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  "Mary's Child "

A joint project between  St Mary's, Greenhithe and St Mary's, Stone to love, care and support families in need

‘Mary’s Child’ is a project, established several years ago, that enables us to develop further the work of supporting families in a variety of ways. Over this time we have responded to numerous requests from the community and community organisations and agencies, as well as individuals to provide practical support to families in need.

 

We have managed to find, collect and re-distribute beds, tables and chairs and to furnish whole houses from the generosity of others. We have also provided clothing for children and adults as well as toys and other much needed household items.

 

St Mary Greenhithe continues to provide food through its ‘Parish Pantry’ across both parishes, and both parishes are providing other on-going pastoral care and support.

 

We take the words of the letter of James most seriously;

 

“What good is it my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked or lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead”.      James 2: 14-17 (NRSV)

 

As Jesus says at the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan,

“Go and do likewise”.                                                   Luke 10: 37 (NRSV)

 

What is the rationale behind ‘Mary’s Child’?

  • Over 2000 years ago a baby was born to a young mum, Mary and her husband, far away from their home, in a strange place surrounded by animals.

  • They had none of the comforts of a home and they relied on the generosity of others. The received gifts brought by strangers in a borrowed manger in a borrowed stable.

  • Soon they became homeless and refugees in a strange country being pursued by the authorities.

  • Many years later that child became the most influential man in history; to bring God’s light and love and hope into this world – Jesus.

  • ‘Mary’s Child’ aims to offer God’s light, love and hope in this community – especially to those in need in any way.

 

Greenhithe, Stone and surrounding area 2017:

  • Children are being born into families who have no settled place to call home.

  • Families are being evicted on a weekly basis and find themselves at the mercy of the authorities – but often Social Services and other agencies are unable to help.

  • Changes to the Benefit System means families frequently have no money for weeks on end.

  • Constantly changing circumstances render many families homeless, penniless and often unloved.

 

‘Mary’s Child’ offers God’s light, love and hope.

 

 

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‘Mary’s Child’  didn’t just happen. There has been much prayer and discernment over many weeks and following discussion between St Mary Greenhithe and St Mary Stone a joint project was born.

 

There are many practical implications for the project;

  • Project management

  • Storage

  • Delivery of furniture etc.

  • Coordination of people and things

  • Finances

 

And answers to prayer?

  • Marion Lane has volunteered to manage the project

  • Much support from individuals from both parishes

  • A local van hire company has offered free use of a van in off-peak times

  • A HUGE gift from from the ASDA Foundation

 

As this project develops over the coming weeks and months our prayer is that we may reach out to those in need in our communities and show God’s light, love and hope to those in need.

 

 

‘Mary’s Child’ – loving, caring and supporting families

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