St Paul's Magazine - Issue Eight by St Pauls Church

ISSUE

magazine st paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ealing

Building Community

welcome to st paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sunday Services Holy Communion at 8am Communion service (Common Worship) Morning Service at 9:15am and 11am Fresh worship, teaching and ministry Evening Service at 6:30pm Extended worship, teaching and ministry

Building Community

ISSUE

welcome

EDITORIAL

Thank you for picking up this magazine and I really hope that you are informed by it as you read through the pages that follow, which give a snapshot of our church family.

CONTRIBUTORS

Our aim is to be like the person we follow; we try to be like Jesus Christ. If you take a snapshot of Jesus’ life you’ll see that there is a common theme

Lindsay Melluish | Fiona Spence | Sarah Parry | Charlotte Bubb

Azniv Pambakian, Mark Tate, Guy Loureiro, Andrew Holden, Richard and Vanessa Alston, Danny and Susan Haigh, Chris Fox, Jane Pavey, Barry Hingston, Ruth Dales, Bri L’Hostis, Louis Karmios, Claire Sullivan, Nicky Lozinski

DESIGN

Simon Parry

PHOTOGRAPHY

David Bevan | istockphoto | Simon Parry

PUBLISHER St Paul’s Church

magazine@stpauls-ealing.org St Paul’s Church Ridley Ave Ealing LONDON W13 9XW

that comes out: people matter. Jesus reached out to people of every generation, He reached out to people of every background, He reached out to people of every culture. He broke down the cultural, religious and gender barriers that were prevalent in society when He was here on earth and He bridged them with a message of hope. Every story told in the Bible involves an individual; it is the story of the individual disciples who find a purpose to live for, a person to follow. It’s the story of the Good Samaritan who himself was considered an enemy of the Jews at that time; Jesus talks of him being a friend. It’s the story of the person whom the Samaritan helps, of being someone who is broken and needy, who requires a friend to come and stand with him. Jesus tells the story of reaching out to the sick, to those who suffer, to those who have taken a wrong turn in life. He tells the story of embracing and helping the thieves and homeless and outcasts in society. He tells the story of giving hope to the prostitutes and the drunkards. He tells the story of people being important. And that’s what we hold dear as a church family: that people are really important. And we think that you’re important and we hope that having looked at the snapshot of church family life in this magazine, you might consider joining us and helping us to re-tell the story of Jesus to those that we encounter in life, to tell the story of people being important. Mother Theresa said the greatest disease on the face of the earth is the disease of loneliness. We as a church family would like to do our bit to end that disease. And we’d really love it if you would consider joining us on the journey. I hope you enjoy this magazine and that at some point I might have the privilege of getting to know you as a member of this family that is trying to live as Jesus lived. Yours

Tel 020 8579 9444

WWW.STPAULSEALING.COM

Mark Melluish | Senior Pastor 1

CHURCH CALENDAR MARCH 2012

APRIL

MAY

28th-30th | New Wine Leaders Conference Harrogate Tuesday 29 10.30am | CAP Coffee Morning Wednesday 30 7am | Church Prayer Meeting 9am | Playschool Coffee Morning

JUNE

JULY

1pm | Church Picnic

Wednesday 18th 7am | Church Prayer Meeting 10am | Great & Small

church life

contents

6 Meet the Staff

In this issue we find out more about Azniv Pambakian, the local centre manager for Christians Against Poverty (CAP) based at St Paul’s

14 Connecting 16 Creative Worship 18 All Stars 20 Youth 22 Women’s ministry 24 What’s on for men?

New to St Paul’s? We have lots on offer to help you settle in

Mark Tate encourages us to express our worship in new ways

All you need to know about our kids’ work at St Paul’s

The lowdown on youth at St Paul’s

An overview of all the women’s events on offer this summer

A look at St Paul’s men’s ministry

Exciting Times Ahead

There are lots of ways for students and young adults to get involved in church life - find out more here

28 Community Ministries 30 Family Life 34 What is prayer ministry? 38 Global Village

Find out more about how St Paul’s gets involved in the local community

Information on courses for parents and couples

features

10 Book reviews 12 ‘More than just a summer conference’

Readers recommend inspiring, challenging Christian books

Ruth Dales gives us a fresh perspective on New Wine and its work with churches in the UK and around the world

40 Take a closer look What will heaven be like?

real life Stories of Grace ‘God replaced my mourning with joy’

4 32A day in the life 36Enabling women to feed their families Bri L’Hostis shares how God has been working in her life

Louis Karmios invites us to find out more about his working life

Claire Sullivan gives an insightful report back from her

regulars 1 Welcome from Mark Melluish 2 Calendar of events 42 Who’s who – staff and ministry leaders 43 Who’s who – Clusters and Life Groups 44 The Final Word – Nicky Lozinski

Danny and Susan Haigh explain how ministry times work at St Paul’s

Where in the world? Info on projects and partners supported by the church 3

STORIES OF GRACE

‘GOD

JOY

REPLACED MY MOURNING WITH

Bri L’Hostis tells us about her disappointment which turned to hope

I’ve always been pretty strong willed. My mother still tells stories about when I was two years old and refused to wear any of the clothes that she had picked out for me. Although my parents never managed to make me a quiet, compliant, unquestioning daughter, they helped me to channel my energy into constructive activities like doing well at school. Working hard and being successful became very important to me. During my last year at university, I became anxious and fearful. I didn’t know how I would cope financially and emotionally after graduation. I set out to conquer my fear in the only way I knew: working really, really hard. I started working about 40 hours per week on top of my full-time studies and various volunteer positions. 4

’ Y

My strong will morphed into the fearfulness of a control freak as I micromanaged every minute of my time to fit everything in. I hoped that by keeping extremely busy, I would be able to cope with my anxiety. However, the anxiety has followed me since then, manifesting itself in various mental health issues. When I started my master’s programme, I was engaged to be married. Although I was excited to start a new life with Jonathan, my true love was academics. I felt like God was calling me to teach theology. My greatest dream was to work in a school for pastors, teaching future church leaders about God and the Bible. The first step towards that goal was a master’s in theology. I’ll never forget the week that Jonathan and I realised that once we were married, I would have to quit my master’s course. Although it was very difficult to leave my programme, I didn’t lose hope in my dream; I planned to work for a year in London and then start my studies again at King’s College. About eight months after I had started my job, and just as I was beginning to fill in forms to apply for a place at King’s, I received a startling bit of news: I had fallen pregnant. I imagine that most couples greet this kind of news with joy, excitement and a sudden sense of responsibility. I felt like my life had ended. Throughout my teen years and early adulthood, I had battled with depression, self-harm and an eating disorder. However, at the news of my pregnancy, I dropped into the worst depression of my life. My hopes of becoming a professor were dashed.

It wasn’t until I started a course with New Wine Training Partnership that was being run at the church that I could finally open myself to God and start the healing process. Thanks to many people who were praying for me I started to face my disappointment with the path that my life had taken. I realised that in my efforts to control, work and succeed, I had gradually lost my self-identity. Rather than recognising my primary identity as being a child of God, I had started to define myself by what I did. I had mistakenly thought that teaching was the best that life had to offer me and when that dream had to end, I felt I had lost my identity and my hope for the future. Ironically, Liam’s middle name is Toivo, which means hope in Finnish. Even though I felt hopeless when he was born, God has used this whole situation to teach me what true hope means: finding my identity as God’s child. My material situation hasn’t changed; my university money is still being used to support our family as I’m no longer working. Serious studies that lead to a doctorate and teaching still seem to be out of the question. On the other hand, my life has totally changed. God has replaced my mourning, bitterness and disappointment with the joy of His presence and a place in His family. I’m sure I’ll face other disappointments in life, but I’m confident that God is good, that God loves me and that knowing God is more important than anything else. Bri L’Hostis

All the money that Jonathan and I had saved for university would now have to be funnelled into supporting a child. I started to believe that this was some sort of punishment and that God had sentenced me to a life of misery. I isolated myself from church friends and alienated my husband through my combative, verbally abusive behaviour. I was so angry and so depressed that I don’t have a lot of memories of those few months, but the memory of the pain is still quite raw. The sharpness of the pain and depression had mostly dulled by the time our son Liam was born. Outwardly things were going better, but inwardly, I still felt totally battered by the events of the previous year and really disappointed with life. 5

MEET THE STAFF

Azniv Pambakian, Ealing Churchesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; representative (based at St Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) working for Christians Against Poverty, talks about her life and work

Seeing the

brok n e made whole How long have you been at St Paul’s? I have been at St Paul’s five years; after 25 years at another church, I wanted somewhere more local.

How long have you been working for CAP? I had been praying for a job after two years of unemployment and had given God a list of things I wanted this job to have. A few weeks later Mark Melluish asked me if I wanted to work for CAP. When he told me what was involved I realised that the job met every one of my requirements. What had been your previous job? My previous job had been working for the family business, which was a household linen shop. My whole family is Christian – we are Armenian – and people would come into the shop for a chat and a listening ear as much as to buy linen.

MEET THE STAFF I loved listening to people and helping them in that way; this is partly because I experienced a deep sense of isolation myself as a six year old, newly arrived in England from Cyprus, where I was born, and put into school the day after we arrived without knowing a word of English.

What do you do to relax? I like playing board games with friends, especially backgammon and Rummikub. I also enjoy beautiful buildings and love to drive around with a friend looking at examples of good architecture; I like watching Grand Designs on TV too. I would also love to go to the opera and ballet.

