The Week Ahead

For further information about any of our groups, please email enquiries@templetaunton.uk

Tuesday 26th 6.00pm: Citizens UK meeting at Richard Huish College

Wednesday 27th 10.30am: Coffee Stop at Temple

10.30am: Taunton Pop-in at Temple

12.15am: Midweek service at Temple led by Rev Jane Eastell

1.00pm: Church Lunch

7.30pm: Lent Course at Temple

Thursday 28th 10.30am: Age UK Indoor Kurling

Saturday 30th 6.00pm Mothers' Day Posy making at Temple (organised by SALT)

Notices

CIRCUIT SERVICE: The Circuit Evening Service at Bridgwater on Sunday 24th March at 6.30pm will be led by Rev Graham Thompson, our District Chair. Please support this service if you can.

CITIZENS UK - FOUNDING ASSEMBLY: You are invited to the launch event for setting up a Somerset branch of Citizens UK - “the Founding Assembly” – which is to be held on Tuesday 26th March between 6.00 and 8.00 pm at Richard Huish College, Taunton, TA1 3DZ.

POP-IN Active Living for over 50s: Wednesday 27th March at Temple. Tea and coffee from 10.30 am. At 11 am Boccia/Kurling. Church Lunch, £3.50.

CHURCH LUNCH: Please sign the list in the foyer if you would like to come to the church lunch Wednesday 27th March, 1.00 pm in the hall.

EXPLORING THE LENTEN JOURNEY THROUGH ART: A Lent course for Temple Methodist Church, Taunton URC and St John’s. Wednesday Evenings in Lent continues with Sally Ayres on Changing Our Seeing – new eyes, Wednesday 27th March, 7.30pm at Temple (ending no later than 9pm). All welcome.

TOWN CHAPTAINCY AGM WITH MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TALK: Taunton Team Chaplaincy has arranged for former Yeovil Street Pastor Coordinator Dawn Holmes to give a short presentation about her book ‘Freed from Shame’. This will be held at Rowbarton Methodist Church at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 27th March and although it includes some very quick business about the chaplaincy it will be a valuable opportunity to hear how our churches can welcome and support those who struggle with mental health problems.

THY KINGDOM COME: Inspire and equip workshop at St Michael and All Angels Church, Alphington on Friday 29th March, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm. To book https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tkc-inspire-and-enable-tickets-56786742676.

MOTHERS' DAY POSIES: Please join us to make Mothers’ Day posies on Saturday 30th March from 6:00pm. We are happy to organise pizzas if desired.

FAVOURITE HYMN EVENING: Sunday 31st March, 6.30pm at North Curry and Curland. Please come and join us in an evening of your favourite 'Songs of Praise'. If you would like to select a hymn to sing during the evening, please phone Daphne with your choice (via our enquiry email) by 24th March. Thank you!

PAM JARVIS: There will be a Committal Service at the Crematorium on Thursday 4th April at 12 noon, followed by a Thanksgiving Service at Temple Methodist Church at 1pm. Friends will be welcome to either service or both.

DISTRICT SYNOD: Our Circuit is hosting District Synod on Saturday 6th April at Queen's College. If you are able to help in any way please contact your church stewards and ask them to tell any one of the circuit stewards [Jane Allin, John Haines, Richard Sillett] that you are willing to help at Synod.

We have been asked to provide:-

1. Stewards to assist with parking [9:00 to 10:30am]

2. Stewards to direct delegates inside the building [9:00am to 4:00pm]

3. Creche Helpers [9:00am to 4:00pm]

4. A First Aider [9:00am to 4:00pm]

5. Flowers [a pedestal and table decoration in place by 9:30am]

6. Cakes for tea [available for tea at 4:00pm]

SALT PLUS VISIT TO HINKLEY POINT 'C' on Thursday 16th May 2019. Meeting at Hinkley Point visitor centre, Bridgwater at 10am for a bus tour of the site, arriving back in Bridgwater at 12:45. Names need to be provided to Hinkley in advance and must match photo id (passport or photo driving licence). If you want to attend, give names to Colin or Sheila Robertson; places allocated on a 'first come first served' basis.

OFFERING ENVELOPE SCHEME. New colour (Blue) envelopes will be issued to start from 7th April, within the next two weeks. This is a convenient way to ensure regular giving, and, combined with Gift Aid (for those who pay Tax), assists the Treasurer in budgeting. New contributors are welcome - please contact Mrs Brenda Janes for full details.

GIFT AID: Donating through Gift Aid means Temple can claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated. It will not cost you any extra, you only need to be a tax payer. In order to do this a Gift Aid declaration needs to be completed. Many of you already have signed a Gift Aid declaration, and this makes a significant contribution to Temple income. Gift Aid is claimed through the envelope scheme as well as standing orders. We are required to keep records up to date, therefore, if there is a change in personal circumstances, for example, a change of address, a new Gift Aid declaration needs to be completed. If you wish to complete or change a Gift Aid declaration please let me know. Please also contact me if you would like any further information about Gift Aid. Kathryn Turner

FINANCIAL UPDATE: At a recent Temple Resources Meeting when we discussed the Temple finances I was asked to set out the current financial position in the notice sheet. This is half way through the financial year and although the position is good in part, there are also some concerns. On the income side we have continued to lose generous members of the church who have died and our income is down by 11.5% which is around £2600 less over the half year. This will also have an effect on Gift Aid when next claimed. We appreciate how generously Temple is supported financially; some people review their giving regularly or when possible and others may be able to consider this. If anyone would like details of how to give regularly by weekly envelope or monthly standing order, please have a word with either myself or one of the church stewards.

We do plan to have a Gift Day again this year which will be on the weekend of 8th June and we will set out the need for this as we have done before in a letter in the June Link magazine.

The trend of falling income is particularly a concern as expenditure continues to rise somewhat with inflation. The good news is that the very high use of the building throughout the week continues and rental income from this use has been maintained. Also through the last 6 months we have supported charities very generously with over £4000 being given to charities including All We Can, Mission in Britain, World Mission, the Benevolent Fund and Work-Wise. Thank you for your continuing generous support. Graham Dickinson - Temple Treasurer