‘Positive’ meeting in fight to save church

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

by Anders Larsson

A PROPOSED church closure in Honiton could be avoided if two working groups are successful.

As previously reported, Honiton Parochial Church Council has applied to the Diocese of Exeter for permission to close St Michael’s Church because of a funding shortage.

The proposal was followed by a packed public meeting in May, during which supporters of the church opposed the idea.

The Archdeacon of Exeter, The Venerable Christopher Futcher, chaired the public meeting and came under immediate pressure from people who claimed the decision to close the church was a foregone conclusion.

The claims were denied and, in short, it was decided that those wishing to save the church should leave their contact details so they could be involved in finding a way to keep St Michael’s open.

It was also announced that the parochial church council and the archdeacon should reflect on comments before meeting on Wednesday, July 25th.
No promises have been made, but following last week’s meeting the archdeacon said: “It was a really positive meeting and there are encouraging signs of possibilities for a future for St Michael’s.

“Two working groups are to be set up, one to explore setting up a Friends of St Michael’s group to harness the support of all those in Honiton who have expressed a desire to work to find a future for the church.

“The other working group will begin conversations about starting up a new Anglican church community in St Michaels, with the support of a congregation from a church in Exeter.

“It is very early days, but we have been really heartened by the support there is for the church in the local community and we are now looking to build on that, to grow the church and further God’s mission in Honiton and the surrounding area.”

Email: pulmans@tindlenews.co.uk

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