Welcome to St Mary's Shortlands

Message from Revd. Gary Best

At this time we are in the middle of one of the greatest crises experienced in modern times: the spread of coronavirus.  It is my aim that, through this website, you can be kept up to date with all the latest news affecting life here at St Mary's, and you can find links to other relevant sites.

Our worship of God and our care for each other continue here at St Mary's and whilst we cannot be together in person we are still able to join together in prayer and worship.

St Mary's News Sheet 31 May - 7 June 2020

Video update from Revd. Gary on 28th April 2020

Supporting Good Mental Health

During this time of the global pandemic that is coronavirus (Covid-19), the effects of mental health issues within our communities is heightened as we have remained in lockdown for several weeks.  To recognise the scale of mental health issues within our country, and recognising this week as Mental Health Awareness Week, the Church of England has compiled a series of reflections to help provide hope, reassurance and comfort for those affected, but also an opportunity for us all to read, reflect and pray over such a serious issue that has affected many of us in some way.  The reflections can be accessed through this link to the Church of England website.

Stewardship

In the Sunday Eucharist service on 19 April, I spoke about stewardship.  Christian giving is part of our discipleship, a response to God's love.  Today, the life of the church continues in exceptionally challenging times.  Groups and individuals from St Mary's community are bringing the love of God into our community, through so many different ways, even while the church building is closed.  Yet Coronavirus is having a severe impact on our church finances - we are receiving no funds from hall hire, SPAN advertising or Sunday offerings.  But we still have building and maintenance costs, salaries and bills to pay.  St Mary's income has fallen by around £4,000 per month - and we don't know when we'll be able to start to operate as normal again.  Can you help to get your church through these challenging times?

If you feel you could contribute more to your current stewardship giving to St. Mary’s, then please amend your standing order, or, if you are part of the envelope scheme already, simply increase the amount you put in your envelopes.

If you are considering joining the stewardship scheme at St. Mary’s, please fill in the stewardship scheme form, and set up a standing order with your bank, using the following details: Nat West Bank sort code 60-04-02, Account Number 42417112 (you can use this standing order form).  If you pay tax, please do also complete and return a gift aid form - this allows us to reclaim tax on your donation at no cost to you.

If you wish to give a one-off payment, please use the above bank account details to make your payment, or alternatively, a cheque made out to St Mary Shortlands PCC, which could be dropped off at the vicarage as part of your daily exercise regime. If donating online, please let us know so that we can identify the payment. 

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich’ (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Worship at St Mary's

Live streaming of services will take place each day:

Morning Prayer: Monday - Saturday 9am

Eucharist: Sunday 10.30am

To access our live services and recordings of our most recent services, please click here.

Please click on the links below for orders of service:

• Morning Prayer
• Sunday Eucharist (to be streamed at 10.30am on Sunday 31 May)
• Pentecost Forever (to be streamed at 6.30pm on Sunday 31 May)

Visit our Coronavirus page for more information on how to access these services and other information about our response to Coronavirus.

If you are aware of anyone within our community who may be in self-isolation, unwell or alone during these challenging times, St Mary's has a team of people available to provide both pastoral and practical support to those that need it.  If we can help in any way, please email the vicar, vicar@stmaryshortlands.church, or phone on 020 8460 0262.  Please leave a message if your call isn't answered straight away.

Love and blessings

Revd Gary Best

Safeguarding
As a church we take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously: we are committed to ensuring our church and hall buildings are safe places for all.  If you have any concerns about safeguarding you can contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Kay Coleman, on 07879 337567.