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.

Easy way to 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 Paul http://efraising.org/BfcHgZsz n7

The 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.angl ican.org. Address: The Diocese of Bath and Wells, Flourish House, Cathedral Park, Wells, BA5 1FD.

Exploring Agape and meaning of love

Baptisms, weddings and funerals

For above services, please contact Rev Gail, tel 07746050607.

February is traditionally when we celebrate love, particularly on Valentine’s Day. But what is love?

In Luke 10 we hear the parable of the Good Samaritan, which begins with a lawyer asking Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by asking, what is written in the law, to which the lawyer correctly answers that one must love God and their neighbour.

Good Samaritan

Seeking to justify himself, the lawyer then asks, “Who is my neighbour?” Jesus then tells the story of the Good Samaritan.

The type of love they are talking about is called ‘Agape’, from the Greek word meaning love for God and one another.

A deep care

It is a profound love that goes beyond romantic love and enables us to show that deep care for all around us.

That love, however, does not always need to be in the big gestures, but often in the smile offered to a stranger, a kind word when you’re not quite often feeling yourself, that understanding when you get cross because you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Understanding

It begins with us showing that unconditional love and understanding to those around us, literally loving our neighbours.

May you know Agape love this February.

Every blessing

Gail