Dearest friends,
Why are we blessing motorbikes? It’s a good question! Why are we blessing them at the Cathedral rather than here in church, if this is a new worshipping community for us? Another good question!
We bless motorbikes in a tradition that goes back to at least the 1950s. In 1959 Father Bill Shergold got up the courage to wander into the Ace Cafe and invite bikers to come to his church for Evensong. It was not an easy thing to do – bikers – especially those at the Ace – were renowned for being violent, anti-social, and rowdy. Not the type we want in church.
But Fr. Bill pushed on and ended up creating the world-famous 59 Club (which I was lucky enough to be Chair of when I was in London).
The blessing of the bikes became an annual opportunity to bring new people into our churches and show them that they are exactly the type we want to see.
We are launching a new chapter in outreach for both our churches as we invite bikers into our fold. We do it at the Cathedral (this year) to show that this is a big invitation to all, across the whole diocese, not just our parishes. Next year it will be with us in either Newton Abbot or Bovey.
All that’s missing, is you. Come to Exeter next Sunday afternoon and be part of the conversation – invite people to our churches and into our family.
In love,
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Tuesday Mass, St. John’s
Please note that the Tuesday mass at St. John’s next week (5th May) will be at the later time of 11am.
Quiz and Fish & Chips
Don’t miss the quizz with fish and chips at St. Luke’s on the 2nd May! Make sure you’ve told Dcn David that you’re coming so he can order you food.
Holy Trinity Sunday – Joint event in Bovey Tracey.
PPT and St. John’s will unite to offer a joint service in Marsh Park. We’ll process from our churches, meet in the park and offer the eucharist together. Then we’ll enjoy a family fun day together. It’s the perfect Sunday to invite friends and family and to stay around for games and a BBQ.
Blessing of the Bikes
On the 10th May we’ll be at Exeter Cathedral for the Blessing of the Bikes. This is a wonderful new worshiping community that we’re launching from our churches – a great way to invite people who would not usually cross our path. Let’s make an effort to be there and have conversations and invite them to church. 3:30pm, Exeter Cathedral, 10th May – www.holymotorbikes.com
Sunday 3rd May
5th Sunday of Easter
9am – Sung Parish Mass [SJ]
11:15am – Sung Parish Mass [SL]
Year A(II), Psalm week 1, Easter 5
Upcoming Dates
May
2nd – Quiz with Fish & Chips [SL]
6th – St. Luke’s Ladies Group
10th – Blessing of the Bikes [Cathedral]
16th – Table Top Sale [WH]
Rosary Group, 10:30am [SL]
17th – Lecture, World Religions (4pm) [WH]
Afternoon Tea (5pm) [WH]
Evensong (6pm) [SJ]
20th – St. Luke’s APCM, 6pm [SL]
21st – St. John’s APCM, 6pm [WH]
31st – Joint service & parish outreach with PPT [SJ]
NA Benefice Evensong, St. Luke’s
June
3rd – St. Luke’s Ladies Group
7th – Explorers
20th – Table Top Sale [WH]
21st – Lecture, Christian Denominations (4pm) [WH]
Afternoon Tea (5pm) [WH]
Evensong (6pm) [SJ]
July
1st – St. Luke’s Ladies Group
4th – Parish Outing to Exmouth
5th – Explorers
10th – Evening Lecture – History of the Anglo Catholics in Devon [WH]
18th – Table Top Sale [WH]
19th July – Joint mass with BBQ [SJ]
25th – Quiz with Fish & Chips [SL]
26th – NA Benefice Evensong, West Ogwell
Sept
2nd – St. Luke’s Ladies Group
5th – Glastonbury Pilgrimage
10th – Winter Term & Christmas Planning Meeting [SL]
11th – Bingo [SL]
13th – Explorers
20th – Lecture, Church Vestments (4pm) [WH]
Afternoon Tea (5pm) [WH]
Evensong (6pm) [SJ]
27th – NA Benefice Evensong, St. Mary’s
No Ladies Group in August
No midweek Mass in August
Fr. Matthew on pilgrimage from 24th July to 4th September
[SJ] St. John’s | [SL] St. Luke’s | [WH] Wickham Hall
[SC] St. Catherine’s School