WELCOME TO ST PAUL'S CHURCH KEWSTOKE

Where the spirit of the Lord is all around you

Our centuries-old parish church of St Paul, nestling under Monks’ Hill and its landmark steps at Kewstoke, Weston-super-Mare, is and always has been at the heart of this community.

Although the parish and this part of north Somerset is rich in history, with 13th-Century Woodspring Priory viewed from the approaches to St Paul’s, the church today is very much alive, providing a centre of worship for all and hub for the spreading of the Christian faith.

St Paul’s is part of the Benefice by the Sea, linked with Wick St Lawrence, and led by our vicar, the Rev Gail Thomas. It is within Locking Deanery, part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, and the parish stretches over Worlebury Hill to the edge of Weston town, to the east embracing part of Worle and to Sand Bay and the Severn Sea, running out to the west.

Special atmosphere

Our church family is drawn from across this area and from further afield – worshippers who are inspired by the special atmosphere of the church and its surroundings, by the friendliness of the people they meet and pray with, and the wide range of our services here.

Our Sunday services are core to church life and marriages, baptisms, and funerals take place during the year. House groups meet for further Christian study as well and there are coffee mornings to enjoy. Whether a long-time resident of the area, a newcomer, or perhaps just a visitor to this beautiful part of the West Country, do come and join us.

How to find us: satnav - 25 Kewstoke Road, Kewstoke, Weston-super-Mare, BS22 9XL

Importance of

safeguarding

Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is taken very seriously across the Church of England.

A copy of St Paul’s safeguarding policy can be found on the Contact Us page.

The safeguarding officer for St Paul’s Church is Alison Withers. She can be contacted by telephone, 07706063272.

Diocesan safeguarding adviser is Ben Goodhind, tel. 01749 588917. Email: ben.goodhind@bathwells. anglican.org. Address: The Diocese of Bath and Wells, Flourish House, Cathedral Park, Wells, BA5 1FD.

Christmas Fair unwraps a surprise bonus

Our first annual Christmas Fair organised at the church and hall for those seeking festive gifts produced a welcome new benefit.

Not only was the event a major financial success, but fresh faces were drawn into the church where, as well as viewing the stalls, visitors asked about the church itself and details of services.

“It was very pleasing to see all this new interest,” said Rev Gail.

Memory trees

As well as the myriad stalls, Father Christmas welcomed children to his grotto, set up in the choir vestry, and in the porch, seven Christmas trees encouraged those with lost loved ones to leave memory notes on the branches.

In the hall, the refreshment team did brisk business, with compliments galore about the home-made cakes, and many visitors tried their luck in the prize competition. Altogether £1,500 was raised for church funds.

ABOVE - Thomas, Gracie and Hannabelle visit Santa in his grotto.

BELOW: Hayley at her hobby stall in church.

Singing the praises of toddler Emmanuel

A  wide range of Christmas gifts were on display on the stalls in the church hall, as shown above, right and  below, the hand-made wreaths attracting much attention.

Shopping to help funds

Easyfundraising which is an easy way to raise money for our churches which donates money to the church each time you buy online from selected stores.  You basically download the app onto your computer and each time you use one of these sites it takes you through the link for your church.

St Pauls:    http://efraising.org/BfcH gZszn7

All are welcome to our friendly church here at Kewstoke and that does mean, of course, the tiniest of toddlers.

The patter of small feet is not heard at every service but recently a very young fellow became quite a personality as Rev Paul Owen, one of our supporting priests, was conducting proceedings.

As our picture shows, young Emmanuel was here, there and everywhere and the congregation was delighted to see the special bond he seemed to form with Rev Paul as the service unfolded.

What a perfect example of how St Paul’s is, indeed, a place for all, and even for the youngest of us all!

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year

Happy New Year and I wish you all a very happy, healthy and blessed 2025!

Firstly, thank you for all your cards, good wishes and treats over Christmas; my family and I have felt thoroughly spoilt over the festive season!

As we begin the New Year we need to take down the decorations in the church. This will take place at 9.30am on Saturday morning and if you are able to help that would be amazing.  The Christmas trees will be available for pick up by those who purchased trees in memory of a loved one.

Link to Easter

I am going to gather up all the decorations hung on the tree and pray over them next week.  I will keep them until Easter and then I thought that it would be fitting if these were to be burned at the Easter Vigil at the fire, which celebrates the resurrection to new life of Jesus. This way they will be disposed of prayerfully and with respect to those whose lives we have been marking.

Every blessing

Gail

Readings

5 January

Isaiah 60:1-6

Ephesians 3:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12.

Collect

Creator of the heavens,

who led the Magi by a star

to worship the Christ-child:

guide and sustain us,

that we may find our journey's end

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Rev Margaret’s licensing

Reverend Margaret Hayward is being licensed on 22 January at 11 am at East Huntspill Church.

It will be a simple and very short service with just a few people present. Anyone is welcome to attend.  Please do pray for Margaret as she begins her ministry in Huntspill and Mark.

Alpha

If anyone has experience in running an Alpha course or would be interested in helping on a course please do contact Gail.

Confirmation

If anyone is interested in being confirmed in 2025 or finding out more about this, please do contact Gail in the first instance.