About us
Our mission is to cherish all, regardless of marital and social status, sexual orientation or level of church commitment.
Who we are
St Paul’s aims to be an Open Church in faith and practice.
- Open to questions of faith and doubt, lifestyle, justice and peace
- Open to people from all backgrounds and
- Open, above all, to the ultimate mystery of God and to the life and teachings of Jesus.
We are proud to belong to the Inclusive Church network and believe all our differing life experiences enrich each other.
Our relationship with God is enriched through the creative arts, in poetry, music, art and drama.
We share a concern for the planet and social justice.
Social and climate justice
We are committed to social and environmental justice, both locally and worldwide. We maintain an active programme of community giving, whilst resourcing as much community and individual action as we can.
We have campaigned for the Jubilee Debt campaign and various members of the congregation are involved with organisations helping refugees and rights for Palestinians.
This winter we have been actively involved in welcoming homeless guests as part of the Churches Winter Night Shelter and every May we work together to support the Soup Run in Bristol.
Several parish members are volunteers for the MakeLunch project which aims to feed children who normally receive free school meals, to have a hot meal during school holidays.
Eco Church
Caring for creation, and for climate and environmental justice are an important part of our core values at St Paul’s. In all aspects of our life together we are working hard to put caring for creation at the center – from our worship, to our building and land stewardship, our community life, our global committments and our lifestyle’s.
We host a regular Benefice Eco Group, together with talks, campaigning and marching together, hosting a student XR group and have lots of plans for upcoming environmentally focused events like a Fast Fashion Fortnight, Toilet Twinning fundraisers and eco gardening.
We are part of the A Rocha Eco Church scheme, and having achieved a Bronze award are working towards Silver.
For more information about Eco Church, get in touch with Pippa, our Curate, via cothamandstpaul@gmail.com
Benefice
St Paul’s is part of a benefice. Our sister church, with whom we share clergy and administrative support, is Cotham Parish Church. We are enriched by this partnership, hold regular benefice Eucharists, and get together for workshops, parties and children’s events. This winter we have been actively involved in welcoming homeless guests as part of the Churches Winter Night Shelter. Every May we work together to support the Soup Run and in September we hold a Benefice Retreat at the beautiful Llangasty Retreat Centre in Wales.
Benefice Groups
Book Group – currently meeting via Zoom. New members very welcome. For the latest information visit Church at Home.
Writing Group – also meeting via Zoom. No experience necessary, a group aimed at supporting creative exploration. New members very welcome. Visit Church at Home.
Art Group – connected via an email & WhatsApp group at present, sharing inspiration and current projects together. For more information email highburypartnership@gmail.com
