On Wednesday 24th July, I celebrated a year since my Institution service at St Paul’s. I was on retreat in Northumberland, staying with the Franciscans in Alnmouth. We are strongly encouraged to have a week’s retreat once a year, and coming to the wilds of Northumberland, to enter into the monastic pattern of life of the Franciscans, provided the time and space I needed to reflect on the year that’s just gone.
As I sat looking out over the Friary car park (not quite the view I expected!) I made a list of what we’ve done this year, and it’s a long list of new initiatives and achievements. There is so much to celebrate and it feels as though the momentum in the church is gearing up. Much of what we’ve done, as well as raising valuable funds, has enabled me to get to know you and I’m so grateful for your energy and insights as we’ve gone through the year together.
My highlights are our services. I love Sunday morning – the buzz of anticipation and activity as we prepare for the service, greeting people after the doors have been opened and that moment when we declare that we meet in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Sunday is that special time in the week when we come together, as we are, to hear again that we are accepted and loved and that nothing we do can separate us from God. It is a moment of recalibration and refreshment, when we come in our poverty and are met with the abundance of God’s life-giving spirit in worship and Holy Communion.
Thank you to all of you for the year that has just gone; to those of you who I’ve got to know well, and those who I’ve just met occasionally. I’m looking forward to the year ahead, to all the new initiatives that we will start, and to continuing on some of the well-love and trodden paths. I remember with thanksgiving the life of Father Michael, it’s good to hear the stories of his kindness and openness to all people. I hope that his legacy is that we remain a generous and outward looking church.
With thanks for all that’s been and looking forward to the year ahead with grateful anticipation. If you haven’t come along on a Sunday for a while, please come and join us, its always good to see you.
Caroline
The Funeral of Yvonne Hughes
On Saturday 17th August at 12 noon, we said goodbye to one of our much loved parishoners, Yvonne Hughes. It was a sad, but also a celebratory occasion and very much the service that Yvonne had hoped for. Yvonne had expressed a wish to have garden flowers at her funeral, and many people contributed some beautiful blooms. We stayed chatting and remembering Yvonne long into the afternoon.
AUTUMN SERVICES AND EVENTS
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.
Our vicar is Rev'd Caroline Halmshaw who can be
contacted on 07742 738660.
Wednesday 11th September 10:30am - 12 noon
Pilgrim Course exploring The Lord's Prayer
The Pilgrim courses have been written by a team of writers and theologians from across the Church of England. They aim to help every local church create a place where
people can explore the Christian faith together and see how it can be lived out each day. The course approaches the great issues of faith not through persuasion, but participation in a pattern of
contemplation and discussion with a group of fellow travellers. In this course we will explore one of the greatest Christian treasures, The Lord's Prayer, taking time to reflect on the meaning and
application of the different elements that make up this well known and loved prayer.
The course will start on Wednesday 11th September and will run at the same time for 6 weeks. All are welcome to come and join us, and if you can only make a few of the sessions, that’s absolutely
fine too. Please follow up with Rev'd Caroline Halmshaw if you would like to attend or find out more.
Wednesday 11 September: PCC Meeting
PCC meeting at 7:15pm in the Isis Rooms
Friday 13 September
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Saturday 14th September 2:30pm
Grove Park Group Summer Party
Sunday 15 September
10am Parish Eucharist
Sunday 15th September 4.30-6pm
Youth Group
The St Paul's Youth Group will now be every fortnight, in the vicarage. The group is for ages 11-18 and all are most welcome. See the above poster for dates and more details!
Wednesday 18th September 10:30am - 12 noon
Pilgrim Course exploring The Lord's Prayer
See 11 September for more info on this 6-session course
Friday 20 September
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Sunday 22 September
10am Parish Eucharist
Sunday 22 September 11am
Bring and Buy Produce Sale
The sale will follow the morning service. Fresh produce from the garden or allotments is very welcome as well as home made items such as cakes, buns, brownies, biscuits, bread, jams,
preserves, chutneys, pates and any other delights. We are also hoping to refresh and rebuild our jigsaw offerings, so they are also gratefully received. If you would like to contribute, but wont
be around that day, please let Sara Hodson know and she will arrange to collect.
