Notices

Notices for the week beginning
1st February 

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 4th February. Join us for a drink and a chat.
MIDWEEK SERVICES:
Every Wednesday at 12:15pm followed by a light lunch.
Next on Wednesday 4th February led by Robert Dunning
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 on Thursday 20 February when we look forward to the Rev Clare Callanan talking about Army Chaplaincy.

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: Wednesday 4th February begins as usual with coffee or tea and biscuits from 10.30am. The activity this week is tabletop games. If you have a game you wish to bring along you are welcome to do so. A light lunch follows the mid-week service. 

CIRCUIT MERGER ‘ANY QUESTIONS’ TIME : Tuesday 10th February, 6pm at North Curry & Curland Methodist Church. You chance to meet and ask questions about the proposed merger with South Petherton and Crewkerne Circuit.

"ALL WE CAN" SOUP AND SWEET EVENING with Ron and Anne Jordan on Friday 13th February from 6.30pm at their home. The evening will include SALT planning for 2026. Transport can be arranged please contact Anne.

CIRCUIT QUIZ EVENING: Our Annual Missions Quiz will be at Lisieux Way on Saturday 21st February. Quiz from 7.00. Meal and Hot drinks. Raffle (prizes welcome). Suggested teams of 4. Admission £8 per head. Money raised goes to support Methodist Missions Home and Overseas. Last year we approached capacity - so early booking is encouraged/recommended - to avoid disappointment (contact me). The big difference - no prizes! - just the kudos of winning, (8 rounds and 2 table-tops).

ADVANCE NOTICE FOR WORLD DAY OF PRAYER to be held at St George’s RC Church on Friday 6th March at 10.30am. More information to follow.

SAFARI MEAL: The next joint circuit Safari Meal will be held on Saturday 7th March, at Pawlett for coffee; Bridgwater for soup and Kingsbury Episcopi for dessert. Please do put this in your diaries and regard it as an opportunity to meet old friends and new.

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 …

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY:  "It was a moving ceremony and the testimony of survivors continues to remind me of the need to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive, not least because the remaining survivors are so few."   The President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Richard Andrew, and the Assistant Secretary of the Conference, the Revd Micky Youngson, attended a commemoration on 27 January, Holocaust Remembrance Day, to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, the millions more murdered under Nazi persecution and to remember where persecution led in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.  The ceremony was hosted by broadcaster and BBC journalist Clive Myrie. The Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, commented: “Holocaust Memorial Day brings communities together from across the UK in collective remembrance and reflection. Prejudice still continues today within our communities and around the world, and this national day is an important reminder of where it can lead. As we grow more distant in time from the Holocaust, and we are able to hear first-hand the histories of fewer and fewer survivors, the responsibility to remember becomes more important than ever." 

Read Richard's post on Facebook here.

PRAYERS FROM THE METHODIST CHURCH:

February is LGBTQI+ History Month, Read the prayer here.

World Cancer Awareness Day takes place on Wednesday 4th  February.  Read the prayer here

CHURCH OF SANCTUARY:  Evesham Methodist Church has been recognised as a Church of Sanctuary. It is the first church in Worcestershire to receive the national award.  The award was presented to Evesham’s new minister, the Revd Patricia Mukorombindo, and South Worcestershire superintendent the Revd Liz Harris at a special ceremony held on 11th January. Read more here.

CREATIVE PLAY IN SHEFFIELD:  A creative play space where imagination comes to life has opened at Broomhill Methodist Centre in Sheffield.  Mini Broomhill is a play town designed for children to have little adventures with their grown-ups and is part of the centre’s plan to create more space for families to play, and connect with others in a vibrant community hub.  Read more here  

WILL ANYTHING OTHER THAN MIGHT BE RIGHT? - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:  "Typically, it is the least powerful nations (and people) that bear the brunt of injustice and war, meaning international co-operation and the avoidance of war can have clear advantages. For the powerful, who believe they will win wars and believe they can prosper or even dominate by themselves, co-operation looks less essential and war more acceptable."  Paul Morrison from the Joint Public Issues Team asks, "Will anything other than might be right?" as he reflects on the recent escalation of international tensions, especially by the United States.  Read the blog 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.