On 17th July St Mary’s was awarded Bronze Status in the Eco-Church scheme - read Rosemary's introductory article below. For more info on the Eco-Church programme see https://arocha.org.uk/what-we-do/eco-church/ St Mary’s is a grade 1 listed building, deservedly so, it is a beautiful church dedicated in 1500 so being awarded an Eco-Church bronze award is very gratifying. Over many years the small team have worked to fulfil our obligations to our creator God.Caring for those in need wherever they are and whatever their needs is an accepted Christian duty and a comparatively, and long standing, easy response. Caring for the rest of creation was we felt more of a challenge! But we have reduced our carbon footprint by several initiatives –LED lighting to have been the simplest and offsetting the carbon used at events buy planting a tree being a joy. We are dedicated to recycling and using ethical products wherever we can. Sharing and encouraging one another in the congregation is important.Our wild area is important but on heavy clay hard work! Easier is the releasing of butterflies on our brambles each year. Within the church we have information about wildlife and we enjoy an annual Creation week end which includes the wildflower count and a children’s activity. There is much more we do, and much more to do, but we are proud to have moved this far, so far!Well done to Rosemary for all her hard work on guiding us to this wonderful achievement - next stop on the journey Silver?
Creation Weekend 2025 7th - 8th JuneOn Saturday 7th June from 11am to noon we had our children's activity (adults were very much welcome to join in as well) titled - " I live in a hole" a come and search activity for creatures in and around the church and also the opportunity to make new homes for the endangered hoverfly. On Sunday 8th June we continue with the natural world as the theme of our monthly 10.30am Family Service, this month titled "Morph" - a 30 minute service, of hymns, prayers and and a special interactive talk - followed by refreshments. Click on the attached images of " our sculpting and forming " done during the service.
"Andrew’s unscripted talk was both interesting and intriguing. Although the title for his book comes from a poem, ‘church going’ is what he does for his living. As a stonemason he knows all there is to know about ‘stone’, where it comes from and how to work it. His first book The Stonemason was a wonderful introduction to his craft and to his career and it is this work that has taken him to so many churches and historic buildings around the country so it is no wonder that he has peeked into corners in some strange places and discovered many lost or broken treasures. His natural curiosity has led him to discover the history of and the ‘why?’ of the different parts of a church- the rood screen and the knight’s tomb and such like. With the aid of some of his photos he explained the sights he had seen and the work he has done. Andrew is obviously delighted by our church and has explored each part of it. He has cast his expert eye over our flying buttresses that don’t fly! Some of them are not attached to the clerestory wall as they should be so there has always been a question as to whether they were unfinished or were taken down. Andrew too was intrigued so he took a close look and is able to tell us that the latter would be the case. So we can be fairly sure that the nave roof was originally of stone. The falling spire probably damaged it. The replacement wooden ceiling, so much lighter, didn’t require the support of the buttresses and so where partially removed. Thank you to all who came and gave so generously. And if you missed the talk and would like a copy of Andrew’s book we still have a couple of copies of both and delightful reads which won’t bog you down; phone 01380 870119 Andrew is also giving a talk in Frome on July 7th and having a Carving Workshop on July 5th again in Frome both as part of the Frome Festival - see their website for more information Home - Frome Festival
What is an LPA (Lay Pastoral Assistant) Lay Pastoral Assistants are people within the Church who are trained and authorised to engage in Pastoral Ministry on behalf of the local church working as part of a team of clergy or laity. Duties may involve:-visiting people at home or in hospital, working with children and young people, visiting and supporting the recently bereaved. They might also help and support those preparing for Baptism Confirmation and Marriage. Their role can also include administering Holy Communion to people in their homes or in hospital. My Journey Following a couple of surgical visits, I came away believing that I need to use my time wisely and give something back to the Church. After speaking to Father Tony Longdon, he suggested why not become a Lay Pastoral Assistant. With further research I set on my journey. Firstly, with Tony’s help I prepared for Confirmation which was held along with 65 others in Salisbury Cathedral on the 2nd of November 2024. Next came the ten-week LPA course itself and this was set up by Rev Jake Eggertsen of St James’ Church Trowbridge. He managed to persuade two lovely ladies to help and lead me through the course and my continuous journey. The course covering may subjects and quite in–depth discussion. I successfully completed the course on 20th March 2025. This leads to completing the initial process which is a Commissioning Service to be held at St Mary’s Church Steeple Ashton on 25th May at 6.30pm. Why not come along? Nigel Brown
