St Mary's Festival Offering the church and its life to the community The slogan above is what St. Mary's wants to do all the time and it will be focused during its festival (June 18th-26th) in a host of events, assisted by a Franciscan Team of one brother from Hilfield, two sisters from Compton Durville in Somerset and a member of the 3rd Order of Franciscans. The Festival begins with a celebratory service followed by a meal and bouncy castle in the churchyard (tickets available soon). The events are open to all and especially members of the Parish of Dorchester. The "Any Questions" event in the hospital concerns issues of life and death, such as euthanasia and care for the dying, abortion, etc and it too is open to all whether or not members of the medical profession. The Labyrinth is a multi media activity enabling people to engage in an inner journey moving around the church. On Thursday the informal music recital is designed to enable people to listen moving around the church, sitting still, or simply lying down. It is another way of being open to God through music. On Saturday the special service will use the intercessions people have placed in a box at the church containing the joys or worries people wish us to pray for and they will be read then. There will also be an opportunity to receive the ministry of laying on of hands for inner healing. The final Sunday will see people from our community offering up some symbol of the places where they work or live and we will give thanks for our community and pray for God's blessing. The service will conclude with a share and spread lunch. In addition to all this there will be postcards inviting people to answer some provocative questions. We hope they will be sent back to St. Mary's and form part of an exhibition of the kinds of that concern us all. Every day there will be a celebration of Holy Communion. You may well see the Franciscan team in schools or the hospital or around the town. Please greet them! St Mary’s in the Dorchester Carnival. Saturday 18th June We will be taking part in the Dorchester Carnival with our medieval fruit machine and festival float created by children and young people. St Mary’s in the Dorchester Carnival Saturday 18th June We will be taking part in the Dorchester Carnival with our medieval fruit machine in the morning and a festival float created by Junior Church and the Parish Youth Group. www.DorchesterCarnival.co.uk St Mary’s Festival Service. Sunday 19th June. 9.45am A service of baptism and confirmation at which the Bishop of Sherborne will bless the missioners as the festival gets underway. Any Questions? Monday 20th June 7.30pm Dorchester County Hospital An evening exploring issues of life and death. St Mary’s Prayer Labyrinth. Monday 20th to Friday 24th June 10am -12 noon 3pm – 5pm 6pm – 9pm You are welcome to walk the prayer labyrinth following the twists and turns of the pathway marked out in the building, which will also be your own journey of the soul and the imagination – and a lot of fun. Stay a while on Thursday to enjoy the space of the building with an informal music recital from 8:30pm Click here to see the making of the Labyrinth Click here to see our online photo gallery click here. St Mary’s Prayers. Saturday 25th June 10am – 12 noon St Mary’s Prayer Labyrinth. 12 noon Prayers of thanksgiving for all the journeys made during this festival week. 7.30pm Our joys and sadnesses, wholeness and healing: prayers for ourselves and our community. Festival Celebration Service. Sunday 26th June 9.45 am The Service is followed by a bring and share lunch. For more information go to www.DorchesterAnglican.info To see a full sized Prayer Card click here.
	If you are planning a visit to St. Mary's Church click here for more information. St Mary's Church Edward Road Dorchester Dorset England Click on the link to streetmap.co.uk for directions to the Church.
	For more information contact Revd Philip Lambert on 01305 268434