MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
w.b. 28th June 2026
Hello All!
This is the height of summer, and haven't we known it this week? I hope everyone has managed to stay safe in the excessive heat.
Midsummer marks the feast day of the birth of John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, so the two book end the year, six months apart. John's uncompromising call to speak truth to power, and call everyone, high station to lowliest of status, to make the decision again and again, to right living - this is something as true today as it was ever thus.
We know that this type of integrity is costly; but we are called to this Way, prepared by John and consolidated by Jesus, so that we can follow in both their footsteps.
Louise
Louise’s email address: [email protected]
Safeguarding
For any safeguarding concerns, please contact :
Katie Gray: [email protected]
For issues with rough sleepers:
Louise Grace: [email protected]
Please send all contributions for the newsletter to Gill Yates by Thursday evening.
Pastoral Principles for Living Together Well Course
This 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 final session is on Tuesday 7th July. The training takes place at St Margaret’s Church Topsham. Refreshments are served from 17:45, with the course starting at 18:00.
Please let our safeguarding lead Katie Gray know if you will be attending so that resources can be prepared in advance for you. [email protected]
Services and calendar for the week
Sunday 28th June
10am…Family Holy Communion and baptism…St Margaret’s
10am…Morning Worship…St Luke’s
6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’s
Monday 29th June
7pm…Compline…Zoom
Tuesday 30th June
Wednesday 1st July
10am…Morning Worship…Zoom
1.15pm…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s
2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’s
Thursday 2nd July
Friday 3rd July
9.00am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s
Saturday 4th July
4pm…Wedding…St Margaret’s
Sunday 5th July
10am…Holy Communion…St Margaret’s
10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’s
12pm...Baptism...St Luke's
The Zoom links and meeting IDs for all the Zoom events are on our pages on ACNY (A Church Near You)
Bookings
St. Margaret’s bookings are managed by Caryll Ingerslev.
Contact: [email protected]
Please 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: [email protected]
St. Luke’s churchwarden can be contacted on:
[email protected] or phone 01392 271458
St. Margaret’s Churchwarden can be contacted on:
St. 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.
The Dream Big Project
Please note that the new facilities will need us to take a few special precautions.
1. We do not want to scratch the new floor, so all the blue chairs are wearing special plastic socks. Only these chairs should be used in the social area or the back of the nave, please.
The new toilet roll holders are “centre pull”. If you need paper, please pull firmly but gently – jerking makes the paper tear inconveniently close to the dispenser.
Do you have a good photo of the old social area? Ideally it will include the old servery, the north west door and the children’s area in one shot, with no more than a few people (no children) so the facilities are visible. We need a “before” picture for a leaflet about the Dream Big project. Please talk to Paul Jakeman if you think you have just the thing… Thanks.
The Musical Lunchbox – Wednesdays at 1.15
Free lunchtime concerts!
The next one is on Wednesday 1st July . Ian Curror, ex-Director of Music at The Royal Hospital Chelsea gives an organ recital.
Donations for St. Margaret’s and the Dream Big Project.
A Message from our new Family Worker!
I am excited to be the new Family Support Worker. For those whom I haven't met yet, I am a primary school teacher, and until recently, I ran the local community café, Nook, here in Topsham. I am passionate about community and supporting local children to thrive, and I am looking forward to getting to know everyone.
Pippa Williams
Pippa has done a grand job sorting children’s resources and doesn’t need any further help for the moment.
The Flower Festival – Thursday July 16th – Saturday July 18th
The 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:
Please sign the lists available by the door if you are able to help with stewarding, refreshments and/or baking cakes during the Flower Festival.
You may be contacted by Katie Gray, our safe-guarding officer, if you haven’t already done safeguarding training.
Please provide a list of ingredients, if you are being kind enough to provide cakes.
