Notices

Notices for the week beginning
12th October 

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 15th October. Join us for a drink and a chat.
MIDWEEK SERVICES:
Every Wednesday at 12:15pm followed by a light lunch.
Next on Wednesday 15th October led by Rev Deborah Kirk
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 16th October a talk by Tim Coe from Cannington Enterprises Ltd.

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. 

GIFT DAY:  Thank you to all who have contributed to the Temple Gift Day which we held with the Harvest Celebrations last week.  If anyone missed this, a letter together with an attached envelope about the Gift Day was sent out from Rev Deborah and myself with last months Link magazines but there are more copies of the letter on the table in the vestibule - do take one!  If you are able to support the Gift Day please place your gift in one of the envelopes provided and if it is put onto the collection plate this week or in future weeks it will find its way unopened to me.  Thank you for your support and I will acknowledge gifts received.
Many thanks, Graham Dickinson     Temple Treasurer

A BIG THANK YOU to the many friends and members of Temple who supported the coffee morning for Children’s Hospice SW so generously.  The event has raised £320.
Dick and Diana Atkinson

Public Consultation on Proposals for Sunday Parking Charges: There are currently different charging principles applied across the county’s 200+ Council-run car parks, and the system has not been reviewed since Somerset Council came into being in 2023. The Sunday charging proposals are the start of a process aimed at harmonising charging practices across the county.
The aim of the proposal is to bring consistency across Somerset while also ensuring the parking service continues to be completely self-funded to cover staffing, serving and administrating penalty notices, and managing and maintaining car parks to a high level.
The proposal to consult on Sunday charges, approved by Executive earlier in the year, gives the public a chance to have their say before any final decisions are taken. The consultation on Sunday charges will run for six weeks from 8 September until 20 October. The proposals will then be considered at the Council’s Climate and Place Scrutiny Committee before final decisions are taken at Executive on 3 December. If agreed, any changes would not come into effect until 2026.

The public and businesses can take part here.

The Council’s Executive are also committed to public consultation on the potential introduction of on-street charging (after a free 30-minute stopover) and charging in free car parks. These proposals will be developed following further engagement on an area by area basis with local members and town and parish councils, and further public consultation.

As a town centre church with no attached parking these changes will affect Temple congregations and other users of the premises on Sundays.

Please remember, parking is prohibited Monday - Saturday at any time immediately outside the church on Upper High Street except for statutory exemptions. In the evening free roadside parking is available on The Crescent and the nearby Crescent and High Street (lower level only) car parks. At other times please use paid parking bays or the pay and display car parks.

OPEN DAY:  Taunton and Somerset Islamic Centre are holding an Open Day this Sunday, 12th October from 10am to 4pm. This event is being organised in response to the recent vandalism at the centre. Given the current rise in anti-Muslim hate, the organisers are understandably apprehensive, especially as this is their first event of this kind. It would be wonderful if you could show your support by attending and spreading the word among friends, family, and colleagues.

POP IN:  Pop-in this Wednesday 15th October starts with tea or coffee as usual and time to talk from 10.30am. At 11 am we have Boccia or a music session. The simple lunch follows the midweek service at 12.15pm.

BIBLE STUDY:  Our next short series of Bible studies will be an overview of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke on Monday 13th, 20th & 27th October, all at 7.30 pm in the church.

THURSDAY GROUP:  The Thursday group will meet on the 16th October when the speaker will be Mr Tim Roe,  who will talk about Cannington Enterprises. Everyone is welcome to come along. The meeting begins at 2.30pm and ends around 4pm with refreshments.

CONCERT AT NORTH CURRY:  On Friday 17th October at 7.30 pm at North Curry, Richard Llewellyn and Tim Hill  will play jazz standards, ballads, Gospel and spirituals.  Donations to Gaza relief and the church renovation fund.

