Mission
We value of our relationships within the wider church, local community and with partners across the world is mission, social concern and evangelism.
We are a part of the North Cambridge deanery in the Diocese of Ely.
We also work with other churches in Churches Together in Central Cambridge, with the Deans and Chaplains of the University of Cambridge and also with the Chaplaincy to People at Work.
In the city we have close contacts with the City Council, and host several civic services, including the Chevin Sermon, which traditionally takes place on the second Sunday of October, and service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday.
The Wider Concerns Committee is responsible for developing our work with partners in mission, raising funds and providing information and education for the congregation. This ensures that we maintain a global dimension to our concern and our ministry.
Wider Concerns Partnership
The Great St. Mary’s Parochial Church Council, as part of its wider ministry/outreach, will be taking part in a proposed innovative partnership scheme with the St. Matthew’s Children’s Fund in Ethiopia which is pioneering new approaches to community development and care of orphans. Their remarkable work is helping local people take the initiative and empower their own lives; exploring how communities can grow and develop. Partners for Change is a new initiative which will develop relationships with those in Ethiopia, based on mutual respect, a desire to learn, and the enjoyment of meeting and getting to know new people and places. See the St. Matthew’s Children Fund website www.smcfethiopia.org
Wider Concerns Projects
The following are examples of some of the projects we are supporting on an ongoing basis; all have a strong Cambridge connection. It is remarkable that most have been visited over the last couple of years by members of Great St. Mary’s (GSM).
The reports from the visits pay tribute to the inspiring and pioneering work of the projects, giving new life and hope to many who are destitute, providing shelter and skills training, enabling them to earn their living and lead a reasonable life.
Many speak of the tremendous spirit of love and care of those working in our projects; many in need coming from miles around because our projects really care for them.
The strong support of GSM has enabled work to go ahead which otherwise would not have been possible. Our support means a great deal not only financially and that we care and are there in times of emergency.
We also support Amnesty International through signed letters of concern for named people undergoing persecution, using details supplied by Urgent Action notices.
We feature:
House of Shalom – Richard’s Bay South Africa 
The work has transformed the lives of countless children giving sheltered accommodation and skills training.
Their vision for the future is:
“The welfare of the children is a subject that is closest to our heart. It is my deepest conviction that children should be seen and heard as our most treasured assets.”
There is a way of forging a path to the mainstream of society – of love, warmth and caring, participating in creating a future free of pangs of hunger, ignorance and abuse. When these children are given the chance most of them will respond positively and make a seminal change to their lives. We trust that if enough people are touched and imbued with the spirit of caring, it could in time change the whole landscape within which children are treated in this country. We aspire to play a key role as a catalyst for changing the way children are treated, as well as directly promoting the success of projects bringing immediate relief.”
St. Luke’s Hospital, Chilma, Malawi
They write moving movingly about the plight of health care and with a chronic shortage of nurses (many being lured to the West for higher salaries). In Malawi there is 1 doctor for 62,500 people, 1 nurse for 3,500 people, only 8 of 27 District Hospitals have a doctor. St. Luke’s provides vital medical care for the area and has a full nurses training programme. The medical team of dedicated staff cope with the challenging conditions of poverty, disease and countless orphans; with surrounding families taking in orphans in a remarkable spirit of co-operation, notwithstanding severe food shortages. Our support has included bicycle ambulances and the vital replacement of a water pump which prevented a whole clinic having to be closed.
We also support the following:
St. Matthew’s Children’s Fund Ethiopia
Gambella area – Ethiopia
Two Zimbabwe schools
Friends of Ethiopian Children in Need
Institute of Rural Health Studies – India
Post polio operations – India
Medical Support in Romania (MSR)
Emmaus in Poland
Cyrenians, Winter Comfort and Jimmy’s Night Shelter – Cambridge
