St Mary's Church, Dymock

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Gloucestershire is a rural county including parts of the Cotswolds, the Royal Forest of Dean and the Severn Vale. Motorway access is excellent, with an exit to the benefice from junction 2 of the M50, which itself joins the M5 at junction 8. (Return to top)

Our united benefice is in the extreme northwest of the diocese and was created in December 2000 by merging the adjacent teams of Redmarley and Dymock. It is in the deanery of Severn Vale which was itself created in 2009 by merging the old deaneries of Forest North and Gloucester North. The benefice is completely rural, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and borders the dioceses of Worcester and Hereford. (Return to top)

The cathedral city of Gloucester offers excellent shopping facilities, with a massive regeneration programme well underway including particular emphasis on the famous docks and the largest new housing estate in Europe. There is a number of well-known out-of-town retail stores on the periphery of the city.

Gloucester is about 12 miles to the southeast of the benefice. The Gloucestershire market town of Newent is 4 miles away and the Herefordshire market town of Ledbury is 6 miles away. (Return to top)

The 'United Benefice of the Leadon Vale' comprises 9 parishes & churches, all generally well cared for, although two are currently undergoing major maintenance. On 3 out of 4 Sundays in the month there is a service in all of them and on the 5th Sunday in any month there is a united service in only one in turn. (Return to top)

There are 4 church schools, we have a good relationship with each, and our ‘Ministry Team’ takes it turn leading school assemblies and regular after-school clubs. (Return to top)

Various groups are active in the villages. From the churches, this includes Mothers Union in Redmarley, ‘Pilgrims’ in Dymock and ‘Meeting Point’ in Redmarley (both for 8-12 year olds), plus many non-church groups in the village halls, attended by church members. (Return to top)

We have a good relationship with the independent chapel in Dymock village, sharing occasional worship and some outreach including some youth work, and a fortnightly 'Shared Lunch' followed by Bible study. (Return to top)

The approximate population of the benefice is 2,600 and the church electoral rolls total 317. (Return to top)

The benefice operates a collaborative ministry ethos, with a single ‘Ministry Focus Group’ (MFG) comprised of ordained and lay members, all working under the oversight of the Rector. The MFG was formed from the Dymock and Redmarley Local Ministry Teams (LMT), which were at the forefront of the LMT movement. (Return to top)

All worship and pastoral care is planned, managed and executed by the MFG, which comprises the Rector, 1 Assistant Curate, 1 retired Non-Stipendiary Minister, 1 retired Ordained Local Minister, 2 Readers, 2 ‘Lay Pastors’ and other lay members of the congregations. (Return to top)

The aim and purpose of our church is 'Sharing the transforming love of Jesus Christ with people in and around the Leadon Vale'. We try to make known the presence of God and show his love at work in the lives of all, and in the world he made. Our vision is a community where people's relationships with each other and with the world around them speak of an awareness of God's work in their lives. (Return to top)

All Services in Dymock are taken from Common Worship (Modern English). We try to provide a 'Variety of Vibrant Worship' to cater for many tastes and have a Service every week, both regular 'sung' and 'said' Communion Services and a monthly 'All-Age' (non-Communion) Family Service. There is a robed adult choir and an occasional junior choir (the 'Young Voices'). For young people we have a 'Children's Corner' at every service with toys and activities overseen by parents, plus a group of Young Teens who are currently investing how to take their group forward. To see the current Service schedule, Click here. (Return to top)

Dymock's work with children includes 'Open the Book' and School Assembly every week, 'Pilgrims' with Western Way Free Chapel (8-12 year olds), a weekly 'After School Club' looking at the principals of Christianity, and the 'Young Voices' (junior choir). (Return to top)

There is a bi-monthly Men's Breakfast held in the adjacent pub (which is owned by the Parish Council), and regular social events including a tradition of concerts in church given by both local and visiting performers. (Return to top)

We experimented with a Fresh Expression - a cross between 'Cafe' and ‘Messy Church’ - but dropped it after 2 years (as the attendance had halved) in favour of a revitalised monthly Family Service, now often led by members of the congregation and involving our Junior Choir. We are working to develop outreach opportunities around the parish. (Return to top)