Congratulations to Sue Tucker, ordained Deacon on the 11^th September at Exeter Cathedral and to Steve Martin, ordained Priest at Tavistock Parish Church on the 24^th September 2016. Two very uplifting services to mark new ministry in the Church of God.

Below is a letter of encouragement from Bishop Robert, Bishop of Exeter, to consider whether God might be calling you to be ordained. I will be very pleased to talk with anyone if you would like to discuss this further. Bishop Robert writes:

“One of the most positive developments in the life of our church in recent decades has been the discovery that everyone has their own unique ministry. From being a church in which a few ministered and the majority were ministered to, we have changed to be one which celebrates the diverse gifts of the whole body of Christ.

Amongst these many callings, the vocation to ordained ministry has remained a key part of what the Church of England has to offer in its service to the world around. Priests and deacons have a particular role in representing the church, of providing leadership and of being the focus of God’s people as we gather to celebrate the sacraments.

 In recent years the Diocese of Exeter has seen a big increase in the number of people from a wide variety of backgrounds and of a range of ages coming forward to be ordained. Some are now serving the church full time, many others are working as self-supporting ministers. Their offering of themselves in this way has been a huge encouragement and support to the whole church and has enabled the church to thrive in ways which would not otherwise have been possible. We pray that God will provide even more people to serve in this way.

This letter is a direct appeal to you to consider if God might be calling you to be ordained. It could be an idea you have entertained for some time and never spoken to anyone about; it might be something that strikes you for the first time as you hear or read this. There may be someone else that you think would make an ideal priest and this may prompt you to encourage them to explore it. Those thinking about ordination enter a process of discernment in which a number of guides explore with them whether this is indeed the call of God. There is no possibility you might be ordained by accident just because you asked about it!

Over the coming months Bishop Nick, Bishop Sarah and I are continuing a programme of visits to Deaneries under the banner Bishops in Mission. Ideally all those visits will have a ‘vocations event’ at which enquirers may informally explore ordination. The Revd Hannah Alderson, our new Vocations Officer, or other members of the Diocesan Vocations Team, hopes to be present at as many of those events as possible. They will provide the space where you‘ can talk through your thoughts and hopes, or just find out more.

If you would like to discuss this matter further do speak first to your parish priest, who will be pleased to talk with you and help you decide the right way forward. Whatever your particular ministry, we wish you God’s richest blessing as you seek to answer his call to serve him.

With my thanks for our partnership in the Gospel. 

 + Robert ”

Almighty and everlasting God,

by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified:

Hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,

that in their vocation and ministry

they may serve you in holiness and truth

to the glory of your name;

through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

With my love and prayers.

Chris Hardwick

September will see a number of new priests and deacons being ordained in the diocese. It is always very exciting and humbling to be involved with ordinations when those who have been exploring, and sometimes struggling, with their sense of vocation for many years, take an important step on the journey of discipleship. It is also hugely encouraging to see new ministry immerge alongside the existing ministry and encouragement of others.

We are, of course, all disciples. I am always greatly encouraged by the number of those who offer themselves for ministry whatever form that takes. The exploration, discovery, and nurturing of new gifts and abilities to further God’s work is something which we should all celebrate and rejoice in.  As Sue Tucker is ordained deacon and Steve Martin is ordained priest to serve in our benefice we should all be encouraged to take this opportunity to consider what is our calling.  How do we remain faithful to our baptismal vocation? It is not always clear or obvious, sometimes for many years, how we can best exercise and enable our own ministry to be developed. However, it is the case that each of us has a ministry and each of us has a duty to try and respond to that calling from God. It is encouraging to see so many being ordained in our Cathedral and parish churches this year – as we welcome the newly ordained around the diocese, I hope and pray that we can all consider our own sense of call and vacation. The real fruit of their ministry will be them enabling and encouraging others to blossom and flourish in their discipleship.

Do you feel God might be calling you to a particular ministry? A sense that there is a path you need to explore, a door you need to push? Would you like an opportunity to reflect more on your vocation?

Our diocese has set aside a day for anyone who is interested in exploring vocation – whether you feel you may be called to a deeper ministry within the Benefice or our mission community – or if you are interested in exploring licensed lay or ordained ministries, or you just don’t know yet. The details are:

Title of Day:    Exploring Vocation

Date:                 Saturday, 15th October 2016

Time:               10am – 3.30pm

Location:        St Luke’s Chapel, Heavitree Road, Exeter

The day will be led by Revd Hannah Alderson, Vocations Development Officer for the Diocese. It will be an opportunity for personal reflection on our own life journey, and prayer, as we seek God’s call on our lives. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about ministries within the Church of England, including the process of selection for licensed and ordained ministry, and to make links with the vocations team for further conversation, if you feel you would like to explore questions of vocation further. I commend this day to you.

If you would like any more information about the day please contact Hannah on vocations@exeter.anglican.org, or 01392 724804 / 07546 397981.

