Anna Chaplains are named after the widow, Anna, who appears with Simeon in Luke’s gospel; both are good role models of faithful older people. Anna Chaplains are there for people of strong, little or no faith at all.The vision is to see an Anna Chaplain in every small- and medium-sized community in the country, and for the Anna Chaplain name to become synonymous with spiritual care for older people.
To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERw.b. 19th July 2026The Flower Festival at St Margaret's this week has the theme of Dreams. As always it was fascinating how differently exhibitors had interpreted the theme - everything from Martin Luther King's famous speech 'I have a dream', to dreamy brides, and the dreams that bells evoke.Why do we dream though? I found this in a search: research suggests dreaming plays a vital role in processing emotions, memory consolidation, and mental health maintenance.It seems that part of our human condition is to seek meaning and maintain hope.The church is an obvious place to locate dreams, given our custody of tradition and even the building, before words, being a symbol of community and personal dreams - a place where the hopes and fears of many are all met and held together.It is good to see our church buildings still vibrant, cared for and entrusted not just to this generation but as a legacy for generations to come.A huge thank you to all who keep the dream alive - from volunteers who have provided refreshments for ever and a day, including the festival, to those who put in hours fund and grant raising, and maintaining the churches. You are very much appreciated.LouiseLouise’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 19th July 8am BCP Holy Communion 10am…Joint Holy Communion…St Margaret’s Monday 20th July 7pm…Compline…Zoom Tuesday 21st July Wednesday 22nd July 10am…Morning Worship…Zoom 1.15pm…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s 2.30pm…Tea and Cakes…St Margaret’s Thursday 23rd July Friday 24th July 9.00am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s 11am…Holy Communion…Pym Court Saturday 25th July 1.30pm…Wedding…St Margaret’s Sunday 26th July 10am…Family Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Morning Worship…St Luke’s NO EVENSONG (Nello’s longest table)The 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 271458 St. Margaret’s Churchwarden can be contacted on:churchwardenstmargarets@gmail.comSt. Luke’s Church is open on Wednesday afternoons between 2.00 and 4.00 until Wednesday 30thSeptember.St. Margaret’s is open every day between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.The Musical Lunchbox – Wednesdays at 1.15Free lunchtime concerts!The next one is on Wednesday 22nd July . Peter King, Organist Emeritus, Bath Abbey will give an organ recital.Donations for St. Margaret’s and the Dream Big Project.Nello’s Longest TableNello’s Longest Table is on Sunday 26th July. The Yates and the Jakemans have taken two tables outside the church, and would welcome some others to join them. The cost is £6 per person for a seat at the table, and we bring our own food contributions to share. The event is part of the Topsham Food Festival, and the theme is Italian this year. We meet, greet and eat in the early evening, and Evensong has been cancelled for the occasion. Please speak to Gill or Niki at church, or email paul@jakemans.net if you are interested. First come first served! There are still 3 places available.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 ❤️We 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, Tom RichardsonMarlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Gail MillerHousebound or in nursing/care homes:Alfred Wonnacott, Georgina Lear, JohnPlease pray for Anne Plested supporting the work of Bethlehem Bible College, and Ben and Katy Ray in Tanzania, St. Luke’s CMS mission link.AnniversariesJoyce RobinsonRosamond Major, Jocelyn Fisher, Mary Godly, Bill Secrett, Winifred Robinson, Joan DrakeRecently departedKirsten Ross, Eileen HawesGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 19th July Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43Monday 20th July Matthew 12: 38-42Tuesday 21st July Matthew 12: 46 - endWednesday 22nd July John 20: 1-2, 11-18Thursday 23rd July Matthew 13: 10-17Friday 24th July Matthew 13: 18-23Saturday 25th July Matthew 20: 20-28Sunday 26th July Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52Collect and reading for Sunday 19th JulyLord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; 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 13. 24-30,36-43Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 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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