AN exciting six-week programme to rejuvenate and inspire the parishioners of St Eustachius Church and the Tavistock community is set to begin this Sunday. ?Called to Care? is aimed at encouraging those outside and inside the church to care for the world in a host of ways. The two main themes during the course of the programme are the words ?called? ? what people think they are called to do by God ? and ?care? ? care for the world, Tavistock, the church, and each other. The Rev Michael Brierley is looking forward to the autumn activities and hopes the programme will ?touch the whole community?. ?I?m hugely excited by the six-week programme in front of us. This is a real opportunity to rejuvenate not just our parish church life but our parish life as well. ?Because the parish church is at the heart of the community this gives people an opportunity to see a bit more of what the church does,? said Mr Brierley. ?The aim behind the programme is to renew the life of the parish church. We are trying to rejuvenate the church on a number of levels and we are trying the gee ourselves up. ?The programme is for the 300 on the church book but also for those who feel a connection with the church.? The day before the programme officially starts many people will be participating in the annual ?Ride and Stride? event in aid of the Devon Historic Churches Trust. The launch of ?Called to Care? will take place this Sunday at the 9.45am service of holy communion. The week of Sunday, September 16 to September 22 will explore the word ?vocation? ? from the Latin ?vocare? meaning ?to call?. One of the highlights of the whole programme will be on Sunday, September 16 when one of the parish church members, Paula Rennie, will be ordained as a new curate for Tavistock and Gulworthy. The following day, Paula and Mr Brierley will go on a ?walkabout? in Tavistock to meet the local residents. ?If you see us say hello,? said Mr Brierley. The evening on Wednesday, September 19 will be marked by a special service of holy communion to pray about vocations, at 7pm in the parish church. On Saturday, September 22, in preparation for Sunday, there will be a ?Quiet Day? from 10am to 4pm at Hampton Manor in Stoke Climsland. Sunday, September 23 is the patronal festival of St Eustachius? church. Caring for God?s creation is the focus from Friday, October 5 to October 7. Friday begins a weekend of harvest celebrations. On Sunday, October 14 at the parish communion service at 9.45am the focus will be how to care for money. An evening prayer vigil will be held on Friday, October 19 at 6pm and then a day of commitment and thanksgiving will be held on the last day of the programme on Sunday, October 21. For more details on the activities pick up a ?Called to Care? booklet which are available for free at the back of the church or from the parish office.
