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. 10th May 2026Hello All!As the birds chorus constantly, we are awakened to the music of summer, not only the sights and scents of the season. Take time over the coming months to enjoy the music offered through our churches: the old favourites hymnody at St Lukes, the high choral tradition at St Margaret's, and the Wednesday lunchtime concerts organised by Tony Yates, where you can munch on your sandwiches or pastie and enjoy top quality music for 45 minutes. All great musical blessings waiting to be embraced. Louise’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.netPastoral Principles for Living Together Well CourseThis course is published by the Pastoral Advisory Group of the Church of England. The description of the course says ‘As communities of Christians we are held together in the love of Christ. Our many differences are gifts that can build us up in trust and mutual affection … or they can mar the image of Christ that we are called to reflect through our life together. In this course we are invited to think about six things that can impair relationships: prejudice, silence, ignorance, fear, hypocrisy and power. These can hinder our personal growth as Christians, hurt other people, and create barriers that stop our churches from growing into Christian communities of welcome and belonging. They are opposite of the fruit of the spirit.Our safeguarding audit last year highlighted the need for us to intentionally focus upon building up our culture in this way, and as such it is a focused invitation to all those who hold roles in the church to take part, as we in turn model the principles of the church community, and hopefully express its values in all that we do.However, the course is open to the whole church community, and a warm welcome awaits all participants.The course will take place on the evenings of Tuesday 2nd June, Tuesday 9th June, Tuesday 16thJune, Tuesday 23rd June and then Tuesday 7th July. Further details and timings will be shared nearer to the time.Please let our safeguarding lead Katie Gray know if you will be attending so that resources can be prepared in advance for you. safeguardingtopshamwear@gmail.comServices and calendar for the week Sunday 10th May10am…Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’s6.30pm…Evensong …St Margaret’sMonday 11th May 2.30pm…Julian Contemplative Prayer…St Margaret’s7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 12th May3.30pm…Anna Friends support group…St Margaret’sWednesday 13th May10am…Morning Worship…Zoom1.15pm…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’s7.30pm…A.P.C.M…St Margaret’sThursday 14th MayFriday 15th May9.00am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’sSaturday 16th MaySunday 17th May8am…BCP Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Joint Holy Communion…St Margaret’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.com St. 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 open on Wednesday afternoons until Wednesday 30th September.St. Margaret’s is open every day between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.The Dream Big ProjectA reminder that the Annual Parochial Church Meeting is on Wednesday (13th) in church at 7.30pm. There will be hot drinks available from 7.15. Various elections need to be held. If you would like to join the PCC, be a parish representative on the Deanery Synod, or become a churchwarden, and have been on the electoral roll for six months, please ask for a nomination form and hand it in before the meeting starts. If you would like to join the electoral roll and so be able to vote in the meeting, Paul Jakeman will need your application by Tuesday evening in order to update the roll.The Dream Big project has finished successful and on time, with just some minor snagging to be completed. The church is gradually getting tidier as items are stored away in their new homes. Coffee after the 10am service will restart this week, and a new rota is being prepared. If you would like to join it, please let Gill Yates know.Fundraising for Dream Big is continuing because we have used a lot of our reserve funds to pay the project bills, and we need to make up that deficit as far as we can. Please support fundraising activities such as the Wednesday lunchtime concerts, and a special concert by the Exeter University Singers (the university’s chamber choir) .on Saturday 16thMay at 6pm. Tickets are only £10.The Musical Lunchbox – Wednesdays at 1.15Free lunchtime concerts are back!The next one is on Wednesday May 13th. John LeGrove (sub-organist at St. Thomas Parish Church Stockport) gives an organ recitalDonations for St. Margaret’s and the Dream Big Project.Cook Book!A few unsold copies of Tried and Tested, the recipe book which was produced during Covid to raise funds for the church, have been donated to the Dream Big project and are available for a suggested donation of £7.50 (or more). If you missed out before, or have joined the church since they were last on sale, there is now a final opportunity to get hold of a St Margaret’s classic! Please contact Paul or Niki Jakeman, who can deliver copies within the EX3 postcode.The Flower Festival – Thursday July 16th – Saturday July 18thThe theme this year is “Dreams”.If you have taken part before you will soon hear from Valerie Holland.If you would like to do a display this year for the first time, please contact Valerie Holland:vholland@btinternet.comCoffee and CakeWednesday Coffee and Cake will return to the Social Area this week. 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 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, Kirsten, Jan, Jeremy, Rob,Marlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Rosemary Henry, Gail Miller, David ByrneHousebound 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.AnniversariesJean Johnston, Frank Dovey, Margaret Munson, John Rogers, Barbara Mellor, Ann HoltRecently departedBrenda Joan WebbGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 10th May John 14: 15-21Monday 11th May John 15: 26 – 16: 4Tuesday 12th May John 16: 5-11Wednesday 13th May John 16: 12-15Thursday 14th May Luke 24: 44- endFriday 15th May John 15: 9-17Saturday 16th May John 16: 23-28Sunday 17th May John 17: 1-11Collect and reading for Sunday 10th MayGod our Redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has rcalled us to kife, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal 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.John 14.15-21If ye love me, keep my commandments.And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.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 volunteer roles in our parishes:Sacristan for St Margaret’sWe are looking for a new Sacristan to join our team and to prepare for the service on the first 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 Clerk to the PCCSt Margaret’s PCC are looking for a volunteer to act as their Clerk. Following training this would involve advising the PCC on procedural matters, liaising with the vicar to set an Annual Cycle of business for the PCC and then drafting agendas. The successful candidate would attend PCC meetings and take minutes and would prepare the Annual Report for the APCM.The role takes approximately 2 hours per week, with a greater number of hours around the time of PCC meetings.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 which will recommence weekly in May (with some flexibility during school holidays).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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