Keeping in Touch

Click here for our Service for the 9th Sunday After Trinity (9 Aug)

You can watch previous services here 

Revd Jane writes: I don’t know about you but turning the calendar page recently & finding myself in August came as a bit of a surprise. Where has the time gone? In the last few months, some days seem so full, it’s hard to remember breakfast was only hours ago…The following prayer from South India, which came to my attention through a circular letter from the Bishop of Exeter, has been a useful companion at the end of a day. May it be so for you as we begin to return to our churches for worship:

God our Father, by whose mercy the world turns safely into darkness and returns again to light: we place in your hands our unfinished tasks, our unsolved problems, and our unfulfilled hopes, knowing that only what you bless will prosper. To your love and protection we commit each other and all those we love, knowing that you alone are our sure defender, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

This Sunday 

Our churches are gradually reopening for public worship and you are welcome to join us this Sunday (9 Aug):

·         9.30am    Holy Communion at St Michael’s, Teignmouth

·         10.00am  Holy Communion at St John’s, Bishopsteignton

·         11.30am  Holy Communion at St Michael’s, Teignmouth

And on Tuesday 9.30am Holy Communion at St Michael’s.

Following the recent government announcement, please wear a face covering. The government have also indicated that those leading the service will not need to wear a face covering when speaking, so that will make it easier for you to hear.

You will also be asked to sanitise your hands and provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace. There is a short film about what church might look like on our website.

We quite understand if you do not feel able to return to church at this time and we are continuing our Online Services. Click here to watch our newsest service and you can watch previous services here.

The Gospel reading for this Sunday will be Matthew 14:22-33

St James, Teignmouth, St Mary the Virgin, Ideford and St John the Evangelist, Luton will open later this month. The PCC at St Nectan’s and Ashcombe have decided not to reopen at this time.  

Open for Personal Prayer

• St Michael’s, Teignmouth is open 10am-2pm on Wednesdays and Saturday.
• St Mary’s, Ideford is open 10am-4pm on Wednesdays and 2^nd & 4^th Sundays
• St John’s, Bishopsteignton is open 10am-12 noon on Wednesdays

Please note slight changes to the times and days shown. There is also a Quiet Space (with resources to use) in the churchyard at St John’s, Bishopsteignton which is open all day, every day for anyone to use.

Update on Vacancy for Team Rector

The Archdeacon of Exeter, Ven Andrew Beane, met with churchwardens and ministry team members via Zoom recently to go through the process of appointing a new Team Rector. This was a very helpful meeting and will trigger a broader consultation process to take place in the Autumn. He gave an assurance that we will have a new Team Rector, albeit not for at least a year, and asked people to begin praying now for the right person to be called to our Team. Andrew describes the Haldon Team as being important and strategic and he will be coming to take some services during the Autumn as a way of getting to know us.

As previously promised, further updates will be provided as and when there is information to share. For additional clarity, the changes to our current pattern of services is due solely to the national guidance in this time of pandemic and not connected to the vacancy.

Our Team Administrator

After working at home during these last few months, Mervyn is now back in the office at St Michael's on Tuesday to Friday mornings. He can be contacted by replying to this email or by telephoning 01626 770115. We are so grateful to Mervyn for all he does 'behind the scenes' providing crucial support for all six churches.

Message from Revs Helena & Jack

‘We are often asked about our plans to travel and settle in the USA. We appreciate your thoughtfulness. The best we can say at this point is that it is very likely we will not move until sometime during the first half of the New Year. There are delays and applications to emigrate due to the Covid crisis. In the meantime, we are happy to be with you and serve in the ministry here. Our blessings to you as we go forward!’

Jack and Helena

Praying at home    

Information and resources can be downloaded here. If you would like a printed copy, please contact the clergy. If you have a specific prayer request please send details to Mervyn Niblett, Team Administrator. He will pass it on in strict confidence to the clergy for their prayers. The clergy will also be happy to pray over the phone soo please do contact them. 

We appreciate this is a time of concern and please be assured of our prayers and support.