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. 22nd February 2026Hello All!As we move into the season of Lent, it is good to remember that whilst there is an intensely personal nature of Lenten discipline - what are we individually 'fasting' from, giving up, in order to create space in our minds, hearts, souls to enable a drawing closer to God; yet also we do everything as one Body. Therefore, what is it as a church that we need to be more disciplined about, that this season of Lent can enable?Katie, our safeguarding officer, has been leading the PCCs in reflecting upon our church culture. This stems from the comprehensive safeguarding audit that we had last year, and the urgent priority that it highlighted. Culture is multifaceted and a couple of paragraphs at the start of a newsletter cannot begin to approach all the dimensions, but hopefully over this coming year there will be numerous opportunities to join in the 'duty and joy' of drawing closer to God and closer to one another through an intentional approach to community; something that even a skim through the letters of St Paul to a whole variety of early church communities will show us that this is nothing new. One of the church's primary call has always been to safe, respectful, disciplined community life.A foundational plank of all community is the way that we communicate with one another, and I commend again to myself and us all the threefold gate method of communication, which hopefully ensures we are for the building up of one another in our speech: Is this true? Is this kind? Is this necessary?A worthy Lenten discipline indeed.The Watermeadow Grange Lent study group begins on Monday March 2dThe group will be looking at the film 'The Kings Speech', and following theological themes in it. The residents and staff at Watermeadow Grange showed insight that is distilled wisdom of lifelong experience - and the setting is very hospitable. Please do join us. If you intend to join, please let Revd Louise know as soon as possible. vicartopshamwear@gmail.comLouiseLouise’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 22nd February 10am… Family Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am… Morning Worship…St Luke’s 6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’s Monday 23rd February 7pm…Compline…Zoom Tuesday 24th February Wednesday 25th February 10am…Morning Worship…Zoom 2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’s Thursday 26th February Friday 27th February 9.30am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s 11am…Holy Communion…Pym Court Saturday 28th February Sunday 1st March 10am… 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: 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 4.00 p.m.News and NoticesEnquiryIn 1961, Cordelia Ransdale, who lived at St Agnes, Topsham, presented gifts to St Margaret’s in memory of her late sister Jessie, who had died three years earlier. These comprised new floodlights for the sanctuary (which I believe have since been replaced), a sanctuary table, and a prayer desk. We have permission to dispose of the prayer desk as it is damaged and redundant. If anyone knows of the Ransdale sisters, or of a house called St Agnes in Topsham, could they please contact Helen Swafield or Paul Jakeman in case we can contact the family. Nothing has been found in online searches. The 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, 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: 2nd, 9th and 16th March at 11.00 a.m.Services: 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 Miller, Maurice WebbHousebound 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.AnniversariesRon OborneLauren Leger, Toots Hacking, James Smeall, Elizabeth Hunter, Mary Hull, Diane Hurst, Edna Haynes, Beryl Sugars, Charles Bowyer, Tibby MelhuishRecently departedGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 22nd February Matthew 4: 1-11Monday 23rd February Mark 25: 31 - endTuesday 24th February Matthew 6: 7-15Wednesday 25th February Luke 11: 29-32Thursday 26th February Matthew 7: 7-12Friday 27th February Matthew 5: 20-26Saturday 28th February Matthew 5: 43 - endSunday 1st March John 3: 1-17Collect and reading for Sunday 22nd FebruaryAlmighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted for forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save: 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 4.1-11Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto 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.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
