Can We Help?

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In the light of God’s call and our situation here, our vision is to respond to the Holy Spirit and God’s love discerned through prayer and worship.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit we aim to encourage all members of ‘Christ’s body’ to be likewise empowered, using their gifts, time and talents in Our Lord’s service and show His love to the wider community.
You are lovingly welcomed into our fellowship and you will have the opportunity to be listened to, to experience healing and to learn more about Jesus and His love of all people.  We are anxious to reach out to the Benfleet Community and would like to know of any Parishioners who need help.


Prayers

Statue of ChristIf you have a need for support by Prayers we will be delighted to assist. Just contact us or put your request in the book in Church.


Weddings

Congratulations on your engagement! We are happy to help arrange your Wedding Ceremony. Our beautiful Church is a great setting for weddings and our recent improvements mean we can be very flexible to accommodate your needs.

  • Seating for 120 people
  • Pipe organ or piano for musical accompaniment
  • Heating for cold days
  • Step-free access for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and prams
  • Accessible toilet facility
  • Baby changing station
  • Toys and colouring area for smaller children available
  • Sound system to enable all attendees to hear ceremony and readings

We understand that organising a wedding can become complicated and stressful. You can arrange flowers, music etc through us. To make arrangements please call Marian Howe on 01268 754 046 or email Michael at mgravenor@btinternet.com.


Baptisms

It is always a pleasure to welcome new members of God’s family to St Mary’s congregation. Our beautiful Church is a great setting for weddings and our recent improvements mean we can be very flexible to accommodate your needs.

  • Seating for 120 people
  • Pipe organ or piano for musical accompaniment
  • Heating for cold days
  • Step-free access for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and prams
  • Accessible toilet facility
  • Baby changing station
  • Toys and colouring area for smaller children available
  • Sound system to enable all attendees to hear ceremony and readings

To learn more and make arrangements please call Mrs Marian Howe on 01268 754 046.


Blessings

These can be organised by agreement with the Parish Priest. Please contact mgravenor@btinternet.com or by completing a church enquiry on our contact us page.


Funerals

Please speak with the Funeral Director, who will contact the Parish Priest on your behalf and make the arrangements, or please contact Michael James Gravenor by email at mgravenor@btinternet.com.

We also offer bereavement support at this difficult time.


Confessions

By appointment. Please contact us to arrange this with a Parish Priest.


Healing

A service for Healing is held on the first Wednesday of every month, when the Laying on of Hands is offered. Members of the Healing and Prayer ministry team are always available to pray with those in need. Call Marian for details: 01268 754046.


Home Visits

Home Communion or other Pastoral visits are willingly arranged. Please contact us to discuss your needs.


Bereavement Support

There is a Bereavement Ministry Team who not only pray for those grieving the loss of a loved one but are available as a listening ear for anyone who would like. You can also arrange a visit if you would like to meet in your own home. They can be contacted via the contact us form. We also run a bereavement support group, meeting regularly each month at the Church Hall. Please contact Michael James Gravenor by email at mgravenor@btinternet.com.


Church Hall

We have Church Hall situated at 376 High Road, Benfleet. The hall is used regularly by various groups, including a Theatre club and Guides. The Hall is available for hire under strict contract conditions, bookings can be arranged by contacting Lisa Chesneau via our contact form or by telephone on 07712669298.


St Mary’s Fellowship

The Fellowship is a gathering of people who do not necessarily attend Church. They meet once a month usually the 4th Monday. The meetings are held in the Church Hall at 1:45pm. There is a short prayer, and then it is customary to have a speaker to give an entertaining talk. Past topics have included the History of the Benfleet area, Steam trains, and Bell ringing. Everyone is welcome, so please contact us.

Sunday Mass

First Sunday of the month at 10am
Said Mass by Fr. Lesley Drake

Amendments to services are announced in the weekly notices

At St Mary’s our Anglo-Catholic witness arises from a joyful acceptance of Christ our Saviour, a faith to be shared with everyone we meet. Our role in today’s society is to model and preach the love of Christ. We invite you to join in our fellowship and ministry. At the intercession of Our Lady and all the Saints, let us proceed as faithful witnesses and make our beloved Church of England the best it can be.

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)

We invite people who want to talk about their situation in life to contact us. We can and do pray with people every day. Often special time is set aside for this. So, give us a ring and we will arrange a time if the present moment does not suit.