The Magazines are attached but can also be obtained in hard copy at each church.To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
Dear FriendsLent is drawing us closer to the joy of Easter. The days are warmer. New flowers and leaves appear each day. There is a feeling of new things for our year ahead.Someone in church I was speaking to hadn’t heard of our work in Forest Church so I am sharing it in this newsletter as a symbol of spring’s new flowers and new hope for our churches.Forest Church, was started three years ago by Rev Louise Grace for two families, who found Church too formal for them. It is set in the grounds of Countess Wear Community School and consists of a log cabin set in woodland with a fire pit. The session starts with a presentation of a story from the Bible, sometimes in the form of a drama, or the presentation of a biblical principle. Related craft and woodland activities follow. After these activities, the session ends with discussion around a fire pit, a song with actions and a final prayer.Bishop Mike visited Forest Church earlier this month on Sunday 9 March and took part. There were also two curates from different churches who were interested in Forest Church. Apart from the team and visitors, there were 125 parents and children. This is the first experience of church for many families. One of the parents has begun the Alpha course. This is an amazing development of church in our parishes that Rev Louise Grace has pioneered and God has blessed.Let us look forward with new hope as both congregation are seeing new people added to the churches.God blessPeterIf you are needing to contact Louise, please use either email or mobile phone, text or call.louisegrace45@gmail.com or 07779585908 SafeguardingFor any safeguarding concerns, please contact one of the following:Revd Louise Grace: 07779585908 louisegrace45@gmail.comKatie Gray: safeguardingtopshamwear@gmail.comCaryll Ingerslev – St. Luke’s: C.I.churchbookings@outlook.comJane March-Mcdonald – St. Margaret’s - jane.march-mcdonald@plymouth.ac.ukFor issues with rough sleepers:Elizabeth Reed: reedelizabeth04@gmail.comPlease send all contributions for the newsletter to Gill Yates by the end of Thursdaygyates@uwclub.netMaterial for A Church Near You to Tony Raven: tony@theravens.orgServices and calendar for the week Sunday 23rd March10am…Family Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Morning Worship…St Luke’s6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’sMonday 24th March10am…Mini Messy Church…St Margaret’s7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 25th March 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’sWednesday 26th March10.00am…Morning Worship…Zoom2.30pm…Coffee and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 27th March10am…Mini-Messy Church…St Margaret’sFriday 28th March 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s12noon…Lent Lunch…St NicholasSunday 30th March10am…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: C.I.churchbookings@outlook.comSt. Luke’s Church and Church Rooms bookings are managed by Sandra Greedy. kenneth.greedy@sky.com or phone 01392 271458St. Luke’s church is open on Wednesdays afternoons between 2.00 and 4.00.St. Margaret’s church is always open from approx. 9am, but closure times depend on the season. The church is now being closed at around 5pm. Message from LouiseThe church of England now allows same sex couples to have their union blessed within regular worship. I have been approached by Kris and Matt, a couple who love Choral Evensong, and so it's a joy to be able to bless their long relationship within evensong on the 23rd March at St Margaret's. Please do hold them in your prayers as they approach this poignant milestone in their faith and relationship, and all are welcome to come, of course, to the service.News and NoticesLent LunchesHoly Cross and St.Nicholas Methodist churches will be offering lunches on Fridays during Lent between 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.. A simple meal of soup, bread and cheese will be served with a donation of £4 suggested.21st and 28th March at St. Nicholas Methodist Church4th and 11th April at Holy Cross Catholic ChurchAll are very welcome!Coffee and CakeDo come along to St. Margaret’s on a Wednesday afternoon for coffee, tea, cake and a chat! From 2.30 p.m.Alpha CourseAll are still welcome to join the Alpha course! (See below) We are having a truly blessed time, with conversations flowing, questions being asked, and answers bringing clarity and confirmation. If you'd like to attend, please register or email Jackie at beejacque@aol.comSt. Luke’s is running an Alpha course as our Lent study group on Tuesdays at 6.30 p.m. in St. Luke’s Church Rooms. A meal, a talk and great conversation is included!It’s