The Magazine is attached but can also be obtained in hard copy at St Luke's.To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
In Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 10), Jesus sends out seventy-two of His followers ahead of Him into towns and villages. We may not live in ancient Judea, but we do live in a community nestled here by the calm waters of the Exe estuary. And just like those towns back then, ours too has people who are seeking, struggling, waiting — often silently — for something more to life. We can all find ourselves ask the questions ‘Why?’ ‘Is there more than this?’ Let us be open to share the love of God, if not in words, then in acts of kindness and friendship. Kindness is love in work clothes. Showing God’s love in practical ways. Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly and most underrated agent of human change.Perhaps you might also return with joy, like the disciples, with stories to tell of what the Lord did through your gifts to this town’s people.God bless,PeterIf you are needing to contact Louise, please use either email or mobile phone, text or call.louisegrace45@gmail.com or 07779585908 SafeguardingFor any safeguarding concerns, please contact one of the following:Revd Louise Grace: 07779585908 louisegrace45@gmail.comKatie Gray: safeguardingtopshamwear@gmail.comCaryll Ingerslev – St. Luke’s: C.I.churchbookings@outlook.comJane March-Mcdonald – St. Margaret’s - jane.march-mcdonald@plymouth.ac.ukFor issues with rough sleepers:Elizabeth Reed: reedelizabeth04@gmail.comPlease send all contributions for the newsletter to Gill Yates by the end of Thursdaygyates@uwclub.netServices and calendar for the week Sunday 6th July10am… Holy Communion…St Margaret’s(+ Baptism) 10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’sMonday 7th July10am…Mini-messy church…St Margaret’s7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 8th July 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s3.30pm…Anna Chaplaincy Support Group…St Margaret’sWednesday 9th July 10.00am…Morning Worship…Zoom1.15pm…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Coffee and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 10th July10am…Mini-Messy Church…St Margaret’sFriday 11th July 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’sSunday 13th July10am… Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’s3pm…Forest Church…St Luke’s (held at Countess Wear Community School) 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: C.I.churchbookings@outlook.comSt. Luke’s Church and Church Rooms bookings are managed by Sandra Greedy. kenneth.greedy@sky.com or phone 01392 271458St. Luke’s church is open on Wednesdays afternoons between 2.00 and 4.00.St. Margaret’s church is always open from approx. 9.00 a.m. but closure times depend on the season. The church is now being closed at around 7.00 p.m. News and NoticesCongratulations to Revd Janice Cackett, who celebrated 25 years of ordained priesthood this week. We are all richer in blessings because of your ministry Janice.Revd LouiseConfirmationMany people associate confirmation as a rite of passage for teenagers, and that often is the age bracket of candidates. However, there are increasing numbers of adults exploring confirmation (literally, confirming our baptism promises for ourselves), and enjoying the exploration that preparation sessions offer.There's already one adult in our worshipping community asking for confirmation. I would like to see if there are others. The service would likely be late autumn/early winter, and preparation would involve attending four preparation sessions.Please let me know if you are interested.louisegrace45@gmail.comParish WalksThe date of the next walk will be Monday July 14th at 2.00 p.m. Apologies for the change of date.Our next parish walk will be “Urban Churches”.The plan is to meet in Exeter and explore some of the smaller churches.Gill will send details to all who have expressed an interest in these walks so far.If you would like to be added to the list, please let Gill know.gyates@uwclub.netSt. Margaret’sCoffee and CakeDo come along to St. Margaret’s on a Wednesday afternoon for coffee, tea, cake and a chat! From 2.30 p.m.Lunchtime ConcertWednesday July 9th at 1.15 Peter King, former Director of Music at Bath Abbey will give an organ recital.Flower Festival 2025This will soon be upon us!There will be lists at the back of the church to sign up if you are willing to help with stewarding, refreshments and cake-making.It is now standard practice and required by the Diocese, for a basic (on-line) safe-guarding course to be completed, if you are a volunteer. Gill Yates will contact any volunteers with details of how to access this online. Certificates should then be sent to Katie Gray, our safe-guarding lead. Her email address is: safeguardingtopshamwear@gmail.comDream BigWe are about to start our community fundraising for the summer. We deliberately are not appealing to the congregation as you gave so generously at the start of the project. However, some people weren’t here for the February 2023 appeal, so now is your chance! We are finalising a leaflet to be widely distributed, and there are various fundraising events during the summer. If you would like to help the team running the tea room at the Flower Festival or on Charter Day, you will be helping Dream Big, because it is their chosen charity.Cable Recycling is restarting!Peter Lockwood has very kindly offered to start collecting again: charger cables, chargers with obsolete connectors, cables from old computers/printers, mains cables, unwanted plugs , adaptors etc. Electric wire, telephone/TV cabling, items made of copper, aluminium, bronze.NO FERROUS METALThere will be a box at the back of the church.Proceeds to the Dream Big Project.Exmouth Food BankThis month we would welcome donations of the following items:Tinned meat meals (e.g. stew, meatballs)Tinned cold meat (e.g. ham, corned beef) Porridge oats & instant porridgePastaStir in pasta/pasta bake sauces Tinned fruitFruit squash/juiceLonglife whole milkThank you so much ❤️For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Jill and Adrian, Kirsten, Jan, Roger, David Byrne, Marlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Rosemary Henry, Gail Miller, Carol WalkerHousebound 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.Anne is now safely back in Somerset after 3 months teaching in Bethlehem.AnniversariesCyril and Dorothy Wood,Barbara Bennett, Jillian Jones, Arthur GoldsbroughRecently departedPeter GwynneGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 6th July Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20Monday 7th July Matthew 9: 18-26Tuesday 8th July Matthew 9: 32 - endWednesday 9th July Matthew 10: 1-17Thursday 10th July Matthew 10: 7-15Friday 11th July Matthew 10: 16-23Saturday 12th July Matthew 10: 24-33Sunday 13th July Luke 10: 25-37Collect and reading for Sunday 6th JulyAlmighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts whereby we call you Father: give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; 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.Luke 10.1-11,16-20After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.This email was sent from Mission Community of Topsham and Wear using iknowchurch. 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Big Dream moves forward, bit by bitThe Archdeacon of Exeter and his architectural advisor came to the church to discuss final details on the plans for our redevelopment of the rear of the church. They were very encouraging and made some helpful suggestions. By the time you read this, the updated plans will have been submitted and we have been told the legal permission should be issued around Christmas. Before that, there will be a formal notice on the church railings for 28 days to let everyone know about the plans and the process for approval.Give to Go Green We're excited to announce that St. Margaret’s is one of just nine parishes in Devon to receive a Go Green (G2GG) grant this year—a positive step in making our church more energy efficient and sustainable. We will be installing energy-saving heaters to allow us to warm an area for meetings during winter without heating the entire church. This will significantly reduce our carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and enable us to reinvest those savings into community initiatives, including funding for our new Families Worker.This project won’t just benefit the church—it will also provide a warm, bookable space for community use as well. If you're passionate about tackling climate change and supporting community efforts, we invite you to join us in this project. Could you help by giving or fundraising – maybe a charity coffee morning for your neighbours? Your contribution will be doubled by the Church of England, so every penny counts and will bring us closer to a greener future! Start making plans; details of the fundraising campaign will be in next month’s Estuary magazine.
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!
