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Published on Friday, 17 April 2020 09:46

Written by Richard Frost

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Online Service for Third Sunday of Epiphany (24 Jan)

This week began a prayer cycle for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: but what does that really mean?

Sometimes it seems to me that we set aside this period of the year almost out of a sense of duty. Do we just pay lip service to this time of remembering the barriers that still separate us from each other? But it has to be said that a lot has been achieved through The World Council of Churches over the last century insofar there is a continuing dialogue between the different denominations. A common heart does exist to understand what actually divides us and more importantly what unites us.

Thankfully what unites us is the person of Jesus Christ, despite all our machinations, our different expressions of worship, our understanding of the Bible, etc. Although important, in the end it is the simplicity of Christ’s teachings, his self-giving love on the cross that finally informs and unites us, whatever our gender, colour or creed. Love as 1 Corinthians 13 clearly tells us: ‘And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love’ and love we must if it's only for one other.

Revd Helena Cermakova

Church Services

While the government has allowed churches to remain open for public worship and personal prayer, The Church of England has reinforced that decisions to do so are best taken locally. 

As result, it has been decided not to open St Michael’s, Teignmouth, St James, Teignmouth, St John's, Bishopsteignton and St Nectan, Ashcombe for public worship at present. St John’s, Luton and St Mary’s, Ideford are remaining open on Sundays when they would normally have a service. All these decisions will be reviewed in due course.

Therefore, there will be no services in our church buildings this coming Sunday (31 Jan).

Online Services  will continue to be available every Sunday - the link to the latest one is at the top of the page.

You can watch previous Online Services here 

Open for Personal Prayer 

Some of our churches remain open for personal prayer:

• St Michael’s, Teignmouth is open 10am-12 noon on Tuesdays & Saturdays 
• St Mary’s, Ideford is open 10am-4pm on Wednesdays and 2nd & 4th Sundays
• St John’s, Bishopsteignton is open 10am-12 noon on Wednesdays 
• St Nectan's, Ashcombe is open 9.30am-3pm on Wednesdays

There is also a Quiet Space in the churchyard at St John’s, Bishopsteignton which is open all day, every day for anyone to use.

Evening Prayer - Thursdays at 5pm

Gathering together for prayer during this time of pandemic and difficulty for our country and our communities, our families and friends, and ourselves is important.  Please do join Evening Prayer at 5pm every Thursday via Zoom. This will last around 30 minutes and the attached file provides an outline for our time together - you may like to print it off.

You can join by either video or through your mobile/landline phone. Click here for the Zoom link (note this is not live until 5pm on Thursday). If you wish to join by phone please contact Revd Jane for the phone number.

Alternatively, why not set aside half an hour at 5pm on a Thursday at home to pray by yourself? Please also let Revd Jane know if you would like specific people or issues to be prayed about.

First Things First

Prayer is the foundation of everything we do. Our monthly prayer meeting is an informal setting in which we can come together to pray for members of our congregations, the ministry of the Haldon Team and broader church and world issues. These meetings will take place on the first day of each month and, where possible, in different venues across the team.

The next meeting will be on Monday 1st February at 5pm via Zoom. Everyone is welcome, regardless of which church community you belong to. It will last about 30-45 minutes. Click here to join (link live at 5pm on 1 Feb)

Good news

There has been lively interest in the position of Team Rector - the closing date for applications is 2 Feb and shortlisting will take place the week after with a view to interviews later in the month. Please continue to pray for those applying and that God will bring the right person to the Haldon Team. We also give thanks for the safe arrival last weekend of another Rice family member in Ideford to Liz & Paul: Ash William Rice. 

Looking After Yourself

We are aware that the current ongoing Coronavirus situation is very difficult. If you are concerned about your mental health or that of another person, there are people you can talk to:

TalkWorks (NHS) 0300 555 3344                         Samaritans 116 123

Rethink Mental Illness (support for carers) 01823 365369

Or click here for further information and advice. 

Praying at home

Information and resources can be downloaded here and Compline (Night Prayer) is available every day. 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 so please do contact them. 

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

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