Holiday Club 2012 was all about "Champions" and with races and games every day we were certainly trying to be like the amazing British champions of the Olympics. But we also found about what it takes to be a champion; knowing your direction, ignoring distraction, determination, dedication. and with all that comes the prize; decoration! We had stories everyday to hear about how Jesus is the ultimate champion and gives us the best possible prize of a place with him in heaven. One of the highlights this year was the daily comedy from the Watt family and their fun at the Olympics. Our volunteers, young and old, were all fantastic and we had more than 25 children every day to share in all this fun.

 My licensing on 20 October 2012 was the exciting culmination of two years’ quite practical training with South West Ministerial Training Courses (SWMTC) and evening classes at the University of Exeter to study theology.  I started on this journey in order to learn more about my faith.  I was leading a housegroup at the time and felt woefully ignorant.  I have found it a fantastic time of learning so much about such a wide variety of subjects and the training continues this year with a focus on pastoral care.

The role of Reader in the Church of England

Readers are lay people from all walks of life who are called by God to serve the Church of England in ministry as leaders and encouragers.  They are theologically trained and licensed by the Church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work and to minister effectively alongside, and in collaboration with, their parish priests.  Readers exercise a complementary ministry and, often described as 'lay theologians'; their close contact with everyday situations helps them to interpret the Gospel for all.  One of the unique strengths of the role lies in their being in the world.

I’ve really appreciated all the support I’ve had from St Paul’s and the Honiton Mission Community as a whole.  Everyone has allowed me to practice what I’m learning and been very generous in their feedback and in helping me buy my cassock, surplice and, most importantly my blue Reader scarf of which I am immensely proud whilst accepting the responsibilities it brings.

For me an important aspect of being a Reader is that I still get to spend most of my time as a lay person ‘in the pew’ and I hope everyone remembers that and that I only wear my beautiful new robes sometimes when I have the opportunity to take part in leading a service ‘up front’.

Beverley Johnson

London 2012 brought talented people to Britain . But did you know this happens every year? Thousands of bright young men and women come to study at our universities. Sadly, most have no contact with British people outside the campus. Some miss their families; many are curious about the real life of Britain . That’s why HOST arranges for them to spend a day, weekend or 3 days at Christmas as guests in hospitable homes. This is a great opportunity to get to know someone from another country, and help them to feel welcome. As a volunteer host, you could enjoy introducing a student of your choice to your way of life and perhaps to their very first Christmas. Please call Regional Organiser Duncan Smith on 01392 873354 or see www.hostuk.org.

A warm welcome to our website. This is an exciting development in our on-going mission which is enabling us to provide instant information for those seeking details of services, activities, and events, and also to point people towards what is happening in the life of the wider Diocese.

It is so good to be able to communicate in this way which is, after all, very much a part of the world of the 21st century! In every age Christians are called to proclaim the Gospel - the Good News of Jesus Christ - afresh in ways that are accessible to the society around them.  

I hope that this website will prove a valuable tool in helping us to do that.

Sue Roberts
Team Rector