Please pray for all being ordained this September, and from our own Benefice for Sue Tucker to be ordained Deacon in Exeter Cathedral on Sunday, 11^th September and Steve Martin to be ordained priest in Tavistock Parish Church on Saturday, 24^th September. Full details of these services and our own plans to celebrate these new ministries are contained within this magazine.

With my love and prayers.

Chris Hardwick

“Hail, Gladdening Light from his pure glory poured”

At the beginning of August (6^th August), the Church celebrates the feast of the Transfiguration. It is a hugely mysterious event recorded in the New Testament. Jesus took Peter, James and John to a mountain.  The Gospels do not say which mountain. Christian tradition has usually named Mount Tabor, although Mount Carmel and Mount Hermon have been mentioned as possibilities.

Matthew, Mark and Luke use slightly different phrases to tell the same story. In St Matthew’s account: “He was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light.” St Mark says: “his clothes became dazzling white”, while St Luke says: “his clothing became brilliant as lightning”. All three, in their slightly different ways, agree that Jesus was enveloped in a heavenly light as he was seen with Moses and Elijah.  Peter, James and John are witnesses to this light.  Peter assumes he should do something.  He rushes to build three tents and Luke comments: “He did not know what he was saying.” James and John – the John who was to write so movingly about Jesus as the “true light” – say and do nothing. Suddenly a cloud passes over the scene and from the shadow they hear the voice of the Father saying: “This is my Son, the Beloved.”

The images of light and darkness are so common to us that we often take them for granted: “I have seen the light” or “I was kept in the dark”, and yet they remain instantaneous and powerful images.

The Church Fathers frequently meditated on the themes of light and darkness, saying, “light is the beauty of God”, or speaking of light as “a ray of the Divinity”. In John Henry Newman’s poem “The Dream of Gerontius”, the soul of Gerontius is brought before God.  For a split second Gerontius sees God as he is.  The light shows up with dazzling clarity the things of which Gerontius is ashamed.  Another poet, John Donne, wrote of the light of heaven in these words:

“Into that gate they shall enter, and in that house they shall dwell,

where there shall be no darkness or dazzling, but one equal light;

no noise nor silence, but one equal music;

no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession; no ends nor beginnings,

but one equal eternity in the habitations of thy glory and dominion”

In the Transfiguration it is this truth, the new “glory of God”, “the one equal Light”, which is revealed to us.

With my love and prayers,

Chris Hardwick

Doubting Thomas

On the 3rd of July the Church remembers St Thomas the Apostle; the older date was December 21st and still is in the Prayer Book Calendar, but our new calendar follows the reforms of the Vatican Council which were intended to give the story of Thomas more prominence by avoiding the “congested” Christmas season. The Greek churches observe the festival on the Sunday after Easter and another old date is the 6th October.

Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas”, the man who doubted that Jesus, who had died on the Cross on Good Friday, was alive again on Easter Sunday. It was Thomas who interrupted Jesus at the Last Supper when he said: “We don’t know where you are going; so how can we know ‘the Way’?” Thomas demanded proof if he was to believe. But he wasn’t alone in finding the truth of the Resurrection difficult to accept. The women who hurried back from the empty tomb on the first Easter morning were not believed by the apostles. And Peter, who did go to the tomb, and found it empty, “went home wondering what had happened”.

I believe we can draw great encouragement from Thomas. Thomas was open and honest about his doubts. He was a disciple before and after his questions. He is remembered as a “Saint” not because his questions where contrary to his belief but because they were an honest part of it. Even though he asked the question “How can we know the way?” he continued to follow it, determined to learn more.

Honest Questions

Thomas was an open and honest human being, he was also a loyal and trustworthy follower – he didn’t deny Jesus as Peter did, he didn’t betray him as Judas did. In fact, the honest courage of Thomas opened the way for others to see that faith should not be blind or timid. He asked questions, not to stir things up but because they were on his mind and in his heart.

“Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe” (John 20.19)

And so, this month, we remember Thomas, the Saint who believed, and who asked questions about his faith. Whatever questions are on your mind or in your heart, God wants to hear from you.

Almighty and eternal God,

who, for the firmer foundation of our faith,

allowed your holy apostle Thomas

to doubt the resurrection of your Son

till word and sight convinced him:

grant to us, who have not seen, that we may also believe

and so confess Christ as our Lord and our God;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

With my love and prayers,

Chris Hardwick

Bishop Robert’s Visit to the Tavistock Deanery 19^th – 21^st June.

