CTaX - Latest News, Events and Vacancies
News
1. Racial justice and equality
Churches from CTE (Churches Together in England) have spoken out against racial injustice following the death of George Floyd. The CTE Presidents made statements here: cte.org.uk/statement
Locally, the Diocese of Exeter published 'Taking a stand against racism and tackling injustice', here: https://exeter.anglican.org/taking-a-stand-against-racism-and-tackling-injustice/
2. Support for local community groups
There are amazing church-community initiatives that have sprung up during the Covid pandemic so far... If you're thinking of developing something new or are expanding something you're doing, then these Covid19-related grants from HMG/National Lottery may be for you, for as little as grants of £300 to £10k and more:
Various relevant small grant funders are also listed here:
https://exeter.anglican.org/resources/coronavirus-guidance/covid-mutual-aid/
Let us know if you've found any more!
3. Free Food provision and pastoral support for Exeter's hungry and homeless
A summary of the present coordinated free food provision for the homeless in the city is HERE
Food is also provided at the venues where homeless are currently being accommodated, and there is an open invite for the Church to offer informal chaplaincy or pastoral support in these settings. Our partners at One for Exeter are exploring this with Exeter Wellbeing Creative Solutions Panel - if you’d like to get involved, contact www.wellbeingexeter.co.uk
Looking ahead, the Foodbanks are busy and preparing for a future of greater need. If you can support them, please do. Info here: https://exeter.foodbank.org.uk/
And if you have more information about other food provision that can be communicated and coordinated, let us know.
4. NHS volunteers extend support to frontline health and social care staff
NHS volunteer responders are now extending their support to health and social care workers across the country.
The volunteer responders have completed hundreds of thousands of acts of support and kindness during COVID-19, helping vulnerable individuals, the shielded population, and supporting those who are self-isolating or caring for others.
They can now be called upon by frontline staff working in health and social care, to help them with their shopping and prescription deliveries, to free up more of their time to care.
You can find out more, here:
(NHS volunteer responders are not intended to replace local groups helping their vulnerable neighbours, but is an additional service provided by the NHS.)
5. The latest June News Update from Churches Together in Devon is available for free here:
https://mailchi.mp/8abe648d536a/ctd-news-update-for-june-2020
Among other things, it includes links to the very excellent ‘Everybody Welcome to the Future’ and ‘Everybody Welcome Online’ research. "Churches are on a steep learning curve, and some are on a steep growing curve" - these resources assist learning and growing, with interesting stats and some great stories.
6. Do you need some help with livestreaming and creating online services?
The C of E national digital team is offering useful webinars on a whole range of useful subjects including livestreaming, recording services and producing engaging online services. Discover them here:
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/digital-labs/labs-learning-webinars
Do you have any other resources for church online you can share? We'll help cascade them out to our lists.
7. Devon's Thy Kingdom Come Prayer Room between Ascension and Pentecost was a hit! Over 500 people from across the county and spanning a range of different church traditions took part in the prayer sessions. Read more here:
https://exeter.anglican.org/thy-kingdom-come-zoom-prayer-room-is-a-hit/
8. Clothing Donations for Departure Lounge Project for Exeter Prison leavers
Marc Eva who is the Good Prisons Project Lead and runs the Check Out & Departure Lounge at Exeter Prison is looking for donations of clothing for residents leaving each weekday. Prison leavers may not have clothes suitable for the season that their release day falls in or may have damaged the clothes they come into prison with. Particularly needed are trousers, jogging bottoms, jeans in S/M/L and jumpers but all clothing donations are welcome and will be used at different times of the year.
They also have an initiative to encourage prison leavers to engage more in sporting and keeping fit opportunities and so try to offer some sports clothing and other items as well including sportswear, sports bags, shoes/trainers, unwanted toiletries, drinks bottles.
If this is something you can help with and wish to have a wardrobe turn out, please get in touch directly with Marc at MarcEva@edp.org.uk. He is willing to arrange collection from the Exeter area or can arrange for drop offs at the Exeter Prison main gate.
Events
24th June
Church Leaders' Prayer Walk Day
10am-4pm
Join a socially distanced leaders' walk and pray round Exeter’s Green Circle to intercede for our city and region. Poster attached. The walk will be led by Pastor Aran Richardson (Riverside Church) starting 10am at Miller's Bridge (near the Mill on the Exe) and finishing 4pm at the same location, but you can also join at various points at the times specified on the attached poster. Conversations and prayer will feature themes as we go in our distanced formations. Please forward this info as an invite to your church leaders! Church leaders and +1s only, though, and RSVP essential. If you're not a church leader - can you please pray from home for Exeter's church leaders on this day?
25th June
International Day of Prayer for the Emergency Services
Exeter Police Chaplaincy will be running an online prayer meeting between 10am and 4pm on 25th, and anyone is welcome to drop in and take part in the prayers, or simply to be present. One of the Chaplaincy team will be leading through the day, so it’ll all be friendly and easy to join in with. Contact Exeter Street Pastors to find out more.
27th June
Zoom Psalmathon
For St Peter's Day
Do you have a favourite psalm? We are engaging in a continuous reading of the Psalter on Zoom, organised by the cathedral. The intention is that people can read their favourite psalm from home and share on Zoom, in any form or translation. If you would like to take part in this please contact Canon Cate Edmonds at cate.edmonds@exeter-cathedral.org.uk for more info.
Is your church planning or doing anything else like this that the whole Church in Exeter can be part of? Why not let us know!
28th June
EXETER PRAYS
8-8.40pm
The next online prayer meeting for the whole Church for the whole city. Theme = Transition and Transformation as lockdown eases. With video updates from the MP, council, and others on what to pray for as we move forwards together into the new normal. Livestream at https://live.rediscoverchurch.com/ plus watch party and post stream at https://www.facebook.com/CTAXChristiansTogether/
6th-7th July
Living and Telling SW 2020
This year's L&T is taking place online. Find out more here https://swym.org.uk/event/living-and-telling/
Living & Telling has recently received an extraordinarily positive review from CPAS (Church Pastoral Aid Society) on their Disciple Kit website. If you are still wondering whether to run Living & Telling with your group or church, then this review will help you think it all through in detail. https://www.disciplekit.org/resource/living-telling/
9th July
Leaders' Lunch
12-1pm
City Leaders/Politicians including Ben Bradshaw MP and reps from the councils join Christian church and charity leaders on Zoom for a virtual meeting on “Recovery Planning” as we look to the mid- and long-term future for our city. Email us for the link and log in details.
11th July
Spree SW 2020
7-8pm
Due to COVID-19, Spree SW 2020 will not be able to go ahead as planned. However, Spree are excited to announce that they will be going online on the 11th July 2020 for Spree’s Got Talent! Find out more here: https://www.spreesw.org/
21st July
Church Leaders' Virtual Prayer Breakfast
9-10am
For church leaders to meet, chat, pray for one another and dream together. Again, please email for the link.
Vacancies and training
St Mellitus College Devon are offering online open days for people interested in studying theology for one, two, or three years. See https://www.stmellitus.ac.uk/study-with-us/our-centres/south-west for more info.
SWMTC (South West Ministry Training Course) are running the popular Foundations In Christian Ministry course again in September. This one-year course runs on Saturdays once a month and is a great first step to learning more about the Bible and what God might be calling you to. Find out more at https://swmtc.org.uk/
SWYM (South West Youth Ministries) are also offering training and looking for people interested in becoming Ministry Partners to assist in their work. Info here: https://swym.org.uk/
If you have anything else to add, let us know by reply, and don't forget to like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CTAXChristiansTogether/