Letter from the Rector – June 2009
May 28, 2009 by Andrew
I am sure that most readers are aware that this year the Diocese of Exeter celebrates its 1100th anniversary. That is, it is 1100 years since Eadwulf set out from Sherborne to form a new diocese based at Crediton. (The move to Exeter followed in 1050). Our own designation as a ‘minster’ has been part of the celebrations (a special service will be held on 29th November) and a book has been published to mark the occasion, ‘The Pilgrim’s Guide to Devon’s Churches,’ which has a description and photograph of each one of the 618 Church of England churches in Devon. Copies can be ordered from the church shop.
Two events in June give us all a particular opportunity to join in the wider celebrations. The first is the visit of the Bishop of Exeter to Sutton Deanery (the part of Plymouth we are in) for 10th-14th June. All three of the bishops in the diocese are taking part in such visits under the title ‘Bishops in Mission’ and during his time with us Bishop Michael will be speaking with civic and business leaders, meeting old and young, eating curries, hog roasts and barbecues, and patrolling with Street Pastors. We shall be hosting him at a visitation to the archdeaconry on the Wednesday evening and he will also be taking a deanery confirmation service at St. Andrew’s on the Sunday night.
A particular feature of all the ‘Bishops in Mission’ visits is an emphasis on encouraging Christians to think about our own contribution to the church’s ministry. With less clergy now available in parishes (the number of paid parochial clergy is half what it was when I arrived in the diocese 22 years ago), we are rightly having to rediscover the Biblical emphasis on the church as the body of Christ, each contributing our God-given gifts to building up that body. The Bishop will be holding a Vocations Tea at 4pm on Sunday 14th June in the Lower Abbey Hall for any interested in thinking whether God might be calling them to some of the recognised forms of Christian ministry.
The other main anniversary celebration this month is on the weekend of 26th and 27th June when there are a series of gatherings, services and seminars centred on Exeter Cathedral. On the Friday night a youth event promises ‘the Cathedral as you’ve never seen it before’ with live bands, skate park, inflatables, worship and the Archbishop of Canterbury ‘popping in for a chat and to lead prayers’. On the Saturday all are welcome at a Celebration Eucharist on the Cathedral Green (11.30am) at which the Archbishop will preach, and a number of seminars are to be held in the afternoon which we are encouraged to book for in advance (www.devon1100.org). An open air Songs of Praise rounds off the day at 5.15pm.
Both these diocesan celebrations appropriately follow on from the Sunday when we recall the Day of Pentecost (31st May) and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus in a new and life-changing way. As we look back in gratitude to those who brought the gospel to this part of the world, let us pray that God’s Spirit would continue his gracious work of building up his church here, that like the first Christians we may devote ourselves ‘to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers’ (Acts 2:42).
Nick McKinnel