Exeter Temple

The Salvation Army in Exeter exists to please God and make Jesus known.

Dear Friends,

In the light of current Lockdown restrictions announced by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and because of the seriousness and prevalence of the Covid-19 Virus at the moment, Margaret and I have made the decision that the Corps should remain closed for the time being.

With vaccinations now being made available it may be possible to reconsider this decision in the coming weeks and months. We have also consulted with our Divisional Leaders who indicated they would be supportive of a decision to remain closed and have advised that the majority of Corps in the division are remaining closed at this time. We know some of you will be disappointed, but we have to take a decision based on what we believe is the best for the Corps at this time.  For your information the hall will continue to be used by the Contact Centre and to prepare meals for the homeless and others in need.

We continue to pray for our world situation and especially for those working in key roles in our communities. Let us all hope and pray that these conditions will soon be a distant memory.

God bless you all, Gordon & Margaret

Corps Officers, Exeter Temple

Currently we are serving our community programme by providing takeaway meals on Saturday evenings from 6pm and Sunday lunches between 1-2pm.

We hold a Zoom meeting every Sunday at 4pm. Please phone the officers if you wish to access this. 

We are also unable to continue our ministry in the City Centre selling our publications but hope to resume this as soon as Government restrictions are relaxed.

We’d like to say a big THANK YOU to all of our supporters during the last year. We know how challenging 2020 has been, but we couldn’t have carried out our vital work without your help; whether you’ve donated money, your time, food items for our food banks, toys for our Christmas appeal or even just shared our content on social media, helping us to spread our message of hope.

Details of our Just Giving page can be found on the Donations Page, if you would like to continue to support our local work.

Due to the Covid-19 virus no activities are currently taking place in the Temple. 

We are praying that the following may resume in the coming months.

Tuesday evening Music rehearsals - Songsters 7pm Band 8.15pm

Wednesday evenings  Bible Studies. 

Thursday mornings 10.15 am KIT club, (Keep in touch) with coffee and/or breakfast at a local venue. Currently being held as Zoom meetings. Please phone the CO if you wish to access this.

Friday mornings 10am CONNECT club. A chance to meet and chat with coffee and a cake or participate in a wide range of activities and crafts.

Saturday mornings. Sale of coffee and cakes as part of our building fund.

UPDATED ACTIVITY 

 Major Nigel Bovey will be presenting the following -  https://christianevidence.org/2021/01/23/new-webinar-series-tackles-questions-of-our-time

At Exeter Temple 270+ gifts were prepared for local families and in excess of 100 food parcels were packaged before Christmas. The generosity of corps folk and friends and the general public enabled a surplus of gifts to be donated to the  Esther Community through the year to pass on to families in need. Christmas Day meals were delivered to 64 people.

Every week around 25 people in our Community Team make meals and sandwiches, prepare goody bags, food parcels and make deliveries to those in need.  Currently, a total of 170 + meals are prepared and given out each weekend. We are continuing to work throughout the lockdown offering practical support with meals and food parcels and spiritual support with a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on.

If you would like to help us please use our Just Giving page.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tsa-community-support-000118

Did you know that you can also raise money for The Salvation Army every time you shop at Amazon, at no cost to you?

If you shop through Smile.Amazon.co.uk you can nominate The Salvation Army as your chosen charity. Amazon will donate 0.5% on purchases.

Other retailers are available and we're sure many of you will want to shop local once lockdown is over but if you are purchasing from Amazon you can raise money at the same time.

DETAILS OF THE LENT BIBLE STUDY - This is called "The Final Week" and will be delivered on Zoom. This will be at 7pm every Wednesday during Lent from Wednesday 17th February. Please contact Major Gordon or Major Margaret if you wish to participate.

Holy Week - on Zoom - We are planning a time of meditation for Maundy Thursday on the 1st April at 7pm. Good Friday we will share together in reflection around the cross. Time to be confirmed.

Students who are studying at the University, and Education or Medical Schools are very welcome to join with us. Obviously, during this period of pandemic our normal services are curtailed, but we invite you to call our Corps Officers who can share Zoom codes etc and we hope that we can meet you face to face very soon.