When did you become a Christian and what difference has that made to your life? I made a commitment when I was 19, but when I was 26 I went to work on a farm in Lincolnshire. God said, ‘Come and find out about Me for yourself; never mind all you have heard about Me.’ So each day I would read a portion of the Bible and then, as I worked alone collecting the flowers on the farm, I would talk to Him about what I had read. It was during that time, mainly spent on my own, that He ministered to me very deeply, healing my brokenness. Since then my heart’s desire has been to see the broken made whole; I had begun to see this happening in the shop as we befriended customers, but that was my father’s enterprise. Now I am seeing people experiencing God’s healing and compassion through my work with CAP. Can you give us an example of this? I visited one woman who was very nervous – she had had creditors ringing and bailiffs coming to the door. Like many people I see, she was very distressed, sitting all bunched up and tense and unable to make eye contact. But also like many, once she had talked to me about her situation and realised that CAP could help her come up with a plan to repay her debts, she relaxed, saying that she had never been able to talk to anyone about her circumstances in this way before. Working out a budget for repayment of the debts is relatively straightforward, and is done at CAP’s main office in Bradford. Often the reasons for the client getting into debt are much more complicated; what I do is listen to the client and draw alongside them, befriending them, showing them tacitly that God cares about every detail of their lives and that they are infinitely precious to Him. 8

What holidays have you enjoyed? Bed and Breakfast holidays in the UK, particularly in Shropshire, one of my favourite counties – I loved getting to know my hosts. If I was leading a different life I would like to live in the country and enjoy a log fire once in a while. But my dream holiday would be to travel from Toronto to Vancouver by train, then on to see the Rockies in their magnificent autumn colours, as well as whale watching off the west coast of Canada. Favourite music? I have eclectic tastes so I would say anything from Beethoven to beatbox. Is there anything that not many people know about you? I have a zoology degree and a diploma from Relate, for whom I now volunteer as a counsellor for a few hours a week. What do you love about your job with CAP? I love to see broken lives and hearts made whole. Working with CAP allows me to take Jesus into homes where there are people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to meet the only person who can truly make a difference in their lives.

SUMMER 2012: UNLEASHED Join us for an unforgettable week to get inspired, empowered and fired up to change lives, communities and the nation!

For the sports Fans:

Don’t worry, you don’t need to miss out on the Games as we’ll be bringing you live, large-screen action in our dedicated venues.

London & south east

Saturday 21 – Friday 27 July 2012 Royal Bath and West Showground, Somerset

north & east

Saturday 28 July – Friday 3 August 2012 Newark and Nottinghamshire County Showground, Newark

Central & south West

Sunday 29 July – Saturday 4 August 2012 Royal Bath and West Showground, Somerset

www.new-wine.org/summer

‘This book set my heart on fire’

BOOK REVIEWS

Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller I picked up this book following a recommendation from Jay Pathak, a church leader in the USA, at a New Wine Leaders conference a couple of years ago. The book explores the whole concept of idolatry, which he defines as ‘worshipping something that cannot satisfy or replace the worship of God’. In his introduction he explores what he calls the ‘strange melancholy’, a despair that grips people. He believes this comes from worshipping idols. He says, ‘The way forward out of despair is to discern the idols of our hearts and our culture... The only way to free ourselves from the destructive influence of counterfeit gods is to turn back to the One True God.’ He then goes on to unpack in detail different idols that we might be prone to worship, including relationships and love, money and greed, success and power. He looks at each idol through the lens of a Biblical character such as Jacob or Zaccheus. His book challenges us to recognise the ability of the human heart to turn to an idol rather than to God. However, alongside the challenge that this book offers, his solutions are both practical and full of grace. I found this book to be a refreshing and biblically rooted look at the issue of idolatry. I found myself challenged to be honest and real with God about the idols in my own life, and determined to do whatever was needed in order to worship the One True God.

Chris Fox

When Heaven Invades Earth by Bill Johnson Have you ever wondered why the church sees so few answers to prayer for healing, while Jesus healed so many when He walked the earth? Matthew 14:14 says ‘…he had compassion on them and healed their sick.’ So what has changed? In When Heaven Invades Earth Bill Johnson puts forward the case that Jesus did what He did on the earth as a man, not as God, and as such He modelled the life that was available to every born-again believer. This is a life where healings are commonplace and the miraculous is normal. If you want to read a book about healing in the modern church, there can be few authors with greater authority than Bill Johnson. The senior pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California, Bill and his church family regularly see ‘impossibilities bend their knee to the name of Jesus’ all over their city and beyond. This book set my heart on fire. It raised my expectations and my levels of faith, but best of all it taught me that God isn’t just ‘good’, He’s 100% good 100% of the time. This book, more than any other, has given me a hunger to see God’s will done here and now, and convinced me that it’s my responsibility to release heaven onto my little bit of the earth. If you have a sneaky feeling that there is a whole lot more of God to experience, read it. You may never be the same again. Jane Pavey

Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life By Richard Rohr This is the kind of book I sometimes read but maybe not many St Paul’s people do, it being written by a Franciscan priest an’ all. He’s a ‘big picture’ thinker, characterizing the human journey as a life of two halves (a bit like a game of football I guess − I write as someone far enough into life’s ‘second half ’ to fear that if, I don’t get a result soon, it may have to go to penalties!). In Falling Upward, Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the two halves of life and to show wthat those who have fallen and failed are the ones who best understand what ‘up’ means. Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about decline − over the hill, past it, falling apart slowly − and letting go of life. The whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. What looks like falling down can largely be experienced as ‘falling upward’, and maturity counts if the lessons of the first half of life are well appreciated and applied. This book seeks to explain why the second half of life can and should be full of spiritual richness and offers a new view of how, when spiritual growth happens, loss is gain. The first half of life is necessary. It’s where we build who we are and meet our needs for security, identity and so on. The trouble is we are seldom secure enough to stop building and start doing something with what we have built. You may not agree with everything but you will feel inspired to make the second half of life the time of fulfilment not the time of decline that modern culture can make it sound. Barry Hingston

NEW WINE 2012

‘so much more than just a

summer e’ c n e r e f n o c Ruth Dales writes about New Wine: local churches changing nations

If we paid too much attention to today’s media it would be easy to believe that St Paul’s Ealing is a very unusual entity in a postmodern Britain. A church that people enjoy going to, which believes it has good news to share with others, and which tries to reach out with love to the lost, broken and poor, is a million miles away from the weak, confused and archaic religious institution that’s often presented as being ‘the church’ by television and newspapers. But the truth is that there are many churches similar to St Paul’s Ealing in the UK that share a vision to see our nation changed through the love and power of God. Many of these churches are part of the growing movement that is New Wine: local churches changing nations.

Across the road from St Paul’s in Ridley Avenue, in what looks a bit like a portacabin that has been parachuted onto the top of the church hall, are the rather lovely offices of the team which co-ordinates all that’s going on through New Wine across the country. I’m part of that team and my role is to help administer the network of church leaders who are affiliated with New Wine.

Having learned this lesson from John, David put it into practice in his church, St Andrew’s, Chorleywood in Hertfordshire. St Andrew’s became a local church that was joyfully transformed by the Holy Spirit and engaging in effective mission in a contemporary way. This caused other church leaders to visit St Andrew’s to find out what was going on and why, and led to David running events in Chorleywood for church leaders.

This New Wine Church Leaders’ Network comprises nearly 1,200 church leaders of many sorts – ordained ministers and lay people alike. Some will be part of a staff team in busy thriving churches. Others may be working alone in a small church, often blending a more traditional way of doing things with seeking to encourage the members of their church to know more of God’s Holy Spirit. Through the Network, New Wine seeks to encourage and support those in leadership by facilitating local groups for accountability and support, as well as by providing opportunities for larger churches to support smaller ones, through training and other events.

By 1989 these small gatherings had snowballed into a major summer conference which had to be held at the Bath and West of England Showground in Somerset in order to accommodate the 2,400 people who wanted to attend. The week’s programme consisted of worship, Bible teaching, seminars, as well as entertainment for adults, youth and children. Each subsequent year more churches brought more people so that last year a total of almost 29,000 people attended the three New Wine summer conferences, two in Somerset and one in Newark.

During the year church leaders working in different contexts have the chance to get together in forums to discuss the particular challenges and opportunities they encounter and to share ideas and experiences. I have found that those from inner city churches tend to focus on issues like working with disaffected youth and urban poverty, while leaders from rural churches find the Network a place of simple encouragement; God is still at work in churches that number their congregations in tens rather than hundreds. I love seeing how, whatever their background, leaders find that being part of the Network proves that the whole can truly be greater than the sum of the parts. After all, New Wine is all about God and His people. It’s a movement that was born out of the experience of a man called David Pytches, who was Bishop to the Anglican Church in Chile in the 1970s. In South America he saw God at work in powerful ways that were just not apparent in the church in Britain. David and his wife Mary returned to this country with a strong desire to see change happen. Through his relationship with John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard Church in the USA, David realised that one of the keys was the equipping of ordinary Christians for ministry through the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit.