Wednesday 25th September 10:30am - 12 noon
Pilgrim Course exploring The Lord's Prayer
See 11 September for more info on this 6-session course
Friday 27 September
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Sunday 29 September 10am
Harvest Festival
This year we are collecting non-perishable donations for the Upper Room, a charity based in Hammersmith which supports West London's homeless and vulnerable people. The items listed below are from their priority list and would be especially welcome:
Ground black and white pepper, vegetable stock cubes, olive oil, sunflower or vegetable oil, tins of chopped tomatoes, pasta (preferably penne), rice (preferably basmati), spaghetti, biscuits, instant coffee, tea bags (not loose tea), bleach, toilet rolls, washing up liquid, deodorant, shampoo and shower gel.
“I have followed the work of The Upper Room since its earliest days, and while it has grown hugely in competence, ambition and achievement, it has never lost its
driving purpose to change and improve the lives of very vulnerable people whose days are blighted by poverty, homelessness, isolation and lack of care. The Upper Room epitomises the good society,
giving practical and emotional support to those who need it most.”
Andy Slaughter, MP
Sunday 29th September 4.30-6pm
Youth Group
Sunday 29th September 6.30pm
Taizé Service
Wednesday 2 October 10:30am - 12 noon
Pilgrim Course exploring The Lord's Prayer
See 11 September for more info on this 6-session course
Friday 4 October
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Sunday 6 October
Car Boot Sale at Chiswick School
This is a new venture for St Paul's, we are taking a table at the enormously popular car book sale that take place every month on the field of Chiswick School. If you have some quality goods that you are happy to donate then please message Adam Richardson on 07500 303080.
Sunday 6 October
10am Parish Eucharist
Sunday 6 October
Youth Group
The St Paul's Youth Group meets every fortnight, in the vicarage. The group is for ages 11-18 and all are most welcome.
Today's Youth Group is a joint event with other Youth Groups in Putney.
Wednesday 9 October 10:30am - 12 noon
Pilgrim Course exploring The Lord's Prayer
See 11 September for more info on this 6-session course
Friday 11 October
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Sunday 13 October
10am Parish Eucharist
Sunday 13 October 4:30-6pm
Youth Group
The St Paul's Youth Group meets every fortnight, in the vicarage. The group is for ages 11-18 and all are
most welcome.
Wednesday 16 October 10:30am - 12 noon
Pilgrim Course exploring The Lord's Prayer
See 11 September for more info on this 6-session course
Friday 18 October
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Sunday 20 October
10am Parish Eucharist
Friday 25 October
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Sunday 27 October
10am Parish Eucharist
Friday 1 November
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Sunday 3 November
10am Parish Eucharist
Sunday 3 November 6pm: All Souls Service
We will read the names of people we would like to remember during the service. If there are people you would like us to include in our time of remembrance please email Rev'd Caroline vicar@stpaulsgrovepark.com. Or write their names on the sheet of paper at the entrance of the church.
Friday 8 November
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Remembrance Sunday 10 November 10am
Eucharist Service 10am with the act of Rembrance at 11am.
Sunday 10 November 4:30-6:30
Youth Group
The St Paul's Youth Group meets every fortnight, in the vicarage. The group is for ages 11-18 and all are
most welcome.
Friday 15 November
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Saturday 16 November 7:30pm
Hounslow Symphony Orchestra 70th Anniversary Concert
Tickets from the HSO website here
Sunday 17 November
10am Parish Eucharist
Friday 22 November
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
Saturday 23 November 7:30pm
An Evening with Mike Reed and Friends
Mike has conducted over 20 West End Shows, including Phantom of the Opera, Barnum, Aspects of Love, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Singin’ in the Rain and Bat out of Hell as well as most of the leading orchestras in the UK. He also contributes regularly to BBC Radio 2. This evening is a rare opportunity to hear him talking at the piano about his life in musical theatre and sharing his favourite melodies. After the interval, he will be joined by some of his musical friends, for what is certain to be a splendid performance of some stellar highlights from his glittering career. This is highly likely to sell out fast, so get your tickets from Eventbrite now! https://aneveningwithmikereed.eventbrite.co.uk/
Sunday 24 November
10am Parish Eucharist
Sunday 24 November 4:30-6pm
Youth Group
The St Paul's Youth Group meets every fortnight, in the vicarage. The group is for ages 11-18 and all are
most welcome.
Friday 29 November
9:30-11:30am Stay and Play
10:45am to 12 noon Coffee Club
12-12:30pm Welcome Service
PARISH GIVING SCHEME
St Paul's has recently joined the 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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