Notices

Notices for the week beginning
26th July 

For further information about any of the items below, please email enquiries@templetaunton.uk

HOLY COMMUNION AT TEMPLE at 9.00 am:
Third Sunday of the month, followed by Iona style breakfast in the Hall.
STREAMED SERVICE at 9.30 am:
Each Sunday, taken by one of our other circuit worship leaders. Link here.
SUNDAY SERVICES AT TEMPLE at 10:30 am:
Every Sunday, with Holy Communion every first Sunday of the month.
CAKE & CONVERSATION at 5:00 pm in the hall:
Every second  Sunday of the month.
ZOOM WORSHIP at 6.30pm:
On a Sunday twice monthly. Contact enquiries@templetaunton.uk for details on joining in.

TEMPLE TREKKERS:
(5-7 miles) continue to walk on Monday mornings and enjoy fellowship together.
Contact Graham or Tony for information about future walks. All are very welcome!
AFTERNOON CHOIR:
Tuesdays at 2:00pm in the hall.
ZOOM CIRCUIT BIBLE STUDY:
At 7.30pm 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month. Contact enquiries@templetaunton.uk for details on joining in.
ZOOM CIRCUIT PRAYER MEETING:
At 7.30pm 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month. Contact enquiries@templetaunton.uk for details on joining in.
PRAYER 45:
In the Chapel at 9:30am every 1st Wednesday of the month
and 7:30pm every 3rd Wednesday of the month.
POP-IN / COFFEE PLUS:
Every Wednesday at 10:30am.
Please note next on Wednesday 5th August. Join us for a drink and a chat.
MIDWEEK SERVICES:
Every Wednesday at 12:15pm followed by a light lunch.
Next on Wednesday 29th July led  by Rev Anthony Huxtable
CHURCH LUNCH:
Normally on the third Wednesday of the month 1:00pm in the hall.
CRAFT GROUP:
The craft group meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.
There is also a second Craft Group, which will be on the first  Monday of the month from 2.00pm until 4.00pm.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON GROUP:
Meetings take place on third Thursday of each month at 2:30pm in the hall from September to May.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND ANY EVENT IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESS
AND WE WISH YOU A SPEEDY RECOVERY

ALSO SEE  Upcoming Services , Church Life Activities , Upcoming Events 

CHURCH NOTICES: If you would like to receive the Weekly Notices by email please contact Hazel Jordan.
CIRCUIT LINK: If you would like to receive the monthly Circuit Link by email please contact Janet Dickinson.
PASTORAL TEAMS:  Please contact Anne Jordan or Rev Deborah Kirk with any pastoral concerns.
HOME COMMUNION: For anyone who would wish to receive home communion please contact Anne Jordan or Rev. Deborah Kirk.
PRAYER GROUP: If you would like to be part of the group, please let Hazel Jordan have your email address to add to the group. When a prayer request comes in, it will be forwarded to the group for a prayer response.
CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATOR: Natalie Knight can be contacted at office@pilgrimpeople.co.uk.
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS: Please note that although we cannot put personal details on the website, Church Family News can be found in the Notices distributed via email. If you wish to be added to the email list please contact Hazel Jordan.

FACEBOOK: You can follow us on facebook
YOUTUBE: Livestream services and previously streamed services can be found on our Youtube Channel
TAUNTON URC MONTHLY CHURCH MAGAZINE: A copy of the monthly URC magazine can be found here.
RESOURCES FOR HOME WORSHIP: See our This Week's Services , Prayer Page , and Worship Resources pages. 

CAR PARKING:
Parking immediately outside the church on Upper High Street is prohibited Monday - Saturday at any time including Bank Holidays except for statutory exemptions.
In the evening from 6pm free roadside parking is available on The Crescent and the nearby Crescent and High Street (lower level only) car parks. Please see signage for details.
At other times please use the meter paid parking bays on The Crescent, or alternatively The Crescent, High Street or Orchard and other pay and display car parks. Currently parking is free on Sunday though this is under review by Somerset Council.

26 IN 26:  Our Church aims to be a just Church. There is a poster on a notice board in the hall, of 26 different ways the church can aim to achieve this. Please look at the notice and bring to a stewards attention, or Deborah's, any ideas you might have to help. Start simple by drawing up a list of the best things about the area in which you live. (see bottom left!)

POP IN: Apologies but there will be NO Pop-In this Wednesday as no "staff" are available. So no coffee, no lunch and no activity. Pop-In is back next week, Wednesday 5th August.

AFTERNOON TEA:  On Saturday 8th August Sheila and Colin Robertson are holding an afternoon tea at their home, from 2:30pm. All are welcome. For those with an interest in model railways, the train shed will be open for the afternoon. To assist with catering, or for further information please contact Sheila or Colin.

CHSW VISIT:  We have arranged to visit the Children’s Hospice SW in Barnstaple to see the support they are able to provide for children and their families on Monday 10th August.    If you would like to come please contact Diana Atkinson for details.

MWiB CREAM TEA: MWiB Circuit Invite to Cream Tea, Saturday 22nd August, 3pm-5pm raising funds for Solar Aid. See paper notices for details.

MONTHLY VIGILS FOR PEACE: Taunton Quakers extend an invitation to all people of faith and none to stand in silence on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 12.00 to 12.45 pm near the Tourist Information Office, to witness to our commitment to seek peace in the world.  

PRAYER 45: The 1st Wednesday of the month at 9.30am, and the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm, which may take the form of Compline. These times will be open to anyone and will initially be led by Deborah - (in time, those who come may like to lead). The time will be about 45 minutes, but you are free to come for as long or short a time as you are able, and if you come once, you will not be expected to come every time. During the time together we shall reflect on a portion or verse of scripture, then spend some time in prayer, silent or spoken. 