For many people New Wine is synonymous with these summer week-long conferences. But New Wine organises numerous other events that take place all around the country almost every week of the year. Many of these are smaller conferences while others are more like training events, where people are able to learn about, experience and develop their spiritual gifts, or become equipped for work with children, young people or those with special needs. Through being part of the New Wine team I’ve met some inspiring people, seen God at work, truly changing lives, and heard amazing stories of His being powerfully at work elsewhere. I’ve also witnessed hundreds of people give hugely of their time and resources, adding to the demands of their own churches and day jobs, so that New Wine events and the Network can bring blessing to so many more. So next time you read in the St Paul’s newsletter about one of our church leaders speaking at another church or helping at another event, rejoice that you’re part of a church that is blessed to be able to help people in many other communities, and in so doing, build God’s Kingdom here on earth. Ruth Dales

CONNECTING

com

Join the

If you’re new to St Paul’s, or thinking of joining us, there are lots of ways to meet people and get connected into church life. Here is a run-down of regular events for people who are new to the church, or just want to get to know people

Welcome Supper

If you want to be fully part of the church family at St Paul’s, then this is the evening for you. Welcome suppers happen several times a year. They are an opportunity to share a meal together, meet some of the staff and ministry leaders and hear about the vision and values of who we are as a church and what we believe in. We really encourage you to come along. For more information, call the office on 020 8579 3778 or email welcome@stpauls-ealing.org

Cluster Nights

Once a month there is a Cluster Night in church. This is where a cluster of Life Groups meet together. Anyone new to the church or not yet in a Life Group is invited to come along and meet some of the people at St Paul’s.

The Lounge

Tuesdays 8–10pm This is the St Paul’s mid-week congregation. We’re a bunch of people exploring why following Jesus is worthwhile and working out what it means to follow Him. We meet to do something, somewhere, almost every single Tuesday. We run our own short ‘courses’ and we also just hang out and aim to be the type of friends who are there for each other when needed, at any time. Email tomh@hewsons.net for more info.

mmunity Great and Small

Great and Small is our Wednesday morning event for parents and carers with children aged four and under. It’s a morning full of music, games, a bouncy castle, soft play, stories, crafts and coffee and cake. Come and join in on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 10am.

Wednesday Circle

A group of older men and women who meet for worship, prayer, coffee and friendship. Guest speakers visit regularly. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 10.30am in the church. For more information contact the office on 020 8579 9444.

Sporting Activities

There is a variety of sporting activities organised by people from St Paul’s and open to anyone who would like to come along: Friday Football – contact Daniel Haigh 07854 355877 Saturday (Vintage) Netball – Contact Ruth Dales 020 85678987 Saturday Football – contact Matt Blackman 07708 886277 or matthewblackman561@hotmail.com Street Dance Classes (Wednesdays) – contact Claire Sullivan 020 8840 6703

Awaken

A Saturday morning event where women come together to share breakfast and be inspired by a guest speaker. Contact the office for more information on 020 8579 9444.

Men’s Events

There are regular events run for men in the church ranging from curry nights to big breakfasts and walking weekends. Contact Guy Loureiro on Loureiro.guy@gmail.com for more information.

Find us on Facebook or follow us on twitter @stpaulsealing

creative worship

WORSHIP AND PRAYER

Mark Tate, one of our worship leaders, gives us some thoughts on creativity in worship

I love music. I love playing, I love listening and I love creating it – as do millions of others on this planet. Music throughout the ages is able to touch the raw nerve of human emotions and stir the heart and soul of so many. It helps us express things from deep within. Whatever country, town, village or tribe you are from, you can be sure that some sort of music will be part of your culture and community. However, music can transcend culture and almost everyone can relate to it in some way, shape or form. Not only that, but the diversity of style, form and sounds that have been created all over the world is huge. It is truly inspirational to me and to be celebrated. We have the gift of creating because we are made in the image of God. From cover to cover the Bible shows us a picture of a God who is creative. It is the very first thing we learn about Him in Genesis 1 with the creation of the world. I would love to see a fly-on-the-wall documentary of the creation of the world one day. I hope there’s one in the ‘new heaven and the new earth.’ We also read in the Bible that we have been created to worship Him; that it’s part of our identity as children of God. This is why King David proclaims, ‘I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever,’ Psalm 86:12.

Worshipping God in sung worship is of course only one way of responding to His glory and majesty, and is a useful tool for expressing our praise and adoration to Him. But Paul explains that worship is more than just certain planned acts; our whole lives are to be ‘offered’ as living sacrifices. Mike Pilavachi, in his book, For The Audience Of One agrees: ‘Worship is more than simply singing songs to Him – it also involves living a life that expresses it, in the same way that if you love someone it doesn’t just affect the things you say, but the way you live.’ We are to worship God in everything we do.

My point is this: if we’ve been made to worship the Creator and if we’re going to use music and words to do so, then let’s worship Him creatively. There are so many different styles of music out there. Why limit ourselves to one style or the same set of instruments? I would love to encourage worship leaders to enjoy being creative. Music in its essence is creative. But let’s not fall into the trap of hearing Matt Redman’s or Tim Hughes’ songs (however good they are) and then copying the sound, style and structure they produce; that’s ultimately imitation, not creativity. Worship music doesn’t have a particular sound or particular chords or a particular sort of voice. It’s up to us to express those things in any way we see fit. And I suggest we start by being ourselves and not by being copycats. There’s no harm in being influenced by people. That’s natural… it’s impossible not to be. But let’s be ourselves when we come to create. To the musicians: what moves and touches you? When it comes to your favourite ‘chunes’, what sounds, rhythms, chords, effects, vocals etc flick your switch? Maybe a good thing to think about when we are creating music and leading people at church? Of course, the music and creativity are tools: ‘We don’t worship the worship, we don’t worship the creativity, we continue to worship the risen Jesus. Creativity in music and worship is about using everything we have to tell Jesus how great He is!’ (For The Audience of One, Mike Pilavachi) In the wonderful book of Revelation in chapter 4 John paints an incredible picture of what heaven is like and one thing is clear: in heaven there is a lot of worship and, boy, is it impressive, epic and creative. This is not to say it’s the only picture of what worship in heaven is like. But it’s a good place to start. In John’s vision of worship, the picture is centered on the glory and praise of God; there’s ornate furniture, loud instruments, thunder and lightning, bright colours, new songs and new sounds, ‘living creatures’ and elders all bowing down; and all this for the worship and glory of our God. The picture I get when I try and imagine this scene is one of worship filled with wonder, awe, and adoration, and it is loud and bursting with creative colours and sounds. Epic! I can’t wait. What’s amazing is the fact that we have been invited to join in with the worship that goes on in heaven. If we’re going to do so, using music and words, then let us do so creatively. Mark Tate | Young Adults’ Pastor 17

ALLSTARS KIDS

Skids

Simon Parry shares what’s going on in the Allstars Children’s Ministry Allstars is the name of the children’s ministry at St Paul’s. It’s a vibrant, fun and God-centred place for children of all ages. Our desire in Allstars is to partner with parents in bringing their children into a relationship with Jesus and helping them to grow in their relationship with Him. The Allstars’ kids’ team love children and consider it a great honour to serve the children of our church and community. Allstars caters for new-born babies all the way up to children in Year 6 at school. We take great care to present Jesus in a way that is fun, relevant for the children, interactive and full of life.

Our goal at Allstars is to reach children in Ealing with the love of God in a fresh and relevant way. We strive to ensure that every Allstars’ group and event, whether on Sundays or midweek, is a safe, fun, friendly and godly place to be. You can spot an Allstars’ team member easily on a Sunday morning and any other event as they’re all wearing our cool red and white Allstars’ t-shirts, a red Allstars’ tabard or a red Allstars’ hoody. If you see one, dont forget to say ‘Hello’! I really hope your children enjoy their time in Allstars and look forward to welcoming you soon. See you there! Simon Parry | Children’s Pastor

Sunday Allstars ochinldren’s programme We have a full ages 0 - 11s every Sunday morning for 2-3s

0-2s

Nursery & Reception

Yrs 1-2

Yrs 3-4

Yrs 5-6

Krafty Kids This is our craft club for children in school Years 1-3. We are planingt to take Krafty Kids on the road in the spring to locations around Ealing. See the St Paul’s website for details.

Breakout - Years 3-6 Every Tuesday in term-time from 6-7.15pm we meet for an evening jampacked with music, team games, competitions, cool Bible stuff, movies, tuck shop, teaching, pool and a great bunch of leaders.

Tiny Little Me - ages 5 and under This is our pre-school event featuring music, games, puppets, live music, giant softplay, crafts, special guests, pony rides and lots more. These events run on key Saturdays throughout the year.

Full House Join us every third Sunday of the month for a great big Allstars’w Celebration in the church hall. This is for children in Crackers, Lasers and Voltage and includes extended worship, teaching, activities and time with God. Follow the signs at church. Starts promptly at 9.15 and 11am.

massive

Massive - Family events Massive is our large-scale event which takes place regularly throughout the year. An action-packed afternoon or evening of worship, games, fun, guests and loads more crammed in for the whole family.

Great and Small - Preschool Great and small is our fornightly preschool morning for children. Full of music, games, Ruffy the dog, live music, giant softplay, crafts and lots more. Visit the welcome area for more details. Pastoral Visits Throughout the year, we have a small team of Allstars’ leaders who visit children and families from our various Allstars’ groups. These visits take place after school at a convenient time. The team can chat and pray with the children.

Keep up-to-date You can keep up-to-date with our monthly Allstars’ Newletter. This is full of news, dates and events. They are available free each Sunday in all our kids’ groups, online and also via email. Joining the A-team If you would like to find out more about joining the Allstars’ team, you can pick up an Allstars’ information pack at the welcome area in the church or contact Simon Parry at the church office. Local Primary Schools We go into a number of schools in the Ealing area to lead assemblies and take lessons. We also host ‘school visits’ to St Paul’s throughout the year as well as working with the schools on projects such as school music albums and weekly Bible clubs. Allstars Website We also have a new website with details of all our groups and events. There’s news, a who’s who of the team and you can download some of our weekly kids’ materials. Visit www.stpaulsealing.com and look for Allstars.

NEW SONGS 2012 10 songs for in 2012 Allstars Kids

yout youth

exalt y e h YOUTH ST PAUL’S YOUTH

what a term!

