Mission
Local
Mission/Outreach
We have a
significant number of Occasional Offices and see these
as a way of making contact with our community. Last year
the numbers were:
40 Baptisms
15 Weddings
27 Funerals (in church)
Laity
are very much involved in the Baptism Preparation course
which is held one evening. At present laity are not
involved in Marriage Preparation or Bereavement ministry
I but we are looking for training in these areas over
the next 12 months.
There are
a number who are keen to become Servers and training is
in progress. Laity take communion to the housebound and
the elderly and local care homes. Special services are
also held at the care home in Cubbington -namely Easter,
Harvest and Christmas.
As we see
the Occasional Offices as part of our mission, we
believe it right to operate an open baptism policy and
the PCC have agreed in principle that divorced people
can be married at St Mary's.
Older
members of the congregation are establishing an outreach
initiative to young people by providing coffee and a
listening ear. This is referred to as 'Granny Watch'.
Members of the congregation distribute gifts from the
harvest services to those in need and the local care
home.
Overseas
Links/Christian Outreach
We have
supported Chris and Mary Cheals through the C.M.S. who
worked in Pakistan until the shooting there. We also
have links with Jean and Michael Hadley who have been
working for the last year in South Africa on "Gods
Little Acre" helping families who have AIDS together
with two Action Aid children.
Members
of the congregation co-ordinate door to door collections
during Christian Aid week and this is carried out by a
combined volunteer force from St Mary's and the local
Methodist Church.
Proceeds
from the Christingle Service are sent to support the
work of the Children's Society.
Last year
our congregation filled a number of shoe boxes for the
Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child Appeal.
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