At present we do not have a parish branch of the Mothers’ Union at St Mary’s, but a number of the congregation are Diocesan members. The MU is involved in policy making on parenting and social justice issues of particular interest to women, as well as those of general application. It co-operates in many projects in the UK and around the world, sometimes working in areas where other forms of aid are not welcome.
Women’s Fellowship meets on the first Monday afternoon of the month (at 2.30 in The Guild Hall, St Mary’s Road) to listen to talks on a variety of subjects and to enjoy each other’s company. All are welcome from the local community as well as from St Mary’s congregation. Contact details are in the Parish Magazine.
The sick and housebound are visited, at their request, to take Communion to them or maybe just to maintain their contact with the Church. The Pastoral Care Committee maintains a list, so that who need to be visited, at any time, is known. Requests for home visits and, or, prayer in Church for someone in need may be made at any time – to the Vicar or any member of the Pastoral team and the necessary arrangements will be made.
'Nearly New'
A very hard-working
team, made up of congregation and people from Prittlewell, run this
every Thursday morning, 9.30 – 12.00, in St Mary’s Hall, (except during
January), helping to raise much-needed cash. All sorts of things may
be found to buy here, from books through hand-made greeting cards,
furnishings and clothes, toys and anything useful or interesting! On
the first Thursday of the month home-made cakes are also on sale. The
kitchen counter is open, serving tea, coffee, toast etc for a small
price and someone is usually playing the piano. Many people drop in
here each week for a sit-down and a chat and all are welcome.
Rainbows and
Brownies, Cubs and Scouts
The uniformed Guide
and Scout Associations have branches formally affiliated to St Mary’s
Church, but all are welcome to join – of any faith or none. They offer
young people a wide and varied programme of activities, both indoors and
outdoors, which encourage the development of life skills. They have a
Church Parade approximately 8 times a year, when the service is
specially ‘child-friendly’, to which all friends and relatives are very
welcome.
The Spiritual Growth Committee arranges events to help the congregation deepen their faith at all stages of Christian life, including encouraging newcomers to the Church. The aim is to make available each year:
- Two quiet days, led by the Vicar, one in Lent and the other in Advent.
- A book to be read in Lent, the cost of which is subsidised.
- Cards listing acts of worship for the periods of Christmas and Easter
- At least one course on an aspect of the Bible
- Prayer cards, both to request prayers on specific matters, and to aid personal prayer
- At least one course on what it means to be a Christian, extra to the Lent Course run each year by the Clergy
- And, if we can, a pilgrimage but this is not always possible.
This committee also oversees the prayer groups of St Mary’s. These meet at different times throughout the month to pray for our world and its people, far and wide and local and personal. Each prayer group has around six or so members and a distinctive way of praying. New groups can be formed at any time as more people want to join in. This year (2009) a Prayer Workshop was run, for our own congregation and for the Diocese of Chelmsford, to show that it is much easier to pray than many people think it is.