EACH year, October marks the beginning of a very busy time at Crediton Parish Church in the lead-up to Christmas with both special services and fundraising events taking place.

Here are the details of what’s to come – surely something for everyone! The church would love to see you at any service or event – a warm welcome awaits.

Pet Service on Saturday, October 10 at 4pm in the church – take your pets along to this special service as they are blessed and thanks are given for their company and the special relationship that people have with their pets. This short service will be followed by refreshments.

Going for a Sing – this informal singing group (we are not a choir) will meet in the Boniface Centre at 10.30am on Friday, October 16. Song words provided – there is no charge but donations are invited to cover costs. Followed by refreshments.

Tune in BBC Radio 4 at 8.10am on Sunday, October 18 to hear Morning Service being broadcast from Holy Cross Church with the wonderful choir in full voice.

Mothers’ Union Coffee Morning – this will take place in the Boniface Centre on Friday, October 23 from 10am to 12 noon. Tea / coffee with cakes, scones and jam and the added attractions of a bring and buy stall, cake stall and MU Christmas cards for sale.

All Souls on Sunday, November 1, when services are held to remember loved ones no longer with us. There are two services in Crediton – at 4pm at St Lawrence Chapel, Threshers (for those who might prefer an intimate, quiet space) and at 6pm at Holy Cross.

Civic Service of Remembrance at 10am on Sunday, November 8.

St Nicholas Fair on Saturday, November 21 from 10am to 2pm in the Boniface Centre. Shop early for Christmas! There will be jigsaws and board games, candles and candle holders, jewellery, books, craft items and musical instruments for sale as well as the Grand Tombola and Silent Auction.

This is one of the parish church’s biggest fundraising events. People often believe that local churches are funded centrally by the Church of England.

Sadly, this is not the case and both the Governors (who bought the church on behalf of the townspeople nearly 500 years ago so it really is your church) and the Parochial Church Council work tirelessly all year round to find the money for repair and maintenance and the day-to-day running costs for both the church building and its mission and ministry.

Finally we know that people are already looking forward to this year’s Christmas Tree Festival which is being held from Thursday, December 3 to Sunday, December 6 with 73 decorated trees, two groups of singers in church on the Saturday morning, two concerts, refreshments, Bridge Books and the Newton St Cyres Art Group exhibition in the Boniface Centre and the bric-a-brac stalls in church.

So there’s plenty to look forward to. Please contact Anne Jerman on 01363 772865 or email: [email protected] for more information about any of these services/events.