To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERDear All!This week I have been reflecting on the treasures that our churches are in our midst.Symbolic awesome architecture; sacramental ministry; quiet contemplation that helps us touch the edge of the divine.Last week we celebrated the Patronal Festival of St Luke's, which reminds us that these treasures are within each parish, on our doorsteps. This is nothing to be taken for granted.Thank you to each and all who keep our beautiful churches cherished and with a warm welcome to all.You are very much appreciated; and I hope that you are fulfilled knowing what a gift you extend to the wider community, and a legacy for others.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.netTHE CLOCKS GO BACK THIS WEEKEND!Services and calendar for the week Sunday 26th October 10am… Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am…Morning Worship…St Luke’s6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’sMonday 27th October 10am…Stay and Play…St Margaret’s7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 28th October 9am…Morning Prayer…St Luke’sWednesday 29th October10am…Morning Worship…Zoom1.15…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 30th October 10am…Stay and Play…St Margaret’sFriday 31st October 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s Saturday 1st November 8am…Prayer Breakfast…St Margaret’s3pm…All Souls Service…St Luke’s Sunday 2nd November10am… Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’sThe Zoom links and meeting IDs for all the Zoom events are on our pages on ACNY (A Church Near You)Watch this space for details of the next Forest Church in NovemberBookingsSt. Margaret’s bookings are managed by Caryll Ingerslev.Contact:Bookingstopshamwear@gmail.comSt. Luke’s Church and Church Rooms bookings are managed by Sandra Greedy:Contact: bookingswear@gmail.comSt. Luke’s churchwardens can be contacted on:churchwardenwear@gmail.com or phone 01392 271458St. Luke’s church will re-open on Wednesday afternoons in the New Year.St. Margaret’s is open every day between 9.00 and 4.00 from this weekendNews and NoticesSt. Margaret’s churchwardenLouise is delighted to announce that Helen Swaffield has offered to become churchwarden at St Margaret’s. A Special Meeting of Parishioners is needed formally to elect Helen, and this will be held on Monday 3rd November at 7.30pm. After the brief meeting there will be drinks and snacks so we can welcome Helen as our new churchwarden and she and Simon can get to know more of us. Please plan to come.Coffee and CakeWednesday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. - coffee, tea, cake and a chat! ♥️ 🧁Parish WalkThe next walk will be on Monday October 27th and will be a circular route from East Budleigh to Otterton. It will start at 1.00 from East Budleigh, as the clocks will have changed by then and the walk takes about two hours. Please let Gill Yates know if you are interested and are not already on the circulation list.gyates@uwclub.netSt. Margaret’s Dream Big The Salmon Supper is on Thursday 6th November in Route 2 café at 7pm, and there are still some tickets available (£25 cash please) from Route 2 café or from Topsham Bookshop. There will also be a raffle, and a card/cash bar, so come prepared. If you had a ticket for the previous date, but are not able to come on 6th November, refunds are available from wherever you bought your ticket. Even if you wish very kindly to donate your ticket price, please return the ticket so we can monitor numbers.Paul Jakeman.Lunchtime ConcertWednesday October 29th at 1.15 - Quay Note Singers + Exmouth Singing for FunPlease note that this is the last event of the series. Concerts will resume on April 1st 2026 with a concert given by Vintage Voices.Thank you for all your support this year. Significant funds have been raised for Dream Big.Exmouth Food BankThis month we would welcome donations of the following items:Tinned meat meals (e.g. stew, meatballs)Tinned cold meat (e.g. ham, corned beef) Porridge oats & instant porridgePastaStir in pasta/pasta bake sauces Tinned fruitFruit squash/juiceLonglife whole milkThank you so much ❤️For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Jill and Adrian, Kirsten, Jan, Angela, David Byrne, Marlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Rosemary Henry, Gail Miller, Carol WalkerHousebound 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.Anne Plested visited us at the end of September. Please pray for Gaza in the light of the latest news: she said for Christians there it is now a matter of just survival. Also for a new course at Bethlehem Bible College this autumn in trauma counselling, with 23 students signed up. Louise has said she will invite Anne back to speak at St Margaret's around the Advent season.AnniversariesDoreen Adams, Ann Dee ShaplandJoy Johnstone, Elizabeth Fricker, Alf Crouch, Audrey LeLievre, Edna Norton, Charles Sugars, Sally Allsop, Gladys DunscombeRecently departedGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 26th October Luke 18: 9-14Monday 27th October Luke 13: 10-17Tuesday 28th October John 15: 17 - endWednesday 29th October Luke 13: 22-30Thursday 30th October Luke 13: 31 - endFriday 31st October Luke 14: 1-6Saturday 1 November Luke 14: 1, 7-11Sunday 2nd November Luke 19: 1-10Collect and reading for Sunday 26h OctoberBlessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Luke 18.9-14And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.This email was sent from Mission Community of Topsham and Wear using iknowchurch. 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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!