The Act of Reconciliation marked the formal end of the breaking away from the Anglican Church in 1815, which saw the formation of the Bible Christians who founded Shebbear College and built what is now Lake Chapel, part of the Methodist circuit.
In the middle of a Farmers' Market in Shebbear Village Hall, at 11am the Bishop and the Chairman, who had walked from St Michael's Church and Lake Chapel respectively, met together and said a few words in front of a good crowd who had come to shop and witness this event.
In the evening there was a chance to celebrate the work the Anglican and Methodist Churches do together, particularly with young people in the area, with an ecumenical service in St Michael's, the church where it all began in 1815.
Chris Andrew talked about Rock Solid, the thriving youth group in Shebbear, and Penny Warren spoke about the work Lizz Prangle, the ecumenical youth worker has been doing in the three years she has been in the area. Lizz has moved on to another post, but fortunately is able to offer a couple of days each week to continue to build on the success she has had.
Shebbear Circuit Choir and the dance group also made contributions, showcasing how the two churches work happily together in Shebbear.
Fourteen local producers selling beef, sausages, chilled food, vegetables, cakes, honey, jams and chutneys, Fairtrade products, soap, willow baskets, yoghurt and plants sold well during the morning, and shoppers also enjoyed tea, coffee, squash and cake. Proceeds of over £250 will be sent to the Farm Crisis Network.