To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERw.b. 15th February 2026Hello all!The Daily Reflections this week all focused upon light and unity, including an opportunity to connect again with our baptism, one of our principle expressions of being one Body. As we move towards Lent, which often feels like an individual journey on the way of the cross, this weekend is a good time to remember again that come what may 'we are the body of Christ' and are called, together, to shine as a light in the world, to the glory of God the father. Perhaps light your baptism candle, or another, with the intention of connecting with this first call, and with one another.LouiseLouise’s email address: vicartopshamwear@gmail.comSafeguardingFor any safeguarding concerns, please contact :Katie Gray: safeguardingtopshamwear@gmail.comFor issues with rough sleepers:Elizabeth Reed: homelessoutreachtopshamwear@gmail.comPlease send all contributions for the newsletter to Gill Yates by Thursday evening.gyates@uwclub.netServices and calendar for the next week Sunday 15th February 8am… BCP Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am… Joint Holy Communion…St Luke’s Monday 16th February 7pm…Compline…Zoom Tuesday 17th February Wednesday 18th February 10am…Morning Worship…Zoom 2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’s 7pm…Ash Wednesday Service…St Luke’s Thursday 19th February 11am…Holy Communion…Watermeadow Grange 11.30am…Funeral for Jackie Hatton…Clyst St Mary Church Friday 20th February Saturday 21st February Sunday 22nd February 10am… Family Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am… Morning Worship…St Luke’s 6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’sThe Zoom links and meeting IDs for all the Zoom events are on our pages on ACNY (A Church Near You)BookingsSt. Margaret’s bookings are managed by Caryll Ingerslev.Contact: bookingstopsham@gmail.comPlease book in for any use of the church including church meetings and events.St. Luke’s Church and Church Rooms bookings are managed by Sandra Greedy:Contact: bookingswear@gmail.comSt. Luke’s churchwarden can be contacted on:churchwardenwear@gmail.com or phone 01392 271458St. Margaret’s Churchwarden can be contacted on:churchwardenstmargarets@gmail.comSt. Luke’s Church will reopen on Wednesday afternoons from Wednesday 8th April until Wednesday 30th September.St. Margaret’s is open every day between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.News and NoticesEnquiryIn 1961, Cordelia Ransdale, who lived at St Agnes, Topsham, presented gifts to St Margaret’s in memory of her late sister Jessie, who had died three years earlier. These comprised new floodlights for the sanctuary (which I believe have since been replaced), a sanctuary table, and a prayer desk. We have permission to dispose of the prayer desk as it is damaged and redundant. If anyone knows of the Ransdale sisters, or of a house called St Agnes in Topsham, could they please contact Helen Swafield or Paul Jakeman in case we can contact the family. Nothing has been found in online searches. The Dream Big ProjectThe Dream Big Project has begun and work is evident within the Church. The expert carpenters have been sent their work orders and the builders have completed the stripping out of pews and some of the old kitchen area. So far, so good. Our thanks for bearing with us while the work is ongoing, but the possibility of mission from the re-ordered church, is full of possibilities!Helen, ChurchwardenLent Study at Watermeadow GrangeThis year for Lent study we will be returning to Watermeadow Grange, who are hosting the church, and together we will be studying a Lent course which uses the themes from the film The Kings Speech. Please do sign up if you are interested by contacting Revd Louise Grace at vicartopshamwear@gmail.comStudy group: 2nd, 9th and 16th March at 11.00 a.m.Services: 19th February, 12th March, 2nd April, 23rd April at 11.00 a.m.18th February 2026 – Ash Wednesday.There will be a communion service at 7pm at St. Luke’s Church.Lent LunchesIt's been a tradition in Topsham for the churches to offer lunch on each of the six Fridays during the season of Lent. This year, because of the re-ordering of the social area at the back of St Margaret's, there will be just four lunches, two at St Nicholas Methodist Church on 6th and 13th March and two at Holy Cross Catholic Church on 20th and 27th March. A simple meal of soup, bread and cheese will be served in turn by each of the churches, with a donation of £4 requested for a particular charity (which each church will select to support). The lunches will be available between 12.30 and 1.30 pm on each day. Everyone, of any faith or none, is very welcome to attend any or all of these events and share conversation with friends from across the town. Do put these dates in your diary and come along!Coffee and CakeWednesday Coffee and Cake will continue throughout the building works and be hosted in the front entrance Foyer of the Church. We look forward to welcoming you between 2.30-3.30 - not just for coffee, tea and an array of cakes, but also for friendly chat and a warm welcome. There's no charge, and we'd love to see you, whether you're Christian, or of a different faith, or of none at all! 