Hi guys, I love it when you guys bring friends along to the stuff we do here – it’s been so great to meet so many of your mates and it’s really good for them to see that Christians aren’t all a bunch of weirdos! I think a lot of people don’t really know much about Christians or what we believe so the fact that you’re talking to your friends about it and bringing them along to church is brilliant. It’s for the same reason that I have been going into schools. So far I’m going to Twyford and occasionally to Elthorne Park, but I’d really love to do more. I’m really passionate about seeing more young people become Christians and I hope you are too. The only way that it might happen is if we go out there and put ourselves on the line and start talking to people about who Jesus is and the difference He makes in our lives. Just imagine what your school or even your life might be like if a load of your friends got to know Jesus.

I’d love to see that come true, but it will only happen if we start having those conversations and invite people along to church stuff. To quote a Chinese proverb: ‘A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.’ Let’s make that step. 20

Rich

for years 7-9

exalt boys’ cell

We have a lot of fun at boys’ cell and recently we’ve been looking at what it means to be a man! We’ve been looking at characteristics like passion, respect and humility and how they are expressed in the life of Jesus. It’s a great place to come to learn about God, have fun, play football and hang out with friends. Leader: Marcus Jones | Thursdays 5-6.30pm

exalt girls’ cell We were delighted to welcome a new set of Yr 7s to girls’ cell this year to add to our fab Yr 8s and 9s. We spent four weeks looking at Philippians following which we’ve been looking at the early church in Acts. We’ve been pondering how similar our community is to the church in Acts and how we can be inspired by these exciting early Christians. New members are always welcome – girls’ cell is a fun, friendly, safe environment to enjoy girlie company and find out more about being women of God. Leader: Rachel Bedford | Tuesdays and Wednesdays 5.45-7.15pm

exalt sunday Exalt is all about getting into the Bible and seeing what it says about the stuff we face every day. January was movie month and before Christmas we were looking at the miracles of Jesus and how He said we can do these things too! It’s a great chance to come and explore all those things that affect you in everyday life. Leader: Tony Plews | Sundays 11am-12.15pm

exalt fusion

It’s the place to be! Come along to hang out, play pool, table tennis, Wii and catch up with some of your friends. We’ll be doing some more special themed nights and events, so watch this space for what’s coming up. Leader: Richard Turner | Fridays 6.30-8pm

transform + upperroom for years 10-13

upperroom

A great place to come and have your last chance to chill out before another week of school and all the rest of the stresses of the week. Have a game of table tennis, pool or just hang out and chat with your mates. Whether you want to join us for a nice cup of tea and cake or an epic FIFA football tournament, it’s always fun! You could come at 6.30pm for the evening service too!

Leaders: Jonny Spence and Richard Turner Wednesdays 7.30-9.30pm

Leader: Richard Turner Sundays 8.15-9.30pm

transform

We have an awesome time at Transform and we’ve recently had some really great discussions about relationships and how God can be involved in every part of our lives. We also have been having a great time worshipping and praying together and we’ve had a load of fun just hanging out and doing social stuff together. We also have Youth Jams every half term for people who love music and worship. So come along, we’d love to see you there!

n e m o W

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

ST PAUL’S

Hi Girls,

In the spring term in Connect (the St Paul’s network of life groups for women) we’ve been thinking about Mary and Martha. Inevitably we’ve had the chance to smile at ourselves as we’ve each considered where we prefer to sit on the serving/receiving scale. And it’s been really good to be reminded that none of us is a total Mary or a total Martha but that we each have the capacity to be bits of both and to show different aspects of ourselves in different contexts, as the opportunity brings. I realise how different I might be at home with my family or friends (relaxed, fun, maybe even witty?) compared with how I might be in a trustee board meeting where I know people less well and the conversation is a little different! We’re all different from each other and we behave differently in different situations at different times. And that’s what I love about the women’s ministry at St Paul’s. I love that you’re all unique and that you each bring something different. Collectively we’re better because each of you is here; each individual impacts the whole. If you haven’t yet joined in with any of the women’s events in our church, please don’t leave it any longer. Come along to one of the socials or women’s breakfasts (Awaken!), or if you like an all-women’s life group, come to Connect on a Thursday morning or a Tuesday evening.

Lindsay

There’s something for everyone in our women’s ministry. So come and make yourself known to us – you’re sure of a warm welcome. With love

‘I felt waves of the Holy Spirit coming over me’ It was on a warm, sunny October day that a number of St Paul’s women set off for a day away at Restore Hope in Latimer, Buckinghamshire. Some of us got lost trying to find the venue, which was located down winding lanes deep in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, but when we arrived we were given the warmest of welcomes along with fresh coffee and pastries. During the morning session we heard from two St Paul’s women, Ali Trott and Sarah Parry, who spoke on ‘Becoming passionate women of God’, using the examples of Tamar and Abigail from the Bible. A couple of us had had dreams prior to the day, including me, and after the talk we were invited up to share words of prophecy. Normally I would find it difficult to share an intimate dream, but I found myself ‘propelled’ to the front and afterwards several women said that my dream had spoken right into their hearts, which reassured me and made me feel part of the day. In the afternoon session, Jeannie Morgan from Soul Survivor Watford spoke on ‘encountering the Holy Spirit’. My memory of her is of an extremely likeable, down-to-earth woman who has experienced much suffering in her life. I remember her standing on a chair after her talk, literally directing and asking the Holy Spirit to come. We were all full of expectation of what God would do and He didn’t fail us: He exceeded our expectations! It was the most powerful move of the Holy Spirit I had ever experienced and the encounter with God that I had long desired. Jeannie then asked the Holy Spirit to give us different anointings, or gifts, including evangelism, healing, tongues, mercy, discernment and so on. I felt waves of the Holy Spirit coming over me and felt rooted in God’s power and glory. It was a life-changing experience and has given me a renewed fervour and passion for God. So many commented on how blessed they were by the day and I don’t think anybody was disappointed. We finished with homemade cakes and tea – a perfect end to a perfect day.

What’s on for Women CONNECT is the network of Life Groups for St Paul’s Women which provides a context for women to grow in their faith. It’s a place where friendships can form and deepen and the nitty gritty of life can be shared. There’s prayer, worship, Bible study and ministry. Everyone at St Paul’s is encouraged to be in a Life Group. If your preference is for an all-women’s group, then CONNECT is definitely for you. The groups meet on Thursday mornings weekly and Tuesday evenings fortnightly. Contact Lindsay Melluish or Sarah Parry via the church office. AWAKEN! is an event for all St Paul’s women and their friends. It takes place periodically on Saturday mornings throughout the year. There’s breakfast, vibrant worship, relevant teaching addressing issues women face in the 21st century and ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. Watch out for the advertising for these events either on the website or via INTOUCH (see below). Prayer Triplets: Another place where friendships grow is in prayer triplets. It is in these triplets where people find great strength in the deepening of relationships which enables trust to grow and provides the opportunity to ‘bear one another’s burdens’. Contact Gaynor Coffey via the church office. Street Dance Wednesdays 8.30-9.30pm (in the church hall). A great way to keep fit and make friends. INTOUCH: There are so many different aspects of the women’s ministry and we don’t want you to miss out on anything. Join INTOUCH, our email network, to keep up-to-date with what’s happening. Contact Sarah Parry via the church office.

MORE INFORMATION

W: www.stpaulsealing.com T: 020 8579 9444 E: men@stpauls-ealing.org

Melanie Jelleyman

men MEN’S MINISTRY

Guy Loureiro gives us the low-down on men’s events this spring and summer While reading Acts, I have once again been amazed by the adventures of the first Christian men: how brave they were, putting themselves directly in the firing line. But they couldn’t contain themselves – their message literally burst out of them. They had to tell the world what they had seen, heard and experienced.

It’s clear to see in the pages of Acts how these early believers relied on God and on each other wholeheartedly. They shared everything with each other, they ate and prayed together. They looked out for each other, banding together in small groups. They tried not to let their friends become isolated. They appeared to be stronger when they relied on God and on their fellow Christians. They sometimes fell out with each other, but seemed to find other companions in the group to join up with and move on from their disagreements. And most weren’t full time evangelists either. They were encouraged to stay in their workplace and work to the best of their ability. Living in the Ealing community seems a million miles away from the frontline evangelists in St Paul’s time. But our church community (named after that great first century evangelist) does hold on to many of the same principles. In the Men’s Ministry, we meet regularly and almost always it involves a meal.

We have inspiring visitors or local men talking about their faith and the challenges they face in their workplaces. We challenge, support and hold each other accountable through Magnet groups and Life Groups. Many of the men are involved in other St Paul’s ministries that serve the community. We encourage others to find out about these and get involved because living out our faith in practical ways is so rewarding, as well as being an essential part of making Christ known. We have a vision to see more men explore their faith. Last year, St Paul’s Men’s Ministry signed up to Christian Vision for Men (CVM), which supports churches and men’s groups across the UK. CVM believes that the Christian message radically changes lives but that men are not getting a chance to hear that message because of their mass exodus from the Christian church over the last 30 years. In November 2011, 650 men came together from across the UK for the inaugural New Wine/CVM Men’s Day called ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’. It was fantastic. Read more opposite.

Iron Sharpens Iron

What’s On

Andrew Holden gives us the lowdown.

This April our breakfast event involves a working meal as we tackle a local Besom project. Bacon butties will be served but rather than the usual sit down at St Paul’s, we’ll be helping families in need: decorating homes, installing new household items or cleaning gardens; it is always immensely rewarding to help people in this way.

