Hello All!This has been an unprecedented week in the history of the Church of England - I will not define it as the resignation of Justin Welby, although that was a consequence of it. Rather it should be seen as a moment in time when the suppression of abuse and the toleration of such suppression reached an end, the voices of victims and survivors were heard and validated, and the Church was offered a kairos, a 'critical moment', of turning towards righteousness, when we are invited to deeply repent and so truly commit to being an institution that is safe and puts the most vulnerable into the centre of all our decision making and practice. If you need to talk through anything that has arisen because of the events of this week, and the reverberations beyond, please do contact me, Revd Louise Grace 07779585908 or louisegrace45@gmail.comHere is another link for support: https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/LouiseIf you are needing to contact Louise, please use either email or mobile phone, text or call.louisegrace45@gmail.com or 07779585908 Dear Friends,This Sunday we celebrate the Commissioning/Licensing of Rev Maggie Stirling-Troy, Elizabeth Reed & Sue Allen as Anna Chaplains. Anna Chaplains are sent out to offer spiritual care, in the broadest sense, to the elderly within our Mission Community, in their own homes, care homes or sheltered housing, regardless of faith or Church attendance. The Chaplains are named after Anna, the elderly widow, who along with Simeon, (who was also very old), recognised the baby Jesus, when he was brought by Joseph and Mary to the temple. Annie Jefferies, coordinator of Anna Chaplains for Devon, will be preaching on this Gospel story, Luke 2: 22-38, at the service on Sunday.We look forward to welcoming you to celebrate with us. There will be celebratory refreshments after the service. We would also love your support and prayers ongoing for this ministry. Elizabeth ReedPlease send all contributions for the newsletter to Gill Yates by the end of Thursdays.gyates@uwclub.netMaterial for A Church Near You to Tony Raven: tony@theravens.orgServices and calendar for the weekSaturday 16 November 10am…Hymnathon for the DEC…St Margaret’sSunday 17 November 8am…BCP Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Mission Community Joint Eucharist…St Margaret’sCommissioning of Anna ChaplainsMonday 18 November 12noon…Funeral of Marcia Jennings7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 19 November 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s10.30am…Coffee and Chat…St Luke’s church roomsWednesday 20 November10am…Morning Worship…Zoom2-4pm…Open Church…St Luke’sThursday 21 November 3.15pm…Prayer Course…St Luke’s church rooms5-7pm…G2GG Appeal…St Margaret’sFriday 22 November 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s11am…Holy Communion…Pym Court11.30am…Funeral of Bill DickensSaturday 23 November Sunday 24 November 10am…Family Friendly Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am…Morning Worship…St Luke’s6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’sThe Zoom links and meeting IDs for all the Zoom events are on our pages on ACNY (A Church Near You)Bookings - St. Margaret’s bookings are managed by Caryll Ingerslev.Contact: C.I.churchbookings@outlook.comSt. Luke’s church is now open on Wednesday afternoons between 2.00 and 4.00.All are welcome...To look aroundTo sit quietly for a whileTo light a prayer candleTo pray.St. Margaret’s church is always open from approx. 9am, but closure times depend on the season. The church is now being closed at around 5pm. News and NoticesGive to Go Green – Huge thanks to Peter Lockwood, our cable recycling expert, who recently visited the scrap merchant and raised £77.30, which will of course be “matched” ie doubled. Peter puts a lot of work into sorting the cables, removing the connectors and dismantling plugs to get at the copper inside. It really is worthwhile, and I am glad to say that even the Diocesan staff at the Old Deanery have caught our enthusiasm, and are now collecting on our behalf.G2GG EVENT THIS WEEK, John Troy is speaking about the financial aspects of climate change, how it will affect us if we do, or if we do not, make an appropriate response. His title is Cash, Climate and Coercion, and he will be speaking specifically for a non-specialist audience. Thursday 21st November, 5.30 in the social area. Refreshments available, and the collection (card payment preferred) will be towards G2GG. HYMNATHONSVery recently the Disasters Emergency Committee put out an appeal for donations to help with the humanitarian situation in Gaza. There is a small group of us from both churches who meet regularly for coffee in a local coffee house and last Thursday, following the DEC Appeal, we put forward the idea of a Hymnathon in both churches. Strike now! The Leadership Team were sounded out by Louise and have given the idea qualified support. We feel that the situation is so dire we must do something, so Hymnathons it will be.The one at St Luke’s Church was on Saturday 9th November and the one at St Margaret’s is on Saturday 16th November from 10.00 to 12.00. Please come and join in the fun. There will be coffee and cake to help the singing; request your favourite hymn to be played on the organ or piano and then join in with everyone to praise God. Let’s see how many cakes we can get through, and how many hymns we can sing. We hope before you leave you will donate something small or large to help the charities who make up DEC. Here’s a challenge too, why not submit a poem about the situation in Gaza, the West Bank and now in Lebanon. Surely those in power must bring an end to the conflict?Special ServicesOn 17th November, at the Joint Mission Community service, we have delight in commissioning our three newly