🎂 🥮Exmouth Food BankIn preparation for an increase in demand for our services during the winter months we are planning to build up our stocks of essential tinned items. We will include these in the parcels we supply to our clients and will also share them with other local organisations that are supporting people in food poverty.If you are kind enough to be planning to donate to us, we would be grateful to receive the following priority items: Tins of soupTinned tomatoesTinned baked beans and spaghettiTinned meat meals such as stews, meatballs or curryTinned cold meats such as ham, chicken or corned beefTinned tunaTinned fruit, rice pudding or custardN.B The collection point is now inside the front entrance foyer, while the building is ongoing.Thank you for your Kindness ❤️For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511Please find the winter newsletter attached.PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Martin Branch, Jill and Adrian, Kirsten, Jan, Jeremy, Marlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Rosemary Henry, Gail Miller, Maurice WebbHousebound or in nursing/care homes:Alfred Wonnacott, Janet Mutter, Georgina LearPlease pray for Anne Plested supporting the work of Bethlehem Bible College, and Ben and Katy Ray in Tanzania, St. Luke’s CMS mission link.AnniversariesYvonne WareWinifred Richards, Wendy Turner, Eleanor Casbon, Derek Wilson, Arthur Robinson, Anne Howard, Tony IshamRecently departedJackie HattonGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 15th February Matthew 17: 1-9Monday 16th February Mark 8: 11-13Tuesday 17th February Mark 8: 14-21Wednesday 18th February Matthew 6: 1-6Thursday 19th February Luke 9: 22-25Friday 20th February Matthew 9: 14-15Saturday 21st February Luke 5: 27-32Sunday 22nd February Matthew 4: 1-11Collect and reading for Sunday 15th FebruaryAlmighty father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him, and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Matthew 17.1-9And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.This email was sent from Mission Community of Topsham and Wear using iknowchurch. If you wish to update contact preferences, please email: gyates@uwclub.netPositions vacantSt Margarets’ Topsham and St Luke’s Countess Wear are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory DBS check of the appropriate level for the role.We are currently wishing to appoint suitable people to the following volunteer role in our parishes:Sacristan for St MargaretsWe are looking for a new Sacristan to join our team and to prepare for the service on the first Sunday of the month. The successful applicant will need to spend approximately twenty minutes on a Friday or Saturday to make the required preparations in the vestry, in readiness for the Sunday morning service. Then on Sunday you would be required to arrive at 09:30 to lay everything out on the altar.Email: recruitmenttopshamwear@gmail.com for an application form and full Role Description
Dear all I haven't forwarded anything from Bethlehem recently but this request for prayer arrived a few days ago. A few weeks ago a group from the College spent a couple of weeks in Jordan running a summer camp for refugee children from the conflict in Syria. Munther Isaac is one of the best Christian advocates for the Palestinians at the moment. Anne and I heard him speak in Bristol last summer, and he caused some controversy a while back when Justin Welby didn't have time to see him during his visit to the region. Justin apologised later. Margaret and I are hoping to have lunch with Anne Plested the week after next. Will try to keep you in touch, but meanwhile thank you for your prayers. God bless David As we recruit students for the upcoming academic year, please join us in praying that the Lord opens doors for those wishing to study at Bethlehem Bible College. May He guide His children to the right fields where they can continue building His kingdom on earth. We are grateful for the success of our summer community training programs. Over two weeks, we welcomed 26 adolescents and 5 young leaders to our summer camp, along with more than 70 local and international students in our language courses. Please pray that these programs do more than fill their time; may they instill the love of Jesus Christ and highlight the significance of our Holy Land. We ask for your prayers for Rev. Munther Isaac, who has been traveling this summer to share about our College, its impact on the community, and the ongoing conflict in our Holy Land. May the Lord bless and protect him. Due to the water shortage caused by the occupation, please pray for families suffering from a lack of water for days and weeks. Congratulations to our recent high school (Tawjihi) graduates! We wish them blessings as they decide on their next steps!
