Welcome

Warmest greetings from all the Church Family here at St Mary's Church, Eastwood.

Please feel free to browse around our new website where you will find important information about the worship, aims and activities of our church, including:

• What St. Mary's is about
• What's happening right now
• When are our Service Times
• Who's who in St. Mary's
• . . . and much more

If you haven't visited St. Mary's yet we would love to meet you. You will find a very warm welcome awaiting you as you arrive.

If you are new to St. Mary's and would like to become more involved we would love the opportunity to talk with you; if you would like to know more there is a contact form you can fill in and email to us.

If you would like to take a closer look at what we do, whether or not you are a member of our church, there are plenty of activities, worship and social events for everyone and you can read all about them right here. So what are you waiting for? Get your mouse roaming, do some browsing and we'll have a chat later perhaps.

Our Worship

Services for May

Calendar of Church Events

How to find us

Our Home Groups

Here at St. Mary's our Homegroups provide an important opportunity for everyone to develop their Christian Faith through Bible study, fellowship and prayer. Our aim in running homegoups is that we may all come to know Jesus Christ better and to grow in our faith together within a warm and friendly fellowship outside of our normal church environment.

What is a home group?

A home group is a small group of people who meet together on a regular basis, usually in someone's home, to enjoy fellowship, build friendships, develop and deepen their Christian faith and share what it means for them to be a Christian in their everyday lives. Of course, small groups like this help to make it easier for everyone to get to know each other and provide the support that isn't always possible in the larger church.

What happens in a home group?

All our homegroups are fairly free to choose what they do in their meetings but it is generally anticipated that each group will follow a series of topics often decided by the group themselves. In addition to bible study and prayer homegroups may run parties, visits, evenings out together or whatever. . . . ! Please don't let any of this put you off because no one will ever be asked to do anything that they don't feel comfortable with.

How often do homegroups meet?

Generally homegroups meet fortnightly on Wednesday or Thursday evenings - usually on the 2nd & 4th weeks of each month but different homegroups meet on different days and at different times to suit their members. Of course, it is not a requirement that members should attend every homegroup meeting and no-one will ever be made to feel guilty when they are unable to make it.

How do I join a home group?

Anyone is welcome to join any of our homegroups at any time. If you would like to join one of our homegroups please contact the Rev. Stevenson in the first instance.

Are there any home groups running at the moment?

Existing Homegroups and Leaders:

Wednesday Meetings:
 
• Mr. Don Chambers
• Mr. John Keetch
• Mrs. Judith Queripel
• Mr. Geoff Lomas
• Mrs. Margaret Panter

Thursday Meetings:
 
• Rev. David Stevenson
• Ms. Peg Dawson (afternoon)
• Mr. Duncan Bridgeman (Young People 20+)

Wives Group

Friendship Club

St Mary's and Mission

Policy

St Mary's tries to be an outward looking church, caring for the community locally and further afield in a needy world.

History

Members of St Mary's have developed links with many different Christian Societies over the years which seek to share the love and the message of Jesus through their work. Some are in this country such as Framework, with its work for the homeless in Nottingham city and county. The Children's Society is also a favourite of many, and they show their support by collecting small change in a box throughout the year. Both these societies receive support from the general congregation too at various Christmas Carol Services.

The other local society which receives regular support is the Diocesan one for Adoption and Care called Family Care

 

For further information about their vital and lively work, please click on their individual logo

Giving to mission policy

The PCC has agreed to send 2.5% of its income from regular giving to the above four societies.
There are also other occasional events at which money is raised and shared between these Societies such as: Our giant Christmas Card, Lent soup lunches and collections in a Lent box. Other initiatives are always welcome. If you would like more detail about giving, how money is raised for Mission or have an idea for our Missionary events please contact Margaret Panter (0115 854 7143)
A small group of church members, representing our Missionary societies, meet as often as necessary to plan and pray for our nominated Missions. New members are always welcome.

Youth

At St. Marys we have a Child Protection Policy which is actively applied and monitored.
Our Child Protection Officer is Mrs Marion Bescoby.

Creche

Baptism

In Baptism children join the church family. Parents and God parents promise to bring up those who are baptised to be faithful in public worship so that they come to confirmation.

At St. Mary's we recognise that some parents may not feel able to make the commitment involved in Baptism and instead may chose to have a service of thanksgiving for child birth. During the service prayers of thanksgiving for the safe arrival of the child are said and God's blessing is sought. A service of thanksgiving does not involve the church family and can be arranged at a convenient time. This does not preclude the child being baptised at a later date.

Please contact our Priest in Charge to arrange for a mutually convenient time to discuss the options in greater detail.

Weddings

Here at St. Mary's we believe that the best venue for a wedding service is your local church and now new rules make it easier to get married in a variety of different churches and not just in the parish where you live.

For example - You can now qualify to get married in a church if:

• One of the parents lives in the parish.
• You were baptised in the Parish.
• You may even be able to get married in church if you have been married previously.

If you are interested in having a church marriage and would like to know whether or not you qualify you can contact us to arrange an appointment with one of our Clergy using the our contact form.

We would love to work with you to make your wedding day a special day to remember.

You can learn more about planning your church wedding by visiting the Church of England's Wedding website at http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/

The Alpha Course

For those who are new to the Christian faith, each year we run a ten week introductory course called The Alpha Course. This course has been highly successful in the UK attracting over two million people since it started in 1993.

St. Mary's introduced the Alpha course several years ago and, as a result, many people have been blessed with coming to know Jesus Christ for themselves. Indeed everyone who has attended the course has found his or her faith strengthened and has also built new lasting friendships.

Why not come along and see for yourself!

What is Alpha?

The Alpha Course is for anyone interested in finding more about the Christian faith and people of all ages are most welcome.

It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time!

People meet, listen to talks (often on video), eat together and share ideas in small groups making it an ideal opportunity to get to know and help one another. It is also an opportunity to share your own views and discuss issues raised in the talks.

Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile.

Who is Alpha for?

The Alpha Course is for Everybody!

• Those who want to brush up on the basics
• New Christians
• Newcomers to the Church
• Those who feel they never really got going as a Christian
• Anyone wanting to investigate Christianity

How does it work?

The course is run over 10 weeks and begins with a simple meal together followed by a talk and an opportunity to discuss any questions.

What will it cost?

There is no charge for attending the Alpha Course here at St. Mary's.

How do I join the next course?

If you are not sure or wondering what's it all about, please have a chat with our clergy or for more information contact our Priest in Charge David Stevenson.

For more information about Alpha go to: http://uk.alpha.org/

Sermons

Who's Who

Our Church Leadership