trained Anna Chaplains - Revd Maggie Stirling Troy, Elizabeth Reed and Sue Allen. Anna Chaplaincy is focused upon ministry to our elderly part of the community. Come and support our chaplains and find out more about this exciting new development within our mission community.Safeguarding is at the forefront of all we do as church. It's our primary responsibility to provide a place and community to which all can safely belong. We will be highlighting this as vision and practice on 24th November, our Safeguarding Sunday this year.On 1st December, we will be visited again by Anne Plested, whom St Margaret's supports in her work with Bethlehem Bible College. Anne has spent time in Bethlehem this year and this is an ideal opportunity to hear directly about life in that place that's so close to our hearts and in our prayers. Anne will be preaching at the 10am communion at St Margaret's, and then delivering a talk after coffee so all in the mission community have opportunity to be present, and to hear in more depth, and engage with Q&ADream Big ProjectThe goal to have our faculty by Christmastime remains possible. When they were consulted, the Church Buildings Council queried some of our plans (which had already been OK’d by the DAC!), but explanations have now been assembled and sent back to them. We should shortly be able to put up the notice for local consultation, which lasts 28 days.Midweek study and fellowship groupsAt St Luke’s we have started ‘The Prayer Course’ on Thursdays in the St Luke’s Church Rooms at 3.15pm – 4.15pm. (tea and cake from 3pm). This will run through until 12th December.St. Margaret’s Advent GroupExploring angels in scripture and popular culture.Wednesdays at 11.00 (coffee from 10.45) in St. Margaret’s from November 27th.All are welcome. For more information contact Revd Maggie Stirling Troy 01392 681631 or mstirling1@hotmail.co.ukRed Earth OperaWe would love to welcome you on Sunday November 17th at 7.00 p.m. to St Luke’s Church.The Red Opera Company are performing various well known arias and music from operas, as well as some possibly less well known. There is an orchestra including harp and a chorus. Soprano, Grace Lovelace, has travelled and sung widely; her husband is MD of Lympstone Marines. James Quilligan regularly sings at the Royal Opera House, Convent Garden, and is coming to us straight from singing in Holland.The church will be decorated and there will be wine and canapés and a very good raffle.Tickets available on Ticketsource or ring Jo on 07818728684...and she can reserve tickets ....or maybe ask Caryl Ingerslev if you know her better, who could get them for you too.We aim to give a high quality evening at a very modest price.Over 60s, £12...Everyone lucky to be under this, £15. Money will be for St Luke’s Church.Christmas Tree festivalThis will be happening again at St. Nicholas. Would anyone like to decorate a tree on behalf of St. Margaret’s on Wednesday 11th December? Applications have to be in by the end of December. There are a couple of trees in the loft over the vestry which could possibly be used! This year, funds will be in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance.Let Gill Yates know if you are interested. Thank you.gyates@uwclub.netExmouth Food BankSupplies We Are Short Of This MonthIf you are kind enough to be planning to donate to the Exmouth Food Bank this autumn, please could you focus on the following items:Tins of soupTinned tomatoesTinned baked beans and spaghettiTinned meat meals such as stews,meatballs or curryTinned cold meats such as ham or corned beefTinned tunaTinned fruit or custardWe would also be grateful for donations of men's toiletries including shaving foam. Plus bags for life, to enable people to carry their food home. Thank you so much for your generosityFor further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511Bread Of Life are seeking volunteers to serve the homeless and vulnerable housed in their soup kitchen on Thursday and Friday evenings. This would be at Crosslines, near Lower Summerland street in Exeter. This would include preparing and serving hot meals and giving out practical items.If you feel called to serve please contact Scott on mobile 07949 402369or email: breadoflifeinjesusname@gmail.com Many thanks ❤️🙏PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Pauline, Jill and Adrian, Peter Gwynne, Michael, Fay, Kirsten, Chris Whitehead, Anne, Tony Bradford, Marlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Rosemary Henry, Gail Miller, Carol Walker, Peter Helm, Wendy LockwoodHousebound 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.AnniversariesStephen Hodgskin, Stella Talbot, Joan Soul, Charles DodwellRecently departedAnne Tinkler, Marcia Jennings, William Dickens (Bill), Clinton Derek ReadLen RingroseGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 17th November Mark 13: 1-8Monday 18th November Luke 18: 35-endTuesday 19th November Luke 19: 1-10Wednesday 20th November Luke 19: 11-28Thursday 21st November Luke 19: 41-44Friday 22nd November Luke 19: 45-endSaturday 23rd November Luke 20: 27-40Sunday 24th November John 18: 33-37Collect and reading for Sunday 17th NovemberHeavenly Father, whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory we made be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Mark 13.1-8The Destruction of the Temple ForetoldAs he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.This email was sent from Mission Community of Topsham and Wear using iknowchurch. 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The Magazines are attached but can also be obtained in hard copy at each church.The Estuary Magazine is the front cover only. To obtain a copy visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
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.
