Living Stones in Devon: Bishop Moira’s Visit to Tipton St John and Ottery St Mary

MMUK was delighted to join Bishop Moira on the second leg of her 2026 “Living Stones” tour, as she continued her journey across East Devon, meeting some of the faithful people who truly are the living stones of our churches.

The tour takes its inspiration from 1 Peter 2:5:

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Beginning in Budleigh Salterton, Bishop Moira travelled on to Otterton, Newton Poppleford, Tipton St John, and Ottery St Mary, spending time listening, learning, and encouraging communities along the way.

Prayer Across the Oceans: Tipton St John Primary School

MMUK’ Executive Director, Katie Drew and Trustee Colin Butler met Bishop Moira at Tipton St John Primary School, which is linked with Bishop Norman Palmer School in Solomon Islands. The visit was a special opportunity to hear more about the life of the school, including its experience of flooding, an all too familiar challenge for many communities, both in Devon and in Melanesia.

Staff and pupils shared how, following the serious flooding in January, they learned that schools in Solomon Islands had also been affected by flooding. In response, the children in Tipton St John sent prayers and messages of support to their friends across the world.

Not long afterwards, they received prayers and blessings back from the children in Solomon Islands, a powerful reminder that even across great distances, we are united in faith and care for one another.

You can read more about this moving exchange here:
https://www.mmuk.net/devon-and-solomon-islands-schools-united-in-prayer-after-the-floods/

Ongoing Connections: Ottery St Mary Parish Church

From Tipton St John, the next stage of the tour with Bishop Moira, was travelling on to Ottery St Mary. The original plan to walk between the locations was not possible, as the footpath along the river Otter, had been washed away by the recent flooding, a visible sign of the environmental challenges facing local communities.

At St Mary’s Church, Ottery St Mary, Bishop Moira was welcomed warmly and given a tour of this remarkable building. She heard about the church’s hopes and plans for the future, and its ongoing role at the heart of the local community.

There was also the opportunity to see St Stephen’s Chapel, which remembers the seven Melanesian Brothers, who were martyred in the pursuit of peace. This quiet space reflects the deep and historic connection between Ottery St Mary and the Anglican Church of Melanesia.

Ottery St Mary has long supported the work of MMUK and maintains strong links with the Anglican Church of Melanesia. It was a joy to share with Bishop Moira how this connection is not just something of the past, but something very much alive today. Through prayer shared across continents, through people building friendships and partnerships, and through giving that supports the life and ministry of the Church in Melanesia, the bond between Devon and the Pacific continues to grow stronger.

Living Stones Together

It was a real privilege for MMUK to spend time with Bishop Moira during this leg of the tour. Encounters like these remind us that the Church is built not of buildings alone, but of people, of communities rooted in faith, shaped by relationship, and connected across the world.

As we reflect on the image of living stones, we give thanks for the many ways in which communities in Devon and Melanesia are being built together into something greater, a shared spiritual home, grounded in prayer, love, and hope.