What does a Christian bloke look like? The three speakers at the New Wine Men’s conference, Iron Sharpens Iron, in Soul Survivor Watford, were three ordinary men, certainly looking from the outside. Indeed so were the 600 or so other men packed into the venue. However, on the inside I would say they were ‘extra-ordinary’. They each shared a passion for Christ and a heart’s desire to see this country’s men changed by ordinary men making a difference. In 1 Samuel 16:7 the Bible says, ‘The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ The three speakers were inspiring: Carl Beech, Anthony Delaney and Patrick Dixon. They encouraged us to be real and honest with ourselves and to make a positive decision to make a difference. I was particularly struck by Carl’s story of the time when, having set up CVM (Christian Vision for Men), he was at a very low ebb, and really wanted to finish with the whole thing. One day he went for a stroll in his neighbourhood and he heard God telling him to knock on a particular door. Reluctantly he did and was met by a very angry and aggressive woman who gave him what for. Carl beat a hasty retreat only to be told by God less than 10 minutes later to go back and knock on the door again. He did so and received the same verbal response. A few weeks later he found he was wandering in the same neighbourhood and again he knocked on the woman’s door. He got a completely different reception, and was invited in. The women explained that when Carl had knocked on the door the first time he had interrupted her just as she had been trying to commit suicide. She was very angry at having her suicide attempt interrupted, but had cried out to the Lord that if He was real He would make Carl come back and knock on her door again. Carl had responded to God’s call, and changed a life by being obedient. In the forward to Anthony Delaney’s book Diamond Geezers it says, ‘Everything about Jesus Christ and the Christian faith ought to appeal to men; Jesus was undoubtedly a man’s man – his closest friends were working class guys with whom he ate, drank, partied and shared a message of sacrifice, power and ultimately amazing joy.’ If we come along side other men, in places where men connect – the pub, the sports field, DIY, mending the car or bike - to support and encourage, then we can start the ripple effect of changing our communities. If we demonstrate what a real man is like then we can make it attractive to others who have yet to encounter their heavenly Father.

Also in April is the St Paul’s annual Golf day. Don’t worry if you don’t play off a handicap; Jurek Kolorz has worked out a golf competition that gives novices a chance against the more experienced players. Last year’s 28 mile walk along the Dorset coast was by all accounts pretty arduous – especially the last 5 miles. It was advertised as a 21 mile ‘stroll’ – clearly someone’s GPS distance estimator was off-cue – but many memories were created on that trail (trial?). This year’s challenge is a three day cycle to Paris in May and it is not limited to men only. Although this may sound like a challenge too great, these types of events create big memories and deepen relationships. Get on your bikes! CVM Mighty Men’s Conference is a weekend long event in North Yorkshire at the end of May. Angus Buchanan is the guest speaker. The conference is free and camping is available on site. The final event of the school year is the summer barbeque at the home of Richard and Julia Sarson. No doubt, among other things, the tales of the Paris bike ride will be recounted. Dads’ Big Breakfast – watch the notice sheets for details of breakfasts designed for dads and their kids. Read more about Dad’s Big Breakfats on page 33.

Dates for the Diary Mon 5th Mar – Curry Evening @ St Paul’s – 7.30 for 8pm Sat 17th Mar – CVM London Men’s Convention Sat 21st April – Besom project Thu 26th April – St Paul’s Golf Day at Brent Valley Golf Course Sat 19th – Mon 21st May – Northfields to Paris Cycle Ride

MORE INFORMATION

W: www.stpaulsealing.com T: 020 8579 9444 E: men@stpauls-ealing.org

g n i t i ces x e tim d a e ah

STUDENTS & YOUNG ADULTS

Mark Tate gives the students and young adults at St Paul’s reasons to be excited about the times ahead

I’ve been at St Paul’s for a few months now but it feels like I’ve been here for ages. Right from the off I felt very welcome. It’s been great getting to know so many of you, so thanks very much for your hospitality and friendliness!

If you’re not in a Life Group yet, I would encourage you to join one. They are wonderful places to build real, authentic relationships, and a place to get genuine support for whatever you are going through week in, week out.

To say I’m a little excited to see what God is going to be doing with students and young adults at St Paul’s is an understatement. I can’t wait to see what God’s got up His sleeve for this group of people and how He’s going to move, challenge and inspire them. Exciting times are ahead.

We currently have four student and young adult life groups that meet weekly. They are run by:

There’s been a great turn out to all the social events we’ve had. It’s been a fantastic way to get to know some of you and have some laughs along the way.

Check out the ‘Students and Young Adults’ on St Paul’s Facebook page for more info and up and coming events.

It’s also been great to see a community of students and young adults gathering at the evening service. We’ve experienced some amazing times of ministry and met with God in different ways. It definitely feels like God is on the move.

Richard Turner (Hanwell) Tom and Mandy Green (Isleworth) Mark and Laura Tate (Northfields)

Peace out guys!

‘

we are so glad we joined

’

Richard and Vanessa Alston tell us about their experience of Life Group We have been attending St Paul’s now for almost three months, and have been attending Mark and Rachel Bedford’s Life Group for most of that time. It really is great to be back in amongst a group of like-minded Christians who meet regularly. We’d been attending another church for several years, but due to work commitments we were never really able to attend any of their Life Groups, and as a result started to get lost in the congregation. It’s such a blessing finally to be able to attend one now and the people we’ve met are amazing. We’ve been studying the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan and it’s brought about some really interesting and challenging discussions. One of the simplest reasons why it is good to be in a Life Group is to change the focus of our week. We both work and our jobs take up a fair part of our time but though it is midweek and we are tired, we have been making the effort to go. When we go to our Life Group, we can concentrate on God, meet with new friends and have some time to think of the things that really matter in life. That is one of the most important features of Life Group for us at the moment. It helps us through the week. Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love has been a challenging and thought-provoking read. For this reason, it has been lovely to talk it through with other people, instead of contemplating it independently. Sometimes it is better to get another person’s perspective. We look forward to seeing what we will base our Life Group around next term.

As we had started to feel a bit lost in the crowd at our previous church, we have found that Life Group at St Paul’s has been a good way of helping us to meet new people. The church is already extremely welcoming with the pastors always making an effort to meet and greet people before or after a service. While this helped us settle into services, a further step was Life Group. We now we get the opportunity to say hello to our new friends and we often sit next to people from our group. Then there are also opportunities to meet a larger group of people when the young adults’ Cluster holds events such as fireworks night; it was fun getting to know people in a different context, having a meal with people and just discussing life in general. Our consistent attendance of a Life Group at St Paul’s shows how great it is. While we truly loved our time spent at our old church, and had met friendly and fun people there too, we had reached the point in our lives where hiding behind travel distances as excuses for not attending Life Group had to end. We are so glad we joined a local church and have finally made a commitment to regularly meeting up with other people in the week to talk about God. Especially in a world that is full of so many distractions. Richard and Vanessa Alston

MORE INFORMATION

W: www.stpaulsealing.com T: 020 8579 9444 E: students@stpauls-ealing.org

COMMUNITY LIFE

God calls His people to be a light to the nations and to reach out to the lost, the least and the marginalized. The Ealing Community School of English, now in its seventh year, seeks to do this by building relationships with non-English speakers. As well as helping them learn English and improve their job prospects, we try to support students undergoing the challenges of day-to-day life in a new country. ‘Written by the students of Class Entry Levels 2 and 3: The Polish community arrived in large numbers in England in May 2004 when England became part of Europe. Before that we didn’t know very much about England. We came here to find ways to earn extra money. We hoped to be introduced to many new friends from other countries. We would like to improve our English. Before we arrived in England, we read lots about London and now we can see with our own eyes many museums, modern buildings and more. People in the UK are very friendly, helpful, happy and always smiling. We like English food, but not fast food. We wanted to learn English because if you can speak it many doors will be open for you. You can find a good job. With English you can speak to people from different countries, you can watch and understand movies and you can express yourself better and improve your life. If you know English the world is more open to you. We heard about the new school run by St Paul’s church from our friends at St Joseph’s primary school in Hanwell, where our children are in the same class. One day after school some of the Polish mothers started talking about an English school near Boston Manor Road. So we went on Wednesday to the school and we had a writing test which we passed. We are so glad that we are here because we have a chance to learn proper English with a church school. Three years ago we went to college in Ealing Broadway but we stopped going there because it was too expensive for us. Friends of ours gave a good recommendation of the ECSE and we started there two years ago. 28

There are a lot of things that we like about the school. The most important thing is that the teachers are very good, and they are very kind and polite. When we need them they always have time to help us and answer questions about other problems. We love the atmosphere in the classroom because people are friendly. Sometimes we even go out after school for a drink. Learning English in our school is fun. We think it’s the best school in this area. The students are very friendly, and they help each other. We are all different ages, some young and some very old. Most students come from Poland. Sometimes we meet each other after school. Every break we are served coffee, tea and of course biscuits. We’re glad that we’re learning English in this school. Thank you, St Paul’s Church.’ Praise God for answering our prayers throughout this term concerning the shortage of teachers of the school – we now have enough teachers to open an extra class and re-open the waiting list, which had to be closed due to over subscription. If you would like termly e-mails with prayer points, keeping you up-to-date with all that God is doing with ECSE and its students or if you are keen to serve at the school in any way, please get in touch with me at stefananstis@hotmail.com. I’ll leave you with God’s words to the people of Israel before they entered the Promised Land: ‘When an alien lives with you in your land... [he] must be treated as one of your native born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ Leviticus 19:33-34.

