At their September meeting the PCC voted to support the following charities for the year 2024:
Major Award (3 years) – St Pauls Church and Bryansford Parish Church of Ireland
Two small rural parish churches which need revitalization. Revd Pat Kerr (our former Curate) has a desire and focus for families ministry and outreach to the community. The grant funding from St Mary’s will be used solely on outreach and mission projects. The grant will aid the ability to run special events at key times of the year, Christmas, Easter, Harvest and Summer. There will be a particular focus on developing a new worshiping community for unchurched families, in the mould of a Messy Church amongst other activities.
Minor Awards (1 year)
- A Rocha Uk, Caring for Creation – a learning community of churches aiming to care for God’s world
- Hamlin Fistula UK – suppoting the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia
- Mercy Ships – hospital ships providing free healthcare to some of the poorest countries in the world
- One Can Food Bank and Trust – providing weekly food parcels to those in need in our community
- The Princes Centre Ltd – day care for the elderly and adults with learning disabilities
- Project Possible – helping overseaa communities to develop sustainable working lives