About Us

We are a community made up of people of different ages and backgrounds, who are together seeking to learn more about God and express our Christian faith in worship and action. 

Our vision is to be a church "Growing in Faith, Sharing Christ's Love".  We want to achieve this through:

• Glorifying God in all aspects of our lives
• Developing our faith through prayer, Bible study & service.
• Being a church that is welcoming, caring & hospitable to all
• Serving the community
• Using all our gifts & talents
• Ensuring children & youth play a full part in our worship, mission & ministry
• Making effective use of our money & buildings

Ministry and Worship

Our ministry is led by a vicar, an honorary curate and readers. There is also a director of music, parish office staff, churchwardens and a Parish Church Council (PCC). Names and roles of those with formal responsibilities are listed on the diocesan Church Information page for St Mary's.

We have an active children's ministry, with Junior Church and crèche meeting during the 10 a.m. Communion services, and an All Age service with Parade once a month.   

Music plays an important part in the life of St Mary's.  Our choir helps lead the worship at most main services, with instrumentalists participating from time to time. Our evening services often have a more reflective or informal style.  For more details click on Services >

We have a high degree of lay involvement in services. People from the congregation read the lessons and pray, whilst our readers often lead services and preach.

We have groups organised to nurture all sections of the church community -  for details click on Groups >   There is active pastoral care for those in difficulty or special need.  

We seek to share our faith through our involvement in the wider local community - for details click on Community Links >   The welcome given to everyone has led many to grow into faith.

A Church for All

At St Mary's and St Luke's we believe that the church exists for everyone.  God cares for every aspect of our lives, and the Bible tells us about the great love he has shown us.  He invites us to turn to him with our thanks and bring him our worries and concerns.

Prayer:  People sometimes find it helpful to ask others to pray for them.  If so, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

The Christian Faith:  We run groups and courses, for example Alpha and Essence, to help people to find out more about the Christian faith and how to live our lives well in today's world.

Baptism:  If you are thinking about baptism for yourself or your children, and live in the area covered by the parish, do get in touch to find out more.

Weddings:  If you live within the parish or are on the electoral roll of the parish you can be married here.  Please contact the vicar to arrange an appointment to discuss this.

Funerals:  If your relative lived within the parish and you would like a church service, do contact us and tell your funeral director.  Our clergy can also take a service at a crematorium or cemetery.

Wider Church and World:  We support several national and international Chrisitan groups both in prayer and financially, including:

ALMA , the Bible Society, Children's Society, Christian Aid, Church Army, CMS, CPAS, Crisis, Leprosy Mission, Mission to Seafarers, Mildmay, St Luke's Hospital and locally, Welcare.

St Mary's is also a Fairtrade Church. Find out more on the Fairtrade website >>

Every month, one of these organisations features on our Charity Focus page.

Click here for Charity Links and all the charities we support >

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Images on this page © Denise Toye - www.brilliantimages.co.uk