Mission Community

In Exeter Diocese there are 150 Mission Communities. Our Mission Community in North Devon comprises of the town of Bideford and the villages of Landcross, Littleham, Monkleigh and Weare Giffard. We are a wonderful mix of rural and urban Parishes that have been working together for over 10 years, and in that time have become good friends.

As a Mission Community we work across boundaries and seek to be flexible in our Mission. We often meet together to pray together, plan together and socialise together. Our Mission Action Plan comes under one banner; ‘to seek first the kingdom of God’.

We look at ways we can meet today’s challenges and serve the people of our Communities with joy!

  • What can we do for our Communities to see local people flourish?
  • How can we work in partnership with local agencies in making people’s lives better?
  • How can we best use and share our resources? (Particularly in relation to worship, mission, pastoral care, ‘Open the Book’ in Primary Schools, Safe guarding, serving the poor, etc…)
  • How can we share our knowledge of God’s love joyfully in word and action?

The beauty of a Mission Community is that there is no ‘us’ and ‘them’. We are quite diverse and yet united! Over the years we have joined in with Community events, and also been able to support farmers, the homeless and vulnerable, the elderly and schools, refugees from Syria, children from Uganda and Cambodia. We know, from experience, that we can do more together than if we were working in isolation. We want to be ‘outward focused’ and to help to create ‘God’s best’ for this part of North Devon!

REGULAR SERVICES IN THE 4 PARISHES

1st Sunday

  • 4 Parish Communion Service rotating around the villages

2nd Sunday

  • Landcross - Parish Communion
  • Littleham - 4 Parishes Evensong
  • Monkleigh - Parish Communion
  • Weare Giffard - Morning Praise

3rd Sunday

  • Littleham - Morning Praise
  • Weare Giffard - Parish Communion

4th Sunday

  • Landcross - Celtic Communion
  • Littleham - Parish Communion
  • Monkleigh - Morning Praise
  • Weare Giffard - Parish Communion

5th Sunday

  • 4 Parish lay led Family Service rotating around the villages

Additional Services:

  • Landcross - Taize, 1st Thursday of the month

Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ (The Lord’s Prayer)

Prayer for the day

“so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Hebrews 9:28

Safeguarding

The 5 parishes of the Bideford and 4 parishes Mission Community (Bideford, Landcross, Littleham, Monkleigh and Weare Giffard) have adopted the House of Bishop's 'Promoting a Safer Church;  Safeguarding Policy Statement'.  Signed copies may be found on display at each of our churches.

 

If you are concerned about a child or vulnerable adult, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team:

You may also report concerns to:

Concerns About Children

  • Devon Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH):  0345 155 1071
  • Plymouth Children’s Services: 01752 308600 (Out of hours: 01752 346784)
  • Torbay Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 01803 208100
  • NSPCC confidential helpline:  0800 389 5344
  • Childline:  0800 11 11

Concerns About Adults

  • Devon – Care Direct: 0345 155 1007
  • Plymouth Adult Services: 01752 668000 (Out of hours: 01752 346984)
  • Torbay Safeguarding Adults Team: 01803 219700

Domestic Abuse

  • Devon Domestic Abuse Service:  0345 155 1074
  • Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service:  01752 252033
  • Torbay Domestic Abuse Service:  01803 698869

Rape Crisis

  • Devon & Torbay:  01392 204174
  • National:  0808 802 9999
  • Devon & Torbay:  01392 204174

Modern Slavery

  • Immediate danger:  999
  • Suspicious activity:  101
  • For advice call The Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or The Salvation Army on 0800 303 8151

For parish representatives:

  • St. Mary's Bideford:  sue_sparkes@hotmail.co.uk
  • Landcross:  Dr. Brian Walker 01237 425068
  • Littleham:  Vicki Scott 01237 473707
  • Monkleigh:  Dr. Brian Walker 01237 425068
  • Weare Giffard:  Elizabeth Moore: 01805 623671