St Mary the Virgin Church, Sherburn Village

St Mary the Virgin Church, Sherburn Village St Mary's, Sherburn, is a local parish Church, serving the local community for over 100 years. We are a welcoming, thriving community for all ages.

Safeguarding Policy

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
• Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/s

urvivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others. The Parish will:
• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
• Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
• Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually. Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church. This church appoints Gail Bartley as the Parish Safeguarding Officer
Churchwardens: Alison Fawell, Paul Willey

Reporting Concerns

If you are concerned that a child or vulnerable adult has been harmed or is at risk of harm, do not hesitate to contact the local safeguarding officers or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser for advice and support. If you wish to report an allegation of abuse from the past, or in the present, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your information will be treated appropriately and kept confidential. Local Contacts
Revd Abbey Hughes
Curate
Phone Number: 0191 374 1079
[email protected]

Gail Bartley
Parish Safeguarding Officer
0191 374 1079

Beth Miller
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
Address: Cuthbert House, Stonebridge, Durham DH1 3RY
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07968034075

If you are unable to speak to the Safeguarding Adviser and a child, young person or adult is at immediate risk of harm please call 999.

A reminder that it is the St Mary’s Coffee morning this Saturday at Sherburn Community Centre. Everyone is welcome
22/04/2026

A reminder that it is the St Mary’s Coffee morning this Saturday at Sherburn Community Centre. Everyone is welcome

He is risenCome and join us at 9.30 to celebrate Easter Day
05/04/2026

He is risen

Come and join us at 9.30 to celebrate Easter Day

The dates and times of the services for Holy Week and Easter in our three churches are listed below. Everyone is welcome
29/03/2026

The dates and times of the services for Holy Week and Easter in our three churches are listed below. Everyone is welcome

Everyone is welcome to the services shown below.
04/03/2026

Everyone is welcome to the services shown below.

Happy New Year from everyone at St Mary’s. There is no service tomorrow (1 January) and we celebrate Epiphany on Sunday.
31/12/2025

Happy New Year from everyone at St Mary’s.

There is no service tomorrow (1 January) and we celebrate Epiphany on Sunday.

Dear Friends at St Mary's, Sherburn Village, DurhamAs Christmas Day draws ever closer, I wanted to write to you with a f...
24/12/2025

Dear Friends at St Mary's, Sherburn Village, Durham

As Christmas Day draws ever closer, I wanted to write to you with a full and grateful heart.

The past months of recovery following my stroke a year ago, have been a journey I never expected to take. There have been days of frustration and weariness, but also days of quiet grace, reflection, and deep thankfulness. In all of this, your kindness has been a constant companion. The cards, letters, messages, prayers, and gentle words of encouragement have meant more to me than I can properly express. Each one has been a reminder that I am held, supported, and loved by a faithful church family.

It does make me sad that I am not yet back among you in the way I long to be, especially at this precious and holy time of year. Christmas is, after all, about presence , God with us, Emmanuel, and I miss sharing that presence with you in person. Yet even in absence, there is joy. Joy that Christ still comes to us. Joy that His light shines in weakness as much as in strength. Joy that St Mary's continues to be a place of warmth, compassion, and faith.

As Christmas approaches, please know how deeply thankful I am for you all, and how much your support has sustained me on this road of healing. You have been a living expression of God’s love, and for that I give thanks daily.

🙏🏾 Let us pray:.......

Loving God,
as we draw near to the joy of Christmas,
we thank you for the gift of one another,
for kindness freely given, and for love quietly shared.
Bless the people of St Mary's Sherburn Village,
their homes, their families, and their hearts.
Bring comfort to those who are struggling,
hope to those who are weary,
and joy to all who welcome the Christ Child anew.
May your light shine brightly among us,
this Christmas and always.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

With every blessing for a peaceful, hope-filled, and joyful Christmas,

Your Vicar, Reverend Father John

😇

A Christmas Eve PrayerLoving God,on this holy night, as lights glow softly and familiar carols rise,we pause and give th...
24/12/2025

A Christmas Eve Prayer

Loving God,
on this holy night, as lights glow softly and familiar carols rise,
we pause and give thanks.

We thank you for the gift of this moment,
for warmth, for welcome, for togetherness,
and for all who have crossed the threshold of this church tonight,
whether out of deep faith, quiet curiosity, or simple tradition.

As we remember the child born in Bethlehem,
born not in comfort but in hope,
we pray that the light of Christ may shine again
into our world, our communities, and our hearts.

For those who are joyful tonight, may their joy be deepened.
For those who carry sorrow, grief, or weariness, may they find peace.
For those who feel alone, may they know they are not forgotten.
And for those whose lives are busy and noisy,
may this night bring stillness and reassurance.

Bless our homes, our families, and our friendships.
Bless those who serve others through this night —
the carers, the workers, the watchers, and the weary.
And bless those for whom Christmas is hard,
that they may feel kindness close at hand.

As we leave this place later tonight,
may we carry something of Bethlehem with us —
a gentler spirit, a kinder word, a willingness to love more freely.

We offer this prayer with gratitude and hope,
in the name of the Christ child,
the light of the world.

Amen.

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Carol Service tonight. It was lovely to see the church full and to have some...
24/12/2025

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Carol Service tonight. It was lovely to see the church full and to have some wonderful singing. Merry Christmas to you all

Everyone is welcome to the St Mary’s Carols around the Crib on Christmas Eve at 4pm. The details for the other services ...
23/12/2025

Everyone is welcome to the St Mary’s Carols around the Crib on Christmas Eve at 4pm.
The details for the other services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are shown below

03/12/2025

Address

Front Street
Durham
DH61HD

Website

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