Bishop Mike explains his priorities for his ministry in Devon, video Alan Quick IMG_6596
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00:00So my enthronement starts in Woolacoo on the beach and people have been asking me why am
00:08I starting there given that the enthronement is in Exeter. Part of the reason is that I
00:14wanted this to be a day which included the whole of Devon. So I want to start in North
00:20Devon and then to sweep down through Barnstable and through the middle of Devon down to Exeter
00:25itself because I am after all becoming the bishop for the whole of Devon not simply for
00:31Exeter. But there's also personal reasons for starting in Woolacoo. It's where we spent
00:37many family holidays when I was young and this particular day, the day of the enthronement
00:42is All Souls Day when we remember those who have died and it'll be a poignant moment for
00:47me on the beach at Woolacoo to remember my own parents of blessed memory. We'll be saying
00:53some prayers in thanksgiving for baptism which of course is the beginning of the Christian
00:58life which seems appropriate as we journey towards Exeter. Then taking in some social
01:05outreach projects, some sports projects on the way down but ensuring we are in time for
01:11the enthronement at three o'clock later that day. In terms of priorities for my own ministry
01:17one of the priorities is definitely going to be children and young people. Some of the
01:22statistics suggest that 75% of people come to faith before the age of 18 and indeed 40%
01:29before the age of 5. So it's really important that we are engaged with children and young
01:35people in our worship, in our activities, in our outreach. So that will definitely be
01:40an emphasis for me. Also the care of the clergy themselves. I am if you like a pastor to the
01:46pastors. So ensuring that those who lead our Christian communities are cared for,
01:52that their well-being is good, that they are flourishing spiritually. That'll be another
01:57key emphasis. And another particular priority for me will be working on the common good
02:04with partners across Devon. There are so many needs in this county whether it's rural poverty,
02:09mental health issues, isolation, the list can go on. But working on these things in
02:15joyful service in the name of Christ with partners will be another really key priority for me.