End Hunger UK

During his presidential address at Diocesan Synod +Martyn encouraged people to engage with the work of End Hunger UK and to sign the petition. Since the introduction of Universal Credit the use of Food Banks have increased. If you want to visit their website click here. To sign the petition click here.
We will be celebrating Harvest on Sunday at St Paul's and donations of tinned and dried goods will support the work of Oadby Food Bank.

Sandra – We Welcome You into the Lord's Family

Today, Richard and Jordan Chambers brought their daughter Sandra for baptism. We were reminded of Jesus' words: "do not discourage the children from coming to me." So it was a delight to welcome Sandra, her parents and grandparents, godparents and friends to St Paul's.
We were reminded that the Christian life is a journey, and Gillian suggested things that Sandra and we needed on our life's journey. Out of her suitcase she brought a lighthouse, as we need the light of Christ to show us the right way to go; a toy lamb, with a cross to show which farmer she belonged to and the reminder that Christ would be her good Shepherd; a set of footsteps leading to the font, reminding us of her journey to Christ; a bottle of water, reminding us that Christ wanted to wash all our sins away; and a frieze of a family to remind us that in baptism Sandra will be joining the worldwide Christian family.
After the baptism and Communion, Sandra was given a candle to remind her of the light of Christ, who would go with. Then everyone was treated to a piece of the baptism cake with their coffee.
Sandra, as we promised in the service, we will all seek to support you in your future Christian life.

Gill at 80!

Last week, Gill Aires, who leads the Thursday morning Coffee Pot group reached the grand age of 80. Gill and her husband John are some of the longest standing members of St Paul's. At coffee pot this week the event was celebrated with cakes and chocolates, not to mention the inevitable singing of "Happy Birthday."

Thank you Gill for all the part you take the life St Paul's, especially for your concern for all those who are part of the Coffee Pot group. May God be richly bless the years ahead.

Meet the Changemakers

Today is the 10th anniversary of the collapse Lehman Brothers, the event that triggered the global financial crisis. A decade
later, we are still dealing with the consequences of the economic fall-out that
ensued.

Triodos is an ethical bank that seeks to be transparent in the way it uses customers money.

Come and Visit Us!

On Saturday 29 September, we are inviting everyone who is interested, or just curious, to come and see what happens in our buildings. The church will be open from 2.0 p.m. – 4.0 p.m.
There will be displays and explanations of what we do. In the side chapel there will be recordings by the Archbishop, Justin Welby, and our own Bishop, Martyn Snow, in which they share their thoughts. Explanations of the Christian belief will be available, as will details of forthcoming events If you have any questions, there will be people around to answer them.
There will also be tea or coffee and cakes in the Barnabas Centre, behind the church.
We look forward to seeing you!

The day after, Sunday 30 September is our harvest festival and you would be very welcome to join us at 10.0
a.m.

Running to Help

By happy coincidence to the subject of our service today (the Christian charity Tearfund), our Rector, Steve Bailey, was running in the Great North Run to raise funds for Christian Aid. This is another charity that seeks to help the poorest in society in the name of Christ. Steve has been sponsored by many members of the congregation of St Paul’s.

Light for Those Who Are in Darkness

When Jesus came, he promised light to those who are in darkness. Of course, he meant spiritual light to those who were in the darkness of sin, but who could now come into the light of relationship with his father through the forgiveness he was able to offer by his death on the cross. But he also came to the poor and needy, and in this world, some of the poorest have no physical light.

Our service today was led by Karen Johnson, who highlighted a project by the Christian relief agency Tear Fund to bring light to poor communities. As an example, she told us of a community in DRC Congo where a solar panel, feeding batteries was able to provide a light for reading and security. It also provided light for a small nursing station which the project had built. The combination of the light and the clinic meant that a 19 year old was able to avoid a three-hour journey to the nearest other maternity.  The service was held in a church without lights (on a very grey day) to emphasise the importance of light. And a cross covered in baking foil was surrounded with lit T-lights, making it shine in the darkness.

We were all encouraged to think of something that would help make a difference for our world.

Prayer and Praise

At 7.30 p.m. last night (Friday 7 September) a group of about 20 met at St Paul's for 1 1/2 hours of prayer and praise. John Griffin led us with some Christian songs of praise and worship and then there was a time for people to pray for whatever they felt the Holy Spirit was leading them. Issues varied from the local needs of people in the church, to the wider issues involved in "seeing God's kingdom come," in our country, to committing to God the enormous needs of the world.
This is intended to be a quarterly event. Next time, come and join us.

's promise 9 is not is not's 6 John your language

What Christians believe...in 90 Seconds!

The Greatest Showman

On Saturday 8 September at 7.30 p.m., St Paul's begins a new series of Community Film Shows. This first film, "The Greater Showman" is a popular musical suitable for families, based on the life of TP Barnum, who built a spectacle and introduced Show Business.
Don't miss it! We hope to see you there.