News

The Diocesan December Prayer Diary

features intercessory prayers for local communities, each day of the month. It includes prayers for parishes, mission communities, clergy and diocesan staff across Devon, along with key dates throughout the year. The December Prayer is now available. Click here to read it.

Safeguarding

Many of you may have seen or be aware of the recent media attention around the now former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and other senior clergy in the Church of England following the publication of the Makin Safeguarding Report. The Makin report, commissioned as an independent review into the Church’s response to the abuses perpetrated by late John Smyth, has highlighted shortcomings by the Church in responding to the allegations and has provided key recommendations to improve safeguarding cultures.

Speaking as the Parish Safeguarding Representative, I can say that as a Parish we are horrified by the abuses carried out by John Smyth and greatly saddened to read that more could, and should, have been done to prevent it from happening.

We want to be a Church and community where everybody feels welcomed and everybody feels safe. We want those who may have experienced (or be experiencing) abuse to be confident in coming forward, knowing they will be listened to and any allegations be treated with the utmost seriousness and concern; whomever the other party may be.

We should not and cannot say this doesn’t impact us as a Parish. Whilst the media has focussed on the senior clergy of the Church of England there are lessons for us in this to. We need to work harder to build a culture which emphasises the importance of safeguarding and which prioritises the voices of the abused, victims and downtrodden ahead of the powerful.

If anybody wants to discuss the events of the last few weeks or would like to discuss any safeguarding issues or concerns they may have please know you can reach out to me, or any of the safeguarding team, at any point. We are here for you and you will be listened to. We cannot and will not be silent on abuse.

Rob (07792081776)

Operation Christmas Child.

St Paul’s Church acted again as a Church Collection Centre for National Collection week for Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal this last week. We have packed up 314 shoeboxes!

We are very grateful for all the individual families and organisations that have so generously contributed to this shoebox appeal. The good news of Jesus Christ will accompany each box!

What wonderful news! Special thanks to those who volunteered to man the church for the collection times. Many thanks. Ian

Below are 2 videos to show you the wonderful impact that these show boxes have.

Operation Christmas Child Overview 2024 (youtube.com)

Operation Christmas Child: Alex's Story (youtube.com)

News from PCC

At the last PCC meeting, after our opening worship when we looked at Article 10 of the 39 Articles on the freedom (or not) of the will, we had a presentation from Tim Wrigley who heads up the Teignbridge branch of Christians Against Poverty (CAP). Tim explained how CAP works nationally and locally and invited us to partner with them. This first part of the meeting also included the PCC from St Luke’s Milber. The PCC will discuss adding CAP as our 2^nd mission partner at our November meeting.

As well as receiving reports from our Treasurer, Church Wardens, Rector and Safeguarding Lead, the PCC also:

Received the resignation of Luke Wilson as PCC rep for Abbotsbury.
Agreed the Christmas services for 2024.
Accepted a quote for the refurbishment of the small kitchen at St Paul’s.
Accepted quotes, subject to DAC approval of the work, for the removal of the old heating system at St Bart’s Ogwell and for the redecoration of the church.
Accepted a quote, subject to DAC approval of the work, for the repair of a section of loose plaster at St Mary’s Wolborough.
Accepted a quote for urgent repair to lead flashing over the porch at Abbotsbury Church.
Approved our architect’s costs for redesigning the new kitchen area at All Saint’s Highweek after consultation with the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings.

If you would like any more details, please speak to your church PCC reps or Church Wardens.

Our next meeting will take place on Monday 25^th November at 7pm at St Paul’s Church.

Debate around Assisted Dying

You may have seen coverage of the upcoming debate in Parliament in the press. If you’d like to think more on the topic, can I suggest listening to this interview on the ethics and problems with assisted dying. You’ll find it here, Euthanasia + Assisted Dying: What Kind of Mercy is “Mercy Killing”? Prof. John Keown || THE WAY BACK (youtube.com) with plenty of other excellent interviews and content available on the main site: Videos Archive - Speak Life

The Christmas Journey 2024 - w/c 2 December at Abbotsbury Church

Now with 7 schools and around 170 children already booked in for the Christmas Journey, we are assembling our team of actors (reading simple scripts) and helpers (for the very simple art activities). If you would like to be involved but have not already signed up, please contact Dave or Judy ASAP.

United Parish Service

Parish Library

Through the Speaking Volumes programme, we were given a grant of £250 to spend on books for a Parish Library. Our Parish Lending Library is now up and running at Paul’s where it will be for the next 3 weeks. The selection includes some great autobiographies, and plenty more to help deepen our faith and equip us to share it well. We will set it up in each church for a month at a time. There will be a note book to write down the book you borrowed so we can keep track of who has what. The selection includes some great autobiographies, and plenty more to help deepen our faith and equip us to share it well. Thanks to Choice Words staff for supplying the books. Do take a look when it comes to your church!

Saturday Outreach in Town

Fr Matthew and Dave are doing some outreach in town every first Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or thereabouts. They are looking for volunteers to come and join them for an hour or so each time. Could that be you? If so, come and chat with Dave over the coming weeks.

Milk Bottle Tops

St. Luke’s are collecting for the Childrens’ Hospice South West. Please save your plastic tops (not cartons) and send them to the office or leave them in church to be brought to the office. Thank you.

BEWARE - SCAM!

Churches in Devon are being warned to be on the alert for an email scam in which fake emails are being sent out which look like they are from a bishop or the local vicar.

In fact they are a fraud, designed to trick recipients into doing the sender a 'favour' by buying online gift cards for them.

Some people have lost thousands of pounds before realising their bishop or vicar has not really emailed them and they have been conned.

Police Advice

Action Fraud, a national police scheme, offers the following advice about scam emails:

The first email typically reads something like “[name], are you free at the moment?” or it may be more detailed, such as “Do you have a moment I have a request I need you to handle discreetly. I am currently busy… so no calls just reply to my email.”

A reply then draws the recipient into a dialogue in which they are encouraged to buy vouchers, and ultimately send images of their serial and security numbers to the fraudster.

Please click here to read the full story and for detailed advice about spotting scam emails.

Stay Safe Online

Ben and Family

Ben and Sarah’s new address is The Vicarage, Bridge Street, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon. EX15 3AX.

Missed some church services?

Catch up on You Tube - same series in each church

Abbotsbury Church YOUTUBE

St Paul's Church YOUTUBE

Parish Office Hours.

Parish Office at St Paul's Church, Devon Square is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For all enquiries, please phone 01626 211346 or email office@newtonabbotparishes.co.uk

Mel Dunn, Benefice Administrator.