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. 15h March 2026For the second Sunday running women are highlighted and given thanks for: first International Women's Day, this Sunday it is Mothering Sunday.Mothering Sunday in the UK originated in the 16th century as a religious tradition on the fourth Sunday of Lent (or "Mid-Lent Sunday"), where people returned to their "mother church" (the main cathedral or baptismal church). Over time, this day evolved from a church-focused event into a family day, allowing servants time off to visit their mothers and families, often bringing flowers or gifts.Whatever you have planned for this Sunday, at the very least spare a moment of reflection and thanksgiving that a woman gave you life, your birth mother; and also take some time to give thanks for any people, hopefully including your birth mother, but any people at all who have shown you mothering love throughout your life.There's a beautiful image of God as a mothering bird who keeps her young safe beneath her wing. May you also know the close, fiercely protective and tender love of a Mothering God this Sunday.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 week Sunday 15th March8am… BCP Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am… Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am… Holy Communion…St Luke’sMonday 16th March11am…Lent Course…Watermeadow Grange7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 17th MarchWednesday 18th March10am…Morning Worship…Zoom11am…Funeral for Sarah Hampshire…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 19th MarchFriday 20th March9.30am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s11am…Holy Communion…Armada Court12.30pm… Lent Lunch…Holy CrossSaturday 21st MarchSunday 22nd March 10am… Family Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am… Morning Worship…St Margaret’s 6.30pm… Evensong…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.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 will reopen on Wednesday afternoons from Wednesday 8th April until Wednesday 30th September.St. Margaret’s is open every day between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.N.B. The riverside door may be unavailable from time to time because of the building works.The door on Fore Street will remain open during the usual hours.The Dream Big ProjectThe Dream Big Project is progressing well. There are now toilet cubicles which have been constructed and plastered. The floor is being laid and the sanitary appliances plumbed in., The cupboards are being fitted. The work is on track apart from one glitch to do with a sewer in the churchyard.Helen, ChurchwardenLent 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:16th March at 11.00 a.m.Services: 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!Cook Book!A few unsold copies of Tried and Tested, the recipe book which was produced to raise funds for the church, have been donated to the Dream Big project. They will be available at the back of church after the Family Service on Sunday 22nd March for a suggested donation of £7.50 (or more) by cash or card. If you missed out before, or have joined the church since they were last on sale, this will be a good opportunity to get hold of a St Margaret’s classic!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 ❤️Please find the Spring newsletter attached.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 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.AnniversariesFlorence German, Leslie Casbon, Eddy Parr, John Davies, Elsie Howes, Jennifer Whiffin, Richard LawrenceRecently departedMartin Branch, Jean SadlerSarah HampshireGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 15th March John 19: 25b-27Monday 16th March John 4: 43 - endTuesday 17th March John 5: 1-3, 5: 16Wednesday 18th March John 5; 17-30Thursday 19h March Matthew 1: 18 - endFriday 20th March John 7: 1-2, 10: 25- 30Saturday 21st March John 7: 40-52Sunday 22nd March John 11: 1-45Collect and reading for Sunday 15th MarchGod of compassion, whose son Jesus Christ, the Son of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; 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 19.25b-27Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.This email was sent from Mission Community of Topsham and Wear using iknowchurch. If you wish to update contact preferences, please email: gyates@uwclub.netPositions 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 role in our parishes:Sacristan for St MargaretsWe 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.Email: recruitmenttopshamwear@gmail.com for an application form and full Role Description
