ONE of the Archbishop of Canterbury?s ?Flying Bishops? was welcomed for the first time to the united benefice of Lifton, Broadwoodwidger, Stowford, Lewtrenchard with Thrushelton and Kelly with Bradstone last Sunday.
The congregations joined together at St Mary?s Church, Kelly, to worship with the Right Reverend Andrew Burnham, Bishop of Ebbsfleet. Bishop Andrew had two parish appointments and taught at Oxford for five years before becoming one of the ?Provincial Episcopal Visitors? or ?Flying Bishops? who are special assistants of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Bishop Andrew?s particular role is to operate in the South West of England in support of parishes and worshippers who follow ?traditional? ways of worship and ministry ? most of whom refuse to accept women priests. The Bishop of Exeter has enhanced Bishop Andrew?s ministry by making him official Assistant Bishop in this diocese.
The six churches of Lifton, Broadwoodwidger, Stowford, Lewtrenchard with Thrushelton and Kelly with Bradstone work closely together under the Rev John Heath of Lifton, who welcomed the bishop at the beginning of the service.
Mr Heath is assisted by retired Bishop John Richards and Father John Hunwicke.
Fr Hunwicke said the six congregations were planning to develop their links further and there was the likelihood they may become an official Mission Community, designed to spread the Gospel in West Devon even more effectively.
Sunday?s Eucharist began with Bishop Andrew, preceded by the wardens of the six churches, walking from Kelly House, where he had been welcomed by Mr Warin Kelly, who is Patron of the Living and whose family has looked after the church from time immemorial.
After the service the bishop joined the congregations for lunch in the Meadwell Hall.