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. So far £1,770 has been raised.

This is the app for St Paul’s 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.

Living life that’s just more like Jesus

Foodbank call

St Paul’s Foodbank continues to help those in need in the Weston area and donations are gratefully received. The donations box is beside the font. Items particularly needed include long-life milk, tinned meat and fish, instant mash/tinned potatoes, instant coffee and hot chocolate, honey/jam/chocolate spread, and tinned soup.

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If you would like us to pray for you, or for a friend or a situation, please get in touch.

You can email Reverend Gail at revgailthomas@gmail.com or speak to her after a service.

Prayer requests

St Paul’s first Easter Fair set the scene for the approach of Holy Week, a joyous event at the church hall that attracted visitors of all ages and raised more than £500 for church funds.

Church supporters arranged a variety of stalls offering Jewellery, fancy goods, toiletries and clothing while others were kept busy offering cakes and refreshments. Visitors also tried their luck at a prize competition.

Our pictures capture the scene.

Fair heralds the  approach of Easter

As we reflect this Easter season, I find myself drawn to the remarkable nature of Jesus’ ministry – both his time and ours.

In a world where so often women had no voice and were frequently victims of power, Jesus’ actions were nothing short of revolutionary.

His moments

He welcomed women among his followers. He taught them. He commended the woman in the temple for her sacrificial financial gift. He refused to condemn the woman dragged before him in accusation. And in one of the most profound moments in history, his resurrection appearance was first to Mary.

His compassion extended even further. His treatment of children, lepers and the sick shocked those around him. He crossed boundaries. He restored dignity. He gave worth where society had withheld it.

Ground-breaking

Like Jesus before us, the Christianity we believe in and follow should be ground-breaking. It should turn the tables upside down. It should seek real justice for all. Real compassion does make a real difference.

Easter is not simply about eggs and fluffy bunnies. It is a reminder of the deep call to be more like Jesus – to live Christ-filled and Christ-centred lives that reflect his courage, mercy and love.

My prayer for you this Easter is that you will experience his presence in a fresh way, and that your life will continue to shine with His grace and truth.

With every blessing

Gail