HELP WITH COMMUNION:  Could you help with preparing or stewarding Communion?

1st  Sunday: Set up and clear the table or guide people to the rail.

3rd Sunday (9am): Set up and clear afterwards.

To volunteer, please speak to Hazel Jordan.

READERS NEEDED: We are looking for new people to add to our pool of people to read the Bible lessons on a Sunday. Please speak to Hazel Jordan if you are interested in reading on Sundays.

ORGANISTS: Does anybody know of any organist who might like to play at Temple for our Sunday worship services? I'm trying to uncover some new players who might like to play, either regularly or on an occasional basis. Fees and level of commitment negotiable. Please contact Kevin Rigg. Thank you, Kevin. 

TRANSPORT: We realise many people can no longer get to church easily but often feel they do not want to ask for lifts. Is there someone in the congregation who would be willing to coordinate, able and willing drivers to be available to give people lifts to church? If so, or you are willing to give lifts, please contact Anne Jordan.

COFFEE DUTY:  There have been occasions when no one has signed up to do coffee after the morning service on Sunday. It is not always possible for someone to just step in at the last moment so be warned that on such occasions there will be no coffee available.

TAUNTON FOODBANK APPEAL: Stocks are at their lowest for 7 years and over the last few months we have given out over a tonne and a half more food than has been donated. Please check the website . https://taunton.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/ to find out what food is needed. 

From Methodist News …

METHODIST LEADERS JOIN PRAYERS FOR NEW PRIME MINISTER:

“As Church denominations, we share a vision of a society where the poorest and most marginalised are at the centre, where refugees are welcomed, where the environment is renewed, where a just economy enables the flourishing of all life.”

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference have joined other church leaders in a letter to Andy Burnham. The letter assures the new Prime Minister of the prayers of churches across Britain and offers partnership in working for justice and peace calling for a government “of integrity that pursues justice and peace and seeks to serve the common good." Read the full letter here

TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS REMEMBERED BY THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT: One of the famous ‘Tolpuddle Martyrs’ has been commemorated in an “incredibly moving” graveside ceremony at a festival in their honour, attended by the President and

Vice-President of the Methodist Church. Read more here.

METHODIST CHURCH CONTINUES SUPPORT IN VENEZUELA: The Methodist Church is continuing to support communities affected by the horrific recent earthquake in the country.
Watch the video here

SWPD eNEWS:
Follow this link for more information about the Newsletter, or visit the SWPD website 

From Methodist Publishing ...

New Products

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Reflecting on Holy Communion. Using contemporary Christian art and quotations from a variety of worship sources, Share this Feast offers a compelling devotional starting point for individual or group discussion.

Our Church's Future Story
Growth planning resource pack containing a booklet and activity cards

A Methodist Way of Life Pocket Guide - Order here

Connexional Year 2025/2026 resources
Essential resources in the Methodist Church to fulfil Our Calling of responding to God’s love in Christ and living out its discipleship in worship and mission.

Methodist Prayer Handbook: The 2025/2026 Prayer Handbook.
Our Story, Our Song calls upon the Methodist people to join in a soul expedition deep into the heart of our calling, journeying afresh into the story of grace and the vocation that God has placed upon us – learning to live, work, pray and play in ways both true to our roots and open to the presence of God in the songs and stories of others.
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New releases from Methodist Publishing and other products of interest to Methodists can be found here.

The Methodist Church Learning Network 

The role of the Learning Network is to equip and resource the Church through a wide range of learning and development opportunities. The Learning Network works together connexionally, on national projects, and in regional teams, in delivering regional training and learning events. 

FREE TELEPHONE PRAYER AND NEWS

Prayers and news from the Methodist Church.

Listen to a prayer:   0808 281 2514

Listen to news:        0808 281 2478

Content is updated every Thursday afternoon.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER SCAMS

Please be aware that unfortunately in these uncertain and difficult times when we may be more vulnerable than normal, there are people who are taking advantage of our desire to communicate with one another via social media. Other routes used include cold calls on your phone, text messages or emails, and bogus websites. The following websites have advice on recognising and reporting scams, and what to do if you think you have fallen prey to a scam.

Recent scams include recorded messages purporting to be regarding misuse of your online shopping account or internet service. Please hang up immediately and use call blocking if you have it (1572). Others try to get bank account or card details by purporting to be from warranty firms for white goods extending your protection or warranty. Some are calls impersonating the NHS, well-known government organisations, or law enforcement agencies - these will not call by phone or text and will never ask for bank or card details.

If someone you don't know contacts you by phone, text, email, social media, or at your home unexpectedly
CHALLENGE - Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests that don’t feel right.
DECLINE - Do NOT respond to electronic messages by following links or recorded phone messages by pressing numbers. NEVER give out personal information such as bank details, bank card numbers, passport numbers, NHS numbers, National Insurance numbers or passwords.
CHECK - Only use official websites, postal addresses or phone numbers to contact people if you are unsure - do NOT use the contact details provided by those you are suspicious of.
REPORT - Let someone know. Especially if you believe you've become a victim of fraud, or you can stop someone else becoming a victim.

UK Government - Avoid and report internet scams and phishing

Citizens Advice - Check if something might be a scam

Age UK - Scams and fraud

National Cyber Security Centre:
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.

Action Fraud:
If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft, you should report this directly to Action Fraud either online; actionfraud.police.uk or via phone 0300 123 2040.

Crimestoppers:
If you have any information relating to vaccine fraud you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers COVID Fraud Hotline online; covidfraudhotline.org or phone 0800 587 5030.