On behalf of St. Mary's Church, may I welcome you to our Internet site. We would be delighted to hear what you think of the site - please give us some feedback (what you like, what you don't, what you'd like added, etc.) using the Contact page.

Great Dunmow is an ancient North Essex town, renowned for its Flitch Trials, with a rapidly expanding population. I am David Ainge, Vicar of St. Mary's and also of St. Andrew's, Barnston, a neighbouring village. My colleagues in ministry are Canon Rosemary Drew and Reverend Mark James.

If you have not visited St. Mary's before, and would like to know what to expect at our services, please read on ...

When can I visit the Church? Most people first come to the 10.30 am service which is held every Sunday morning. Whilst the church is not left open through the week, access is available by asking at the Vicarage, so you can go in and look or pray. The service books are by the side door of the church if you want to have a browse or look up a prayer. The church is available for quiet prayer and is used by people who just want to drop in and sit in a quiet place for a while.

How will I know what books I need or where to sit? If you come to a 10.30 am service, you will be greeted inside the side door by someone who will be waiting to give you whatever service books you need. Usually you will be given a hymnbook, a service booklet and a notice sheet. Find a seat anywhere in the main body of the church - no seats are reserved. There is space in the centre of the church for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Can I bring my children along? On most Sundays there is a meeting of the Children’s Church in the church rooms. Shortly after the service begins the children and their leaders go to their groups and they return in time for communion. We welcome babies and young children (and there are quite a few young members of the congregation at the moment). Whoever meets you at the door will give you details of our children’s activities area facilities if you want to know about them. Children are welcome to choose whether to go to the Children’s Church or remain with everyone else.

How will I know what to do during the service? You will know that the service is about to begin as the person who is to lead the service welcomes everyone and makes any announcements that are needed. The service is then underway with the singing of hymns, readings from the Bible and prayers from the service booklet. Although there is some variety during the year, most of the services have the same basic shape which people get used to after coming a few times. You are unlikely to get lost in your service books, but if you do, just ask someone who is near you to show you where we are - they will be happy to help.

Will I be expected to do anything or go anywhere during the service? No-one will single you out for anything special during the service. Most people stand to sing and we generally sit or kneel to pray. Everyone is welcome to come to the communion rail during communion. If you don't normally receive the bread and wine, you may stay in your seat and wait for the others in church to rejoin you – or you may come to the communion rail along with everyone else for a blessing. If you do wish to come to the communion rail for a blessing please bring a book in your hand so that we know that you are not taking communion. Please feel free to do whatever makes you most comfortable.

What happens after the service After the service there are usually tea, coffee, squash and biscuits at the back of church. You don't have to stay, but it is a good chance to meet people.

Other services at the Church Weekly Sunday 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Thursday 9.30 am Holy Communion Occasional Each month we have three specific times for Prayers for Healing: after the 10.30 am Service on the first and last Sunday of the month, and during the 6.00 pm Service on the 3rd Sunday.

Other activities associated with the Church

St Mary’s Nursery The Nursery meets each week-day morning, except Wednesday, in St Mary’s Room, Church End, Dunmow. Contact: Sue Berry (876894)

Monthly Meditation Second Monday each month in St Mary’s Centre, next to the Church Car Park. Contact: Canon Rosemary Drew (872662).

Pram Service Each Wednesday morning at 10.00 am in St Mary’s Room. Contact: Canon David Ainge (872504)

Children & Young People Sunday morning, during Service times, the children under 11 years have their own activities. Having met in church they are taken to their Groups, and brought back again later. (Contact: Trudi Wright (01371 873931) The Youth Group members meet on Tuesday evenings at 7.00 pm in St Mary’s Centre. Contact: Edward Salmon (01371 872580)

Choir Youngsters and adults meet for practice on Thursday evenings at 7.00 pm and lead the singing at church services on Sundays. Contact: Pam Warren (07947 573018)

Home Groups Adults meet in various places for weekday Bible Study and topical discussion. Contact: Canon David Ainge (01371 872504). For more information please contact any of the clergy: David Ainge 01371 872504 Rosemary Drew 01371 872662 Mark James 01371 859229