches. Please see the services section of the website or the Today magazine for details.

Self Services

Self Services are organised by Lay Leaders in conjunction with the Rector and/or other leaders. These are always Service of the Word and take place in the individual churches. Please see the services section of the website or the Today magazine for details.

Pastoral Visiting

If you would like to see the Rector there are several ways of doing it.

  1. Make an appointment to see her by ringing 01884 250417 or emailing office@exevalleymissioncommunity.org.
     
  2. If you would like the Rector to come and see you then phone the church office to make an arrangement for her to visit.
     
  3. If the visit is urgent, please leave a message on the answerphone and we will get back to you as soon as we can.