ECSE Mission statement

To reach out to immigrants and refugees in our area To equip them to be part of our community through literacy and support To enable them to experience God’s love. Stefan Anstis

Prison Ministry

in the community

Volunteers from St Paul’s go into Wormwood Scrubs Prison to take chapel services and help on the Alpha courses that are run there. During these services, we lead the inmates in worship and Bible study, and also offer opportunities for prayer. St Paul’s supports Kairos Prison ministry by providing a team to lead and serve for the three-day courses: Sycamore Tree, a six-week restorative justice programme dealing with victim awareness and restoring victims and offenders and Angel Tree, a programme run at Christmas when churches buy presents and send them to prisoners’ children on behalf of the prisoner. Contact Ray Elliot on 020 8579 9444

Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

The debt counselling centre at St Paul’s is a partnership between Christians Against Poverty and a number of churches in Ealing. Our aim is to relieve poverty and bring justice to those in need in our community through top-quality debt counselling. There is always a solution to help people get out of debt. Though it may not be an easy journey, CAP is there alongside them until they become debt-free. St Paul’s members support the ministry by praying for particular needs, visiting and befriending clients and helping at social events. Contact Azniv Pambakian on 020 8579 8882 or ealing@capuk.org

St Paul’s Community Playschool

St Paul’s Community Playschool was started about 20 years ago by church mums. Our main goal is to love and nurture our little ones the way Jesus loved children. As they are only two and a half when they start, it is often the first separation from mum and dad. We are regulated under Ofsted and The Early Learning Goals. We accept children from all faiths and cultures and they are aware that we are a Christian Playgroup. We are open term-time five days a week from 9.30am-12pm. For more information, contact the church office on 020 8579 9444

Ealing Community School of English The aim of Ealing Community School of English (ECSE) is to reach out to the immigrants and refugees in our area and to equip them to integrate into the community through literacy and support. The literacy classes are run by a group of dedicated volunteer teachers and helpers from St Paul’s who wish to bless our community. However, participation in all areas of the school is open to everyone. For more information, contact Stefan Anstis on 020 8567 8697 or stefananstis@hotmail.com.

Soup Kitchen

The Soup Kitchen runs every weekend at St John’s Church, Ealing, serving 90 people with hot food and sandwiches. We are one of seven churches on the rota – a great example of churches working together to serve the poor. The clients range from the lonely to the desperate for whom it is a lifeline. If you can spare any time between 2pm and 6pm on Saturday or Sunday call Richard Sarson on 07860 612018.

Besom

Besom in Ealing enables Christians who have a heart for the poor to give of their time or their possessions. Small groups of people can do painting and gardening projects, or clothes sorting sessions and furniture deliveries. For people who want to give their possessions, such as big household items, Besom in Ealing runs a weekly van collection and delivery service. Smaller items can also be given. Our recipients are referred to us through our links with social services, Surestart and similar organisations. To find out more contact Besom on 07766 072150

Choices Pregnancy Centre

‘Choices’ was founded in 1999 by a group of Christians from a variety of local churches. We are part of a national network of about 160 crisis pregnancy centres (Careconfidential). Our aim is for women and their partners to feel accepted and supported and to receive whatever accurate information they need. Our services are totally confidential and we are staffed by trained volunteers, male and female. Advice is always non-directive and our aim is to enable our clients to make decisions that they are fully involved in. For more information on these services or if you would like to help Choices through donating equipment or becoming a volunteer, contact Jo Jenks on 020 8830 8034 or email london-ealing@careconfidential.com.

FAMILY LIFE

family courses

At St Paul’s we love to celebrate family and we do all we can to support those who are set in families. Here are some of the courses we offer to enable that to happen

Family Time – Parenting Children

Led by Mark and Lindsay Melluish with Andrew and Nicola Holden Next Course will run in the autumn 2012 Raising children in the 21st century is a big challenge! This course is for all parents of children under 12 and provides an opportunity to meet together in an informal, relaxed atmosphere, listen to a talk about a parenting topic followed by discussion in small groups. Fun, new friends and fab food! Topics include: Having a vision for your family, family identity, family values, influences on our children, building relationships, guiding, shaping and discipline and much more.

Family Time – Parenting Teenagers

Led by Mark and Lindsay Melluish with Phil and Sue George Next Course will run in the autumn 2012 The teenage years can be challenging but they needn’t be the nightmare many talk about. This course aims to encourage confidence in those parenting the teens and provide some tools to make this season of life manageable and enjoyable.

Mother to Daughter

Led by Lindsay Melluish and Jo Jenks Next course will run in the summer 2012 As girls become young women their relationship with mum becomes crucial for guidance and loving support. Mother to Daughter is a course which aims to strengthen these relationships between mothers and their girls in year 6 to 9. There are four sessions for the mums on their own and four sessions for the mums and their girls together. Topics for mums include the power of example, communication, building confidence and encouraging personal value. Meet new friends and eat and drink delicious refreshments.

Preparation for Marriage Course

Led by Barry and Val Denham Courses run regularly throughout the year – contact the church office for up-coming dates. The pre-marriage course is run one evening a week for three weeks and is designed for couples who have decided on or are considering engagement. The courses run with two or three couples whom we invite to join us at home over

coffee and biscuits in a relaxed and friendly environment. As we work through the course couples are given time and space alone to work through material that will help them think through some key issues that they face as they enter marriage. Most couples find the course to be a helpful, experience and, contrary to expectations, a lot of fun besides!

The Marriage Course

Led by Mark and Lindsay Melluish with Barry and Val Denham Next Course will run in Spring 2013. For all married couples who want to build a marriage that lasts a lifetime, this course aims to provide the setting for relevant teaching followed by a chance to discuss things, just the two of you, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Topics covered include understanding differences, effective communication, resolving conflict, parents and in-laws, good sex and much more.

Dad’s breakfast

big

After a long week at work, dragging myself out of bed and hopping onto a bus to church isn’t my idea of a dream Saturday morning. But today there is a good reason for the effort: Dad’s Big Breakfast is about to swing into action. My son, Oliver, aged five and a half, has been asking me when he can come to the men’s events at church for what seems like ages. I had expected him to have to wait another 10 years but a dad plus kids event means we get to go to something a decade early. Result. So we walk into church and there are dads (check) and kids (check) from tinies to teens milling around, and live rugby starting up on the big screen. The bacon and other goodies smell great and we get a drink and some food. As Oliver tucks in to his breakfast (which seems about as big as he is) I get talking with some other guys from church. It’s nice to chat and not have to rush off anywhere for once. Being a men’s event and having hoovered up the requisite consumption of fried foods, we go through to the main hall and start some serious fun. The rugby is getting controversial and tense on the big screen and I avoid being the stereotype who just chats about football by talking about the rugby instead.

Martin Williams shares highlights from the last Dad’s Big Breakfast Who says men are predictable?

Many activities are happening and Oliver and I have a go on the Scalextric, then he moves on to the giant Connect 4 before busying himself driving a tractor for the rest of the morning with his seven year old friend. Not a full size tractor I should add, although being the son of a Wiltshire boy, it’s in his nature to go for this. I am still aiming to teach him how to say ‘farm’ properly with at least three ‘r’s. Fatherhood is a great challenge. Mark Melluish throws in some thoughts from the front for a couple of minutes to encourage us all and thank us for coming; having something to chew on apart from the bacon and egg sandwiches is welcome. The time passes quickly and soon we are on our way back home, having had much food and fun. It was good to have a dad’s event on a Saturday, as Saturday morning is usually Dad-time in our house, and being at work all week means I usually miss out on seeing Oliver at swimming and other after-school activities. Oliver loved it, and I too am well up for the next Dad’s Big Breakfast. So, early start and all, bring it on! 31

I see my workplace as my mission field

DAY IN THE LIFE

Louis Karmios talks about holding his work and faith in constant tension

My day starts with a ten minute walk through Blondin Park, during which I watch the robins and squirrels gathering their food, seemingly without a care in the world. Do they worry about their mortgage, world affairs, kids growing up or their business? At this point my mind usually turns to God. When I consider all the good things in nature which surround us, all the silly things we complain about are put into perspective. Before starting work, I say a short prayer – usually ending in me asking for the necessary skills in order to deal with all problems and issues in a Christ-like way; and believe me, for what usually comes next, I need all the help I can get.

Living a life in tension

I used to be self-centred, doing pretty much whatever I pleased, and mainly involved in the design, manufacture and racing of cars. Then around 10 years ago I crossed paths with Mark Melluish, found a love for Jesus, and am currently in the middle of a Kingdom Theology Degree at Westminster Theology Centre, held at St Paul’s. Now, as manager of Get Bike, a company based in Northfields, which offers CBT training and scooter rental, I am responsible for 30 employees and around 5,000 customers. As an engineer, my natural ability is in designing and making things, rather than managing, so I have had to reinvent myself. The business of Get Bike is not just about making money, however; the company’s slogan is ‘Get back your freedom.’

Our objective is to save people time and money, help save the planet and give people a sense of empowerment and freedom. Travelling by bicycle or motorcycle is cheaper and faster than any other way, is less destructive to the environment, and is beneficial both physically and mentally. We aim to provide a different way to travel all from a safe one-stop-shop organisation: we include training, clothing, safety equipment, security, as well as the motorcycles themselves. We empower and equip people to use motorcycles as a means of everyday transport. I appreciate that cyclists and motorcyclists are more vulnerable than cars on the road, so if I am to encourage people to use these modes of transport, I feel that it is my responsibility to do whatever I can to reduce the risks to an acceptable level. I believe that I have achieved this by setting up a school which is dedicated to teaching safer riding. Apart from riding techniques, training also covers safety equipment, machine knowledge and maintenance. In a typical day I deal with a wide range of matters, which leads me to spend a great deal of my time in thought, as I try to provide leadership and vision, not only materially but also spiritually. Each day I try to speak to as many staff members as possible, see how they are doing, deal with any issues and try to leave them with a smile on their face. On the material side, I do most of the buying of the motorcycles and I deal with third party insurance claims. If any of our customers are involved in an accident I like to know the details; if it was their fault, I will offer advice and further training in order to avoid a repetition. If the accident was not their fault, I will assist in claiming for any losses incurred. I see my workplace as my mission field. I therefore manage each day to bring theology into any appropriate conversation, and it is not too difficult to refer to some biblical text in order to resolve any contentious issues. While writing this article, I can hear our receptionist having great difficulty communicating with an Asian customer who wants to book for training. It has just taken her over 10 minutes to extract the information necessary to complete the booking. Immigrants form the largest part of our customer base and we invest time and money training our staff to deal more effectively with cultural and language differences.

