News:

Wishing all Today magazine readers a HAPPY NEW YEAR and hoping that you all had a great Christmas and that it was all you wished it to be.

We were pleased to welcome Margaret, who grew up in Calverleigh, and her husband Dave to our service on 16 October.  They were married in the church 40 years ago on that date.  Our congratulations and best wishes went to them on the day and also go to anyone who has celebrated a significant anniversary or birthday in the past two months.

Mo and Paul would like to express their thanks and appreciation to all those who helped with, and supported the Bingo on 28 October 2022, be it attending, draw prizes and/or monetary donations. Special thanks to Carol and Stephen. £440 was raised for Calverleigh Church.

A Remembrance Sunday service was held on 13 November.  The service, led by Julie, told of the origins of poppy wearing which was inspired by the poem 'In Flanders Fields' and how Thomas Sage of Tiverton became a holder of the VC for bravery during action. There was also a time of reflection while listening to music.

The Autumn Fayre was held on 19 November and was a very good day. There were the usual stalls and competitions along with light refreshments. A lot of dear friends from around the valley attended along with a few new faces. Our grateful thanks go to all who manned stalls, helped with setting up on the Friday or in the kitchen on the day or contributed in any way.  With some generous donations and spending on the day the event raised an amazing £1173.10 towards church funds.

We were pleased to hear the lovely news of the marriage of Mark and Victoria. Congratulations to you both and we wish you a long and happy life together.

Tiverton and District Girlguiding held their Christingle service on 1 December in church which was full of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Guide Leaders and invited guests.  A 'runway' of made of painted/decorated jars with tea lights, which had been made by 5th Tiverton Guides, led the girls across the green from the village hall to the church. During the service painted pebbles portraying the Nativity were displayed and stayed in church throughout the Christmas period. It was a lovely service and Steph gave a moving talk about Believing. Girlguiding brought donations of food items, toiletries and money towards CHAT. Thank you to all involved with the preparation of the church.

The following day, quite fittingly, there was a Memorial Service and burial of ashes for Pat Knapp who for over 40 years lived at Frogwell.  Over the years she was a volunteer guide at Tiverton Castle and Knightshayes and was a Guide Leader with a Tiverton Unit. Representatives from Tiverton and District Guiding gathered around the graveside where Pat's ashes had been interred and sang TAPS, which was very moving. Her family were pleased to meet Pat's friends and neighbours; people they had heard much about. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, whether recently or not so.

On 4 December we held our own Christingle service. The service was led by Nik who had hidden many household items placed around the church that represented different elements of the Christingle. When brought forward an explanation was given and a prayer suggestion offered for each item. Thanks were given to Doreen who provided the Christingles. We would also like to thank the team (you know who you are) who put the Christingles together which is no easy task when you have so many to do!

During the course of December, items for CHAT of dried/tinned goods and toiletries have been collected in church and delivered to their office early in the new year. (If this magazine is delivered early enough, you may still get a chance to donate, if you haven't already!). Thanks to everyone who has done so.

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