by Alan Quick

LATEST figures produced by the Church of England show the number of worshippers in Devon churches has seen a modest growth, demonstrating that churches are working hard to connect with people in their communities.

In the North Creedy West Mission, this was demonstrated on Sunday (October 22) when 11 people from churches in the Benefice confirmed their faith in a service led by the Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of Crediton.

Those who were confirmed at the parish church of St Andrew, Colebrooke, were Oliver Chown, Sophie Chown, Jacob Martin, James Dunn, Richard Dunn, Leanne Johns, Lucy Johnstone, Rachel John, Christina Hall, Graham Roundly and Linda Green.

The church was full of family and friends as well as representatives from the Benefice churches for the service.

The sermon was given by Bishop Sarah.

After the confirmation of the individuals, Holy Communion was led by the Bishop and Rev Lindsey Starrs, Team Vicar, North Creedy West Mission.

After the service, refreshments of tea and cakes was enjoyed in the church.

Afterwards, Rev Lindsey Starrs, said she was “delighted” that so many people from her churches had been confirmed.

DEVON CHURCHES RE-CONNECTING

While the latest figures show the number of worshippers in Devon churches is rising, nationally the number of people who regularly attend church services continues to decline.

In Devon attendance figures grew by 200 people, to 25,700 regularly attending church in 2016.

The Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of Crediton, said: “The church continues to be at the heart of many communities across Devon but we know that nationally less people attend regular church services.

“Although we have seen a small growth of people attending church across Devon we are working hard to support churches to reconnect with people.

MESSY CHURCH

“This will not just be seen in traditional ways but through more community-based activities such as memory cafés, messy church or through new churches such as resource churches. 

“In doing this we hope to share the good news we have found in God, which gives hope and purpose to our lives.”

The new Resource Church opened at St Matthias in Plymouth last year, and already welcomes hundreds each Sunday.

The Diocese of Exeter launched the Growing the Rural Church project last year to invest and support its many rural churches, helping them to reconnect with the communities. 

The project was part-funded by the diocese, and was awarded money from the Church Commissioners. It aims to help 100 churches in the county open up their churches to serve their communities better.

Barry Dugmore, Mission Enabler for the Diocese, has created new networks for people to share ideas about how to grow and serve their communities.

He said: “Mission Shed Resource Hubs provide local training, networking, resourcing and mentoring for lay and ordained leaders and their teams to gain confidence and experience in starting new congregations such as Café or Breakfast churches. 

“They also explore how church services could be developed to enable people of all ages to explore the relevance of Christian faith today.”