not too late to join in!Message from Louise:This Lent, the benefice offering for both churches is the Alpha course. If you have previously been attending courses in either St Luke's and St Margaret's, demonstrating availability and a commitment to weekly attendance, you are very much encouraged to sign up for the Alpha course. Whilst many would see Alpha as only for enquirers, it is true that we come back to the same Bible readings year in year out, but each time with fresh insight because of experience and study in the preceding twelve months. No one is too mature for Alpha, in other words. Be open and prepared to be surprised by the joy and wisdom of others; and also as maturer Christians, it is a wonderful opportunity to serve the wider church community.All of us can serve by holding the course in daily prayers.At the very least, hold in your prayers the principal organiser, warden Jackie Crozier, and all the volunteers who are making it happen, as well as the folk who will be coming. Everything from making sure we have enough food to feed everyone to praying that the wisdom in the room will lead us further into God's grace.Exmouth Food BankWe are currently focusing on replenishing our core stock so that we can continue to feed those in need.In particular we would welcome donations of :• Cereals• Porridge oats & instant porridge• Pasta• Stir in pasta/pasta bake sauces • Tinned fruit• Tinned vegetables (sweetcorn, mixed veg)• Fruit squash/juice• Longlife milkIn addition toiletries such as hair shampoo, conditioner, body wash and deodorant would also be helpful. Also bags for life. Thank you for your support. You are AMAZING ! For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Jill and Adrian, Fay, Kirsten, Chris Whitehead, Jan, Tony Bradford, Marlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Rosemary Henry, Gail Miller, Carol Walker, Wendy LockwoodHousebound or in nursing/care homes:Alfred Wonnacott, Janet Mutter, Georgina Lear, Peter GwynnePlease pray for Anne Plested supporting the work of Bethlehem Bible College, and Ben and Katy Ray in Tanzania, St. Luke’s CMS mission link.AnniversariesKay Waugh, Gilbert Crossland, Muriel Marquess, Dorothy Guest, Dorothy Sanders, John RichardsRecently departedJohn DaviesGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 23rd March Luke 13: 1-9Monday 24th March Luke 4: 24-30Tuesday 25th March Luke 1: 26-38Wednesday 26th March Matthew 5: 17-19Thursday 27th March Luke 11: 14-23Friday 28th March Mark 12: 28-34Saturday 29th March Luke 18: 9-14Sunday 30th March Luke 15: 1-3, 11b - endCollect and reading for Sunday 23rd MarchAlmighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace; 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.Luke 13.1-9Repent or PerishAt that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’The Parable of the Barren Fig TreeThen he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’This email was sent from Mission Community of Topsham and Wear using iknowchurch. If you wish to update contact preferences, please email : gyates@uwclub.net
Big Dream moves forward, bit by bitThe Archdeacon of Exeter and his architectural advisor came to the church to discuss final details on the plans for our redevelopment of the rear of the church. They were very encouraging and made some helpful suggestions. By the time you read this, the updated plans will have been submitted and we have been told the legal permission should be issued around Christmas. Before that, there will be a formal notice on the church railings for 28 days to let everyone know about the plans and the process for approval.Give to Go Green We're excited to announce that St. Margaret’s is one of just nine parishes in Devon to receive a Go Green (G2GG) grant this year—a positive step in making our church more energy efficient and sustainable. We will be installing energy-saving heaters to allow us to warm an area for meetings during winter without heating the entire church. This will significantly reduce our carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and enable us to reinvest those savings into community initiatives, including funding for our new Families Worker.This project won’t just benefit the church—it will also provide a warm, bookable space for community use as well. If you're passionate about tackling climate change and supporting community efforts, we invite you to join us in this project. Could you help by giving or fundraising – maybe a charity coffee morning for your neighbours? Your contribution will be doubled by the Church of England, so every penny counts and will bring us closer to a greener future! Start making plans; details of the fundraising campaign will be in next month’s Estuary magazine.
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!
