There are various groups associated with St Mary’s, run by volunteers. All are free to attend, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Bristol Uniform Exchange

St Mary’s is very proud to be associated with the Bristol Uniform Exchange. Many families struggle with the cost of equipping children with school uniforms and other items, and the Bristol Uniform Exchange provides free or low cost school uniform items to support families across Bristol. For more information , see their website: https://www.bue.org.uk.

Church yard gang

Whether you’re using the churchyard as a shortcut to or from Fishponds busy high street, or just wandering through for a few moments of quiet contemplation; without this dedicated group of hardworking volunteers strimming, hacking and tidying, the churchyard wouldn’t be half as enjoyable for those of us who happen across it.

The church yard has been planted with many interesting varieties of trees and shrubs which include, Magnolia, Liquid Amber, Davidia involucrata, Yew, Cedar and many more.

The churchyard gang are always looking for help, so if you’re interested please drop us a line.

Living after Loss

Living after Loss is a small friendly group that meets on alternate Friday mornings between 11.00 am and 12.00 noon, in the Parish Room, St Mary’s Church, Fishponds (behind Fishponds Park); quickest access route the Parish Room via the gate off Manor Road (blue door). Meetings are non-religiously based although there is an opportunity to light a candle and/or have some quiet time in the church if you wish.

Loss may be a bereavement of family, friend or pet or a loss such as redundancy, health problems, retirement, relationship breakdown, unemployment or other loss. The group does not provide any formal counselling but we do offer a safe friendly, quiet space to talk to any member of our group.

Meetings are informal, the group gather together over a cup of tea or coffee and light refreshments. Support comes from the members of the group who share their experiences of loss and strategies for dealing with a sad situation. Sometimes support comes from just meeting as a group and conversation may revolve around everyday life or what-ever the group wish to talk about. The group is open to all regardless of gender, age, race or religion.

Anyone is welcome to join, some of the members have been with the group since it started whilst others have come for a while until they feel they no longer need the groups’ support.

For further information please contact Lizzie on 0117 965 0856 or just come along to the next meeting

Pastoral care

What is pastoral care?  This is  a term applied where people offer help and caring to others. Pastoral Care is listening, supporting, encouraging and befriending. We have a small but caring team of people at St. Mary’s who are always happy to listen and counsel where appropriate.

If you wish to talk to one of the team please contact Graham Biddlecombe on 0117 9561544, who will be happy to help.

Saturday lunches

St. Mary’s opens its doors on Saturday afternoons twice each month from 12:00 – 14:00, giving people the opportunity to pop in for prayer, warmth, rest, contemplation or conversation.  While open we offer soup, sandwiches, biscuits and cake as well as a variety of drinks, all free of charge.

Please feel free to call and see us.  We are usually open on the second and fourth Saturday each month, a list of dates will be posted below shortly.

Fishponds Church of England Academy

The Academy, sponsored by the Diocese of Bristol, is one of the first voluntary aided primary schools in the country to convert to Academy status. Representatives from St Mary’s and All Saints sit on the Academy Board.

This is our school
Help us to make a new start
Let us show kindness in everything we do
And let there be thankfulness all around us.
May the children have faith in their souls
Let the children’s potential and courage rise up.
May respect be in our hearts.
Let our celebrations fill the atmosphere as we gather together to create our happy school
 
Let peace be with us always
 
Help us to learn, to pray, and to share our Christian values with others.
Let us have patience in ourselves and show patience at all times.
Let friendship spread all around us.
Help us to keep our faith in God and
Trust us to be thankful for all that we have in our school.
And let justice lead our lives so we can show justice and forgiveness in all that we do.
Help us to tell the truth and understand the importance of honesty and openness.
 
Let peace be with us always

St Mary’s Wives Group

With more frequent meetings than the Mother’s Union, St Mary’s Wives Group is a friendly ‘get together’ and social events are an important part of our programme.

We try to book interesting speakers to give talks on may various subjects, often including visual displays. We also enjoy quiz evenings, beetle drives, cheese & wine evenings and we also organise various day trips and theatre visits throughout the year. We support a different charity every year and host various events to raise funds.

We are always keen to meet new people, and if you are interested in joining us, you would be most welcome.

Meetings

2nd & 4th Thursday of each month
20:00hrs in the Parish Room.

Contact

Jean Button (Group Leader) – 0117 9650218