My name is Jane Maycock, and I am interim team vicar in the Cartmel Peninsula with responsibility for Allithwaite and Flookburgh.
Whether you are visiting or would like to come to join us I look forward to welcoming you.
At St. Mary’s we work very closely with the other churches in the team, especially St. John’s Church, Flookburgh, and with the other denominations in the area. We are part of Churches Together in Grange and area.
As well as myself, there a wonderful team of volunteers who help to lead our worship at St. Mary’s and make the church the friendly and welcoming place that it is.
Churches Together seeks to share fellowship and worship among the variety of churches we are blessed with in this area. We wish to share all we have in common, whilst celebrating the diversity that different approaches bring. We do this by meeting four times a year with representatives from each church to plan outreach to all areas of the community.
We hold services where we all meet together, and share in themed events such as Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Lent Lunches, Easter Sunrise Service and Christian Aid Week. We also join in social events such as Praise on the Lake and Open Garden Parties. Through all our activities we aim to show the love of God by word and deed.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16)
Jesus said: “Love each other. Just as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
The Pastoral Care Team is dedicated to supporting all people through life transitions and times of need. We will offer a sensitive and confidential presence. We will care for all people whether they be members of our congregation or not.
We visit people who have come to our attention mainly through church contacts. These include some in nursing and residential homes and some who need support because of illness or bereavement. Visits are made to hospitals and individual homes as appropriate although, of course, St. Mary’s Church itself continues to be a place where local people meet, worship and find support. Holy Communion is taken to the local Care Homes.
A number of our members have undertaken training in bereavement counselling and following a “Churches Together” initiative, we have tried to establish a ‘dementia friendly ‘church. Those with other conditions such as impaired vision are catered for by having enlarged print folders available for services and the parish magazine is available on a memory stick. A “sound loop” is available in church for those with hearing aids.
Before the current pandemic required us to halt services there was for those for whom attending a Sunday morning service is difficult, a “Tea Service” held every third Monday of the month at 2.30 p.m. at the URC Church Hall in Grange. This was a short, traditional service lasting no more than half an hour led by different church members. At present this is suspended but should return once the restrictions are lifted.
As well as supporting all people in our church family, we also aim to be alert to the needs of those without any church links, as well as newcomers to our area, to ensure that they are made welcome and are able to feel part of our extended church family. As always, your prayers for our efforts are needed and will be much appreciated.
The team can be contacted via the co-ordinator Isabel Davey on [email protected].