Safeguarding Statement for Children and Vulnerable Adults.

The parish of St Mary the Virgin, Linton, is committed to safeguarding all those who attend the worship or other activities that we offer. We follow the House of Bishops’ Policy, Protecting All God’s Children (2010), and have adopted the Diocese of Ely's Policy and Procedures which can be seen here (opens in a new tab).

We seek to create a culture where everyone is included, respected, listened to, and taken seriously. We accept the prime duty of care for children and vulnerable adults, and have appointed a safeguarding co-ordinator to ensure that what we do is informed by the up-to-date policies and procedures from local and national authorities.

Our safeguarding co-ordinator is:
Cathy Watts and she can be contacted via email

Reporting a Concern or Seeking Advice

Safeguarding Duty Phone: 01353 652747 (Please do not use this number for queries about DBS checks, training or recruitment issues)

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: Rebecca Boswell

Email: rebecca.boswell@elydiocese.org

Tel: 01353 652731

We follow recommended safeguarding practice in recruiting, training and supporting our ordained and lay ministers, our employees and our volunteers.

These practices include:

Disclosure & Barring Service checks for those working regularly or substantially with children and/or vulnerable adults.
Health and safety policies are adhered to and we have provided adequate insurance cover for all activities undertaken in the name of the parish.
All those working on behalf of the parish have agreed to comply with the safeguarding policy and with good practice guidelines for their work.
We respond without delay to any complaint that a child or vulnerable adult in our care may have been harmed by the behaviour of an employee or volunteer working on behalf of the church. We always seek advice on such matters from outside this church, and we will co-operate with statutory agencies during any enquiries they need to make into allegations against a member of the church community. During those enquiries we will do our best to ensure that those making an allegation, and those against whom an allegation is made, are supported appropriately.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here

Planning your Visit

Welcome to St Mary's, Linton

Where and When

Our main service is 10am every Sunday, after an early said Holy Communion in traditional language at 8am, but there are a number of other ways we meet, both in church (details here) and in homes and other venues across our community. There is some parking on Church Lane, or on the High St, or Medical Centre car park, just a few minutes walk away. If you're new or visiting us, do say hello to one of our welcomers on the door.

The 10am is usually an hour long, sometimes less, and we serve tea, coffee and biscuits after the 10am service, apart from Cafe Church - every fourth Sunday morning - where coffee, etc is served before we begin. All refreshments are free, but donations to keeping our ancient church open for everyone are always appreciated. Thanks.

Other types of worship offer contemplative space (The Well, every second Sunday evening at 6pm), Taize worship, as well as prayer for healing (Services of Hope and Healing) where blessing with anointing is available. Evensong (BCP) takes place in Bartlow, 5 minutes drive from Linton, every third Sunday at 6pm. We are very active in our community and host school worship - our Infant School meet here every Friday in term time - and a range of special events (such as a recent Vigil for Ukraine).

St M's is open every day of the year (c9.30am-4pm), for locals and visitors alike. Many people drop by to light a candle, or to find some quiet, or to read or draw with their child or grandchild. Dogs are most welcome, too.

Celebrating life events

If you're visiting our website because you would like to arrange a wedding, funeral or Christening, do contact us. We'd love to help you mark these precious times in your life and the lives of your loved ones. It doesn't matter if you are not a churchgoer - all are welcome here.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a loo in the Pavilion (which has wheelchair access) at the back of the church.

Young people

We really value worshipping God all together as a family. There is an area in the south aisle dedicated to children and their carers, which allows them to take part in the service, while also having books, drawing materials, toys and other resources to hand. We really don't mind if your child makes a noise - they are as welcome as anyone else!

There are other activities, like Messy Church and Tots in Tow, that nurture young people's faith in positive and caring ways. More info can be found on this site.

Children

Root & Branch (RnB) Groups

Being part of one of our small groups is a great way to make new friends, share questions of life and faith and explore the Bible. No previous experience necessary. Four groups meet across the Linton Parishes; three in homes across Linton. Usually, we meet fortnightly, in 'terms' of around four or five dates. Check out our Small Groups and see if there’s a time that works for you, and let us know if you'd like to come along.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Peace and blessings,

Revd Paul