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Anna Chaplaincy
On the 23rd March, Kim Martin was commissioned at St Pauls, and joins Mei Lan Machin, as the second Anna Chaplain within our benefice.
What is an Anna Chaplain I hear you ask? My understanding is that it is specifically being a chaplain to older people. It’s about walking alongside them and helping them as they transition in the later stage of their lives through retirement, downsizing, coping with illness or disability, or moving into residential care. Anna Chaplains sprung up from a grass root level back in 2014 and its aim was to improve the spiritual lives of older people.
The name was taken from Anna in the temple. An older woman who was a widow and in her 80’s, Abram was 75 when he left Haran for the unknown; both are a reminder that in the life of faith and of doing God’s will there is no such thing as retirement, and that God still has work for everyone to do. Older adults matter and this is the heart of the work that Anna Chaplaincy is called to.
I see my role (working predominantly in residential homes) to offer the individual love, concern and care. It’s also important to offer a listening ear. This is about the older adults story not mine. Older people wish to discuss the pain maybe of losing a love one, being estranged from families, all may trigger negative feelings and there is a need for the older adult to talk about their loss and bereavement. I know from an exercise I completed during training that some older adults need to talk. Pain and sorrow is a natural part of the fabric of life and some adults need to be guided through forgiveness.
Anna Chaplains role is to affirm and encourage helping older people to find or remember their gifts. They need to feel valued, reconnect with community, to know that they are loved by God. An Anna Chaplain needs to be present with the older person and needs to listen to their story, both verbal and non verbal. It’s to help the older person to look back over her life which helps to foster hope and resilience for the future.
My ministry is growing but currently I attend five residential homes carrying out simple services which are ecumenical and it doesn’t matter if the older adults doesn’t have a faith. It’s about spending time with them and sharing the Good News. I also run a bible class in one of the homes as well as visiting residents in their own room, if requested, to just talk and listen. In one home I assist in giving communion and this is something that may grow later in my ministry.
I regularly visit a member of our congregation who is living with dementia and has recently moved into a residential home. This lady lived on her own and was independent right up to her 90th year, living in her own home and bringing herself to church twice a week, and helping out with the washing up. Following a fall whereby she broke her hip she is now in a residential home and unlikely to return back to her own home. This brought to mind how much you lose as you get older. Not only do you lose your home if you have to move into residential, you lose your church, your church family, you have no say over when you get up or what you have for meals. Those first few weeks you are totally alone until you make new friends. Many I have met don’t have family so my visits are so important to them.
Our logo for Anna Chaplain is an Umbellifer. The seed heads are fragile and provide food for birds, and as the seeds fall into the soil they provide new life. This reminds me of a talk I once gave, about the life within a compost heap - amongst all the dead garden and kitchen waste if you stood still and really looked, you would see life within that compost heap. As I read about new life it is important to acknowledge death and therefore my plan next year is to continue my studies so that I may walk with an older person through their end of life and train, if it is Gods will, to take their funeral following their death, and be a comfort to their family and friends.
Being an Anna Chaplain is such a privilege and is open to both men and women. If you would like to know more please don’t hesitate to contact me at St. Pauls.
Kim Martin
Car Parking at St Paul’s: Over the last few months we have noticed an increasing number
of people from outside of our church community are using the car park at St Paul's. This has
meant that those coming for midweek services or events in the hall have found it harder (and
sometimes impossible) to find somewhere to park. We are therefore bringing in a system of
permits for those coming to regular groups so we can monitor the situation.
As long as there are no busy services or large events in the hall, we're happy for church members
to occasionally use the car park when they head into town. But from next week we are going to
ask members of our church family who wish to use the car park in this way, to collect a car park
permit from the office, and to display it in their car windscreen when they park at St Paul’s. You
won't need to do this when you are coming for a service or a church meeting. You will need one
if you're using the car park at other times.
These permits are free and will be renewed every year. Mel will keep a record of your name and
car registration number next to the number of the permit, so we can make sure they're not being
copied!
World Book Day books
Choice Words bookshop has a selection of World Book Day books for only £1 each until the end of March. There are titles for children and adults. If your child has a World Book Day voucher, these can be exchanged too. While you're visiting, check out our wide range of new titles or find a treasure in our extensive second-hand section.
And don't forget we will have a bookstall at the next 5th Sunday service at Abbotsbury on 30th March!
Coming soon!
Audio recordings of Dave's Sunday morning talks! The link will be on this website. Look out for further details.
AN EVENING THINKING THROUGH DEATH AND ASSISTED DYING - Sunday 2nd March.
