Update from the Vicar

9th December 2021

Here's the link to the update

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! It was so exciting to host Clapham Terrace this week for their Christmas assembly. I’m looking forward to the family Christingle service at 4pm on Saturday and to the Carols by Candlelight service at 6:30pm on Sunday. Do come along and invite family and friends. There won’t be our 10:30 service on Sunday because of the Carols in the evening. It’s all happening this week because on Monday Outlook have their last Christmas gathering of the term and on Wednesday we have our Nursery Rhyme Nativity in church at 10am (a stay and play event). Then looking ahead there’ll be an all-age Christmas day service with Holy Communion at 10:30 on Christmas day.

Ahead of these exciting worship services and events I wanted to remind you that now’s a good time to text, what’s app and chat with friends to invite them along. Also importantly I want to update you on how we’re being COVID responsible:

COVID precautions
There was an announcement from the government on Wednesday night about the COVID Plan B, which the Church of England will be following up in the coming days. From the press release my understanding is that from this Friday we will need to wear masks in places of worship, in church services unless exempt so please remember to bring yours along including to the Christingle and the Carol service that are coming up soon. Children under 11 don’t need to wear masks.

Those at the front will remove them to be understood and to sing. Remember that it is ok to remove a mask in order to eat or drink, to be understood if the person you are speaking to is struggling to understand without lip reading and for other exemption reasons. So the main difference will be that we will be wearing face coverings throughout the service and when moving around. We will continue with other precautions like offering sanitiser and ventilating our big space, as we have done throughout. So please make use of the sanitiser and if you want to save a space on the seats near you there are flyers at the back for you to indicate this, as before. We will continue to be considerate about distancing from others and speaking up if we need more space. I’ll take this opportunity to remind you that if you get any COVID symptoms please don’t come to church and go for a PCR test, following the guidance.

We have recently heard that Rachel Tomita who we’ve really loved working with from Crossteach, will be leaving her role finishing at Christmas. Why not send her a message to thank her for her great work? CrossTeach will looking for someone to join the team so please be praying for this and pray for Jo who will continue to work solo until they can find someone great for the team. Rachel’s leadership has been brilliant and we will greatly miss her, especially in our work alongside her with Campion, like the lunch clubs and the carol services. We’re hoping to do something new at Easter too. Our Campion carols are next week so please pray for those services, they’re happening morning and afternoon over a couple of days. I’ve really valued our partnership in the gospel with Rachel and the team.

Thank you for all your faithful prayer, let’s be praying in particular for the sharing of the hope and joy and good news about Jesus in this season and we keep praying for those we love who need God’s healing. For families with children - I hope this last week of school goes well!

Hello! and a warm welcome to St Mary's church.
If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

We hope that you can visit and get to know us better, we would love to meet you!

Our Sunday Services

10.30am (refreshments after the service)

The main service begins at 10.30am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the Bible. Sometimes people share things that they believe God is saying to the whole church family. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it’s all part of our connecting with God. We share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is Bible-based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service. Holy Communion is 4th Sunday of the month. If you have any questions please ask!

6pm (refreshments after the service)

Our 6pm service is held in the Church Centre in the Lower Hall. An informal, quieter service with contemporary songs and occasional liturgy. Holy Communion is 2nd Sunday of the month.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access via the centre door, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it in the church. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a disabled toilet in the Church centre.

Newcomers Lunch

We invite everyone to be a guest at a Newcomers Welcome Lunch normally held once a term after the 10.30 Sunday service, usually in the Church Centre.

As well as an opportunity for us all to get to know one another better, you can hear more about the life and ministry of St Mary’s and how as a committed Christian you may be able to get involved.

We also have a Whole Church Sunday lunch together once a month in our Lower Hall.

Christmas inside church

What about my kids?

Children's groups run on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays of every month (except school holidays) at the 10:30 service and your kids are very welcome to join them.

Each group (excluding Crèche) includes, sung worship, Bible reading, prayer, listening to God, games, craft and food!

All groups are led by wonderful volunteers from within the church family who have completed a DBS check and are safely recruited.

Creche (0 months to 2 years). Parent supervised.
Sparklers (2-4 years)
Flames (5-7 years)
Rockets (8-11 years Junior School)
Youth (Secondary School age)

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service as we worship (sing songs), together for the first part of the morning. At some point someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. You will need to go with your children to their groups at first and register them as part of our child safety policy.

For more information about what happens in the children's work please visit the Children's Ministry page. Children return to the service before the end.

St Mary's has lots of children and families, we love having kids around and try to make them feel welcome and at home.

Hope kids pic

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Rev'd Becky Jones
Vicar of St Mary's

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Becky