Anna Chaplains are named after the widow, Anna, who appears with Simeon in Luke’s gospel; both are good role models of faithful older people. Anna Chaplains are there for people of strong, little or no faith at all.The vision is to see an Anna Chaplain in every small- and medium-sized community in the country, and for the Anna Chaplain name to become synonymous with spiritual care for older people.
To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
MISSION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERw.b. 24th May 2026Hello All!WHY is it that report after report comes out declaring that C of E responses to safeguarding are catastrophically awful? Why can’t we do better than that, and respond well to survivors of abuse as well as keep people safe?Stephen Kuhrt’s controversial book gives one main reason: C of E culture is utterly invested in “untruth and injustice”. That is a startling thing to say, but I am convinced he’s right: “untruth”, because the Church shies away from addressing difficult issues, instead engaging in passive aggressive behaviour to keep the well-being of the Church as the focus; and “injustice” because survivors struggle to get justice.LouiseLouise’s email address: vicartopshamwear@gmail.comSafeguardingFor any safeguarding concerns, please contact :Katie Gray: safeguardingtopshamwear@gmail.comFor issues with rough sleepers:Elizabeth Reed: homelessoutreachtopshamwear@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 24th May10am…Family Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am…Morning Worship…St Luke’s6.30pm…Evensong…St Margaret’sMonday 25th May 7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 26th MayWednesday 27th May10am…Morning Worship…Zoom1.15pm…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Tea and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 28th MayFriday 29th May9.00am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’sSaturday 30th MaySunday 31st May10am…Eucharist…St Luke’s10.30am…Ecumenical Service…St Nicholas 3pm…Songs of Praise…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 are back!The next one is on Wednesday May 27th. Matthew Wright will give a piano recital of music by Bach and SchubertDonations for St. Margaret’s and the Dream Big Project."Songs of Praise" at 3 pm, Sunday 31st May Please join us for lots of singing, in the new revamped social area, with toilets! at St Margaret's Church. There will also be poems and of course to follow, lots of tea and cake and fellowship. We look forward to welcoming you. 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.comCook 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.The 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 07787758511PrayersFor 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, Rosemary Henry, 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.AnniversariesWilliam Irwin, Edward Darnley-Smith, Paul Bliss, Edward Glover, Dorothy GloverRecently departedGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 24th May John 20: 19-23 or John 7: 37-39Monday 25th May Mark 10: 17-27Tuesday 26th May Mark 10: 28-31Wednesday 27th May Mark 10: 32-45Thursday 28th May Mark 10: 46 - endFriday 29th May Mark 11: 11-26Saturday 30th May Mark 11: 27 - endSunday 31st May Matthew 28: 16 – endCollect and reading for Sunday 24th MayGod, who at this time taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: grant us by the same Spirit to hav a right judgement in all things and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.John 20.19-23Then 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.John 7. 37-39In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.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 Clerk to the PCCSt Margaret’s PCC are looking for a volunteer to act as their Clerk. Following training this would involve advising the PCC on procedural matters, liaising with the vicar to set an Annual Cycle of business for the PCC and then drafting agendas. The successful candidate would attend PCC meetings and take minutes and would prepare the Annual Report for the APCM.The role takes approximately 2 hours per week, with a greater number of hours around the time of PCC meetings.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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