Notices

Notices for the week beginning
6th September 

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:
Normally every second  Sunday of the month. Next is in October.
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:
Normally every Wednesday at 10:30am.
Next on Wednesday 9th September. Join us for a drink and a chat.
MIDWEEK SERVICES:
Normally every Wednesday at 12:15pm followed by a light lunch.
Next on Wednesday 9th September, led by Susan Parker.
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 from September to May. The first meeting at Temple will be on Thursday 15 October when Sheila Rudofsky will share memories of missionary work

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 Worship Resources 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.

FLOODS IN NEPAL: We have seen the dreadful pictures on our television screens of loss of life and destruction in Nepal caused by the devastating flooding on 26th August. If you wish to support those affected by this disaster there will be collection plates by the doors as you leave this week and at the Circuit service next week. We have decided to send the donations through the United Mission to Nepal (UMN) who have launched an appeal and are in a good position to provide support. Many thanks.

PROPERTY UPDATE: There is now a Defibrillator in the corridor behind the Sanctuary. This has been funded by a portion of a very generous bequest from one of our late members and a donation of £200 from the U3A.

POP-IN: Pop-in this Wednesday 9th September will start as usual with coffee and chat time from 10:30 am and is open to anyone who would like to drop in. When ready, either in house flexercise or table top games are available. The light lunch follows the mid-week service.

HEART OF WESSEX CIRCUIT SERVICE: On Sunday 13th September there will be no morning service in our circuit. However at 3pm, we shall be holding a special service to celebrate our new identity as the Heart of Wessex Circuit. This will be a Circuit service for all our churches, our Chair of District, Revd Dr Dan Haylett will be preaching, and we would love you to be there on this special occasion. There will be a Faith Tea to follow the service. Please do plan to come along!

ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING: All are invited to our church's General Church Meeting on Saturday 19th September, refreshments at 10am for a 10.15 start until 12noon. This is the main opportunity of the year for all of us in the church to assess our work and mission, and to share ideas about how we can respond to Christ’s call over the coming year. Every single person is a unique and valued part of the Body of Christ in this place, and all are invited, members and non-members alike. So I hope that you will feel that it is important you come and contribute to our time together. Deborah

FILM NIGHT: On Friday 25th September we will be showing the film The Sheep Detectives starring Hugh Jackman. The Sheep Detectives follows a flock of clever sheep who, inspired by nightly mystery readings from their shepherd, set out to solve his sudden death. Blending cozy whodunnit intrigue with humour and heart, it’s a story about friendship, memory, and embracing loss. 6.30 pm for pizza and pudding followed by the film at 7.30 pm. Let Hazel or Anne Jordan know if you would like to come.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON GROUP: This group meets at 2.30pm in Room 1, usually once a month. Everyone is invited to join the meeting. To find out more about the group or just re-engage after the break join us (Ron and Anne) for tea at their house on Thursday 17 September at 2.30pm.
The first meeting at Temple will be on Thursday 15 October when Sheila Rudofsky will share memories of missionary work.

LET'S FACE IT EXHIBITION is coming to Temple, Taunton!

This is an initiative supported by our SW Methodist District and is a powerful interactive exhibition, using audio and installations which invite visitors to engage with some of the realities of those who face Homelessness and Housing instability.
The Exhibition will be hosted by Temple, and begins with a Concert from 'The Night Pianist' - Rhys Wynn Jones, beginning at 7.30pm on Friday 16th October.
The Exhibition will then be open from Saturday 17th October through to the following Thursday 22nd October, with timed slots throughout the days.
You can see a youtube clip of the Exhibition at one of our District Churches here, and a news item here.

We are looking for volunteers from across the Heart of Wessex Circuit to greet and interact with visitors, and help host the space.
If you would like to offer for one or more of the time slots, please would you pass your name to Kevin Rigg as soon as possible please, so that a rota can be compiled.
Times of opening for the Exhibition – 3 hour slots:
Sat 17th 10 am – 1 pm, 1 pm-4 pm
Sun 18th 10 am – 1 pm, 1 pm-4 pm
Mon 19th 10 am – 1 pm, 1 pm-4 pm, 4 pm – 7 pm
Tues 20th 10 am – 1 pm, 1 pm-4 pm
Wed 21st 10 am – 1 pm, 1 pm-4 pm, 4 pm – 7 pm
Thurs 22nd 10 am – 1 pm, 1 pm-4 pm

This promises to be a really important Exhibition, and we are delighted to be able to host it in Taunton.
Thank you for your interest, and for your support.

