Notices

Notices for the week beginning
7th December 

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 Kathryn Turner 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 10th December. Join us for a drink and a chat.
MIDWEEK SERVICES:
Every Wednesday at 12:15pm followed by a light lunch.
Next on Wednesday 10th December led by Sue Parker
CHURCH LUNCH:
Normally on the third Wednesday of the month 1:00pm in the hall.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON GROUP:
Meetings take place on third Thursday of each month at 2:30pm in the hall.
Next meeting will be our Christmas lunch together on Thursday 18 December at Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club (Please ask for details).

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.

TEMPLE CRAFT FAIR:  Thank you to everyone for all their hard work either making crafts throughout the past year,  or showing folk how to produce their own crafts on the day. Thank you also to all the folk who came along to support the event.  So far around £440 has been raised for Church funds. It was a lovely event  Thank You.

POP-IN: Pop-in for this Wednesday 10th December, will include coffee or tea, table top games and time spent planning the programme. after Christmas. Lunch follows the mid-week service.  

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL: Bridgwater Methodist Church have invited us to take part in this year’s Christmas Tree Festival which takes place from Sunday 6th December. If anyone is interested in helping to decorate a tree, please speak to Sheila Robertson.

ADVENT TAIZÉ SERVICE:  Saturday 6th December, 7.00 pm at Rowbarton

FAMILY CRAFTS & CHRISTINGLE:  Families are invited to a time of festive crafts, finishing with a Christingle Service and refreshments on Sunday 7th December from 3-4pm at Temple.  Please let Joanna know by Friday 5th December if you will be coming along.  Thank you.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH: on Thursday 18th December at Pickeridge Golf Club.  Everyone welcome.  Please see  Diana Atkinson for details and let her know if you would like to come.

CHRISTMAS ‘AFTERNOON TEA’: As usual, we will be offering an ‘Afternoon Tea’ prior to the Carol Service on Sunday 21st December. The tea is at 3.30pm and the Carol Service starts at 5.00pm. Tickets will be available from the Stewards from Sunday, 30th November; there is no charge, but we do need an idea of numbers for catering purposes. Please also tell the steward of any special dietary requirements.

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 …

YOU ARE A GIFT. MADE WITH LOVE - THE METHODIST CHURCH LAUNCHES GIFTED FOR CHRISTMAS:  The Methodist Church in Britain has launched its national Advent and Christmas campaign with its first-ever outdoor advertising promotion. 

Throughout the first two weeks of December, posters carrying the theme 'Gifted' and the strapline 'You are a gift. Made with love', will appear on bus stops, roadside displays and other high-footfall locations. The campaign encourages passers-by to reflect on the ways they bring light to others at this time of year – whether through generosity, service, hospitality or simple presence. 

Gifted tells the real-life story of Sue, a member of King’s Cross Methodist Church, as she discovers faith through a chance invitation at a local restaurant. As her story unfolds, Sue realises that not only is the church community a gift to her, but that she can be a gift to others.

Unwrap what that means for you this Christmas with the Methodist Church

ADVENT WITH THE PRESIDENTS: THE GIFT OF JUSTICE: Each week of Advent we join the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference as they unwrap a gift. This week they consider the gift of justice. 

Watch the video here

THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS, THE GIFT OF CHRIST - KEEPING OUR CELEBRATIONS CHRIST-CENTRED THIS CHRISTMAS:  "If we want to be a Christian country that has put Christ back into Christmas, we have a long way to go! Ebenezer Scrooge’s life was changed in Charles Dickens’ story. My prayer for us all this Christmas is that our lives are changed: that we truly hear the message of the angels and see God’s love revealed in the Child in the manger and learn to show that love to all around us, whether they are like us or not."  The Revd Dr Mark Rowland, Secretary of the Faith and Order Committee, asks how we ensure that the good news of Christ's birth remains at the heart of our national festive celebrations this year.  Read Mark's blog here.

10 TIPS FOR A GREENER CHRISTMAS - NET ZERO:  The path to achieving Net Zero can be daunting, especially at Christmas when we are tempted to indulge!   Discover what can we do to be more planet-friendly and economical this Christmas.  Read the tips here.

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY:  On Wednesday 10th  December, people around the world will mark Human Rights Day. Human rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) include the rights to life, free elections, a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from torture and freedom from discrimination.   Alex Clare-Young from JPIT considers human rights and the image of God in this blog.  Read Alex's blog here.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:  Wednesday 3rd  December 2025 was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This prayer was shared to mark the day.  Read the prayer 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.