Dear Friends,

First, thank you to Laurence and all who have taken particular responsibilities while I have had a few days away.

“Serving the people of Devon with joy” is the third part of the Diocesan vision and it is the natural outworking of our growth in prayer and our deepening discipleship – offering God’s love outwards in our contribution to the well-being of others:

Love God and love your neighbour as yourself : these go together.

Over the last eighteen months the kindness and service of others offered throughout our communities has been essential, and amazing. Neighbourly care has been what has got so many through the difficult days of lock down and isolation. It has been a time when, as a church community we have often been grateful receivers of others’ loving and joyful service.

As we begin to think about the life of the church returning to its gathered and public form, it is a good time to reflect individually and across our parishes about how we offer the service our faith inspires to those around us.

My suggestion this week is for each of us to notice the little ways in which our lives connect with other people in love, care or service – how do we already serve others with joy? “Serve” can sound quite daunting – but at its most basic level it is about being there for people in ways that are attentive and bring good into their lives. Noticing how we are already doing this is a way to grow in the habit of looking outward into the world with love.

God bless,

Samantha

Church services for Sunday 27th June:

9am Brendon Holy Communion (BCP)

11am Lynton Holy Communion (Common Worship Order 1)

July 4th

9am Parracombe Holy Communion

11am Lynton Holy Communion

3pm Barbrook Holy Communion

8.30 Countisbury Epilogue