OUTREACH

William Temple, an Archbishop of Canterbury in the 1940s, put it really well when he said, “The Church is the only organisation that exists for its non-members.” This sums up our attitude. We don’t believe that the Church should be a club for Christians.

Our vision is to be a church that couldn’t close and no one would notice. We want to be a positive force in our networks and communities – both as individuals and collectively as a church.

The Church has a radical message, but unfortunately for one reason or another many people think of the Church as boring and irrelevant. However the good news that God is passionately in love with each of us, that he is on our side and that he wants to invite us into the abundant life he created us to live, is exciting and relevant to all of us.

The Church has tried all sorts of means to communicate this message, sometimes doing more harm than good. We believe that a message of love needs to be spread with love, which is why you won’t find us Bible-bashing, shouting condemnation or scaremongering.

Instead we believe love is best seen when it’s sincere and demonstrated. We take our start from Jesus’ words, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

We believe that God’s life-changing message is best seen demonstrated by people whose life is being changed by God, which is why our outreach is always relational. We throw lots of parties and fun events to allow people to experience something of church life without having to come to a church service. These events include things like pub quizzes, barn dances and our special family events at Easter and Christmas.

We also have some ongoing work to help us reach out and help those who are struggling.

Exeter Food Bank

The Food Bank is a national charity designed to help individuals and families in crisis through the provision of three day’s basic emergency food supplies.

Food bank issue vouchers to local statutary agencies and charities who are in contact with struggling families. They then asses peoples needs and give vouchers accordingly. The individuals or familes take there voucher to the Food Bank distribution point where they are given a drink whilst someone bags up there food parcel for them. Food Bank aim to provide practically as well as aim to treat erveryone they serve with dignity and sensitivity.

You can support the project by adding a few non-perishable items to your weekly shop and donating them at the food donation table at our Sunday Service.

If you would like to find out more ar are interested in volunteering for Exeter Food Bank click here.

St. Petrock's Centre

St. Petrock's is a local charity based in the city centre that provides support and prevention services for people who are homeless and vulnerable. As well as providing skills training, medical assistance and working alongside other agencies to support work or housing transition, St. Petrocks also provide meals 5 days a week to those in need.

At Exeter Vineyard we have a passion to serve the poor and are committed to providing weekly food parcels to help deliver fresh meat and vegetables every Monday lunch time to people that might otherwise have a fairly limited diet.

If you would like to help support St. Petrocks we have individual menu items on tear off slips at our Sunday service every week for donation on the following Sunday. And like our Food Bank doantions we ask people to consider buying a few extra items along with there weekly shopping and donating them at the food donation table on a Sunday morning. For more information call the office at 01392 426060.

For more information about St. Petrock's click here.

The Vineyard Volunteers

We've adopted a local residential rehabilitation and elderly day-care centre in Whipton.  Every week our team of dedicated volunteers push around a trolley selling a few luxuries and necessities, as well as hanging around for a chat.

We also help maintain the gardens to give the service-users and staff somewhere nice to sit out in and we hold Easter and Christmas services for the residents.