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. 20h September 2026Dear Friends,This Sunday is the joint service of our Mission Community of St Margaret's Church and St Luke’s Church. Joint services are an opportunity to renew friendships, celebrate what God is doing in our community and our lives. Our monthly ‘Forest Church’ met at St Luke’s Church last Sunday afternoon when 142 parents and children came to see a dramatized version of Jesus stilling the storm. There were associated activities of painting, treasure trail, activity sheets and more. Sometimes the storms of life can frighten us but we were reminded and need reminding again that the Lord is right there. Have a great week,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 20th September8am…BCP Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am…Joint Holy Communion…St Margaret’sMonday 21st September7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 22nd September10am…Mini Messy Church…St Margaret’sWednesday 23rd September10am…Morning Worship…Zoom1.15pm…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 24th September11am…Holy Communion…Watermeadow GrangeFriday 25th September9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s11am…Holy Communion…Pym CourtSaturday 26th SeptemberSunday 27th September10am…Family Worship (not Communion)11am…Morning Worship…St Luke’s6.30pm…Evensong 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 271458St. 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.Does anyone know the whereabouts of St. Margaret’s wheelchair?The Musical Lunchbox – Wednesdays at 1.15Free lunchtime concerts!The next one is on Wednesday 23rd September – Joyce Clarke returns to St. Margaret’s for a recital of classical and romantic piano musicORGAN 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. 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, JeremyMarlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Gail MillerHousebound or in nursing/care homes:Alfred Wonnacott, Georgina Lear, Paul MorganPlease pray for Anne Plested supporting the work of Bethlehem Bible College, and Ben and Katy Ray in Tanzania, St. Luke’s CMS mission link.AnniversariesKaren AustinVera Trout, Evelyn Lemon, Enid LeQuesne, Colin WessonRecently departedJohn MilfordGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 20th September Matthew 20: 1-16Monday 21st September Matthew 9: 9-13Tuesday 22nd September Luke 8: 19-21Wednesday 23rd September Luke 9: 1-6Thursday 24th September Luke 9: 7-9Friday 25th September Luke 9: 18-22Saturday 26th September Luke 9: 43b-45Sunday 27th September Matthew 21: 23-32Collect and reading for Sunday 20th SeptemberO Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers of your people who call upon you; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have the grace and power faithfully to fulfil them; 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 20.1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.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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