AUTUMN PRAISE SERVICE at North Curry Methodist Church at 3.00 pm on Sunday 19th October.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR ALL SOULS:   This Circuit will be holding our Annual Memorial Service for All Souls at Rowbarton at 6.30pm on Sunday 26th October to remember those whose funerals have taken place over the past year.
This includes services which the ministers of this Circuit have conducted, as well as those conducted by others. Names of the loved ones we are remembering are usually read out, unless otherwise requested by the family. There is the opportunity within the service to light a candle in memory of those we continue to miss, and many have said that they find this reflective space helpful.
Loss is a part of all our lives, so everyone is welcome to attend this service, and if you would like the name of a loved one who has died in a previous year added to the list of names to be read, please would you contact Rev Deborah with the name of your loved one and the year that they died.
Refreshments will be served after the service.
There is only a small amount of parking at the church as you know, but there is free parking on Sunday at Kilkenny and on Kingston Road; we may be able to keep a space if you have mobility needs. Thank you.

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 …

A STATEMENT ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A CEASEFIRE IN GAZA

FROM THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT  "We welcome the announcement that Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of a deal that will release all hostages and see Israeli troops withdraw to an agreed line."  "Many have prayed for the release of captives on both sides and for an end to the violence. We thank God that these prayers are beginning to be answered."  The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference have released a statement on the announcement, which is available in full on our website.  Read the full statement here.

NEW ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY - METHODIST LEADERS WELCOME BISHOP SARAH MULLALLY:  "We warmly welcome the news of Bishop Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury. We pray God’s blessing upon her for this profoundly important ministry."  In a statement, the President, Vice-President and Secretary of the Methodist Conference expressed their encouragement at her appointment and the assurance of their prayers.  Read the statement here.

A REFLECTION ON THE ATTACK AT HEATON PARK SYNAGOGUE -

SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MANCHESTER CIRCUIT:  "Jews will sit around Shabbat tables, break challah bread and pass around the kiddush cup, just as has been done for generations. Yet tonight the story is marked with another scar, another wound, in the soul-full wisdom offered and shared in this world."  The Revd Dr Joanne Cox-Darling, Superintendent of the Manchester Circuit, shared a reflection on the attack at Heaton Park synagogue.  Read the reflection here.

A PRAYER TO COMMEMORATE THE 7TH OCTOBER ATTACKS:  The 7th October marked two years since the armed incursions from Gaza by Hamas into southern Israel and the taking of 251 hostages. To commemorate this, the Revd Richard Andrew, President of the Methodist Conference, shared this prayer.

Almighty God,

our deliverer,

who lifted the yoke of slavery from your people bound in Egypt,

we pray on this anniversary for all who are unjustly held captive in the holy lands.

We pray that you would strengthen and protect them

as we wait for their liberation and safe return.

Hold their families and loved ones in your care and remind us of their plight that they may never be forgotten.

As we remember them, we continue to pray that a new song of justice and peace might be sung in the Holy Land, that all may find shelter and protection under the shadow of your wing.

We offer our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

PRISONS WEEK - GOD’S WORD IS NOT CHAINED:  Prisons Week, 12th –18th October, celebrates its 50th year and remembers once again that, no matter what your circumstances, or the place in which you stand, God’s word is not chained.  Find more resources here.

Lord,

you offer freedom to all people.

We pray for those in prison.

Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist.

Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care.

Heal those who have been wounded by the actions of others, especially the victims of crime.

Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in his strength and in his Spirit, now and every day.

Amen.

VOICES FOR HAITI:  Have you heard about what’s happening in Haiti? Against the backdrop of violent internal conflict, our partners in the Haiti District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) stand strong in resistance and resilience.

Right now, up to a million Haitians face displacement due to gang violence. This is deepening the existing crises in education, health and food security, with women and girls most affected. Yet, the Methodist Church has not lost hope. On 12th January 2026, the Methodist Church is launching their Voices for Haiti campaign – an invitation to listen, learn and pray for Haiti.  Sign up 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.