Groups at St Mary's
Craft Group
The Craft Group meet on Monday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm in the Choir Vestry except for the third Monday when the Monday Club takes place in the hall. Just come along with anything you are making – knitting, sewing, drawing, painting, etc and join us for a natter and tea & coffee.
Contact: Cynthia Fry,
Telephone: 01305 573 076
Lay Pastoral Assistants
We have six LPAs at St Mary’s who regularly take communion out to the sick and do hospital and pastoral visiting. There is a votive candle stand and a book for prayer requests which are offered up each Sunday.
A Sung Eucharist with Healing usually takes place at 9.45am on the fifth Sunday of the month, where the laying on of hands and anointing is offered
Contact: Kath Joslin
Telephone: 01305 268 803
Olive Branch
Olive Branch meets for coffee on the first Friday of the month at 10.30am at Crossroads Cafe, Crown Street, Poundbury. Usually 10-12 ladies from St Mary's meet for coffee and a chat and we welcome anyone to come to join us.
Contact: Joyce Potter
Telephone: 01305 262 041
St Mary’s Garden Group
A church garden group was formed in 2015. Much has been achieved. A south-facing hydrangea border was planted in 2016, and the two memorial areas have been edged with snowdrops. A small wildflower area has been leading into an improved hall garden. A Hawthorn Tree was planted in 2022 in honour of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Water butts have been installed, and other changes to support wildlife are being undertaken.
The group meets fortnightly on a Tuesday to maintain these grounds. We would welcome new helpers
Contact: Di House 07833 980756 or email:
cdhousell2@gmail.com
St Mary's Church Cleaning
The Cleaning team meet on the last Thursday of the month between 10am -12noon except August. Brass cleaning, dusting, polishing, we can find a job to suit all. Coffee, cake, fellowship and a warm welcome to all.
Social committee
St Mary’s hold a range of social events throughout the year bringing the community together including those who do not come to church. From Bingo, Beetle drive and Pudding evenings to Quiz Nights and Parish Lunches. We are always looking for new ideas…any suggestions welcome.
Taizé
For over twenty years St Mary’s has hosted regular Taizé worship at 6:00 pm on the 1st Sunday of each month, attracting an ecumenical congregation drawn from Dorchester and the surrounding area. The service is a mixture of prayer and chant together with a reading and reflection. Each month the service reflects the church's seasons and themes. Everyone from anywhere is welcome to join us for this special, deeply spiritual and atmospheric worship experience. Let the prayers speak to you; feel you can join in the chants or just remain silent, letting the music penetrate your being. And you can give yourself time and space to be in the presence of God during the short period of silence
A strong team of twelve are responsible for the flower arrangements in St Mary’s. The arrangers hold sales to raise funds and are also keen to encourage those who wish to donate for altar flowers in memory or in celebration of loved ones to do so. This helps keep our church looking beautiful.
Ecology Group
St Mary’s is a member of the A Rocha Christian Environmental Group and received a Bronze Award in 2018. The Ecology Group was reconvened in 2024 to work toward a Silver Award. It is focusing on;
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The lifestyle of our congregation. It has published advice on reducing plastic use and using LOAF products, and a list of local resources
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Reducing the church’s energy consumption. In 2025 the church adopted a policy that Reflecting the Church of England's commitment to net zero carbon emissions and requirement of the Fifth Mark of Mission to care for the environment, St Mary's Church will undertake to reduce its fossil fuel consumption year on year and make the necessary investment to achieve this. Our electricity is from renewable sources and we are at the point of fully insulating our hall.
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Nurturing our outside spaces so that it can support a wide diversity of plants and wildlife.
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Careful use of biodegradable cleaning products
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Responsible use of cut flowers and avoidance of non-biodegradable products eg Oasis.
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The celebration of Creationtide around the time of our Harvest Festival, using this as an opportunity to challenge our discipleship in the care of Creation
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Incorporating Creation Care within our prayers and liturgy