It was great to see some of you at Bubble Church this week! We were thinking about the lost sheep. After shepherd lost one of his sheep, he left the other 99 to search for the one sheep. He searched far and wide and was delighted when he found the sheep. Jesus told this story as a metaphor: we are the sheep and Jesus the shepherd and Jesus will always search for us, welcome us and rejoice with us. We made a ball of Play-Doh to symbolise a flock of sheep, took a small bit off to represent the one lost sheep, and then put the small bit back and made a heart to show how much the shepherd loves his sheep - and how God loves usI wonder how hearing that God loves us so much makes us feel? Perhaps you could discuss this with each other at home. The next Bubble Church will be on the 24th May at 9am. Please book here bubblechurch.org as it helps us with catering. We look forward to seeing you there! In the meantime, if there is anything we can be praying about, please do let us know.
To mark this special anniversary, we’re hosting a series of events throughout 2026 that celebrate what God is doing locally and nationally.Our first event, The Quiet Revival: Discovering Growth in the Diocese of Exeter, takes place online on Thursday 23 April 2026, 7pm to 8pm.We’re delighted to welcome Dr Rhiannon McAleer from the Bible Society, who will share insights from The Quiet Revival, reflect on the recent changes in the YouGov survey data and share some of anecdotal insights. We’ll also hear encouraging stories from clergy and laity within our own diocese, as people come to church with fresh curiosity and openness.Do join us for an inspiring evening of hope, growth and celebration. Sign up below:https://exeterdef.org/news-and-events/Many thanks, Tim HamiltonLay Chair, Christianity Deanery (Exeter)
Exmoor folk are a hardy lot and not to be easily discouraged by a bit of wind and rain. Over fifty determined folk gathered on Brendon Common to welcome the dawn and the sunrise on Easter morning. As a joint service with Lyn Mission Community, Exmoor Benefice and Shirwell Mission Community, the service was conducted by Rev'd Miles, Rev'd David Weir and Rev'd Rosie Austin. A small band of three saxophonists provided the music, opening with Morning Has Broken. Rev'd Miles welcomed the congregation and spoke about the message of Easter. Rev'd Weir read a lesson. Congregation accompanied the hymns, Thine Be the Glory and Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today. Congregation joined in with prayers including the Lord's Prayer before turning to see the sunrise and increasing light from the East and Rev'd Austin gave the closing blessing. Everyone then enjoyed breakfast with croissants and tea or coffee.
Following the publication of the Bishop of Exeter’s vision for the Diocese and five strategic priorities, Rev'd Miles has been presented with a framework to describe the ongoing and future work of LVMC.He explains what he has already learned from living and worshiping with the community and how to develop this in the future. He identifies initiatives already started and under way, especially with young people through Soul Space and the soon to start Bubble church and how to build on this in the future.Please download and read the document in full.
