Welcome
The Shirwell Mission Community comprises eight Churches in seven rural parishes in North Devon:
Bratton Fleming; Challacombe; East Down & Arlington; Kentisbury; Loxhore; Shirwell and Stoke Rivers.
The Mission Community
The Mission Community lies within the Shirwell Deanery and covers an area of just under 50 square miles with a population of approximately 2600.
The parishes extend north east of Barnstaple to the Exmoor National Park and the Somerset border.
The Rector is Revd Preb. Rosie Austin, who lookes after the six parishes. She is assisted by a curate Revd Martyn Tyrrell, two retired clergymen, Rev Preb. Chris Tull from Challacombe and Rev Mike Miller from South Molton.
Rosie lives in Bratton Fleming, the largest of the parishes and placed centrally within the Mission Community.
Martyn lives in Shirwell, the second largest parish.
All enquiries for weddings, funerals and baptisms should be made to Rev Preb Rosie Austin:
Telephone 01598 711962
Email: rosieaustin@live.co.uk
The Curate's Ramblings
May Day or Mayday?
In your minds-eye, what do you see when you think of May?
It is a season of flowers in brilliant colours. It might be that time when dry weather finally becomes warm weather! It is always the month of two bank holidays and so feels like the beginning of the long tourist season. For some, it is the first month after lambing season completes. It is the month of the FA cup final. Somewhere, sometime, it was the season of Maypole dancing!
For everyone, it is a month when people see brighter skies and ever longer days into the summer season. This year there is an extra theme in the media, in conversations and in diaries; the expectations of passing the next milestone in reduction of Covid regulations! But that milestone casts a shadow as we approach it. It is one that we ought to tread carefully around, for it marks a journey that has cost many among us a great deal. The shadow cast is one of treatments delayed, earnings lost, education cut, plans abandoned and most painfully, the shadow of those people who are missing. For many people might feel closer to making the desperate ‘Mayday’ call for help, than join the celebrations of May Day.
For the Christian church, it is in May we remember the Ascension of Jesus. Ascension reminds Christians of hope that is beyond this world. We have a Lord of light who is above this world. Surrounded by vain headlines and forlorn hopes that a holiday season or restaurant meal might somehow ease the shadow of these past 14 months, there is a light to which we can turn which shines brighter than the May sunshine and restores beauty more powerfully than all the flowers of May. Jesus said “it is for your good that I am going away so that I can send the Spirit of truth to you … the Counsellor” … who is the one “who comforts us in all our troubles”. After Ascension, Christians celebrate Pentecost. Amidst the gathering pace of summer, we will be reminded that true hope is found in the peace of the presence of God. The first taste of eternity, is given to us in the Holy Spirit. Better than the flowers that fade, bright skies that slip into evening shadows, there is an invitation to new life in Jesus, and an eternal rising sun that comes to us from heaven. Rev. Martyn
Safeguarding
If you have a concern about the safety of someone or the actions of someone working with children or vulnerable adults, please speak to someone:
The link to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team’s contact details - https://exeter.anglican.org/resources/safeguarding/safeguarding-team/