Our church is in Grove Park, Chiswick, just a stone's throw from the Thames. It has been used for Christian worship since 1872 and we would be delighted if you joined us. Christians of all denominations are welcome here, as are those searching for God and indeed the simply curious. We have one Eucharist Service a week, on Sundays at 10am and coffee is served afterwards at the back of the church. On Mondays the Meditation Group meet in church at 6:45pm for about half an hour and a quiet celebration of communion often follows this. On Fridays in church, we have a Stay and Play group for parents, babies and toddlers from 9:30-11:30am, a Coffee Club from 10:45am to 12 noon and a short Welcome Service taken by our Lay Minister Simon Surtees from 12-12:30pm.
You can contact our vicar Rev'd Caroline Halmshaw on
07742 738660.
RESIGNATION OF JUSTIN WELBY
It’s been a hard week for all who know and love the Church. The Makin Report highlights huge failings in our ability to ensure we do all we can to care for those who have been affected by abuse from within.
I think it was Justin Welby who said that we don’t exist for our own sakes; our purpose is to make known the love of God, in how we live and speak. Clearly we have fallen very short of this.
I found the Bishop of Stepney Joanne Grenfell’s words helpful following the news of Justin Welby’s resignation. She said:
“As Lead Bishop for Safeguarding for the Church of England, I have been acutely aware of the impact of the Makin report and the retraumatizing effects of its publication on victims and survivors of John Smyth’s awful abuse. With sadness, I fully respect and understand Archbishop Justin’s decision today to resign. Although Archbishop Justin has helped the Church of England to achieve much in relation to safeguarding during his tenure, because of the failings identified in the Makin Report it is now necessary for others to take up the baton.
Of course, the responsibility for good safeguarding in the Church of England lies with every one of us. Archbishop Justin’s resignation does not change that, and his decision today does not absolve any of us from bringing about the wholesale changes in culture and leadership that are essential in every part of the Church. I am acutely aware of the need in our current work on safeguarding independence, following the report of Professor Alexis Jay, to bring to General Synod recommendations for moving forward which can be both effective and trusted in this regard. I have worked closely with Archbishop Justin since I took on this role and have greatly valued his personal commitment to good safeguarding, and his desire to see the whole Church make this a priority."
At our PCC meeting this week we went through our procedures for ensuring that we do all we can to protect and nurture all people who come to St Paul’s. We are clear about how central safeguarding is and we have in place practical steps to make sure we meet our commitments.
Last week was Safeguarding Sunday, and as we gathered together, we asked for God’s help as we seek to make his love known in our church.
Dear God,
Help us to be a church that:
Loves, welcomes, protects.
Listens, learns, serves.
Repents, restores, transforms.
Values, cares, believes.
God of Justice and compassion, hear our prayer.
Help us, heal us, guide us, we pray.
In Jesus' name.
Amen
Thank you to everyone who helped with, or attended our magnificent concert, An Evening with Mike Reed and Friends. It was a wonderful night, with some truly astonishing musical talent on display, as well as lots of laughter and joy. You can see some photos on the EVENTS GALLERY page and watch a video of the evening on YouTube here.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SERVICES & EVENTS
Advent Sunday 1 December
10am Parish Eucharist
Advent Sunday 1st December 6pm
Advent Carol Service at St Nicholas Church, Chiswick Mall
This carol service is a joint service for St Paul's, St Michael's in Elmwood Road and St Nicholas. The music will be from singers from the choirs of all three churches.
Wednesday 4th December 10:30-12pm
Advent Course in the Isis Room
Friday 6 December
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Sunday 8 December
10am Parish Eucharist
Wednesday 11th December 10:30-12pm
Advent Course
Friday 13 December
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Sunday 15 December
10am Parish Eucharist
Sunday 15th December
Kew Sinfonia Christmas Concert
Wednesday 18th December 10:30-12pm
Advent Course
Thursday 19th December 6:30pm
Christmas Concert
Tickets are available from Eventbrite
Friday 20 December
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Saturday 21st December 4pm
Christingle Service
Christingle is a joyful celebration that brings families and communities together to share the light of Jesus and spread a message of
hope. During the service, each person takes a Christingle and the candles are all lit to create a warm, magical glow
symbolising the light of Christ and bringing hope to people living in darkness.
Sunday 22 December
10am Parish Eucharist
Monday 23rd December 7pm
Longest Night Service
Tuesday 24th December Christmas Eve
4pm: Crib Service
11:30pm: Midnight Mass
Wednesday 25th December Christmas Day
10am Family Communion
Sunday 29th December 6:30pm
Taizé Service
GIVING TO ST PAUL'S
St Paul's is a registered charity: 1154708. We are part of the Church of England's Parish Giving Scheme, which is an easier way for us to collect financial donations, whether they are from regular giving or one-off contibutions. You can find out more about the finances of St Pauls by reading the 2023 Accounts and Report, which are available to download below.
Give to St Paul's by going to the GIVING page of this website or by pressing the DONATE TO ST PAUL'S button. Thank you!
St Paul's Annual Report 2023.pdf
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