To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERw.b. 4th October 2026Dear FriendsAs the amber hues of autumn arrive, nature reminds us that change is a natural part of God's design. The crisp air and falling leaves show the grace in letting go, making room for quiet rest.Yet, change is always difficult, stretching our faith as we step into the unfamiliar. We all need the Lord's help to guide our steps through every new season of life.We welcome Louise back from her annual leave. We trust in God's strength and guidance. Therefore let us embrace what lies ahead together. Revd PeterLouise’s email address: vicartopshamwear@gmail.comSafeguardingFor any safeguarding concerns, please contact :Katie Gray: safeguardingtopshamwear@gmail.comFor issues with rough sleepers:Louise Grace: vicartopshamwear@gmail.comPlease send all contributions for the newsletter to Gill Yates by Thursday evening.gyates@uwclub.netServices and calendar for the week Sunday 4th October (Harvest Festival)10am…Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’s6.30pm…Harvest EvensongMonday 5th October7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 6th October10am…Mini Messy Church…St Margaret’sWednesday 7th October10am…Morning Worship…Zoom1.15pm…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 8th October11am…Holy Communion…Watermeadow GrangeFriday 9th October9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’sSaturday 10th OctoberSunday 11th October 10am…Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’s3pm…Forest Church…St Luke’s 3pm…Concert…St Margaret’sThe Zoom links and meeting IDs for all the Zoom events are on our pages on ACNY (A Church Near You)All Harvest offerings will be donated to the Exmouth Food Bank.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 is now closed during the week for the winter.St. Margaret’s is open every day between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.Does anyone know the whereabouts of St. Margaret’s wheelchair?Mini Messy Returns Monday, 12th October!We are delighted to let you know we are bringing back Mini Messy starting on Monday, 12th October from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM in the back of the church.This will be a weekly drop-in space once again for young children and their families to gather for stories, songs, and friendly connection. No pre-booking is required—just pop in, and please help us spread the word to any local families who would love to join us!Katie Gray (Mrs)Parish Safeguarding RepresentativeThe Musical Lunchbox – Wednesdays at 1.15Free lunchtime concerts!The next one is on Wednesday 7th October, Topsham Singing Groups – the Decibels and The Barolotones directed by Matthew GardnerORGAN AND BAROQUE CELLO RECITAL AT HOLY CROSS CHURCH, TOPSHAMDavid Davies (organ) and David Shead (baroque trumpet)Sunday 4 October, 4 - 5 p.m., followed by refreshmentsTickets (free) are available through the events page of the Holy Cross website (www.holycrosstopsham.org). There will be a retiring collection to cover the costs of the concert, and to raise money for St Petrock’s, Exeter, and Médecins Sans Frontières. St Margaret’s Church, Topsham Sunday 11th October 2026, 3 p.m.Come & Sing with Exeter Singersconductor: Tony Yates organist: Matthew Wright, hymns to well-known Classical tunes including Dvorak’s Largo (Hovis bread), Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, Charpentier’s Trumpet Tune (Eurovision), Holst’s “Jupiter” theme, and “Finlandia” by Sibelius with 20th Century Choral Music sung by Exeter SingersAdmission free: donations to local care charity, FORCE.Help us stock our Baby Bank at St Margaret’sWe’re excited to be setting up a Baby Bank at St Margaret’s, providing practical support to local families who may be finding things financially difficult.We’re looking for good-quality, clean items that can be passed on to families and put to good use. We’d particularly welcome:Baby and children’s clothes (newborn–5 years), freshly washed and in good conditionSleepsuits, babygrows and sleepwearCoats and warm clothingSocks, tights and hatsNappies of all sizesUnopened baby wipesUnopened baby toiletries, such as baby wash, shampoo and lotionBaby feeding equipment such as bottles, cups and bowlsWe’re especially grateful for everyday essentials that families can use straight away. If you have clothes that your children have grown out of but are still in lovely condition, or unopened baby essentials that you no longer need, we’d love to receive them.We’re hoping to create something that is welcoming, practical and dignified for local families, with a good selection of things that parents and carers can genuinely choose from and use. Please email me to organise any donations before bringing to the church - familyworkertopshamwear@gmail.comThank you for helping us get our Baby Bank off the ground and for supporting local families in our community.Coffee and CakeWe look forward to welcoming you on Wednesdays 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 BankIf you are kind enough to be planning to donate to us, we would be grateful to receive the following priority items: Crisps/savoury snacksBottles of squash e.g orange squashJams/peanut butterTins of soupTinned meat meals such as stews, meatballs or curryTinned cold meats such as ham, chicken or corned beefTinned tunaTinned fruit, rice pudding or custardHair shampoo & conditioner Thank you for your Kindness ❤️13-20We are also really short of clean, large 'bags for life'For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Jill and Adrian, Jan, Jeremy, Graham DaurgeMarlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Gail Miller, Anthony ApplebyHousebound or in nursing/care homes:Alfred Wonnacott, Georgina Lear, Paul Morgan, Fran GollopPlease