MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
w.b. 12th April 2026
Hello All!
In Eastertide we reflect upon the different resurrection appearances of Jesus. It must have been a supremely confusing experience for the disciples and followers, amongst other feelings. We see this particularly on the story of the road to Emmaus, when the resurrected Christ walked alongside two disciples for hours, talking about the scriptures with them, and yet they did not recognise him until the evening, when they broke bread together. The affirmation of sacrament, as the presence of God revealed beyond words is strong here; and yet, the hours beforehand not just exploring scripture but walking together are equally important parts of the journey. There are weekly opportunities to explore the Word of God in our parishes - references and texts are reproduced in this newsletter, for example, and at least twice weekly the gatherings in our zoom worship, compline on Mondays and morning worship on Wednesdays, share their reflections upon the set scriptures within those short worship services. Let's not forget walking together too. Sharing a literal journey together mirrors symbolically the pilgrimage we share as Christ's disciples. If you would like to join in the parishes walking group this summer, please let Gill Yates know as soon as possible.
Louise
Louise’s email address: [email protected]
Safeguarding
For any safeguarding concerns, please contact :
Katie Gray: [email protected]
For issues with rough sleepers:
Elizabeth Reed: [email protected]
Please send all contributions for the newsletter to Gill Yates by Thursday evening.
Services and calendar for the week
Sunday 12th April
10am… Holy Communion…St Margaret’s
10am… Holy Communion…St Luke’s
3pm…Forest Church…St Luke’s
6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’s
Monday 13th April
2.30pm Julian Meeting – Contemplative prayer…Holy Cross
7pm…Compline…Zoom
Tuesday 14th April
Wednesday 15th April
10am…Morning Worship…Zoom
2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’s
Thursday 16th April
Friday 17th April
9.00am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s
11am…Holy Communion…Armada Court
Saturday 18th April
Sunday 19th April
8am… BCP Holy Communion…St Margaret’s
10am… Joint Holy Communion…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 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 Project
The project is going well and we are on schedule for completion of the whole project by the end of April. Thank you for your patience while access to the church has been restricted. Bookings of the social area are already being accepted for May!
Memorial Garden
PLEASE NOTE that from Monday 13th April to Sunday 19th April inclusive, the Memorial Garden should be accessed through the gate at the far end of St Margaret’s Terrace, as the usual route will be unavailable due to essential building works.
Services at Watermeadow Grange
Service: 23rd April at 11.00 a.m.
Cook Book!
A few unsold copies of Tried and Tested, the recipe book which was produced during Covid to raise funds for the church, have been donated to the Dream Big project and are available for a suggested donation of £7.50 (or more). If you missed out before, or have joined the church since they were last on sale, there is now a final opportunity to get hold of a St Margaret’s classic! Please contact Paul or Niki Jakeman, who can deliver copies within the EX3 postcode.
Coffee and Cake
Wednesday 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 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
Prayers
For 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 Miller
Housebound or in nursing/care homes:
Alfred Wonnacott, Janet Mutter, 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
Sydney Newman, Dot Rowe, Bob Greenham, Jim Green, Leslie Clouting, Pat Swaffield
George Thomson, Rita Shell, Sheila Crouch, Margaret Smythe
Recently departed
Jan Bhanji, Brenda Joan Webb
Gospel Readings for the coming week
Sunday 12th April John 20: 19 - end
Monday 13th April John 3: 1-8
Tuesday 14th April John 3: 7-15
Wednesday 15th April John 3: 16-21
Thursday 16th April John 3: 31 - end
Friday 17th April John 6: 1-15
Saturday 18th April John 6: 16-21
Sunday 19th April Luke 24: 13-35
Collect and reading for Sunday 12th April
Almighty Father, you have given your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant us to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
John 20.19-end
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
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 volunteer roles in our parishes:
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
This email was sent from Mission Community of Topsham and Wear using iknowchurch. If you wish to update contact preferences, please email: [email protected]