St. Mary's Church, Grassendale, Liverpool L19 0NE

Alpha starts this week at St. Mary's, for more information please contact Alison Ellis.

180 members of L19: Messy Church celebrated Messy Christmas on 5th December with all-age crafts, Christmas puppets and turkey rolls. We look forward to the next time we meet on Sat 13th February 2010.

• See some photos!

Adoring angels and surprised shepherds helped bring the Nativity story to life at St Mary’s 11 am service with KFJ leading the whole service and young George on the keyboard. Well done KFJ!

St Mary’s Tots Team began when Rev Michael Greenwood was incumbent and a focus on welcoming parent/carers with young children became a priority. Over the last 10 years St Mary’s has invited and welcomed all ages and made a fellowship area at the back of church which especially welcomes the very young. A team of 16 now rota a welcome which focuses on young children and resources for their needs as they absorb the whole atmosphere of worship during the service at 11 am. St Mary’s is a ‘Child Friendly Church’ Awarded church which takes provision of the children & young people seriously.

On 20th September Rt Rev James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, preached at St Mary’s Praise Service and commissioned children’s leaders in a service which declared St Mary’s as a Children’s Resource Church for the Diocese of Liverpool. Linda Jones, Team Leader of the Church Growth & Ecumenism Team, described to the congregation, of all ages, what a Resource Church is. Children’s and youth leaders, past and present, were presented with long service certificates by the Bishop of Liverpool in recognition of their ministry at St Mary’s and for God. Bishop James invited every child to come forward for a special blessing and over 100 children were blessed by him during a very special time in this all-age service. St Mary’s has a story to share and would like to encourage other parishes by sharing their story so far.

Organisers of Liverpool Women’s 10K Road Race had extra help this year. St Mary’s Cub Scouts looked after the drinks station at the start/finishing post and gave out thousands of drink bottles to the runners. Members of St Mary’s Church and a Cub Scout leader were cheered on in the race. Congratulations to everyone!

You only have to look at the joy on these children's faces to understand how they all felt on Easter Day when they took their first Holy Communion before Confirmation! Between 40 and 50 children & young people have been on a six week course with all-ages through Lent, lead by Rev Paul Ellis, at each 11 am service. This interactive and visual teaching allowed all ages to ask questions and experience the awe, wonder and grace of being invited to the Lord's Table. In accordance with the Diocesan Policy and authorisation of Bishop James, St Mary's is now one of many parishes in the diocese who admit children to Communion before Confirmation. St Mary's operates an open age policy. After the service the children invited everyone to have cake to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

The April 2009 edition of the Magazine is now available for download (PDF).

St Mary's celebrate Mothering Sunday with daffodils, songs and presentations

In memory of the late Marie Wellings, a member of St Mary's Mothers' Union, a new wedding kneeler was blessed in church on Mothering Sunday. Members of St Mary's Mothers' Union took part in the service and ran a cake stall

St Mary's Scouts took off to Frodsham for their preparation for the 2 day hike & camp element of the Chief Scout Award. Each team had prepared a route card, had to navigate, use an emergency shelter and of course, make a brew!

We thank St Mary's verger, Edna, with flowers, as she retires after years of dedication to Him. Hazel takes on a new St Mary's role as verger and site manager and welcomes any suggestions for a job title as the present one is too long! Hazel's first request is for more cleaners to help on Saturday mornings as the Church has major internal work done to the walls.

The March 2009 edition of the Magazine is now available for download (PDF)

Lesley Mailey (left) and Sue Russell are re opening the St Mary’s 382nd Guide Company on 26th February. It is open to girls aged 10-14yrs. Please contact Lesley 0151 494 9682 or Sue 0151 427 3026 for information.

The February 2009 edition of the Magazine is now available for download.