IT’S rather hard to know where to begin with a story like this. Because parrots don’t normally publish books, and Bishops don’t usually endorse them. But there again, Coco is no ordinary kind of bird.

Several years ago in a rural group of parishes located on the edge of Exmoor, Coco the parrot made it known that he wanted to start writing a weekly Christian blog.

The local Team Rector was approached, and to everybody’s surprise, the Rev David Baker gave our feathered friend the green light to proceed.

His astonishing foresight enabled a torrent of parrot wisdom to be shared around the world. The list of individuals subscribing to his blog grew steadily, to the point where it was soon being read in more than 40 different countries spanning six different continents.

The arrival of Covid-19 suddenly presented a fresh set of challenges to Christian ministry.

Church buildings were locked up, but the arrival of Zoom enabled many different congregations to meet up on-line and to continue to enjoy Christian worship together. And so it was in our local group of 11 rural parishes, with Coco having a significant role in the proceedings.

He would sit quietly with the camera trained upon him while his latest messages were read out. His appearances became much anticipated, and so Coco was accepted as an “honorary member” of the parish team.

Meanwhile, his blogs continued, and small local fan clubs (mainly comprising of ladies) began to spring up in various locations around the South West.

One of his lady followers (whom he is yet to meet) kept emailing to say that he should write a book. This went on for a good six months before Coco finally gave in to the pressure. “The Random Thoughts of a Christian Parrot” was published in October.

As the title suggests, the book views the world through the eyes of Coco the parrot, lifting the reader out of their normal perspective of things.

Many Vicars will tell you that helping people to see Life from a new perspective is half the battle in helping them to discover the Christian faith.

Coco’s writings are not only full of parrot wisdom, but also include many relevant quotations from the likes of Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa, Corrie ten Boon and Captain Sir Tom Moore.

His messages mix humour with current events, science with the wonders of creation, and relevant issues such as difference and diversity. Each message is underpinned by Biblical text.

It’s a book for dipping into, with each message being rather like a “parrot thought for the day.”

It is published as a hardback / 176 pp. /full colour throughout / has more than 100 photographs / is priced at £12.

Perhaps the most important thing is that Coco’s book is a unique fundraising tool with 100 per cent of proceeds helping to fund a new “Outdoor Church” initiative for young people on the edge of Exmoor.

The Church urgently needs a large tepee because it rains so much!

The book comes with a Foreword by the Right Reverend Jackie Searle (Bishop of Crediton) and a strong endorsement from the author and broadcaster Dave Tomlinson.

Richard Holloway (Coco’s typist and publicist), said that the material is sometimes funny and sometimes challenging, but always underpinned by a message of love and supported by Biblical text.

He added that local churches are invited to promote and sell copies of the book to their congregations, and in return, they will be able to keep 50 per cent of the cover price for their own funds!

“The Random Thoughts of a Christian Parrot” is available on-line from Amazon and from The Bookery, Crediton’s Community Bookshop.

Alternatively, you can send a cheque for £12 made out to “The Oakmoor Group of Churches” and send it to: Coco the Parrot, Parkstone, Broomhouse Lane, George Nympton, South Molton, Devon, EX36 4JE. Postage and packing is free!