Dove Church this month will be on Thursday 21 March at 7 pm in the Lower Hall of the Palace Gate Centre. We are currently looking at some of the psalms or songs of the Bible - ancient lyrics that still speak into our lives today. This month as we are in Lent we are looking at one of the most profound psalms - Psalm 22, which is a song of loss and despair. This is the song that Jesus quotes as he hangs in anguish on the cross - it expresses a sense of abandonment and hopelessness. It reflects deep despair and fear as we experience suffering and affliction. Yet the song also proclaims that though we may not sense his presence, God is with us even in our deepest despair. Dove Church is a different way of doing church - more informal and interactive. We meet around a shared meal as we seek to grow as a community seeking to know more about Jesus. A contemporary liturgy of prayers and responses is woven around the meal and instead of a sermon, we discuss a Bible passage. Dove Church seeks to be a welcoming and inclusive space, where we can ask our questions, express any doubt we feel and seek to deepen our understanding of the way of Jesus. Dove Church finishes around 9 pm - all are welcome to join us. If you can, let us know that you are planning to come along, especially if you have particular dietary needs. You can find out more by telephoning 01392 211132 or email minister@ssbcexeter.co.uk.

2nd February is the celebration of a festival often known as Candlemas - its longer title is the Feast of the Purification of Mary. It marks the story in Luke 2.22-40 when Mary and Joseph take their baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to make the offerings required by Jewish law at the time. This day formally marks the end of the season of Christmas so really is the time to take down any lingering decorations or to put away the Nativity set. After Candlemas, we begin to look towards Easter and reflecting on the significance of the death of Jesus and the hope we find in the resurrection. As a Celtic Connexion special we have a short service for Candlemas at 1 pm on Thursday 31 January taking place in South Street Baptist Church. This will take place whilst Dove Cafe is serving people in the Lower Hall of the Palace Gate Centre. Our service is based on one written by the Revd David Adams, formerly the vicar of Holy Island and a writer of excellent liturgies. It lasts about 25 minutes and people can choose to share in it or just to listen and reflect. We will hear the story of the baby Jesus presented in the Temple and how some of those there saw the significance and wonder of this child. The association of this festival with candles comes because one of the characters in the story sees in Jesus the light of hope not just for his people, but for the whole world. Our service ends with everyone present invited to share this light by carrying a lighted candle - we close with the intention of taking this light out into the world to be a blessing to others. All are very welcome to join us at this informal service.

The next Dove Church will be on Thursday 18 October from 7 pm to 9 pm. We continue to think about the death of Jesus and take our theme this month from Paul's teaching in the book of Romans. Through the cross of Jesus we are invited to die to sin that we might rise to life with the Risen Jesus. Dove Church is a different way of being church. We join together around a meal and share in a contemporary Christian liturgy. Instead of a sermon, we study a Bible passage together, welcoming one another's thoughts and comments. It seeks to be a safe and inclusive place where faith in Jesus and trust in one another can grow. The shared meal is often vegetarian and people are invited simply to make a donation to cover costs. Freshly made bread is provided by our resident breadmaker Simon. Dove Church takes place in the Lower Hall of the Palace Gate Centre - please use the Palace Gate entrance to come in. November Dove Church will be on Thursday 15 November starting at 7 pm.

The Servant King is the theme of Dove Church at the Palace Gate Centre in July. It will be a little later this month - it will be at 7 pm on Thursday 26 July. We continue to reflect on the life of Jesus and especially how we understand his death and resurrection. The cross was a symbol that was imposed upon Jesus by the state; a symbol that Jesus chose to represent him giving himself was the towel and the basin when he washed his disciple's feet. Here Jesus shows himself to be the servant king, kneeling in humility to express God's incredible love for us. At July's Dove Church we will reflect on Jesus washing the feet of his disciples to see what it tells us about Jesus and the life he gives. Dove Church meets monthly in the Lower Hall of the Palace Gate Centre - it is a different way of doing church run by South Street Baptist Church in central Exeter. We meet around tables and have a shared meal - contemporary prayers are woven into it. Instead of a sermon, we reflect together on a passage from the Bible. We also suggest situations or people we would like to pray for. All are welcome.