THE Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev Michael Langrish, officiated at a special service for Okehampton's new team rector on Wednesday.
The Rev Stephen Cook has succeeded the Rev Russell Chamberlain who left in November. He is responsible for Okehampton and the parishes of Inwardleigh, Sourton, Bridestowe, Northlew, Germansweek and Bratton Clovelly.
The Bishop officiated at the
licencing and induction service at All Saints' Church. This was followed by a reception at the Charter Hall.
Mr Cook, 44, is married to Fiona, a practice nurse, and they have two sons Ben, 10, and Sam, 2.
He has come to Okehampton from the parish of Hanham on the eastern fringes of Bristol.
'This is a team ministry and I wanted to get back to a team
ministry again,' said Mr Cook.
'I have family roots here because my grandfather came from Devon,
'Working in Okehampton is different to what I have done before, but I felt I wanted a different challenge. People are people, but the context changes.'
He said he was looking forward to getting to know the people in the area.