OCTOBER NEWS
REPORTS
Baptisms
On Sunday 29th September we gathered on a very windy Budleigh beach for baptisms. In fact, it was so windy and the waves so fierce, we needed to do the baptisms in the river, where, despite the blasts, Evie and Charlie were baptised into God’s family! Massive congratulations to them and it was so encouraging to hear their reasons why they’d decided to (literally) take the plunge!
Refugee House Project
For the last five years Exeter Vineyard has been working with Belmont Chapel and Exeter Network Church to help settle refugee families in Exeter. Recently this working arrangement has become a charity in it’s own right - CARRIE (Churches Action for Resettlement of Refugees In Exeter).
As part of the Government’s Community Sponsorship Scheme, we provide support for two years to help the family resettle in Exeter. This includes sourcing suitable housing and helping the family get places in schools, colleges, language classes, doctor surgeries and so on. We’ve helped with health care, cultural orientation, advocacy and general befriending. While the official scheme lasts for two years, the friendships and connections are ongoing.
In September we welcomed the third family, who had to flee Iraq 9 years ago and have been living as refugees in Türkiye ever since. Dave V and two volunteers from other churches met the family at Heathrow and brought them to Exeter. Please pray for them as they adjust to England after 9 years as refugees in Turkey.
ACTION POINT: If you have a heart for helping refugees, talk to Dave V or contact the office as there are plenty of flexible opportunities to help and get involved.
Crosslines
The Crosslines Team provides a meal for homeless and vulnerably housed people on Monday night. We also have two people who serve as trustees on the Crossline Charity’s board.
For a number of years our Monday night team have organised and thrown a special Christmas Dinner. This is happening again this year and the team are looking for some extra people to help make this happen. This might include preparing food beforehand, helping in the kitchen, or waiting tables. You can find out more here.
In November the Crosslines charity is also organising the second celebration event for all the volunteers, which draws helpers from several churches across the city.
ACTION POINT: If you’re interested in getting involved with Crosslines (generally or for the Christmas meal), which could include cooking meals in your home, helping in the kitchen or helping serve food, talk to Sarah V, Colin F or Alex C or contact the office.
OCTOBER’S FOCUS:
Single Friendly Church Network
The Single Friendly Church Network (SFCN) is a national organisation that encourages churches to welcome and value single people. It recognises that sometimes the language, culture and practices of churches can give the impression that marriage is the norm or the best. Single people might include unmarried, separated, divorced, widowed and also people whose spouses don’t share their faith.
Vicki G is currently working with the SFCN to audit Exeter Vineyard to ensure we are as welcoming and inclusive as we can be. Vicki explains,
There are all kinds of singleness in life- single by calling, single by choice, single in faith, divorced, widowed or just not yet found the right person, but all of these can be just as isolating. What we don’t want is for anyone to feel this way in church and so we’re doing this audit to identify the things we’re doing well so that we can shout about it, what maybe we could change, to create some plans to implement those bits and also if there are new or fresh ideas people have too!
We’re meeting to look through the audit together so please come along if you have any thoughts - it’s important to get the views of our entire community, so even if you’re not single please do come along as your voice is just as important in making sure we are meeting the needs of all of our single friends.
ACTION POINT: If you’re interested to contribute your thoughts, experiences and ideas, Vicki will be holding discussions during breakfast on Sunday 20th October and Sunday 3rd November. It’s a chance to contribute your own experience, ideas or challenges. You don’t have to experience church as a single person to contribute and Vicki is keen to hear encouraging comments as well as issues or ideas for improvement. If you won’t be around for either of these meetings but would like to input into the audit, please let Vicki know or contact the office.
LOOKING AHEAD
Sunday Services
From 20th October we’re going to start serving the breakfast pastries and hot drinks at 10:15 and move into the worship service around 10:45. This is just to allow a bit more space in the service to respond to God and open up opportunities for prayer or words of encouragement, without feeling rushed or running over.
Christmas
These are our Christmas plans (there will be a normal Sunday service on 1st Dec):
Monday 9 December - Crosslines Christmas Meal (see above)
Sunday 15 December - Christmas Service
St. Leonard’s School. 4:00 - 5:30pm, followed by seasonal refreshments.
For the first two-thirds of the service there will be separate Christmas Party for children and a main service for youth and adults. At the end we’ll combine for a bit of Christmas themed fun. Bring family and friends!Sunday 22 December - Carol Service
St. Leonard’s School. 4 - 5pm, with refreshments at the end.
A more traditional service of carols and readings. No separate children or youth activities. Invite guests.
New Wine
A group from Exeter Vineyard are going to New Wine festival next summer (30 July to 4 August). If you’d like to go we offer an instalment payment scheme, allowing you to spread the cost. Contact the office for details. You might also want to consider helping on a team, which means your ticket is free and you get to be part of a fantastic community working to make the festival happen.
DATES
Sun 6 Oct - Sunday Service, 10:30 @ St. Leonard’s
Fri 11 to Sun 13 Oct - Youth Weekend Away
Sat 12 Oct - Messy Church, 10:30 @ The Beacon Centre
w/c 14 Oct - Hub Leaders’ Meeting
Sun 20 Oct - Sunday Service, 10:30 @ St. Leonard’s
Sun 3 Nov - Sunday Service, 10:30 @ St. Leonard’s
Sat 9 Nov - Messy Church, 10:30 @ The Beacon Centre
Sat 9 Nov - Elevate (Youth), 6pm @ The Beacon Centre
Sun 17 Nov - Sunday Service, 10:30 @ St. Leonard’s
Sun 1 Dec - Sunday Service, 10:30 @ St. Leonard’s