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 9YD.

Help our funds

Easyfundraising is an easy way to raise money for our churches, as it 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.

This is the app for St Pauls:    http://efraising.org/BfcH gZszn7

Couples renew vows at Festival of Marriage

Centrepiece of a highly successful Festival of Marriage weekend at St Paul’s was the renewal of vows for five couples.

Family and friends of those involved and many other locals attended over two days, supporting the couples and viewing an impressive display of bridal gowns, dresses worn for blessings and photographs and other mementoes recalling wedding days.

A display of wedding registers going back more than a century created particular interest as did the opportunity to climb the tower.  

TOP: Rev Gail with the five couples. ABOVE: a group of visitors check out some of the wedding photographs.

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.

Sharing our version of the Lord’s Prayer

Alpha course continues

Join us on the Alpha course on Wednesdays for an opportunity to explore life, faith and meaning together.

Each week  at 6pm (over seven weeks) we'll enjoy a meal, followed by a topical discussion at the church hall.

For more information, or to sign up, please contact Rev Gail.

Foodbank

As always, the box to receive donations for the Foodbank is located beside the font.

Especially needed are tinned and long-life food items, toiletries, laundry essentials, nappies, instant coffee and washing up liquid. All items will be gratefully received.

Bug hotel marks end of holiday drop-ins

Insects are busy creatures.

They are here there and everywhere and if an hotel is spotted on their travels they’re delighted.

Now these tiny characters - beetles, earwigs, moths, spiders - that play a useful role in nature can stop and maybe breed in the Bug Hotel in St Paul’s churchyard.

The building of the hotel - pictured here - was one of the fun activities organised for youngsters at the weekly church hall drop-ins during the school holidays.

They have been a great success. More details and additional pictures on the What’s On page.

Mike Tedstone played organ music and the bells were rung while volunteers provided cream teas and Prosecco in the hall.

Four of the five couples who renewed their vows with Rev

Gail were all married at the church at different times over the previous 64 years. The couples were  Mike and Pat Jenkins, David and June Venn, Martin and Tanya Locke, Gareth and Alison Withers and Bob and Jo Coates.

Women’s event

A special event for women takes place on Saturday 18 October at St Paul’s Church, Walliscote Road, Weston.

Starting at 8.45am, it is a day conference involving the heart, soul and mind, with moments to worship, wait on the Lord and celebrate God.

Tickets from £27.25 (inc. booking fee). Contact Gail for information.

Amazing Grace: a diary date

The Oddments Theatre Company’s production of Amazing Grace takes place at St Paul’s at 7pm on 28 November.

It revolves around the true story of John Newton, a sailor and slave trader who,  transformed by his faith, wrote the iconic hymn, "Amazing Grace".

Tickets - £14.50; book now.

2 October

It’s good to be back with you and I look forward to telling you all about my walk!

I have been thinking a great deal about prayer and this morning in assembly at Worlebury School we wrote our own version of the Lord’s Prayer which I hope to share with you all in due course.

This week, as well as our usual services, we have Repair Cafe at 2-3.30pm on Sunday and Church@5 at 5pm.  

Don’t forget Let’s Celebrate Harvest on Saturday 11 October at 4pm, a joint benefice celebration which includes a harvest supper.  Sunday, the following day, is the Harvest Service at 10am and donations of non-perishable gifts are welcomed.

With every blessing,

Gail x

Readings

Lamentations 1: 1 – 6; 2 Timothy 1: 1 – 14; Luke 17: 5 – 10.

Sunday’s Collect

Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord.