Notices
Notices for the week beginning
14th April 2024
14th April 2024
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.
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 / COFFE-PLUS:
Every Wednesday at 10:30am.
Next on Wednesday 17th April. This week's activity, flexercise.
MIDWEEK SERVICES:
Every Wednesday at 12:15pm in the chapel followed by a light lunch.
Next on Wednesday 17th April, led by Rev Deborah Kirk.
CHURCH LUNCH:
Normally on the third Wednesday of the month 1:00pm in the hall.
AGE UK INDOOR KURLING:
Takes place weekly, on Thursdays, from 10:00 – 12:00 noon.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON GROUP:
Meetings take place on third Thursday of each month at 2:30pm in the hall.
The next meeting on Thursday 18th April, Life in an Amish Community – Anne Cattoor
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: The weekly notice sheet will continue to be produced and sent to anyone who would like a copy by email, as will the monthly Circuit Link magazine. If you would like to be added to the mailing list or have items to be included, please contact Anne or Hazel Jordan.
CIRCUIT LINK: The monthly Circuit Link magazine will also continue to be produced and sent to anyone who would like a copy by email. If you have items for the next magazine or would like to be added to the mailing list please contact Janet Dickinson.
PASTORAL TEAMS: While we are unable to meet in person a new telephone contact list has been drawn up and circulated to keep us in touch. Please contact Anne Jordan for more information.
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.
Reduce Single-Use Plastics Plastic is everywhere. It's fantastic stuff but we have an unhealthy addiction to it and it’s clogging up our oceans and planet like nobody’s business. Every piece of plastic ever made is still in our environment. It takes 450 years for one plastic bottle to break down, and even then it becomes microplastics that end up in our food. Reducing single-use plastic packaging is an easy way to have a positive impact.
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.
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.
EASTER OFFERING ENVELOPES: Thank you to all who supported the Easter Offering this year. We are able to send £179 plus Gift Aid envelopes to Methodist World Mission Fund. Many thanks.
CUTTACK EVENING: Thursday 18th April at Temple. Apologies, please note, this event has had to be cancelled.
QUEEN’S COLLEGE QUIZ NIGHT: Some of the sixth formers at Queen's College are organising a fundraising quiz on Friday 19th April at 6.30 pm at Birchall Hall (prep school) for a family they met last summer in Cambodia whilst on their trip with EDUKID. Mao recently lost her husband in a tragic road accident, leaving her with three young children. Mao's eldest son (14) has left school to work to support the family and Mao also works full-time at a local school making around £50 a month. They currently live in a temporary metal hut which Mao built herself on land which they do not own. Living in such uncertainty is an immense struggle. The sixth formers hope to be able to buy Mao a plot of land to offer her some security and something she can pass on to her children. It would change her and her family’s future. Everyone is most welcome to come and join the quiz - we can allocate teams on the day or you can enter a team of 6. It's just £5 per player with any extra donations most welcome. To book a spot please go to: https://tinyurl.com/queensquiz . There will also be a raffle on the evening and we are in need of some non-alcoholic prizes (chocolates etc.). If you would be willing to donate a prize please email Richard Kelley at rpk@queenscollege.org.uk . Thank you.
DISTRICT SYNOD: Our Circuit is hosting the Plymouth and Exeter District Spring Synod at Temple on Saturday 27th April. This is a big event and we need some help with stewarding on the day. Firstly, there will be a need for 'Marshals' to direct from the main multi storey car park in the High Street, from the bottom of the Crescent, and from the Market House (for those who use the Park and Ride to travel into Taunton). If you are able to offer as a 'Marshal', from about 9.15am until the start of Synod at 10.30am, please would you get in touch with Hazel Jordan hazelj@templetaunton.uk . There is also a need for Refreshment Stewards to assist in the serving of tea/coffee on arrival, during lunch, and at the close of Synod. If you can help with one of the slots, please contact Joanna (01823 275765 or enquiries@templetaunton.uk )
WORK-WISE AGM: Everyone is welcome to attend the Work-Wise AGM on Thursday 2nd May at 7.30pm at Temple.
VINEYARD TOUR AND WINE TASTING: Saturday 18th May, 2.00 pm at Herons Farm Vineyard, Honiton, Devon EX14 3NZ. The cost per person is £15.00 for the tour ( approx 90 mins )and sampling the wines. Tour numbers need to be booked in advance so if you would like to join the tour please confirm to Chris or Alison Mitchell by Saturday 20th April . Herons Farm also has a restaurant for lunches/ afternoon tea (would need to book direct at heron-farm.co.uk ) if you would prefer not to take the tour but would still like to come.
ROOF FUND UPDATES: See Temple Roof Scheme
Celebration Sunday 17th March 2024, we are celebrating the completion of our new roof in our morning service. We are grateful to all who have helped to complete this project so successfully: our architect Mark Taylor, our building contractor, Wrencon and specialist solar panel installer, Jowett and Jowett. Grants have been given in support and we are hugely grateful to those who have given the grants.
These were:
• Valencia Community Fund
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• National Churches Trust
• Benefact Trust
Our congregation and members of the community groups who meet here have been wonderfully generous with their support and giving so that we are on course to achieve the financial target which we set ourselves for this project. We are very grateful for the bequest which will be used towards paying for the cost of the roof scheme. Thank you to all who have been involved in the successful completion of our new roof. We give thanks for the vision, the skills and the hard work which have supported the task. And most of all we give thanks to God for his faithfulness throughout the years as he has guided and enabled the work and witness of this church to the present day.
PEMD eNEWS:
This month the Plymouth and Exeter District eNews features our Circuit. Click here to view the eNews.
NATIONAL GARDEN DAY: This Sunday, 14 April, is National Gardening Day. Watch this video of Sprowston Methodist Church in Norwich who are using their grounds and garden to provide a space for the local community to come together and connect with nature. Watch the video here.
HOW TO PERSEVERE WHEN THINGS ARE ROUGH: To celebrate the launch of the new A Methodist Way of Life discipleship toolkit, the Evangelism and Growth team is producing a new monthly blog series on leadership and culture change. This month’s blog shares some insights on how to persevere when things are rough – a situation every leader faces at some point. Read the blog here.
A VISIT TO MOZAMBIQUE: Revd Dr Andrew Ashdown, the Methodist Church in Britain’s Partnership Coordinator for Africa, has written about his visit to Mozambique where churches are supporting agricultural development and the provision of clean water in rural areas. Read his blog here.
THE FIRST WELLBEING OFFICER IN CORNWALL: Tracy Collins becomes the first appointed Wellbeing Officer in the Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly Methodist District. Since starting her position, she has seen the importance of educating people on caring for themselves and others. “We see the urgency, with our ministers and the lay staff exhausted. It is difficult for ministers because many don't see what they're doing as work.” Read more about her role.
Easter Offering 2024 'Let Justice Roll'
This Easter Offering 2024 service tells stories of people standing for justice, persisting in the face of setbacks and taking up the challenge anew as circumstances change. Some stories show how people now have hope because justice has 'rolled' into their lives.
Let Justice Roll offers churches, circuits and districts a celebration of God’s just purposes across the wider world. It includes the dedication of the Easter Offering donated to the World Mission Fund of the Methodist Church in Britain, working with over 100 Partner Churches and organisations around the world. More here.
Connexional Year 2023/2024 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 theme for the 2023/2024 Prayer Handbook is ‘The Greatest Commandment’: Matthew 22:37-39. Further inspiration for the prayers comes from Acts 2.
Imagine the Church filled with a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and completely dependent on the sovereign work of God. Imagine the Church filled with people wholly focused on loving God, loving our neighbours and loving of ourselves.
This year's Prayer Handbook contains prayers calling for the Methodist Church to be the Church that God desires; and that explore how we should live out Our Calling, as we respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ through discipleship, worship and mission.
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.