Debbie Ducille goes 'on tour' - first a visit to the edge of Dartmoor
- debbiethrower0
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Anna Chaplaincy Ministry Lead Debbie Ducille was delighted to ‘go on tour’ two weeks ago, starting with a long overdue visit down to Devon to see local coordinator Annie Jefferies.
Annie, who has helped to facilitate the extraordinary growth and support of the local network across the county, is an Anna Chaplain herself; however, she is often to be found driving all over Devon on her way to commissioning services, or to lend a listening ear to network members.
‘Annie oversees one of the largest local networks of Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends in the UK (83, as of this week!),’ observed Debbie. ‘She knows everyone involved personally and offers great support, both practically and emotionally, to all including an annual get-together, attendance at strategic meetings and offering information sessions in a range of contexts.’
The uptake and huge interest in Anna Chaplaincy across Devon over the last four years has not developed by chance: ‘We are indebted to the Diocese of Exeter for their faithful support in developing and sustaining this ministry, and their generosity in enabling ecumenical working too,’ says Debbie. ‘This continued endorsement, combined with Annie’s energy and commitment, makes for a winning formula!’
Whilst visiting Annie, Debbie really enjoyed the beautiful Devon countryside including a walk on Dartmoor, a catch-up with another local Anna Chaplain, Josie who produces the regular newsletter, and dropping in at the Saturday coffee morning at Annie’s local village hall.
‘It has been a real pleasure to meet with Annie in person, and to discuss local joys, challenges and opportunities. It has also been very helpful to chat through how this growing ministry can be sustained effectively in future, with the proposed development of local ‘leads’ for geographical areas. In many ways, managing rapid growth in this ministry across the county mirrors our experience nationally: prayers continue for the Devon ‘team’ as they continue to grow and progress.’
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