Blogs: Steph's Update for 1st Nov 2020

This update was sent out before developments on Saturday 31st 2020. Obviously changes to national rules may affect planned in person events throughout the Exe Valley.

This week

Another Sunday - and another Conference Call and Zoom service! We are looking forward to it. See our Resources page for connection details and service sheet.

Coffee Morning

We look forward to meeting again this week at 10.30am. See the Resources page for details.

What’s ahead

Our churches are open for Holy Communion at 11.15am each week. This week, 1st November, we will be at Templeton. It is essential that you book a seat in church via the church office, on 01884 250417 or email office@exevalleymissioncommunity.org or by leaving a message on the answerphone by 11.00 am on the Friday before the service.

On 8th November at 10.55am there will be an Act of Remembrance followed by a service of Holy Communion at Withleigh.

If you are booking by email it would be helpful if you could:

Put the date and venue of the service you wish to go to in the subject box i.e. Cruwys Morchard 11 October 2020.
If you are booking for others, as well as yourself, please give names and contact details for Test and Trace.
Please let us know If you are in a bubble and can therefore sit together.
We will confirm whether you have booked successfully either by phone or by email.
If you are unable to attend, please can inform the office if you know by Friday 11.00am OR the Church Warden from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning.
Lay-led services will need to be booked via the relevant Warden(s) NOT the office.
Further details will be sent by email or put on the website during the week. Government guidance asks us all to wear face masks when in church.

Harvest

Please have a look at our Exe Valley and St Peter’s Online Harvest which is now available on our website. It includes harvest songs, prayers and photographs taken locally. We hope that you will find it uplifting. Perhaps you could meet with a couple of others in your bubble and watch it together? Many people from all round the country – and Spain – have enjoyed watching it. Sadly, we have heard that some of you have been unable to watch it because of slow broadband speeds. Please let us know if this is you!! We can provide you with a copy on a memory stick. Contact Steve at the Church Office or Dawn Williams and we will try and sort it!

Bible Study

The Bible study resumes on Wednesday 4th November at 7.30pm on either Zoom or Conference Call. (Please see the Resources page for details)

For the next five weeks we will be looking at the worldwide Anglican church and celebrating its diversity. ‘Living with a World of Difference’ celebrates what it means to be part of the Anglican Communion, which is the world’s third largest Christian community, after the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. We are part of a worldwide family of tens of millions of Christians, from more than 165 countries across the world. It’s exciting! It’s diverse! It’s our family! Join us in the run up to Advent and find out more.

There is a study booklet to accompany this series. Please let the office know if you are planning to join us and we can either send you or email the material.

Remembrance Sunday

All of the churches in The Exe Valley Mission Community are planning to hold a short service in church on Remembrance Sunday. Places will need to be booked via Church Wardens.

There will be a short act of remembrance at 10.50am at Withleigh followed by Holy Communion. Please book your seat for this service via the church office. There will be a short Act of Remembrance at the Zoom/Conference Call Service on the 8th November at 10.00am.

Church Office

After Monday 2nd of November, Steve will be out of the office, because he is having a knee replacement operation. He may be able to work from home until returns to the office. The future Updates will let you know when he is back in the office, in full working order! Please pray for Steve, that the operation is successful. And please pray for the smooth running of the Mission Community, as Steve’s absence will have a significant impact!

Save the date!

On 2 December 2020 Robert and I would like to invite you to a special Advent Celebration, to be held at St Peter’s Tiverton. It will be a chance for us to get together – especially those who have been worshipping via Zoom or the Conference Call. More details will follow.
Clearly all these things are subject to change, so please check on the website for the most up-to-date information.

I read this prayer this morning, which seemed to sum up so much.

Lord, in these dark and difficult times, grant me grace to seek your face with undiminished love. Replenish my reserves for the road is long. Surprise me in the coming day with glimpses of your goodness, hints of your holiness, and a song of hope in this very strange land.
Amen.

God be with you and those you love.

Steph