The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, will be coming to the Diocese of Gloucester over the May Bank Holiday, Friday 24 to Sunday 26 May, to join in with our mission and vision.The weekend ends with a celebration diocesan Eucharist service at Gloucester Cathedral at 3pm. We are looking for singers of all ages and experience, from across our diocese to be part of a scratch choir. It's a very special one-off opportunity to be part of a Gloucester diocesan choir. You must be able to attend a rehearsal on Sunday 26 May at 1pm.During the service we will thank God for all the projects and places Archbishop Justin has seen and the people he has met, sing and worship, and look forward to the next season of mission and evangelism in the Diocese of Gloucester. There will be a multi-sensory play area for children and people of all ages are invited to join in with this joyful service of celebration and thankfulness.We are also encouraging people to bring a picnic to have either before or after the service in the grounds of the Cathedral.It would be very helpful to have expressions of interest in attending the service. If you’d be interested in taking part, please pass your name onto Rev’d Caroline who will report back to the organisers. To see the full programme of his visit and where else you might like to be involved over the weekend, please visit our diocesan website.
We are delighted to announce that St Mary’s has recently achieved a Silver Award in the A Rocha Eco Church Scheme. This follows on from our Bronze Award in May 2022.The award could not have been achieved without the involvement and encouragement of many people, and we are extremely grateful for everyone’s input, particularly in the churchyard.We shall be having a little break from the scheme now, but will continue with Eco Church activities, as action to prevent Climate Change and biodiversity loss is too important to be put on hold. Janet Edwards
Connecting the Community Our primary goal is to foster connections within the community. Through initiatives like Talking Cafes, we bring together residents, provide resources, and host informative sessions. We collaborate with partners to provide additional information and support – e.g. recently we welcomed the NHS outreach team. Collaborative Partnerships Partnering with local organizations, businesses, and government agencies strengthens our impact. Thanks to The Katie Haines Memorial Trust donating 80+ carbon monoxide detectors, W4W were able to distribute them among the community. Working with Gloucestershire Fire Services we were able to organize fire alarm checks to help prevent house fires. Collaboration enhances community safety and wellbeing. Do you need help with bills? Emotional support? W4W can signpost people and agencies to help. Currently we are excited to start a partnership with The Ernest Cook Trust and Foodbank for two young people starting their Duke of Edinburgh award. Promoting Health and Wellness From wellbeing walks to digital support, we're dedicated to promoting health and independence. Our efforts include providing digital literacy courses and facilitating social activities. For those unable to participate in traditional health walks we have the W4W ‘Walk and Talk’ - a low intensity walk followed by tea. Through partnerships with organizations like Active Gloucestershire, we encourage physical activity. Our peer movement class now meets every Wednesday at 09:30am in Fairford Community Centre, aiming for long-term health benefits. Supporting Families and Teens Our initiatives extend to families and teenagers, addressing various needs such as: post-natal depression support; getting back into work with CV writing; and organizing family-friendly events during half-term breaks. During last week’s half term we had 10 teenagers felting in the Church Room and 15 primary school children taking part in a craft event. By advocating for resources like local youth provisions and organizing intergenerational events, we bridge gaps between different age groups, fostering understanding and connection. Impact and Success Stories The impact of our initiatives is tangible, from providing transport assistance to mental health support. Through craft and chat sessions, access to healthy food options, and referrals to local groups, we're making a difference in the lives of residents. Our success stories highlight reduced loneliness and increased community engagement between different age groups, fostering understanding and connection. Join us in our mission to build a stronger, more connected community. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness, every contribution makes a difference. Together, we can continue to expand our reach and serve more residents. Mary Ann Wellbeing Coordinator 07555738138