If you missed this, the talks were recorded. You can read the full text and listen to the recordings HERE
1: Thinking through how we, as Anglican Christians, should approach complex moral issues.
2: Hearing a clear Christian view on this issue.
3: Considering how we can speak about and deal with issues of death and dying in a way that reflects the great hope we have as Christians.
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
Revision of the Electoral Roll
Parish Electoral Roll. Please don't forget to fill in an electoral roll form, particularly if you are thinking of standing for the PCC or as churchwarden. Forms are available from our churches
and the office.If you know of anyone no longer able to get to church, but who would like to remain on the electoral roll, please take a form for them to complete.
‘Announcing the complete revision of the electoral roll this year. Every six years, everyone who wishes to join or remain on the rollmust fill in an application form. If you are not familiar with the electoral roll, it’s a way of identifying with the parish as the place where you believe you have been called to worship and serve. Basically it’s ‘church membership’ allowing you to vote for members of the PCC and church wardens at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in May, and to serve on the PCC or as a church warden if you are nominated and elected. It doesn’t cost anything to join, although we encourage you to prayerfully consider regular giving – information on the Parish Giving Scheme is available in your church. So, if you’re over 16, baptised or confirmed in the Church of England, (or baptised in another trinitarian Christian denomination), living and regularly worshipping in our churches, there’s nothing to prevent you from joining. Forms will be available in your church from this Sunday, please complete and return your form as soon as possible. If you require further information please speak to the clergy, your churchwarden or PCC members’.
Youth Nights! Exciting new events!
Abbotsbury Church (part of the Anglican Parish of Newton Abbot) and The Avenue (Methodist) Church are starting a monthly youth group on the last Friday of every month from 7.30-9pm. The venue will alternate between Abbotsbury Church and The Avenue. The group is free and will be aimed at 11-16's and involve an informal and relaxed mix of games, activities, food and discussions. Any plans are very flexible at this stage depending on the number and interests of the youth attending. We are also actively exploring opportunities to link with other churches in the area to make this a more regular event and will be seeking to organise a range of additional social events.
If you, or a young person you know, are interested in coming along please complete the consent form on the next page, get it signed off and bring it along to the first session.
Leaders
The group is being organised by Rob, Anna (Abbotsbury Church) and Sarah (children’s and families worker at The Avenue). Between us we have 20+ years of making hot chocolate, playing ping pong and discussing matters of life and faith relevant to young people.
Safeguarding & Data Protection
We take safeguarding and data protection very seriously. All youth group leaders have valid and current DBS checks, have been vetted by the Parish and have undertaken the relevant safeguarding training. We will apply all necessary steps to safeguard both the young people and ourselves. Regarding data protection, the consent form is valid for a period of one year upon signature and records will be destroyed within a period of 18 months. We promise your details will not be passed on to any other third party or be used for any other purposes than those stated above. You can also change your mind about any of the options on the following page at any time by letting one of the team know. View or download the consent form HERE
If you want to ask any questions or wish to know any further information please contact either Rob (07792 081776) or Sarah (07709 424558)
Christians Against Poverty Teignbridge
One of our Parish mission partners has sent us this request.
CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Teignbridge provides Free Debt Help and personal support for those struggling with unmanageable debt. We are funded and supported by churches across Teignbridge. In December 2024 we provided 14 Christmas Hampers and gifts for CAP clients – for 19 adults and 7 children across Dawlish, Teignmouth, Kingsteignton and Newton Abbot, along with toys provided by Newton Abbot Salvation Army. We’re thrilled that Newton Abbot and Ogwell Parish is now partnering with us in this work.
One of our critical needs is for BEFRIENDERS. Befrienders join the debt coach at client appointments and help support the clients through the debt-help process. This service couldn’t function without the support of befrienders, but we have a real need for more befrienders, especially men. Could you please prayerfully consider whether you could be part of this support team. Thank you. The minimum commitment is only 2 hours/month. You wouldneed to be a good listener, and passionate about supporting those in poverty.
Prayer Support. We also have a Prayer Support Team who meet once a month to pray for CAP clients and the work of CAP Teignbridge. This is invaluable and makes a huge difference. If you would like to join this team, please get in touch. In either case, please contact Tim Wigley, Debt Centre Manager email: timwigley@capuk.org
Used postage stamps.
Please collect up the used postage stamps from your Christmas cards and packages, and let Mel have them in the Parish office at St Paul’s Church or bring them to a church service. They will used to help the charity RNLI.
The Diocesan 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. 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)
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.
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