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Jane Riley and biking buddie Jean Strudley rode for Lustleigh – 470 km over mostly mountainous terrain in Sardinia over six days with temperatures up to 48C in the sun!

Doctor Green – or how a group raising funds for Moreton walked from Doccombe to North Bovey in slightly cooler temperatures than those in Sardinia!

Doctor Green

It was time for the annual ‘Ride and Stride’.
So we began with a bus ride to Doccombe.
We were eleven strong, if strong is a bit of a stretch
for those of us clutching a bus pass.
The chapel is usually secured with binder twine,
but this time it was locked with a key so we could not go in.
We took the green way up to Mardon, quite a stiff climb to begin.

Then it was down to Moreton, past the farm that took in
a stray bomb in the now distant war. Some stopped to take pictures
as we paused to enjoy the views. The track was a little soft underfoot
after recent rain. Another short climb took us up to the Sentry,
and on to the church. We were welcomed with drink and a biscuit
before we gathered in silence to remember the Queen
and the son who was now to take her place.

We passed through the town and climbed to Brinning.
The sky was blue and the trees glowed in the morning sun.
Before reaching Narramore we turned to avoid more stiles
and found ourselves at Fursdon. Down again, up a little,
down again. We paused at the stepping stones.
Then it was up again into North Bovey where drink was rustled up
after a kettle was found. The church made a fine picnic place.

It was the homeward path now – no Lustleigh or Manaton this year.
Past Pound Rock we took the lane before crossing a field
that promised much winter feed for hungry cattle.
A few weeks ago the fields were brown as far as the eye could see.
But here after rain, the grass was green again.
Nature’s self-heal had done her work. And we, with good conversation
thrown in, had enjoyed our own therapy too from Doctor Green.

John Randall

This seven-week pastoral care course is designed to help those wishing to develop their skills for visiting those in their community who are lonely, housebound, sick or bereaved.

Each session will be for 90 minutes and begin on Wednesday 19th October and finish on Wednesday 30th November.

19th October

Session 1: Theological context of pastoral ministry and experience and spirituality

Introduction to the course and overview of visiting.

The experience of being disabled, homebound or ill at home.

Overview of wholeness and healing in relation to faith. How spirituality and pastoral needs interrelate.

26th October

Session 2: Visiting and reflective practice

Reflective practice enables us to make connections with what we know from areas of knowledge and experience. Introduction to tools that can be used to help pastoral care visitors understand what is happening at a deeper level.

2nd November

Session 3: Listening skills

How to listen effectively.

9th November

Session 4: Visiting and handling difficult questions

How to approach a visit – aim and purpose.

Our limitations and how to reflect on the visit.

Prayer and ministry, projection and confidentiality; managing beginnings and endings, sharing ‘the journey’; setting boundaries and dealing with expectations.

16th November

Session 5: Communication difficulties

Communicating with those who are unable to engage in conversation for different reasons eg. Deafness, learning disability, stroke, dementia.

23rd November

Session 6: End-of-life issues and loss and bereavement

Examining the process of grief, in its widest context, and consequent pastoral needs.

30th November

Session 7: The role and needs of the pastoral care visitor

Supervision and support.

It is important that you attend each session as each session builds upon the previous week.

If you would like more details, please contact Canon Nick Fennemore on 07919 547508 or by email: canonfennemore@btinternet.com

An excellently devised event which drew a significant number of people from the Moreton benefice to St Andrew’s Church at the beginning of this month.

Our thanks to all who organised, attended and provided for this event in any way, and especially to Marie Randall who co-ordinated all the arrangements, who writes: ‘We had a very moving service in St Andrews on 4th March. It was very poignant and certainly helped us remember and pray for the people of Ukraine at this awful time for them. We gave out packets of sunflower seeds for people to plant – the sunflower is actually the national flower of Ukraine!’ Two images illustrate the occasion.

Christmas Eve
Manaton…………….Children’s Crib Service  4.00 pm
Moreton……………..Crib Service  5.00 pm
North Bovey………..Midnight Mass  11.00 pm
Lustleigh…………….Midnight Mass  11.30 pm
Manaton……………..Midnight Mass  11.30 pm
Christmas Day
Moreton………………Christmas Communion  10.00 am
North Bovey….……..Family Service  10.30 am
Lustleigh……….…….Family Carols  11.00 am
Manaton………………Family Service  11.00 am

Remembrance Sunday will be observed on 14th November at all churches in the Moreton Benefice, except in North Bovey where a simple Act of Commemoration will take place, as it always does, in the lych-gate porch entrance to the churchyard on Armistice Day itself, Thursday 11th November at 10.55 am.  This will be followed by refreshments.

Services on Remembrance Sunday are as follows:

Moreton              Holy Communion …………………………………….. 9.30 am
Manaton             Service of Remembrance ………………………. 10.55 am
Lustleigh             Service of Remembrance ………………………. 10.55 am
Moreton              Act of Remembrance at War Memorial ….. 2.45 pm
– followed by a Service of Remembrance in St Andrew’s ……. 3.00 pm

ALL churches in the benefice – Moretonhampstead, North Bovey, Lustleigh and Manaton – are open daily 10 am till at least 3 pm. 

For details of Sunday services, please click here.

In each church, certain areas may be cordoned off
Please follow any other directions that are given on notices

We do hope parishioners and visitors will take advantage of the hard work done by volunteers to make our churches available in this way.