About Us
www.parishnw6.com
St Mary's is an Inclusive Church welcoming all regardless of age, gender, background, ethnicity, disability or sexuality. We are also members of OneBodyOneFaith and WATCH - and believe and hope to live out an inclusive vision for the Church. Our theology and preaching is both theologically orthodox - we really do believe in God and in the good news of Jesus Christ who brings us salvation and life - and progressive on social issues because we believe that God has set us free and truly redeemed the world. We take seriously the Gospel call to care for our neighbours. Our Mission Statement is 'Offering God's love to all'.
We are known for the welcome and support we give to LGBTQIA people and we hope that we are friendly and welcoming to all the people God sends us - though, of course, all Churches say that about themselves! We are set in an inner city area with the usual mixture of wealth in some areas and real poverty in others and we reflect that in our congregational members. Our community is ethnically mixed and rejoices in the diversity of the community in which we live, work and pray.
We are closely associated with the local Church of England Primary school - St Mary's CE Primary School and we have an active Sunday school.
Our worship – with around 80- adults and 40-50 children - is centred on the Eucharist and we use modern audio visuals to enhance our worship - which is non the less fairly traditional and recognizably Anglican. We have permission to admit children to Holy Communion from age 7, after careful preparation, and confirmation for teenagers. We never turn anyone away who wants to receive Communion and many of our families choose to allow their children to receive Communion earlier.
We believe that baptism is the foundation of faith and that Holy Communion is at the centre of faithful discipleship, both for personal growth and corporate belonging.
We welcome and celebrate the ordained ministry of women in all levels of Church life.
Our Vicar is Fr Robert Thompson. You will find a warm welcome in this Church, whoever you are. Do come along and join us.