At some point in the afternoon I attempt to clear my mind of all distractions and do some work on my theology essay which is due for submission imminently. Although I face many challenges, there are some rewards; even though none of the staff are Christian, they display many of the Christian values, such as humility, patience, understanding, joy, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. And every customer says the same thing: that there is something different about our business. I would love to see all of my staff come to Christ – but I have to be patient. We should have at least one more site open by now – but I have to be patient. I would love to hear God louder and clearer – but I have to be patient. So like a sponge, I soak up whatever I can from church, seminars, the Theology Course and reading my Bible, then go to work and squeeze it out all over the staff and customers. So I live each day in this tension. Fortunately, I have some great verses to help me such as, ‘Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes,’ Psalm 37:7. Louis Karmios, www.getbike.net 33

MINISTRY

Danny and Susan Haigh share some thoughts on prayer and prayer ministry

When we see the surveys on the news and in the papers that report that most of us pray regularly, we’re not surprised. Are you? Of course that may mean that such prayers occur somewhere between an annual ‘arrow’ prayer, when we have some kind of emergency or crisis, to a weekly or even daily routine. Nor is it a surprise that prayer, while it is synonymous with the church and other places of worship, frequently takes place elsewhere – our home, workplace, the car, train or bus, and so on. Most people seem to see prayer mainly as a request or plea to God to intervene in our everyday lives. That’s true, and the Bible encourages us to present our requests to God. For instance the Lord’s prayer (taught by Jesus to his disciples) includes, ‘Give us our daily bread’, in other words please supply us with what we need emotionally, physically and spiritually, and please do it today. However, prayer is a two way process. In the Old Testament we learn that God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice. We speak to God and He speaks to us. Church is a place where we make time for God and for our Christian family. Meeting together provides a significant moment in the week when we can focus our attentions on God. There we may present our requests to God but we also pause to say thanks for all the good things in our lives. There is something really special about praying (and singing) together but there is another thing that you should consider. The Bible encourages us to pray for others – you know that already – both in private prayer and also when we meet. That is why every Sunday at St Paul’s we are glad to pray with anyone who us asks to, in fact we give an invitation to do so. We call this prayer ministry and we have a passion for people to meet with and hear from God in a personal way. What is amazing is that God speaks to those on this prayer ministry team. That is because we ask Him to. When someone approaches us and asks for prayer we are listening for a word, a sentence, an image perhaps that is unrelated to us and seems to be for that person.

We do this so that the person would receive something that they need, not for ourselves, but for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. Our experience is that the God who moves in mysterious ways works profoundly in this way. Those on the team are not super-spiritual, just faith-filled enough to ask God to speak. Perhaps the strangest part of this is that we usually do this at the front of the church, often during the service, sometimes afterwards. If it’s a daunting thought to present yourself to be prayed for, it’s pretty daunting waiting for people to come! There is an uneasy humility in this. When we step out or step up God seems to really honour the fact that at some level we are saying ‘I need you’. Unless we are kidding ourselves we all need strengthening, encouragement and comfort at times, and often we need a sense of peace and that God is present with us. In fact we think He is speaking all the time, we simply need to listen. We have countless testimonies of this, both from those who have heard God speak to them directly and those who have prayed for others, tentatively passing on their impressions. Later we often receive feedback that only God could have known what was just shared. It is a tremendous privilege to be engaged in such moments. There are some practicalities to this – we like men to pray for men and women with women. We don’t like to hide away in a corner but feel the love and support of the church behind us. And we don’t like to keep people waiting if at all possible, so we have plenty of people on hand to pray. Growing in prayer is part of our spiritual journey, our discipleship. We offer training and support to those who are already involved on the team and those who feel that they would like to be part of it. The team is made up of people from all sorts of experience and backgrounds and we are keen to broaden that further. So, if ever you would like to someone to pray for you, please join us at church. We would love to stand with you and pray for you. And do speak to us about getting involved on the team.

OVERSEAS’ MISSION

enabling

women to feed their families Claire Sullivan meets the women behind the Hope Beadwork Project in Kenya

When I heard that St Paul’s was organising a trip to Kenya to experience the work of the charity Walking with Maasai I didn’t consider going. But after a lot of ‘gentle’ persuasion from various people, including Kevin, my partner, I decided at the last moment to reserve a slot − I realised it made total sense to go. I was already involved with selling the beadwork jewellery that was being made by Becca Marais and the women of the Hope (Osiligli) Beadwork Project, which is part of Walking with Maasai. I really wanted to meet the women, see how they lived and how the beadwork project is making a difference to their families’ lives.

n d r s

Planning the trip went well. Kevin had already booked the week off so no complicated childcare arrangements were necessary and my boss was also very supportive, helping with the cost and donating towards the Maasai school feeding programme. My Connect group were all praying for the success of the trip and by the time I was sitting on the plane I was totally at peace and looking forward to the adventure ahead. After we arrived in Nairobi we had plenty to do before boarding the small plane that would take us nearer to our destination. We went about our jobs of exchanging money and shopping quickly, before arriving at the Mission Aviation Fellowship airfield. An everlasting memory will be of Adrian, our pilot, saying a prayer with us before we took off; I felt that I was in safe hands. As soon as we arrived we saw Becca and her family; apparently they had just had to herd sheep and goats off the grass runway. Lots of people started to arrive, curious to see who we were: Maasai warriors, young girls and their children and local men who wanted to catch a lift on the plane back to Nairobi. Our whole week was planned so that we would see as much of Walking with Maasai’s work and the Maasai community as possible. It also gave us a great insight into the life of the Marais family as they follow their calling to live with the Maasai community in the Olorte region of southern Kenya. Becca’s beadwork room is full of colourful beads and jewellery and each week there is a real buzz as the women arrive and show the beadwork they have been working on all week; they take on quality control and discuss designs, and are given their new beads and wages – all this with lots of tea and chat! Becca is very ably assisted by Pelua, a Massai, who keeps track of the stock and wages and administers a savings plan for the women; he also finishes the jewellery and translates from Maasai to English for Becca. During the week I was there he also taught at the local Maasai school in the morning. He does all this despite being constantly distracted by the needs of the 12 women, as well as various problems such as monkeys dropping fruit onto everyone’s head while they sit in the garden making the jewellery. I spent an afternoon teaching him Excel. It was completely new for him and we were both excited at how much time it was going to save him.

As each woman arrived it was obvious how much they looked forward to ‘beadwork day’ by the pride they showed when giving Becca their work and the delight on their faces when they took home their wages. I tried to explain what a pleasure it was to sell their beautiful handiwork at fairs and events in the UK and how people love to hear about the women who make it. Life for Maasai women is tough; many of the women in the project are widows who would otherwise struggle to feed their children. But with their wages from the beadwork they can provide for their families, send their children to the local school and grow vegetables in their own shambas (allotments). We learnt how women are often viewed as utilities, but as they begin to support their families financially and send their children to school, their social standing improves. This benefits the whole community. Becca hopes to employ more women who in turn will outsource to yet more women. This will enable more children to go to school and more women to be employed to provide the wood to build new classrooms. There would be more possibilities for micro businesses such as providing food and traditional items to sell at the weekly market. There are many difficulties for the Maasai community as a whole, not least obtaining the basics such as water and food; traditionally they are a nomadic tribe but they have gradually become more static and they have had to deal with the growing influence of western culture. I could tell that the Marais family are very conscious of the culture they are living in and place God at the centre of their response to it. Everything is prayerfully considered and it’s non-stop: people arrive daily at their door with various needs. The needs are often simple, but the easiest, quickest solutions are not always the best and careful decisions have to be made. The Hope Beadwork jewellery is colourful, creative and unique just like the Maasai. It has its roots in a complex and beautiful tradition which needs to adjust to customer demand without losing its integrity. We pray the project will grow, giving hope to these wonderful women who have so much to offer, and enabling them to support their families despite their difficult circumstances. Claire Sullivan is St Paul’s local representative for the Hope Beadwork Project www.walkingwithmaasai.org

GLOBAL VILLAGE

P St Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ealing is totally committed to extending the Kingdom of God Our giving is tithed; we give away 10 - 15 per cent of the church incom for direct support of the poor. We support many different projects bot 38

some of the projects we support

Youth

Eden Network London

ppression The Church

Ealing Soup Kitchen

Sickness

Poverty throughout the world. e, at least one third of which is h abroad and in the local community

Danielâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Den

MORE INFORMATION

W: www.stpaulsealing.com T: 020 8579 9444 E: mission@stpauls-ealing.org

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

heaven What will heaven be like? Chris Fox explores what the Bible really says about eternity

Eternal Life

Woody Allen once said, ‘I’m not afraid of dying – I just don’t want to be there when it happens.’ Perhaps we feel the same? Life after death, eternity and heaven might not be part of everyday conversation, but they are certainly topics that most people ask about at some point in their lives. In this article I want to take a closer look at the question, ‘What is heaven?’ I wonder what image comes into your mind when you think about heaven? Is it simply a place where good people go to when they die? Is it anything like the images we see on the television of people sat on clouds with wings, playing a harp? Is that what the Bible has in mind when it speaks of heaven? I would suggest that it is a mile away from what the Bible describes when it speaks of heaven.

