MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERw.b. 7th June 2026Hello All!This week we began our course on 'living and learning well together as church'. This is a great course devised by the Church of England, and in our first session we practiced 'active listening' - hearing the other person and summing up their contribution before jumping in with our own. As well as exploring how power dynamics operate within any social group, including church communities.Oftentimes we don't pause to look at what is operating 'beneath the surface', and this course enables to do just that. When conflict and discomfort are persistent, it is good to take stock and ask deeper questions as to what is driving that dynamic.The season of Trinity is just the time in the church calendar to do such hard work, but the rewards are potentially great; enabling the church community to focus evermore on our purpose, serving those whom God is sending our way and with whom we share our daily being.LouiseLouise’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.netPastoral Principles for Living Together Well CourseThis 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 course will take place on the evenings of Tuesday 2nd June, Tuesday 9th June, Tuesday 16thJune, Tuesday 23rd June and then Tuesday 7th July. Further details and timings will be shared nearer to the time.Please let our safeguarding lead Katie Gray know if you will be attending so that resources can be prepared in advance for you. safeguardingtopshamwear@gmail.comServices and calendar for the week Sunday 7th June10am…Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’sMonday 8th June2.30pm… Contemplative Prayer…St Margaret’s7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 9th June12noon…Funeral for Michael Richards…St Margaret’s3.30pm…Anna Friends Support Group…St Margaret’s5.45pm…Pastoral Principles Course…St Margaret’sWednesday 10th June10am…Morning Worship…Zoom1.15pm…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 11th June10am…Baptism…St Margaret’sFriday 12th June9.00am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’sSaturday 13th JuneSunday 14th June10am…Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’s3pm…Forest Church…St Luke’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 is open on Wednesday afternoons until Wednesday 30th September.St. Margaret’s is open every day between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.The Dream Big ProjectPlease 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. The Musical Lunchbox – Wednesdays at 1.15Free lunchtime concerts!The next one is on Wednesday 10th June. Chris Gradwell, clarinet and Walter Bruster, pinao.Donations for St. Margaret’s and the Dream Big Project.A Message from our new Family Worker!It would be wonderful to have some help with the children's area - we have lots of plastic boxes which will be really useful for resources but they have got pretty dusty and dirty during the church work. It would be helpful if someone who has some outdoor space might be able to give them a good jet wash and clean, as this isn't really possible in the new space. We also have some lovely clothes for the baby bank which need washing if anyone might help with those. Please contact Louise on vicartopshamwear@gmail.comThe Flower Festival – Thursday July 16th – Saturday July 18thThe 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:vholland@btinternet.comCoffee and CakeWednesday Coffee and Cake will return to the Social Area this week. 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 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 ❤️We are also really short of clean, large 'bags for life'For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511Please find an up-dated document attached at the request of the Ven. D. Adrian Youings.PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Jill and Adrian, Kirsten, Jan, Jeremy, Rob, Tom RichardsonMarlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Gail Miller, David ByrneHousebound or in nursing/care homes:Alfred Wonnacott, Georgina Lear, JohnPlease pray for Anne Plested supporting the work of Bethlehem Bible College, and Ben and Katy Ray in Tanzania, St. Luke’s CMS mission link.AnniversariesVera AtwellChristopher Olding, Pamela Andrews, Gillian Lohmeyer, Iris Turner, John Grey, Roy Wheeler, David Cook, Robin RitchieRecently departedRosemary HenryGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 7th June Romans 4: 13-25Monday 8th June Matthew 5: 1-12Tuesday 9th June Matthew 5: 13-16Wednesday 10th June Matthew 5: 17-19Thursday 11th June John 15: 12-17Friday 12th June Matthew 5: 27-32Saturday 13th June Matthew 5: 33-37Sunday 14th June Romans 5: 1-8Collect and reading for Sunday 7th JuneO God, the strength of all those who put their trust in you, mercifully accept our prayers and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good without you, grant us the help of your grace, that in the keeping of your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; 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.Romans 4.13-25For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.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 volunteer roles in our parishes:Sacristan for St Margaret’sWe 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: 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 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: 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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Dear all I haven't forwarded anything from Bethlehem recently but this request for prayer arrived a few days ago. A few weeks ago a group from the College spent a couple of weeks in Jordan running a summer camp for refugee children from the conflict in Syria. Munther Isaac is one of the best Christian advocates for the Palestinians at the moment. Anne and I heard him speak in Bristol last summer, and he caused some controversy a while back when Justin Welby didn't have time to see him during his visit to the region. Justin apologised later. Margaret and I are hoping to have lunch with Anne Plested the week after next. Will try to keep you in touch, but meanwhile thank you for your prayers. God bless David As we recruit students for the upcoming academic year, please join us in praying that the Lord opens doors for those wishing to study at Bethlehem Bible College. May He guide His children to the right fields where they can continue building His kingdom on earth. We are grateful for the success of our summer community training programs. Over two weeks, we welcomed 26 adolescents and 5 young leaders to our summer camp, along with more than 70 local and international students in our language courses. Please pray that these programs do more than fill their time; may they instill the love of Jesus Christ and highlight the significance of our Holy Land. We ask for your prayers for Rev. Munther Isaac, who has been traveling this summer to share about our College, its impact on the community, and the ongoing conflict in our Holy Land. May the Lord bless and protect him. Due to the water shortage caused by the occupation, please pray for families suffering from a lack of water for days and weeks. Congratulations to our recent high school (Tawjihi) graduates! We wish them blessings as they decide on their next steps!
1 Love Topsham All sorts of news and events going on here only a click away2 Estuary League of Friends All sorts of help can be found here from advise about COVID-19 to having your toenails looked after.3 Difficult Conversations A resource from the NSPCC4 Childline More information for parents and children5 Information for parents - Talking about difficult topics
