St. Paul's Parish Life

PARISH LIFE

Most of us are searching for something larger than ourselves—for connections that are real and meaningful. We invite you to explore further. St. Paul's offers many ways to go a bit deeper and discover a warm caring community and a place of belonging while you get to know us and what we stand for. You will be warmly welcomed and shown full respect for where you are in your faith journey, whether that means you want to take it slowly and tentatively, or jump right in.

Please select one or more of the following:

CHILDREN

Our children's ministry seeks to establish and grow faith in Jesus in our children by bringing them week by week into contact with God's truth and his love.

ChurchSchool

From September to June, youngsters aged 4 to 11 are welcome to join in our Sunday School program. This program runs during the 10 o'clock liturgy. The children begin the service with their parents and after a Children's Focus at the chancel step they are led out during a hymn to their own program downstairs in the church. The children then join their teachers to find out more about what faith in Jesus can mean in their lives. The program is full of activities that make learning fun for children. On some Sundays they will return in time to receive holy communion with their parents. A highlight of the year is the annual Christmas Pageant.

The children of St. Paul's had a very successful lenten outreach project in 2008, raisning 3 times their goal.  The children chose to send the money they raised to "Sleeping Children Around the World" who provide bed kits to the neediest of children in underdeveloped countries.

Nursery

We offer a professionally supervised Nursery for infants and toddlers under four every Sunday during the 10 o'clock liturgy. The Nursery is located in a bright and spacious room in the Parish House.

Scouting

St. Paul's also sponsors the 2nd Newmarket Scouting Group. This group has Cubs (ages 8-10), Scouts (ages 11-14), Venturers (ages 15-18).

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

The purpose of Christian Education for adults is not only to teach us about how God's grace works, but to help us experience that grace; not only to know about God but to know God, to become God's friend. All are welcome – the baptized and the unbaptized, the seeker, the unchurched, the cradle Anglican, even the committed atheist. As we study doctrine, prayer, history, spiritual growth, scripture, sacraments, etc., we ask is it true, not just abstractly true, but true as in honest, authentic, sincere. We ask is it good; is it beautiful; does it more or less agree with our experience; does it enrich life and humanity. Anyone even casually interested in learning more about Christianity and the spiritual life are welcome to attend any or all of the courses offered. Special courses will be offered during Lent (the five weeks before Easter) and for five weeks during the summer. Other courses and workshops will be offered from time to time. Retreats are also ancient and important ways of Christian growth and spiritual development.

Bible Study:    The Church believes that the Bible is the word of God and is uniquely authoritative for the Christian life. Accordingly, opportunities for studying the Bible are an important component to parish life and growth. Currently, we offer a Bible Study on The Gospel According to Matthew on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. The study is led by our priest and takes place in the church after the mid-week celebration of the Eucharist. Home study groups are also encouraged.

COMMUNICATIONS

Bulletin

The Sunday bulletin is handed out to all worshippers every Sunday. The bulletin guides people through the worship service. It also provides up-to-the-minute announcements and a weekly calendar of events. Notices need to be forwarded to the church office no later than Wednesday morning.

Newsletter

St. Paul publishes a newsletter several times a year. It contains longer articles on various parish events and issues than is possible in the weekly bulletin. The newsletter accepts advertising from local businesses as a way of covering costs.

OUTREACH

We reach out to others because God has first reached out to us in love, compassion and mercy. We have an opportunity to participate in God's ongoing mission to the world. Accordingly, St. Paul's reaches out to others locally within Newmarket and identifies situations or projects that are in need of personal involvement and financial support.

Kyrgyzstan

In 2008, our congregation will be sending boxes of medical supplies to this impoverished country's hospital in Tokmok, Kyrgystan.

The people in Tokmok are desperately in need of very basic items.  The only medical supply we are not able to send are prescription drugs.  Items that we are able to send include: gauze, sutures, pain medication, band aids, tensor, anti-bacterial creams, etc.  All are desperately needed.

One hundred percent of all donations to this 2008 Spring Outreach Project, will be directed to this project.  Besides accepting donations of medical supplies, we will accept cash donations to purchase further items.  15% of the money St. Paul's collects for FaithWorks will be directed towards this parish outreach project.

If you are interested in assisting in any way, please contact the church office at 905-853-7285 any weekday morning.

FaithWorks

We financially support the Diocese of Toronto's annual FaithWorksappeal. This provides funding for a variety of projects in Toronto, across Canada and around the world that assists thousands in need annually in the program areas of: children and youth, families at risk, people seeking transitional and permanent housing, the unemployed, refugees, outreach to prison inmates and those living in the developing world.  We retain 15% of the money donated for our parish outreach project (see above).

