Many adults with a learning disability live in the family home; they don't have the same opportunities as other people to gain independence, learn key skills and make choices about their own lives. Rainbow Living believes that disability is not inability and the charity empowers people with disability to exercise choice in their own lives, including the right to choose where and with whom they live.What We DoWe provide safe, affordable, and specially adapted accommodation, where adults with disabilities can live independently with the right support. Our tenants our encouraged to build confidence, learn essential life skills, and take an active role in their communities.Rainbow Living is committed to helping people with learning disabilities transition into adulthood just like their peers, by creating a home of their own outside of the family home. Our Approach As a responsible landlord, we offer long-term housing security and peace of mind for tenants and their families. For many, Rainbow Houses our the first step towards independence.Our houses are more than just places to live, they are spaces where tenants can learn to cook, manage money, clean, shop, and grow in confidence. These every day skills help individuals thrive and contribute to more inclusive connected communities.
To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERw.b. 1st February 2026Hello All!This week I have been reflecting upon children and families work, prompted by a conference I attended at the start of the week which was to encourage and support all those who are family workers in the south west. I have resumed the post of family worker alongside incumbent whilst I am searching for a replacement for Jan. It was inspiring to see so many people, from a wide range of church denominations committing their professional time and skills to the nurture and support of children and families within the faith.This is not to imply that other generations are unimportant in our churches, far from it. But firstly, to state the obvious, if our young generations and their adult carers are not engaged with church, this does not bode well for the church's future. Anxious baptism families always apologise in advance for the noise their child may make during the service, to which I respond that it is the noise of a hopeful future as well as a holy present.Secondly, though, and perhaps even more importantly, church is one of the last contexts outside of a household in which all the generations intentionally gather to learn, sing, explore, support one another. One of the best ways children learn is how the adults around them model the values they wish the children to adopt. Don't underestimate the importance of what each and everyone of us has to offer to the children in our midst.LouiseLouise’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.netServices and calendar for the next week Sunday 1st February10am… Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am… Holy Communion…St Luke’sMonday 2nd February7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 3rd FebruaryWednesday 4th February10am…Morning Worship…Zoom2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 5th FebruaryFriday 6th February9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’sSaturday 7th FebruarySunday 8th February10am… Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am… Holy Communion…St Luke’s3pm…Forest Church…St Luke’s6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’s 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 churchwardens can be contacted on:churchwardenwear@gmail.com or phone 01392 271458St. Margaret’s Churchwarden can be contacted on:churchwardenstmargarets@gmail.comSt. Luke’s church will re-open on Wednesday afternoons in the New Year.St. Margaret’s is open every day between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.News and NoticesThe Dream Big ProjectThe Dream Big Project has begun and work is evident within the Church. The expert carpenters have been sent their work orders and the builders have completed the stripping out of pews and some of the old kitchen area. So far, so good. Our thanks for bearing with us while the work is ongoing, but the possibility of mission from the re-ordered church, is full of possibilities!Helen, ChurchwardenEstuary MagazineThe editors of Estuary are looking for someone to organise the 30 distributors.600 copies a month go to subscribers and shops.Other aspects of the job involve liaising with St. Margaret’s treasurer and Brightsea Printers.This takes up to two days a month on average, except for Christmas/New Year when collection of money requires attention.Please contact the editors of Estuary if you feel this might be something you could do.Di Trout editorestuary@gmail.comJosé Northey josenorthey@gmail.comLent Study at Watermeadow GrangeThis year for Lent study we will be returning to Watermeadow Grange, who are hosting the church, and together we will be studying a Lent course which uses the themes from the film The Kings Speech. Please do sign up if you are interested by contacting Revd Louise Grace at vicartopshamwear@gmail.comStudy group: 2nd, 9th and 16th March at 11.00 a.m.Services: 19th February, 12th March, 2nd April, 23rd April at 11.00 a.m.Lent LunchesIt's been a tradition in Topsham for the churches to offer lunch on each of the six Fridays during the season of Lent. This year, because of the re-ordering of the social area at the back of St Margaret's, there will be just four lunches, two at St Nicholas Methodist Church on 6th and 13th March and two at Holy Cross Catholic Church on 20th and 27th March. A simple meal of soup, bread and cheese will be served in turn by each of the churches, with a donation of £4 requested for a particular charity (which each church will select to support). The lunches will be available between 12.30 and 1.30 pm on each day. Everyone, of any faith or none, is very welcome to attend any or all of these events and share conversation with friends from across the town. Do put these dates in your diary and come along!Coffee and CakeWednesday Coffee and Cake will continue throughout the building works and be hosted in the front entrance Foyer of the Church. 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 BankIn preparation for an increase in demand for our services during the winter months we are planning to build up our stocks of essential tinned items. We will include these in the parcels we supply to our clients and will also share them with other local organisations that are supporting people in food poverty.If you are kind enough to be planning to donate to us, we would be grateful to receive the following priority items: Tins of soupTinned tomatoesTinned baked beans and spaghettiTinned meat meals such as stews, meatballs or curryTinned cold meats such as ham, chicken or corned beefTinned tunaTinned fruit, rice pudding or custardN.B The collection point is now inside the front entrance foyer, while the building is ongoing.Thank you for your Kindness ❤️For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511Please find the winter newsletter attached.PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Martin Branch, Jill and Adrian, Kirsten, Jan, Jeremy, Marlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Rosemary Henry, Gail MillerHousebound or in nursing/care homes:Alfred Wonnacott, Janet Mutter, Georgina LearPlease 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 Dennis, Dorothy StrattonAnthony Fulford, Fred Phare, David Wise, Rosina ParrRecently departedAnthony William FisherGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 1st February John 2: 1-11Monday 2nd February Mark 5: 1-20Tuesday 3rd February Mark 5: 21 - endWednesday 4th February Mark 6: 1-6aThursday 5th February Mark 6: 7-13Friday 6th February Mark 6:14-29Saturday 7th February Mark 6: 30-34Sunday 8th February Matthew 6: 25-endCollect and reading for Sunday 1st FebruaryGod of our creator, who in the beginning commanded the light to shine out of darkness: we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief, shine into the hearts of all your people, and reveal the knowledge of your glory in the face of 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 2.1-11And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.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
