Every Monday morning, Cerne Abbas St Mary’s Church host 'Come and Play'. This is targeted at young families, timed to start after drop off at the School. The church is transformed, by an amazing group of dedicated volunteers, into toddler paradise and the parents have opportunity for conversation and mutual support.
'Come and Play' began as a ‘Warmer Spaces’ project funded by our Diocese with a grant for the heating costs. Last year, a summer BBQ was introduced with working partners, this has been enormously appreciated by the families and led to the development of friendship networks which they acknowledge have been the work of the church for them.
Next week, another one of the children (who attended 'Come and Play') is being baptised, this is a growing ministry, in addition to another eleven weddings in the benefice this year, after 12 last year.
Developing on the Warm Space, from the initiative of the Lay Pastoral Assistant's, the warm church was used (post Come and Play), from midday in January for home made Soup Lunches in aid of Save the Children Gaza Appeal. Having hugely grown, the project has raised over £800 for charity in the space of a few weeks.
In the afternoons, a more mature group of ‘Crafty Ladies’ meet to chat, socialise, make blankets, toys and goods to sell at craft fairs.
We love hearing inspirational stories from across our diocese, please email comms@salisbury.anglican.org or tag Diocese of Salisbury.