METHODIST PRAYER HANDBOOK: The Prayer Handbook provides a selection of prayers for each day of the year together with the daily readings. The 26/27 edition takes as its theme the sorrows and joys of our lives, churches and communities across the world. If you have previously ordered a copy I will automatically order the new standard A5 edition for you. If you have not had a copy before and would like one or wish to change your order please get in touch with Kevin Rigg. Cost will be £4.50 each.

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. 

HELP WITH COMMUNION:  Could you help with preparing or stewarding Communion?

1st  Sunday: Set up and clear the table or guide people to the rail.

3rd Sunday (9am): Set up and clear afterwards.

To volunteer, please speak to Hazel Jordan.

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.

COFFEE DUTY:  There have been occasions when no one has signed up to do coffee after the morning service on Sunday. It is not always possible for someone to just step in at the last moment so be warned that on such occasions there will be no coffee available.

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 MINISTRY OF PRESENCE: “Presence asks first, watches first, and joins in with what's already happening.” Community Pioneer Chaplain, Mel Brown, works ecumenically with the Anglican Church and supports new communities on the outskirts of Northampton. What’s remarkable is that there is no community centre, church building or physical space to invite people to, but that hasn’t stopped her. Read more here.

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: Bishop Samuel Kayinamura, of the Free Methodist Church in Rwanda, shares his testimony of how, after the trauma of genocide in his country during the 1990s, God’s love led him to be a peacemaker in his Church and nation. It’s a story of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, which churches may wish to include, along with Bishop Samuel’s prayer, when marking Peace Sunday on 20

September. Read more here.

LIVING OUT PEACEBUILDING THROUGH EVERYDAY DISCIPLESHIP: Would you be interested in joining a group to explore how best to support peacebuilding as part of ordinary Christian discipleship? We are currently recruiting volunteers to be part of a collaboration group on Peace, where we will share experiences, help shape future work and discern next steps together. Contact Rachel Lampard, Director of Social Justice and Social Action: Contact Rachel Lampard

MISSION AND BASKETBALL: “God is at work in these young people who are inviting their friends into their space. And God is at work through the Methodist Church and the 3Generate team, empowering young people to live out their faith all year round." As we get ready for 3Generate 2026, we look back at a project from 3Generate 2024. That year, a group from Grangewood Methodist Church in Nottingham attended a 'Dragons' Den' session and pitched an idea that has helped bring churched and unchurched young people together on a basketball court. Read more here.

A WOUNDED COMMUNITY – REFLECTIONS FROM TEESSIDE AND MIDDLESBROUGH: “We pray for healing in our communities and for people to be brought together.” Communities in Teesside and Middlesbrough have featured in the news recently. As people seek to make sense of a series of tragedies, the Past Vice-President and Regional Officer for Safeguarding – North East, Carolyn Godfrey, shares her reflections and a prayer for healing in all communities. Read more here.

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

From Methodist Publishing ...

New Products

Methodist Prayer Handbook 2026/2027
See below

On The Way
Journal for participants on a new short course creating space to pause, reflect, and explore life’s deeper questions together. It invites honest conversation, shared spiritual practices, and personal growth in community.

A Methodist Way of Life Pocket Guide - Order here

Connexional Year 2026/2027 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 2026/2027 Prayer Handbook.
"Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.” John 16:20

Our prayers share in the sorrows and joys of our lives, churches and communities across this world.
For 2026/2027, the words Sorrow and Joy are chosen like grid references on a map, compass bearings. As with many paradoxical word phrases – faith and doubt, life and death, light and darkness, noise and silence – ‘sorrow’ and ‘joy’ are like ingredients mixed and baked in a batch of bread, blended and distilled, creating the unique flavours of our lives.

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.