The Magazines are attached but can also be obtained in hard copy at each church.To obtain a copy of The Estuary Magazine please visit St Margaret's Church or The Topsham Bookshop.
Hello All!I have been following the meditations and poetry of Jan Richardson throughout Lent, and especially during Holy Week have been sharing these through our daily reflections. Jan is a talented, deeply spiritual Methodist minister based in the United States.This is her reflection piece for Holy Saturday, that day when we are neither at the foot of the cross nor greeting the first glimmers of resurrection at the empty tomb. Holy Saturday can be a very 'out of time' experience, in the same way people can feel dislocated from time when going through challenging experiences in their lives. Hopefully this meditation by Jan Richardson may help and encourage:Reading from the Gospels, Holy Saturday:Matthew 27.57-66 or John 19.38-42Holy Saturday is not a day for answers. It is a threshold day, a day that lies between, and so resists any easy certainty. It is a day of waiting, of remembering to breathe, of willing ourselves to turn to one another when grief lays hold of us.—from: Holy Saturday: A Day BetweenThe Painted PrayerbookIt’s Saturday.If we have grown weary in this season. If we have become overwhelmed. If we are living with fear or anxiety or worry about what lies ahead. If the swirl of Holy Week has become intense. If time is moving strangely. If grief has been a traveling companion. If the ground beneath us has given way. If resurrection seems less than certain.It’s Saturday.This is the day that calls us to breathe. This is the day that invites us to make a space within the weariness, the fear, the ache. This is the day that beckons us to turn toward one another, and to remember we do not breathe alone.It’s Saturday.Times of change, particularly unanticipated change, can be disorientating; and naturally can invite curiosity as to why those changes are happening. However, it can become problematic in community when that curiosity tips over into speculation, and the community circulates misinformation, even damaging gossip. If anyone needs to talk through any of the changes we are experiencing within our church communities, please do approach myself or one of the wardens, who are now Jackie Crozier and Sandra Greedy (it doesn't matter that Jackie and Sandra worship at St Luke's, they are available across the benefice); or if you are needing more information around the safeguarding issues and audit that have been to the forefront recently, please do contact Katie, our parishes safeguarding representative. Their contact details are below, as are mine.It is important to keep to the fore that misinformation and damaging gossip, including and especially in written form, is not acceptable behaviour for any group or organisation, workplace or voluntary, and especially not for a church. We are called to even higher standards of mutual respect than regularly expected.LouiseLouise: louisegrace45@gmail.comSandra: kenneth.greedy@sky.comJackie: malcolmjackie120822@gmail.comKatie Gray: safeguardingtopshamwear@gmail.comIf 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 Sunday 20th April (Easter Day)8am…BCP Holy Communion…St Margaret’s10am…Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Holy Communion…St Luke’sMonday 21st April7pm…Compline…ZoomTuesday 22nd April 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’sWednesday 23rd April10.00am…Morning Worship…Zoom1.15pm…Lunchtime Concert…St Margaret’s2.30pm…Coffee and Cake…St Margaret’sThursday 24th April10am…Mini-Messy Church…St Margaret’sFriday 25th April 9am…Morning Prayer…St Margaret’s11am…Holy Communion…Pym CourtSunday 27th April 10am…Family Friendly Holy Communion…St Margaret’s 10am…Morning Worship…St Luke’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. News and NoticesSt. Luke’s Church Rooms Christian Aid Big BrekkieOn Saturday 3rd May , you are invited to come along to enjoy anything from a slice of toast to a full English breakfast, with fruit juice and tea or coffee. The ‘Brekkie’ is free but donations to Christian Aid will be requested.There will be two sittings from 9am to 10am and then from 10am to 11am. Please let Jill Allen know to which ‘sitting’ you will be coming. You can sign up for which sitting you would like your ‘brekkie’ on a list which will be at the back of St. Luke’s Church, or you can contact Jill by email g.m.allen@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01392 877195.Revd. Tony Raven will be our Chief Cook, assisted by his wife, Dorothy, and Ken Greedy.This year our contribution to Christian Aid will be more important than ever, considering governments’ reduction of help to the world’s poorest people. We need to step up and do our bit!Coffee 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 ConcertThis coming Wednesday at 1.15.Iryna Ilynska – Mezzo-soprano; ; John Draisey – piano: 'Queens in Opera'.Retiring Collection for St Margaret’s “DreamBig” project.Sponsored by Wilkinson GrantWalking GroupThe first walk this year is coming up on Monday April 28th in the afternoon.The plan is:2.00 Meet at St. Margaret’s for a short prayer time.2.15 Walk through Topsham with Gill pointing out a few points of interest, then round the Goat Walk, where there will be space to chat or enjoy the peace, then back to St. Margaret’s.3.15 ish Refreshments in St. Margaret’s4.00 endPlease let Gill know if you will be joining the walk.gyates@uwclub.netExmouth Food BankWe are currently focusing on replenishing our core stock so that we can continue to feed those in need.In particular we would welcome donations of :• Cereals• Porridge oats & instant porridge• Pasta• Stir in pasta/pasta bake sauces • Tinned fruit• Tinned vegetables (sweetcorn, mixed veg)• Fruit squash/juice• Longlife milkIn addition toiletries such as hair shampoo, conditioner, body wash and deodorant would also be helpful. Also bags for life. Thank you for your support. You are AMAZING ! For further information email: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk 07787758511Please find a list of Positions Vacant attached.PrayersFor those who are ill or in need of our prayers:Jean, Jill and Adrian, Fay, Kirsten, Jan, Roger, 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 GwynnePlease 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 hoping to fly to Bethlehem during April to spend some time with the Community there.Perhaps pray that her physical presence at this time will help to give the College staff and students a real sense of solidarity with Christians in the UK.AnniversariesErnest CrabbMary Thomson, Peggy TraynorRecently departedGladys McCartneyGospel Readings for the coming weekSunday 20th April Acts 10: 34-43Monday 21st April Matthew 28: 8-15Tuesday 22nd April John 20: 11-18Wednesday 23rd April Luke 24: 13-35Thursday 24th April Luke 24: 35-48Friday 25th April John 21: 1-14Saturday 26th April Mark 16: 9-15Sunday 27th April Acts 5: 27-32Collect and reading for Sunday 20th AprilLord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity.Acts 10.34-43Gentiles Hear the Good NewsThen Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ This email was sent from Mission Community of Topsham and Wear using iknowchurch. If you wish to update contact preferences, please email : gyates@uwclub.net
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!
