Eco-Church

Buildings

We have installed an innovative system of electric pew cushions in the nave, following our transition to all-electric heating in the church and the attached church room in November 2023. Our 3 toilets have dual flush systems and are twinned with a communal toilet in Tanzania. New projects focus on ways we can further reduce our carbon footprint now we use a green electricity supplier and inspite of having a Grade1 listed building.

Eco church 24

Life Style

Our monthly Church and Village magazine, as well as our weekly newsletters, all feature regular Eco Tips. As a Fair Trade church we use fair-traded goods at every opportunity, including church flowers and linked to this encourage the use of seasonal local produce. Our new bike stands are used by bell ringers, church members and visitors.

Worship and Teaching

Prayers for the environment are now an integral part of our weekly intercessions written by lay church members. Services at Creation Tide and on Environment Sunday are, for example, completely focussed on actions to advance the protection and restoration of God’s creation, through words, music, activities and prayer. Opportunities are used to link with children in the village Primary and Secondary schools, Beaver scout group and on our holiday activity days, via eco themes, such as recycling projects, insect pollination and clothes swaps.

Eco team and award Land

Since 2021 we have transformed our 2 churchyards with a developing plan enabling areas to be left uncut and to encourage specific butterfly and bee areas. It is still work in progress, negotiating with a contract grass cutter. We now want to encourage low growing wild flowers in the lawns. Our insects have a Bug Hotel built by a group of our young people, and the birds, some nest boxes. Other students painted blue Eco Church hearts that are around the church yards reminding our visitors of our Eco Church priorities. Our own gardener manages a collection area for grass and shrub cuttings, which are collected for ground enrichment and we have created 3 recycling bays, used by those maintaining their family graves.

Community and Global Engagement

The St Mary’s Eco Team is a recognised PCC group, meeting regularly. We are moving forward on our developments including direct links with the local community. The team ran the Eco Extravaganza in the Village Hall in October 2023, working with local groups such as Ringmer Wildflower, W.I., U3A Eco group, MU and many other local businesses each with a priority to respond to the climate crisis. From this event we have now planned 3 Environment related evening talks in the Village Hall, are leading the organisation of a Repair Café in the Village and will be continuing to organise occasional clothes swaps. Encouraging the congregation and village to respond to national and international appeals is a present focus. We encourage people to do the Big Plastic Count, take part in Earth Day and similar events and to add their voice/written support, and where appropriate their financial support, to policies backing the climate mitigation. St Mary’s is an active member of the Parish Environment Support Network of Chichester Diocese.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect.

Where and When

Our Church is open everyday between 8.30am and 4pm. Do just drop in, whether for a time of quiet and prayer, or just to enjoy the historical richness and beauty of the building.

On Sundays we meet, in the Church (details here), for our Sunday Service, which starts at 10:00am. When you arrive you will be given a warm greeting by our sidespersons (who will be wearing lanyards, so you can spot them). They will give you the hymn book and service booklet, and will happily help with any queries you might have. Do sit wherever you like!

By the way, there is no need to dress up (unless you want to). Informal, comfortable, clothes are very acceptable... but do wear warm clothes on cold days. Our pew seats are heated in winter, but we no longer heat the church itself, only the congregation, so the building can be chilly on frosty days.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it.

Our Services

The service begins at 10am. On the first Sunday of every month we hold an informal family service, with hymns, talks, prayers, and activities (for everyone who wants to join in). Other Sunday services are more traditional Eucharists. We follow the modern Anglican liturgy, with hymns, readings from the Old and New Testaments, a sermon, and prayers. The choir will sing an anthem.

At the end of all our services there is an opportunity to meet and chat with members of the congregation and the clergy over a tea or coffee (and biscuit or two).

We also hold weekday prayers and services, with a spoken Eucharist on Thursday at 10, and prayers at 8.30 every day of the week. (For more details, click here.)

Groups and Volunteering

You might like to join one of our groups, or becoming involved with our activities for young people. We also welcome volunteers to help with everything from flower arranging and cleaning to being a sidesperson. If you are interested, do get in touch using the form below.

Getting Connected

Get in touch with us to plan your visit or make any other inquiries

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Our Clergy


Rev'd David Bouskill		Rev'd Pat Benton
David has been the Vicar in charge of St Mary the Virgin since 2022.		Pat is the Curate at St Mary's as well as being a hospital chaplain.

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Revd David

Rev'd David