News:

We begin by wishing all readers a Happy 2019 and hope that the year so far is finding you well.

Our thanks go to all who helped in any way with our Autumn Fayre back in November, either by coming along, running a stall or serving refreshments.  It is always a great social time for all and we look forward to seeing those familiar faces who come and support us each year.  We raised a wonderful total of £881.26.

In the evening of the same day the Big Quiz for Tearfund was also held at Calverleigh hall.  A number of teams took part from around the valley and also from Tiverton.  The questions were challenging and the worthy winners came from Loxbeare with the Goldblends from Calverleigh coming a close second. Thanks go to Jean Heard for all her hard work in organising our part of the national quiz.

The following day 18 November saw a number of the congregation travel to Exeter Cathedral for a Confirmation service led by Bishop Jackie.  There were two candidates from Calverleigh, Paul Furneaux and Gary Smith.  It was a lovely service and a privilege to be supporting them, along with their families and friends, in the next step of their faith journey. Congratulations to you both and also to Reg Coffin of Templeton.

Our Christingle service on 2 December was in conjunction with the Praise Party. Nikki Burton led the service, supported by Steph, with Dave, Tasha and Marc joining in with a drama explaining what Christingle stands for.  A congregation of 75 made their way over to the hall afterwards for activities and refreshments. Doreen Venn kindly donated the Christingles once again and a donation, from the collection, has gone to the Children's Society who themselves are celebrating 50 years of helping vulnerable children and young people.

There was a full church for our Carol Service on 16 December, which was led by Tasha Gerolimatos. A number of children sang Away in a Manger, helped during the talk and with the collection. Mulled wine, mince pies and other refreshments were served after the service. It was lovely to welcome so many supporters of our church along with some visitors.

An Informal Get-together was held on 23 December, with many parishioners enjoying festive nibbles and fellowship.  This is a time of coffee (or tea) cake and conversation where people can stay as long or as short a time as they wish. 

The Loxbeare/Calverleigh Carol Singers were out and about before Christmas singing around both villages. Over £800.00 was raised over three nights for Force and Mind. Our thanks go to Ron Tidball for his organisation of this festive activity and to those who provided supper on each of the evenings.

Many people came together on Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, with a Family Holy Communion led by Rev’d Steph Gordon-Jeffs.  It was good to welcome back those who have been part of our congregation over the years and be able to catch up.

A large donation of dried goods and toiletries, from under the Christmas tree was handed to CHAT in early January, for which they were extremely grateful. Our thanks go to all who contributed to this very worthwhile cause.

We were very sorry to hear that Enid Illsley of Frogwell Farm has passed away aged 92. Our sympathy goes to Audrey and Linda White, her sister and niece, with whom Enid lived for many years. Enid will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Our prayers and sympathies go out to anyone who has lost a loved one, or whom is unwell at this time.

As you know, our Church is much loved and well supported for which we are so very grateful. We would not be able to keep it in such good condition without the generosity and hard work of so many people. Unfortunately we now have to replace some of our windows, so will need to raise several thousand pounds (depending on whether we replace them all at once, or a few at a time). We are certain that there are charitable organisations that we can turn to for some help, but we need to also start our own fund, so an extra effort will be needed. We have already made a start with a few donations and an offer of a fundraising coffee morning in the Spring, so if anyone has got any ideas, can help or support this important cause, we would be very grateful.

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