Food Bank

St. Paul's supports the Newmarket Food Pantry in the old Town Hall on Botsford St. It is open to assist low-income people on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Leisure Services for Seniors

St. Paul's sponsors a Ministry of Community and Social Services Leisure Services for Seniors program. This program offers outings and special events, crafts, table games, and other activities for seniors, especially those with developmental handicaps.

AA

St. Paul's is proud to provide meeting space for AA. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; they are self-supporting through their own contributions. Their primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. AA meets each Friday night at 7:00 p.m.

PASTORAL CARE

Visitors

In addition to our weekly worship services, the priest, assisted by a dedicated group of volunteers, provides parishioners with home visits for the ill and shut-ins and pastoral support in the event of serious illness, critical emergencies, and other times of need. New Lay Pastoral Visitors are welcome.

Seniors Residences

A small corps of volunteers assist the priest in visiting patients at the Southlake Regional Health Centre (hospital), and the residents at seniors residences. Regular monthly communion services are offered at Eagle Terrace Nursing Home, Southlake Village Nursing Home, Alexander Muir Retirement Home and MacKenzie Place Nursing Home

Emergencies

Our priest is available for emergency services at Southlake Regional Health Centre, and follow-up after patients have been discharged from hospital.

PROPERTY

Church Cleaners

St Paul's is blessed with a dedicated band of voluntary cleaners making our church look beautiful. The dedicated work by the Church Cleaners throughout the year keeps St Paul's looking loved and well cared for. We do need some more hands to share and lighten this work, so get in touch with the church office if you have a little time to devote to serving our community in this way.

SOCIAL

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hours are held after the 8 and 10 am liturgies every Sunday. These occasions provide an important contribution to parish life by encouraging friendly gatherings, and providing the many attendees ideal time to get to know each other and to welcome newcomers. People willing to assist with setting up and providing refreshments are welcome.

Euchre Nights

Once a month, or so, euchre fans get together in the Parish House on a Saturday night for a friendly evening of cards, conversation and snacks. New players are welcome. If you're a novice, people would be glad to teach you.

Men's Breakfast Club

The men of the parish meet once a month (excepting summer) on Saturday for a deliciously prepared breakfast (by the men, of course!) and a guest speaker. In warmer weather, the men gather on the terrace. The men also cater special breakfasts such as a couples' breakfast near Valentine's Day and a women's breakfast near Mother's Day. All men of the parish are automatically members of the club and are always welcome to attend. Guests are welcome too.

Newcomers' Wine & Cheese

From time to time, we invite all newcomers to a special Wine & Cheese gathering at the Parish House. This is an excellent opportunity for newcomers to meet one another and a chance to meet some of the parish leadership in an informal and enjoyable manner.

Pancake Supper

The parish puts on a pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday. This day is also known as Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and is the day before Lent starts. Lent is a time when Christians are invited to practice their spiritual disciplines, including fasting. So Fat Tuesday is a good way to get rid of things we won't need during the season of Lent! The festivity and fellowship of a meal based on pancakes and sausages then gives way to the austerity of Lent. Everyone is welcome.

Patronal Festival

January 25th is the feast day of our patron saint, the apostle St. Paul. We celebrate the occasion on the Sunday closest to the 25th. Immediately after our worship service at 10 o'clock we gather for a delicious potluck meal and a time of fellowship. This day provides a great introduction to life in this parish and all are invited to the feast.

STEWARDSHIP

Sharing is the chief joy of friendship. God gives generously to us so that we can enjoy giving generously in return. Stewardship is our spontaneous response to God's grace, affirming our communion with God and each other through concrete acts of generosity. From our experience of compassion, love, gratitude and concern, the desire to nourish what we value arises in us.

An important aspect of our membership in the Church is our financial support. Financial support is first of all regular, budgeted giving. This is the main support for St. Paul's and all that we attempt to do. Our budget is based on what members are willing to give. In addition, financial stewardship also involves us in the extraordinary needs and lofty dreams which arise from time to time in the life of the parish. Constructing the "Link" between the church and the parish house, for example, called forth great generosity from our members and friends. Special gifts make it possible for St. Paul's to realize long-term goals.

But besides money, we support the church with our time, our skills and our presence. Volunteering in various ways, from reading to teaching Sunday School to cleaning to singing in the choir to making crafts for the bazaar, are all forms of stewardship. Just showing up on Sunday morning is an indication of our stewardship, our willingness to share with others our love and dependence on God. Indeed, all the loving acts we perform at home, at work, and in the community are our gifts to God.