Hello All!At our recent joint PCC meeting we had an extensive presentation from our lead for safeguarding Katie Gray. She explored with us the scope and depth of the safeguarding tasks, including embedding safeguarding culture, within everything we do. To help us address this monumental, and top priority, aspect of our churches life, we voted to have an independent safeguarding audit conducted by the leading national charity for safeguarding in churches of all types, and Christian charities: Thirtyone/eight. This will enable us to see what we are doing well, where the gaps are, how we prioritise with the little resources we have, when of course everything in safeguarding presents as urgent. They will also address any issues of concern, past and present, and will be able to help us discern how to take further action if that is needed. There has been much in the media recently about the need for independent safeguarding within the Church of England, and although we have held the diocesan safeguarding team in great respect, and have always worked with them closely, as well as show our support for them by paying fully our common fund for example, Katie and I discern that this is a moment in time when we need independent scrutiny of our benefice safeguarding.We are grateful to have the support of the PCCs in that lead.You can find out more about Thirtyone/eight if you google them, and it is interesting to note their unusual name comes directly from the Bible:Many biblical passages call us to protect and care for those who are vulnerable. Proverbs 31:8 calls us to 'speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable'. LouiseIf 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.netMaterial for A Church Near You to Tony Raven: tony@theravens.orgServices and calendar for the week Saturday 1st March8am…Prayer Breakfast…St Margaret’s Sunday 2nd March10am… Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’sMonday 3rd March10am…Take 5…St Margaret’s7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 4th March 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’sWednesday 5th March10.00am…Morning Worship…Zoom7pm…Ash Wednesday Service…St Margaret’sThursday 6th March10am…Mini-Messy Church…St Margaret’sFriday 7th March 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s11am…Holy Communion…Pym Court12noon…Lent Lunch…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Thanksgiving Service for Wendy Turner…St Margaret’sSunday 9th March 10am…Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’s3pm…Open the Story…St Luke’s Forest Church 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. 9am, but closure times depend on the season. The church is now being closed at around 5pm. Please note that there were a couple of errors in the monthly newsletter.1. Jackie Crozier’s email on page 8 should be: beejacque@aol.com2. Tony Raven will be presiding at St. Margaret’s this Sunday and Louise will be at St. Luke’sNews and NoticesLent LunchesSt. Margaret’s, Holy Cross and St.Nicholas Methodist churches will be offering lunches on Fridays during Lent between 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.. A simple meal of soup, bread and cheese will be served with a donation of £4 suggested.7th and 14th March at St. Margaret’s Parish Church21st and 28th March at St. Nicholas Methodist Church4th and 11th April at Holy Cross Catholic ChurchAll are very welcome!Dream BigThe official faculty (church planning permission) has been granted and an enlarged copy is on a notice board in the social area – conspicuous by its impressive red seal. That is one big hurdle crossed, with thanks to our professional team, architect and project manager, who helped us get here. The overall project budget is also published in church, both in numbers and as pie-charts for those who prefer them. Applications to grant-giving organisations (such as National Lottery and the National Churches Trust) are already going out. As our contribution to the remaining amount, we will be appealing to the local community for £15,000. There will be no further pressure on the regular congregation – although if we are offered donations, they will not be refused – but you could always raise the project in conversation with generous friends. We won’t be able to plan a start date for the building work until some grants have been received.Electoral RollThanks to all those early birds who have already signed up, either on paper or online. We are approaching 80 applications so far. Do join these if you haven’t yet got round to it. The prize draw will close on Pancake Day, but as there is no event in church that day, the draw itself will take place after the 10am service on Sunday 9th May. Winners not present will be notified by e-mail if we have it, or by post. Even if you are too late for entry into the draw, applications will be accepted right up to the end of April.Paul JakemanWalking GroupAfter a pilot walk in the autumn, a small group of us are keen to establish monthly pilgrim walks from the springtime this year. Much of the Gospels shows Jesus on the move. There is long spiritual tradition that affirms connecting with our bodies, our senses, and connecting with the outdoors is a way of drawing closer to God and one another. The walks will be accessible, start with prayer and end with refreshments, and will be approximately two hours long. The dates will be MondayApril 28th, Monday May 19th and possibly Saturday June 21st. Please register your interest with Gill Yates: gyates@uwclub.netAlpha CourseSt. Luke’s will be running an Alpha course as our Lent study group on Tuesdays at 6.30 p.m. from 11th March, in St. Luke’s Church Rooms. A meal, a talk and great conversation will be included!Message from Louise:This Lent, the benefice offering for both churches is the Alpha course. If you have previously been attending courses in either St Luke's and St Margaret's, demonstrating availability and a commitment to weekly attendance, you are very much encouraged to sign up for the Alpha course. Whilst many would see Alpha as only for enquirers, it is true that we come back to the same Bible readings year in year out, but each time with fresh insight because of experience and study in the preceding twelve months. No one is too mature for Alpha, in other words. Be open and prepared to be surprised by the joy and wisdom of others; and also as maturer Christians, it is a wonderful opportunity to serve the wider church community.All of us can serve by holding the course in daily prayers.At the very least, hold in your prayers the principal organiser, warden Jackie Crozier, and all the volunteers who are making it happen, as well as the folk who will be coming. Everything from making sure we have enough food to feed everyone to praying that the wisdom in the room will lead us further into God's grace.Please see attached flyer.Volunteers – If you would like to get involved with readings, intercessions, verging, administration of the bread/wine, please let Gill Yates know.Volunteers are also needed for the cleaning rota, flower arranging and the coffee rota.More people are always very welcome and very much needed!gyates@uwclub.netPlease find newsletters for St. Luke’s and St. Margaret’s attached.Exmouth Food BankFebruary 2025 we are focusing on replenishing our core stock so that we can continue to feed those in need.In particular we would welcome donations of:Tins of soupTins of tomatoesT ins of baked beans and spaghettiMeat meals (e.g. tinned stews, curry, meatballs)Tinned cold meats (e.g. corned beef, ham)Tins of tunaPackets of spaghetti and riceTinned fruitsTins of custard and rice pudding.In addition toiletries such as hair shampoo, conditioner, body wash and deodorant would also be helpful. Plus bags for life.Thank you for your generosity YOU are AMAZING ! For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Jill and Adrian, Fay, Kirsten, Chris Whitehead, Tony Bradford, Marlene Gardner, Pam Wormald, Mary, Peter, John Heal, Rosemary Henry, Gail Miller, Carol Walker, Wendy LockwoodHousebound or in nursing/care homes:Alfred Wonnacott, Janet Mutter, Georgina Lear, Peter GwynneJohn DaviesPlease pray for Anne Plested supporting the work of Bethlehem Bible College, and Ben and Katy Ray in Tanzania, St. Luke’s CMS mission link.AnniversariesHilda Rowe, Kenneth PattendenAnnette van Oppen, Penelope Robinson, William Wills, Barbara Tolliday, Peter Scott,Recently departedWendy Turner, Lynda PlainGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 2nd March Luke 9: 28-36 (37-43a)Monday 3rd March Mark 10: 17-27Tuesday 4th March Mark10: 28-31Wednesday 5th March Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21,Thursday 6th March Luke 9: 22-25Friday 7th March Matthew 9: 14-15Saturday 8th March Luke 5: 27-32Sunday 9th March Luke 4: 1-13Collect and reading for Sunday 2nd MarchAlmighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Luke 9.28-43aThe TransfigurationNow about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen;listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.Jesus Heals a Boy with a DemonOn the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, ‘Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.’ Jesus answered, ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.’ While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.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.
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!
