ST PETERS CHURCH

The present church building dates from the end of the thirteenth century. Monuments both inside and outside the church commemorate the Clevland family, who once lived at Tapeley Manor and the Christie family, to whom the house and estate passed by marriage. There are also monuments to the Berry Torrs, who lived in the littler village of Eastleigh. Some restoration work has been done, and more is envisaged in the near future when funds become available.

The present congregation is small and ‘elderly, though there is a much bigger body of people who come on special occasions and are willing to help in practical ways. The church and the pub are the two main focal points for this community.

St. Peters, Westleigh is part of the United Benefice comprising St. Peters, Westleigh, St. Johns, Instow and St. Peters Fremington.  

At such times, it is good to remember that the Church is not primarily a building or an ordained minister, but rather the people of God. People have worshipped here for hundreds of years and they do so still. Please pray that others in this generation will come to put their trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour, and bear witness for him in this rural community.

MARCH 2025

Sunday 2nd 9.30am

 Holy Communion

Sunday 16th 9.30am

Family Praise

Sunday 30th 9.30am

Mothering Sunday

Family Service

   I’m gratified by the number of people who tell me they read my letter although few ever challenge me on what I’ve said. Perhaps it works on the same principle when people comment ‘Lovely sermon, Rector’ as they leave a service and I wonder if they really listened. I’m pleased to say that I never hear that anymore and those who comment are thoughtful and even challenging.

In the midst of managing a flurry of requests for weddings, funerals and baptisms (all welcome!) in the last weeks, I was wondering about finding time for my tasks as Rural Dean, preparing a Learning Agreement with our incoming Curate and a raft of other duties. Then another email arrived from the diocese asking to complete my MDR. The Ministry Development Review is something the church have imported from the world of business and while it’s not always a bad thing there are times when it needs some adaptation for the church; after all, managing a church staffed overwhelmingly by volunteers is not the same as managing a branch of Sainsburys. To help, we are directed to the Ordinal, the service used when we are ordained deacon and priest which acts a sort of ‘job description’. I had a conversation with a clergy colleague this week around the question, what is a Rector/Vicar for?! You’d think I know, but given the huge changes in society over the last century, the role of the minister also changes. Here is what I don’t think a Rector/Vicar is for: go-between for humans and God, we can communicate with God directly, and he loves it; rule-enforcement officer - I don’t check up that everyone is keeping God’s rules; judge - I don’t pronounce judgement on anyone not keeping God’s rules; I’m not there to tell you about God’s rules; I’m not there to force you or guilt-trip you into being in church; my role is not to care for my congregation only; nor am I to be the perfect role model (which is just as well because I am very much a work in progress). However, I want to encourage you to communicate with God; I want to bring you the Good News that God loves us, whether we succeed or fail. In the person of Jesus, God shows us how we can best live for others and ourselves, and I want to encourage you in that. I encourage any who want know what is means to live our best for ourselves and others to explore the teaching of Jesus (rather than rules), who sets us free from shame and guilt rather than imposes it on people. I seek to encourage the building up of people and community and I love meeting people and caring them, whether they’re part of the congregation or not, and we all have a story of joy and sadness. Rowan Williams (former Archbishop) said that our role is to discover where God is already at work and then join in, which is very much what I hope to do - affirm life in all its fullness.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (5 March) giving us space to reflect on our human fragility and imperfection, how it affects our communities, and how we may become better than we are:

“...put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires….and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness (Ephesians 4.22-24)

I wish you all a reflective Lent,    Rev. Chris

Rev. Christopher Painter

Rector

Rural Dean of Barnstaple

CHURCH NEWS

                                  SEPT  23

March already, and what a display of daffodils we have! (you will be aware that I have to write this at least 2 weeks before publication, so I am anticipating…..and hoping). Also hoping that the heating has been turned down a little, and the proverbial hot water bottle condemned to the cupboard under the stairs!

On the 16th February, little Ruby Ann Ronald, daughter of Lucy and David, and younger sister of Bonnie was christened at St Peter's, and as usual with family occasions, a large congregation, much jollity, and children having a great time. It's lovely to see and experience.  Bonnie still holds the lap record for circumnavigating the central aisle in the middle of a Service, and would hold the record for eating the most biscuits, if Lucy would let her!

Sadly, in February we had the sad news of the Rev Liz Norman's passing. She had officiated at St Peter's many times in the past, and will be greatly missed in the Parishes. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

March brings us many uplifting events (including said daffodils, fingers crossed), with our Mothering Sunday service on the 30th March, when all Mums are presented with posies of flowers – it also brings us extra daylight, coincidentally on the evening of the 29th, but an hours less sleep (clocks 'spring' forward), so let's see who turns up an hour late on Mothering Sunday – there may be some biscuits left, but the Service will have passed you by.

Being Parish Clerk at Westleigh, and still involved with Instow PC, I get to see and am copied in on lots of 'local' happenings! I love the involvement, and I especially love the involvement with the Parishes, and the 'Church'. My faith is very important to me, and my commitment to this area is equally important, and I love being able to make at least one person smile each month. Thank you for your lovely feedback.

Roger (still cold on the 14th February) and out!