– ABOUT
Volunteering
-VOLUNTEERING
Join the myriad of volunteers that help bring
St Mary’s to life.
The opportunities to volunteer are diverse, with roles ranging from Bellringers to Welcomers, Flower Arrangers to Sacristans. Our volunteers give varying amounts of time and volunteer for many different reasons.
Sacristans & Servers
We currently have four sacristans working at St Mary’s, where their duties include putting out the sacred vessels necessary for the Sunday Eucharist, such as the chalices, ciborium and cruet, as well as clean linen. Every Thursday the sacristans wash and polish the silver, and place everything in order for Sundays and weekday services, while special gold chalices and patens may also be prepared for major festivals.
Each sacristan works alone, on a rota system, but the team works together when a large amount of silver cleaning is necessary. The linen is washed each week according to the rota, and is then returned on Sunday mornings. As may be imagined, because of holidays and other commitments, our resources are often stretched.
A team of servers at St Mary’s assists at the main Sunday services, helping with practical aspects of our worship, and adding to the sense of dignity and reverence. Our serving team includes young people, and we would love for more to get involved.
The team would be delighted to hear from anyone who feels the call to assist with these duties – the commitment is just three hours a month.
For further details please contact the Parish Office.
Welcomers
We have dedicated welcomers at our Sung Eucharist at 9.30am on Sundays, to welcome worshippers to church, to hand out service books, and to identify any particular needs that anyone may have, especially any newcomers. Welcomers are also needed for our monthly Choral Evensongs and other occasional services.
If you are interested in helping with this vital ministry, please contact the Parish Office.
Bellringers
We have eight bells at St Mary’s, the bells were cast at the Mears and Stainbank Foundry at Whitechapel, in London. We have a keen group of ringers at various stages of learning. It’s a very friendly group, with Geoff Riglar, who is a very experienced ringer, acting as our instructor.
Bellringing is a very active pastime, it keeps both the body and brain active. Bellringers come in all age groups so it’s not a question of strength. Learners, new ringers, and lapsed ringers are welcome. If you would like to see how it’s done, or have a try, pop up the tower sometime. We practice on a Monday evening from 7.30 until 9.00, and we ring for service on Sunday morning from 9.00 until 9.30.
Please email the Parish Office for further details.
Flower Arrangers
At present the St Mary’s flower group, led by Blanche Williams, consists of 15 enthusiastic members, some of whom are professional flower arrangers. The team has a fortnightly rota of two members who are responsible for vases at the West End and by the pillar in front of the pulpit. The team members are responsible for keeping their vases fresh and watered during the fortnight. Throughout the church year, we also run a series of unique and special displays.
New members are very welcome and should make initial contact via the Parish Office.