At St Mary’s we take inspiration from one of the great visions of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah imagines the nations of the world streaming toward God’s holy mountain, eager to learn his ways and to walk in his paths. It is a picture of a community centred on God, open to all, and alive with hope for the world.
Inspired by Isaiah’s vision, we long for St Mary’s to be something like the house of the Lord: a place that is magnetically attractive, not because of who we are, but because of the presence and grace of God among us. We want to be a church where people from every background find a genuine welcome, where faith can be explored honestly, and where lives are shaped by the love and teaching of Jesus Christ. Our doors are open wide because we believe God is already at work drawing people in.
And, as in Isaiah’s vision, gathering is only the beginning. We are formed in worship so that we may be sent out again — to seek peace, to serve our neighbours, and to play our part in the flourishing of this wonderfully diverse town.
Our prayer is that St Mary’s will be a place of welcome, formation, and sending: rooted in worship, humble in spirit, and open to all.