Peace on earth

Jesus spoke a lot about the Kingdom of heaven. But rarely did He point to a future place when He spoke of it. Rather He spoke of a hidden but real dimension of life that He claimed was very close at hand. We could become part of this Kingdom if we followed Jesus the King. However, Jesus also pointed to a time in the future when heaven and earth would be fully connected, but that this time hadn’t yet come. The Old Testament prophets pointed to a destiny for history – a time when God’s will would be done on earth for all of eternity. They described it as complete peace on earth. It would be a time and place where ‘the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea’ (Isaiah 11). The Book of Revelation describes a gathering of people from every tribe, tongue and nation – an incredibly diverse and complex mix of people all together in one place, worshipping God. The picture is earthy and real. It speaks of wine, people, feasts, buildings, gardening and work. Not a cloud or a harp in sight. It points back to the Genesis creation story where Adam and Eve are given responsibility for tending and enjoying the earth. This is a glimpse of what the Bible describes as heaven.

God’s justice

There is no room for injustice or wickedness in the new age. No warfare, family disputes or racism. No natural disasters from oil slicks or nuclear meltdowns. No oppression or slavery. God will bring justice for all those who have been exploited and beaten down by others. He will bring it to an end, because there is no place for it in heaven. Revelation 21:3,4 spells out what it will be

like: God’s dwelling place is now fully with people. He will wipe away every tear. He will destroy death, grief and sadness. The old age has ended. Heaven and earth are now one forever. What does that mean for us today? Rob Bell, in his book Love Wins puts it this way: ‘Jesus teaches us to pursue the life of heaven now – anticipating the day when heaven and earth will be one.’ Firstly we pray as Jesus taught us, ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,’ and secondly we seek to live it out. If there is no injustice in heaven then we do all we can to bring justice to the oppressed. If there are people from every people group in heaven, then we do all we can to bring the Good News about Jesus to everyone we meet. If work is ethical and honest when heaven comes to earth, then we should be working that way now. If there is peace in the new age, we must work for peace on earth now. A great question to think about for yourself or your Life Group is this: what might our community look like if heaven invaded it tomorrow? Then take the answers you come up with and begin to put them into action.

Citzens of heaven

The Bible does not describe heaven as being some kind of everlasting church service or a disembodied state of being. Heaven is an eternal reality that already exists. When we become followers of Jesus, we become citizens of heaven and our task is to punch holes in the darkness, bringing heaven to earth in every way we can. One day God will bring heaven and earth together, ending injustice, sin, death and pain. This is the day we pray for and look forward to. ‘We all long for heaven where God is, but we have it in our power to be in heaven with Him right now – to be happy with Him at this very moment. But being happy with Him now means: Loving as He loves, Helping as He helps, Giving as He gives, Serving as He serves, Rescuing as He rescues, Being with Him for all the twenty-four hours, Touching Him in His distressing disguise.’ Mother Teresa Chris Fox | Assistant Pastor

staffand

STAFF AND TEAM

ministryleaders

Senior Pastor

Mark Melluish

Church Life Associate Pastor Assistant Pastor

Women’s and Families Ministries Worship Director Lay reader Pastoral Assistant Ministry team Life Groups and Clusters Wednesday Circle

Children and Youth Children’s Pastor Youth Pastor Children’s Intern Great and Small

Lindsay Melluish Barry Hingston Chris Fox Lindsay Melluish John Murphy Sheenagh Burrell Nicola Holden Dan and Susan Haigh Phil and Sue George Anne Ashby

Simon Parry Richard Turner Becky Groves Alison Moore

Young Adults Young Adults’ Pastor

Mark Tate

Church Administration PA to Mark Melluish Church Administrator Office Admin Asssitant Church wardens Finance Mission Committee Welcome Team Bookshop

Community Life

Prison Ministry The Lounge Besom Christians Against Poverty Ealing Community School of English St Paul’s Community Playschool Choices Pregnancy Councelling Centre Soup Kitchen

New Wine Staff

Hosts, New Wine London and S East New Wine Conference administration Head of Operations Teams Administration 42

Cathy Webber Rae Troke Polly Neill Aaron Lawler Danny Anterkyi Vicky Read Hilary Phillips Jo Mezhlumyan and John Dales Clare Scrimgeour and Freddie Corbett

Ray Elliot Tom and Marion Hewson Ray Elliot Azniv Pambakian Stefan Anstis and Jurek Kolorz Adeline Teo-Richards Jo Jenks Richard Sarson

Mark and Lindsay Melluish Cathy Webber & Nell Fox Phil George Sue George

cluster and life groups Life Groups are a key part of church life. Clusters are made up of two or three Life Groups which meet or hold events together during the year; they’re looked after by Cluster leaders who have Life Groups of their own. We would love everyone in St Paul’s to be part of a Life Group as it helps everybody to feel connected and part of the community. Life Groups meet in various locations throughout the week, details below. Barry and Val Denham Greenford Barry and Jill Hingston Greenford Simon and Sarah Parry Northfields Janet and Robert Leacock Hanwell Chris and Nell Fox Hanwell Lynn and Simon Aglionby Ealing Broadway Gordon and Chris Roberts Pitshanger Nick and Theresa Becker Acton Phil and Sue George Northfields John and Georgie Murphy Northfields Matt and Gina Hudson Northfields Guy and Kari Loureiro Northfields Peter and Julia Bricknell Northfields Gordon and Annica May Northfields Students and Young Adults Mark and Rachel Bedford and Richard Turner Mark and Rachel Bedford Hanwell Richard Turner Hanwell Tom and Mandy Green Isleworth Mark and Laura Tate Northfields Wednesday Mornings (for older people) Barry Hingston (first and third Wednesday Mornings)

St Paul’s Church

Connect (all-women Cluster) Lindsay Melluish and Sarah Parry Thursday Mornings Lindsay Melluish and Dami Wollen Karen Young and Penny Pask Nicola Holden and Sarah Parry Julie Gehring and Nell Fox Julia Sarson and Alison Moore Vic Carey and Elizabeth Hewitt Eileen Lawler and Jane Pavey Tuesday evenings fortnightly Janet O’Doherty and Madelene Kolorz

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‘COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY’

FINAL WORD

‘Location, location, location.’ I remember first learning the significance of this when my mother and stepfather were re-locating to Dorset almost 20 years ago. They must have looked at a hundred houses over a period of six months. I accompanied them over a few weekends at the beginning, losing interest when none of them seemed to be right. My mum specifically wanted a sea view and no amount of other features could compensate for not having one. Finally they found the right house – it had been on the market for an hour and they made an offer almost straight away. Why? Because it had a sea view and so was in the ‘right’ location.

When we were buying our first house in Ealing, we didn’t worry too much about the precise location, as long as it had a happy feel when we walked in the door and a few original features. We were a professional couple who wanted to be near the tube station and shops. We didn’t much care that we had a tiny garden and nowhere to park or that the second bedroom was not big enough for a single bed. In contrast to my mum, we looked at less than 10 houses. However, what we gained from living in our road was a real feeling of community – neighbours who spoke to each other, looked after each other’s pets, invited each other for supper, and respected each other’s lifestyle choices. 44

Why then did I feel the need to be looking for something else? At that time, I was constantly searching for new challenges and interests. Oh yes, I did it all: aromatherapy, reflexology, yoga, fencing, scuba diving, fell walking, sailing, to name a few. We spent a lot of weekends away from London, often gazing into estate agents’ windows in quaint little villages, thinking our lives would be perfect if we didn’t live in the Metropolis. We would have a cottage and an aga and I would grow our own shoes, knit our own casseroles, and have a menagerie of animals and maybe even some children. Interestingly, I didn’t find what I was looking for. I just didn’t appreciate that everything I thought I was looking for was right on my doorstep, in the community I was already part of. What I eventually realised, through being invited to St Paul’s, was that the answer to my searching was God, and that the way to walk with Him was to embrace my community rather than becoming frustrated by the ‘grass is greener’ syndrome. Doing the Alpha course at St Paul’s allowed me to grow in my faith and travel on my ‘journeys’ with God within this community rather than travelling on the M1/M3 or M40. It has been a privilege to get to know so many wonderful people through the church family and it has brought a sense of belonging which I know is making a huge difference in our children’s lives as well. It is great to be able to invite others to be a part of some of the wonderful events we have here at St Paul’s. I hope that if you are reading this and are new to the church, you will jump in head first and be a part of it. Nicky Lozinski

THE NEW ALBUM FROM ST PAUL’S [ RELEASED ON EASTER SUNDAY 2012 ]

FOUND INYOU

NOT FINAL COVER

LIVE WORSHIP FROM ST PAUL’S EALING

EALING ST PAUL’S FROM WORSHIP LIVE

INYOU FOUND

Includes the songs: Our God is greater, Forever Reign God You are my God Be Still Saviour of the world I stand in awe Praise Messiah

Recorded LIVE at St Pauls Church

Available from the church bookshop or online WWW.STPAULSEALING.COM

Building Community SPRING | SUMMER 2012

St Paul’s Church | Ridley Avenue | Ealing | London | W13 9XW Tel: 020 8579 9444 email: office@stpauls-ealing.org

Registered charity in the UK no 11322598. St Paul’s Church is a member of the New Wine Network of Churches in the UK