Connect Exminster CIO
Connect Exminster is a charitable incorporated organisation, registered with the Charity Commission. We are dedicated to supporting the local community through our events and grants. With a focus on providing assistance to those who need it most and offering community connecting events that are accessible to all we stirive to support people of all stages of life and backgrounds.
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Our Ethos
Here we try to practise the generous Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This means you may be mixing with, seekers, searchers and those who have been bruised, those who rejoice and those who mourn, those who are worn out, burnt out and exhausted, those for whom life is filled with purpose and direction, those in fulfilling relationships and those who have struggled to love, been cheated in love or who are afraid to receive love, those of various nationalities and sexualities, those who are strong in their faith and those who are besieged by questions and doubts.
Those rejected by other churches and those who have found meaningful community here for the first time, those who have broken their promises, those who have been betrayed, those bowed down with burdens, those for whom the grip of alcohol or work, drugs or sex, money or unnamed powers is getting stronger and those for whom that grip is loosening, and goodness knows how many others…indeed anyone like those Jesus chose to spend his time with.
We are not a private club – we are a community open to all people of goodwill. And, though we are not yet strong and vulnerable enough to show the unconditional love of God at all times, we hope we are moving in that direction.
Inclusive Church
We are part of the Inclusive Church network which means, “We believe in inclusive church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate.
We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.
We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”
Eco Award
We have achieved the Silver Eco Church Award which measures how environmentally friendly Connect is in the following areas of church life:
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Worship and teaching
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Management of church buildings
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Management of church land
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Community and global engagement
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Lifestyle
Why people love our Connect discussion evenings
“Connect helps me on a personal level and inspires me. I like feeling part of a community that welcomes everyone and allows for questions and discussion of spiritual things that I wouldn’t be able to talk about usually in my everyday life.”
“Connect provides opportunities to discuss and explore, in a safe and caring place, issues surrounding day to day lives and share social and personal issues, as well as the wider world.”
“I like the relaxed format and the times of reflection. I also like the inclusion of young people who are not sent elsewhere and completely part of the worship.”“Connect is a wonderfully eclectic group with a wide range of ages and experience, it feels very inclusive and this has not always been my experience in other churches I’ve attended.”
“The group are my spiritual family. I feel safe and valued. I am learning more about how Jesus intends me/us to be in this world. I am challenged by what we discuss.”
“Connect has enabled me to grow in faith because I can ask any question I like or say what I think without worrying I will be judged and I can share the journey with members of my family who would not have been interested in being indoctrinated or in attending a standardised church service.”