WELCOME TO ST PAUL'S ANGLICAN PARISH, MANUKA,  WITH ST DAVID'S, RED HILL

The Christian Church exists to praise and worship God, who meets us face-to-face in Jesus Christ. 

The Church is a community of ordinary, fallible people. But we believe the Holy Spirit of God calls us together, giving us gifts of joy, hope and forgiveness to share with the world.

We of this parish testify that God gives us strength to live well, a community of support and fellowship and a sense of belonging to something special. 

As an Anglican Church we are committed to sacramental worship, preaching that touches heart and mind, and to providing a context where faith can be explored, grown and celebrated. 

·      The bible is at the centre of our spiritual vision, but we are not fundamentalists.

·      Our worship is traditional, joyful and energetic.

·      We are a parish diverse in age, race and denominational background.

·      St Paul’s is a bit like a cathedral and a bit like a suburban parish church—we believe we offer something unique and special in our worship and fellowship.

·      St David’s is a lively, mainly older congregation meeting in a more intimate worship space. 

Our God is hospitable, and we want you to feel that you are welcome in the parish, known, valued and taken seriously. 

This webpage provides information about various Parish activities, which may be of interest. But chiefly we want to get to know you, see what you’re interested in, try to meet your needs and, in time, discern what contributions you might make to our life together. 

This Church may be a gift to you from God, but you may also be a gift from God to this Church! 

Christian Initiation

We regularly welcome infants with their parents, along with the occasional adult convert, to the Christian faith through baptism. Children and adults are regularly confirmed in their faith. When Christians of other traditions are drawn to our Church, we incorporate them through a rite of reception into the Anglican Church.  

Christian Education and Formation

·      Home Groups are something we would like to develop at St Paul’s. Home Groups met in Lent 2004, and we hope they can become a regular part of our parish life through 2005.

·      Education for Ministry (EFM) is a four-year program of theological education by extension, done in a group with weekly reading required. New members can slot into the program at various points.

Children and Youth

·      Sunday School is the old-fashioned name for our weekly special time for children at St Paul’s during the 10.00 am Eucharist. The children are out of Church through the ministry of the word, during which time they explore Christian faith through story, craft and fellowship together. They return to participate in the Eucharist. 

Fellowship

·      Walking Group (regular Saturday rambles in good company throughout Canberra and surrounding districts).

·      Senior Women’s Fellowship (a friendship group involving monthly meetings and outings on a Thursday—for older ladies).

·      Tapestry Group (a fortnightly needlework group meeting on a Wednesday afternoon, producing the splendid kneeling cushions in St Paul’s—learners welcome!).

·      Young Adults’ Group (mostly twenty-something singles who meet each Thursday night in St Paul’s Hall, downstairs, to eat, talk, make friends and, fairly regularly, explore life issues together).

·      Movie Club is a regular Sunday lunchtime gathering of film lovers and their friends. Parishioners reflect on a recent film the group has chosen, which participants have seen prior to meeting. Stimulating discussion of cultural, ethical and faith-related issues arising from the film is guaranteed! 

Liturgical Music

St Paul’s has singing and instrumental opportunities at both the 8.00am and 10.00am Eucharists. We have a choir weekly at 10.00am, once a month at 8.00am, and we regularly hear trumpets and harps in our worship.  

Christian Outreach

·      The Pastoral Care Team is a group of lay people and honorary clergy who work with the parish clergy to extend Christ’s ministry of care, healing and hope to the sick, the troubled, the bereaved and the lonely in the parish, and further afield. For information about pastoral care, contact the clergy. Baptism and Marriage Preparation are also provided under the auspices of our Pastoral Care Team, and represent a significant outreach into the Canberra community.

·      The Verandah is an initiative of St Paul’s, Canberra Baptist Church and Wesley Uniting Church, in the Stuart Flats—the large area of public housing behind St Paul’s, where many residents find life to be a struggle. This is the real thing! Volunteers are needed and welcome. 

Bellringing

St Paul’s boasts the only full peal of English change-ringing bells in the national capital. They are rung every Sunday from 9.00am, and on special occasions, with regular trips to centres out of Canberra available for bellringers. Experienced ringers are always welcome in the tower, and new ringers are regularly drawn in and trained in this ancient craft—no experience necessary! A number of young people have found this a very hands-on, exciting way of enriching their experience of worship.  

To hear the bells of St Paul's please click here.

Flower Arranging

Flower arranging contributes significantly to the beauty of our worship week by week. Arrangers are invited to join the roster.

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Last modified: July 01, 2008