Coffee and Cake
We 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 Bank
If you are kind enough to be planning to donate to us, we would be grateful to receive the following priority items:
Crisps/savoury snacks
Bottles of squash e.g orange squash
Jams/peanut butter
Tins of soup
Tinned meat meals such as stews, meatballs or curry
Tinned cold meats such as ham, chicken or corned beef
Tinned tuna
Tinned fruit, rice pudding or custard
Hair shampoo & conditioner
Thank you for your Kindness ❤️
We are also really short of clean, large 'bags for life'
For further information email: [email protected] 07787758511
It's Not Just Policy, It’s Personal – Church of England Safeguarding Campaign
'It's Not Just Policy, It's Personal' is a campaign to raise awareness of how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns. The campaign will run from 1st June - 14th June 2026.
Two key recommendations from the Makin Report, published in 2024, focused on how the Church can have confidence that abuse, both current and non-recent, is being reported. The Church of England has given careful consideration to how this could best be achieved, and are running a two-week pilot campaign to raise awareness of how to report safeguarding concerns.
Safeguarding guidance and codes of conduct are statutory and must always be followed, but this campaign reminds us that these are not simply processes to be followed. At the centre of every safeguarding concern is a person who has taken the difficult step of disclosing harm or risk. Creating a safe space for people to report, and how we respond to them, matters.
Please read the message below from the Bishop responsible for Safeguarding and the posters attached.
Statement from Bishop Robert, Lead Bishop for Safeguarding
Safeguarding in the Church of England is not simply about compliance with guidance or completing the right forms. It is about people and for those of us who seek to follow Jesus, it is about how we live our faith. It’s Not Just Policy, It’s Personal is a timely reminder that at the heart of every safeguarding concern is a human being who has taken a brave and often costly step in speaking about harm.
The Makin Report has rightly challenged us to be confident that abuse, whether current or non‑recent, is being recognised, reported and responded to well. That confidence is built not only through clear processes, but through the quality of our human response when someone discloses a concern. How we listen, how we explain what will happen next, and how carefully we handle what is shared can make a profound difference to whether people feel believed, respected and protected.
The four Rs - Recognise, Respond, Record and Refer - are not tick‑boxes. They are a framework that helps us act justly and compassionately, ensuring that concerns are taken seriously and passed to those who can help keep people safe. Doing this well serves both the person at the centre of the disclosure and the wider community.
I commend this campaign and its resources to dioceses, parishes and all church officers. I hope they will support us all to approach safeguarding disclosures with clarity, care and courage, so that our practice reflects not only our policies, but our Christian commitment to dignity, truth and protection for all.
Prayers
For those who are ill or in need of our prayers:
Jill and Adrian, Kirsten, Jan, Jeremy, Rob, Tom Richardson
Marlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Gail Miller, David Byrne
Housebound or in nursing/care homes:
Alfred Wonnacott, Georgina Lear, John
Please pray for Anne Plested supporting the work of Bethlehem Bible College, and Ben and Katy Ray in Tanzania, St. Luke’s CMS mission link.
Anniversaries
Nora Clouting, Christopher Waite
Lois Hudson, Alec Newman, Kathleen Wheeler, Marjorie Cannon, John Fricker, Eileen Gunnell, Geoffrey Cann, Malcolm Young, Gordon Cable
Recently departed
Gospel Readings for the coming week
Sunday 28th June Matthew 10: 40 - end
Monday 29th June Matthew 16: 13-19
Tuesday 30th June Matthew 8: 23-27
Wednesday 1st July Matthew 8: 28 - end
Thursday 2nd July Matthew 9: 1-8
Friday 3rd July John 20: 24-29
Saturday 4th July Matthew 9: 14-17
Sunday 5th July Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-end
Collect and reading for Sunday 28th June
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal; grant this heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Matthew 10.40-end
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Positions vacant
St 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:
Cleaner
St 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: [email protected] for an application form and full Role Description
We are currently wishing to appoint suitable people to the following volunteer roles in our parishes:
Cleaner for Main Body of Church
St 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 chapel
Sweeping the aisles and the pews
Dusting 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: [email protected] for an application form and full Role Description
Sacristan for St Margaret’s
We 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: [email protected] for an application form and full Role Description
Volunteer 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: [email protected] for an application form and full Role Description
Volunteer for St Luke’s Intercessions
St 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: [email protected] for an application form and full Role Description
Volunteer Second Lead for the Parent and Toddler Groups at St Margaret’s Church
St 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: [email protected] for an application form and full Role Description
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