 As part of the “Bishops in Mission” initiative being undertaken in the Diocese, Bishop Robert will be visiting the Tavistock Deanery from June 19^th to June 21^st. He will be staying in the Deanery during this time, getting to know us better, and helping us to look at new ways of nurturing disciples, spreading the Good News of the Gospel, and serving the people of Devon with joy. A number of events have been organised. On Sunday afternoon, 19th June, from 4.00-6.00 pm., there will be a discussion in Tavistock Parish Centre to which all Churchwardens, Parochial Church Council Members, local Children’s leaders, Foundation Governors, School Head Teachers, and any others interested in discussing our work and exploring opportunities for furthering what we do, are very welcome to attend. Bishop Robert will set out his key visions for the Exeter Diocese and for “serving the people of Devon with joy”. Tea and cakes will be served from 3.30 pm. A short service of Compline will be held later in St Eustachius’ Church at 6.30 pm for anyone who would also like to come this this.

As usual, on Monday 20^th June and Tuesday 21^st June, Morning Prayer will be said in St Eustachius’ Church at 8 am. Please come along if you are able to do so. Bishop Robert will meet with Chapter members at 9.30 am in the Parish Centre, followed by a working lunch in the Deanery with Farmers from 12.30 pm. At 7 pm the Bishop will lead a further open event in St Paul’s Church Hall at Yelverton. This event, which is for those involved in evangelism across the Deanery, will begin with refreshments and will be followed by a discussion to share good practice in areas such as Messy Church, Open the Book, Church trails etc. If you are involved or interested in this work, please do come along. It will also be an excellent opportunity to invite any parents or younger people who may like to know more about what the Church has to offer and is seeking to do. For catering purposes, it would be helpful please if you could let the Parish Office (01822 616673), or Revd Nick Law (nicklaw2@tiscali.co.uk) know if you hope to come. The Bishop will also be speaking about the Church of England’s “Pilgrim Course”, of which he is a co-author.

On Tuesday, 21st June, following Morning Prayer at St Eustachius’, Bishop Robert will lead a workshop on “Growing in Prayer”. This will be a time for reflection and prayer which will begin at 11.00 am and last for approximately 1½ to 2 hours; again, all are welcome. I know there are people of all ages in our parishes and around the Deanery who are already involved in prayer groups and it would be good if you could support this event if possible, and let others know about it. Everyone is very welcome to attend. The venue is still to be confirmed. Please contact the Parish Office or Revd Nick Law nearer the time for details. At 4.00 pm Bishop Robert will meet with TACT members and workers including CATALYST and Street Pastors.

This is an excellent opportunity for us all to spend time with our Bishop. Please do prayer for Bishop Robert and support this visit if you can.

HM The Queen’s 90^th Birthday Celebration

As part of national celebrations, a Benefice service will be held in Tavistock Parish Church on Sunday 12^th June at 3.00 pm to celebrate the Queen’s 90^th birthday. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Benefice Confirmation Service

 Our Confirmation Service this year will be held on Sunday 26^th June at 10.00 am in St Eustachius’ Church. Bishop Martin Shaw will be confirming adults and young people from Tavistock, Gulworthy, Brent Tor and Mount Kelly. Please do come and support all those being confirmed.

 Petertide

The end of the month of June brings the celebration of St Peter and St.Paul. In recent years the commemoration of these twin pillars of the early church has been put back together again to emphasis the full breadth of the Church’s missionary commission: “Go therefore and spread the Gospel to all nations.” It is right and proper that at Petertide many new priests will be ordained for precisely this mission.

I suspect that each of us holds an image of St Peter in our mind from the early chapters of the Gospels: headstrong, impulsive, outspoken, often clumsy and foolish? Or perhaps the Peter of the Acts of the Apostles: an eloquent preacher, a teacher and a person with powers of healing?

The different sides of St Peter are most clearly seen when we look at the events of Holy Week and Easter – Peter plays a bigger part than any of the other disciples. He is the one who promises to die with Jesus.  It is Peter who draws the sword in the garden of Gethsemane – once again, missing the point and being rebuked by Jesus. Peter famously denies Jesus three times, only for his heart to be broken before the cock crows. Peter dashes into the empty tomb on Easter morning.  It is Peter’s idea to go fishing in the old familiar places.  And it is Peter to whom Jesus says “You are Peter and on this rock I shall build my Church”. Jesus expands on the pastoral role Peter is to have.  Three times Jesus asks Peter: “Do you love me?” Three times, in slightly different ways, he tells Peter to feed his sheep. Three times Peter says he did not know Jesus. Three times he tells the Risen Christ that he does indeed love him. Peter has now learned that the true source of his strength and authority has nothing to do with him but is God-given. Christ has called him to this and it is only in Christ’s strength that he can do anything at all. Once he “rushed in where angels fear to tread”. Now he lets the Spirit move him according to God’s will.

St Peter and St Paul came to be seen as having different parts to play within the leadership of the Church: St Peter in witnessing to the Lordship of Christ and St Paul in developing an understanding of its meaning for Christ’s followers.

Almighty God whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you in their death as in their life: grant that your Church, inspired by their teaching and example, and made one by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon one foundation, Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

With my love and prayers                      Chris Hardwick