St Mary's Church, Dymock

Reports

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Our annual 'Pet's Service' this year was held on 13th May instead of in the school holidays in August and we got more people and their pets as a result - 11 dogs this year. In recent years the dogs have been very well behaved but the extra numbers meant one or two fell out and barked at each other, which made it hard at times for the priest to be heard. The priest was again Rev'd Marilyn Adsetts who lives in Ross-on-Wye but has come and taken our Pet's Service for several years, bringing her own dogs with her so wasn't too put out by the barking!

The form of the service generally followed our informal Family Service Format except our choir sang two anthems with a Pet's theme. (Return to top)

In recent years, we've held a Service of Holy Communion in our Associate Priest Rev'd Andrew Perry's Garden, followed by a buffet kindly provided by his wife, Janet. Unfortunately they were away this year so we held it in our church instead with a 'Bring and Share' buffet lunch after in the adjacent Parish Hall as there was a funeral Service in church following immediately after. (Return to top)

It was an interesting event as our Churchwarden, who usually prepares the church ready for a service, wasn't there either and we couldn't find the safe key, so couldn't get out the chalice, bread and wine needed for the Service. One of our Ministry Team who was present happened to have our 'Travelling Communion Set' at home with consecrated bread and wine so dashed home to get it whilst the priest started the Service - he got back just in time before it was needed. (Return to top)

At our last meeting in January (March was cancelled due to snow) we were challenged to think about how we might attract more members to church and what the Church of England in general and our Diocese of Gloucester in particular offer to help us.

One of our Lay Readers, Canon Roger Parker, has attended several courses and meetings on the subject so gave a PowerPoint presentation to tell us. He concluded with a list of possible actions for a 'Benefice Plan' which can be discussed and agreed on - or not! Click here to see the script of the presentation if interested. It's a PDF file that can be printed 'double-sided' and folded to form an A5 booklet. (Return to top)