pray for Anne Plested supporting the work of Bethlehem Bible College, and Ben and Katy Ray in Tanzania, St. Luke’s CMS mission link.AnniversariesWilliam TriggerHilda Copland, Daniel Wilson, Eric HumeRecently departedGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 4th October Matthew 21: 33 - endMonday 5th October Luke 10: 25-37Tuesday 6th October Luke 10: 38 - endWednesday 7th October Luke 11: 1-4Thursday 8th October Luke 11: 5-13Friday 9th October Luke 11: 15-26Saturday 10th October Luke 11: 27-28Sunday 11th October Mathew 22: 1-14Collect and reading for Sunday 4th OctoberAlmighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; 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 6:25-3325 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Positions 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 paid role in our parishes:CleanerSt Margaret’s Church Topsham is looking for a cleaner to work in our newly refurbished social area. The area includes a new toilet area, kitchen servery and communal area.You will be employed to work for 2 hours a week (1 hour early in the week and 1 hour towards the end of the week). There may be an opportunity for additional hours after specific larger events.This is a paid, contracted role at £15 per hour (holiday pay will be paid). All required health and safety training, products, equipment and PPE will be provided.If you take pride in your work, have an eye for detail and want to be an essential part of our community creating a welcoming space for all, then we would welcome your application.Email: recruitmenttopshamwear@gmail.com for an application form and full Role DescriptionWe are currently wishing to appoint suitable people to the following volunteer roles in our parishes:Cleaner for Main Body of ChurchSt Margaret’s Church Topsham is looking for more volunteers to join our team who clean the main body of the church not the new social area.The role involves spending an hour every four weeks (or less frequently if we can recruit enough cleaners), working in a group of two. The work involved includes:Vacuuming the carpets in the entrance, in front of the altar, and in the little side chapelSweeping the aisles and the pewsDusting the woodwork (pews, choir stalls and any other woodwork)It should not take more than an hour each time and you can arrange a time to suit your team.Please do think about joining the team. Our group of volunteers is becoming smaller and some of the members have mobility issues and may not be able to continue for much longer.If you take pride in your work, have an eye for detail and want to be an essential part of our community to create a welcoming space for all then we would welcome your application.Email: recruitmenttopshamwear@gmail.com for an application form and full Role DescriptionSacristan for St Margaret’sWe are looking for a new Sacristan to join our team and to prepare for the service on the second 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 and spend time after the service putting things away.Email: recruitmenttopshamwear@gmail.com for an application form and full Role DescriptionVolunteer in Forest church.We hold a monthly service that needs volunteer support to assist in delivering activities alongside established leaders. A requirement will be to arrive early to help with the set up and read the plans for the session. You would then be expected to help in the clearing up afterwards. You would be needed from 2.30 pm until 4.00pm every Second Sunday of each month. The activity takes place at St Luke’s Church.Essential requirement: experience of working with families.Email: recruitmenttopshamwear@gmail.com for an application form and full Role DescriptionVolunteer for St Luke’s IntercessionsSt Luke’s Church is looking for volunteers to lead the intercessions during the 10 o’clock Sunday Service. Volunteers take turns to lead the prayers once a month on a rota.The successful candidates will need to liaise with the incumbent and leadership team. They will need to give approximately one hour preparation time in the run up to each service. Prayer resources are encouraged to be used.Key skills: clarity and appropriate communication, confidentiality, awareness of current affairs and needs for prayer further afield as well as local, team player, humility and ability to convey pastoral care.Email: recruitmenttopshamwear@gmail.com for an application form and full Role DescriptionVolunteer Second Lead for the Parent and Toddler Groups at St Margaret’s ChurchSt Margaret’s Church is looking for a volunteer Second Lead to help run our friendly ‘Mini Messy’ Parent and Toddler Groups and the ‘Kids Matter’ parenting programme.St Margaret’s Church is seeking a warm, energetic, and compassionate individual to join our team as a Second Lead for our thriving Parent and Toddler groups. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys interacting with young children and fostering meaningful connections with parents and caregivers.The Second Lead will support the running of our sessions, working closely with our group leader to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all attendees. These groups play a key role in our church’s mission to provide community support, foster spiritual curiosity, and offer encouragement in a non-judgmental and respectful environment.Are you energetic, great with children, and love connecting with parents and caregivers? Join us in creating a welcoming space where everyone can feel part of a community, explore Christian values, and have meaningful conversations — no matter their beliefs.Must be happy to chat, play, and support!Email: recruitmenttopshamwear@gmail.com for an application form and full Role DescriptionThis 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!