New Bishop of Crediton Moira Astin aware of Devon's 'challenges'
'Tough times'
Ms Astin said: "Devon is such a beautiful place and yet as all places, it has its own challenges. As I've been driving around in the past week, I've seen signs about trying to get rid of the family farm tax."I've visited Ilfracombe and seen some of the challenges of a seaside town, some of the poverty that we have there."The church is rightly at the heart of this. Providing support, being there for people in the tough times, and most of all, speaking of the love of God. "That even when life is difficult, God is still there and still caring."
'Amazing geology'
Ms Astin studied Geology at Clare College, Cambridge, before turning her sights to church ministry."[I am excited] to again see the amazing geology of some areas of North Devon, like the Hartland Peninsula and the Valley of the Rocks, near Lynton."And to discovering the places where our British Christian forebears worshipped." she said.As part of the Diocese of Exeter, the Bishop of Crediton serves the whole of Devon but with a stronger emphasis on North Devon, Mid Devon and East Devon.There will also be a service of welcome for the bishop-designate on Sunday 6 July at Exeter Cathedral.
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