Notices

Notices for the week beginning
26th April 

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.
Next on Wednesday 29th April. Join us for a drink and a chat.
MIDWEEK SERVICES:
Every Wednesday at 12:15pm followed by a light lunch.
Next on Wednesday 29th April led  by Robert Dunning
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.

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 Home Worship 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: Pop-In this week on Wednesday 29th April starts at 10.30 am with time to enjoy a chat over coffee and biscuits.  At 11 am two young ladies, Yokie and Tomomi, will talk about their home country of Japan.

FILM NIGHT: Friday 15th May, 6.30 pm for pizza and pudding followed by the film at 7.30 pm. This month’s film is "The Choral" (12A) written by Alan Bennett and directed by Nicholas Hytner, the film tells the story of how a choral society's male members enlist in World War I, leaving the demanding Dr. Guthrie (played by Ralph Fiennes) to recruit teenagers. Together, they experience the joy of singing while the young boys grapple with their impending conscription into the army. Please let Hazel (07980136358) or Anne Jordan know if you would like to attend.
The next film night will be on Friday 17th July when we will be showing the British comedy Mother’s Pride in which a grieving family who own a failing pub have their lives changed by brewing real ale and entering the Great British Beer Awards. 

CHRISTIAN AID QUIZ NIGHT:  Bridgwater Methodist Church warmly invite you to their annual quiz in aid of Christian Aid on Saturday 16th May at 7 pm.  Charge of £5 per person to include refreshments.  Come as a team of 4 or make up a team on the night. 

ADVANCE NOTICE OF SALT+ SUMMER EVENTS:
Trip on the Duchess of Cocklemoor boat: We have booked a trip on the Duchess of Cocklemoor boat at Langport on Saturday 13th June at 2-00 pm. This is a small electric boat which will take a party of 12 on the river Parrett for a cruise of about an hour. If there are sufficient numbers there may be the possibility of a second group to follow afterwards. There is a cost of £5 per person for the boat trip. Picnic tables are nearby overlooking the river and a cream tea will be provided afterwards. If you are not keen on boats, there are pleasant walks beside the river (Parrett Trail) and then you could enjoy a cream tea afterwards with the sailors! Some transport can be provided. If you would like to book on this event speak to Graham or Janet. Advance booking is essential, and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Visit to the Avalon Marshes Centre (Somerset Levels):
Saturday 30th May, from 11.00am.  Visit the Bronze Age Day at Avalon Archaeology. This is an open air museum with reconstructions of a Viking longboat, Roman villa, Iron Age roundhouse and Saxon longhall. On the Saturday the museum will be transformed into a moment in time from 4500 years ago with craftspeople, demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages.

We propose to meet at the Centre’s café from 10.30 am for tea/coffee before going on to Avalon Archaeology (entry charge of £5.50). The visit can then be extended to a walk on the Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve if time/weather allows. There is no group visit or tour arranged so you can time the visit to suit yourself but do please let Hazel Jordan know if you are intending to come and if you are interested in the archaeology museum and nature walk. Lifts can be arranged and the site is flat and accessible. There is also a craft gallery of locally made items to explore. 

Hinkley Point Construction Site visit: We have made a booking for a guided tour of the construction site of the new power station at Hinkley Point on Wednesday 1st July at 1-45pm. This is a coach operated by the construction company and again is part of the SALT+ programme but open to anyone. There will be security requirements including details of an identity document such as a passport to be provided in advance. There is no charge for this visit which includes a visit to the Visitor Centre. Numbers are limited but if you would like to be included in this event please speak to Graham or Janet. We will need to know numbers by the end of April at the latest.

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. 

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.

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 …

WALKING THE WALK: “This pilgrimage is an invitation to let Equiano tell you his story as you walk and learn and reflect, and to connect with other remarkable stories held in the route.” Keen walkers are being sought to test parts of a new pilgrimage route designed by a Past President of the Methodist Conference and launched in honour of a pioneering abolitionist. The 80 mile Equiano Way is due to open next March and runs from Sheffield to Hull via the Epworth Old Rectory. Read more 

THE BOOK ROOM: Tucked inside Hathersage Methodist Church, a quiet revolution is taking place – one made of pages turning. The Book Room is a second-hand bookshop inspired by John Wesley’s publishing house and has quickly become a beloved stop for locals and visitors wandering through this Peak District village. Read more.

UK URGED TO CONTINUE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP: Faith leaders, including the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, have called on the UK Government to step up international efforts to encourage the phasing out of fossil fuels. Representatives of the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union and the United Reformed Church have co-signed a letter asking Ed Miliband, as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, to personally attend the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels later this month. The letter argues that the presence of the Secretary of State would convey a clear message of support from the UK for this new multilateral movement, and aid vital work to agree a detailed roadmap for a transition away from fossil fuels that is fast, fair and funded. Read more 

PAST CASES REVIEW 10 YEARS ON – WORKING WITH THE MEDIA: “...when asked where I work and/or what I do, the reply of ‘safeguarding’ will sometimes result in a frown or a cynical remark. I do not take this personally but realise there is still some way to go in enlightening people that safeguarding is about looking after each other…” Karen Allen, Regional Safeguarding Manager for the North East, shares this blog regarding the media in the series reflecting on 10 years since the Past Cases Review. Read more. 

YOUNG ADULTS AT CLIFF FESTIVAL: 22nd - 25th MAY: Alongside the main Festival programme, Methodist Young Adults have their own venue offering specific sessions aimed at those aged 18 to 30, giving you a chance to connect with others of a similar age. There’ll be a late-night Chill Lounge as well as opportunities for Bible study and worship together and workshops to discuss issues and ideas. Book now for special price tickets for young adults – £30 for ticket and camping plot. Tickets and more info here 

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

From Methodist Publishing ...

New Products
Our Church's Future Story This pack aims to give you the guidance and resources you need to develop a really useful growth plan for your church, circuit or new Christian community. The booklet explains what a growth plan is, what it should include, and how to go about creating it together. The card pack offers activities for you to use as you work on your plan as a church. The cards have been written for use by anyone in a leadership role, such as a steward, lay employee or minister. Growth planning involves the whole church and wider community, but a smaller group of people will need to lead the process. This could be the church stewards along with the minister and lay employees or, if you are creating a circuit growth plan, the Circuit Leadership Team. We suggest each member of the group has a copy of this pack.

the connexion So much more In issue 36, you can read about Bea Hulme, the Youth President, explaining why young people need encouragement, and Phoebe Parkin, a past Youth President bringing stories of hope from Colombia, where she helped young people learn media skills.

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.
Pray with Our Story, Our Song to discover A Shared Story, A Shared Harmony, A New Song, A New Chapter. Ideal for individual prayer, small groups or church devotions, this new-look Methodist Prayer Handbook offers a broader variety of prayers, greater accessibility, easy-to-use prayer prompts, guidance to form your own prayers, QR codes and links to related online content, as well as prayers for every day of the year together with the daily lectionary for the year.

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.