To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERw.b.25th January 2026Hello All!This Sunday coming is the feast day of the conversion of St. Paul, when he famously did a complete volte-face in his religious views. He went from persecuting the early church, to being arguably one of its greatest missionaries ever.As a founding father of the church, St Paul gives us an example of keeping an open heart and mind, and a humility to admit when change is needed, sometimes dramatic change that will cause consternation.This week I have shared in the Daily Reflections about the “Living in Love and Faith” process being brought to a close by the bishops; and in those reflections I have shared the different ways in which I believe that change is needed in our Church of England, to enable us to move forward with integrity and to find ways of maintaining unity. This ultimately means embracing change that is not comfortable for everyone. To fail to do so impedes mission and risks deep hurt to people who are simply living their lives in love and faithfulness, to one another and the church. Living and loving in same sex relationships is no longer the taboo that it once was, and indeed, the ground has shifted, whatever field one works in or speaks from, to seeking to strengthen households to be places of safety, resilience, care and nurture; and certainly to identify where help is needed when relationships are going wrong, and intervene when abuse and coercive control are occurring. That is whatever the hue of the relationship.Christ was first and foremost concerned with how we treat one another, with St. Paul later expounding the fruits of the Spirit as markers of Christian faith in action. Let us follow in their footsteps, in love and with faith.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 weekServices and calendar for the next week Sunday 25th January 10am…Family Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Morning Worship…St Luke’s 3pm…Ecumenical Service…St Nicholas 6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’s Monday 26th January 7pm…Compline…Zoom Tuesday 27th January Wednesday 28th January 10am…Morning Worship…Zoom 2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’s Thursday 29th January Friday 30th January 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s 11am…Holy Communion…Pym Court 2pm…Funeral…St Luke’s Saturday 31th January Sunday 1st February 10am… 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)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. Luke’s church will re-open on Wednesday afternoons in the New Year.St. Margaret’s is open every day between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.News and NoticesWeek of Prayer for Christian Unity19th - 23rd JanuaryThe Week will culminate in an ecumenical service, to be led by the Revd Wayne Grewcock at St Nicholas on Sunday 25th January at 3 pm (followed by refreshments). Everyone is most welcome to attend.N.B. there is a problem with heating in St. Nicholas. Please dress warmly!The Dream Big ProjectWork is progressing! There will be the inevitable disruption and muddle, but after so many years of prayer and giving, it is wonderful to see God's work in action. The first stage will be the stripping out of the kitchen area, the cupboards and the fixtures that will be replaced. This will involve a skip outside church which is a temporary necessity. Many thanks to those who have helped to pack up and store precious items. The interior of the church will look different as we go through this first phase, with many items stored in containers and boxes at the sides of the seating area. Our brilliant team of vergers will guide us to use the middle section of the church. The south door (overlooking the Exe) will be open as usual but the social area at the back of the church will not be fully accessible.Also to mention that we will not be serving hot drinks at the end of the service, at least for a while. We encourage you to share a coffee with friends in town or bring a flask and wander down to the river. When it is over we will organise a celebration so that we can all reconnect! Sadly, the Stay and Play will not be able to meet, but Forest Church is unaffected. Louise and I thank our fantastic cleaners, choir, organists, intercessors, readers, and flower arrangers, sacristans and bell ringers as we try and keep business as usual and to our prospective Anna Chaplains and others who are adapting to the removal of facilities.I am happy to answer any questions: 07843260444It is so exciting! Helen Swaffield ChurchwardenOffertory at St. Margaret’sWe are happy to return to the presentation and blessing of gifts during the Offertory hymn. Please place your collection in the bowls provided as you come in, and thank you for your kind support.Mosque Visit16th February is the date for a return visit to Exeter Mosque. 12.00 – 1.30 approx. Please let Louise know if you would like to go, by Monday 26th January.Estuary MagazineThe editors of Estuary are looking for someone to organise the 30 distributors.600 copies a month go to subscribers and shops.Other aspects of the job involve liaising with St. Margaret’s treasurer and Brightsea Printers.This takes up to two days a month on average, except for Christmas/New Year when collection of money requires attention.Please contact the editors of Estuary if you feel this might be something you could do.Di Trout editorestuary@gmail.comJosé Northey josenorthey@gmail.comLent 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.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 custardThank you for your Kindness ❤️For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511PrayersFor 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 MillerHousebound 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.AnniversariesTom and Girlie Crook, Ena Moseley, Michael Corbett, Margaret Osborne, Travis BarrettKathleen Armitage, William HoskinRecently departedAnthony William Fisher, John WaftGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 25th January Matthew 19: 27 - endMonday 26th January Mark 3: 22-30Tuesday 27th January Mark 3: 31 - endWednesday 28th January Mark 4: 1-20Thursday 29th January Mark 4: 21-25Friday 30th January Mark 4: 26-34Saturday 31st January Mark 4: 35 - endSunday 1st February John 2: 1-11Collect and reading for Sunday 25th JanuaryAlmighty God, who caused the light of the gospel to shine throughout the world through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul: grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion may follow him in bearing witness to your truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Matthew 19.27-endThen answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.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!