Dear Friends,In this week's gospel Jesus encourages a group of his followers to spread his mission seeking hospitality with those who respond to their greeting of "peace", so that all will know that "the kingdom of God has drawn near".It's a reminder that from companionship with those who share our values we can grow in confidence to make a gentle difference in the world - a spreading of love and goodwill which is the outflowing of the love God has for us. In the coming month there are new opportunities to spend companionable time with others beyond the regular service times.An informal meet-up is starting on 2nd/4th Saturdays of the month at a local cafe in Lynton (so no one has to be responsible for the washing up!). Dave Wilde and Phil Coole will be at the Greenhouse, Lee Road, Lee Road, Lynton from 10.30 on Saturday 9th July 2022 and all are welcome to drop in,On Sunday 31st July we will be celebrating the next of the agricultural festivals: Lammas (the thanksgiving for the first wheat harvest). Martinhoe are hosting a Cream Tea and short service of thanksgiving at 3.00pm.In the coming week I will be making a retreat - my email and answer phone will give details of alternative contacts through this time.God blessSamanthaThe video I refer to in the sermon can be found at:https://vimeo.com/724932734
Follow this link to read the article.https://mailchi.mp/30952bb6368b/welcome-to-our-new-shoots-newsletter-5591056?fbclid=IwAR2nFInZS4qxHAg7PStqkKon-gfTLdkluSzLE4SP9I1qU3nh6yotFGTnfH8
Dear Friends,Thank you for your prayers for my commissioning as Dean of Women on Thursday, at the diocesan clergy conference. It was a very moving experience with so much warm support from my colleagues (there is a Twitter post about it on the diocesan Twitter feed but I have added the picture taken of me with many of the other women at the conference for those who (like me) are not on Twitter! The conference was excellent, with some very good speakers and input. Bishop Robert set the tone at the beginning recognising that we are all living through very challenging times with no easy answers. In his sermon at the concluding Eucharist he followed that up with a reminder that in the midst of all that is challenging "the one who has called us is faithful" and our first calling is to be faithful too. I hope in weeks to come to be able to share more of what was helpful and inspiring. It was a series of full days, so I am returning to plenty of calls and emails. I will prioritise what is pastorally urgent, so if you are waiting for other replies, please be assured I will get to them when I can.And a reminder - the Epilogues at Countisbury begin on Sunday 8.30pm.God blessSamantha
Congratulations to Rev’d Samantha Stayte who was commissioned by Bishop Robert this morning as our new Dean of Women in Ministry! She was supported and welcomed by a large gathering of women in Ministry from across Devon.<br>
